Arthur awoke with a jolt, his body heavy with sleep. The dim morning light crept through the curtains, a grayish haze of cloud-filled skies casting a dreary shadow over the room. His mind swirled in confusion, the fog of sleep thickening his thoughts. It felt like he'd only just closed his eyes when something stirred deep within him.
He sat up slowly, blinking several times to clear the haze. His chest felt tight as if it were full of static energy that crackled just beneath the surface of his skin. He took a deep breath, pressing a hand to his chest, trying to make sense of the sensation. It was subtle, like a current flowing just beneath his skin, but there was a faint hum to it, a buzzing of sorts, like distant thunder. He could feel it radiating out from the center of his chest, spreading through his limbs.
Mana. The realization struck him instantly.
Arthur's first instinct was to reach out for something—anything. He gripped the edge of his bed, pulling himself out of bed, his feet touching the cold floor. His breath came faster as he adjusted to the sensation. The mana was there—alive, moving. He wasn't imagining it. It was real.
He stumbled to the small mirror hanging on the wall, bracing himself against the stone. His reflection stared back, familiar yet changed. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, but there was a new intensity to his gaze. Then he saw it, a streak of vibrant red cutting through his dark hair like a blade.
"Well, that's certainly new," Arthur murmured, running his fingers through the crimson strands. "Guess that's what the professor meant by possible mutations."
A surge of excitement coursed through him, mingling with the unfamiliar flow of mana. He'd dreamed of this moment for years, of finally unlocking the power that had eluded him for so long.
The courtyard was unusually quiet as Arthur stepped into the open air. Most of the first-year students were likely still recovering from the effects of the potion, leaving the academy grounds feeling almost deserted. It was a strange contrast to the towering spires and sprawling walkways that seemed built to host throngs of people.
Arthur spotted Rowan near the fountain, leaning casually against a low stone wall. His dark brown hair caught the soft light filtering through the trees, and even from a distance, Arthur could tell something was different. He approached, squinting slightly.
"You're looking different," Arthur said, his voice light but tinged with curiosity.
Rowan turned, smirking. "Good morning to you too. Let me guess—you're talking about the height?"
Arthur gestured vaguely. "It's kind of hard to miss. Yesterday you were a fair bit shorter than me. Now you're standing so we are eye to eye."
Rowan chuckled, standing up straighter. "The potion must've worked overtime on me. They said it might cause changes, but I didn't think they meant this."
Arthur gave him a once-over, noting how Rowan's frame seemed broader, more balanced. "Well, at least it's just height. Could've been worse."
Rowan raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering across his face. "Worse how?"
Arthur ran a hand through his own hair, drawing attention to the streak of red that now cut through the black. "You could've ended up with something like this. It's weird."
Rowan leaned in to inspect it, his green eyes narrowing with exaggerated scrutiny. "Looks good on you. Very mysterious."
Arthur rolled his eyes but couldn't help a small laugh. "Right. I'm sure that's exactly what it looks like." He dropped his hand and glanced around. "So, what's the plan for today? We've got nothing but time."
Rowan shrugged, looking thoughtful. "How about we explore a bit? See what this place has to offer. I hear groups and clubs are starting to recruit. Could be worth checking out."
"Not a bad idea," Arthur agreed. "Better than sitting around."
The two of them set off through the main halls of the academy, the sound of their footsteps echoing against the stone walls. The air inside felt cool and still, carrying the faint scent of parchment and ink. Notices pinned to boards lined the corridors, each one advertising some group or event.
Rowan stopped at the first board they came across, scanning the options with interest. "Check this out," he said, tapping a flyer. "'Explorers' Guild.' Sounds like they organize expeditions outside the academy."
Arthur leaned in, reading over his shoulder. "Exploring ruins, studying terrain, maybe finding rare materials? That actually sounds useful. Might have to sign up for that."
"Here's another," Rowan said, pointing to a brightly colored notice. "'Magical Beasts Society.'" He paused to read further. "Looks like they focus on taming different creatures. That's quite interesting."
Arthur nodded. "Definitely interesting. Especially since I've already had a couple of run-ins with beasts that weren't exactly friendly."
They moved on, stopping every so often to glance at more flyers. There was a dueling club, a noble-only "society", and even a group dedicated to combining magic with music. Arthur chuckled as Rowan lingered over the last one.
"You thinking of picking up the lute?" Arthur teased.
