Kazu paced nervously in the academy's grand courtyard, the towering marble pillars and intricate carvings of mythical creatures failing to capture his focus. His thoughts were entirely consumed by one thing—Nozue. It had been ten minutes since they arrived, and Nozue still hadn't made it past the academy gates. A growing sense of unease settled in Kazu's chest with each passing second.
Clenching his fists, frustration bubbled beneath the surface. What could be taking Nozue so long? He struggled against the urge to leave the courtyard and search for his friend. Just as he turned to move, two knights clad in gleaming silver armor stepped forward, blocking his path.
"You are not permitted to leave the academy grounds until your trial is complete," one knight said in a cold, authoritative tone. Kazu nodded, understanding there was no arguing with them. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside him.
Meanwhile, Nozue stood outside the towering gates of the academy, clutching his form tightly in his hands. His heart pounded as he approached Seira, one of the academy's gatekeepers. The aura of the place felt almost suffocating, as if it were pushing him away.
"Um… Seira, I've filled out the form. May I enter now?" Nozue's voice wavered slightly, betraying his nerves.
Seira glanced at him, her gaze soft but firm. "I'm sorry, Nozue, but I sense a very weak aura from you. Only those with strong potential can enter the academy. So far, only five individuals have passed." She paused, regret in her eyes. "We assess a person's capability by their aura alone."
Nozue felt as though the ground had been pulled from beneath him. The words hung heavily in the air, sinking deep into his heart. "I… I see," he muttered, barely above a whisper. "Is it possible for me to speak with Kazu, just for a moment?"
Seira hesitated, then nodded, offering a small smile. "I'll ask the knights to let you speak with him briefly."
Nozue waited, each second stretching out like an eternity. Soon, Seira returned with a knight who allowed Kazu to step outside. When Kazu saw Nozue, concern was evident in his eyes.
"Nozue! What's going on? Why haven't you been able to enter?" Kazu's voice was laced with worry.
Nozue forced a smile, trying to mask his disappointment. "They said… my aura is too weak. I'm not allowed in."
"Aura?" Kazu asked, puzzled. "I don't really understand that…"
Nozue chuckled softly, though there was little humor in it. "Aura is the energy you can sense from someone, whether they're strong or not. Remember when you told me about your 'Murderous Intent skill detection'?"
Kazu nodded slowly. "Yeah, I have that."
"One of the things it detects is aura. The stronger the opponent's aura, the more intense the murderous intent you feel. Right?" Nozue explained patiently.
"That's true…" Kazu admitted, his brows furrowing. He hesitated before asking, "But… are you okay with not being able to enter?"
Nozue looked at Kazu, his eyes reflecting a mix of resolve and sadness. "What matters most is that you get into the academy, Kazu. That was our plan all along, wasn't it?"
"But I wanted you here with me…" Kazu's voice trailed off, a sense of helplessness washing over him.
Nozue placed a reassuring hand on Kazu's shoulder, giving him a supportive squeeze. "Don't worry about me. I'll keep up our daily routine and continue with construction quests. By the time you return, I'll be much stronger. I promise. It's okay, Kazu. Go and excel in that academy! I'm sure you'll learn a lot…" He pulled Kazu into a tight embrace, his voice warm with genuine affection. "You've got this."
Kazu was taken aback by the hug, his emotions swelling inside him. Tears welled up in his eyes as he whispered, "Nozue… Thank you for everything… I'll stay here, then. Take care, and look after everyone at the orphan house. I'll do my best, I promise!"
They held onto each other a moment longer before finally pulling apart. With one last look, Nozue turned and walked away, heading back toward the orphan house. Kazu watched him go, his heart heavy but resolute. He wiped his tears, steeling himself for what lay ahead.
As Kazu wandered through the academy's grand halls, he marveled at the beauty surrounding him. The academy was even more magnificent than he had imagined—elegant archways with intricate carvings, sprawling courtyards filled with vibrant flowers, and towering spires that seemed to touch the sky. Every corner radiated an aura of knowledge and power.
