Special Class!

As things were settling down over in Aether's Technomancy I class, a similar hum of activity filled the prestigious mage wing of the academy. In the grand marble hall lined with glowing blue mana crystals, the first-year mage students sat neatly at their desks, awaiting the start of their new journey.

A gentle yet confident voice soon rang out across the hall.

"Hello, students. My name is Lee Syen, and I'll be in charge of guiding you all this term."

Professor Syen had an air of calm dignity — silver hair tied at his neck, sharp brown eyes behind thin spectacles. His robes were simple yet elegant, and they faintly shimmered with enchantments.

"You are all in the first class, which means you are among the academy's most promising. Alongside me, we have your year's Child of Lights here to help guide you. They'll be assisting with practicals, discussions, and, well, even your morale. So rely on them when you need to."

"Yes, we'll do our best!" Olivia answered brightly, her golden hair catching the light. Around her, the other chosen ones — David, Emily, Asher, Isaac, Mila, Anthony, Layla, Dylan — all nodded, though each with their own subtle expression.

But predictably, there was one who just couldn't accept things quietly.

"Tch. Why should we waste time teaching this bunch of nobodies?"

The rude snarl sliced through the otherwise positive air. Every head turned toward the speaker — none other than Lucas, the vice president of the Child of Lights. His arms were crossed, his cold blue eyes narrowed with open disdain.

Olivia shot him a subtle glare. "Lucas, please. They're our classmates too."

Lucas just rolled his eyes. "Hmph. Classmates? If they were worth anything, they'd have been chosen instead."

Professor Syen merely adjusted his glasses with a small sigh, clearly deciding not to fan the flames — at least for now.

Not long after, another instructor, cloaked in black and silver, entered through the tall oak doors. He carried with him a scroll sealed with the academy's violet wax.

"Child of Lights, please gather. You're all requested at the central training hall immediately after class for your first special training session."

At this, a ripple of both excitement and mild anxiety passed through the chosen ones. Olivia's heart raced a little. "So it's starting already… these special classes we heard about."

✦✦✦

❖ Special Training Class

These were not ordinary sessions.

Special training classes existed solely for the academy's most elite: the Child of Lights. Held three times a week, they were designed to sharpen raw talent into refined brilliance. Each year's chosen had their own instructor — often mages of fearsome reputation — and were pushed far beyond the usual curriculum.

For the academy, this was an investment. For the chosen, it was both a privilege and a trial by fire.

Soon after the normal classes ended, Olivia and the other nine gathered at the cavernous training hall, its stone walls etched with runes that glowed faintly with warding spells.

"So we're here… but where's this instructor?" Olivia murmured, glancing around. Her eyes fell on Lucas, who was standing off to the side with an impatient scowl.

Just then, the heavy side door creaked open, and a man stepped through.

He was tall, his build lean but clearly honed through years of combat. His dark hair fell messily to his shoulders, and his eyes — a startling shade of crimson — seemed to look straight through them. Despite wearing simple black training gear, he radiated a sharp, oppressive aura.

"Welcome, chosen ones. My name is Sai. I'll be your instructor for these sessions." His voice was calm but carried a weight that instantly silenced any side chatter.

"Before we begin — let me be perfectly clear. I don't want anyone slacking off. Being the Child of Lights doesn't mean you're above hard work. In fact, it means you'll work twice as hard."

His eyes swept over them, almost predatory.

"Remember — anyone in this academy with a mana level high enough can replace you. So don't get comfortable."

Olivia felt a chill run down her spine. She swallowed, trying to keep her face composed. "Wow… I shouldn't judge books by their covers. At first glance, he looked like the lazy sort. Turns out he's the scary type… haha," she mouthed nervously.

Most of the chosen stood straight, clearly understanding the gravity. But predictably — again — Lucas had to ruin it.

"Tch. Before you lecture us like we're clueless, why don't you prove you're even worthy to teach us? Show us something. Or are you just bluffing?"

His voice was cold, cocky — dripping with that same toxic arrogance. Asher, standing nearby, shot him an exasperated look.

