The next morning, Lumi woke up to the gentle light of dawn filtering through her window. She stretched lazily in her bed, savoring the warmth of the thick blankets that cocooned her. For a moment, she considered going back to sleep, the comfort of her bed too tempting to leave behind. But then she remembered that today was her first day of classes at Oberon Academy, and though she was still inclined toward taking things easy, the curiosity about what the day would bring was enough to get her out of bed.
Lumi dressed quickly, pulling on her academy robes, which were a deep blue color, trimmed with silver—a design that matched the cold beauty of the academy itself. The robes were surprisingly comfortable, their soft fabric keeping her warm against the chill in the air. She tied her long snow-white hair back with a simple ribbon and slipped on her boots, ready to face the day.
As she made her way down to the dining hall, the scent of freshly baked bread and warm porridge greeted her, along with the hum of lively conversation. The hall was filled with students, all of them eager to start their first day of classes. Lumi spotted a few familiar faces from the previous day's orientation, including June, who waved at her from across the room.
"Hey, Lumi!" June called out, her voice full of energy as she bounded over to Lumi with her tray of food. "Ready for your first class?"
Lumi offered a small smile and nodded. "Yeah, I guess so. What do we have first?"
"Elemental Magic 101," June replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I can't wait to start casting some spells! Oh, and we have a new friend joining us." She gestured to a boy sitting at their table, his bright orange hair standing out starkly against his tanned skin. His broad shoulders and solid frame hinted at his half-dwarf heritage, and his expression was one of calm resolve, though there was a certain gruffness to his demeanor.
The boy looked up as they approached, offering a nod rather than a smile. "Name's Heath," he said in a voice that was deep and slightly rough around the edges. "Heard a lot about you, Lumi. You better live up to the hype."
Lumi nodded, taking a seat beside him. "Nice to meet you, Heath. I'll do my best."
Heath grunted in response, not much for pleasantries, but there was a hint of approval in his gaze. "Half-dwarf," he added, almost as an afterthought. "Earth and fire magic. I'm not here to mess around, so don't expect me to go easy on you if we ever end up in the same group."
Lumi's expression remained calm. "Understood."
June, ever the social butterfly, laughed and patted Heath on the back. "Don't worry, Lumi! He's all bark and no bite—mostly. He's really good at what he does, though."
Heath rolled his eyes but didn't protest, focusing on his breakfast instead. Lumi found his straightforwardness refreshing in its own way, appreciating that he didn't beat around the bush. They ate quickly, the three of them discussing their expectations for the day as they finished their meals. June excitedly listed all the spells she hoped to learn, while Heath speculated about the different professors they might meet, his tone gruff but knowledgeable. Lumi, as usual, remained quiet, her mind focused on the day ahead.
When they finished breakfast, they made their way to the Elemental Magic classroom, located in one of the academy's grandest buildings. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The walls were lined with shelves filled with ancient tomes on magic, and at the front of the room, a large chalkboard was covered in complex diagrams of elemental forces.
As the students filed in, Lumi took a seat near the middle of the room, where she had a clear view of the board. June and Heath sat beside her, June still bubbling with excitement and Heath maintaining his stoic, gruff exterior. Lumi, however, remained quiet, her eyes scanning the room as she took in her surroundings. She noticed that many of the other students were glancing in her direction, no doubt curious about the girl who had been blessed by the Ice Element queen.
Their attention didn't bother her; she was used to it by now. Instead, she focused on the lesson, eager to see what this class would entail. A moment later, the door at the front of the room swung open, and the professor walked in.
It was Professor Glacies, the same woman who had greeted Lumi and her parents the day before. She moved with a graceful, almost ethereal presence, her long silver hair flowing behind her like a river of ice. Her eyes, sharp and intelligent, swept over the room, silencing the students with just a glance.
"Good morning, class," Professor Glacies began, her voice cool and clear. "Welcome to Elemental Magic 101. This class will serve as the foundation for all your magical studies here at Oberon Academy. Whether you're a novice or already experienced in the ways of magic, this course is designed to ensure that every student has a solid understanding of the elemental forces that govern our world."
