The soft clatter of utensils and the quiet hum of conversation filled the academy’s dining hall as Caelum, Seraphine, and Aelric sat at their usual spot for breakfast. The morning sun filtered through the tall, enchanted windows, casting golden light across the tables. Plates of mana-infused fruit, breads, and other delicacies were laid out before them, glowing faintly with latent energy. Caelum absently stirred his tea, his mind already racing ahead to the tutoring session he and Seraphine had planned for later that evening.
“I’ve sent word to the first few students,” Seraphine said between bites of her mana-grain porridge. “We’ll have five for tonight’s session. Just enough to keep it manageable but not too overwhelming.”
Aelric grinned, leaning back in his chair. “You two starting a secret society of geniuses? I should’ve known.”
Caelum chuckled, shaking his head. “Hardly. It’s more about making sure we all stay on top of our studies. Besides, you know how competitive things are already. A little extra help won’t hurt.”
Seraphine nodded, her eyes sparkling with quiet determination. “And we have to stay ahead if we want to survive this academy, especially with the final exams coming up in a few months.”
Aelric took a swig of his mana-juice and smirked. “Well, good luck with that. I’d join, but I’ve got my hands full just keeping up with Professor Raelis’s enchantments.”
Caelum smiled but remained focused on the logistics. “Tonight’s session will be in my room, but we’ll switch to Seraphine’s next time.” He paused, glancing at Seraphine. “I’m curious to see how you’ve set things up in your room.”
Seraphine shrugged, though a small smile played at her lips. “It’s not as extravagant as you might think. But we can use the library study rooms if the group grows. They’re private and quiet enough for focused work.”
Aelric snorted. “Private? More like stuffy. Just try not to get buried under all those ancient tomes.”
“Noted,” Caelum said with a grin. “But the idea of having more space does appeal to me. It’s a good backup plan.”
They continued eating in companionable silence for a few moments before Aelric shifted the conversation. “So, how are you feeling about this special training with Zarya today? I heard the elemental plain stuff can be... intense.”
Caelum set his cup down, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves tighten in his chest. “Yeah, I’ve heard the same. She mentioned something about a pocket dimension. I don’t know exactly what to expect, but I think it’s going to push my control over the elements to a new level.”
Aelric gave a low whistle. “Better you than me, mate. Just try not to get burned alive.”
Seraphine shot Aelric a look but then turned back to Caelum, her tone more serious. “You’ll be fine. If anyone can handle this, it’s you. Just remember to stay centered. The balance you have will give you an edge, but don’t underestimate how dangerous elemental magic can be.”
“I won’t,” Caelum promised. “I’ll keep everything in check.”
He appreciated Seraphine’s confidence in him. The two of them had grown closer over the past few days, both in terms of friendship and mutual respect for each other’s abilities. Tonight’s tutoring session felt like a natural progression, but for now, his focus had to remain on the task ahead—Professor Zarya’s training in the pocket dimension.
As breakfast wound down, they parted ways, Aelric heading off to his morning class while Seraphine went to the library for her alchemy studies. Caelum lingered a moment longer, his mind already racing ahead to the elemental training.
“Good luck,” Seraphine called over her shoulder as she walked away. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Caelum nodded, waving as she disappeared down the corridor. He let out a slow breath, mentally preparing himself for whatever Zarya had in store. He knew today’s training would test him like nothing else had so far, but deep down, he felt ready for the challenge.
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Professor Zarya’s office was a small, minimalist space tucked away in one of the academy’s older wings. Caelum had been there a few times before for private lessons, but today, as he stepped into the room, the atmosphere felt different—charged with a sense of anticipation.
Zarya stood by her desk, her tall frame silhouetted against the window. Her piercing silver eyes met Caelum’s as he entered, and she gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. “Good. You’re on time.”
Caelum approached, trying to suppress the flutter of nerves in his stomach. “I’m ready for whatever you have planned, Professor.”
Zarya studied him for a moment, then motioned for him to follow her. She led him toward a hidden door at the back of the office, one he hadn’t noticed before. With a wave of her hand, the door slid open, revealing a spiral staircase leading downward into darkness. Caelum followed her without hesitation, the air growing cooler as they descended.
