The blue sky stretched wide as the carriage carrying Luciel and Shiromiko approached the majestic gates of the kingdom's capital, Elzareth. The walls towered with ancient magical carvings that glowed faintly, and the royal flag fluttered on every watchtower. The sound of bells from within the city greeted travelers and newcomers.
Their carriage slowed. The guards at the gates checked each vehicle that entered. With sharp but non-hostile looks, they approached.
"Names and destinations?" asked one of the guards.
"Luciel and Shiromiko. We have come to enroll in Elzila Magic Academy," Luciel replied calmly.
The guard stared at them for a moment, then nodded. "Welcome to Elzareth. May your journey bring blessings."
The carriage moved again, passing through neat cobblestone streets, surrounded by tall buildings of white stone and magical glass. People walked about in elegant attire, most wearing magical robes, and a few magical creatures flitted around the research towers.
Shiromiko stared out the window, her eyes fixated on a city life she had never imagined. "This… is much grander than I imagined."
Luciel stared ahead. "This is where we will learn… and perhaps, find answers."
Soon, their carriage stopped in front of another gate, much grander than the previous one. A crystal tower stood tall, and the academy's main building stretched out like an eternal fortress.
Above the gate was written in magical characters:
Elzila Academy — The First Gateway to the Secret World
A person was waiting in front of the gate. A woman in formal attire with wavy brown hair and a crystal staff at her waist. She looked at them and greeted them with a professional smile.
"Welcome. You are the new students sent from the west, aren't you?"
Luciel nodded. "Yes. I am Luciel. This is Shiromiko."
The woman wrote something down on a scroll of parchment floating next to her.
"You will be taking a placement test this afternoon. But don't worry, this is just to determine your basic level. I am Delmira, one of the training supervisors."
Shiromiko glanced at Luciel. "A test?"
Luciel smiled faintly. "Looks like we can't rest yet."
Delmira gestured and two wands floated towards them.
"Hold these. These are etherium measuring sticks. Just pour a little of your magic into them, and we'll arrange the class schedule based on the results."
Luciel and Shiromiko did so. The wands lit up—Luciel's glowing golden red, and Shiromiko's a light blue like ice.
Delmira was taken aback for a moment, then smiled in admiration.
"Amazing… You two don't seem like ordinary kids."
As the afternoon sun slowly descended over Elzila's tower, the two young souls took their first steps as aspiring wizards. But neither of them knew… that beyond the academy's walls, not only knowledge awaited, but the secrets of the world and a great destiny that lay dormant in ancient magic.
""There are two hours left until the exam begins, huh. Before that, what will you do, Shiromiko?" Luciel asked as he slowly walked out of the academy's main hall.
Shiromiko looked up at the sky, then muttered softly, "Nothing… maybe I'll take a walk around the city first, then take a short break."
Luciel nodded quickly, and with a movement that seemed premeditated, he turned his body the other way as if he was about to run.
"Oh, I see. Alright, we'll part ways here. See you later. We'll meet again in the evening."
Seeing Luciel about to leave just like that, Shiromiko immediately exclaimed in a stutter.
"Hey, wa—wait! Where are you going, Luciel?"
Luciel didn't stop walking. In a quick voice and without turning around, he answered, "I'm going to practice trying out this staff of mine."
"Bye~!"
And just like that, he dashed away like a child who couldn't resist the urge to explore.
---
Luciel ran across the stone courtyard, through the bustling city alleys, filled with young mages, merchants, and pedestrians. His eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Excuse me, do you know where the place where ordinary people practice magic is?" he asked quickly to a large man who was moving wooden crates onto a cart.
The man stopped what he was doing and pointed.
"Ah, that's over there. Just go straight and turn right. It's close to Elzila Academy."
"By the way, what are you going to do?"
Luciel raised his wand high with pride. "Of course, to practice my wand that just glowed golden red."
The man let out a short laugh. "Oh... that wand? Are you a new student at the academy, little one? Judging from your condition, it looks like you're not from here. Where did you come from?"
Luciel answered enthusiastically, "Yes, I'm a new student at Elzila Academy who will be taking the magic exam this afternoon, so I'm going to practice. I'm from Thalrin Village. I came all the way here to gain knowledge of magic and become the strongest mage!"
Without waiting for a reply, he waved and started running again.
"By the way, thank you, Uncle!! See you later!"
The man was still watching him leave with a confused and amused expression.
"Y—yes, you're welcome…"
---
It didn't take long for Luciel to arrive at the mentioned place. A large open field, with soft sandy soil that seemed to have been used for many magic battles. Magic pillars stood on the sides of the arena as boundaries and neutralizers of wild magic effects. There were several students already practicing—some were shooting fire magic, forming wind barriers, or even trying to summon small elemental creatures.
Luciel stared at them in awe.
"Eehhh, that's amazing. There are so many people practicing here too."
He walked past several students, trying to find an empty spot. When he found a spacious enough space, he took a deep breath and stuck his wand into the ground.
