Caelum and Seraphine made their way to Café Aetheria, weaving through the bustling streets of Astral Haven City. The market was alive with magic: vendors hawked enchanted wares, while floating lanterns illuminated the streets with a soft glow. The smells of spiced teas and baked pastries wafted through the air as they passed by various stalls. The café itself was a cozy building nestled on the corner of the market square, its sign etched with the common faintly glowing runes that shimmered in the afternoon light.

Inside, the café was even more inviting. The walls were adorned with shelves of books and magical curiosities, and the tables were made from rich, polished wood that gleamed under the gentle light of floating orbs above. Large windows overlooked the market square, offering a panoramic view of the lively streets outside. Caelum couldn’t help but be captivated by the serene atmosphere, a welcome contrast to the bustling market outside.

Since they were the first to arrive, Caelum and Seraphine chose a small table in the front corner, near the window. The seat gave them a perfect view of the market while allowing the morning sunlight to pour in, filling the café with warmth. The chair creaked softly as Caelum sat down, and no sooner had he done so than his familiar, Nyx, slid out of his shadow and curled up in his lap. The small creature stretched lazily, yawning before curling back into a ball.

“Oh, I see how it is now,” Caelum chuckled, running his hand along the familiar’s soft fur. She purred, satisfied, as she settled comfortably on his lap.

Seraphine smiled, sitting across from him. “She took to you pretty quickly. That’s rare with gremlins.” She leaned back in her chair, glancing at the market outside. “I’ve heard you can offset their mana consumption with mana crystals. The more you feed them, the faster they’ll grow in intelligence. There’s even a rumor that the headmaster leaves a bowl of high-grade mana crystals on his desk for his familiar.”

Caelum raised an eyebrow. “The headmaster does that?”

Seraphine shrugged. “It’s a rumor, who knows. Speaking of mana crystals, have you figured out anything more about that one you made? Is the absorption still happening?”

Caelum leaned back in his chair, letting his gaze drift over the market scene outside. “I’ve been thinking about it,” he admitted. “It’s got to do with my meridians, I think. Because they’re oversized, and I was mana-starved for so long... I guess my body just went into overdrive when we entered the pocket dimension. My mana reserves were practically empty.” He paused, glancing down at his lap where the familiar dozed contentedly. “I haven’t tried accessing the shift powers since that night. I’m a bit worried about what might happen if I try before I get a better grasp on my mana control.”

Seraphine nodded thoughtfully. “It sounds like it was more of a fluke, but maybe something you could learn to control over time. I’d love to see that happen.” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “Show me the absorption thing again. It’s still amazing to see.”

Caelum hesitated but then pulled a low-grade mana stone from his pocket. Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, he placed it in his palm and closed his eyes. Within seconds, the stone dissolved, its energy rushing into his meridians like water flowing into a parched desert.

Seraphine watched in awe as the mana stone vanished. Nyx perked up, lazily licking Caelum’s hand where the stone had disappeared. “I still can’t get over how fast that happens,” she said with a grin. “Have you thought about testing this out in a place with higher mana density?”

Caelum raised an eyebrow. “Higher mana density?”

Seraphine’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I’ve got the perfect idea. After we finish here, let’s go to the hot springs. The springs here in Astral Haven City use two overlapping mana nodes—fire and water. Neither node is particularly strong on its own, but together, they create something really special. It’s one of the reasons Astral Haven’s economy is so strong. People travel from all over the magical plains just to experience it.”

Before Caelum could respond, Aelric’s voice interrupted their conversation. “What’s this I hear about a hot spring?” He appeared out of nowhere, pulling a chair over to their table with a grin. “Sounds like a plan I need in on.”

They exchanged greetings, and Seraphine filled Aelric in on the hot springs idea, omitting the part about Caelum wanting to test his mana absorption abilities.

