General Studies: The Nine Orders of Larissa
The first day of classes dawned bright and clear as George, Nana, and Kayn made their way to the General Studies classroom. A low hum of anticipation filled the halls, carried by the shuffle of robes and overlapping conversations. Excitement lingered in the air—new subjects, higher expectations, and the unspoken awareness that second year carried weight that first year never had. Throughout the day, the students immersed themselves in study. Discussions were sharper, lessons more demanding, and the professors less forgiving. Textbooks lay open with crisp pages filled with promise, while lectures peeled back the deeper structures of the magical world. George and his friends threw themselves into the work, eager to prove that they belonged among the academy's advancing ranks. Professor Crane waited until the final whisper died.
"Welcome back student," he began, "today we will discuss something important." He paced slowly as he spoke. "As some of you may already know, every two years, one of the seven major nations of the magical realm hosts a singular event—the Harvest Festival. It is not a celebration. It is an examination."
A quiet ripple moved through the room.
"Dont worry it doesnt determine whether you graduate or not," Crane continued, "However it can have a huge effect on how early you graduate, and whether you are deemed worthy of affiliation with one of the nine great houses." He unraveled a formidable web of knowledge, outlining the structure of the magical realm and the forces that governed it. Crane detailed each order in turn. The House of the Stone, led by Captain Issac Moriah, stood at the forefront of magical research and theory. The Order of the Claw, under Captain Theo BlackQueen, embodied overwhelming force and untamed aggression. The Order of the Rose, commanded by Captain Joan Orléans, specialized in defense and battlefield control, earning quiet reverence among the students. The Order of the Law, led by Captain Apollo Griffith, maintained civil order and acted as the first response to internal conflict. The lecture grew heavier as Crane addressed the Order of the Shadows, led by Captain Bishop Gun—a covert branch responsible for interrogations, assassinations, and intelligence suppression. Following them came the Order of the Shield, commanded by Captain Aaron Knight and tasked with the protection of the royal family, and the Order of the Wings, led by Captain Rook Starwind, known for aerial dominance and tactical mobility."
Yet it was the final order that lingered longest in George's thoughts.
"The Order of the Sword, also known as the House of the Sword and led by Captain William Marshal, operated directly under the Royal Council. Their missions—asset protection, information containment, insurgency suppression—were carried out beyond public knowledge, their presence felt only in aftermaths."
Through the lecture, George learned that Larissian society was largely hereditary. Most captains came from noble families, their paths shaped long before they ever touched aura. Only a handful had risen through merit alone. The final order introduced was the Order of Healing, devoted to restorative magic, magical biology, and the preservation of life. As the lecture concluded, the weight of possibility settled over the room. George imagined himself standing beneath one of those banners one day, representing his academy and proving his worth.
Conjuration Studies: Elemental Awakening
The tone shifted as George and his friends made their way to Professor Jinx Starwind's classroom. Enchanted light illuminated the corridors, reflecting off tapestries that depicted ancient spells frozen in motion. The scent of vanilla incense lingered in the air as they entered the room. Professor Starwind guided the students through the revelation of elemental affinity. Symbols of earth, fire, water, air, dark, and light lined the walls as invocations were spoken. George's magic manifested as wind, a gentle but persistent force that stirred the room. Kayn's aura darkened, shadows responding to his call. Nana's fire erupted with rare intensity, lightning threading through the flames—a Kekkei Tōta, powerful and dangerous. Rather than theory, the lesson shifted immediately into practice. The students were introduced to real spells, granting them direct access to their elemental magic. Control was tested as ambition pushed against restraint. The classroom filled with raw power as spells collided with invisible limits. They learned that other elements could be accessed, but only at great cost. Aura drained rapidly when magic strayed from its natural alignment. By the end of the lesson, exhaustion replaced exhilaration.
Magical Combat: Tactical Survival
The training hall told its own story. Scorch marks scarred the walls, and the scent of burned paper lingered in the air. The atmosphere was tense, stripped of comfort. Professor Ky Iron-heart wasted no time. The curriculum focused on advanced combat and Tactical training—preparation for real-world survival rather than controlled duels. Lessons emphasized decision-making under pressure, endurance, teamwork, and adaptability. Minutes stretched into hours. Physical strain mounted as the students were pushed past their limits. George felt his strength falter more than once, but determination carried him forward. By the end of the session, exhaustion bound the class together as surely as shared victory once had.
Aura Control Studies: The Passage of Control
As the sun dipped low, the students gathered on the gravel field behind the academy for their final lesson. Long shadows stretched across the ground as Professor Zorro Diego arrived. To most, Diego appeared refined and detached—an intellectual removed from the brutality of combat disciplines. Beneath that composed exterior, however, lay a strategist of remarkable depth. His lessons were precise, demanding, and quietly unforgiving. Aura control was refined through repetition and strain. Ancient techniques tested both physical endurance and spiritual discipline. Once again, Flynn, Davina, Nana, and Nora distinguished themselves among the strongest students. When the final bell rang, the long day released its hold. George walked back toward the dormitories with his friends, laughter echoing against ancient stone. Their camaraderie softened the weight of the day.