The next morning arrived with the soft chime of bells echoing through the corridors of Aetherwell. Eren awoke to the golden light filtering through his window, stretching across the stone floor of his small dormitory. The bed, though more comfortable than anything he'd slept on back home, felt foreign—too soft, too strange. It was as if his entire world had been turned upside down in the span of a single night.
He glanced at the pendant resting beneath his shirt. It was calm now, no longer glowing, but he could still feel its presence, warm against his chest.
He dressed in the robes that had been provided to him—robes of deep blue, the color of twilight skies—and made his way downstairs to the Great Hall for breakfast. The long tables were filled with students talking quietly, eating, and preparing for the lessons ahead. Eren noticed that some students wore different colored robes, each color seemingly denoting their area of study. Green robes like Kaia's signified nature magic, while others wore silver or gold, depending on their field.
He grabbed a plate of food—steaming bread, eggs, and fruits he couldn't identify—and sat down at the table with Kaia, who was already enthusiastically munching on an apple.
"Ready for your first day?" she asked, her mouth full but her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's going to be wild."
"I think so," Eren said, though he wasn't entirely sure what to expect. He had no idea what kind of magic they would be learning about, or how he was supposed to begin harnessing his own.
Seraphina appeared at the front of the hall, her presence immediately quieting the students. She raised her hands, and the chattering ceased.
"Today marks the beginning of your journey here at Aetherwell," Seraphina's voice echoed through the hall. "You will begin your training in the Arcane Arts, focusing on elemental magic. Each of you will be assigned to your first professor based on your affinity with the elements. Those of you who have already shown some magical inclination will receive specialized lessons tailored to your needs. The rest will begin with the basics."
Eren felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement ripple through him. Elemental magic? He hadn't been told what his magical affinity was. Was he supposed to know? What if he wasn't good at it?
"You may now head to your respective classrooms," Seraphina continued, gesturing toward the doors. "Your schedule will be provided as you leave the hall. Be prepared to learn."
With that, students began to rise from their seats, and Eren followed Kaia as they exited the Great Hall and made their way toward the classrooms. The corridors of Aetherwell were even more awe-inspiring in daylight, and the further Eren walked, the more he felt the weight of history around him. This place had been built for knowledge and power, a place where magic was not just studied, but lived and breathed.
As they entered one of the larger buildings, Kaia led Eren through a labyrinth of stone corridors, finally stopping at a wooden door marked with a symbol of flames.
"Here we are," she said. "This is Professor Orlan's classroom. He's a Fire Mage. I'm taking the same class, so you're not alone."
The door creaked open, and Eren stepped inside, his heart pounding with anticipation.
The classroom was vast, filled with enormous windows that allowed sunlight to flood the space, highlighting rows of bookshelves stacked with ancient texts. In the center of the room stood Professor Orlan, a tall, stern man with dark, sharp eyes and a weathered face. His robes were red, embroidered with intricate symbols of flames, and his presence was commanding. He didn't smile, but there was something reassuring about the way he carried himself. He was a man who understood the weight of power—and the responsibility that came with it.
"Ah, the new student," Professor Orlan said as Eren entered. His voice was low and gravelly, with a hint of warmth. "Eren Ashford, I presume."
"Yes, sir," Eren replied, feeling suddenly self-conscious.
"Good. We shall see if you have the potential to become something truly remarkable, or if you're simply a lost boy with a pretty pendant." The professor's words stung more than Eren cared to admit, but he didn't let it show.
Orlan motioned to the rest of the class, a mixture of students already seated at their desks, their eyes watching him intently. Some of them were smiling, while others looked curious, sizing him up. Kaia waved from a seat near the front, but Eren hesitated before joining her.
"Sit, Mr. Ashford," Orlan said, his tone still firm. "We begin with an exercise in understanding the fundamental nature of fire. Not all magic is the same. You must learn how to work with the magic that flows through you, not just command it. Magic is not a tool—it is an extension of yourself."
Eren sat down, his thoughts racing. He had no idea what to expect, but the weight of Orlan's words settled heavily on his shoulders. Magic wasn't a tool. It was an extension of himself.
Kaia nudged him, whispering with excitement. "Don't worry. It's easier than it sounds. Just focus on the fire. Feel it. Let it connect with you."
Orlan's voice rang out again. "Each of you will now conjure a small flame in the palm of your hand. Remember, you are not controlling the flame. You are merely coaxing it to life, allowing it to emerge from within."
Eren took a deep breath, his hand resting on the desk. He focused, trying to calm his racing heart. Magic, he thought. Focus on the magic.
For a long moment, nothing happened. The room around him felt too large, too unfamiliar. But then, he felt it—the faintest stir of something inside him, like a spark igniting in his chest. His fingers tingled as he concentrated harder, willing that spark to grow, to take form.
And then, it happened.
A small flame flickered into existence above his palm, dancing and twirling in the air. It was tiny—no bigger than a candle flame—but it was real. Magic was real.
The students around him gasped, some whispering in awe, others nodding approvingly. Kaia smiled at him, her eyes wide with excitement.
"You did it!" she whispered.
Eren stared at the flame, feeling a mixture of pride and disbelief. He had done it. He had actually done it.
Professor Orlan surveyed the room, his expression unreadable. "It seems we have a promising student," he said, his voice softer than before. "But remember, this is only the beginning. Fire is not a toy. It is destructive and wild, and it must be treated with respect."
Eren nodded, feeling the weight of his responsibility settle on his shoulders.
"You will have much to learn," Orlan continued, "but in time, you will understand the power you hold. Whether you master it or let it control you is up to you."
Eren looked down at the small flame in his palm, his heart pounding with excitement. He had just taken his first step into a world of endless possibilities. He had a long way to go, but for the first time in his life, Eren felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.