Long ago, when the Great War split the continents apart, the Ether Stone heart of the world's magic was shattered into fragments. Those fragments flew across the lands, embedding themselves into chosen humans.
The ones who received them were no longer ordinary. They awakened as the first Oracles: beings capable of wielding overwhelming power. From the shards of Ether came the Ice Oracle, whose breath could freeze entire seas. The Strength Oracle, whose fists could crumble mountains. The Sword Oracle, who cut through armies with a single slash while weaving wind into his blade. And the mysterious Void Oracle, whose power erased both matter and magic alike.
Where the Ether stones landed, humanity's destiny shifted. Ordinary men and women learned to channel mana, birthing the age of sorcery. Yet even in this age, true Oracles remained rare, their powers both revered and feared.
---
Back in the dormitories of Walton Academy, the legacy of those powers felt far away.
Melin was stretched lazily across his bed, dozing off. His hair was slick and long, his uniform neat , and he was halfway into a dream when a grating noise tore through the silence.
Scrrraaaape.
He sat up instantly. It sounded like someone was dragging metal across the floor. Rubbing his eyes, Melin shuffled toward the door, unlocked it, and peeked outside.
There, in the hallway, was a boy about his age, sweating buckets while dragging an entire bed frame across the polished tiles. The wooden legs screeched against the floor with every tug.
The boy noticed Melin staring and gave an exhausted smile.
"I know… I was late to register. But do they really have to punish me like this? Carrying a bed across the academy grounds… feels like I almost died."
Melin blinked. "Uh… how did you even get in here?"
The boy straightened his back and wiped his forehead. "Freshman. They told me this is the only room left. Lucky me, huh?"
Melin sighed. "Hm… I see. Well, End-ssi was the first to arrive here. He doesn't like being bothered. But since this is the last room… guess we don't have a choice. Come in."
"Thanks a lot!" the boy grinned, hauling the bed inside with one last grunt.
---
The new arrival dropped the frame against the wall and flopped down on it dramatically.
"Ah, finally… my name's Ray. Nice to meet you, roommate!"
"Melin," he replied, raising a brow at Ray's carefree energy. "And… yeah. We'll be living together, so no big deal."
"Good to hear!" Ray shot him a thumbs-up. "I actually got in through the normal entrance exams. No noble blood, no special blessings. Just pure effort!"
"Oh? So you weren't recommended?" Melin asked curiously.
"Nope," Ray said proudly. "But what about you?"
"I'm from [E] Country. They accepted me because I can use magic."
Ray's eyes widened. "Wait, really? You're one of those special recommendation students?!"
Melin shrugged casually. "You could say that."
Ray started fumbling with the bed's parts, trying to set them together. It was obvious he had no clue what he was doing. His hands slipped, the wooden planks tilted, and the mattress nearly collapsed on him.
Melin chuckled and waved his hand. A subtle ripple in the air followed, and the bed lifted gently off the ground. With a flick of his wrist, gravity shifted, pulling the frame into place and setting it neatly in the corner.
Ray froze. "Y-You can use gravity magic?!"
Melin nodded. "The range and weight vary, but yeah. It's mostly useful for lifting heavy things."
Ray's jaw dropped. "That's amazing… way cooler than dragging beds across campus."
Melin smirked, amused by his reaction.
---
As Ray began arranging his sheets, he suddenly asked, "Hey, Melin… you said you're from [E] Country, right?"
"Yeah."
Ray scratched his cheek. "I once tried going to Demon Island, but the weather was so bad I couldn't even get close."
Melin's relaxed smile faded. "You shouldn't go there."
"Why not?"
"Because if you do, you won't come back alive."
Ray leaned closer, intrigued. "You say that like you've seen it."
Melin sighed. "Everyone in [E] knows. They say an Oracle lives there, one who doesn't welcome visitors. Once, a ship set sail to confirm the rumors. Not a single soul returned."
Ray whistled. "That's terrifying… but also kind of exciting. Imagine meeting an Oracle face-to-face!"
"Exciting? More like suicidal," Melin muttered.
Ray chuckled, unfazed.
---
The two of them started unpacking. Or rather, Melin unpacked while Ray created chaos. At one point, Ray tried balancing a stack of planks, only for them to wobble dangerously.
"Careful..." Melin started, but too late. The pile slid.
Ray froze as a heavy plank flew toward him. Thankfully, Melin reacted, snapping his fingers. The gravity around Ray shifted, slowing the wood until it thudded harmlessly to the floor.
Ray laughed nervously. "Wow, I almost got my head split. Maybe I should handle the lighter stuff."
But Melin slipped himself this time. His foot caught the edge of a plank, and he tumbled. Another piece of wood went flying straight toward the doorway.
Thwack.
It slammed directly into End's face as he entered the room.
---
Silence.
End stood there, blood slowly trickling from his nose. His sharp eyes glared at Melin, who scrambled up in horror.
"E-End-ssi, I'm so sorry! I swear I didn't mean to! I was just...uh..helping...uh…" Melin stammered.
Ray, on the other hand, burst out laughing. "Pfft....hahaha! Oh man, right in the face! Wait… ohhh, you're End, right? We met earlier at the entrance ceremony!"
End's gaze snapped toward him, colder than steel.
Ray, unfazed, grinned and pointed. "Yup, definitely you. You look even scarier up close. Man, what a nosebleed! Hahaha!"
End's jaw clenched. His fist tightened at his side as he stepped fully into the room. The atmosphere grew heavy, tension swirling.
Melin gulped. Oh no. I think our room just became a battlefield.