At the bottom of the stairs, they entered a dimly lit chamber dominated by an intricate teleportation circle inscribed on the floor. The runes glowed faintly, pulsing with elemental energy. Zarya stepped into the circle and gestured for Caelum to do the same.
“This is not a place for the faint of heart,” Zarya said, her voice low and serious. “The pocket dimension we are about to enter is called Elemental Fury. It is a sacred training ground for the Church of the Four Pillars, a space where the raw forces of the elements converge. Only the most advanced mages train here.”
Caelum swallowed, feeling the weight of her words. “Why bring me there?”
“Your balanced affinity makes you uniquely suited to withstand and manipulate elemental chaos,” Zarya explained. “Today’s training will push you to your limits, perhaps beyond. But if you can master what I teach you, your control over the elements will surpass that of most mages your age.”
With that, she activated the circle, and the world around them began to warp. The chamber dissolved, replaced by a swirling vortex of colors—reds, blues, greens, and browns, each representing an elemental force. The air hummed with magic, and Caelum felt the ground shift beneath his feet.
When the world finally solidified again, they were standing in a vast open space. The sky above them was a swirling storm of elemental energies, chaotic and beautiful all at once. In the center of the space stood an ancient stone array made up of towering pillars, each one carved with symbols of fire, water, earth, and air.
“This is the Elemental Fury array,” Zarya said, her voice calm despite the raw power swirling around them. “Here, the elements are at their most chaotic. Your task is to survive and to transmute the forces that will assail you.”
Caelum nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. He could already feel the energy in the air, a wild, unpredictable force that set his nerves on edge.
Zarya guided him to the center of the array and placed four elemental stones at the edges of the circle, each stone glowing faintly with its respective element. “I will activate the array. Once the elemental forces are unleashed, it will be up to you to control them. Do not resist the elements—transmute them. Use your balanced affinity to find harmony amidst the chaos.”
Caelum took a deep breath and steadied himself. “I’m ready.”
Zarya gave him one last look, her expression unreadable, then activated the array.
Zarya gave him one last look, her expression unreadable, and then activated the array with a flick of her wrist. Immediately, the elemental stones flared to life, their glow intensifying as they pulsed with raw power. The air around Caelum thickened, charged with mana and the primal forces of nature. He felt his pulse quicken as the ground beneath his feet trembled slightly. The storm of swirling colors above them intensified, spiraling faster as the elements were drawn into the array.
The first wave hit him almost instantly. Flames erupted from the stone to his right, licking at his skin with searing heat. Caelum gritted his teeth, instinctively reaching for his Fire affinity, channeling his mana to temper the flames. The fire coiled around him, fierce but contained. His balanced affinity allowed him to endure the heat, to transmute it into something manageable. It burned, but he could handle it.
Then came the water—an icy torrent from his left. It crashed against him with a force that nearly knocked him off his feet. His skin prickled with the cold, and for a moment, his concentration wavered as the freezing water sought to extinguish the fire around him. Caelum fought back, summoning his Water affinity to stabilize the chaotic flow. He could feel the elements clashing inside him—fire and water, opposites fighting for dominance—but he pushed through, finding the delicate balance that allowed them to coexist.
“Good,” Zarya’s voice echoed through the swirling storm, calm yet firm. “Don’t let them overwhelm you. Balance them.”
Caelum barely had time to process her words before the earth beneath him shifted. The ground cracked, and thick tendrils of stone began to coil around his legs, pulling him down with immense weight. He could feel the earth’s pressure, trying to crush him, to anchor him to the ground. His Earth affinity responded instinctively, sending waves of mana through the stone, reshaping it so that it flowed around him rather than against him.
But just as he began to find his footing, a blast of wind from above slammed into him, sharp and cutting like a thousand invisible blades. The air seemed to howl as it tore at his clothes and skin, forcing him to crouch low to maintain his balance. Air was trickier for him—he had less experience with it, and its chaotic, unpredictable nature made it harder to control. He closed his eyes, reaching deep into himself, finding the connection between the wind and his Air affinity. Slowly, painfully, he began to manipulate the gusts, diverting their path so they circled around him rather than slicing through him.