She moved to the chalkboard and gestured to the diagrams drawn there. "As you all know, there are twelve primary elements, each governed by a different deity. These elements are Light, Darkness, Water, Earth, Wind, Fire, Lightning, Crystal, Ice, Magma, Space, and Gravity. Throughout this course, we will explore the properties and applications of each element, as well as the unique ways in which they interact with one another."
Professor Glacies's gaze flicked to Lumi, and for a brief moment, their eyes met. Lumi held the professor's gaze, her expression calm but attentive.
"Some of you," the professor continued, her voice taking on a slightly more intense tone, "have already been blessed by these elemental forces. Such Blessings are rare and should be nurtured with great care. Those of you who possess such gifts will find that your connection to your element is a source of great power, but also great responsibility."
Lumi knew the professor was referring to her, but she didn't react, simply listening as Professor Glacies continued with the lesson. The professor began to explain the nature of each element, starting with the basics of how they could be channeled and manipulated through spells. She demonstrated a simple spell for controlling water, pulling a small stream of liquid from a flask and shaping it into various forms with just a flick of her wrist.
The students watched in awe, many of them leaning forward in their seats to get a better look. Lumi, however, remained composed, her mind already working through the principles behind the spell. She could see the subtle movements of Professor Glacies's fingers, the precise way she directed the flow of magic, and she found herself analyzing the spell with an almost clinical detachment.
When the demonstration ended, the professor turned to the class. "Now, I want each of you to attempt this spell. Don't worry if you struggle at first—this is a foundational spell that you'll have plenty of time to master."
The students began to practice, each of them focusing intently on the task at hand. Some managed to summon a small trickle of water, while others could barely get a drop to move. Lumi watched them for a moment, her mind processing the information she had observed.
Then, with a quiet sigh, she raised her hand and summoned a small sphere of water from the flask in front of her. The water responded to her command with ease, forming a perfectly round orb that hovered just above her palm. Lumi examined the orb for a moment, noting the way the light refracted through it, before gently guiding it back into the flask.
June, who was sitting beside her, gaped in amazement. "Lumi, that was incredible! You made it look so easy!"
Heath grunted in agreement, his tone grudgingly impressed. "Yeah, you've definitely got a knack for this stuff. Don't let it get to your head, though. We've all got a lot to learn."
Lumi offered a small smile, though she didn't make a big deal out of her success. "It's just a simple spell," she replied calmly. "Once you understand the principles behind it, it's not that hard."
Professor Glacies approached their table, her sharp eyes focused on Lumi. "Excellent work, Lumi," she said, her tone approving. "You have a strong grasp of the basics. But remember, even the most basic spells require practice and refinement. I expect you to continue honing your skills."
Lumi nodded, her expression respectful. "I will, Professor."
The rest of the class passed quickly, with the students continuing to practice their spells under Professor Glacies's watchful eye. Lumi participated in the exercises, but her mind was already moving ahead, thinking about the more advanced applications of the elemental magic she had just learned. She knew that mastering the basics was important, but she was eager to push herself further, to explore the true depths of her abilities.
As the class drew to a close, Professor Glacies dismissed the students with a reminder to practice their spells before the next lesson. Lumi gathered her things, ready to head to her next class. June and Heath walked with her, June still buzzing with excitement from the lesson, while Heath maintained his usual stoic demeanor.
"That was so much fun!" June exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I can't wait to learn more spells!"
"Yeah, and we've got a whole year of this ahead of us," Heath added, though his tone was more measured. "Just make sure you don't slack off. This place isn't going to let anyone coast through."
Lumi nodded in agreement, though her thoughts were more measured. She was looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead, but she also knew that she would need to find a balance between her studies and her natural inclination to take things easy. After all, even a genius needed time to relax.
As they made their way to their next class, Lumi felt a sense of contentment settle over her. Oberon Academy was everything she had expected and more, and while she was still getting used to the bustling atmosphere and rigorous schedule, she was confident that she could handle it.
For now, though, Lumi decided that her next priority would be to find a quiet spot on campus where she could take a break between classes. After all, there was no reason she couldn't enjoy the best of both worlds—learning new things while still indulging in her love for relaxation.