“Oh man, that’s the best idea I’ve heard all week,” Aelric replied, sitting down next to Caelum. “We need to do that. But first, let’s get some food. All this shopping worked me up an appetite.”

Aelric stood up and pulled a nearby table over, making space for the four of them to sit together. Soon, Seraphine’s mentor, Elara, arrived, joining them. They all began scanning the café’s menu, which was written on enchanted scrolls that hovered just above the table.

“So how do we order here?” Caelum asked, scanning the magical menu with wide eyes.

“You just say what you want from the menu, and it’ll appear,” Aelric explained casually. “No need for waitstaff. Magic, my man. This place practically runs itself.”

Caelum nodded, still marveling at the efficiency of the magical world. “No waitresses?”

Aelric laughed. “Nope, not in places like this. These kinds of cafés are usually run by just one or two people, but they’ve probably been doing this for a hundred years. Magic makes some things a lot easier.”

As they settled on their orders, Aelric turned to Caelum with a mischievous grin. “So, tell me about your new friend here,” he said, nodding at the familiar on Caelum’s lap. “Didn’t know you were a cat person.”

Caelum smirked, brushing his familiar’s ears. “I wandered into a shop called ‘Familiar Friends’ to look around, and before I knew it, she had adopted me. The shopkeeper was nice enough but practically pushed me out the door before i could pay.”

Aelric laughed, shaking his head. “Well, at least you’re starting to look the part of a mage now. Those new threads suit you.”

Caelum chuckled, though both he and Seraphine blushed at the memory of their rather revealing fitting session. “It was… an experience,” Caelum said, keeping his explanation vague.

“Oh, I’m listening,” Aelric leaned in, clearly intrigued.

Caelum gave a brief account of the encounter with the shopkeeper, skillfully leaving out the part where he was completely naked during the fitting.

“Well, I can’t say I’m disappointed to have missed that excitement,” Aelric quipped with a smirk.

Just then, their food materialized on the table, neatly arranged on gleaming plates. Caelum marveled at the sandwich before him, which was perfectly golden and crisp on the outside, with layers of vibrant, enchanted vegetables and cured meat tucked inside. His tea, rich and aromatic, seemed to glow with an inner warmth, every sip bringing a comforting heat to his core.

“This place never disappoints,” Aelric commented between bites. “Everything here is top-notch.”

The group made small talk as they ate, sharing stories of the shops they had visited earlier in the day. When they finished, they tapped their rings against the table to pay, and just like that, the exact amount of low-grade mana stones was extracted from their rings. No need for tips in the magical world, Caelum noted with amusement.

“Well,” Aelric said, stretching his arms above his head as they stood to leave, “off to the hot springs?”

“Lead the way,” Seraphine replied, smiling.

As they made their way toward the hot springs, Aelric turned to Elara. “So, we’re all meeting in the co-ed bathhouse, right?”

Elara nodded, but then Caelum leaned in closer to Aelric, whispering, “It’s not a nude bathhouse, is it?”

Aelric chuckled, shaking his head. “Not this one. It’s more like a spa. We check in as a group, go through the gender-specific showers, then meet in the private suite. No worries, my friend.”

With that reassurance, Caelum felt his nerves ease as they approached the bathhouse entrance. The cedar-lined building loomed before them, steam rising from the roof like a promise of warmth and relaxation.

The bathhouse was an elegant, understated building, its wooden exterior seamlessly blending with the natural beauty of the surrounding forest. Steam billowed gently from hidden vents, carrying with it a scent of cedar and mineral-rich water. Aelric led the way, his steps quick and eager, as if he had been anticipating this visit for weeks. The entrance doors slid open smoothly as they approached, revealing a serene lobby lined with soft golden light and polished stone floors.

Aelric turned to Caelum as they entered. “You’ll love this place. The springs are built right on top of two overlapping mana nodes," as if confirming what Seraphine just told him, "so the water itself is rich with energy. Some say just soaking here can accelerate your mana recovery for days.”

