The sun had barely begun its ascent over the horizon, casting a symphony of colors across the sky—rich oranges, reds, blues, and purples blending into one another like a painting in motion. Caelum sat quietly by the window of his private suite, the early morning stillness filling the air. Nyx, his familiar, lay curled up in his lap, her black fur blending into the shadows, her golden and white eyes occasionally flicking open before shutting again in contentment. Caelum stroked her lazily, his thoughts drifting as he watched the light chase the last remnants of night from the world.
He could hear the faint hum of the city below, but his mind was elsewhere—focused on the day ahead. It would be his first day of formal classes, the beginning of his journey through the magical plain's rigorous curriculum. Yet, despite the looming challenges, Caelum felt at ease, almost excited. His thirst for knowledge, his hunger to explore this new world, was stronger than any nerves he might have had.
But before the day's classes began, he had a few hours to spare. He looked down at the familiar on his lap, who yawned and stretched, her claws gently digging into his thigh. “Alright, Nyx, let’s get going,” he murmured, lifting her gently off his lap as he stood. He had made it a habit to visit the library before breakfast, and today would be no different. There was something calming about being surrounded by endless rows of knowledge, and the quiet atmosphere always seemed to help center him.
Nyx disappeared into his shadow as he left his room, her presence lingering as a soft warmth beneath his feet. The halls of the university were quiet at this early hour, only the occasional sound of footsteps echoing through the corridors. Astral lamps flickered gently as he passed by, their soft glow reflecting off the polished marble floors.
Upon reaching the library, he paused at the grand entrance. The towering shelves, filled with countless books, stretched high into the vaulted ceiling, their spines gleaming in the dim morning light. The smell of ancient parchment and the hum of ambient magic filled the air, creating an atmosphere that was both peaceful and awe-inspiring.
“Good morning, Caelum,” Lysandra’s voice greeted him from behind the librarian’s desk. She looked up from the large tome in front of her, her silver hair catching the light from the lamps as it framed her serene face.
“Morning, Lysandra,” Caelum replied, walking over to her. He had come to enjoy these brief interactions with the librarian, though he still felt a bit awed by her calm wisdom. “I was thinking… I’ve been going about this all wrong. My reading has been too linear—sequential. I think I should start pulling from different sections. I want a broader understanding of magic, not just one path.”
Lysandra gave a small, approving smile. “That’s a wise choice,” she said, nodding. “A broad foundation will serve you well, especially as your understanding of magic deepens. Many students get trapped in the mindset that one discipline is enough. But knowledge is like a tapestry, each thread important to the whole.”
Caelum hesitated, then spoke carefully. “I also wanted to ask you something, Lysandra… I’ve been reading quite a lot, and I’ve realized I don’t just retain what I’ve read. I can… well, I remember every word, perfectly.”
Lysandra’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Perfect recall?” she asked, leaning forward slightly.
"Caelum nodded. “Something like that. I didn’t think much of it at first, but it’s becoming more useful than I expected. I can almost… feel the information settling in my mind, like it’s already organized, ready to be recalled whenever I need it."
Lysandra smiled, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. "That’s an incredible gift, Caelum. You’re walking a path many mages only dream of. Information is power, and those who can access it efficiently often rise to great heights."
Caelum shifted slightly, uncomfortable with the idea of "rising to great heights." He wasn’t here to make a name for himself. The tallest trees must endure the harshest winds. He just wanted to understand this world and survive. But Lysandra’s words weighed on him nonetheless.
"Here," she said, pulling a thin, leather-bound book from beneath the counter. The cover was inscribed with faintly glowing runes, the same as those he’d seen etched around the library. "This is a primer on archival magic. It will teach you how to organize your mind and access your stored knowledge more effectively."
He accepted the book with both hands, his fingers tingling as they touched the cover. There was something alive in the magic of this library, something ancient and powerful. He could feel it humming through the book.
"Mastering this will not only help you with your studies," Lysandra continued, "but it will also be essential if you ever hope to access the higher levels of the library."
