The class continued with each student practicing their ability to conjure and control their flame. Eren was amazed at how quickly some of the students seemed to master the skill, conjuring fire as easily as breathing. Others struggled, their flames sputtering and flickering out as soon as they began. Eren watched them closely, noting the differences in their approaches. Some of them seemed to command their fire with a forceful will, while others coaxed it with gentle focus.
"Remember," Professor Orlan's voice rang out as he moved between the desks, observing each student, "fire is an extension of your will. If you force it, it will burn you. If you fear it, it will consume you. You must find the balance."
Eren repeated the process in his mind, focusing on the small flame hovering above his palm. The sensation was both exhilarating and unnerving. The magic felt alive, a part of him, yet separate at the same time. He could feel the pulse of the flame, its warmth mingling with the cool air of the classroom. He inhaled deeply, centering himself, and watched as the flame danced in response, its movement becoming smoother, more fluid.
The fire flickered for a moment, but Eren's concentration never wavered. He could feel the connection between himself and the flame growing stronger, as though it had become a part of him. He exhaled slowly, allowing the flame to grow taller and brighter, until it was no longer the tiny spark he had created earlier but a steady, controlled blaze.
"Good," Orlan's voice said from behind him. "You are beginning to understand it."
Eren turned, startled by the professor's proximity. "I… I didn't realize I could do it this well."
Orlan nodded. "You've got potential, Mr. Ashford. But don't let that go to your head. The hardest part of elemental magic is controlling it. Understanding it." He paused for a moment, his expression unreadable. "There is a reason fire is the first element we teach. It's primal, powerful. But it's also dangerous. If you fail to respect it, it will burn you, and not just physically."
Eren swallowed, feeling the weight of Orlan's words. He glanced at the other students, some of whom had extinguished their flames, while others were still struggling to ignite their sparks. Kaia, however, was effortlessly weaving her own flame into intricate shapes, creating tiny firebirds that fluttered around her hand like living creatures. Her face was alight with excitement, her eyes full of joy as she played with the fire.
"Kaia," Orlan called out, and she immediately stopped, her flame returning to a steady point above her palm. "That's enough for today. We'll continue tomorrow."
The students began to pack their things, talking excitedly amongst themselves. Eren couldn't help but smile, feeling a sense of accomplishment. For the first time, he wasn't just an outsider. He was part of something—something real.
"Well done," Kaia said, appearing beside him as they made their way out of the classroom. "Not bad for a first try. I've seen people take weeks to get it right."
Eren smiled shyly, feeling his cheeks heat up. "It didn't seem so hard. I just—felt it. I don't know how to explain it."
"That's exactly it," Kaia said, her voice full of admiration. "You can't explain magic with words. You have to feel it. If you try too hard to understand it, you'll miss the point." She glanced at him, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "You're going to be a lot of fun to have around, Eren."
Eren chuckled, feeling the tension in his chest ease. For once, things seemed to be going right. His magic, his connection to the world around him—it all felt real, tangible, like it was meant to be.
As they left the classroom and walked through the winding corridors of the academy, Eren noticed that the building seemed even more magnificent in the daylight. The walls shimmered with ancient symbols, some of which he recognized from the texts he had read about magical runes, but others were foreign to him. He wondered just how much history was embedded in the very structure of Aetherwell.
"Are you going to try your next class?" Kaia asked, pulling him out of his thoughts.
Eren glanced at the schedule that had been handed to him earlier that morning. "Uh… I think I've got Rune Magic next. It's with Professor Alderan."
"Rune Magic?" Kaia raised an eyebrow. "That's a tough one. It's all about reading and interpreting ancient runes, the kind of magic that doesn't require spells but uses symbols instead. It's like deciphering the secret language of magic."
Eren looked down at his schedule, feeling a little uneasy. "Sounds complicated."
"It is," Kaia admitted, "but you'll get the hang of it. Just remember that magic isn't about brute strength. Sometimes the most powerful spells are the ones you can't see."
They continued walking through the halls, Eren's mind racing with everything he had learned in the past few hours. Each class seemed like a step into a new world, each professor offering glimpses into something more—something deeper. There was so much to learn, so much to understand. And yet, in some strange way, Eren felt like he had only scratched the surface.
They arrived at the Rune Magic classroom, a large, circular room with walls lined with ancient books and scrolls. At the center of the room stood a tall man with long silver hair, his robes embroidered with intricate symbols. His eyes were sharp and intelligent, framed by a pair of half-moon spectacles.
"Welcome to Rune Magic," Professor Alderan greeted, his voice low but commanding. "Today, we will begin with the basics of magical symbols. These runes are the foundation of ancient magic—before spells were spoken, there were symbols. These symbols can create powerful enchantments, but they require precision. Mistakes are costly."
Eren stepped into the room, feeling the weight of Alderan's gaze settle on him. The professor didn't smile, but there was an intensity in his eyes that made Eren feel like this was no ordinary class.
"Take your seats," Alderan continued. "We begin with the most fundamental rune: the symbol for fire."
Eren sat at one of the wooden desks, his heart pounding as Alderan unrolled an ancient scroll at the front of the room. The rune on the scroll was simple but beautiful—a series of interwoven lines and curves that seemed to shimmer with a faint glow.
"These runes hold power," Alderan said, his voice softening slightly. "But that power can only be unlocked by understanding their true meaning."
As Eren studied the rune, he couldn't help but feel the pull of it. The lines seemed to dance in his vision, as though calling to him, urging him to understand. He had only just begun to grasp the concept of elemental magic, but this… this felt different. More complex.
Kaia sat down beside him, whispering quietly, "The runes are like the magic's blueprint. If you understand them, you can tap into something deeper."
Eren nodded, though he wasn't sure how to make sense of all the pieces just yet. He had only just learned to create fire. But here, in the Rune Magic class, he was starting to realize that magic was more than just wielding power—it was about understanding the very fabric of the world itself.
He didn't know it yet, but this class would be the key to unlocking a deeper understanding of his own potential—an understanding that would soon change everything he thought he knew about himself and the world of Aetherwell.