The Academy wasn't just about physical and magical prowess; it was a place where knowledge was power. Every day, I found myself submerged in a complex web of magical theory, combat techniques, and—most intriguingly—the system that governed this world. A system that had its roots in something much deeper than simple mana manipulation.
Arcana.
Arcana was the heart of the Academy's teachings. More than just a measure of magical ability, it was a way to categorize, enhance, and harness the raw forces of the universe. It shaped the very rules of combat and life here—guiding everything from how we learned new spells to how we engaged in battle. And at its core, it revolved around scripts, an ancient form of magic that defined each person's power in the most granular way.
I sat in the Academy's vast library, scrolls and tomes piled high around me. The room was dim, lit by the flickering glow of mana-powered lanterns. Every surface was etched with glowing symbols and scripts—remnants of powerful magic users who had come before. Here, knowledge was everything.
On the desk in front of me was an ancient book detailing the intricacies of Arcana. It was the same book Ryuji had studied, but I had to learn it for myself. My hands skimmed over the faded script.
[Script: Basic Arcana Understanding]
Unlocks the ability to perceive, absorb, and manipulate basic Arcana. Without this, your magic is nothing but raw, untapped potential.
I tapped into my mana, drawing it out slowly as I followed the instructions written in the book. The words themselves glowed faintly, responding to my mana. My mind seemed to stretch, opening up to a higher form of awareness as I completed the exercise.
Then, something clicked.
[Arcana System Interface Activated]
Name: Ryuji Valorian
Arcana Rank: Beginner Tier 5
Class: Wind Mage
Mana Capacity: 1200 / 1200
Scripts:
[Wind Manipulation I] – Allows for control of wind currents.
[Mana Sense] – Enables the user to sense mana in living beings and objects.
[Arcana: Absorption] – Allows for absorption of ambient mana to refill reserves.
The Arcana system blinked to life in my mind's eye—a seamless integration of knowledge, ability, and power. It wasn't just a vague understanding of magic; it was a quantifiable, controllable force. I could feel the mana flow around me, no longer a chaotic current but something I could shape, absorb, and manipulate.
I stared at the words for a moment. Ryuji had reached Beginner Tier 5, the fifth level of the beginner rank. Mana capacity—1200. That was respectable for a student my age, but it was also something that could be improved.
Flipping through the pages of the tome, I landed on a section that detailed the deeper mechanics of the Arcana system.
[Script: Arcana Classification]
Arcana is divided into seven tiers, with each tier signifying a user's rank in their magical progression:
Novice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Master
Grandmaster
Archmage
Within each tier, there are five sub-levels, marked numerically as 1 to 5, where 5 is the highest of the sub-level before ascending to the next tier.
Scripts are the building blocks of Arcana. They define everything a magic user can do—from simple spells to complex, reality-altering abilities. New scripts can be learned, found in ancient texts, or unlocked through combat and experience. The more scripts one possesses, the more versatile they become in both combat and daily life.
I closed the book, letting the words sink in. The Arcana system wasn't just about sheer power. It was about versatility, strategy, and adaptability. The scripts you learned—and how you used them—were the keys to advancement. Without new scripts, no matter how powerful you were, you'd eventually hit a wall.
This was where my journey would truly begin.
Later that day, we had our first practical session in the Arcana Hall. It was an outdoor arena, surrounded by towering pillars engraved with complex symbols, pulsating with magic. Each student stood in their designated spots, ready to demonstrate their command over Arcana.
The instructor, a severe-looking woman with short silver hair named Instructor Kaede, walked to the center of the arena. She had a sharp gaze, her presence commanding immediate attention. "Today, we will evaluate your progress with Arcana. By now, all of you should have unlocked at least two scripts. Your performance here will determine whether you are fit to continue in the advanced division."
She glanced around, her gaze briefly locking onto mine before moving on.
"The first test," she continued, "is to see how well you can utilize your primary script in conjunction with your mana pool. Every move you make here is measured. Be mindful of your capacity and precision."
Shinzo, standing next to me, leaned in and whispered, "You ready for this?"
I nodded, though my heart raced. I was still figuring out the intricacies of this world, but there was no room for hesitation. I had to act like I belonged here.
"Step forward, Ryuji Valorian."
My name echoed in the arena, and the eyes of my classmates turned to me. I walked to the center, feeling the familiar pressure of being watched. But this time, I welcomed it.
Instructor Kaede nodded, her cold eyes evaluating me. "Show us your control over Wind Manipulation."
I took a deep breath, centering myself. Closing my eyes, I reached inward, feeling the flow of mana through my body. Wind Manipulation—I knew this. It was instinctual now.
I extended my hand, summoning a gust of wind that circled around me in a controlled spiral. The air swirled faster, forming a visible vortex around my outstretched arm. With a flick of my wrist, I sent the wind flying toward the target dummies at the far end of the arena, striking each with pinpoint accuracy.
But I didn't stop there. I adjusted the flow, shifting the wind's direction mid-flight, making it ricochet off the pillars and strike the dummies from behind. Precision was key. The wind cut through the air like a blade, controlled and deadly.
[Wind Manipulation I] Activated. Mana Usage: 100 per second.
The system's interface flashed in my mind, showing me the cost of my magic. I let the wind die down and released the mana, careful not to drain my reserves too much.
Instructor Kaede's expression didn't change, but I could sense a flicker of approval in her eyes. "Efficient. Controlled. You'll need that in the trials to come."
I exhaled slowly, stepping back as the next student was called forward.
Over the next few days, the intricacies of the Arcana system became clearer. Each student had a unique combination of scripts, and the way they used them differed based on their natural affinity. The Academy wasn't just a place to learn—it was a battlefield of ideas, power, and potential.
But as the days went on, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Ryuji's memories were helpful, but they didn't always align with the world as I was experiencing it. There were gaps—pieces of knowledge that seemed… missing.
It was as if the system was holding something back. Something it didn't want me to see.