The three academy officers approached Elian and Isla, the air around them charged with authority. Elian, tries to save Isla, quickly spoke up. "Listen, that—"
But before he could finish, the girl to Seraphina's left scowled, her voice laced with disdain. "Keep quiet! How dare a weakling like you, with your pathetic 1%, address Madam Seraphina." Elian fell silent under her glare, feeling the sting of the insult.
Seraphina raised a hand, silencing her companion, her gaze unreadable as she looked at Isla. "We know you were defending yourself, but you were still part of this fight. I'll let you off this time because you're the second-strongest among the new students. But don't think I'll ignore it next time."
As Seraphina turned her attention to the noble girl, Annalise, and her goons, Elian and Isla exchanged a glance and quickly took their leave. Once they were far enough, Isla muttered, "I'm guessing punishment from Seraphina's no joke."
Elian sighed in relief, glancing sideways at Isla as they continued to walk. "Isla," he said, almost casually, "I got selected for the academy."
Her brows raised, and she gave him a skeptical smile. "Oh, really? Good one, Elian."
"No, seriously! Some old guy told me I was admitted by special request. Apparently, it was none other than Headmaster Zephyr Thornecrest himself."
Isla's eyes widened, her disbelief turning into genuine shock. "Zephyr Thornecrest? The strongest magician in the world?" She paused, squinting at him, as though trying to see something she hadn't noticed before. "I guess what i was thinking that he is very smart and sharp is just my assumption".
Elian's face twisted as Isla burst into laughter, jabbing him lightly. They continued walking, Isla's amusement lifting Elian's spirits.
They finally reached the Hall of Allocation, the students' resource room, where magical uniforms awaited them, customized to fit them perfectly. Along with their uniforms, they were assigned classes and dorm rooms. Elian glanced down at his assignment and groaned.
"Class 1F. Seriously?"
Isla smirked as she waved her own card in front of him. "Guess who got Class 1A?"
Elian slouched, muttering under his breath. "Of course. They give the powerful people the top class and shove everyone else in the basement." Isla gave him a playful look but didn't respond.
The two of them walked together until they reached a fork where the dorm paths split. Boys and girls had separate buildings, and they lingered, saying goodbye. An awkward silence hung between them until, with a last wave, they ran off in opposite directions. Just as Elian was about to disappear, Isla called out to him, "I'm... happy you got in, Elian!" Her words carried a warmth that left him blushing as he hurried down the hall.
Upon entering his dorm room, Elian immediately noticed two beds. He frowned. "Guess I have a roommate. Hope he's not some spoiled brat who—"
A voice echoed from somewhere above. "I'm not like that, you know."
Elian jerked his head up to see a figure stuck to the ceiling, grinning down at him. With a yell, he stumbled back, shouting, "Ghost! Ghost!"
The boy chuckled, flipping down gracefully and landing in front of him. "Relax, bro! I'm not a ghost. I'm your roommate."
Elian let out a shaky breath, looking the boy up and down. His new roommate was a thin, wiry guy with a perpetually mischievous grin and a shock of messy black hair. "Who... are you?"
"Oh, the name's Felix Ashford." Felix extended his hand, a smirk playing on his lips. "Sorry about the scare. I was testing my new gadget—a magic-engineered wall-sticker device. Helps with... sticking to walls."
Elian raised an eyebrow, his panic fading into mild irritation. Felix, meanwhile, kept on chatting as if he hadn't just sent his roommate into a state of shock. "Man, that scream you let out! I bet half the dorm heard you. You afraid of ghosts or something?"
Elian groaned. "Do me a favor and don't tell anyone about that."
Felix gave him a playful salute. "My lips are sealed!"
The next day, Felix was still by Elian's side as they made their way to the academy. It seemed that Felix was a "stick-to-you" type, a guy who, once attached, didn't let go easily. Elian tried to drop hints. "Don't you have a different class or something?"
Felix grinned. "Nope! I'm right there with you, Class 1F." Elian sighed, silently wondering if he was doomed to be haunted by this chipper shadow.Faelix said,"Well,Im good at magic engineering but I suck at other stuff".
They walked into their classroom together, and whispers immediately began to spread through the room. Elian could hear fragments of the gossip: "That's the guy with the 1% score." He felt his face flush with embarrassment, but Felix nudged him.
"Don't mind them. They'll get over it in no time."
They took seats in the back, just as a young woman entered the room. She was tall and elegant, with striking golden hair pulled back, her icy blue eyes scanning the students with a calm yet intimidating gaze. Despite her cool demeanor, there was an undeniable beauty about her.
"Good morning, Class 1F," she said in a clear, resonant voice. "I'm Professor Liana Voss, your class in-charge and instructor in Magic History."
Elian noted her graceful yet distant attitude—Liana Voss was certainly not the type to give out compliments lightly. She had a reputation for being strict and keeping a composed demeanor, but her knowledge of magic was said to be unmatched.
Liana's voice carried an almost regal authority. "Before we proceed with introductions, let me explain how the academy—and the magic system we operate within—functions. This world has an intricate system, one where each spell, every incantation, requires careful balance and deep understanding. Your mana level may vary, but your success as a magician depends on how well you understand and respect the power you wield."
Elian's heart raced. He was finally starting to learn about the true workings of magic and the system that governed it all. The academy was far more complex and dangerous than he had ever imagined, and it was here that he would either find his purpose or be swallowed whole by its many challenges.
Editor's Note: With Elian and Felix now settled in, they're about to uncover the depths of the academy's magic system and the weight of their own powers—if they can survive the process.
TO BE CONTINUED...