First Day at the Academy
The next morning the academy courtyard was full of students.
Hundreds of them gathered in front of the massive main building.
Professors stood on a stone platform overlooking the crowd.
Professor Valen stepped forward.
"Welcome to the Imperial Magic Academy."
"From today forward, you will train to become the most powerful mages of the empire."
Some students looked confident.
Others looked terrified.
Kael stood quietly in the back.
Leon Draven stood nearby, surrounded by noble students.
Leon glanced at Kael.
"So you're the one who broke the magic crystal."
Kael shrugged.
"Looks like it."
Leon smirked.
"Don't think that means you're stronger than me."
Kael didn't respond.
The professor continued speaking.
"Your first task is simple."
"Learn to control your mana."
Large training circles lit up across the courtyard.
Students began practicing spells.
Fire.
Wind.
Ice.
Kael raised his hand.
Dark energy slowly formed above his palm.
Students nearby stepped away nervously.
One whispered:
"Is that… Abyss magic?"
Kael sighed.
"Looks like I'm already famous."