The next morning, the sun rose over Valthera.
The streets were already alive.
Merchants were setting up their stalls, travelers were crossing the main avenues, and students were making their way toward the Central Academy of Étheria.
Among them were three young students: Raizen, Kaira, and Zayden.
They walked side by side through the academy’s enormous corridors.
Raizen remained quiet.
Ever since the entrance examination, one question had been constantly running through his mind.
The sphere had reacted to his power.
But he still didn’t understand why.
He looked down at his hand.
A small shadow formed around his fingers.
Then it disappeared.
Kaira noticed.
“You’re doing it again.” Raizen looked at her.
“Doing what?” “Staring at your hand every five seconds.” Zayden smiled slightly.
“He’s probably still trying to understand what happened yesterday.” Raizen didn’t answer.
The three of them entered a large classroom where dozens of new students were already waiting.
A professor entered the room.
“Take your seats.” Everyone sat down.
The professor placed several books on his desk.
“You passed the entrance examination.” He looked across the classroom.
“But that doesn’t mean you’re true mages yet.” The students began whispering among themselves.
The professor continued.
“The academy will teach you how to understand, control, and develop your abilities.” Raizen raised his eyes.
“You will also be assigned to different classes according to your abilities and potential.” The professor raised one hand.
A magical screen appeared in the air.
A list of names began scrolling across it.
Then— Kaira.
A bright light appeared beside her name.
Advanced Combat Class.
Kaira smiled.
“Sounds good to me.” The list continued.
Then— Zayden.
The professor paused for a moment.
Several students looked toward him.
“Special Class.” Whispers immediately spread throughout the classroom.
“Why a special class?” “His power is strange…” “Maybe the professors don’t know what he can do.” Zayden showed no reaction.
Then the final name appeared.
Raizen.
The professor stared at the name.
A small black mark appeared beside it.
Special Class.
Raizen frowned.
“Why?” The professor looked directly at him.
“Your magical affinity could not be properly identified.” Raizen said nothing.
He had already noticed that several professors were looking at him differently.
As if they knew something he didn’t.
The First Lesson Several hours later, the students were taken to a massive training arena.
The arena was surrounded by enormous stone walls.
The professor raised his hand.
A transparent magical barrier appeared around the battlefield.
“Today, you will learn how to control your magical energy.” A student immediately stepped forward.
“Me, Professor!” The professor nodded.
The student raised his hand.
A ball of fire appeared above his palm.
Several students applauded.
Another student stepped forward.
He created a sharp spear made entirely of ice.
Kaira watched the different abilities with interest.
“This is interesting.” Zayden nodded.
“Yes.” Raizen wasn’t focused on the techniques themselves.
He was watching the people using them.
Their movements.
Their breathing.
Their posture.
The way they concentrated their magical energy.
Kaira noticed what he was doing.
“You’re analyzing everyone again?” Raizen answered calmly.
“I’m observing.” “Why?” Raizen continued watching the students.
“Because every power has a weakness.” Zayden smiled.
“You’re already thinking about fighting.” Raizen looked toward the arena.
“You always have to be prepared.” The Three Strongest Students Suddenly— The enormous doors at the other end of the arena opened.
A group of students entered.
Everyone turned toward them.
The three strongest students in the academy had arrived.
The first was a tall boy with silver hair.
Lightning continuously crackled around his arms.
The second was a beautiful girl surrounded by an intense freezing aura.
Frost covered the ground beneath her feet.
The third was a silent boy who walked calmly behind them.
Small rocks floated around his body.
Kaira lowered her voice.
“The three strongest students…” Zayden tilted his head slightly.
“Their energy is impressive.” Raizen carefully observed them.
The lightning user stepped forward.
“So these are the new students?” No one answered.
His eyes suddenly stopped on Raizen.
“You.” Raizen raised his eyes.
“What?” The boy smiled.
“Your energy is strange.” Raizen remained expressionless.
The boy took another step forward.
“I’d like to see what you’re capable of.” Kaira immediately stepped forward.
“You’ve just arrived, and you already want to fight?” The boy laughed.
“It’s not a fight.” The lightning around him grew slightly stronger.
“I simply want to know if the rumors are true.” Raizen looked at Kaira.
Then at Zayden.
Finally, he looked back at the boy.
“Another time.” The boy’s smile disappeared.
“You refuse?” Raizen remained calm.
“I have no reason to fight you.” He turned around and began walking away.
Zayden followed him.
Kaira sighed before following them.
The lightning user watched Raizen disappear into the crowd.
His expression became serious.
“Interesting…” A Mysterious Presence Later that evening, Raizen found himself walking alone through one of the academy’s quieter corridors.
The halls were almost empty.
Raizen suddenly stopped.
Something had changed.
He could feel it.
A presence.
Someone was watching him.
Raizen slowly turned around.
Nobody was there.
He looked down the corridor.
Nothing.
He continued walking.
Then— A faint voice echoed behind him.
“Raizen…” He immediately turned around.
The corridor was empty.
Raizen clenched his fists.
A dark shadow slowly formed beneath his feet.
“Who’s there?” No answer came.
The shadow spread across the floor.
Raizen’s eyes narrowed.
Then, just as suddenly as it had appeared…
The presence vanished.
Raizen remained still.
He didn’t understand what had just happened.
But one thing was certain.
Ever since he had arrived at the Central Academy of Étheria…
Someone had been watching his every move.
The File Somewhere on the upper floors of the academy, a man slowly opened a file.
The room was dark.
Only the light of a magical lamp illuminated the desk.
The first page read: RAIZEN Beneath his name was a single report: Origin: Unknown.
Magical Affinity: Unknown.
Ability: Unknown.
Potential: Impossible to determine.
The man stared at the report for several seconds.
Then he slowly closed the file.
“This boy…” He looked toward the darkness beyond the desk.
“Who are you really, Raizen?” The lamp flickered.
And somewhere deep within the academy…
A pair of eyes opened.
To Be Continued…
— Kurotsuki