The Oryndor Elemental Institute was considered one of the finest in the realm. The towers shimmered with enchanted stone, and the massive glass windows reflected the rising sun like a polished blade. Elegant spires pierced the clouds, and hundreds of students in neatly pressed robes poured into the open courtyards, buzzing with energy.
Kai, Leon, and Crimson stood out instantly.
Not because they tried to.
But because normal just wasn't in their DNA.
Classroom A-1
The classroom was shaped like a dome with floating orbs of light spinning gently overhead. Rows of circular desks encased students, and in the middle stood a single pedestal with the words:
"Only the balanced shall master the elements."
Crimson squinted. "Is this a riddle or a threat?"
Kai shrugged. "Both, probably."
Leon muttered, "Why does everyone here look like they memorized the textbook in the womb?"
Their instructor strode in—Professor Salen, a tall woman with slicked-back green hair, sharp robes, and sharper eyes. She looked like she once bench-pressed a dragon for fun.
She didn't speak.
She just stared.
At Kai.
Then Leon.
Then… Crimson.
"You three. Front row. Now."
Crimson pointed at himself, blinking. "You mean… this row?"
"No. The front row. You are already a problem. Sit before I make you a chair."
Crimson whispered to Kai, "She's got that 'I survived five wars and drank lava' vibe."
Kai replied, "Just sit before she turns us into furniture."
The Introduction of Doom
"Welcome to Elemental Fundamentals," Professor Salen announced. "Here you will learn to master your affinities. You will also learn how not to embarrass yourselves, your ancestors, or this institution."
She pointed to the pedestal.
"Approach it. Place your hand on the core. It will reveal your elemental affinity."
A snooty student stepped up first.
"Wesric of House Thorne. Fire, obviously."
He placed his hand, and the orb flared red.
He smugly turned and winked at the girls behind him.
Crimson whispered, "He looks like the kind of guy who names his biceps."
Leon choked on a laugh.
Kai smirked. "Crimson, you're up."
"Don't mind if I do."
He walked dramatically up to the pedestal, cracked his knuckles… and hugged it.
Everyone stared.
"Why are you hugging the orb?" Professor Salen asked dryly.
Crimson grinned. "Gotta let it know I'm not here to hurt it. Consent, y'know?"
He placed a single finger on the orb.
The room went dead quiet as it shimmered...
With four colors.
Red. Blue. Green. White.
Fire. Water. Earth. Air.
Professor Salen raised an eyebrow. "...Balanced affinity."
Crimson bowed like a performer.
"Also, I'm hilarious."
Kai and Leon were next.
Both placed their hands quietly.
Same result.
All four elements pulsed from the orb—balanced again.
Gasps echoed in the room.
Professor Salen narrowed her eyes. "I don't know who you three are… but you're either the best mistake this school ever made, or my worst nightmare."
Crimson leaned toward Kai. "Do you think she knows we technically fought a shadow god?"
Kai said nothing.
Leon muttered, "Technically twice."
Group Chaos Begins
After the affinity test, they were paired into groups.
Unfortunately, their group included Wesric.
"Great," he sneered. "I get to babysit the class clowns and their pet jester."
Crimson clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Wes. We'll try not to outshine your fire with our… literally all the elements."
Wesric scowled. "Let's just get this over with."
They were told to combine their elements into a single spell.
Simple enough.
Kai focused. A whirlwind spiraled above his hand.
Leon mimicked it with burning lightning laced inside.
Crimson added a splash of water just to be chaotic.
Then…
BOOM.
The mixture exploded into a steam burst that blew everyone off their feet and charred Wesric's perfectly gelled hair.
Professor Salen stood up slowly, covered in soot.
"...Go to the Headmaster's office. Now."
Crimson saluted. "Do we get extra credit for innovative combustion?"
After School Detention (Sort Of)
The trio sat on the academy roof.
"Think we'll get expelled?" Leon asked.
Crimson kicked his feet. "Nah. We're too handsome."
Kai looked at the glowing horizon. "At least we're not hiding who we are. That's something."
They watched the sun dip below the mountains, the wind calm against their faces.
Crimson pulled out a completely untouched pizza slice from his bag.
"You kept one the whole time?" Kai asked.
"I keep one all the time," Crimson answered, mouth full.
Leon sighed. "We might actually be the weirdest people in this school."
Kai smiled.
"Let's keep it that way."