The elements swirled around him in a relentless assault—fire, water, earth, air—each one demanding his attention, each one pushing him closer to the edge of exhaustion. His body screamed for relief, his muscles burning from the effort of keeping his mana flowing in so many directions at once. But Caelum didn’t stop. He couldn’t. He focused on the principles Zarya had taught him—transmute, don’t resist. Find the harmony within the chaos.
The storm raged on, the elemental forces growing stronger with each passing second. Caelum’s mind was a blur of heat, cold, pressure, and wind, his senses overwhelmed by the sheer power surrounding him. But somewhere in the madness, he found it—the center, the calm within the storm. His balanced affinity allowed him to see the connections between the elements, to weave them together rather than let them tear him apart.
As he transmuted the energy, the chaos began to settle. The fire became a steady warmth around him, the water a gentle flow, the earth a solid foundation, and the air a cooling breeze. The elements were no longer at war with each other—they were in harmony.
Caelum’s legs trembled with exhaustion, his breath coming in ragged gasps, but he had done it. He had survived. His mind was still racing, the mana inside him thrumming with the residual energy of the storm, but he had managed to keep control.
Zarya stepped forward, her silver eyes gleaming with approval as the elemental array powered down. The storm above them slowly faded, leaving behind only a faint hum of mana in the air. Caelum collapsed to his knees, his body drained but his spirit exhilarated.
“Impressive,” Zarya said, her voice softer now, though still carrying that commanding edge. “Few mages can endure such a trial, let alone find balance as quickly as you did. While I only opened the arrays a pinprick, you’ve proven your strength today.”
Caelum nodded, too exhausted to speak, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. The elements still lingered in his mind, swirling at the edge of his consciousness, but they no longer felt hostile. They were part of him now.
Zarya placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch grounding him. “Rest. You’ve earned it. But remember—this is only the beginning. Mastering the elements takes more than strength. It requires understanding. We will continue this training in the future, but for now, let your body recover.”
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Caelum nodded again, feeling a flicker of pride beneath the exhaustion. He had survived, and more than that, he had thrived in the chaos. But he knew Zarya was right—this was only the start.
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Caelum leaned back against the cushioned armchair in his suite, still feeling the lingering exhaustion from his intense training session with Professor Zarya. The flames, the torrents of water, the earth crushing him—it all seemed like a distant memory now, but the soreness in his muscles was a constant reminder of what he had endured. His mind, though, was as sharp as ever, buzzing with reflections and the lessons learned from Zarya's elemental training.
Nyx, in her feline form, perched on the windowsill, her eyes half-closed as she lazily watched the late afternoon sun filter through the window. Her presence was calming, a quiet constant in the chaos of his life at the academy. Caelum's stomach grumbled, pulling him from his thoughts. He realized he had missed both lunch and dinner, caught up in recovery and lost in the mental whirlpool of the day’s events.
Just as he was about to order food through the dumbwaiter, there was a knock at his door. Before he could respond, Seraphine's familiar voice called out from the other side, "Caelum? You in there? I missed you at lunch and dinner."
He smiled to himself and called back, "Come in, Seraphine."
The door creaked open, and Seraphine stepped in, her violet eyes bright but laced with concern. She looked around the room, taking in the sight of Caelum lounging in his chair, clearly worn out from the day's ordeal. Her gaze then flickered to Nyx, who stretched lazily before hopping down from the windowsill to greet Seraphine with a soft meow.
"I was wondering where you disappeared to," Seraphine said, folding her arms. "I figured you'd be at least starving by now."
Caelum chuckled, sitting up a little straighter. "You’re not wrong. I was just about to order something. Zarya’s training… took more out of me than I expected."
Seraphine raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Training with Zarya? Now that I want to hear about. But first, order some food. I’m not letting you teach on an empty stomach, not with the students arriving soon."