He was absorbed in the surroundings when he noticed a man standing near a large window. The man had a silver beard and wore elaborate robes, studying Kazu with keen interest.
The instructor's eyes met Kazu's, and he raised a hand, gesturing for him to come closer. "Hey there! You, with the determined look. Mind coming over for a moment?"
Kazu approached, slightly puzzled. "Yes, sir?"
The instructor's eyes were sharp but not unkind. "What's your name?"
"Kazu Gonomiya," Kazu replied.
"Nice to meet you, Kazu," the instructor said with a nod. "Are you a Scholar applicant?"
Kazu nodded. "Yeah, that's right."
The instructor's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Oh, really? I didn't expect that. Your mana aura—well, it's quite something. Not what I was expecting for someone applying as a Scholar."
Kazu scratched his head, a bit confused. "Is that a good thing?"
The instructor chuckled. "Definitely. It means you've got some serious potential. Not everyone gets noticed right away like this."
Kazu's face lit up with a modest grin. "I'm glad to hear that. I'm really looking forward to learning here."
"Great attitude," the instructor said with a smile. "Alright, head over to the main hall and get started on your paperwork. We'll catch up again soon."
"Thanks!" Kazu said, feeling a bit more confident as he turned toward the main hall. With a casual wave, the instructor returned to his duties, leaving Kazu feeling optimistic about the days ahead.
The instructor then glanced over at the group of four students nearby. He gave them a friendly wave. "Hey, you four! Come over here for a moment."
The students, curious, walked over. The instructor addressed them with a smile. "Since you're all here, I want you to head to the main hall as well. We've got some important announcements and paperwork to go over. It's time to get things rolling."
The students nodded in unison. "Understood," one of them replied.
As they made their way toward the main hall, the instructor turned back to Kazu. "You too, Kazu. Just follow the others, and you'll be in good company. Let's get this process started."
Kazu nodded gratefully. "Got it. Thanks!"
With that, the group headed toward the main hall together, ready for the next steps in their journey at the academy.
The main hall of the academy was stunning. The ceiling was high and vaulted, supported by grand pillars with intricate designs. Tall bookshelves lined the walls, and the air was filled with the scent of old books and polished wood. Sunlight streamed through large windows, illuminating the room.
Kazu and the four other students entered the hall, their eyes wide with amazement at its beauty. Garlock Misoha, the instructor who had brought them here, cleared his throat to get their attention.
"Welcome to the main hall," he said with a warm smile. "I'm Garlock Misoha, and I'll be in charge of your introduction to the academy, including your magic and general studies courses."
He nodded at each of the students. "I'll help you get started and explain everything you need to know. Today, we'll go over the academy's rules, what you'll be learning, and your schedules."
Garlock Misoha pointed to a large table at the front of the hall. "Please, have a seat. We'll start with a brief overview and then move on to your individual assessments."
The students, including Kazu, took their seats around the table, eager and curious. As Garlock Misoha began to explain the academy's programs and what was expected of them, Kazu felt a growing excitement about the new experiences and knowledge that lay ahead.
Garlock Misoha continued, "In your time here, you'll be learning about various elements of magic. I'll be teaching you three primary elements: Fire, Water, and Earth."
He gestured to a large, ornate map on the wall, showing various magical regions associated with each element. "These elements are fundamental and versatile, and understanding them will form the foundation of your magical education."
The students listened attentively.
"On the other hand," Garlock added, "Professor Elias Marlowe will cover the remaining elements: Air, Light, and Darkness. Each element has its own unique characteristics and applications, and together, they provide a comprehensive understanding of magic."
Garlock Misoha's eyes twinkled with enthusiasm. "You'll have a chance to explore these elements in depth, starting with the basics and progressing to more advanced techniques. It's an exciting journey, and I'm looking forward to guiding you through it."
With that, Garlock Misoha began outlining the syllabus and initial topics for the Fire, Water, and Earth elements. The students, including Kazu, felt a mix of anticipation and eagerness as they prepared for their magical studies.