The next few days at Crescent Academy were a blur of lectures, practical training, and countless hours spent learning about magic, history, and strategy. Hiroshi settled into his new life as a student, doing his best to keep up with the demanding curriculum. Though he was still an outsider in this world, his sharp mind allowed him to quickly grasp many of the concepts, even those unfamiliar to him.
Most of his days were filled with the standard routines—early morning wake-up calls, followed by classes that alternated between theory and practice. He'd started to form a small group of friends, mostly other first-year students who admired his intellect and calm demeanor. Selene, of course, still made it a point to remind him that she was ranked higher, but Hiroshi learned to shrug off her arrogance.
Today, however, was different. It was the first day of their Summoning Magic class, one of the most anticipated courses for any mage-in-training. The ability to summon magical creatures, spirits, or familiars was a prestigious skill that could turn the tide in battles or assist in daily tasks.
The class was held in a special summoning chamber, a vast room with a circular stone floor etched with complex magical runes. Tall, arched windows let in the afternoon sunlight, casting long shadows across the room. Hiroshi took his seat near the middle of the class, his mind already buzzing with thoughts on how summoning magic could work.
The instructor, a tall and stern-looking man named Professor Aelric, stood at the front of the room. His silver hair gleamed under the light, and his sharp eyes surveyed the students with a quiet intensity.
"Summoning magic," Professor Aelric began, his voice echoing through the chamber, "is a delicate art. It requires precision, focus, and above all, control. Those of you who cannot master it will fail, not only the class but possibly lose your life. A failed summoning can result in disastrous consequences."
Hiroshi glanced around the room, noticing some students exchange nervous looks. Despite the professor's warning, there was an air of excitement. Summoning magic was rare, and the prospect of calling forth mystical beings was thrilling for many.
Professor Aelric raised his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, the runes on the floor began to glow faintly. "Today, you will attempt a basic summoning. Something small and manageable—a familiar or low-tier spirit. Follow the instructions carefully, and do not attempt anything beyond your level."
The class murmured in anticipation. Hiroshi focused, trying to recall everything he had read about summoning rituals. The professor handed out summoning scrolls to each student, a guide for beginners to channel their mana through the right sequences.
"Now, begin."
The room fell silent as the students got to work. Hiroshi followed the instructions, drawing the necessary symbols in the air and channeling his energy into the floor's runes. A faint glow began to form at the center of his circle, and moments later, a small, glowing orb appeared before him. It floated in the air, radiating a warm light—a simple elemental spirit.
Hiroshi exhaled in relief. He had successfully summoned something.
Around him, other students were also managing to summon various familiars—small creatures, glowing lights, or spirits. The room was filled with an array of magic, and for a while, it seemed like everything was going smoothly.
That is, until one student decided to push his luck.
At the far end of the room, a boy named Lyle, who was known for being a bit of a troublemaker, grinned mischievously as he tossed aside the scroll. "This is boring," he muttered. "Let's see what happens when I try something... bigger."
Ignoring the professor's warning, Lyle began to draw his own symbols on the floor—far more intricate and advanced than the basic scroll provided. His mana pulsed through the room, growing stronger by the second. The glowing runes beneath him flared, brighter than any of the other students' circles.
Professor Aelric's head snapped toward Lyle, his eyes widening. "Stop! You fool, what are you doing?"
But it was too late. With a final burst of energy, Lyle completed the summoning spell, and the room was plunged into darkness for a moment.
Then, with a deafening roar, the ground shook. The air crackled with energy as a massive, ominous figure began to materialize within Lyle's summoning circle. Flames erupted from the floor, and the temperature in the room skyrocketed.
A monstrous demon, towering at least ten feet tall, stood before them. Its skin was a deep crimson, horns curled atop its head, and its eyes glowed with malevolent fire. This was no ordinary summon. This was a demon general—a creature of immense power, summoned from the depths of the underworld.
The students gasped in horror, stumbling backward. Even the familiars that had been successfully summoned moments before vanished in fear.
Hiroshi felt a chill run down his spine. "This... this is bad."
Lyle's triumphant grin faded into sheer terror as the demon turned its fiery gaze toward him. "W-What? I... I didn't mean to—"
Before Lyle could finish his sentence, the demon swung a massive arm, knocking him to the ground with ease. The summoning circle flickered and began to disintegrate—the demon was no longer bound by the magic that had brought it forth.
Chaos erupted in the room as students screamed and ran for cover.
Professor Aelric stepped forward, summoning a barrier of light to protect the students. "Everyone, get back! This demon is beyond your control!"
Hiroshi's heart pounded in his chest. He had to think fast. The demon was growing more unstable by the second, and it was only a matter of time before it broke free completely.
"This is bad," he muttered under his breath, eyes darting around the room. He had studied demons in theory, but facing one in real life was an entirely different matter.