The morning sun bathed Arcadia Academy in golden light, casting long shadows over its towering spires and ancient halls. Birds chirped from the enchanted gardens, and the distant hum of students practicing spells echoed through the air. It was a peaceful day—one of many that Damien Ravencroft had come to cherish.

Seated at his desk, Damien flipped through a stack of parchment papers, grading the latest elemental theory exams. A sigh escaped his lips as he marked yet another incorrect answer. "Fire is not just about destruction," he muttered, shaking his head. "It is energy, it is life. Why do they never listen?"

A loud thud pulled him from his thoughts.

"Professor Damien!"

The classroom door burst open, revealing a panicked student—Alric, a first-year mage known for his reckless enthusiasm. His blonde hair was ruffled, and his robes were slightly singed. Behind him, another student, Lyra, stood with her arms crossed, looking both smug and annoyed.

"Let me guess," Damien said, leaning back in his chair. "You tried casting an advanced fire spell and nearly burned off your eyebrows?"

Alric hesitated. "Uh… not exactly."

Lyra sighed, stepping forward. "He accidentally summoned a fire wraith. In the training yard. It's still there."

Damien groaned, rubbing his temples. "Why do I even bother?"

Standing up, he grabbed his long coat and motioned for the students to follow. "Come on. Let's put this fire out before the headmaster finds out and turns it into another lecture about 'responsible magic use.'"

The training yard was already in chaos when they arrived. A fire wraith, its body a swirling mass of embers and flame, hovered menacingly above the ground. Several students stood at a safe distance, watching in awe and terror.

One of the senior professors, Master Edrik, was attempting to contain the creature with ice magic, but the wraith's flames melted his efforts almost instantly.

"This… is not a small mistake, Alric," Damien muttered.

Without hesitation, he strode forward, raising his hand. Dark blue mana flickered to life at his fingertips. The students watched in anticipation as their unassuming professor, who rarely displayed his full power, moved with effortless grace.

With a single motion, Damien slashed the air with his magic, sending a crescent wave of shadowflame toward the wraith. The creature screeched as the dark fire swallowed it whole, absorbing its essence into Damien's palm before vanishing without a trace.

Silence.

Then, a scattered burst of applause and awed whispers.

Damien turned to Alric, arms crossed. "Detention. Three days. And you'll be writing a full report on fire wraiths."

Alric groaned. "Aw, come on, Professor!"

Damien simply walked past him. "Oh, and you'll be helping me clean the library."

Lyra smirked. "Told you."

As the students dispersed, Damien exhaled, gazing up at the academy's towering spires.

"At least it's more peaceful here, right, mom?"