The gates of the Aetherion Institute creaked open, revealing a sprawling campus that seemed almost alive with magic. The moment Leon and Mikel stepped through, the air itself felt different—charged with energy that made their hair stand on end.
Mikel paused to take it all in, his blue eyes wide with wonder. "This is incredible," he breathed, nudging Leon. "Look at the size of those towers!"
Leon followed Mikel's gaze. The academy's towers reached high into the sky, their surfaces covered in shimmering runes that pulsed faintly, like the heartbeat of some great, magical beast. The sight was breathtaking, but Leon's response was subdued.
"It's big," he said simply, shifting his bag on his shoulder. He didn't have the energy to be awed. After years of feeling outclassed and overlooked, he had stopped comparing himself to others. The talent he lacked was a fact as solid as the stone beneath his feet, and he had grown numb to it.
Mikel, on the other hand, practically buzzed with excitement. "I bet we'll learn so much here! Can you imagine? Magic classes in places like that?" He pointed toward one of the lecture halls, its arched windows glowing faintly.
Leon nodded, offering a faint smile.
The grounds of the Aetherion Institute were unlike anything Leon had ever seen. Paths of polished stone crisscrossed a vast expanse, connecting towering lecture halls, dormitories, and open practice fields. Enchanted gardens lined the edges of the campus, their trees shifting colors as if in tune with some unseen rhythm.
Students bustled in every direction, their robes swishing as they carried books, scrolls, and magical tools. While most were human, a few stood out.
Leon noticed a dwarf boy with a stocky build and short brown hair, his small stature making him appear even younger than he probably was. Nearby, an elf girl with long silver hair moved with a graceful elegance, her pointed ears peeking out from beneath her hood.
"Look at them," Mikel said, his voice hushed. "I bet everyone here's amazing at magic."
Leon glanced at the crowd but said nothing. The sight of other students didn't inspire tension or jealousy. If anything, he felt... nothing. His lack of talent wasn't a new discovery; it was a truth he'd long since accepted.
As they continued along the main path, Mikel's attention was caught by a beastkin girl walking with a small group of students. She had sleek, dark hair tied into a low ponytail, and her wolf-like ears twitched faintly as she listened to her companions. Her golden eyes were sharp, scanning her surroundings with calm focus.
"Look at her," Mikel whispered, nudging Leon.
Leon glanced at the girl briefly. "Who?"
"Her," Mikel said, gesturing toward the beastkin girl. "She looks cool. Don't you think she looks like she's great at magic?"
Leon shrugged. "Maybe."
The girl's tail swished behind her as she glanced in their direction, her gaze flicking over them briefly before returning to her conversation.
"I've got to meet her," Mikel declared with a determined grin.
Leon didn't reply. He had grown used to Mikel's boundless enthusiasm and let it wash over him like a distant wave.
The main building of the academy loomed ahead, its arched doors opening into a grand hall. The interior was vast, its high ceilings adorned with glowing runes that shifted in response to the flow of magic in the air.
Floating sconces lit the room, their soft light reflecting off polished floors that seemed to stretch endlessly.
In the center of the hall, a glowing rune circle was etched into the floor, its patterns faintly pulsing as students walked across it.
"Welcome, first-years," a voice called out, clear and commanding.
Leon turned to see a tall elf standing at the far end of the hall. Her silver hair was pulled back into a braid, her sharp features giving her an air of authority. Her robes shimmered faintly, the runes embroidered into the fabric glowing softly with magic.
"I am Professor Althea," she said, her voice carrying easily through the large space. "As head of the first-year program, it is my duty to prepare you for the trials ahead. Let me be clear—while you have been chosen to join the Aetherion Institute, your potential means nothing if you lack discipline and determination. Many of you will struggle. Some of you will fail. Only the truly dedicated will succeed."
Mikel leaned toward Leon and whispered, "She sounds like Grandpa Draymir, but elf-ier."
Leon huffed quietly, the faintest trace of amusement crossing his face.
Professor Althea raised her hand, and a smaller rune circle appeared beside her. Its glowing patterns twisted and shifted with a fluid grace. "Follow me to the Sorting Gate. Your mana will be evaluated, and your dormitory assignments will be determined."
The Sorting Gate was an arched structure of pale stone, covered in intricate runes that pulsed softly with blue light. It stood at the center of a smaller chamber, where students gathered nervously.
Professor Althea gestured toward the gate. "When you pass through, the runes will evaluate your mana potential and assign you to the appropriate dormitory. Step forward one at a time."
One by one, students stepped through the gate, their results displayed as glowing lights above the arch. A soft green light marked placement in the Scholar Ward, while a bright yellow light indicated the Artisan Ward.
When Mikel's turn came, he strode forward confidently. As he passed through the gate, the runes erupted in a dazzling array of colors—reds, blues, greens, and even hints of gold.
The other students murmured in awe.
"A multiaffinity mage," Professor Althea said, her expression calm but clearly impressed. "Rare indeed."
Mikel turned to grin at Leon, his confidence practically radiating.
Leon stepped forward next, his chest tightening slightly as he passed through the arch. The runes flickered briefly before settling on a soft, steady blue.
"Basic mana affinity," Professor Althea said, her tone neutral. "A solid foundation."
Leon nodded silently, stepping aside as another student moved forward. The result didn't surprise him. It was what he expected—unremarkable, average.
The Novice Ward was located in a quiet wing of the academy, its dormitories simple but comfortable. Leon and Mikel were assigned as roommates, much to Mikel's delight.
"This is going to be awesome!" Mikel said as he flopped onto his bed. "New classes, new people, new adventures—it's like the start of a great story!"
Leon unpacked his bag quietly, glancing out the window at the sprawling campus. He had no illusions about his own potential, but there was a small part of him—a faint, flickering hope—that he might find something here.
"You okay?" Mikel asked, sitting up.
Leon nodded, offering a faint smile. "Yeah. Just tired."
"Get some rest, then," Mikel said with a grin. "Tomorrow's going to be great!"
As the sun set over the academy, Leon lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The future felt uncertain, but he'd made it this far.