Caelum nodded, taking in the details of the lobby. Everything felt calm, designed for relaxation. He noticed intricate carvings of elemental symbols in the wooden beams above, representing the balance of fire and water that powered the springs. A receptionist greeted them, her voice soft as she explained the process.

“Please, check in as a group,” she said, motioning to a small crystal tablet on the counter. “You’ll be assigned a private suite in our cedar-lined baths. The showers are just down that hallway - to either side. Once you’ve freshened up, you’ll be escorted to your private suite.”

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Tapping their rings to the crystal tablet, the receptionist handed them soft robes and indicated where they should go next. Caelum exchanged glances with Seraphine, who smiled reassuringly, while Aelric nudged him toward the hallway. “Come on, this way. The sooner we’re cleaned up, the sooner we can relax.”

They each went their separate ways, Caelum and Aelric heading to the men’s showers, while Seraphine and her mentor disappeared down the opposite hall. The shower room was pristine and minimalistic - soft lighting, sleek marble surfaces and a pebble stone floor providing a natural feel underfoot with added traction. Caelum quickly stripped off his clothes and stepped under a warm waterfall, letting it wash away the tension from the day. The warmth of the water was immediate and enveloping, leaving him feeling lighter with every passing second.

He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the steady flow of water to soothe his thoughts. The upcoming semester loomed in his mind, a blend of excitement and uncertainty. But right now, all he wanted to focus on was the calming feeling of this place—the promise of tranquility.

Once he finished, he slipped on the complementary shorts and wrapped himself in the provided robe. Feeling the soft fabric against his skin, it was obvious these garments were tuned to the mana here. He made his way out to where Aelric was waiting, met with a grin he could feel his face imitated, clearly eager to reach the springs. “You ready? This suite is amazing, trust me.”

They walked down a hallway that led to a secluded area at the back of the bathhouse. The cedar-lined walls radiated a soft heat, and the air was thick with the spicy scent of wood and soft minerals. As they reached the door to their private suite, Caelum’s excitement grew.

Inside, the room was dominated by a large, natural hot spring. The water was crystal clear, rippling gently from the heat emanating from the fire mana node beneath the surface. Stones surrounded the spring, smooth and dark from years of exposure to the water. The cedar fence provided privacy while allowing just enough sunlight to filter through, casting a golden glow on the water.

Seraphine and Elara were already waiting, seated on the smooth stones at the edge of the spring. Seraphine looked up as Caelum entered, her smile warm and inviting. “You made it,” she said, gesturing toward the water. “This place is beautiful, isn’t it?”

Caelum nodded, taking in the sight of the bubbling water and the way the mana particles seemed to dance in the air above the spring. “It’s incredible,” he admitted, unable to hide his awe.

Aelric wasted no time, shrugging off his robe and stepping into the spring with a contented sigh. “Oh, that’s the stuff,” he muttered, sinking into the warm water until only his head remained above the surface. “Come on, you three. The water’s perfect.”

Caelum followed suit, slipping off his robe and lowering himself into the spring. The heat was immediate and intense, but in the best way. His muscles relaxed almost instantly, and tension in his shoulders he wasn't aware of melted away as the warm water enveloped him.

For a while, they all just soaked in silence, enjoying the tranquility of the moment. Caelum leaned back against one of the smooth rocks, letting his head rest on the edge of the pool. The gentle bubbling of the water was almost hypnotic, and the combination of the fire and water mana created a soothing energy that filled the air.

Nyx, ever the independent familiar, had perched herself on one of the decorative stones at the edge of the pool, her gold and white eyes half-closed as she basked in the warmth. Caelum smiled at the sight of her, feeling her happiness and content in her own little world.

As the minutes passed, conversation slowly resumed. Aelric, ever the talkative one, began recounting tales of his previous visits to the hot springs. Seraphine chimed in occasionally, adding her own stories of visits with her family. Caelum listened, but his mind was drifting.

