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The sun had barely risen over the academy grounds when Jax, Rune, and Finn set off toward their first class. It was a general lesson, one that every new student was expected to attend, and excitement crackled between them as they navigated the winding stone corridors. Rune led the way with an easy confidence, Finn close behind, his gaze observant, while Jax walked with a casual swagger, taking in every detail around him.
As they rounded a corner, they spotted a group of girls standing together, laughter floating down the hall. It was Liana and her roommates, each distinct and striking in their own way. Sera and Mira were teasing Elara, the only slim one among them, her face flushed with a mix of indignation and amusement. She stamped her foot, glaring playfully at the other two girls, which only made them laugh harder. Liana stood a little apart, arms crossed, a faint smile playing on her lips as she watched her friends with quiet amusement.
"Hi, girls," Rune greeted as they approached, his voice light and friendly.
The girls turned, their laughter quieting as they took in the boys' presence. Introductions quickly followed, with the girls introducing Sera to Rune, Finn, and Jax. In return, they introduced Jax, who'd only just joined their group.
As they exchanged names, Jax's gaze landed on Liana, and for a brief moment, he was stunned. The morning sunlight cast a soft glow around her, highlighting every exquisite detail. Her long dark hair was styled in loose waves, falling down her back like a midnight waterfall. Her eyes, a soft shade of blue, seemed to hold depths of intelligence and ambition, yet they held a hint of playfulness too. She wore a fitted black tunic cinched at the waist, accentuating her slim middle and perfectly curvaceous figure. Beneath her tunic, a long skirt fell in soft folds, giving her an elegant yet alluring look that left Jax practically salivating in his mind.
Jax swallowed, feeling his heartbeat quicken as he tried to strike up a conversation with her. He asked about her background, her goals, anything that could draw her attention, but her responses were short and clipped. "Yes, I'm from Ravenwood." "I came to the academy to study magic." "It's interesting so far." With each answer, she barely glanced his way, clearly uninterested in the exchange. Jax forced a smile, but her cool detachment left him struggling for words.
And it wasn't just him who noticed Liana's beauty. As the group continued down the hall, eyes turned their way. Many students couldn't help but glance at Liana, captivated by her striking looks, though it wasn't her alone who drew attention. Mira and Sera, each with her unique appeal, added to the group's allure, their presence turning heads as they passed.
They were nearing the hall when Sera, walking slightly ahead, hummed thoughtfully. She turned back to the boys, asking, "So, who's your fourth roommate?"
Rune chuckled and pointed behind them. "That would be Caelum," he replied, motioning to the tall figure walking several paces back.
Sera turned, her eyes widening slightly as she took in Caelum's appearance for the first time. From her perspective, he seemed almost otherworldly, as if the morning sun had chosen to highlight every perfect feature. His dark, wavy hair fell just above his piercing gray eyes, which held a calm intensity that seemed to draw you in, revealing little yet suggesting much. His chiseled jawline and high cheekbones gave him an elegance that could only be described as flawless, yet he carried it with a reserved, quiet confidence. Every detail, down to his posture and the way his gaze stayed focused ahead, spoke of strength and control. Sera found herself momentarily captivated, unable to look away.
Caelum wasn't alone, though. Two girls walked beside him, stealing shy glances in his direction, their hushed whispers barely reaching the group. They seemed to be gathering the courage to speak to him, to draw his attention somehow. And they weren't the only ones—other girls around the hallway cast admiring glances his way, their interest unmistakable.
Sera, glancing back at the others, said with a smile, "Let's wait for Caelum."
The group slowed their pace, letting Caelum close the distance. But just as he neared, the two girls beside him made their move, stepping in front of him and attempting to engage him in conversation. They blocked him from the group's view, their voices soft and eager, their eyes shining with interest.
Sera narrowed her eyes and stepped forward, her expression calm but assertive. She spoke softly, but there was an edge to her words as she addressed the two girls, "You ladies are keeping us waiting."
The two girls glanced at Sera, immediately taken aback by her presence. They exchanged quick, embarrassed looks, knowing they had no chance against Sera's natural beauty and confident aura. With a quick nod of apology, they stepped aside, retreating down the hall.
Caelum looked at Sera, a faint smile curving his lips as he spoke in his quiet, reserved tone. "Thank you for the help."
Sera's heart skipped a beat at the sight of his smile. The way his lips curved, his gray eyes softening just slightly, made her feel as though she'd just caught a glimpse of something rare and precious. She felt her cheeks warm slightly as she managed a simple, "You're welcome."
As Caelum approached the group, Jax's gaze shifted curiously to Liana, catching the subtle flicker of her attention as her eyes landed on Caelum for a mere heartbeat. Just as quickly, she looked away, a veil of composed indifference settling over her expression, though a slight hint of something unreadable lingered.
