"Listen up," barked Mr. Magnus, his deep voice reverberating through the classroom. He was in Verdant just as the novel said. His towering figure and intense gaze sent a chill down everyone's spine, instantly commanding attention.
As he delved into intricate potion theories, Aira found herself grappling to keep pace with the complex concepts. Her frustration peaked during the practical session when a misstep led to a noxious potion filling the room, provoking groans from her classmates. Disappointment etched Mr Magnus's face as he surveyed the chaotic scene.
However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when Asahi, with a flourish, presented a stunning perfume that not only neutralized the foul smell but also enveloped the classroom in a delightful aroma. Ruby gasped in surprise, and the tension dissipated as Aira's mistake was swiftly redeemed.
He was also in Azure. Yet, beneath the surface, Aira knew she had deeply disappointed Asahi and Mr. Magnus, whose high expectations remained unmet despite the miraculous recovery. She would have to face Asahi more as they are in the same group.
Aira couldn't shake off the sinking feeling that she had let down Mr Magnus, whose piercing gaze seemed to linger on her longer than anyone else. His disappointment was palpable, evident in the subtle furrow of his brow and the slight tightening of his lips as he observed the aftermath of her mishap.
Throughout the remainder of the class, Mr. Magnus continued with his lectures, his voice a steady hum against the backdrop of students' subdued murmurs. Asahi's ingenious solution had salvaged the session, but Aira knew it wasn't just about the foul potion anymore. It was about the unspoken expectation to excel, to match the lofty standards set by their formidable instructor.
Ruby, sitting on Aira's head, gave Aira sympathetic words, but it offered little solace. The incident had left an indelible mark on Aira's confidence, a weight that even Asahi's success couldn't entirely lift. She resolved to do better.
As the bell rang, signalling the end of class, Aira gathered her things with a drop-dead energy. While Ruby was eating a macron that she stole from the café.
After the class concluded, Aira began searching for Asahi. While passing through the campus, she came across a serene fountain.
"This must be where Aira pushed Beatrice into the water, and Isaac, the supporting male lead, rescued her," mused a companion.
"Heh, Aira could be quite mischievous," Ruby remarked dryly.
Ten minutes before the next session, Aira decided to rest on a nearby bench. Just then, Beatrice arrived, admiring the fountain. Aira contemplated approaching her but then spotted Asahi. Feeling torn, she hurried towards him.
"Asahi, thank you for earlier. I'm sorry I couldn't find you sooner," Aira apologized breathlessly.
"No problem. It happens with an amateur, well you are quite interesting" Asahi replied politely before walking away.
Aira was left puzzled by his comment.
The bell signalling the start of Professor Breissel's class interrupted her thoughts, and they all prepared to enter.
As the class filed into Professor Breissel's lecture hall, Aira couldn't shake off the lingering unease from the previous potion mishap. She settled into her seat, trying to focus on the lecture, but her mind kept drifting back to Mr. Magnus's disappointment.
"Excuse me, is this seat taken?" a voice interrupted her thoughts. Aira looked up to see a girl with striking red hair and piercing green eyes standing beside her.
"Oh.....no, it's free," Aira replied, slightly taken aback by the sudden interruption.
"I'm Sophia Relai," the girl introduced herself with a warm smile as she settled into the seat beside Aira. "You're Aira, right? I've seen you around. I magic is levitation."
"Yeah, that's me," Aira replied, returning the smile tentatively.
She was in Heliod. She seemed friendly and kind.
Throughout Professor Breissel's lecture, Sophia occasionally leaned over to share a joke or quietly discuss a confusing point in the notes.
Aira found herself gradually relaxing in Sophia's presence, her initial nervousness giving way to a budding sense of camaraderie. They shared their contact details and became buddies.
After class, Sophia turned to Aira with a curious expression. "Hey, are you okay? You seemed a bit distracted today."
Aira hesitated for a moment before admitting, "I made a big mistake during the practical session earlier. It got to me."
Sophia nodded understandingly. "Everyone has those moments. Trust me, I've had my fair share too. But you know what? It's all about how you bounce back from it."
Aira smiled gratefully, appreciating Sophia's encouraging words. "Thanks, Sophia. I needed to hear that."
"No problem! Hey, why don't we grab a coffee after class? It might help take your mind off things, I have some work to do. Wait for me near the pond. The café must be rushed if you enter now" Sophia suggested brightly.
Aira agreed, feeling a newfound sense of optimism as they walked out of the lecture hall together. She spotted Mr. Magnus, who was deep in conversation with Asahi near the pond.
As expected, Ruby was curious and heard their conversation.
"You shouldn't have eavesdropped, Ruby. It's not good," Aira scolded gently.
"No, listen. They were discussing the holy lyre. They said it's been restored to its rightful place," Ruby proclaimed eagerly.
Her revelation left Aira puzzled. In the original novel, the holy lyre was supposed to have been destroyed by the antagonist Raid.
Raid was the main antagonist of the novel, who was killed by Beatrice with her light magic.
