Under the warm, golden rays of the sun. The orphanage building stood as a modest yet welcoming structure, its cheerful facade adorned with colorful banners and streamers that fluttered in the gentle breeze.
A well-tended garden stretched out from the front of the building, adorned with vibrant flowers and lush greenery, creating a picturesque scene.
The children, dressed in their best clothes, ran and played in the open courtyard, their faces beaming with excitement.
The atmosphere was alive with a sense of fun and happiness, an occasion that had brought everyone together.
It was a day of celebration for Luna, Theo, and Azrael's admission to the prestigious National Magicia Academy.
In the heartwarming embrace of the orphanage, laughter filled the air as a joyful celebration unfolded.
Luna and Theo found themselves surrounded by a group of curious kids.
Luna, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, leaned in closer to the children. "You see, I've awakened an epic magical talent."
Theo followed suit, his face beaming with pride. "And I have an ultra-rare talent."
The children were in awe. They couldn't help but look up to Luna and Theo as heroes in the making. "Will you two become heroes one day?" one of the kids asked, eyes filled with admiration.
Luna nodded with a warm smile. "That's the plan."
The children's eyes widened in awe as they listened intently, their dreams expanding with each word.
One little boy piped up, his voice trembling with excitement, "Do you think we can be heroes like you when we grow up?"
Luna and Theo shared a warm smile, their hearts touched by the children's aspirations. "Absolutely," Theo replied with a reassuring nod. "Believe in yourselves, and you can achieve anything."
Luna and Theo, their faces radiant, knelt down to the level of the orphan kids, their voices filled with genuine curiosity and amazement. "So, what do you dream of becoming once you've awakened your magic? A heroic guardian, perhaps?" Luna asked, her eyes sparkling with encouragement.
The kids exchanged eager glances, their faces lighting up with determination. "I want to be a great healer and help those in need!" one girl exclaimed, while another added, "I'll become a powerful magicia and protect the world!"
Theo smiled, ruffling a young boy's hair affectionately. "That's the spirit! With your dedication and talents, you'll definitely make a difference."
Uncle Haru and Aunt Jenna, both with playful hearts, engaged in a game of tag with the younger children, chasing them around and laughing wholeheartedly.
Laughter and shrieks of joy echoed through the orphanage grounds as they playfully darted around, creating unforgettable memories.
In a tranquil corner of the orphanage, Azrael occupied a simple wooden chair and engaged in a conversation with Sister Isabella.
Her warm congratulations flowed genuinely as she acknowledged his admission to the academy. "Congratulations, Azrael. We're so proud of you."
Azrael responded with a modest smile, his gratitude evident. "Thank you, Sister."
Sister Isabella, the devoted caretaker of the orphanage, exuded an aura of gentle love and care. Though she was in her mid-30s, her features remained youthful and radiant, and it's all magnified by her bright eyes and her kindly smile.
She dressed in a simple and modest way, wearing a black nun's robe with a white veil.
Sister Isabella couldn't help but notice Azrael's relative distance from the children's activities. She gently asked, "Why don't you join the children in their games, Azrael? They would love to have you with them."
Azrael shifted, his gaze drifting toward the lively group of children. "I'm not very good with kids."
A soft, melodic chuckle escaped Sister Isabella's lips, her eyes twinkling with affection. "Oh, Azrael, your heart is as kind as any. You don't need to worry; they won't bite. Sometimes, all it requires is a friendly face."
As their conversation continued, Sister Isabella excused herself, heading to the kitchen to prepare a delicious feast for the celebration.
As Azrael sat alone, a shy girl approached him, tugging lightly at his shirt.
Her eyes were wide with curiosity as she asked in a soft voice, "Brother Azrael, did you awaken your magic talent?"
Azrael nodded briefly. "Yeah," he replied, noticing the curiosity in her eyes.
Her eyes were wide with a mix of admiration and timidity. Hearing his answer.
Azrael looked at the girl and slightly smiled. "Do you want to see a magic trick?" he asked.
The girl's face lit up with wonder, a shy smile playing on her lips. She nodded, her amazement evident in her eyes.
Azrael held out his palm, focusing on his energy.
A small droplet of water formed on his palm, glistening like a jewel. With a gentle wave of his hand, the droplet began to transform, shaping into a delicate snowflake.
Then Azrael lightly tosses the snowflake into the air.
