Fae Academy [https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1086216983202238474/1144956021958266910/DuskArcanist_a_magical_academy_in_the_distance_Include_vibrant__e1608752-9204-4469-92e2-31000a296588.png]

Milo stood at the entrance of the Fae Academy, awestruck by its grandeur. The formidable structure was perched atop a rocky cliff, shrouded in an aura of mystique as tendrils of fog danced around its spires. It felt like a fortress more than a school, a place where only the strongest could survive.

"State your business," a gruff voice snapped him from his reverie. Two guards, clad in gleaming armor, glared down at him with disdain.

"I wish to join the academy," Milo replied, meeting their gaze with his unwavering purple eyes.

The guards exchanged amused glances, then one sneered back at him. "What makes you think we'd let you in halfway through the first semester?"

The other chuckled. "He's simply a bug down on his luck"

"A bug?" Milo snarls. "Where I come from those are fighting words!"

The guard cackled and unsheathed his sword before pointing it at the boy. "Bug, leave now or I will let your blood rain and nourish the soil beneath your feet."

Milo grit his teeth. "Come down from where you're perched and I'll show you exactly how a bug fights."

Milo let his mana course through his body as he readied to pounce on his opponent.

"Enough!" boomed a commanding voice. An old man came into vision. His long, flowing beard, like a cascade of silver threads, tumbled down from his chin and melded seamlessly with his flowing, gray hair that framed his face in an ethereal halo. The strands of his hair seemed to have absorbed the very essence of the years he had lived, carrying stories of forgotten epochs.

The guard gulped and saluted the old man. "Headmaster Rufus. How can I be of assistance today?"

Headmaster Rufus strode towards them, silver beard sweeping the ground. He fixed the guards with a stern look. "This young man is our guest."

"Apologies, Headmaster," they muttered. "We didn't know."

Milo observed the old man, feeling a sense of peace and safety whilst around him.

Draped in a flowing blue mage's robe that billowed around him with a grace that belied his age, Headmaster Rufus seemed to wear his experience like a second skin. The robe bore traces of countless journeys, its fabric worn in places where time and the elements had etched their marks. The deep blue hue, reminiscent of the sky just before twilight, accentuated his aura of mysticism.

His circular glasses perched upon a prominent nose, as if inviting you to look deeper into his eyes, which held the gleam of countless conversations, discoveries, and hardships. Those eyes, a captivating shade of stormy gray, sparkled with the glimmers of hidden knowledge, like stars emerging in the night sky. Behind those lenses, the windows to his soul, seemed to reside a mind that had witnessed eras come and go.

"Do you know who I am?" Headmaster Rufus asked.

Milo shook his head.

The aged veteran smiled warmly. "Of course not... Well, let me just say that I sensed your presence whilst you were in the forest. I can't help but be intrigued by your appearance here. Let me bring you through my humble school."

As Rufus led Milo through the school, he explained its inner workings and the cultivation of magical prowess. "One trains through meditation, combat, or finding rare artifacts and potions. You'll progress through the levels: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Master, and Expert, each with five sublevels. There will be tests to advance through each sublevel."

Soon the pair reached the headmaster's office.

Stepping through a set of heavy oaken doors, Milo entered a realm of enchantment and scholarly reverence—the headmaster's office. The room exuded an atmosphere of mystique, where the boundary between the mundane and the magical is elegantly blurred. The walls, adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of arcane wonder, seemed to whisper forgotten incantations as they gently sway in the faint breeze that drifts through an open window.

At the center of the room stood a massive mahogany desk, its surface meticulously organized with neatly stacked papers and ancient tomes that radiate an aura of esoteric knowledge. The desk's corners were adorned with intricate carvings of mystical symbols, tracing their roots to long-lost traditions of magic. A crystal orb, softly aglow with a pulsating luminescence, rest near the edge of the desk.

