As the students filtered out of the grand hall, the excitement in the air was palpable. The anticipation for the upcoming showdown between Rai and Mammoth dominated every conversation. While the majority of the academy buzzed with disbelief, some spoke in hushed tones, filled with a strange sense of excitement. Rai had managed to capture the attention of more than just the elite students — he had awakened something deep within those who felt overlooked, who lived in the shadows of their more powerful peers.
On his way to his dormitory, Rai couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversations, some filled with scorn, others with encouragement. "You can do it, Rai," one voice called out. "Show those self-absorbed punks what true guts are made of," another cheered.
It was strange for Rai. He had expected nothing but disdain, but today, something had changed. Though the majority of the students still viewed him as an outcast — a boy with nothing but ordinary eyes — a very small group, those with low magic who had somehow managed to gain entry into this prestigious academy, were beginning to see him in a different light. They saw the fire in his heart, the conviction behind every word he spoke. To them, Rai wasn't just an underdog. He was a symbol. A symbol that maybe, just maybe, the academy wasn't only for those born into greatness, but for those who dared to defy the status quo.
As Rai continued through the corridors, more voices called out to him. Whispers of support trickled through the walls, voices that had once been quiet, now becoming bolder. "We believe in you," someone said. "Prove to them that it's not about magic. It's about heart."
The words struck Rai deeper than he expected. He'd always known he was different, but now he was starting to understand what it truly meant. He wasn't just fighting for his own pride. He was fighting for those who had been overlooked, who had been dismissed as "ordinary" just like him. In the face of all the criticism and the stares, these voices made him feel like his fight mattered more than he had ever imagined.
But there were still those who scoffed, sneering at him as though his presence in the academy was some sort of cosmic joke. The elite children of the noble clans, those with eyes that burned with the power of magic, turned their backs on him with haughty dismissals. To them, Rai was an anomaly, an outsider unworthy of even sharing the same space.
Yet, as Rai walked past them, his chest swelled with determination. He would not be defined by his ordinary eyes. No, today he was more than that — he was a fighter. A fighter for the dreams of everyone who felt they didn't belong, for everyone whose magic was not enough to earn them respect.
As Rai entered his dorm, brimming with purpose, he felt a shift within himself. For the first time, his fight was no longer just for him. That walk to his room had made it clear — he was fighting for more than just his own dreams. The weight of this realization settled into his heart, and as he sat on the edge of his bed, a memory surfaced, one he hadn't thought about in a long time.
His father's voice echoed in his mind: "Son, in this world, the ones with eyes overflowing with magic are always the ones most blinded to reality."
Then his mother's words, soft yet firm, followed: "They scorn and disrespect anyone with low magic just because. Never making an effort to see the talent that cannot be measured with magic."
For the first time, the meaning of those words fully sank into Rai's heart. He had heard them countless times before, but it was only now that he understood. His parents had never just spoken of their hopes for him — they had given him the wisdom to see beyond the surface, to understand that true strength isn't always visible.
Rai's eyes, which had always been seen as ordinary, were the very thing that set him apart from the rest. In a world where magic was the ultimate power, Rai's struggle was not just to prove his own worth, but to show that those who were deemed "less" had the power to change the world, too. And now, with this clarity in his heart, Rai knew that his fight was about something much larger than winning tomorrow's battle. It was about challenging a system that had forgotten the true meaning of strength — the strength of the spirit, the heart, and the will to rise above what others had already decided was impossible.
Engrossed in his thoughts, Rai lifted his head to finally scan the room — the room where he would be spending his days at the academy. In front of him, another bed sat vacant, though it wasn't empty for long. The door swung open, and in walked a young man, about 5 foot 8, with green hair that bore a striking resemblance to Rai's own black hair, though a little lighter in shade. The boy's eyes were locked on Rai, as if sizing him up.
Rai thought to himself, "That's just fantastic. Now I have to listen to how I don't belong here every day."
The boy dropped his belongings onto the bed and continued to stare at Rai. The two of them sat in silence for a while, each trying to figure the other out. Rai couldn't help but notice how the boy tried to act tough, but it was clear to him that beneath that exterior, the boy was hiding something else — some insecurity that was written all over his face.
