What is that? Many asked, pointing in a specific direction.
In one of the academy's corners, the sky was pierced by a bright pillar of light, stretching high into the heavens. Its radiance was impossible to ignore, drawing gazes like a magnet. The source of the light emitted such an immense amount of magical energy that it made hearts race. Crowds of students and professors began moving toward the phenomenon, abandoning all caution. Curiosity overpowered fear, and the thirst to understand what was happening outweighed logic.
Among the gathered was even the elite of the Silvania Academy students.
The golden daughter, Loretel, who would one day be renowned for her ability to forge connections and weave intrigues, was busy studying the academy's soil for her future plans. Her gaze froze the moment she noticed the glowing pillar of light. "Whoever is capable of creating something like this must be an extraordinary individual," she thought. Sensing an opportunity to establish a beneficial acquaintance for her ambitious goals, she rushed toward the source of the magic.
Zyx, a sturdy young man known for being the physically strongest student, also interrupted his training. Curiosity flared in his eyes as he wiped the sweat off his forehead and headed in the same direction.
Belle Maya, one of the academy's maids, was cleaning one of the lecture halls when she noticed the light through the window. Leaving her cloth behind, she hurried to ensure no one was in danger.
Princess Phoenia, elegant and always refined, was drinking tea in the garden at the time. As soon as she caught sight of the pillar of light, she rose, placed her teacup on the table, and made her way toward the spectacle.
Not far from the academy, in a dense forest shrouded in magical tranquility, sat Yanika, one of the finest summoners of spirits on the entire island of Silvania. She was seated on soft grass in the shade of a mighty oak, conversing with the forest spirits that danced around her cheerfully.
By her side stood her loyal companion and protector—a high-ranking spirit, a massive white wolf named Merilda. The wolf was as large as a small house, her fur shimmering silver in the sunlight, and her eyes, filled with ancient wisdom, attentively scanned the surroundings. Merilda was the guardian of Silvania's forest.
But even Merilda was captivated by something unusual. Her ears twitched as she lifted her head, seemingly catching invisible waves of magical energy, and immediately noticed the bright pillar of light rising above the academy.
"Yanika, something has happened at the academy," Merilda said in a deep, melodic voice, addressing the girl. "We must go and see."
Yanika tore her gaze away from one of the spirits she had been speaking with and, following Merilda's gaze, spotted the pillar of light. Her pinkish-red eyes widened as she felt the magic emanating from it.
"You're right, Merilda," she said, getting to her feet.
Yanika climbed onto Merilda's back, her fingers gently sinking into the wolf's thick fur, and together they set off.
By this time, not only the students but also the professors and even the academy's headmaster had been drawn to the phenomenon. Their conversations quickly turned into action as they began hurrying toward the source of the magical energy.
On the roof of one of the buildings, away from the commotion, a girl was peacefully sleeping. This was Lucy Maeril, a petite student. Her silver-white hair glistened beautifully under the sun, and a slightly crumpled witch's hat rested on her head. The standard academy uniform looked a little oversized on her, but that only added to her charm. For her, this was an ordinary day—she loved napping under the warm rays of the sun.
But suddenly, her violet eyes shot open. The girl instantly sensed the powerful magical surge. She sat up abruptly, her gaze rising to the sky, where she noticed the pillar of light radiating an incredible amount of energy.
"Is this what he was talking about?" she muttered to herself, recalling the words of her adoptive father, Glockta. He had warned her that one day, she would need to protect the academy, and now, she believed, that moment had arrived.
Lucy swiftly took to the air, her movement nearly instantaneous. Arriving near the source of the light, she hovered above the gathered crowd. Below, hundreds of people were already present—students, professors, and academy staff. Their eyes were fixed on the pillar of light, and at its base, a glowing orb of light could be seen. It seemed as though there was someone inside it.
As the pillar of light began to gradually fade, the enormous concentration of mana filling the space also started to dissipate. People, who had been worried about the unknown event, began to calm down. Many were convinced it could end in catastrophe, but seeing the light weaken, they finally exhaled in relief.
However, something happened that once again caused their hearts to clench with tension. From the bright, shimmering orb of light in the air, a figure began to emerge.
All eyes were glued to it, consumed by anticipation. At first, it became clear that someone was stepping out of the light. It was a man. Yet the most shocking revelation lay elsewhere. As the light dimmed slightly and the onlookers got a better look at him, the professors and even the academy's headmaster noticed details that left them utterly stunned. The stranger, whose face was still obscured by the radiant glow, was wearing the standard uniform of the Academy of Magic.
"Is he one of our students?" people whispered in amazement.
The headmaster frowned, trying to recall any student capable of performing magic on such a scale. The only possible candidate was Lucy. But she was hovering above, observing the situation like the rest.
"Who could this possibly be?" murmured the crowd.