"I should be able to do it too. At least… something."
He closed his eyes, trying to feel the flow of etherium in his body, just like his father, Luika, had taught him. Ether was like a hot thread flowing from his heart to the tip of his hand. When he raised his wand, he recalled the harsh training in the meadow, the lessons about the magic cycle, and the balance between will and chant.
His hand shook. The air around him began to warm.
"…Ignis."
Suddenly, from the tip of his wand, a small flame erupted that floated in the air like a golden red lantern. Luciel stared at it in amazement. But before he could say the next word, the fire suddenly grew bigger, bursting into the air and shaking a patch of ground.
Several other students turned their heads.
"WOW! Watch out!" shouted one of the senior students.
Luciel quickly lowered his head. "Sorry, sorry! I'm still trying!"
But when he was about to move so as not to disturb the others, he accidentally bumped into someone who was walking arrogantly carrying a long black stick with silver carvings.
"Oi! Watch where you're walking, you country bumpkin!" the voice was rough, high-pitched and full of arrogance.
Luciel took a step back. In front of him stood a new student, but clearly not an ordinary student. His magic clothes were much more expensive, covered in magic ornaments that floated like particles of light. His eyes were dark red, and his hair was neatly combed back. On his left chest was a special badge that Luciel had not recognized.
I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"
"Accidentally?" the student interrupted. "That's a lame excuse. Or do you think that because you came from a remote village, you can just bump into me without any consequences?"
Luciel frowned. "I really didn't mean to."
Several other students who had heard the commotion began to surround them, forming an informal circle.
"Come on, show me the power of your small village, red ether brat."
Luciel looked at him awkwardly. "I don't want to cause trouble. I just want to practice for the exam later."
"Too late. You've already angered me."
Without warning, the student shot a spark of electricity from the tip of his wand. Luciel was shocked and jumped to the side, fortunately the attack only scorched a part of the ground.
"What the hell is this..." Luciel muttered.
"My name is Rudein Arvendale, heir to the oldest lightning magic family in Elzareth. You should know your place, you country bumpkin."
The student smirked. "Then prove that you have guts. Let's fight now."
Luciel held back his anger. He twirled his staff, trying to stabilize the flames emerging from its tip.
"If you really want to fight… I will accept your challenge."
Before the two could attack, a deep, deep voice stopped them.
"Enough."
Someone stepped into the center of the circle. A man with silvery purple hair in a black robe and the bronze Elzila emblem on his chest. His gaze was sharp, yet controlled.
"Enough," he said, calmly but carrying an undeniable aura.
"A fight between two five-year-olds who have not yet officially become students is not something that should be witnessed in this place."
Luciel immediately lowered his staff. Rudein only snorted.
"He started it, Sir Warden. This country bumpkin needs to know his place."
The man did not react to Rudein's complaint. He stepped forward, looking at the two of them in turn.
"If you two really want to show off your strength… then do it in the right place."
He looked directly at Rudein.
"The placement test is this afternoon. You two will have a fair chance there. And I assure you there will be enough proctors to judge... and detain if necessary."
Rudein grinned. "Today you are indeed lucky. Just wait. Don't run away, country boy. I will show you the difference between noble blood and country mud."
Luciel only replied with a cold stare.
"I will be waiting for you at the test."
—
—
After finishing the ridiculous fight. The purple-haired man stared at Luciel more deeply.
"You're Luciel, aren't you?"
Luciel turned his head. "Eh? Yeah… how did you know?"
"I'm the elementary magic supervisor. My name is Velius. I saw your energy records earlier. You have great potential… but it's unstable."
Luciel scratched his head. "Yeah, I feel that way too."
Velius nodded slowly. His gaze softened a little, then he was about to turn to leave the training field. But before he could go any further, Luciel hurriedly asked, "Wait a minute, Sir Velius!"
Velius turned his head.
"What's wrong?"
"Do you know a magic teacher… named Kurosaka Aoi?"
For a moment, Velius' steps stopped. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Kurosaka Aoi?" he muttered. Then in a slightly lower voice, he said, "You know her?"
Luciel nodded. "I met him on my way to the capital. He saved me from a pack of orcs and bandits. He also healed my wounds… and erased the bad memories of my friend."
Velius' expression changed. This time it wasn't just curiosity—there was shock that he hid behind his calmness.
"Boy… are you sure? Kurosaka Aoi… is a noble mage. One of the strongest teachers in this Academy. He is rarely seen, even by the staff. He can erase his presence completely. We only know of his existence when he teaches directly in high-level test classes—and even that is very rare."
Luciel nodded slowly. "I'm sure. Long white hair. Dark blue eyes. He uses magic that can read and sever causality."
Velius was truly stunned now. He narrowed his eyes, as if reassessing the little boy before him.
"Interesting. So he chose to appear before you… and even help you. Hm."
Luciel looked at him in confusion. "Is that strange?"
