“All magic requires an energy source. Priests get this source from deities. Now, tell me, what are the deities?” The teacher asks.

The students shuffled around in their desks, avoiding eye contact with the teacher.

The teacher sighs. “Come on, guys, this is important. Your years of basic education are almost over, and if any of you wish to enter a college of mages, you'll need to know this information.” He explains, somewhat disappointed.

The teacher looks over at a student gazing blankly out of the window and smiles. Easy target. He thinks. “Radford, what do you think?” He asks.

Radford stirs in his desk and looks up at the teacher blankly, somewhat embarrassed. “The deities are pure entities, made up of a variety of truths and emotions. Their forms are perfect and they are indestructible.” He says, recalling what he’s learned.

The teacher smiles. “Good.” He says, before continuing his lecture. “But these perfect forms can also be a source of magical energy, if a priest or acolyte, were to serve the deity’s purposes. Now, what are other sources of magical energy?” The teacher continues to ask.

A pretty brown-haired girl raises her hand.

The teacher smiles. “Yes, Ameliah.” He says.

“Other planes can be a source of magical energy.” She says.

The teacher nods. “That is correct. Some planes have an abundant amount of magical energy, and is thus, used by many mages as an energy source. Of course, to access the energy in these other planes, one requires a key. Some people’s characters naturally align with these other planes and can find the key quite easily, while sometimes, finding access to these planes can require years of research. Can someone give me an example of another plane? Ameliah?” The teacher asks, looking to the pretty brunette.

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The pretty girl smiles. “The abyss.” She says.

The teacher chuckles. “Yes, Ameliah, the abyss is one of these planes. A vile, and dark place, where nightmares come to life, where an unguarded mind, would be like a fruit, meant to be consumed by the beasts in the night. We’ll go over other planes in the next class. Dismissed.” The teacher says.

Radford lets out a sigh, grabs his bag and stands up.

Ameliah walks up to him and smiles.

Radford shakes his head. “Such a naughty girl. What’s your obsession with the abyss anyways?” He asks.

Ameliah smiles. “I like my men the same way I like my magical planes, unfathomably deep and indescribably powerful.” She says with her chest puffed out.

Radford smirks and forcefully messes Ameliah’s hair. “Shut up. Don’t act brave, you’re just a baby.” He says before walking away.

“Hey!” Ameliah exclaims. “How rude!” She says, catching up to Radford, following him out of the class.

The two follow the crowd through the halls and out of the school.

Radford and Ameliah walk over to the nearby bus stop and begin the wait.

Radford takes out a cigarette and lights it, inhaling deeply, before puffing out a cloud of smoke and sighing.

Ameliah waves the air in front of her face, frowning in displeasure. “I wish you would quit smoking.” She says.

Radford smiles, gently holds Ameliah’s face, looking deeply into her eyes. “Ameliah, I’ll quit, just for you.” He says with a straight face.

Ameliah stares into Radford’s eyes until she could no longer handle it. Her face was brightly shining, and she waves Radford’s hand away. “Shut up! Stop teasing me!” She yells.

Radford laughs. “See, just a baby.” He says, amused.

The heat would not fade from Ameliah’s face, but she still furrowed her brows. “One day, I’ll show you. I’ll be the greatest mage the world’s ever seen. Then—” She says before hesitating.

“Then what?” Radford asks.

Embarrassment was once more on Ameliah’s face, before anger flashed again. “Then you’ll respect me!” She exclaims.

Radford chuckles. “Maybe.” He says, taking another puff of his cigarette and exhaling a cloud of smoke.

The bus arrives and stops, the doors opening.

“Come on,” Radford says, following the other kids onto the bus with Ameliah.

Radford takes a seat and Ameliah takes the seat next to his.

Radford sighs. It was just another day. But soon, Radford, Ameliah, and so many other kids, would go through the filtration process for the mage colleges. This would decide their standing in this world, whether they were doomed to live life as an NPC, or whether they would rise, to be a main character in this world.

Radford looks to Ameliah’s soft and unguarded face. He sighs. How long would he be able to stay with her?

As Radford thinks of the unrelenting tide that was people’s lives, his heart couldn’t help but break a little. “Fuck life.” He says.