"Lucas, cut it out already!"

But Sai only smiled. It was not a kind smile — it was sharp, almost amused.

"Oh? Alright then, Lucas. Why don't we have a friendly duel? If you can impress me, maybe I'll adjust my approach."

That was all Lucas needed. His eyes gleamed with malice and pride.

"Fine by me. You asked for this. Don't regret it."

They took their positions on opposite sides of the training floor. Olivia bit her lip, worried, while Isaac crossed his arms with a skeptical sigh.

Sai gestured calmly. "Come. You may attack first."

"Hmph. This'll end quick. Here — one of my strongest."

Lucas raised his right arm, mana flaring around him in twisting red and orange streaks. A sudden swirl of heat rolled across the floor.

"FIST OF FLAMES!"

Bright fire burst from his palm, roaring forward like a living beast. The surge of heat made several chosen instinctively shield their faces.

"Let's see you laugh now!" Lucas barked triumphantly. The flames struck Sai dead on, enveloping him in a swirling inferno.

Smoke and steam flooded the hall. Lucas started chuckling darkly.

"Haha! That fool. He actually took it head on. Bet he's charred to a crisp—"

A voice cut through the smoke. "Fire magic, hm? Not bad… but still not quite as powerful as you think."

Lucas's eyes widened. His pupils shrank.

Sai was no longer where he'd been standing.

He was — somehow — standing right beside Lucas, one hand calmly resting on the boy's shoulder. There wasn't a single burn on his clothes.

"Wha… what?! How—"

Lucas spun around. The place where Sai should have been was empty, only scorched tiles remained.

Sai's fingers tightened slightly on Lucas's shoulder, and a wave of crushing weight slammed down. The air itself seemed to turn to iron.

"What… is this… pressure…? I can't… breathe…"

Lucas fell to one knee, gasping, sweat pouring down his face. His mana flared wildly, trying to resist, but it was useless. The sheer oppressive force was like a mountain.

Sai's red eyes peered down at him, utterly unfazed.

"Am I worthy enough to be your instructor now?"

Lucas couldn't even respond. He just knelt there, wheezing.

Sai finally released him. The suffocating pressure vanished. Lucas collapsed fully, staring at the ground.

"I'll take your silence as a yes," Sai said dryly.

The rest of the chosen were left stunned. Olivia's heart was racing.

"He's… incredibly strong. I couldn't even see what he did. One moment he was there, the next… beside Lucas."

The others felt the same awe prickling at their spines. Even Anthony, normally cocky, was silent.

Sai clapped his hands lightly. "Alright. Since that's settled — my name is Sai, though you may call me Sai Teach. We'll have these sessions three times a week. I expect dedication. For now, you're dismissed."

The chosen filed out slowly, each deep in their own shaken thoughts. Only Lucas lingered behind, fists clenched.

"Tch… I'll remember this, old man. I'll pay it back tenfold someday," he muttered under his breath.

Sai just sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "That boy… If someone doesn't keep him in check, he'll be trouble. Hopefully, there's someone around who can tie him down before his pride destroys him."

✦✦✦

❖ Meanwhile…

Back across the academy, Aether finally trudged into his dorm. He stretched, yawned, then collapsed face-first onto his bed.

"Man… what a day. I feel like I'm being watched. It's so uncomfortable."

He rolled over, staring at the ceiling.

"Probably those girls again. Ever since orientation day, I've apparently become a hot topic. Gah. Troublesome."

Then his thoughts drifted. He frowned slightly, remembering Claire.

"I did come back early… I should probably pay her a visit. Will she even be there? Well, doesn't matter. I have the spare key anyway."

He pulled the small silver key from his pocket, twirling it thoughtfully.

"Tch. I guess it won't hurt to drop by. Better than just lying here worrying about my mana exploding."

He pushed himself up with a resigned groan, grabbed his jacket, and headed out into the evening hallways.

✦✦✦

❖ [To Be Continued…]

(JoJo's theme wails dramatically in the distance.)