He could feel the mana in the water, swirling around him in gentle currents. It was different from the pocket dimension—more abundant, controlled, more harmonious. He allowed himself to focus on the sensation, breathing in the mana as if it were air. The fire and water energies moved through him, slow and deliberate, like the flow of a river. He visualized the particles rushing into his meridians, filling them with warmth and power. It was a far cry from the voracious absorption he had experienced before. Here, he could take his time, letting the mana integrate itself into his system without overwhelming him.

Across the pool, Seraphine was watching him. She raised an eyebrow when she noticed the subtle shift in his focus, but she didn’t say anything. Caelum gave her a small shrug, silently acknowledging that he was testing his abilities again.

She nodded slightly, a faint smile on her lips, but didn’t press him for details. Instead, she leaned back against the stone, her expression relaxing as she allowed herself to enjoy the peaceful moment.

Aelric, on the other hand, was oblivious to the exchange. He had moved to a rock in the center of the spring and was demonstrating how to float on his back, his arms spread wide as he stared up at the clear sky above. “You know,” he said, his voice carrying across the water, “there’s something about this place that just makes you forget about all your worries. I swear, if I could bottle this feeling, I’d make a fortune.”

Seraphine laughed softly, shaking her head. “I think that’s part of the magic, Aelric. It’s not something you can take with you.”

Aelric grinned, still floating. “Maybe not, but I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts.”

As the conversation drifted into more casual topics, Caelum’s mind wandered back to the upcoming semester. Tomorrow, his classes would begin. He thought about the professors he had met, the vast library waiting for him, and the countless spells and enchantments he would need to learn. There was so much ahead of him, but in this moment, surrounded by friends and the soothing energy of the hot springs, he felt ready.

After what felt like hours, they began to gather their things, ready to head back to the campus. Caelum felt refreshed, his body lighter, and his mind clearer than it had been in days. As they walked back through the streets of Astral Haven City, the sun setting behind the distant mountains, Caelum couldn’t help but smile. He had a feeling that the coming days would be full of challenges, but for the first time in a long while, he felt like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

As they made their way back toward the university, the streets of Astral Haven City began to quiet. The vendors were packing up their wares, the magical lanterns along the streets flickering to life, casting a warm glow across the cobbled roads. Caelum found himself walking a little behind Seraphine and Aelric alongside Elara, lost in thought. He cradled Nyx in his arms, her purring a comforting vibration against his chest.

“So,” Aelric said, breaking the silence, “tomorrow is the big day, huh? First day of classes. You nervous, Caelum?”

Caelum blinked, snapped out of his thoughts by the question. He glanced up at Aelric, who was grinning at him with that usual mischievous look. Seraphine turned her head slightly, waiting for his response as well.

“Nervous?” Caelum repeated, considering it for a moment. “I guess a little. I mean, everything is still so new to me. It feels like I’ve only just arrived, and already there’s so much to learn.”

Aelric clapped him on the back, nearly causing him to stumble. “Don’t sweat it. You’ll get the hang of it. Everyone starts out the same way, right Elara? The important thing is that you’re here. The rest will follow.”

Seraphine smiled warmly, her eyes softening as she looked at Caelum. “You’ll do fine. You’ve already impressed more people than you realize.”

Caelum felt his cheeks flush slightly at the compliment, but he quickly shrugged it off. “Thanks. I just… don’t want to make a fool of myself on the first day.”

“You won’t,” Seraphine reassured him. “And besides, the first day is always a bit chaotic. Professors like to ease students in, so don’t worry too much.”

As they continued their walk back to the university, Aelric began to explain the layout of the campus, pointing out the various buildings and towers that loomed in the distance. The closer they got to the university, the more imposing it became. The towering spires of the campus shimmered in the twilight, their edges faintly illuminated by magical runes that pulsed with a soft, otherworldly light.