Behind the desk, a high-backed leather chair stood as a throne of authority, draped in deep maroon upholstery that exuded both luxury and gravitas. The chair's arms were etched with sigils that intertwined like serpents, a testament to the headmaster's mastery over his craft. The back of the chair reached up to touch the ceiling that seemed to stretch impossibly high, as if aspiring to connect with the limitless realms of the magical beyond.

Bookshelves lined the walls, sagging under the weight of ancient grimoires, scrolls, and spellbooks. The shelves seemed to warp reality, for despite the limited space within the room, they appeared to house an endless collection of knowledge spanning ages and dimensions. Candles of various sizes flickered on intricately designed candelabras, casting dancing shadows that played upon the walls like echoes of forgotten spells.

On one side of the room, a circular window framed with velvet curtains offered a breathtaking view of the academy's sprawling gardens, where fantastical flora bloomed in kaleidoscopic colors. The window pane itself seemed to be enchanted, occasionally revealing fleeting glimpses of otherworldly landscapes.

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A regal carpet in rich indigo stretched across the floor, its intricate patterns resembling constellations in the night sky. It lead to a cozy corner with plush armchairs nestled around a crackling fireplace, where embers danced like playful spirits. A collection of enchanted trinkets and artifacts rest atop a side table, each with its own tale of wonder and significance.

"Now then, I'd like to apologize for the behaviour of my guards, there is a level of respect that should be given to all that they did not extend toward you," the headmaster said. He then beckoned Milo forth. "Come, take a seat."

The old man then handed him a cup of tea.

The tea in the mug was strong and sweet, with just a hint of bitterness that lingered on Milo's tongue. He could taste the slight smokiness of the oolong mixed with honey and a hint of citrus. It left a pleasant warmth in the mouth as Milo sipped it slowly, allowing it to soothe his jittery nerves as he patiently waited for the headmaster to continue.

"And what would your name be young man?"

"Milo," the boy responded. "I'd also like to apologize for earlier. I couldn't control myself."

Headmaster Rufus chuckled. "Do not worry about that. Let's get onto more important matters." The man paused and stared quietly at Milo.

Milo shuffled around awkwardly in his seat.

"You see, Milo, you came to our academy right in the middle of our first semester of the year. Under usual circumstances, I'd have to send you away... However, I thought that you'd come to fit right in here."

Milo frowned. "Why did you help me like this?"

Headmaster Rufus smiled. "I have seen thousands of students walk through my doors, let's just say that you piqued my interest in ways that most others could not."

The conversation did not drag on for too long, Milo couldn't help but feel like Headmaster Rufus was hiding something, however right now Milo's priority was getting into the academy, his only safe haven from the Alliance of Three. After finishing their conversation and going over some details about Milo's future stay at the academy, the headmaster brought Milo through to his new dorm.

"Now then, I hope for your sake that you see as little of me as possible," Headmaster Rufus said.

Milo tilted his head. "What do you mean by that?"

The old man chuckled. "I tend to only interfere with students that aren't behaving too appropriately." He winked and then left Milo.

Milo opened the door to his new home. A wave of anxiety washed over him, laced with a sense of excitement and wonder for what would await him.

Upon entering the dorm, Milo found himself stood a couple feet away from a rather large, plump youth. The large youth stood in front of Milo, towering over him. His unkempt hair falling in a mop of curls and his bright, twinkling eyes were full of mischief. His plump features softened his face, giving him a jolly and inviting look.

"You must be Milo," the youth said in a loud and cheerful voice. He offered Milo his hand, "I'm Marco, I'll be your roommate here at the academy. Don't worry, the headmaster already sent me a message before you got here. Let me show you around!"

Milo smiled and shook Marco's hand gladly.

"Let me show you the training grounds," Marco offered, leading the way.

At the training grounds, Milo encountered Alexis and Xu Wei. Alexis, a dark elf with hauntingly beautiful features, radiated a deadly grace. Her eyes, usually dark brown, flickered red when she caught sight of him. In contrast, Xu Wei possessed an air of calm authority, his movements precise and controlled.

"New here?" Xu Wei asked, studying Milo with interest. There was something about the way he spoke that seemed to put others at ease, despite his stoic demeanor.

