The bell signaling the end of class rang through the corridors, and students poured out of their classrooms like a rushing tide. Zane stretched his arms, shaking off the stiffness from sitting through Mr. Torren's lecture. Beside him, Mike clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"Library next?" Mike grinned, hoisting his bag onto his shoulder.
"Yeah," Zane replied, falling into step beside him. The academy library was the next stop on their agenda—a mandatory visit for all students who had awakened their elemental affinities.
As they walked, the hum of conversations around them ebbed and flowed, with snippets of gossip and excitement filling the air.
"You know," Mike said as they passed a group of students, "we've been waiting for this for ages. Free spells. Official spells. No need to save up credits or hope for a sale at the Alliance store."
Zane nodded, his expression thoughtful. The Alliance, the governing body of their galaxy, controlled everything related to elemental magic with an iron grip. Spells, regardless of their rank or complexity, could only be bought, sold, or traded through the Alliance's official channels. It was a system designed to prevent misuse and ensure safety—or so they claimed.
Despite these restrictions, rumors often surfaced about black-market spells. These unregulated copies were tempting due to their lower prices, but they came with significant risks. Some were unstable, their structure warped in ways that could injure or even kill the user. Others were outright traps, designed to drain mana or infect a user's core with destructive energy.
Zane's uncle had warned him more than once about such dangers. "Stick to official channels," he had said. "The risks aren't worth it."
The library loomed ahead, its grand double doors carved with intricate symbols representing all the known elements. Zane and Mike pushed through, entering a vast hall lined with towering shelves.
The librarian, a tall, stern woman with steel-gray hair, glanced up from her desk. Her sharp gaze softened slightly as she saw the boys approach.
"New elemental awakeners?" she asked briskly.
"Yes, ma'am," Mike said, his usual confidence in full force.
"Then you'll need to register your affinities before accessing the repository," she said, gesturing to a smaller side room.
Zane felt a flicker of unease as they stepped inside. His uncle's warning echoed in his mind: "Never disclose all three of your elements. The combination is too distinctive, too dangerous. It could trace back to the Valor Clan."
The instructor in charge of registrations, a middle-aged man with a kind smile, motioned for them to sit. A small crystal orb sat on the desk before him, its surface glowing faintly.
"Place your hand on the orb," the man instructed. "It will register your elements automatically."
Zane hesitated for the briefest moment before placing his hand on the orb. He felt a familiar warmth as the device read his elemental makeup, but he focused on suppressing the third strand of his mana signature.
The orb glowed with two distinct colors: crimson and gold.
"Fire and light," the instructor said, nodding approvingly. "A very uncommon combination. You'll have access to some interesting synergies with those."
Zane forced a smile, his mind racing. He hated lying, but the truth was too dangerous to reveal.
"Which element's spells would you like to collect today?" the instructor asked, his tone professional.
"Fire," Zane said without hesitation. It was the more versatile of the two for his current level of training, and he wanted to focus on building a solid foundation.
The instructor handed him a small card embossed with the academy's crest. "This card grants you access to the basic fire-element spells. You may select two for your repository today. Choose wisely."
The repository section of the library was an entirely different world. Rows of glowing spell books floated in mid-air, each pulsing faintly with contained mana. The air crackled with energy, and the faint hum of magical power was almost soothing.
"Here we go," Mike said, his eyes scanning the water-element shelves. "Let's see what I can grab."
Zane walked over to the fire section, his card in hand. A holographic interface appeared as he approached, displaying a list of available spells.
Fireball – A classic offensive spell that hurls a concentrated orb of fire at a target.
Flame Cloak – A defensive spell that envelops the caster in a protective layer of fire, burning anything that comes too close.
Ignition Spark – A utility spell used to ignite flammable materials or set traps.
Heat Wave – An area-effect spell that releases a wave of intense heat, disorienting and weakening enemies.
Ember Shield – A defensive spell that creates a barrier of embers, absorbing and dissipating incoming attacks.
and there were many more
Zane studied the list carefully. He only had two choices, so he needed to think strategically.
"Zeron," he whispered, activating the AI core embedded within him. "What do you recommend?"
Analysis complete, Zeron replied immediately. Fireball is the optimal choice for offensive capabilities at your current level. It is versatile, efficient, and has low mana consumption.
"Agreed," Zane murmured. He selected Fireball as his first spell.
For defense, Zeron continued, Ember Shield is recommended. It offers superior protection compared to Flame Cloak and is easier to control in confined spaces.
"Sounds good." Zane made his second selection.
The holographic interface confirmed his choices, and two small, glowing orbs detached from the shelves, floating toward him. As he touched them, the knowledge of the spells flowed into his mind, seamlessly integrating into his repository.
"All set?" Mike asked, walking over with a satisfied grin.
"Yeah," Zane replied, his confidence growing.
They then walked towards the meditation building of the academy where there is a high elemental energy present.