POV: Mason Reed
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. But nerves never really show when you're wearing custom boots, fire-trimmed cuffs, and confidence stitched into your smile.
The sky above Ardenmoor was split between storm clouds and sun, like the place couldn't decide if it wanted to be welcoming or just plain terrifying. And maybe that's exactly what this academy was: beautiful chaos wrapped in ivy-covered stone and whispered warnings.
The carriage dropped me off at the iron gates, etched with runes I couldn't read but felt hum under my fingertips. Ancient magic—real, pulsing, almost alive. Behind it stretched endless towers, floating bridges, and staircases that didn't seem to follow physics. It was the kind of place that made you feel small… unless you walked like you owned the path.
Which I did.
One step through the gate and everything changed. Heads turned. Whispers rippled.
"Who's that?""He's new…""The fire signature… did you see that?"
I let a small flame flicker at my fingertips as if I hadn't even noticed. I had. I always noticed.
I didn't mean to make a scene—but let's be honest, I didn't hate it either.
Before I could fully take in the crowd forming around the central courtyard—students grouped in elemental factions, levitating objects, sparring with summoned winds and conjured blades—someone grabbed my wrist.
"Cool trick with the flame," a voice chirped. "But you might want to tone it down unless you want to duel a thunderhead."
I turned.
She had short, curly brown hair, wide green eyes, and a half-tied cloak falling off her shoulder like she couldn't be bothered to wear it right. She grinned like we'd been friends for years.
"Tessa Linwood," she introduced herself before I could ask. "Water user. Third year. Self-declared academy tour guide for lost puppies and new drama."
"Mason Reed," I said with a smirk. "Fire. Definitely drama."
"Oh, I can tell."
She spun on her heel and gestured for me to follow her. "Come on, Spark Boy. Time for the grand Ardenmoor orientation."
"This is the Skywalk. You fall, you break a leg or three. That's the Dining Hall—beware the soup. Never trust a floating tray. Over there is the Sparring Dome. You'll bleed there. Often."
We passed through enchanted hallways where the walls whispered names, gardens with glowing plants, and staircases that rearranged when you blinked. Students passed us, some giving curious glances, some outright scoffing.
"That group over there?" Tessa pointed subtly to a sleek bunch with matching uniforms and matching sneers. "That's the Cinder Group. They think they run the place. Mostly fire and shadow users with superiority complexes. Dueling royalty. Watch your back."
"They look like a bad shampoo commercial," I muttered.
Tessa snorted. "And they act like one."
She waved toward a nearby table where three students were arguing over floating textbooks. "Nerd Squad. Don't be fooled—they know more about elemental theory than any of us. They'll save your butt in Control class if you bribe them with enchanted brownies."
"And who's that sulking under the tree like he hates everyone?" I asked.
Tessa squinted. "Oh, that's Kyle. Earth user. Allergic to emotions. Likes throwing rocks at people he doesn't like. Honestly? Relatable."
I laughed. This place was a circus, and I kind of loved it.
But then her tone shifted.
"Now…" she slowed, eyes flicking toward a path that led uphill, shadowed under blackwood trees. "You should probably know about them."
I followed her gaze. Three silhouettes were just visible in the distance, walking toward the Academy's upper quarters.
"The Hayes siblings," she said, almost in a whisper.
And just like that, the air felt heavier.
"They're… complicated."