“Tomorrow, you’llstart with the general courses,” Aelric continued remembering his schedule. "Foundations of Magic with Professor Vanis, and Introduction to Elemental Magics with Professor Zarya... you know, the basics. Then, as you get into your second and third years, you’ll start specialize in your disciplines. You’ll have plenty of time to figure out what you’re good at.”

“And what about the professors?” Caelum asked, glancing at Seraphine. “Any advice?”

Seraphine chuckled softly. “Well, they’re all pretty unique. You’ve already met a few, but some of them… let’s just say they have their quirks. Professor Vanis is tough, but fair. She’ll push you, especially if she sees potential. Professor Raelis, on the other hand, is more laid back, but don’t let that fool you. He’s a master enchanter, and he expects precision.”

“And Zarya?” Caelum asked, remembering the elemental magic professor with her draconic eyes.

“Zarya is intense,” Elara said with a slight smile. “But she’s brilliant. Her lessons are challenging, but if you can keep up, you’ll learn more from her than from any other professor. Just... don’t try to impress her too much. She values humility.”

As they approached the grand entrance to the university, Caelum felt a sense of anticipation settle over him. Tomorrow would mark the beginning of his formal magical education, and while the weight of it was daunting, he also felt a spark of excitement. He was ready to dive into this new world, to push himself beyond his limits and see what he was truly capable of.

Nyx stirred in his arms, lifting her head as they passed through the main gates of the university. The familiar’s mismatched eyes gleamed in the low light, and Caelum couldn’t help but feel that she sensed the change in the air as well. The path ahead was filled with uncertainty, but with every step he took, Caelum felt more confident that this was where he belonged.

As they reached the dormitories, Aelric stretched his arms above his head, letting out a satisfied sigh. “Alright, I think it’s time to call it a night. Big day tomorrow.”

Seraphine nodded, stifling a yawn. “Agreed. We’ll need our rest.”

They exchanged goodnights, and Caelum watched as Seraphine and her Elara disappeared down the garden path toward the women’s dorms. Aelric gave Caelum a lazy wave before heading off to his own room, leaving Caelum alone with Nyx as he made his way back to his suite.

Once inside, Caelum placed Nyx on the bed and took a moment to look around. His room, though small, was cozy and well-equipped. Bookshelves lined the walls, already filled with texts he had pulled from the library earlier. The soft glow of mana lamps cast a warm light over the space, and the bed looked more inviting than ever.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Caelum took a deep breath. The hot springs had done wonders to relax him, but now, as the quiet of the night settled in, the weight of the coming semester began to sink in. He lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, his mind buzzing with thoughts of everything that lay ahead.

Nyx curled up beside him, her purring a soft, rhythmic sound that lulled him into a sense of calm. Caelum closed his eyes, letting the exhaustion of the day wash over him. Tomorrow would be the start of something entirely new. But tonight, in this quiet moment, he allowed himself to simply breathe.

As sleep began to take him, images from the day flashed through his mind—Seraphine’s laughter, the feel of the mana-laden water at the hot springs, the bustling streets of Astral Haven City. And then, as if from a distant memory, a familiar sensation tugged at the edge of his consciousness. He was back in that tower of books, the endless shelves stretching up and down into infinity.

Pages fluttered around him, some written in languages he recognized, others in ancient scripts he couldn’t decipher. The air was thick with the scent of parchment and ink, and the faint glow of magic pulsed through the tomes as they floated around him. Caelum reached out, his hand brushing against the spine of a book, and the words within seemed to leap off the page, embedding themselves in his mind.

It was like before—an endless stream of knowledge, flowing into him effortlessly. But this time, there was no fear, no overwhelming sensation. It was as if the knowledge was already his, just waiting to be unlocked. The pages continued to swirl around him, the words melding together, creating something new, something powerful.

He smiled in his sleep, his mind drifting deeper into the dream world of books and magic.

Tomorrow could wait. For now, he would let the knowledge come to him, one page at a time.