Auron, Thyra, and Alice arrived at the central courtyard. The seats were packed with thousands of students, and since they were a bit late, they found spots at the very back. Instructors nearby advised them to keep their voices down, as the welcoming ceremony was about to begin.
Suddenly, a refined man appeared on the grand stage. He wore spectacles that added to his scholarly aura, and a black pointed hat complemented his flowing black robe. His presence commanded respect, yet his demeanor was calm.
"Greetings, children," he began, his voice carrying effortlessly across the courtyard. "Welcome to Swamp Enclave Academy. I am Principal Arvandus Mireveil, and I thank you for choosing our academy as your gateway to the world of magic."
A lifelike image materialized in the air above, showing a vivid projection of the dormitories.
"This academy has stood for thousands of years, carrying a proud tradition of nurturing talent. Rest assured, we provide an environment where you will confidently hone your skills in magic. For those on the augmenter path, worry not. We also offer extensive manuals and training for physical combat."
The image shifted to reveal different areas of the academy, starting with the towering trees of the dormitories.
"Your dormitories are in the northern section, surrounded by nature, providing a peaceful place for rest and study. Nearby is the cafeteria—completely free—where you will find food to keep you fueled for your endeavors."
The image transitioned to the grand Main Academy Hall behind the principal. "Behind me is the heart of the academy, where your classrooms, instructor offices, and my own office are located. This is where most of your formal education will take place."
The image shifted again, this time showing a towering building in the west. "To the west, you will find the Library of Infinite Scrolls and the Combat Tower. The library contains a wealth of knowledge to help you deepen your understanding of magic. The Combat Tower, equipped with illusionary magic, will allow you to measure your combat ability in a safe yet challenging environment."
The image changed once more, now displaying bustling halls to the east. "In the east, we have the Alchemy Hall and the Spell and Combat Training Grounds, where you can practice alchemy, spellcasting, and combat techniques. The Alchemy Hall is equipped with isolation chambers for safe experimentation."
He paused as the image zoomed in on a large building filled with students trading items. "Next is the busiest place in the academy: the Trading Hall, where you can buy and sell potions, weapons, rare materials, and more. Here, you can also accept missions to earn academic points, which are the academy's currency. Each of you currently has 10 points stored in your token."
The image dimmed slightly, and the principal continued. "And now, for our underground facilities. The Forge of Embers is where some of the finest weapons and treasures are crafted. For those interested in blacksmithing, this is where you will receive your training. Adjacent to it is the Underground Fighting Stage, where more serious combat practice can take place. Both areas are designed for intensive training."
The floating images flickered out of existence as Principal Mireveil smiled, his eyes sweeping over the students. "Please, familiarize yourselves with the academy's rules and regulations, which can be accessed through your token. That will be all for now. Enjoy your evening, and once again, welcome to Swamp Enclave Academy."
With that, both the principal and the illusionary images vanished, leaving the students to absorb the wealth of information they'd just received.
"What magic was that? It was incredibly lifelike," Auron wondered to himself, still marveling at the principal's display.
He eagerly anticipated diving into the library's vast collection. "Knowledge is power, after all. I'll start with the library to understand the fundamentals of magic. Once I have a strong foundation, I can explore the other facilities and adapt to any situation," Auron resolved, planning his approach for the school year.
Classes would run from morning until late afternoon, with evenings free for personal activities. Students were encouraged to join various clubs to socialize and gain insights from their seniors.
While most students headed to the cafeteria, a few, including Auron, chose to explore the academy. With curfew set for 11 o'clock, Auron decided to spend his early evening in the library, as Thyra and Alice had already made their way to the cafeteria.
Upon arriving at the library, Auron was struck by its grandeur. The space was enormous and steeped in history.
"Excuse me, ma'am. May I enter the library?" Auron inquired politely.
"Of course, young man. The library will close at 10:30. Please ensure you keep noise to a minimum and avoid disturbing others," replied the librarian in a soft, welcoming tone.
"Thank you. I'm Auron, a new student here. May I ask for your name?" Auron asked.
"Just call me Elder Lisa. Since you're new, I suggest starting with the 'Introduction to Runes,' 'Mana Core Concepts,' and 'Introduction to Spells.' Though these topics will be covered in class, having a preliminary understanding will be beneficial. Here are the books," Elder Lisa recommended, handing him a set of texts.
"Thank you so much, Elder Lisa. I'll make sure not to disturb anyone," Auron said, accepting the books and making his way to a quiet study area.
"Let's get started. I'm going to finish this today," Auron declared with determination.
Mana cores are vital to a magus, serving as their primary source of mana. They function as a reservoir that enables the casting of spells. The heavenly runes inscribed onto a mana core enhance various aspects of its properties, depending on which runes are chosen. To maximize control over mana, magi refine their mana cores.
A crucial limitation of mana cores is that they can only accept elemental runes of matching elemental affinities. This restriction is a deep-rooted mystery that has baffled scholars for millennia. Despite numerous attempts, the exact reason behind this remains unsolved, with some scholars even risking dangerous experiments on test subjects. Attempting to inscribe incompatible runes can cause the mana core to collapse, resulting in excruciating pain for the magus.
"Fascinating," Auron mused. "But mana cores are only use to manage mana. I use Celestial Aura instead. I'm curious to see if my celestial core can handle different elemental runes. My instincts tell me that my core might be unique compared to others."