"Indeed," Milo replied, feeling a mixture of excitement and trepidation as he surveyed the diverse range of magical abilities on display. Students hurled fireballs or conjured whirlwinds while others brandished enchanted weapons with deadly skill.

"Let's fight, I wanna see what you've got," Alexis challenged, her voice cold but not unkind.

Milo looked to the two boys with concern.

Xu Wei shrugged. "If you want to hang around with us you'll have to prove what you are made of first. There are no free dinners in this world after all."

Milo nodded, determined to prove himself.

Milo sensed the tension in the air as the four of them stood together. Marco's playful demeanor seemed to evaporate, replaced by a cautious wariness. Alexis' gaze was frosty and calculating, while Xu Wei's calm expression gave nothing away.

"Are you sure you belong here?" Alexis asked, her voice dripping with disdain. "You look like you've spent more time wrestling beasts than learning magic."

"Maybe I have," Milo retorted, his pride stung by her words. "But that doesn't mean I'm not willing to learn."

"Enough," Xu Wei interjected, his voice firm. "We all come from different backgrounds, but we're here for the same reason: to become stronger. Now enough talking and get to fighting, I want to see what he's capable of too Alexis."

Alexis nodded and stepped forward, her movements precise and calculated. "Let's move, there's an empty platform over there," she said, indicating an open space on the far side of the sprawling grounds.

Milo followed her silently and they arrived at the platform quickly. Alexis took a stance in one corner while Milo took his place in the other. The sun shone brightly overhead as they began their battle.

Xu Wei stood between the pair, a coin in his hand. "Your cue to go is when the coin hits the ground, understood?"

Milo nodded.

Xu Wei deftly tossed a coin into the air. The metallic glint caught the sunlight before it clattered onto the ground, and as its ringing echo faded, the battle between Milo and Alexis erupted.

Alexis was quick and fierce like an assassin, her movements almost too fast for Milo to keep up with as she rushed at him.

In an instant, Milo transformed from a human figure into a menacing jaguar, with sharp claws and teeth bared. His black coat was dappled with golden-brown patches, and his amber eyes glowed with feral intensity. He rushed forward in an attempt to gain an advantage but it always seemed like he was one step behind her technique.

"You're strong," Milo huffed as he jumped out of the way of a kick aimed at his underbelly.

Alexis grinned before rushing forth even faster than before.

With a roar Milo leapt into the air and smashed into the girl. She grimaced before disappearing into thin air.

"What was that?" Milo said, not believing his eyes. He shook his head and readied himself for the inevitable incoming attack.

The boy in jaguar form crouched as a leg came from his blind spot. The two continued battling, with Milo countering and dodging Alexis' attacks but never once being able to go on the offensive against the nimble dark elven girl.

The fight continued for some time until Alexis finally managed to land a critical hit on him that sent him sprawling onto the ground. Milo groaned as he lost his jaguar form and shifted back to his human self. He held onto his temple where there was a loud ringing sound.

Alexis walked over to him and reached out her hand. "I'd say you passed, you're a tough one, I like it."

"Thanks," the boy said and then grabbed her hand before pulling himself up onto his feet.

Milo had lost, but he'd shown what he was capable of, his pride remained intact.

Xu Wei clapped his hands and shouted, "Bravo." He then walked over to Milo and patted him on the back. "I like what I see, a man of discipline and fortitude."

Marco nodded. "I agree, I didn't expect you to last that long against Alexis."

Alexis shrugged. "He joined this school in the middle of the semester, he'd better be this good. You didn't go through any of the trials and tests that we had to."

"Now then," Xu Wei said. "Let's go to the beast stables, I think that you'll quite enjoy the sight of it after a gruelling battle."

"The beast stables? What is that?" Milo asked.

"Don't worry, you'll see for yourself, let's go," Xu Wei responded.

As the group moved towards the beast stables, Milo couldn't help but feel apprehensive. In his mind the others were clearly talented and experienced mages, whereas he was still an outsider to this world, struggling to find his place.