"It's not strange. But it's very rare. Kurosaka Aoi is a noble mage and a magic teacher at this Academy. She's very famous. But many have never seen her, because her presence is very thin and not many people realize it.
Velius stared at the sky for a moment, then sighed.
"You… are not an ordinary boy, huh."
Luciel lowered his head. "I just… want to learn."
Velius finally smiled a little, his attitude softening from the previous authoritative one.
"Alright. Since you've made me curious, how about you come with me for a bit?"
Luciel looked at him in confusion. "Where to?"
"I'll give you a quick tour of the Academy. Consider it a reward for the fight that didn't happen… and because you're the only new student Kurosaka Aoi has ever mentioned directly."
Luciel stared at her with wide eyes. "Seriously?"
"Seriously. But only for a moment. The exam starts in 1 hour, and you need to be prepared."
"Thank you very much, Sir Velius!"
Velius just chuckled as he started walking.
"Don't make me regret showing you around this Academy, you country bumpkin."
Luciel walked quickly after Velius who strode with authority down the hallways adorned with etheric light. Elzila Academy was vast, and every building looked as if it was formed from magical architecture, gleaming with ancient patterns that moved slowly like living creatures.
"So… Luciel," Velius said, starting the conversation while still looking ahead. "Which village are you from?"
"Thalrin Village, southwest of the Glynn Mountains," Luciel replied, his voice still filled with awe as he looked around.
"Thalrin huh… a remote place. I'm not surprised you can see the night sky without artificial light to interfere."
Luciel nodded. "The sky there is very beautiful. But there aren't many magic teachers."
Velius glanced at him for a moment. "So how did you learn the basics of your magic?"
"My father taught me. He was a former magic soldier. But he retired a long time ago."
"Hm. That explains why you have such good control over magic for a boy your age… if still rough."
They passed through a large hall with a ceiling as tall as a tower. Above, magical lights floated softly like fireflies, and below, the marble floor was covered in symbols that lit up as they walked.
"What is your goal, Luciel?" Velius asked without looking up.
Luciel was silent for a moment.
"I want to know… about this world. And about magic. I want to become a powerful wizard—not for power, but to protect. So that I don't lose anyone again."
Luciel's voice dropped at the end of his sentence, and Velius glanced at him.
"A humble background, but a powerful one."
Luciel stared at the man. "What about you, Sir Velius? Were you once like me?"
Velius laughed lightly. "Hm, no. I grew up in this city. But I didn't come from a famous magical family. I was the 'anomaly' in my family, and that's why they sent me to this academy."
"Do you regret it?"
"No. Because this is where I found my way."
They crossed a glass bridge that spanned a crystal garden. Below it, students sat reading or practicing magic amidst the fresh air and glowing trees.
"This is the Resonance Garden," Velius explained. "This place is used for meditation or strengthening the resonance of magic with the elements of nature."
Luciel looked on in awe. "It's beautiful…"
"And this is just the beginning," Velius said as he continued walking.
They came to a large wooden door decorated with carvings in the shape of a magic circle. The door swung open on its own as they approached, revealing a room filled with magical devices, scrolled maps, and ether orbs.
"The ether experiment room," Velius said. "Where the seniors conduct research or create new magic."
Luciel swallowed. "I… will study in a place like this someday?"
"If you can survive and are worthy, of course."
They returned to the main hallway, leading to the southern part of the academy. There, the sound of water could be heard echoing, and the scent of herbs filled the air.
"This is the Valley of the Sealed Water. Below it flows an underground river that is the source of holy water for the academy's needs. Many students use this place to hone their water elemental magic."
Luciel asked quietly, "Master Velius… do all students have the potential to become great mages?"
Velius paused.
"No. Not all. But all have the potential to find 'what' they can be. Sometimes, it's not about becoming the greatest mage. It's about finding your place in this vast and cruel world."
Luciel looked into Velius' eyes and felt the sincerity in them.
"Then… do you think I have a chance?"
Velius stared at the boy for a moment. "If you're crazy enough to challenge Rudein, strong enough to survive a horde of orcs, and humble enough to ask, then… yes. You have more than a chance."
Luciel cracked a small smile.
"Thank you, Master."
Their steps ended in front of a semicircular inner gate. On it were carved magical characters that glowed pink.
"This is the Main Arena. The place where the placement test will be held this afternoon."
Luciel swallowed. "The place looks… big."
"You'll get used to it soon. Remember, this isn't about defeating anyone, but showing who you are."
Velius turned and patted Luciel lightly on the shoulder.
"An hour left. Return to the waiting room. Use your time well."
Luciel bowed respectfully. "Thank you for showing me all this."
Velius smiled briefly. "I wonder what you'll do next, Hoshizura Luciel. And maybe… Aoi too."
Then, with slow steps and a dimming aura, Velius walked away, leaving Luciel standing alone in front of the large arena where the test that would determine his destiny would soon begin.
—