The group eventually entered the lecture hall, its high ceilings and ancient stone pillars giving it an almost reverent air. Rows of seats stretched out before them, and they managed to find an open area where they could sit together, leaving just one seat free beside Liana. She took her seat with poise, setting her belongings down beside her when Sera leaned in, her hand gently settling on Liana's shoulder.
"You wouldn't mind switching seats with me, right?" Sera's voice was light, but there was a knowing glint in her eyes as she smiled.
Liana blinked, a bit confused but unbothered. Perhaps Sera just preferred a different view. With a small nod, she let Sera take her seat without hesitation, sliding over to the spot beside her. It wasn't until Caelum finally joined them, moving through the aisle to settle in beside Sera, that Liana fully understood her friend's intent. As he sat, Sera shot a subtle, pleased glance her way, confirming her suspicions. Liana fought a wry smile as she realized the playful maneuver Sera had orchestrated, nudging her subtly closer to Caelum without saying a word.
Soon, the room quieted as a figure in a dark purple robe ascended the podium at the front. He stood tall and motionless, the folds of his cloak pooling at his feet. After a brief pause, his voice rang out, smooth yet commanding, reaching every corner of the hall without need of amplification.
"Welcome to the Arcane Academy," he began, his tone steeped in both formality and gravity. "For those of you who have made it past your first trial, congratulations. You have taken your first step into a world far removed from the mundane."
The students listened intently, some nodding while others sat tense, taking in every word. The robed figure went on, outlining the academy's stringent expectations. "You have entered this academy with the intent to cultivate your power, but know this—here, laziness and complacency are not tolerated. Your journey will be marked by discipline, rigorous study, and hard work. Any who fail to uphold these standards will face swift punishment."
A murmur rippled through the hall at his stern words, and the students exchanged uneasy glances. The speaker's eyes scanned the crowd, unyielding.
"While you are here, you are forbidden from leaving the academy's premises without express permission. Further, you will respect all elders, teachers, and senior students; to do otherwise is to welcome consequences." His gaze sharpened, as if daring anyone to challenge him. "Those who break these rules should not expect leniency. You are here to master your gifts, and you will find that this place rewards dedication as much as it punishes defiance."
Liana, seated just beside Sera, watched the robed figure with unwavering focus, her mind absorbing every word. She felt the weight of each rule press upon her, a reminder that this was no ordinary school but a place built upon power, structure, and survival.
The robed figure's voice softened slightly as he transitioned to a new subject, one that stirred a different sort of curiosity in the room. "Now, you have all felt the stirrings of magic within you. Yet there is something far more potent than mere spells and rituals. It is the foundation of your magic, the energy that resides within each of you."
He let the words settle, a pause allowing their meaning to sink in before continuing. "Magic is bound to lust. As you cultivate your power, you will notice that this sexual urge grows stronger. It is a part of who you are as mages and, if harnessed correctly, a tool to elevate your abilities."
A subtle shift moved through the room, students straightening in their seats, listening with newfound interest.
"To that end," the figure continued, "the academy permits dual cultivation. That is, engaging in acts of intimacy as a means of increasing one's magical capacity. Such practices, however, should not be taken lightly. Dual cultivation can aid you in managing your own lust, while simultaneously strengthening your magic. You may partake, but know that if you allow this desire to overtake you, it will turn on you, making you no better than a beast driven purely by impulse."
A ripple of shock passed through the students, and many of them looked to one another with questioning glances. Some expressions were incredulous, others wide-eyed or blushing, and some remained stony and contemplative. Liana stiffened, her back straightening as she absorbed his words. Her gaze fell to her hands as her thoughts spun—her exceptionally high lust level, something she had previously dismissed as just another measure of power, now took on a darker, more complicated significance.
Beside her, Sera watched the students' reactions, her head held high as she took in the stunned silence. Rune's expression reflected fascination rather than shock, while Jax wore a smirk that bordered on smug, as though the prospect didn't surprise him at all.
The robed figure continued with a steely gaze, addressing the room one last time. "Do not forget the path you tread here. Magic and lust are intertwined, but the choice to cultivate, to become masters of your own power, is one that rests with each of you. If you let your desires consume you, your magic will turn you into nothing more than a slave to your lust—a creature unable to control its own impulses."
With that, he inclined his head, signaling the end of his lecture. "You are dismissed. Remember, your actions here will determine your worth as mages. Do not squander the opportunity."
A tense silence hung in the air as the figure stepped down from the podium and exited the hall. The students sat momentarily frozen, some still processing the significance of what they had learned. Slowly, the room filled with a buzz of conversation as they filed out, talking in hushed tones about what they had just heard.