Rowan grinned. "Hey, you never know. Maybe I've got hidden musical talent."
They eventually found themselves in a quiet courtyard, shaded by ancient trees with sprawling branches. The two of them sat on a low bench, the faint trickle of a nearby fountain filling the silence.
"It's strange being here," Arthur said after a moment. "This place feels so... big. Like there's a lot more going on than we even realize."
Rowan nodded, leaning back against the bench. "It's intimidating, yeah. But at the same time, it's exciting. We've got a fresh start here. No one knows us, and we don't know them. We can figure things out as we go."
Arthur glanced at him, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You sound like you've got it all figured out."
"Not really," Rowan admitted. "I'm just trying to take it one step at a time. Speaking of which, any thoughts on the groups we saw?"
"The explorers seem useful," Arthur said. "And the magical beasts group could be good too. What about you?"
Rowan tilted his head, thinking. "I'm leaning toward the explorers. Feels like something that'd keep us busy and let us see more of the world outside this place."
Arthur nodded. "Makes sense. Guess we'll have to check them out when we can. For now, though..." He gestured to the sprawling academy around them. "We've got the rest of the day to wander."
Rowan grinned, standing up and stretching. "Lead the way, then. Let's see what other interesting places this academy has."
Arthur and Rowan wandered through the academy halls, the vastness of the place slowly sinking in. Even with the morning's excitement of waking up with magic, the reality of how much they still didn't know about their surroundings started to weigh on them.
"Do you think anyone's gotten lost yet?" Rowan asked, holding the map they'd grabbed earlier.
Arthur glanced at the parchment in Rowan's hands. "Probably. This place is massive. Good thing we have that, or we'd be wandering around all day."
Rowan nodded. "According to this, the library's not far. Want to check it out?"
"Sure," Arthur said. "Might as well see what's in there."
The library was even more impressive than Arthur had imagined. Shelves upon shelves stretched into the distance, their wooden frames carved with intricate designs. Students moved quietly between the rows, some with stacks of books balanced in their arms, while others sat at long tables covered in parchment and ink.
"Now this," Rowan said, grinning, "is a proper library."
Arthur scanned the room, his eyes drawn to the soft glow of floating platforms that carried students to the upper levels. "Wonder if they'd let us up there," he mused.
"Probably not," Rowan replied, chuckling. "We'd probably have to prove we know what we're doing first."
They wandered for a bit longer, taking in the vastness of the space and occasionally glancing at the rows of books. Most were labeled with complicated titles that hinted at advanced studies, well beyond what they would likely encounter in their first year.
Eventually, Rowan folded up the map and tucked it into his belt. "Think I'm going to the dining hall," he said. "I need food before I start fainting from hunger."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "You're always eating."
"Call it the side effect of rapid growth," Rowan said with a grin. "See you later?"
Arthur nodded. "Yeah, see you."
As Rowan headed off, Arthur returned to his room, the quiet of the space a welcome change from the day's noise. He'd been on edge since drinking the potion, the energy inside him still buzzing, and he was eager to focus. His eyes landed on the rune book sitting on his desk. He'd barely touched it since the potion, but now, he felt an urge to dive back in.
He walked over and sat down, the weight of the book surprisingly heavy in his hands. As soon as he opened it, his fingers brushed the pages, and something strange happened. He felt a shift, his mana stirred inside him, like a ripple through the air. The book seemed to respond, and at that moment, new pages slid into the empty spaces where there had been nothing before.
Arthur blinked, staring at the fresh pages now glowing softly in the dim light.
Arthur's heart raced as he stared at the new pages, their soft glow fading to reveal intricate runes and symbols he had never seen before. His fingers trembled slightly as he traced the unfamiliar patterns, feeling a faint tingle of energy beneath his fingertips.
"What in the world?" he muttered, leaning closer to examine the script.
The writing was similar to the other pages, but there was something different about it - a fluidity to the lines, a complexity to the symbols that hinted at deeper, more powerful magic. Arthur's eyes darted across the pages, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.
As he studied the new content, he noticed something else. The runes seemed to shift and change ever so slightly as if they were alive and responding to his touch. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but Arthur could feel it - a connection between the book and him.
Arthur settled down in his chair and went to work studying the new pages. They were more complex than the previous ones, each rune taking up more pages than the old runes.
"I definitely need to look into applying for classes that teach ancient languages, it would make learning them much easier."
