The Aetherium Academy was even more impressive up close. Its towering spires seemed to touch the sky, and the walls were adorned with intricate carvings and glowing runes that pulsed with magical energy. Students in flowing robes moved about the grounds, their faces filled with determination and purpose. I stood at the entrance, my satchel of books slung over my shoulder, and took a deep breath.
This was it. My first day at the academy.
I made my way to the main hall, where a group of new students had gathered. Professor Arlen stood at the front, her stern expression softened by a faint smile.
“Welcome, new students,” she said, her voice echoing through the hall. “You have all shown great potential, but your journey is just beginning. The Aetherium Academy is a place of learning and growth, where you will hone your skills and unlock your true potential. Let us begin.”
She led us through the halls, pointing out the various classrooms, libraries, and training grounds. The academy was a labyrinth of knowledge, each room filled with books, artifacts, and magical devices. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe as I took it all in.
Our first class was Introduction to Conjuration, taught by a tall, wiry man with a sharp gaze and a voice that carried authority. He introduced himself as Professor Thalos, a master of conjuration magic.
“Conjuration,” he began, pacing the front of the classroom, “is the art of creating something from nothing. It is the ability to summon objects, creatures, or even energy into existence using your mana and willpower. Unlike summoning, which calls forth beings or items from other planes, conjuration creates them entirely from your own magic. It is a demanding discipline, requiring precision, creativity, and control.”
He held up his hand, and a small, glowing orb of light appeared above his palm. With a flick of his wrist, the orb transformed into a shimmering dagger, then into a delicate flower, and finally into a tiny bird that fluttered briefly before dissolving into motes of light.
“Conjuration is about understanding the essence of what you wish to create,” he continued. “You must visualize it clearly in your mind and channel your mana to give it form. Today, we will start with something simple: conjuring a small object.”
He gestured to the empty space in front of each of us. “Your task is to conjure a small, simple object—a pebble, a coin, or something similar. Focus on its shape, its weight, its texture. Let your mana flow through your hand and bring it into existence.”
I held out my hand, palm up, and closed my eyes, focusing on the pulse of my core. I decided to conjure a small, smooth pebble, like the ones I had often seen by the river near our home.
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I visualized the pebble in my mind—its round shape, its cool, smooth surface, the faint weight of it in my hand. I channeled my mana into my palm, feeling the energy flow through me and into the air.
At first, nothing happened. Then, slowly, I felt a warmth in my hand. I opened my eyes and saw a small, glowing orb of light forming above my palm. It shimmered and shifted, gradually taking on the shape of a pebble.
The pebble dropped into my hand, solid and real. It was slightly warm to the touch, and it glowed faintly with residual mana.
Professor Thalos walked over, examining my creation. “Well done, Kaelith,” he said, his voice filled with approval. “Your control is impressive for a beginner. Keep practicing, and you’ll master conjuration in no time.”
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After the morning classes, I found myself in the academy’s courtyard during the lunch break. The courtyard was a lively place, filled with students chatting, eating, and practicing spells. I sat on a bench under a large oak tree, my satchel of books beside me, and pulled out a small notebook where I had been jotting down ideas for combining conjuration with my family’s magic.
I had been thinking about how to use Elemental Manipulation—my family’s signature magic—to control conjured objects. Most family magics focused on a single element, but mine allowed for control over all elements. If I could conjure objects and then manipulate them with my family magic, the possibilities would be endless.
I decided to test the idea. Holding out my hand, I conjured a small pebble, just like I had in class. It materialized in my palm, glowing faintly with mana. Then, I focused on my core, feeling the pulse of energy that connected me to the elements.
With a thought, I directed the pebble to float into the air. It hovered above my hand, spinning slowly. I grinned, feeling a surge of excitement. It worked.
I conjured a few more pebbles, each one joining the first in a small, floating orbit around my hand. Then, I decided to push further. I focused on the pebbles, imagining them moving in unison. With a flick of my wrist, I sent them spinning in a tight circle, faster and faster until they were a blur of motion.
A few students nearby stopped to watch, their eyes wide with curiosity. One of them, a girl with short, dark hair and a curious smile, approached me.
“That’s amazing,” she said, her voice filled with awe. “How are you doing that?”
I smiled, letting the pebbles slow to a stop and drop into my hand. “It’s a combination of conjuration and my family’s magic. I conjure the pebbles, then use Elemental Manipulation to control them.”
Her eyes lit up with interest. “Elemental Manipulation? That’s rare. Most family magics focus on a single element. Yours lets you control all of them?”
I nodded. “It’s versatile, but it takes a lot of practice to master.”
“I’m Mira,” she said, extending her hand. “Second-year, specializing in fire magic. My family’s magic is all about flames, but I’ve never seen anyone combine conjuration and elemental control like that before. It’s impressive.”
“Kaelith,” I replied, shaking her hand. “First-year, obviously. Nice to meet you.”
Mira sat down beside me, and we spent the rest of the lunch break talking about magic. She had a sharp mind and a knack for explaining complex concepts in a way that made them easy to understand. She told me about her studies in fire magic, how she could shape flames into intricate forms and control their intensity, and I shared my thoughts on combining conjuration with elemental control.