The capital city of Solareth rose like a dream carved from light.
White towers pierced the sky, streets of polished stone reflected the morning sun, and banners of Valerion fluttered with quiet authority. At the heart of the city stood the greatest institution in all of Elyndor—the Grand Elemental Academy.
It was here that the future of the world was shaped.
Akira Kuroya passed through the academy gates without drawing attention.
He wore simple academy robes, unmarked by house crests or noble sigils, despite the truth that his family ranked among Valerion's wealthiest. Gold had never interested him. Power even less. Arrogance disgusted him most of all.
He had seen what pride did to people.
Around him, noble heirs laughed loudly, boasting about lineage and talent. Servants followed behind them, carrying bags and expectations. Akira walked alone, hands calm at his sides, expression unreadable.
Strength doesn't need to announce itself, he thought.
Today was the First-Day Evaluation Test—a non-lethal assessment meant to measure mana capacity, elemental affinity, and control. It determined class placement, rankings, and reputation.
Akira intended to remain invisible.
The testing hall was vast, filled with floating mana spheres and engraved platforms. Students were called forward one by one, each display greeted by applause or disappointment.
Then he saw her.
She stood several places ahead of him in line.
Long White hair fell freely down her back, catching the light with every movement. Her eyes were clear and steady, not nervous like the others. Her academy uniform was plain—no crest, no attendants, no sign of status.
A commoner.
Yet something about her presence felt… different.
When her name was called, the hall quieted.
"Rin Amane."
She stepped forward.
The mana sphere flared instantly.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Wind gathered first, swirling with sharp precision. Water followed, forming elegant arcs around her. Fire sparked briefly—controlled, restrained. Then the ground beneath the platform trembled as earth answered her call.
Four elements.
At once.
The instructors stiffened.
"Impossible," someone whispered. "A commoner—?"
The mana readings climbed higher. Far higher than most nobles. Only a handful of students in the hall could even compare.
Akira watched silently, his heart doing something unfamiliar.
Beautiful…
Not just her appearance—but her control. Her focus. The way she neither smiled nor sought approval.
For the first time in years, Akira felt his calm shift.
When the test ended, Rin stepped down without pride or fear, returning to the line as murmurs followed her.
Akira realized, with quiet certainty, that he had fallen in love.
When his name was called, the hall barely reacted.
"Akira Kuroya."
He placed his hand on the mana sphere and released only what he always did.
Wind flowed gently. Fire flickered briefly.
The readings stabilized at a respectable—but unremarkable—level.
In truth, the sphere was struggling not to shatter.
Akira's mana was not measured in limits. It was endless—a deep, silent ocean with no bottom. But he suppressed it instinctively, unconsciously afraid of what might happen if he ever let go.
I can't command everything at once, he told himself, as he always had.No one can.
What he did not know—what no one had ever told him—was that he stood on the edge of transcendence.
When the final results were announced, the hall buzzed with shock.
Despite their differences in status, background, and display, two names appeared side by side at the top of the board.
Class A – Advanced Combat Division
Akira Kuroya
Rin Amane
Assigned to the same class.
Akira glanced toward her. Rin noticed and met his gaze for a brief moment. There was no arrogance in her eyes. No fear.
Only curiosity.
The classroom was large, open, and built for destruction.
Reinforced walls, mana-absorbing floors, and wide windows that looked out over Solareth's skyline. Students took their seats, whispers filling the air—about nobles, about commoners, about monsters hiding among them.
The door slid open.
Silence fell instantly.
A tall man entered, his presence heavy without being oppressive. His robes were dark, marked only by a single silver insignia. His eyes were sharp, ancient, and dangerously calm.
"I am Professor Kaelthas Arion," he said. "And I will be responsible for determining whether you survive this academy—or die chasing pride."
No one laughed.
"Magic is not talent," he continued. "It is control under pressure."
He turned and gestured toward the open doors at the back of the classroom, beyond which lay a vast training arena.
"Today, we begin practical training."
The students stiffened.
"You will fight," Kaelthas said plainly. "Against each other."
A murmur spread through the class—excitement, fear, anticipation.
Akira stood quietly.
Rin rose beside him.
Neither knew it yet—but this academy, this city, and this world had already begun to change.
And Elyndor was not ready for what they were about to become.