Somewhere Between Panic and Power
The day began with pancakes.
Sweet, golden, fluffy pancakes drizzled in syrup, topped with enchanted strawberries that sparkled faintly. It should have been the perfect breakfast.
Instead, I was sitting in a giant hall, under magical lights, surrounded by professors whispering urgently, with my hands glowing with all four elements at once.
Yep.
Still just me.
Kian Everveil: Former Earth boy. Current crown prince. Magical accident waiting to happen.
---
The Headmaster's Office – Imperial Magic Academy
I had been dragged to the highest tower in the academy. The hallway alone was terrifying—portraits stared, doors shifted around, and I'm pretty sure one of the statues winked at me.
At the top stood a grand door inlaid with crystal, silver, and living vines.
It opened… without touching it.
"Enter, Kian Everveil," came a smooth, deep voice from within.
I stepped inside, very aware that my boots were still half-melted from the last fire spell I'd miscast.
The office was massive. Floating orbs hovered like planets around a central desk where the Headmaster sat—an old elf with eyes that shimmered with galaxies.
He gestured calmly.
Beside him stood another boy, tall, refined, with silver-blue hair tied back and a staff across his back.
"You've already met my son," the Headmaster said. "Lysander."
Lysander gave a faint bow. "You're messy."
"Thanks?"
The Headmaster leaned forward. "You are aware your awakening shattered three crystal conduits, overwhelmed the Hall of Echoes, and triggered a false demon alarm?"
"I, uh, kind of blacked out after the glowing part."
He sighed. "You are what we call a Quadro-Elemental Conduit. The first recorded in a thousand years."
"Sounds impressive."
"It's dangerous."
"…Of course it is."
Lysander stepped forward. "The last one became a volcano."
"I feel better already."
The Headmaster raised a hand. "You are not in trouble. But we must test your control. You'll join the academy's upcoming Magic Games. A public trial of skill, coordination, and spectacle."
"I—wait, like, perform in front of people?!"
"Yes. Most of the school."
"Can I say no?"
"No."
"Figured."
---
Back at House Zephyr – Student Lounge
"So let me get this straight," Sage said, adjusting his glasses. "You woke up four elements at once, destroyed a sacred hall, and now you're being rewarded with a flashy tournament spot?"
"I wouldn't call that a reward—"
Luna clapped. "Kian's going to perform in the Games! We have to make a banner!"
"I'll make one with a flaming phoenix!" Aria declared.
"Can I join?" asked Amy, peeking in with a plate of spirit-infused cupcakes. "I already made pastries."
"I love this house," I muttered.
Vinny burst in, sword strapped to his back. "I DEMAND A DUEL!"
"Why?!"
"Because if you're in the tournament, I need to test if you're worthy!"
"Of what?!"
"Rival status!"
"…Still not a reward."
---
Academy Stadium – The Magic Games Begin
A week later, I stood on a floating platform in the middle of the massive, sky-suspended stadium.
Banners waved. Spells danced in the air. Nobles, professors, and students filled the stands.
A booming voice echoed:
"WELCOME TO THE 301st IMPERIAL MAGIC GAMES!"
I was so nervous I nearly summoned a tornado out of habit.
The games were split into three rounds:
1. Spell Coordination Trial – Use multiple elements creatively.
2. Team Combat Challenge – 3v3 duels.
3. Freeform Showdown – One-on-one duels. Anything goes. No killing. Explosions expected.
My first challenge: the Coordination Trial.
"Use all your magic to solve the elemental puzzle," said the announcer. "Begin!"
I stared at a giant floating platform with rotating rings, runes, and elemental crystals.
"Oh," I muttered. "It's a Rubik's cube… but deadly."
I got to work.
Water cooled a burning core. Wind lifted the spinning mechanism. Fire powered the runic gears. Ice solidified the base.
"Almost there," I whispered—
BOOM.
One of the runes exploded. I flew backward, spinning like a ragdoll.
Landed.
Hard.
Crowd silent.
Then someone clapped.
It was Aria. "You survived! Ten points!"
The scoreboard gave me a 6.5.
"Harsh," I muttered.
---
Team Combat Round – "The Chaos Trio"
"Team Chaos, huh?" Sage said, raising an eyebrow.
"We didn't name ourselves," Luna said cheerfully. "Vinny did."
"BECAUSE IT'S TRUE!" Vinny roared, holding his sword like a baseball bat.
Our opponents: Team Crystal Flame. Fancy nobles from Aethoria with enchanted armor and smug grins.
"Ready?" shouted the referee.
Luna created a flaming shield. Sage flung a smoke bomb laced with alchemic dust.
I summoned a wind burst—
—and accidentally blew Vinny into the other team.
He screamed, "I REGRET NOTHING!" as he crashed like a missile.
The crowd went wild.
We won by technical disqualification.
Vinny high-fived me later. "That was GLORIOUS."
"You crashed into someone's summon beast."
"Exactly."
---
Evening – Academy Garden
I sat under a glowing tree, catching my breath. Amy joined me, floating slightly off the ground. "You did really well."
"Thanks. I feel like a magical disaster."
"You're learning. Besides, the spirits like you."
"…They do?"
"They say you're interesting. And also really bad at balance."
"Fair."
She smiled. "There's a lot more ahead. I think… you're not just here for fun. You're here for something bigger."
I looked up at the stars.
Somewhere, in the back of my mind, I felt a hum.
The Demon Emperor stirred again.
But I didn't know that yet.
Right now, all I knew was…
I had survived.
And tomorrow, was the final round