Caelum nodded and walked over to the small desk near the corner of his room where a panel sat—a simple device linked to the academy's dining services. He tapped it a few times, selecting a hearty meal of roasted chicken, vegetables, and a slice of mana-infused cheesecake. As soon as he confirmed his order, he heard the familiar whir of the dumbwaiter system engaging, a small mana-driven mechanism that would deliver his food directly to his room.
While they waited, Seraphine sat down at the table in the alcove near his bed, crossing her legs and looking at him expectantly. “So… the training?”
Caelum took a deep breath, settling into the chair across from her. “Zarya took me to this place… a pocket dimension called Elemental Fury. She activated an array that opened portals to the elemental plains—fire, water, earth, air—all at once.”
Seraphine’s eyes widened as she leaned forward. “She really put you through elemental plain training already?”
Caelum nodded, feeling the exhaustion seep into his bones again just from recounting it. “It wasn’t just about withstanding them. I had to transmute the chaotic energy, keep it in balance, or it would have overwhelmed me. I think the only reason I didn’t collapse sooner was because of my balanced affinity.”
Seraphine listened intently, her brow furrowing. “That’s… dangerous, even for advanced students. Zarya clearly sees potential in you.”
The dumbwaiter chimed softly, and Caelum rose to retrieve his food. The small compartment slid open, revealing a tray with his meal. He set it down on the table and wasted no time diving into the chicken, the savory flavors awakening his senses. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until now.
“Zarya said I did well,” Caelum added between bites. “But it wasn’t easy. By the end of it, I could barely stand. I was thinking of asking her how often she expects me to do this kind of training… because I’m not sure I could handle that every week.”
Seraphine laughed softly. “I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Zarya’s methods are intense, but she knows how to pace her students. You’ll get stronger, but you need to rest, too.”
Nyx, who had been lounging quietly at the edge of the bed, suddenly hopped down and began shifting. Her black fur shimmered as her small feline body elongated, transforming into her humanoid form. Within seconds, she stood beside the table, her elegant features and mismatched eyes gleaming with curiosity. Without saying a word, Nyx began twirling lightly, her feet barely touching the ground as she danced around the room, the soft rustle of her movements adding a strange yet beautiful ambiance to the quiet meal.
Caelum glanced up from his food, a faint smile touching his lips. Nyx’s newfound grace in her humanoid form was something he hadn’t fully expected, but it seemed to grow every time he infused more mana into their bond.
Seraphine watched Nyx with a mixture of amusement and admiration. “She’s certainly… unique,” she mused, her violet eyes following Nyx’s dance. “You two seem closer than ever.”
Caelum nodded, setting down his fork. “Yeah, our bond keeps evolving. Every time I push myself, she grows too. It’s like we’re in sync.”
Nyx finished her dance and, with a soft shimmer, transformed back into her feline form, leaping gracefully onto the bed and curling up at the edge. She gave Caelum and Seraphine one last look before closing her eyes, content to watch over them from her perch.
The two sat in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying the peace before the arrival of the students. Caelum’s mind wandered briefly, calculating the tutoring fees he’d earn and how much he could allocate toward more smithing materials. He knew he’d need a steady supply of ore and enchantment items if he wanted to keep up with his studies, and tutoring might just give him the edge he needed financially.
Before long, a soft knock echoed at the door, signaling the arrival of the first students for their tutoring session. Caelum exchanged a quick glance with Seraphine, who nodded and stood to greet them.
“Ready for round one?” she asked with a playful grin.
Caelum smiled back, pushing his plate aside. “Let’s do this.”
As the students began filing in, the atmosphere shifted. The study session wasn’t just about sharing knowledge—it was a chance to connect with others, to build something bigger than himself. Caelum knew that tonight was just the beginning, and as the room filled with chatter and anticipation, he felt a renewed sense of purpose.
Together, he and Seraphine would make this tutoring work. And with each lesson, with every challenge they faced, Caelum would inch closer to mastering the magical world he now called home.
