The Magic Academy of Elara was renowned across the lands, not just for its illustrious history or its magnificent architecture, but for the unique way it shaped the future of its students. Upon arrival, each student was assessed and then sorted into dormitories. The students whose potential for magic was high or, in some special cases, unique, were placed in a special dorm and given special treatment. It was a system designed to foster growth, pushing students to excel beyond the boundaries of their abilities.
Lucius Phale's arrival at the Academy was an event that would be etched into its annals for centuries. From the moment he stepped through the grand gates, whispers followed him like shadows. His reputation had preceded him, the prince with Doomsday magic, a talent so rare and powerful that it had become the stuff of legend. The air was thick with anticipation, and every eye was on him as he walked through the corridors, a quiet storm in human form.
The day of the sorting ceremony arrived with the rising sun, casting golden rays over the courtyard where the students gathered. The headmaster, a mage of considerable power and wisdom, stood at the forefront, his eyes twinkling with the promise of the future. One by one, names were called, and students stepped forward, their fates decided by the ancient magic of the Academy.
As expected, Lucius was the last to be called. The courtyard fell into a hushed silence as he approached the headmaster. The air seemed to thicken, charged with electric anticipation. The headmaster, with a solemn nod, announced that Lucius would not be joining any of the existing dormitories. Instead, he was to be placed in a separate dorm, one that had remained unoccupied for decades, reserved for those whose powers transcended the ordinary.
This announcement sent ripples of shock and envy through the crowd. Whispers turned into murmurs of disbelief and jealousy. To be singled out in such a way was both an immense honor and a heavy burden. It spoke of Lucius's unparalleled potential but also isolated him from his peers, marking him as different, other.
"The prince is so cool."
"I want to be the prince's friend."
"I don't think the prince is all that strong. I am probably stronger."
The students had different views about what happened; some viewed it as a normal and expected occurrence, others as something that was unfair.
The isolation did not bother Lucius; he was used to being apart, both by circumstance and by choice. However, the envy and whispers he could do without. He wanted to focus on his studies, on honing his abilities to their fullest potential, not on petty school politics and jealous rivals. But it seemed fate had other plans.
It wasn't long before the challenge came. A student, tall and broad with the swagger of someone used to being admired, stepped in front of Lucius as he made his way back to his dorm. Surrounded by a group of like-minded peers, the student, whose name was Darius, was a prodigy in his own right, known for his powerful earth magic and his ambition.
"I don't care if you're the prince or what kind of magic you have," Darius sneered, his voice loud enough to draw a gathering crowd. "In this Academy, you're just another student, and I'm sure you are just another weakling. There is nothing special about you, and I am going to prove it to you."
As Darius finished saying this, he rushed at a speed that the other students couldn't even keep up with, with the sole aim of punching Lucius and knocking him out, but just at that moment, his fist almost landed on Lucius' face, it was blocked.
A voice was heard throughout the surroundings; it was calm yet filled with so much authority, every student around could hear the voice. It was the voice of a man who was rumored to be the strongest magic user in the world right now, a superpower, one of only five people who had reached a realm that was once thought to be impossible to attain: a Tier 6 mage.
"You boys haven't even entered your dorms yet, and you are causing all this ruckus. I didn't think I would have to deal with this type of issue this early; this is such a pain," the mysterious man said half-heartedly, having blocked Darius' punch with a single finger.
The students were shocked and thrilled at this prospect; it wasn't every day they could meet a Tier 6 mage; there were only five in the entire world, and there was one just in front of them.
"This guy is a Tier 6 mage; he is the legendary Lewis Hogg."
"He is so cool."
"Wow, I wish my brother was here; he is a really big fan."
The students went into an uproar, chatting excitedly until Lewis continued speaking again.
"I know, I know, even I get excited when I see me, but this isn't the time or the place, so let's simmer down. I am going to be joining this academy as of today as a teacher. I know it's quite the shock that someone as cool and hot as me is taking on the mantle of a teacher, but let's just say I am here on special duty and can't go into details at the moment. Now, you two," he directed his gaze at Lucius and Darius, "follow me." Lucius and Darius immediately followed Lewis, their previous confrontation forgotten in the wake of this unexpected turn of events. They were thoroughly intimidated by the display of power but also curious about what lay ahead under the tutelage of a Tier 6 mage.
In this moment, the air buzzed not just with the remnants of magic but with the promise of untold stories and the forging of new legends within the walls of the Magic Academy of Elara.