Felix was already bouncing on his bed, eager for the first day of classes.
“Come on, Tobias! We’re going to be late!” Felix shouted, practically jumping off the walls.
Tobias, still drowsy, shook his head with a chuckle. “Relax, Felix. We’ve got time.” He sat up and rubbed his eyes, a calm smile on his face despite his friend’s impatience.
Once dressed in their academy uniforms they made their way to the cafeteria. The air buzzed with chatter, the clatter of trays echoing as students eagerly discussed their hopes for the day. Felix grabbed a hearty breakfast of eggs and toast, while Tobias opted for a simple bowl of fruit.
After finishing, they joined the crowd of students heading toward the main building for their first class. The academy’s architecture was breathtaking, with sweeping archways and vibrant murals depicting legendary battles and powerful mages throughout history.
Inside the classroom, wooden desks were arranged in neat rows, and the air was charged with anticipation. At the front of the room stood an imposing blackboard, covered in various magical symbols and diagrams sketched out in colorful chalk. The students settled into their seats, the tension building with every moment.
A sudden flicker of heat swept through the classroom, causing the air to shimmer. Before anyone could react, flames erupted at the front of the room, curling upward like a fiery vortex. Gasps of shock echoed across the class as the flames twisted and danced, casting shadows against the walls. In an instant, the fire coalesced into a tall, distinguished figure.
He stood there, as if born from the very flames themselves. His flowing robes shimmered with embers, the edges still glowing faintly. The air around him crackled with residual energy, and his silver hair framed a sharp, knowing face that radiated authority. His eyes gleamed with a fiery intensity, and for a moment, the students were too awestruck to speak.
“Welcome, students,” the man began, his voice smooth yet commanding, resonating through the room like a low, rolling flame. “I am Professor Ashford, and today, we will delve into the fascinating world of magic.”
The students remained silent, still in awe of his grand entrance. Felix’s mouth was slightly agape as he whispered to Tobias, “Did he just….appear out of nowhere?”
Tobias, simply nodded, though even he couldn’t hide the gleam of interest in his eyes.
Felix leaned toward Tobias, excitement shimmering in his eyes. “Did you see that? If that’s just his entrance, imagine what he’ll teach us!”
Tobias smirked, staying cool as always. “Guess we’ll find out.”
Professor Ashford’s fiery gaze swept across the room, and the lingering heat from his entrance seemed to hold the attention of every student. “Magic is divided into several core types, each with unique properties and applications. Understanding these classifications is essential for your growth as mages.”
He allowed the weight of his words to settle over the room before continuing, “The first type is Manifestation. This form of magic allows a mage to conjure a weapon into the palm of their hand, one suited to their magical affinity.”
With a flick of his wrist, a shimmering sword materialized in his grip, the blade glowing with a faint, fiery heat. Gasps of awe rippled through the class as they leaned forward in their seats, eyes fixed on the blade.
“With practice, you will be able to summon weapons uniquely suited to your magical abilities,” Ashford explained, the flames flickering around the sword as if alive. He spun the blade effortlessly before allowing it to vanish in a puff of embers.
Felix sat up straighter, fascinated. “That’s incredible...”
Tobias, observed intently. “His control is impeccable.”
“Next,” Professor Ashford continued, pacing slowly across the front of the room, “we have Infusion. This technique involves channeling your magical energy into a weapon or, for the more advanced, directly into your body. Infusing a weapon is far easier and more stable. However, infusing your body comes with significant risk. Too much magic, and your body could collapse under the strain.”
To demonstrate, Professor Ashford raised his hand, and his eyes glowed faintly as flames erupted around his fist. The fire danced along his knuckles, curling and flickering like it was alive, but not a single ember escaped his control. The students watched, captivated by the effortless display of power.
“This is Infusion,” Professor Ashford said calmly, his fiery fist radiating controlled heat. “A delicate balance of energy and willpower. Mastery is required, or it can be dangerous.”