Finally, the boy's façade cracked. He looked away, his gaze drifting up to the ceiling, and a tear slowly rolled down his left cheek. He wiped it away quickly, but the vulnerability remained, a crack in his tough-guy image.
"I guess I never had a chance in intimidating you," he said with a resigned sigh, his voice a little shaky, and in that moment, it was as though a holy light shone metaphorically above his head, highlighting his moment of realization.
The boy looked at Rai, his expression shifting to one of genuine openness. "Hey, my name is Gale Crimson," he said, introducing himself. Rai finally got a good look at his eyes — and what he saw wasn't surprising. There was a faint magic symbol of a tornado in his pupils, signifying that he was from a branch of the Wind Clan. However, it was clear that he wasn't from one of the more powerful branches, as his eyes didn't carry the same vibrant, intense color that the other noble Wind Clan members possessed.
"I'm Rai," he replied with a friendly nod.
"I know," Gale continued, his voice a little more relaxed. "You put on quite a show back in the hall. In fact, you gave me hope that maybe it wasn't a mistake for me to come here."
Rai's face instantly brightened like the sun breaking through the clouds. He hadn't expected this — he had thought Gale would be just another snot-nosed noble who would rub in his face how much better they were. But this wasn't the case at all.
"I'm so glad that you're weak!" Rai blurted out before he could think.
The moment the words left his mouth, the room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Gale's face turned to stone, and it was as if the weight of Rai's words hit him harder than expected. Rai could practically hear the sound of his heart breaking in that instant.
With a dry chuckle and a faint smile, Gale responded, "Yaaaa… I am weak indeed… heh heh heh." His voice cracked, as though the joke had become far too real for him to handle.
Rai, still full of energy, continued, "But isn't it awesome being weak?"
Gale, completely unsure of what Rai meant, morphed his face into an exaggerated question mark, eyebrows raised in confusion.
Rai didn't give him a chance to respond before continuing, "In this world, those who are born with eyes brimming with magic lose their sight of the future. So, in reality, even though they say they are strong, they're the weakest of all. People like you — although weak and pathetic now," Rai said, his words causing even more cracks in Gale's heart, "people like us will end up atop the world one day."
Gale's face went from broken to radiant, matching Rai's contagious optimism. His eyes widened, and he eagerly asked, "Really? You think someone like me can be atop the world one day?"
Rai smiled confidently, "I don't just think it — I know it. Although you won't be at my level, though, because I will be the Elmag."
Gale's eyes sparkled, and a mix of excitement and disbelief crossed his face. He exploded with joy, tears beginning to form in his eyes. "No one's ever given me words of encouragement like that, you know? Not even my own parents, who, even now, are against me coming here. I had to fight so hard to get here on my own. So... thank you, Rai. Thank you for your kind words." Without another thought, he jumped onto his bed and wrapped his arms around Rai in a spontaneous hug.
Rai burst into laughter at Gale's actions, his carefree chuckles filling the room. He comforted Gale, still laughing heartily, and then asked, "So, tell me, what do you want to be?"
Wiping his eyes, Gale answered, "I want to be the Magel (Magistrate General)."
Rai's face lit up with pure excitement as he laughed uncontrollably. Gale, misunderstanding the cause of Rai's laughter, scowled in confusion, but Rai quickly placed a hand on his shoulder, calming him.
"Don't you see, Gale?" Rai said, still beaming with enthusiasm. "This must be destiny! Magel is the right-hand man of the Elmag. If the Elmag is the highest authority in the world, then the Magel is second in command. I'm proclaiming it now because it's all but confirmed — I will be the Elemental Magistrate, and you will be my Magistrate General! One without magic, and the other, some might say, has no magic, standing atop the magical world! Now I'm fired up!"
Rai's words struck a deep chord in Gale's heart. For years, he had only ever heard discouragement. The voices in his head replayed the painful words: "You're weak." "Just give up." "Son, you're going to do nothing but waste your time going there."