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The door creaked open, and the first group of students entered Caelum’s room, filling the space with the soft murmur of voices and the shuffling of feet. Caelum glanced at Seraphine, who had taken a seat at the head of the small round table near the window, her posture confident and welcoming. She smiled and motioned for the students to sit, her natural charisma already setting everyone at ease.
The students, a mix of first and second years, arranged themselves in the available chairs and on the floor, their expressions a blend of curiosity and cautious optimism. Caelum recognized a few of them from their shared classes, while others he’d seen in passing throughout the academy halls. Despite the variety of backgrounds, they all had one thing in common—they were here to learn.
“Alright,” Seraphine began, her voice carrying a warmth that instantly drew everyone’s attention. “Thank you all for coming. Tonight, we’ll start by focusing on some of the basics that we’ve covered in class, but Caelum and I are also open to questions and helping with any areas where you’re struggling.”
Caelum, seated beside her, nodded and added, “This isn’t going to be a formal class, so don’t feel pressured. We’re here to help you improve in whatever way we can.”
Aelric, who had come as moral support, leaned back against the wall with a grin. “And don’t worry. I’ll make sure no one slacks off,” he joked, earning a few chuckles from the group.
With the ice broken, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The students relaxed, their initial hesitations giving way to eagerness. Caelum scanned the room, mentally noting who seemed most keen to participate and who might need more encouragement.
One student, a quiet girl named Mira with dark hair and a nervous expression, raised her hand hesitantly. “I’ve been having trouble with mana control, especially when trying to cast from multiple affinities at once,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Caelum nodded, understanding the challenge immediately. Mana control was difficult enough with a single affinity, but for someone trying to blend two or more, the difficulty could increase exponentially. “That’s a great question, Mira,” he said, keeping his tone encouraging. “Why don’t we start with that?”
He stood and gestured for her to join him at the center of the room, where there was more space to demonstrate. “The key with multi-affinity casting is to focus on harmonizing the flows of mana from each element. They’ll feel different—fire might feel intense, while water is more fluid and calming—but the trick is to find the rhythm where they complement each other instead of clashing.”
Mira nodded, though she still seemed unsure. Caelum took a step back, gesturing for her to give it a try. “Why don’t you show us where you’re having trouble? We’ll work through it together.”
Mira hesitated but eventually raised her hands, her brow furrowing in concentration as she channeled her mana. A faint flicker of flame appeared in one palm, while a swirl of water formed in the other. For a moment, the two elements hovered in balance, but then Mira’s face tightened, and the flame sputtered out, leaving only the water.
Seraphine, watching from her seat, leaned forward. “You were close, Mira. It’s just a matter of finding that balance. Try to relax—don’t force the elements. Let them flow naturally.”
Caelum nodded in agreement. “Remember, while opposing affinities, they’re not opposing forces as they both originate from you. Think of them as two sides of the same coin. Generally, when you use fire and water, you will have strength in one more than the other. Instead of trying to bring the weaker up to the strength of the stronger, you will find your concentration will fixate on its mana flow collapsing the other. So instead of fighting this natural flow, realize that it is there and use the strength of the stronger to support the weaker. Initially, you may get steam instead of pure water, but as you find the balance you will arrive at warm water, and eventually an equilibrium.”
Mira took a deep breath and tried again, this time focusing on what Caelum had said. Slowly, the flame reappeared, steadier this time. The water in her other hand remained calm, and after a few tense seconds, the fire flickered, the water boiled, then finally the two elements hovered in harmony. Her face lit up with surprise and pride as she maintained the balance.
“That’s it,” Caelum said, his voice filled with encouragement. “You’ve got it. Just keep practicing, and you’ll find it gets easier with time. Your meridians develop a kind of muscle memory intuitively knowing how to strike a balance.”
Mira smiled, her confidence growing. “Thank you, Caelum. That really helped.”
As she sat back down, the other students watched with newfound interest. Several hands shot up, each eager to address their own challenges. Caelum and Seraphine spent the next hour working through various magical techniques, from mana channeling to rune crafting. Seraphine took the lead on enchantments, guiding the students through the more delicate aspects of inscribing runes, while Caelum handled the broader subjects of mana control and multi-affinity casting.
