Morning — Spellcraft Hall
The hall buzzed with more energy than it had any right to at such an ungodly hour. Students poured in with bed hair, half-eaten bread, and that trademark "what am I doing with my life?" face.
I sat in the middle row, flanked by Cyan and Krell—yes, that Krell. The one who got kicked by a little girl half of his size . Ever since then, he just… kind of stuck with us. Like a stray cat that bites back.
"Are you guys even awake?" I mumbled.
"No," Cyan replied. "But I'm committed to pretending."
At the front, Instructor Elfes—our not-so-average elven professor—strode in with the flair of someone who knew exactly how cool he looked. His silvery hair glimmered faintly under the floating crystal lights, and his robe swayed like he was on a drama stage.
"Today," he said, "we begin understanding the roots of your power. Basic magic—and, if you don't explode, maybe a bit more."
He raised his hand, and a perfect sphere of water hovered above his palm.
"Magic, in essence, is will made reality through mana. Easy, right?"
Then his smile faded. His voice dropped a notch. "Now pay attention."
A spark crackled in his palm. The water sphere dispersed, replaced by an electric swirl—thunder magic.
The class gasped.
"The Eye of Infinity," someone whispered.
"He's the one who can use three elements!" said another.
"Water, Wind, and Thunder," Elfes confirmed. "And as an elf, I also wield spirit arts. A rare combination. But even more important than talent... is control."
He snapped his fingers. A diagram burst into the air—six glowing elemental circles: Fire, Water, Wind, Sand, Thunder, and Dark.
"Most people awaken one. Two if the universe owes you a favor. Three if you're someone's suspiciously talented nephew."
"Wait," Krell raised a hand. "Is thunder a real element?"
"Rare, volatile, and beautiful," Elfes replied. "And dark… even rarer. Both are wildly unfair. Welcome to life."
I casually scribbled "act surprised later" in my notebook.
We began with a basic spell—Ignis Orba: Fire Orb.
"Cast it with focus," Elfes instructed. "And don't burn the furniture."
Cyan immediately lit his sleeve on fire.
Krell summoned something between a smoke ring and a sad pancake.
One kid's shoes detonated.
I raised my hand. "Uh, Instructor?"
"Yes, dramatic-looking student?"
"I have no mana root."
"Ah," he replied sagely. "Try harder."
Thanks.
I turned to face the training dummy.
And stared. But couldn't do anything in the hole class.
---
Afternoon — Cafeteria Shenanigans
We collapsed onto the benches like exhausted gladiators returning from war. War with fire.
"I made a puff of smoke," Cyan declared, still proudly smoldering.
"You caught your pants on fire," I said.
"Controlled puff of smoke," he insisted.
Krell crunched into something that looked dangerously unstable. "So… we just keep blasting stuff until we level up?"
"Pretty much," I shrugged. "Just try not to combust in the process."
"You looked like a flaming potato," Krell said to Cyan.
"Yeah," Cyan grinned. "But a majestic potato."
Behind us, Feona and Arsia joined with another girl in tow. A stunning elf with moonlight hair and calm, forest-colored eyes. Cyan stared like he'd been struck by divine inspiration and started elbowing me.
"Who's she? Ask— wait—I'll ask." whispering between me and cyan.
The girls introduced her as Seliane, a top student from the Spirit Magic Division. They joined us in chatting we left, we ended up chatting about the chaos of spell class, the instructor's drama, and Cyan's brush with becoming a fire hazard.
They also told about them after ours.
Evening — Abandoned Courtyard
The sky faded to lavender, dusk painting soft shadows across the empty courtyard. Cracked stone. Overgrown moss. Forgotten by time—just like I wanted. I found it when I was finding ways to escape unnoticed .
I slipped in silently, my cloak brushing against weathered columns.
I sat cross-legged.
Focused.
Form the spiritual root.
I recalled the technique: channel mana throughout your body, form a spiritual root where the mana could pool and grow. Simple in theory. Excruciating in reality.
I drank a mana potion—Krell's apology gift for the "Trash prince event." Then closed my eyes.
Minutes passed.
Pain bloomed.
A burning ache ran down my spine, sharp and relentless. My arms trembled. Teeth clenched. My breath hitched. I felt like I was being torn apart and stitched back together—wrongly.
Just as I was about to pass out—
BOOM.
A ripple of energy burst from my chest. The world ignited in color—six vibrant auras swirled around me like an elemental storm.
Fire. Water. Sand. Wind. Thunder. Dark.
I could barely hold them. They clashed, hissed, fought each other—each trying to dominate.
Control them, I told myself. Give them form.
I drew symbols in the air, calling upon knowledge I barely understood. Spirit Art. Not summoning… but shaping.
Lights flickered. Then, from the swirling energy, forms emerged—small, humanoid spirits with wings of their element.
Fire -- danced wildly, eager to cause trouble.
Water -- floated calmly, observant.
Sand -- grumbled, scratching itself.
Wind -- giggled and zipped around.
Thunder -- sparked, chaotic and twitchy.
Dark... simply stared. Silent. Watching.
They hovered around me.
"…Hi," I said, hoarse.
They blinked. Then Fire headbutted me.
Of course.
I laughed quietly, despite the pain still burning through my chest. I wasn't ready to host six elements—not yet. So I shaped them into spirit forms. Personalities to help manage what I couldn't.
Thunder and Dark stayed behind the others, distant. As if waiting for something more.
Then a voice came, calm and sharp.
"Six elements. And Spirit Art. Not summoning."
I turned. My heart dropped.
Instructor Elfes stood at the courtyard entrance, eyes gleaming gold with a strange, endless symbol—his Eye of Infinity.
"I checked the entire warding perimeter," I muttered. "How did you—?"
"No need," he interrupted. "You're talented. But reckless. I'll keep this secret… if you agree to become my apprentice."
He turned and began walking. "We'll talk in my office."
The spirits blinked at me.
"I'll keep you hidden," I whispered. "For now."
They didn't protest. Dark gave me a slow nod. Thunder winked with a spark.
And then, one by one, they vanished into me.
The power was mine now. Real. Terrifying. Beautiful.
I brushed the dirt from my cloak, straightened, and followed.
Quietly grinning.
Like someone who just unlocked a cheat code and was pretending not to be suspicious.
Professor's Office --
The room was a mix of nature and knowledge—wooden walls wrapped in climbing ivy, shelves overflowing with books, runes glowing faintly in the corners. Peaceful. Controlled.
He poured two cups of coffee and offered me one.
"So," he began, "humans aren't supposed to be able to use Spirit Art. Yet here you are."
I had no answer.
"What surprised me more," he continued, "isn't your talent… but your affinity. Six elements. Two of them—Thunder and Dark—are nearly extinct."
He leaned back. "So… will you be my apprentice?"
My brain spiraled. But honestly? It wasn't a bad offer. I needed guidance—and someone who wouldn't rat me out.
"…Alright," I said.
He smiled faintly and handed me a small badge. "Wear this with your uniform. You'll be under my protection—and my training."
As I turned to leave, he murmured under his breath:
"Spirit Art… in a human. Fascinating."