That's when Sophia arrived and they headed towards the campus cafe, Aira couldn't help but feel grateful for Sophia's unexpected friendship. Maybe, just maybe, this semester wouldn't be defined by mistakes alone.
Meanwhile, Ruby leaned over to Aira and whispered, "Looks like you've made a new friend. Sophia seems nice."
Aira nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, she does. Thanks, Ruby."
Ruby gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry too much about earlier. By the way, what's your magic?"
"What do you mean?" Aira questioned, intrigued by Ruby's sudden inquiry.
"For instance, Beatrice has light magic. I was just wondering what yours might be. Maybe we should ask Mr. Lixon about it," Ruby suggested, her curiosity evident. Aira nodded and agreed.
After returning home from a rigorous day at the academy, Aira hastily prepared for her evening shift at Mr. Lixon's magic shop. Both she and Ruby remained curious about Aira's magical affinity, a subject of ongoing intrigue due to its unexpected nature. In the original lore, Aira was believed to possess dark magic, yet Ruby's perceptions had failed to confirm this assumption.
Upon arriving at the shop, Aira and Ruby were greeted warmly by Mr. Lixon, who wasted no time in delegating tasks. "Young girl, there are numerous spider webs to be cleaned," he ordered, handing Aira a broom with a directive that was promptly acknowledged.
As Aira diligently worked to rid the store of its cobwebs, Mr. Lixon observed her efforts with a discerning eye. Once satisfied with the cleanliness of his establishment, he commended Aira for her meticulousness. Seizing the opportunity, Aira mustered the courage to broach the subject that had been weighing on her mind. "I wish to discover my magical affinity," she ventured, her tone a blend of curiosity and anticipation.
Mr. Lixon chuckled softly at her earnest inquiry. "Ah, sixteen years old and still unaware of your magical essence," he remarked with a hint of amusement. "Fear not, my dear. I shall assist you in unravelling this mystery."
Aira and Ruby exchanged excited glances, their eyes alight with anticipation as Mr. Lixon led them to the shop's attic—a dimly lit, dusty space that seemed worlds away from the bustling storefront below. With measured steps, he approached a weathered box nestled among forgotten relics of arcane lore.
Opening the box revealed a shimmering crystal of unparalleled clarity, radiating an otherworldly luminescence that seemed to beckon Aira closer. "Place your hand upon the crystal and focus on the rhythm of your heartbeat," Mr. Lixon instructed, his voice reverberating gently in the stillness of the attic.
Following his guidance, Aira closed her eyes and connected with the pulsating cadence within her chest. A sudden burst of blinding light erupted from the crystal, engulfing the trio in a dazzling brilliance that defied the confines of ordinary perception. Moments stretched into eternity as the light permeated their senses, leaving them momentarily stunned and breathless.
As the radiance gradually subsided, Aira slowly opened her eyes, blinking away the residual luminance to behold a sight that left her speechless. The crystal, now imbued with a subtle, ethereal glow, bore testament to the revelation that had unfolded within the confines of the attic.
More importantly. In the attic, unravelling touch was everywhere evident: delicate vines adorned with blooming flowers, weaving a tapestry of nature magic. Flames danced in the hearth, casting flickering shadows that whispered of fire's elemental power. Water droplets glistened like sparkling diamonds, a testament to the enchantment of water magic. And ice seemed like pure crystal And amidst it all, stones adorned with earthy mud spoke volumes of the grounding strength inherent in earth magic. Each manifestation of elemental magic painted a tableau of wonder, a symphony of natural forces harmonizing within the attic's embrace.
"How is that possible? Aira, you possess elemental magic, imbued with divine essence. This is extraordinary. You must not speak of this to anyone," Mr. Lixon exclaimed, visibly shaken by the revelation.
"What? Elemental magic with divine essence? But I haven't been able to use it at all until now," Aira responded incredulously, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of what she had just heard.
"For now, return home and refrain from attempting to activate it until you've learned to control it. I will guide you in mastering this gift. In the academy, focus on harnessing one specific type of magic," Mr. Lixon instructed firmly, his tone weighted with concern and authority.
Grateful for his guidance yet bewildered by the revelation, Aira bid Mr. Lixon farewell and left the shop in a daze. She sought out Ruby, her trusted confidante, hoping for clarity amidst the swirling certainty.
"Do you know anything about this magic? Are there others who possess one of these five types?" Aira questioned Ruby earnestly, her voice tinged with unease.
Ruby's eyes widened in realization. "Aira, don't you see? You have all five elemental magic within you. If this were to fall into magic hands, it could be catastrophic. Mr. Lixon mentioned that it stores divinity which means the magic of saints in the ancient period is stored in it. Everytheain'tnt has different magic which allows you to potentially manifest all types of magic in the future," Ruby explained urgently, her voice carrying a note of urgency.
Aira stood there, stunned by the weight of this newfound knowledge. The revelation that she harboured such profound and potent magic within her was both exhilarating and daunting. With Ruby by her side, she knew she had a loyal friend who would support her through the challenges and discoveries that lay ahead.