With a soft puff, the snowflake transformed again, this time into a shower of tiny snow crystalline. It danced like enchanted stars, sparkling in the air as a miniature snowfall.
The enchanting spectacle captured the attention of all the other children. The children gasped and in delight, their eyes following the swirling snow crystals.
They rushed over to gather around Azrael, they swarmed him, their eyes filled with amazement, their youthful enthusiasm barely contained.
Azrael suddenly found himself surrounded by enthusiastic youngsters, each brimming with questions and amazement.
Luna, Uncle Haru, and Aunt Jenna shared warm smiles at the heartwarming sight.
Azrael found himself overwhelmed by their excitement, his emotions a mix of surprise and confusion.
Amid the children's fervor, Theo stepped forward with his charismatic presence, helping Azrael to navigate the kids' sudden attention. "Hey kids, do you all want to hear what brother Azrael did to secure his spot at the academy? He does a lot of cool things you know," he asked with a dramatic flair.
The children shifted their attention to Theo.
They leaned in, their faces eager for the story. Theo animatedly recounted the tale, describing how Azrael had triumphed in the admission test with his unique skills and intelligence.
Every word Theo spoke was like a thread weaving the story, binding their attention completely.
As the children absorbed the tale of Azrael's achievements, Sister Isabella returned with a tray of delicious food.
The mouthwatering aroma filled the air, adding to the festive atmosphere. The children's focus shifted momentarily from Azrael's story to the mouthwatering spread before them.
The orphanage courtyard was now filled with laughter, joy, and a sense of unity. As they enjoyed the delicious food, the celebration continued, creating cherished memories that would linger in the hearts of the children.
In that cherished moment, surrounded by the laughter and wonder of the children, Azrael, Luna, and Theo knew that their journey to the National Magician Academy had already begun with hearts full of love and hope.
*************
In their cozy home, the evening sun cast a warm glow through the windows, bathing the room in a soft, golden light.
Azrael and Theo were gathered in Azrael's bedroom, where Azrael meticulously packed his essentials while Theo reclined on Azrael's bed.
Meanwhile, in her own room, Luna diligently readied her luggage.
Tomorrow marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives—their enrollment at the prestigious National Magicia Academy, a place where they hoped to hone their magical abilities and embark on a journey of knowledge and self-discovery.
After the admission test, they were now enjoying a week-long break to prepare their belongings before starting their academic journey.
Theo flopped down onto Azrael's bed, exhaustion evident on his face. He let out a contented sigh, "Today was so fun; I feel tired." his gaze fixed on the ceiling.
Azrael focused on folding his clothes and placing them in the suitcase, looked over at Theo. "Are you finished packing your stuff?"
Theo turned his head to face Azrael, propping himself up on his elbows. "Yeah, everything's ready. I wonder what we're going to learn at the academy, Akki."
Azrael paused in his packing, considering the question. "Well," he began, "I think we'll delve into many aspects of magic—both theoretical and practical. We'll learn about the different branches of magic and mana control, and perhaps even explore the history of magic and its applications."
Theo's enthusiasm seemed to wane a bit as he mused, "That sounds boring. When do you think we'll finally get to fight monsters or something exciting?"
"Maybe in the second year," Azrael replied. "First-year typically lays the groundwork for our magical education, building the foundation we need before we dive into the more adventurous aspects."
"How's your progress in mana control?" Azrael asked, resuming his task.
Theo contemplated for a moment. "It's gotten better, I think," he replied, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
Azrael nodded in understanding. "Since we've officially enrolled in the academy, you should try to forget about the basics of manual mana handling," he advised. "We'll be learning advanced techniques at the academy, and they'll have better versions of the basics for us to master."
Theo nodded in understanding. "Okay, I'll keep that in mind."
As they discussed their preparations, Luna entered the room, her own luggage neatly packed. "I'm all set," she announced with a smile.
Azrael gestured for Luna to join them. "Come here," he said, his voice warm. "I want to talk something to both of you."
She closed the door behind her and sat on the floor next to Azrael.
Luna and Theo turned their attention to Azrael, their faces reflecting a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
They began discussing their expectations and hopes for their upcoming life at the academy.
Their journey was about to begin, and as they shared their hopes and dreams for the future, a sense of unity and determination filled the room, binding them together on this adventure into the realm of magic.