Felix’s eyes lit up, leaning closer to Tobias. “That’s exactly what I did back in the orphanage! But... he makes it look so easy.”
Tobias smiled knowingly. “Yeah, we’ve got a long way to go.”
Professor Ashford’s voice cut through their quiet conversation. “Then, we have Enchantment,” he explained, his tone shifting slightly. “Enchantment allows you to cast magic spells on objects or even people, imbuing them with specific effects. For beginners, they normally require incantations.”
With a swift glance, Professor Ashford turned toward a random student seated near the front, a mischievous glint sparking in his eyes. “But for a skilled veteran…”
In an instant, he flicked his hand, and a glowing ball of fire launched toward the unsuspecting student. The flames roared through the air, leaving trails of heat in their wake. The student flinched in their seat, eyes wide, but just as the fireball was about to strike, it fizzled out into harmless embers, dissolving into nothingness before reaching its target.
“Control is everything,” Professor Ashford said, his voice smooth and unwavering. “Without it, magic is chaos.”
The room, tense a moment ago, slowly eased into a hum of relieved murmurs as students exchanged impressed glances, thoroughly in awe of the professor's precise mastery of fire.
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Professor Ashford moved to the blackboard, his fingers tracing intricate symbols with fluid precision. “Now, we turn to magic affinities,” he announced, his voice carrying the weight of centuries of tradition. “These are the elemental forces that shape a mage’s abilities. The most common affinities are fire, ice, lightning, earth, and wind. Each offers its own strengths, challenges, and potential for mastery.”
The room was silent as the students absorbed the information, the sheer depth of the subject filling the air with an unspoken reverence.
Felix, his excitement impossible to contain, shot his hand into the air. “Professor! What about the rare types of magic? I’ve heard there are two which are light and darkness.”
Professor Ashford’s demeanor shifted slightly, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face before he addressed the question. “Yes, young man. There are indeed two rare types of magic—light and darkness. Throughout the history of our kingdom, only very few of each have ever been known to exist. I don’t believe the number of users has passed 4. Those who possess these type of magic are said to be blessed by the gods themselves” His voice grew quieter, a shadow of caution creeping in. “But we won’t be discussing those today.”
Tobias, ever calm and calculating, seized the moment. His hand rose, his voice steady and controlled as he asked, “Professor, would one of the dark magic users happen to be a man named Akuma?”
The room instantly fell silent. A heavy tension gripped the air as every student turned toward Tobias, their curiosity piqued. But Tobias remained unruffled, his expression unreadable. Professor Ashford’s gaze sharpened, his brow furrowing deeply as if Tobias had struck a nerve. He hesitated for a beat too long before responding.
His voice which was just so controlled, was tinged with concern. “What… do you know about that name?”
Tobias met the professor’s gaze steadily, choosing his words with care. “Not much. Just something I came across from a mage I once knew.”
Professor Ashford’s eyes narrowed, suspicion clear as he scanned Tobias’s face for any further detail. The classroom was still, the students' anticipation thick in the air, though most of them were in the dark about who Akuma was. The name meant little to them, but the teacher's reaction spoke volumes.
“Akuma is not a topic for discussion here,” Professor Ashford said firmly, his voice low, almost a warning. “His name carries a shadow, one that does not belong in these halls. I will not tolerate any mention of him in this academy again.”
Felix glanced at Tobias with wide eyes, clearly sensing the gravity of the situation. Tobias, however, simply nodded, the briefest flicker of understanding crossing his face. “Apologies teacher, please continue.”
The rest of the class seemed uneasy, whispering amongst themselves, not fully grasping the weight of what had just been discussed but feeling the shift in the room's energy. Most were unfamiliar with the name "Akuma," but they understood enough from Professor Ashford's demeanor to know it was serious.
After a brief pause, Professor Ashford straightened, shaking off the tension. “Let us return to the lesson,” he said, his tone regaining its authoritative edge. “Magic, as powerful as it is, can only be controlled by those who understand it fully. Master your affinity, harness it, and do not let it control you.”