Caelum’s eyes flicked upward, where the towering shelves stretched out of sight, far beyond what he could currently explore. He had heard whispers of the restricted sections, of knowledge so vast and dangerous that only the most trusted and capable could access it.
Lysandra leaned in, lowering her voice. "The library, as you’ve seen, is modeled after the floorplan of the Akashic Library—a place said to store the knowledge of the universe itself. Our library is a reflection of that, and only those who can navigate their own mind safely can explore its deepest sections."
The weight of her words hung in the air as Caelum nodded, tucking the book into his ring. "I’ll be sure to study it."
"Good," she said, her voice warm. "And remember, I’m always here if you need a friendly nudge in the right direction."
With that, Caelum bid her farewell and made his way back through the quiet aisles, the morning light filtering through the stained-glass windows casting multicolored shadows on the shelves. His mind buzzed with excitement at the new knowledge, but he reminded himself to stay focused. There was much to learn, but also much to experience.
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As he stepped outside, the crisp morning air greeted him, and he made his way to the dining hall for breakfast. The scent of freshly baked bread and spiced breakfast sausage wafted through the courtyard as students gathered around the tables, some chatting animatedly, others still bleary-eyed from their first night on campus.
Caelum spotted Seraphine, Aelric, and Elara at their usual table near the center of the hall and joined them. Nyx, who had been hiding in his shadow, appeared and immediately curled up on the bench beside him.
"Good morning," Seraphine greeted him, her eyes bright with excitement. "How was the library?"
"It’s incredible as always," Caelum replied, smiling. "I picked up a few new books, including one on archival magic. The librarian says it’ll help me organize my thoughts."
Aelric, his mouth full of bread, gave a thumbs-up. "That’s perfect for you, bookworm."
Caelum chuckled, shaking his head. "And what about you? Ready for your first classes?"
Seraphine bit her lip, a hint of nervousness crossing her face. "I have alchemy first. They say Professor Morphin often tests us on the first day, so I’m a little anxious."
"You’ll be fine," Elara reassured her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Just remember what you’ve practiced."
Aelric, however, seemed more excited than nervous. "I’ve been waiting all summer to put this chaotic mana to practical use. Finally, I’ll be able to do something useful with it!"
"Just make sure you don’t blow anything up," Caelum teased, though Aelric’s chaos-infused mana did seem like it could be explosive in the right, or wrong, circumstances.
As they ate, Caelum allowed himself a moment of reflection. He hadn’t thought much about his old life in the mortal realm, but now, surrounded by his new friends and immersed in this magical world, he found himself missing the simplicity of it. His friends, the ordinary routine of life before all of this—it felt like a distant dream, something that belonged to someone else.
But there was no turning back. This was his life now, and he had to make the best of it. He pushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the warm food and the camaraderie around the table.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
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After breakfast, Caelum made his way to his first class of the semester: Foundations of Magic with Professor Vanis. The lecture hall was buzzing with anticipation as students filed in, some chatting excitedly, others silently reviewing their notes. The room itself was grand, with high, arched ceilings and wide windows that let in the morning light. The walls were lined with shelves filled with magical artifacts and scrolls, and a large chalkboard took up the front wall where intricate mana diagrams were already drawn.
Professor Vanis stood at the front of the room, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd as the students settled in. Her presence was commanding, and even before she spoke, the room fell silent.
"Welcome to Foundations of Magic," she began, her voice strong and clear. "Today, we begin your journey into the true understanding of mana and its manipulation. Some of you may think you already know how to control mana. Let me assure you, you don’t."
A few students shifted uncomfortably in their seats, while others exchanged glances.
"Mana control is more than just drawing energy into yourself and using it to power spells," Professor Vanis continued. "It is about precision, discipline, and understanding the flow of energy through your body and the world around you. If you do not master the basics, you will never progress to the higher forms of magic."
