Kael Raven looked at the shadows falling beneath his feet and felt a strange chill in his heart. The gates of Astra Arcane Academy had opened for him for the first time, and the world before his eyes seemed to shine with a new light.
People said this academy only accepted the strongest young mages in the world.
Kael didn't think he was one of them.
Sixteen-year-old Kael was calm and intelligent, but his greatest secret was something no one at the academy knew.
His mana core was broken.
Only he and his guardian knew the truth.
With an F-Rank mana level, Kael had already become the target of mockery even before classes properly began.
"Another weakling."
A tall blond student glanced at him and chuckled quietly.
Kael tightened his grip on the book in his hands.
"I'm not weak," he muttered softly.
But deep inside, Kael knew the truth.
Because of his broken mana core, the flow of energy inside his body was incomplete. No matter how hard he tried, he could never use magic like the others.
During the academy entrance exam, he had scored the lowest among all the students.
Still… he refused to give up.
The moment Kael stepped inside the academy's main hall, his breath stopped.
Towering spires stretched high above him, glowing magical runes floated in the air, and enchanted lights illuminated the entire hall. Students walked confidently in elegant academy uniforms, some carrying glowing staffs while others controlled floating spell orbs beside them.
Kael stood there in a simple black robe.
In his hand was nothing but a plain wooden wand.
"Welcome, new students."
A powerful voice echoed across the hall.
At the front stage stood the headmaster, a silver-haired mage whose presence alone filled the room with authority.
"Welcome to Astra Arcane Academy. Here you will learn. You will fight. And one day, you may become the greatest mages of this world."
Kael looked around.
Flying textbooks drifted through the air. Small enchanted creatures floated near the ceiling. Some students were already practicing magic duels in nearby training circles.
His heart pounded.
Excitement and anxiety mixed together.
"Stay alert," the headmaster continued.
"And never underestimate anyone. In this academy… power speaks louder than words."
Kael quietly adjusted his wand.
"I'll prove them wrong," he whispered to himself.
Later that day, during their first class, a crystal orb was placed in the center of the room.
It was used to measure a student's mana.
One by one, the students stepped forward and placed their hands on the orb.
Bright lights filled the room as different ranks appeared.
"B-Rank."
"A-Rank."
"C-Rank."
Then Kael's turn came.
He slowly placed his hand on the crystal.
The orb glowed for a moment…
Then a dull red light appeared.
"F-Rank," the teacher announced.
A few students immediately burst into quiet laughter.
"So weak."
"Why is someone like him even here?"
Kael said nothing.
His eyes remained calm, but deep inside, a quiet determination burned.
This was only the beginning.
And somehow… he felt that something extraordinary was about to happen.
At that moment, a faint shimmer appeared near his wand.
A tiny glow flickered for just a second.
Only Kael noticed it.
That evening, Kael wandered into the academy library.
Rows upon rows of ancient books filled the massive hall. As he walked deeper between the shelves, he noticed a narrow corridor hidden behind a stack of old tomes.
Curious, he stepped inside.
His hand accidentally brushed against an old, dust-covered book resting on a stone pedestal.
The moment he opened it, a strange aura spread through the air.
Glowing runes appeared across the pages, moving like living symbols.
Then a whisper echoed softly in his mind.
"Choose wisely… young mage… or be consumed."
Kael froze.
His heart raced.
Slowly, he lifted the book.
To his shock, the energy from the pages began reacting with his body.
With his broken mana core.
"This… this is impossible," Kael whispered.
For the first time in his life…
He felt power flowing through him.
Real power.
Suddenly, a small bolt of lightning sparked from the book and flashed against the library ceiling.
Kael stared at his trembling hands.
This power…
It could change everything.
High above the academy, on the rooftop, a shadowy figure watched silently.
"So… the F-Rank boy awakens."
The voice drifted through the night wind.
"Let's see if he can survive what's coming."
Below, Kael tightened his grip on the forbidden book.
Blue sparks flickered faintly in his eyes.
This was only the beginning.
And soon, the entire academy would realize…
A forbidden mage had been born.