The atmosphere lightened as he moved back to the board, continuing his lecture. But the weight of Tobias’s question lingered, and though the class resumed, the shadow of the name Akuma hovered, unspoken but present.
Professor Ashford, sensing the rising energy in the room, gave a knowing smile as he stepped forward. "Enough talk," he said, his voice carrying a slight edge of amusement. "It's time I showed you how magic can be more than the sum of its parts. One of the true marks of mastery is learning how to combine elements—how one type of magic can enhance another."
The class leaned in, the air thick with anticipation. Even Tobias, normally so composed, sat up straighter, intrigued by what was about to unfold.
"Let me give you a demonstration," Professor Ashford announced, his tone full of confidence. He lifted one hand and, with a flick of his wrist, a flame erupted, swirling above his palm like a small, contained inferno. The students watched, mesmerized by the smoothness of his control, the fire obedient and calm under his command.
"This is a basic display of fire magic," he began. "But watch closely."
His other hand rose, and a soft gust of wind began to circulate around him, spiraling gently at first. The wind picked up speed, twisting and intertwining with the flame in his palm. The fire, no longer content to remain a mere flicker, roared to life, doubling in size as the wind fanned its power. The flame shifted from a controlled blaze to a fiery whirlwind, swirling with an intensity that filled the room with heat.
"By combining wind with fire," Professor Ashford explained, his voice unwavering even as the inferno raged in his grasp, "the fire becomes much more than it could be on its own. Wind enhances its strength, its speed, and its reach."
The students gasped in awe as the flames shot higher, spiraling up into a towering vortex of fire. The sheer power radiating from the combination was palpable, the air buzzing with energy. The fire, now infused with wind, roared through the classroom like a miniature storm, but never once did it slip from Professor Ashford’s control.
With a swift motion, he brought his hands together, extinguishing the firestorm in a burst of harmless embers. The room fell silent, the students still processing what they had just seen.
Felix was the first to break the silence. "That was incredible!" he practically shouted, his eyes wide with amazement. "You made the fire… stronger with the wind. I didn’t even know you could do that!"
Tobias, ever observant, leaned forward slightly. "So, by using two elements together, you can amplify the effects of each?"
Professor Ashford nodded, pleased with the attention his demonstration had garnered. "Exactly. Fire and wind are a natural pairing. Wind fuels fire, making it stronger, faster, and more destructive. But not all combinations are that simple. Mastery comes when you learn which elements complement each other and how to balance them."
He glanced around the room, making sure every student understood the depth of his words. "Earth and lightning, for example, can be a powerful combination. Earth grounds and stabilizes the often chaotic nature of lightning, allowing for more precise strikes. Ice and wind, when combined, can create devastating blizzards that cover vast areas."
The class sat in stunned silence, the possibilities spinning in their minds.
Felix leaned closer to Tobias, his mind clearly racing. "Man, imagine if I could do that—combine fire and wind, or maybe even fire and lightning! I could be unstoppable!"
Tobias, poked fun at him. "You should focus on not setting your hair on fire first."
Felix rolled his eyes but grinned, clearly inspired by the demonstration.
Professor Ashford allowed the murmurs of excitement to build before continuing. "Remember, however, that while combining elements can amplify your magic, it also requires twice the control. If you lose focus, the magic could spiral out of control and harm you—or worse, those around you. Power without control is dangerous, even deadly."
The students sobered at the warning, the weight of his words settling over them. But the fire of inspiration had already ignited in their hearts.
"With enough practice," Professor Ashford said, his voice steady and calm once more, "you will be able to master multiple affinities. But no matter how many elements you control, your primary affinity, the magic you were born with, will always be your strongest, your most natural connection to the world of magic."
He glanced around the room one last time, meeting the eyes of each student. "That is the magic you must perfect first. Master it, and only then can you consider reaching for more."
With that, the lesson flew by, and Professor Ashford gave his dismissal. But the demonstration of combining magic, and the potential it unlocked, lingered in the air like the last flickers of flame.