Jayden woke up early that morning, excited about moving to a new class.
In Avarice, the school system was designed so that a student graduated from their former class once they awakened their magic. Jayden's closest friends had already advanced, leaving him behind in the unawakened class with other students still waiting for their powers.
As he bathed, brushed his hair, and tried on new clothes that complemented his new look, he noticed a book his father had left on the table.
> "What the heck is this? Another study book? No thank you—I'm a mage now," Jayden said, shoving the book aside.
After dressing up, Jayden looked at himself in the mirror.
"Damn, I look good," he said with a smirk, brushing his hair back and flashing his most charming smile.
"Jayden, hurry up or you'll be late!" his mother, Sarah, shouted from the kitchen as Jayden continued admiring himself in the mirror.
He rushed downstairs, sliding down the stair rail and jumping off at the last moment to perfect his stunt.
"Be quick or you'll be late," his mother sighed, tossing him a packed sandwich.
"Thanks, Mom! But I've got this—remember, I have powers now," Jayden said, kissing her on the cheek before dashing out.
Before leaving, he took one last glance at the mirror. He was wearing his new school uniform—the one that showed he had awakened magic.
The old uniform was a white shirt with blue trousers, a silver blazer, and a black tie for the boys, while the girls wore a skirt, shirt, sweater, and tie.
Now, Jayden wore a white shirt, black trousers, and a golden blazer—with no tie.
He slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped out of the compound.
"Let's do this," he said as glowing lines appeared all over his body.
"Break."
Suddenly, the lines shattered, and his eyes glowed for a brief moment. Smiling, Jayden began running down the street as fast as he could.
He was fast—slightly faster than the average person—but that was it. As he approached a building, he stretched out his arms, which extended inhumanly far, hooking onto two flagpoles. Using the momentum, he launched himself high into the air.
Below him, people used their magic to travel through flames, ice, water, and other techniques. Some strolled calmly on silver paths, while others rode in chariots.
As Jayden descended, he spotted another pole, latched onto it, and swung through the air.
"Oh my God—I didn't plan how I'll land!" he shouted as he spotted his school below.
On the final swing, he paused mid-air and struck a dramatic pose, raising his right arm.
"I am the strongest one!"
Then gravity took over.
"Oh Lord, help me!" Jayden cried as he plummeted toward the school.
He hit the ground with a loud bang, landing flat on his back. Groaning, he sat up and clutched his side.
"Oww… I'm hurting all over," he groaned as a shadow fell over him.
"You okay?" a familiar voice asked with concern.
Jayden looked up, trying to think of an excuse for falling out of the sky.
"Yeah, I'm fine, don't worry—" he paused as he recognized the person.
"Oh, hi Shaley. How are you doing today?" he asked nervously.
Shaley—the girl he'd had a crush on for a year—looked at him in surprise.
"Oh my God… Jayden? Is that you?" she gasped, pulling back, embarrassed by how close her face had been to his.
They had liked each other for a while, but like most teenagers, they were both too clueless to admit it—even though their friends constantly teased them about it.
"So… care to explain why you just fell out of the sky? Was that part of your awakening?" Shaley asked, helping him to his feet.
"Yeah. Problem is, I have no idea how to control it yet. It's my first time using magic, so I'm basically winging it."
"Well, this is usually the part where I'd give advice—but I'm just as clueless," Shaley said with a laugh. "Anyway, I wanted to give you this."
She stopped and handed him a small box wrapped beautifully in red paper with golden ribbons.
"I couldn't come to your awakening, so I wanted to give you a little gift."
Blushing, she placed the box in his hand.
"Thanks. I'll make sure to come for your awakening next week," Jayden said, smiling as he tucked the box into his bag.
Just then, the school bell rang, signaling the start of class. They exchanged a quick look, waved, and ran in opposite directions toward their classrooms.
"Can't be late on my first day," Jayden muttered as he dashed through the hallway.
When he reached his classroom door, he paused to fix his uniform and hair.
"Okay… three, two, one," he whispered, taking a deep breath before walking in—expecting his classmates to be amazed by his new look.
But instead of attention, everyone was crowded around a corner, watching something intently.
"Hmm, what's that? I'll just take a quick look before class starts," Jayden thought as he approached.
"Nadia, what are you doing?" he asked when he saw a girl controlling a blue water serpent the size of a football.
The serpent slithered around her hand as she concentrated—but when she heard her name, she flinched in surprise. The water serpent shot toward the voice and smacked Jayden square in the face, drenching him completely.
"Jayden! Sorry! But what's up with the new hair?" Nadia said with a teasing smile, placing a hand on her hip.
The crowd dispersed, leaving a soaked and irritated Jayden behind.
"Seriously? I really don't have time for this," he muttered, heading toward the door.
"Relax, I can fix it. I just need to focus," Nadia said, elbowing him playfully.
Before she could do anything, a loud voice called their names, rapidly approaching.
A figure leapt between them, using their shoulders for balance.
"Oh hey, Ren," Nadia said, glaring. "Now get off me before I drench you too."
"Yeah, yeah, just dry me already," Jayden grumbled as Nadia began pulling the water off him with magic.
Within seconds, Jayden's clothes were completely dry again.
"Oh my gosh—we're late!" Nadia said, glancing at the hallway clock.
"Race you there!" Ren shouted, sprinting ahead.
"Seriously? Ugh…" Nadia groaned as she ran after him.
"Yeah, I'm not running on my first day," Jayden muttered, walking briskly toward the class.
As he approached, Ren popped his head out of the classroom door.
"Jayden—you're going to fight today!" he shouted.
"What?" Jayden exclaimed in suprise