She turned to the chalkboard, pointing to the diagram of a mana flow chart. "We will begin by learning the fundamentals of mana flow and how to enhance your internal reserves. Then, we will move on to more advanced techniques, such as drawing mana from your surroundings and manipulating it to perform complex spellwork."
Caelum listened intently, already familiar with much of what she was saying from the textbooks he had absorbed, but her explanation added a layer of nuance that the books hadn’t covered. As she spoke, he found himself asking clarifying questions, not to show off but to deepen his understanding.
At one point, he raised his hand. "Professor, could you elaborate on how the external mana flow interacts with the meridians during spellcasting? Specifically, how does the balance of internal and external mana affect spell strength and precision?"
Professor Vanis paused, her sharp eyes settling on Caelum with interest. "A good question," she said, nodding. "The balance between internal and external mana is crucial. Too much reliance on external mana, and your control will falter. Too much internal mana, and you’ll burn out quickly. The key is finding equilibrium. Let me demonstrate."
She turned to the chalkboard and began drawing more intricate diagrams, explaining the flow in greater detail. The other students scribbled furiously in their notebooks, but Caelum absorbed it all, the information sinking into his mind with ease.
As the lesson continued, he found himself helping his peers, offering explanations in simpler terms when they struggled. Some appreciated his help, while others seemed irritated by his quick grasp of the material. Professor Vanis, however, seemed pleased with his interactions, nodding approvingly as she observed him.
By the end of the class, Caelum felt confident in his understanding of mana flow, though he knew there was still much to learn through practice. The foundations were set, but the real work had only just begun.
As the class ended, Professor Vanis dismissed the students with a wave of her hand. Caelum gathered his materials and slipped them into his satchel, his mind still racing with everything they had covered. He noticed a few students lingering in the room, chatting in small groups, their eyes occasionally flicking toward him. It was clear that his quick understanding of the material had garnered some attention, though not all of it was positive.
As he stepped out into the hall, the crisp air filled his lungs, refreshing him. His first class had gone well, but he knew there was much more to come. The day was far from over, and his mind buzzed with thoughts about the next few hours.
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Lunchtime rolled around, and Caelum found a quiet corner in the courtyard, a place where he could think in peace. The sun was still high in the sky, casting dappled shadows through the leaves of the large oak tree he sat beneath. He pulled out the book Lysandra had given him on archival magic and began flipping through it, taking in the intricate runes and descriptions of how to manage one’s memory palace.
Nyx, who had been napping in his shadow, stretched lazily and padded out to chase a few birds that fluttered around the courtyard. Caelum watched her with amusement as she made a half-hearted attempt to pounce on one, only to settle for curling up on a sunlit patch of grass instead.
Just as Caelum was about to dive deeper into his reading, he felt a prickling sensation on the back of his neck. It was as though someone was watching him. He glanced up, scanning the courtyard, but there was no one around. The feeling lingered for a moment before fading away, leaving him with a faint sense of unease.
He shrugged it off, returning to his book. Perhaps it was just his imagination, or perhaps there really was someone observing him from a distance. Either way, he couldn't let it distract him from his studies.
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By the time his second class arrived, Caelum was ready for something more hands-on. Intro to Elemental Magics with Professor Zarya was held in a vast, open lecture hall, its walls lined with shelves of crystals, stones, and artifacts related to elemental magic. The ceiling was vaulted, allowing for plenty of space for practical demonstrations. A gentle breeze filtered through the room, carrying with it the scent of fresh rain and earth.
Professor Zarya stood at the front of the room, her presence commanding as always, with her white luminescent draconic eyes gleaming with energy. She wasted no time launching into the day’s lesson.
"Elemental magic," she began, pacing the length of the room, "is the manipulation of the fundamental forces of nature—fire, water, earth, and air. Each of you has a natural affinity for one of these elements, though some of you may have multiple affinities. The purpose of this class is not just to teach you how to control these elements, but to understand the deeper connection between the elements and your magic."
