(Author note here; This is the star of Volume 2 - The Twin Mage, Academy Life (Part 2).)
The shimmering veil of the white griffin warp gate dissipated behind them, leaving Arthur and his companions standing at the entrance to the Royal Palace in the heart of Valeron. The towering marble columns flanking the entrance exuded a timeless majesty, and the opulent structure stood as a testament to centuries of power and tradition. Ornate banners, each bearing the kingdom's emblem--a rampant griffin woven in threads of gold and crimson--fluttered gently in the breeze, welcoming them to the heart of the empire.
As they stepped forward, a group of palace attendants clad in finely tailored uniforms awaited them. One of them, a woman with an air of quiet efficiency, gave a respectful bow.
"Welcome, honored guests," she said smoothly. "Their Majesties await your presence in the throne room. Please, follow me."
The halls of the palace were nothing short of breathtaking. The floors gleamed with gold-veined marble, polished to such perfection that their reflections shimmered beneath them. Tall stained-glass windows filtered soft hues of crimson and azure into the corridors, casting ethereal patterns onto the walls. The air was rich with the scent of aged parchment, polished wood, and the faintest hint of magic, woven so deeply into the structure that the palace itself seemed to hum with an unseen energy.
Upon reaching the double doors of the throne room, Arthur felt a sudden weight settle over him. The sheer grandeur of the chamber was overwhelming.
It stretched over forty meters in length and thirty meters in width, its vast expanse meticulously designed to exude both power and magnificence. A regal red silk carpet with gold-embroidered edges extended from the towering entrance to the raised dais at the far end. The two golden thrones atop the dais were carved in the image of a rampant griffon, its majestic wings outstretched in an eternal display of strength and sovereignty. Above them, crystal chandeliers floated in midair, their magical light refracting through the room with perfect symmetry, eliminating any shadow that dared intrude upon the chamber.
The walls were adorned with enchanted tapestries that wove an ever-changing tale of the kingdom's greatest triumphs, shifting from one historic scene to another. Arthur caught glimpses of past battles, coronations, and monumental discoveries, each depicted with such lifelike precision that he half-expected the figures to step out of the fabric and address him directly.
Standing at the forefront of the dais were two figures he immediately recognized--Tyris and Valeron, the legendary rulers of the kingdom. Behind them stood the current royal couple, their regal composure only slightly softened by the faint curiosity in their eyes as they observed Arthur and his companions.
Tyris, exuding an aura of undeniable authority, regarded them with a faint smile. "Welcome, my younger princesses."
Arthur bowed respectfully before speaking. "I assume you've called us here to help us unlock our bloodline abilities?"
Tyris gave a solemn nod. "Indeed. Your potential is vast, but without guidance, even the strongest power can remain dormant. It is time you learned what truly lies within you."
A heartbeat passed, heavy with unspoken understanding, before a sudden shift in the atmosphere signaled the beginning of their lessons. Without another word, their group was separated, each individual led to a private chamber where one of the ancient beings would personally instruct them.
Arthur's Training Begins
Arthur found himself face-to-face with Leegaain, the Dragon Guardian, whose mere presence seemed to warp reality itself. His piercing gaze carried the weight of millennia, and when he spoke, his voice was both a whisper and a roar, resonating deep within Arthur's very bones.
"We begin with Origin Flames and Dominance," Leegaain declared. "The former is the purest expression of destruction and renewal, while the latter is the mark of true supremacy. Both will require you to master not just magic, but your very essence."
Arthur swallowed hard but nodded. He was ready.
"Origin Flames, also known as dragon fire or phoenix flames, are born from the fusion of world energy and one's own life force," Leegaain explained. "They are the very breath of creation and annihilation, capable of reducing all to nothing--or forging something entirely new."
With a flick of his wrist, Leegaain conjured a small flame that hovered above his palm. Unlike ordinary fire, this one burned silver, its edges tinged with deep violet hues. It pulsed like a living thing, its intensity waxing and waning in tandem with his breathing.
"Try it," he instructed.
Arthur closed his eyes, reaching deep within himself. He could feel the flow of world energy coursing through his veins, an unseen current waiting to be shaped. Drawing upon it, he willed the power into his palm. At first, only embers flickered into existence--weak, unstable. But then, with a surge of determination, he pushed further.
A silver flame burst to life in his hand.
The sheer heat of it sent ripples through the air, warping the light around it. Arthur could feel its hunger, its insatiable desire to consume. A surge of pride welled up within him, but Leegaain's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Control it. Do not let it control you."
Arthur gritted his teeth and focused. Gradually, the flame steadied, its wild flickering settling into a controlled burn. He had taken the first step.
"Dominance is not about power--it is about will," Leegaain continued. "It allows you to override another's magic, forcing their mana to bend to your command. But be warned, only spells without conscious will can be easily manipulated."
Arthur watched as Leegaain cast a simple barrier spell before him. "Try to take control of it."
Arthur reached out with his own magic, his will pressing against the spell like an unseen force. At first, it resisted, like a boulder refusing to be moved. But Arthur pushed harder, pouring his intent into the spell. Slowly, the barrier wavered, its structure unraveling before reforming under his control.
Leegaain's approving nod was all the validation Arthur needed.
Next came Tyris, whose mere presence radiated an overwhelming sense of stability and power.
"You have inherited my bloodline," she said simply. "And with it, the ability to harness Life Maelstrom and Focus Point."
Tyris extended a hand, and silver lightning crackled around her fingers. "Life Maelstrom is the ability to harness stored world energy within your body and unleash it as pure, silver lightning. It can create and destroy, enhance or devastate."
Arthur followed her lead, summoning the energy within him. It felt like grasping a storm--chaotic, untamed. But with patience, he guided the energy outward, sending a bolt of silver lightning into the air. It struck the ground with a deafening crack, leaving a smoldering crater in its wake.
"This ability allows a Griffon to concentrate their entire mass into a single point, amplifying their strength to unparalleled levels," Tyris explained. "For you, this means transforming your very body into the ultimate weapon."
Arthur clenched his fists and activated the technique. A surge of power coursed through him, his body momentarily feeling as if it weighed thousands of tons, yet he moved effortlessly. A single punch sent shockwaves rippling through the air.
Tyris smiled. "Good. You are ready."
Arthur exhaled, his body still thrumming with newfound power. He was no longer just a warrior. He was a force to be reckoned with. And this was only the beginning.