The rest of the day passed by quickly as Arthur remained engrossed with the book. Eventually, he looked up and saw how dark it had gotten.
Arthur blinked, his eyes adjusting to the dim light of his room. He hadn't realized how much time had passed while he was absorbed in the rune book. The soft glow of magical lamps outside his window cast long shadows across the floor, signaling the late hour.
With a sigh, he closed the book gently, his mind still buzzing with the new information. The complexity of the runes he'd discovered was both exciting and daunting. He knew he'd barely scratched the surface of their potential.
Arthur stood up, stretching his stiff muscles. He walked to the window, gazing out at the academy grounds bathed in the soft glow of lamps. The night sky was a tapestry of stars, their light seeming to pulse with an otherworldly energy. The stars were a rare sight in Ashlynd, with the constant ash clouds hanging above everyone. Here in the capital, they could be seen every night.
As he turned back to his room, Arthur's eyes fell on his reflection in the mirror. The red streak in his hair seemed to glow in the dim light, a visual reminder of the changes he'd undergone. He ran his fingers through it, he would need some time to get used to the change.
With a yawn, Arthur realized just how exhausted he was. The day's events, coupled with the intense focus on the rune book, had sapped him of all his previous energy.
Arthur, deciding to call it a night, lay down in his bed a quickly fell asleep.
Arthur entered the main hall early the next morning, the hum of conversation already filling the air. Even though he and Rowan had arrived on the earlier side, the room was still bustling with students, some were already gathered around tables while others hurried to find their seats. The scent of parchment and ink lingered in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of fresh bread and coffee from the nearby cafeteria.
He scanned the room, looking for Rowan, and spotted him near a large bulletin board covered in colorful flyers. Rowan was deep in conversation with a group of students, but his eyes locked on Arthur's as he approached, and he gave him a nod of recognition.
Arthur made his way over, cutting through the sea of students. "Didn't think it'd be this busy already," he said, glancing around at the full hall. The energy was palpable, everyone buzzing with excitement over the day's final decisions.
Rowan shrugged, his green eyes glinting with a hint of amusement. "It's the first day of choosing classes, after all. I'm sure everyone's eager to lock in their schedules."
"Fair point." Arthur gave a small grin and motioned to the list of classes that Rowan had been examining. "So, have you made your final choice?"
Here's a more refined, casual version of the scene:
Rowan chuckled, shaking his head. "I've been going back and forth all morning. There's a lot to choose from, but I'm pretty set on Magical Beasts class. The idea of learning about creatures sounds pretty important, especially considering the increase of monster sightings."
Arthur nodded, thinking it over. "Fair point. There's a lot we don't know about them. Could come in handy, I plan to take that class myself."
"Exactly," Rowan said, his grin widening. "What about you? You locked in on your other classes yet?"
Arthur leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Yeah, I'm going with Runic Studies, Ancient Languages, Arcane Theory, Magical Beasts, and General Combat."
Rowan raised his eyebrows. "Whoa, that's a solid lineup. Hopefully, we share some of the same class times, huh?"
Arthur shrugged, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I figured I might as well. I know the fighting part, but I need to get better with the magic. All of it."
Rowan smirked. "And General Combat—that one's mandatory, right? Can't escape that class."
"Yeah, exactly," Arthur agreed. "But I'm not complaining. It'll keep me sharp, make sure I don't get rusty."
"Yeah, but I'll manage," Arthur said, his tone more confident now. "What about you? You still need three more classes right?"
Rowan nodded. "Yeah, I think I'll join you with runic studies and put what you've been teaching me to good use. I still need to figure out the other two though"
Arthur clapped him on the back. "Fair enough. We'll see each other around."
"Definitely," Rowan said with a grin. "Good luck with all that theory stuff."
Arthur chuckled. "Yeah, thanks. You too."
The noise around them picked up as more students filtered in to finalize their schedules. The professors at the registration desk were calling names, and it was clear it was time to get moving.
"Let's go," Arthur said, straightening up. "Time to make it official."
"Yep," Rowan agreed. "Let's get this done."
Together, they made their way toward the desk, the buzz of excitement settling into a more comfortable rhythm as the day moved on. They had no problems signing up for classes and parted ways for the day. Arthur goes back to his dorm and dives back into his rune book. Only taking breaks to deliver the rest of his belongings from his inn room to the dorm.