Caelum sat near the middle of the room, attentive as ever, his mind racing with thoughts of how he would perform in this class. He remembered the test results—or lack thereof—and the curiosity that had sparked in Professor Zarya when she had pulled him aside afterward. He wasn’t sure how his balanced affinity would play out here, but he was eager to find out.
"Now," Professor Zarya continued, holding out her hand, "let me show you what advanced elemental mastery looks like."
With a fluid motion, she summoned each of the elements between her hands. Fire, water, earth, and air danced in perfect harmony, swirling around her fingers as though they were alive. She moved gracefully, as if dancing with the elements themselves. A stomp of her foot produced a burst of sand, while a sweep of her hand trailed water like a ribbon. A gentle breath brought forth a gust of wind, and a single thrust into the air sent a jet of flames soaring toward the ceiling. The students watched in awe as she seamlessly combined and manipulated the elements, showing them the true potential of elemental magic.
"In your first year," she said, turning back to the class, "you will learn to manipulate a single element, based on your affinity. Those of you with stronger affinities will find this easier, but everyone will eventually develop a working knowledge of all four. In later years, you will learn to transmute these elements into their more advanced forms—earth into steel or gold, water into ice, fire into lightning, and so on."
Her demonstration continued as she transformed earth into steel with a mere flick of her wrist, cutting it with a blade of wind, freezing the remnants with water, and finally vaporizing them with lightning. The boys were entranced, while the girls looked on with admiration, inspired by her mastery.
Zarya motioned to the rows of affinity stones laid out before the class. "Your first task today is to push your mana into these stones, but it’s not as simple as flooding them with energy. You must change the nature of your mana to match the affinity of the stone. If you fail to change it, the stone will not respond, and you’ll only exhaust yourself."
The students began their exercises, and Caelum approached the stones with a steady breath. He felt his mana flow easily, a result of his morning exercises, and as he pushed his energy into the first stone—a water affinity stone—it lit up with a soft blue glow. He moved to the next, the air stone, and it too responded, glowing white. Then the earth stone, glowing brown, and finally the fire stone, glowing red.
Each stone lit up brighter than he had expected, their glow almost blinding in the dim room. Professor Zarya noticed, her eyes narrowing slightly, but she said nothing. The other students were struggling with a single stone, while Caelum had lit up all four with ease. He quickly dimmed the stones, not wanting to draw too much attention, but he knew Zarya had already seen it.
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By late afternoon, Caelum was back in his private suite. The day had been long, but fulfilling. He was beginning to see the depth of his abilities and the potential he had. His understanding of magic was growing faster than he’d anticipated, and he wondered what his limits truly were.
Nyx, who had been napping on his bed, stirred as he entered the room. She stretched, her back arching like a bow, before padding over to him. Caelum sat down on the edge of his bed, his mind still buzzing with everything he had learned.
He absentmindedly opened a book from his satchel, one he had absorbed earlier. It was about familiars and their bond with their masters, something he had yet to fully understand with Nyx. As he read, a section caught his eye—infusing mana into one’s familiar to aid in their growth.
"Interesting," he muttered to himself, flipping through the pages.
Nyx, who had been watching him from the floor, seemed to perk up, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"Should we try it?" he asked her, knowing full well she couldn’t answer.
He held out his hand, channeling a small amount of mana into Nyx. The familiar’s eyes widened, and before he could react, her form shimmered, her body growing and shifting.
A moment later, Nyx was no longer a small black cat but a girl about Caelum’s age, with black hair and the gold and luminous eyes. She blinked, taking in her new form before looking at him with an amused smile.
"Is there a problem?" she asked, her voice calm and steady.
Caelum was too stunned to speak for a moment.
Nyx chuckled softly. "Since we’re bonded, it’s only natural that I’d take on some of your human characteristics as I grow." She stretched her arms over her head, yawning. "Thanks for the meal," she added, before transforming back into a cat and curling up at the foot of his bed.
Caelum sat there, speechless, staring at the small, seemingly innocent cat curled up beside him. He had a lot more to learn about familiars, that much was clear.