Each student had their own unique struggles, and Caelum found himself switching gears constantly—helping one student with precise rune work, then guiding another through the complexities of elemental magic. Despite the constant flow of questions and challenges, he felt energized. It wasn’t just about teaching; it was about sharing what he had learned, and seeing the spark of understanding light up in someone’s eyes was incredibly rewarding.
During a brief lull, Caelum found himself lost in thought, mentally calculating the potential tutoring fees he and Seraphine would earn. If tonight’s session went well, and if they managed to gain a few more students, they could make a decent income. He could already picture the materials he’d need for his next project—more ore for the forge, specialized tools for enchanting, perhaps even some rarer items that would enhance his training.
Seraphine caught his gaze and smirked, as if reading his mind. “You’re already thinking about how to spend your share, aren’t you?” She whispered in the corner of the room.
Caelum chuckled, not bothering to deny it. “I can’t help it. There’s so much I need for smithing and enchanting. But tutoring could be a good way to fund all of that.”
Seraphine nodded in agreement. “I think we’re onto something here. If tonight goes well, we’ll have no problem attracting more students.”
Just as the two exchanged a glance, a student named Vallen, a second-year, spoke up. “I’ve been struggling with creating sustained mana shields. No matter how hard I focus, I can’t keep the shield stable for more than a few minutes.”
Caelum perked up, eager to help with something he’d recently acquired with in his library exploration. “Mana shields are tricky because they require continuous flow rather than bursts of energy. Have you tried pacing your mana output, keeping it steady instead of trying to maintain the shield at full strength?”
Vallen looked thoughtful and shook his head. “I always thought I had to keep the flow constant and strong, otherwise it would fail.”
“That’s a common mistake,” Caelum replied, standing once again. “Why don’t you show me your shield, and we’ll work through it together?”
Vallen nodded and rose to his feet, stepping into the center of the room. He took a deep breath and held out his hands, a faint shimmer of blue mana forming around him in the shape of a translucent shield. It flickered slightly, as though it were on the verge of collapsing.
“Good start,” Caelum said, moving closer. “Now, instead of pushing all your mana into the shield at once, try to imagine it as a slow, steady stream. Let your mana pulse like a heartbeat—synchronized, controlled. Try and start with the smallest excuse for a shield”
Vallen closed his eyes and adjusted his focus. The flickering shield began to steady, the dull shimmer becoming more solid as he followed Caelum’s guidance. After a few moments, the shield held strong, surrounding Vallen with a faint but constant barrier of protective mana. While not as strong as his previous shield, it was stable.
The students watching murmured in approval, clearly impressed with Vallen’s progress. A smile spread across the boy’s face as he opened his eyes and saw the results of his efforts.
“That’s amazing,” Vallen said, the excitement clear in his voice. “I didn’t think I could hold it for this long.”
“You can,” Caelum replied with a grin. “It’s just a matter of control and pacing. Keep practicing, and you’ll be able to maintain it for hours. Then you can shift your focus on the shield strength once your meridians have properly established the necessary foundations.”
With that final success, the session began to wind down. The students, though tired, were visibly more confident in their abilities, chatting excitedly about what they had learned as they gathered their things to leave.
As the last student exited, Seraphine let out a satisfied sigh. “Not bad for our first session. I’d say we’re off to a good start.”
Caelum nodded, leaning back in his chair. “Better than I expected. If we keep this up, we’ll be able to help a lot of people—and maybe even earn enough to get those supplies.”
Seraphine smirked. “Always thinking ahead, aren’t you?”
“Someone has to,” he teased, glancing at Nyx, who had fallen asleep at the foot of his bed, her small body curled into a contented ball.
As the room finally quieted, Caelum felt a sense of accomplishment settle over him. Tonight wasn’t just about tutoring—it was about building something, about connecting with others who, like him, were trying to navigate the challenges of the academy. With Seraphine by his side and the growing bond with Nyx, he knew that the future held endless possibilities.
And he was ready to seize every one of them.