But as Rai spoke, those words faded into the background, and they were replaced with Rai's own words. The newfound hope began to fill Gale's heart. Unbeknownst to Rai, he had just made a friend who would lay down his life for him in a matter of minutes.
"Well, it's getting late. Let's head to the cafeteria for some food, shall we?" Rai suggested with a grin. Gale nodded eagerly, his stomach growling in agreement. Together, they made their way through the academy halls toward the cafeteria.
When they opened the grand double doors, both stopped in their tracks, their jaws nearly hitting the floor. The cafeteria wasn't just a dining hall; it was an entirely different world. It stretched endlessly, a marvel of magical architecture that could only exist in a place as prestigious as the Magia Elemental Academy. After all, it housed the best and brightest students from the four great continents, each ruled by one of the elemental clans. With students ranging from first-years to fifth-years, the scale of the facility made perfect sense.
Rai and Gale's eyes sparkled with awe as they took in the magnificent sight. Rows upon rows of tables spanned the space, each surrounded by groups of students chatting, laughing, or eagerly digging into their meals. The air buzzed with the scent of freshly prepared dishes that seemed to beckon them forward.
They joined the buffet line, their excitement palpable. Holding plates in hand, they craned their necks, trying to get a glimpse of the feast awaiting them. When the food finally came into view, they both froze, tears forming in their eyes as a metaphorical holy light illuminated the display. It was magical—literally and figuratively.
Every delicacy imaginable was laid out in an endless array of options: roasted meats ranging from succulent chicken to cuts of magical beasts, aromatic rice and noodles, vibrant vegetables sautéed to perfection, and even comfort foods like pizzas, burgers, and fries. The cafeteria catered to every palate, with some dishes emanating faint magical glows, hinting at their otherworldly origins.
"This… this is heaven," Rai murmured, his voice choked with emotion.
Gale, equally overwhelmed, simply nodded, his lips quivering as he filled his plate to the brim. The duo's plates soon resembled miniature mountains, stacked precariously with food as they prepared to devour every last bite.
Their faces, lit with pure joy, mirrored the sentiment of two adventurers who had just stumbled upon a hidden treasure trove.
As Rai and Gale finished piling their plates high with food, they began searching for a place to sit among the seemingly endless tables. In the distance, something caught Rai's eye—a brilliant shade of burning red. It was Rose.
Without hesitation, Rai steered them in her direction. Gale, noticing their intended destination, quickly tugged at Rai's sleeve and whispered, "Are you sure this is a good idea, Rai?" Rai, his face lighting up like a child on Christmas morning, gave a goofy thumbs-up, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
As they approached, Rose sat alone at a table meant for six, her elegant posture unyielding as she delicately handled her meal. She noticed them, her piercing gaze meeting theirs, but her expression remained neutral—neither welcoming nor dismissing.
Rai waved cheerfully, saying, "Hello, Rose!" She acknowledged them with the barest of nods, her demeanor indifferent. Taking this as an invitation, Rai and Gale placed their plates down across from her.
It wasn't until they sat that Rose truly noticed the mountains of food they had gathered. Her fork froze mid-air as she glanced from one plate to the other, her disbelief growing by the second. Finally, she set her fork down, her composure breaking ever so slightly. "How on earth are you two going to finish all that?" she asked, her voice tinged with equal parts shock and curiosity.
Rai and Gale exchanged knowing grins before bowing their heads and murmuring a brief prayer of thanks for the food. What followed could only be described as a spectacle. Like two whirlwinds, they vacuumed their plates clean in mere minutes, leaving no trace of their mountainous feast.
Rose sat frozen, her eyes wide as saucers, caught between amazement and horror. For a moment, she was at a loss for words. "I…I don't know whether to be impressed or disgusted by what I just witnessed," she finally admitted, her tone uncharacteristically flustered.
Rai leaned back, patting his stomach contentedly, while Gale gave her a sheepish grin. Together, they had managed to turn a simple meal into yet another unforgettable moment.
Once their plates were finally empty, Rai leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped behind his head in a relaxed posture. With a mischievous grin, he looked at Rose and asked, "Why are you alone? You're so stunningly beautiful, you should be surrounded by some idiots, right?"
