The gates of Eldoria Magic Academy were even bigger than I imagined.
Massive white stone walls surrounded the campus, covered in glowing runes meant to stabilize mana. The towers stretched high into the sky, making the place look more like a fortress than a school.
Hundreds of students stood in the courtyard.
Some looked excited.
Others looked terrified.
Today was the first day of school.
But it wasn't a normal first day.
It was Evaluation Day.
The day that decided everything.
Our ranks.
Our classes.
And, for many of us, our futures as Raiders.
I stood quietly in the crowd, watching the other students.
Many of them were already showing off their magic.
Small flames flickered above someone's hand.
A gust of wind spun leaves in the air nearby.
Someone else lifted a pebble using earth magic.
Strong elements.
Useful elements.
Then there was mine.
Water considered a support type of magic.
A tall man stepped forward at the center of the courtyard.
His silver hair moved slightly in the wind, and the long coat he wore carried the academy crest.
Even without anyone introducing him, I could tell he was strong.
"Welcome to Eldoria Magic Academy," he said.
His voice carried across the entire courtyard.
"I am Professor Darius Stormblade, your combat instructor."
The students immediately quieted.
"Today you will undergo three evaluations."
He raised three fingers.
"Mana Capacity. Magic Control. Combat Potential."
I folded my arms slightly, listening.
"Your results will determine your Rank and Class."
A large screen behind him activated, displaying the academy's class system.
Class A — Elite students.
Class B — Above average.
Class C — Standard students.
Class D — Lowest results.
Some students looked nervous.
Others looked confident.
Personally, I already knew where I would end up.
Professor Darius pointed toward several instructors standing beside a glowing crystal.
"Line up for the Mana Capacity Test."
One by one, students stepped forward and placed their hands on the crystal.
Each time someone touched it, the crystal glowed a different color.
"C-Rank mana capacity."
"B-Rank mana capacity."
"C-Rank."
The instructors wrote down the results quickly.
Then a student stepped forward who immediately caught everyone's attention.
Red hair.
Confident posture.
Lucas Reinhardt.
Even I had heard of him.
A fire magic prodigy.
He placed his hand on the crystal.
The crystal erupted in bright crimson light.
Even from where I stood, the mana pressure was obvious.
One instructor nodded.
"A-Rank mana capacity."
The courtyard erupted in whispers.
"Of course it's Lucas."
"He's already A-Rank."
"Future top Raider for sure."
Lucas stepped away with a confident smile.
More students were tested.
Eventually, I heard my name.
"Theo Vale."
I walked forward calmly.
The crystal sat quietly on its pedestal as I placed my hand on it.
For a second, nothing happened.
Then a small blue glow appeared.
Not bright.
Not impressive.
Just… there.
One instructor glanced at the reading.
"D-Rank mana capacity. Water affinity."
Laughter spread through the nearby students.
"Water magic?"
"That's useless."
"Why even bother becoming a Raider?"
I removed my hand and stepped away without reacting.
They weren't wrong.
Water magic was considered weak.
At least…
Most people thought so.
Magic Control Test
The second test was simple.
We had to create a basic spell to demonstrate control over our magic.
Students stepped forward one by one.
A fire user created a small flame.
A wind user formed a spinning gust.
An earth user lifted a rock.
When my turn came, I raised my hand.
A sphere of water formed above my palm.
Small.
Clear.
Perfectly round.
Someone behind me laughed.
"That's pathetic."
I ignored them.
Because they were only looking at the size.
Not the control.
The water orb floated in the air, completely stable.
No shaking.
No wasted mana.
Professor Darius watched it carefully.
His expression changed slightly.
Interesting.
Combat Potential Test
The final test took place in the training arena.
A large combat construct stood in the center—an artificial golem designed for training.
Each student had to attack it.
Some used spells.
Others used weapons.
Explosions of magic filled the arena.
Fire slammed into the construct.
Wind blades cut across the air.
A swordsman struck the golem with a mana-infused blade.
Eventually, it was my turn.
I walked into the arena.
The construct activated immediately.
Its eyes glowed as it rushed toward me.
Students around the arena whispered.
"Watch the water guy."
"This will be quick."
I raised my hand.
Water gathered in the air.
A thin stream formed in front of me.
Someone laughed.
"Seriously?"
I compressed the water.
Smaller.
Denser.
More pressure.
The water condensed into a tiny sphere.
Then I flicked my finger.
The water shot forward.
The construct's arm exploded into fragments.
Silence filled the arena.
I looked at the broken arm.
"…Still too weak."
The instructors were staring at me.
But the other students looked confused.
They didn't understand what happened.
Which was fine.
Class Rankings
Later that day, the results were posted.
Students crowded around the ranking board.
I waited until the crowd thinned before walking over.
At the top was exactly who I expected.
Class A
Lucas Reinhardt — Fire Magic — Rank A
Below that were the other classes.
And finally—
Class D
Theo Vale — Water magic — Rank D
Last place.
Again.
Behind me, someone laughed.
"The weakest student in the academy."
I stared at the board quietly.
Rankings measured current strength.
But strength could change.
Especially if someone had room to grow.
And unlike most people…
I didn't think I had a limit.
Water always found a way to grow stronger.
Drop by drop.
Until it became something unstoppable.
Just like the ocean.