At his words, Rose's cheeks flushed bright red. Her eyes narrowed as she shot up from her chair, fury and embarrassment clear on her face. "Wh-what do you think you're saying, you fool?! You think you can make me fall for you with that smooth talk?" she yelled, clearly flustered.
Rai, ever the carefree soul, simply shrugged with a sheepish grin. "Just saying what I see, geez, sorry," he said, rolling his eyes as if it was no big deal.
Rose's face turned an even deeper shade of crimson. She sat back down, her posture regaining its usual elegance, but her voice softened, betraying a moment of vulnerability. "When people look at me, they don't see me, you know? What they see is the daughter of the Elmag. No one sees Rose Scarlett."
But in the quiet of her heart, she couldn't help but think, Well, I guess it's not really no one anymore, is it? At least one person does now. She glanced at Rai, who, for reasons she couldn't quite explain, had somehow managed to see past her title.
Rai glanced at Gale, a chuckle escaping his lips as he said, "Well, what did I tell you, Gale? All these idiots around here, with eyes brimming full of magic, and not a single one able to see". He turned his attention back to Rose, his smile widening as he spoke, his words laced with lighthearted confidence.
Rose, however, found herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions. A mixture of confusion and something deeper stirred within her as she listened to Rai. For the first time, someone had truly seen past the façade that her title and magic often created. Despite the unexpected stir of feelings she was experiencing, she refused to let it show. She maintained her usual elegant composure, her prideful strength never wavering, though deep down, she was battling with something unfamiliar.
Gale and Rai continued to laugh, their banter light and carefree, when Rose suddenly spoke, her voice laced with a trace of curiosity. "I'm surprised you're not nervous, Rai. For all we know, tomorrow could be your last day pursuing your dream of becoming the Elmag."
Rai, still smiling confidently, was about to respond when Gale cut in, his tone brimming with conviction. "Well, Miss Rose, you of all people should know that Rai is no ordinary person. My bet is we'll see the dawn of a new era tomorrow." His words were filled with such unwavering confidence that even Rose was momentarily taken aback. She hadn't imagined that someone could vouch for Rai with such certainty in just a few short hours. As the realization dawned on her, she thought to herself, "He is not ordinary, indeed."
The moment was brief, but the weight of Gale's words lingered in the air. With time running out, it was time for them to return to their respective dorms and prepare for the challenge ahead. They all stood up, Rai flashing a warm smile as he waved goodbye to Rose. Rose, her cheeks flushed with a soft red hue, responded with a cool but intrigued tone. "We'll see tomorrow if you're all talk or not." But in her heart, a part of her was already looking forward to seeing Rai again, unknowingly hoping for his success. It was as if her feelings were forming their own silent thoughts, separate from her conscious mind.
As the three of them made their way to their separate directions, a familiar figure caught Rai's attention. A few tables away, sitting alone, was none other than Mammoth Stark. The moment Mammoth's eyes locked with Rai's, his friendly demeanor vanished, replaced by a burning fury. His smile faded into an expression of anger, and his very presence seemed to make the air around them heavy with tension. Rai, however, remained unfazed, his smile never wavering as he cheerfully waved at Mammoth. "We'll be seeing each other tomorrow, man. Good luck."
The cafeteria fell into a hushed silence. Mammoth's magic aura emanated like a powerful wind, its force palpable, almost capable of tearing down walls. Students cowered under the weight of his presence, but Rai remained calm, unaffected by the pressure. Gale, standing next to him, followed Rai's lead, showing no fear. Though deep inside, he could feel the urge to cry and flee like a frightened child, he held his composure, determined not to show weakness in front of Rai.
With that, the two of them left the cafeteria and made their way back to their dorms. Rai turned to Gale with a smile. "Well, I better get some shut-eye. Tomorrow's gonna be wild." Gale chuckled, the tension of the evening lifting slightly. "Ha ha, yeah."
And with that, they both turned in for the night, their thoughts drifting to the challenge that awaited them the next day.