New Beginnings

The next day, I made the decision to accept the offer at the Academy as a Special Instructor. This role would require me to teach three classes a week, leaving me with ample time for my personal research pursuits. It was an opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise with the next generation of magi while also delving deeper into my own studies.

My chosen research topic was a challenging and intriguing one. The labyrinth beneath Aurum, with its mysterious history and my father's last mission, in which he faced a lich which was capable of harnessing Aether in order to open a gate to the underworld; this held a wealth of untapped knowledge. Understanding the properties of this labyrinth and the secrets it held could have far-reaching implications for magic and the understanding of the arcane arts.

As I prepared to embark on this research journey, I felt a sense of purpose and excitement. The Academy's halls would soon be graced by my presence as a teacher and a researcher, and I was determined to uncover the mysteries that lay hidden beneath the city of Aurum.

Before I left for the day I was greeted with a memory, this spurred by the large portrait of my family sitting on the wall. The memories of my father lingered in my thoughts when August cleared his throat and asked me to follow him, curiosity piqued my interest. As I followed August through the grand manor. There was a sense of destiny in the air, as if my father's presence still guided me in some way. As we walked the halls, I couldn't help but wonder what he had in store for me. The destination was a chamber I had never been allowed to enter as a child, a place filled with secrets and mysteries.

Undoing the seals and locks that had guarded this chamber, August led me to a pedestal at its center. It was upon this pedestal that a strange, jagged crystal was housed, bathed in an otherworldly light. Its unique appearance and the aura it emitted immediately captured my attention.

"What is this?" I asked, my gaze fixed on the enigmatic crystal.

August, with a hint of reverence in his voice, began to explain. "This, Master Andeus, is a crystal of great significance. It is said to have been discovered in the deepest recesses of the labyrinth beneath Aurum, hidden away for centuries. Your father believed it held immense potential and power, and he wanted you to have it."

As I listened to August's words, I couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to my father. The crystal held an air of mystery and untapped potential, much like the labyrinth itself. It seemed that my journey of discovery had already begun, and this crystal was my first step into a world of arcane wonders.

The moment I touched the crystal, it emitted a brilliant, otherworldly blue light that seemed to respond to my presence. The light intensified as if acknowledging me, and then something unexpected happened—it fused with my right hand, leaving a strange sigil in my palm. This was a sigil unlike anything I had encountered before, one that didn't reside within the Spirit Library or any known source of knowledge.

As the crystal's power coursed through me, a startling transformation occurred. my right eye, which had previously been amber in color, underwent a profound change. The amber hue faded away, revealing something I had always kept hidden—a Triqueta mark replacing my iris.

August, who had been observing this transformation with a mixture of awe and concern, quickly performed a hand motion resembling a cross, as if to dispel any potential bad omens. He turned to you, his expression filled with surprise and curiosity.

"Master Andeus," he inquired cautiously, "where did you acquire that eye? It bears a mark of great significance, and I am not familiar with its origins."

I looked at him and sighed. "This started manifesting about a year or two ago. I don't know what it represents or what it can fully do, but I do know it is God's Age Magic," I replied to him.

August listened attentively as I explained the origin of my unusual eye and the mysterious mark it bore. My words about it being "God's Age Magic" piqued his interest even further, and he regarded me with a mixture of wonder and concern.

"God's Age Magic," he repeated, the words carrying a weight of ancient knowledge and reverence. "It is indeed a rare and powerful form of magic, one that has been lost to time. To think that it has manifested within you is a testament to your unique connection to the arcane."

August's expression showed his understanding of the significance of this development. While there were many mysteries surrounding this newfound power, it was clear that it held great potential and importance. It seemed that my journey as a Special Instructor and researcher at the Academy was bound to become even more extraordinary with this unexpected addition to my abilities.

With the mysterious melding of the crystal and my eye fresh in my thoughts, I made my way to the Academy grounds. I had an appointment with the headmaster to discuss my new role as a Special Instructor and the responsibilities that came with it.

At the age of seventeen, I was already an Emperor-class Magi, a remarkable achievement in its own right. This status granted me the option to attend the senior classes at the Academy if I desired, although it wasn't a requirement given my ranking and my new teaching responsibilities.

As I approached the Academy, I couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had brought me here. The path of magic and discovery had taken me to unexpected places and revealed hidden powers within me. Now, with my role as an instructor and my newfound abilities, I was poised to make a significant impact on the future of magic and the next generation of magi at the Academy.

Entering the hallowed grounds of the Academy of Magic, a sense of exhilaration surged through me. The bustling atmosphere of students, chattering and hurrying to their classes, filled me with a warm sense of belonging. It was clear that I had made the right choice in accepting the position of Special Instructor here.

As I took in the lively scene, my thoughts briefly drifted to Emmy, wondering where she might be at this very moment. But before I could dwell on it any further, my world was quite literally upended. A sudden force collided with me, sending me sprawling to the ground.

I looked up to see Emmy, her face radiant with excitement and mischief, having executed what could only be described as a flying tackle. Her exuberance was infectious, and I couldn't help but break into a wide grin. It seemed that my new adventure at the academy was off to an unexpected, but undoubtedly joyful, start.

"ANDY?!" she said wide-eyed as she basically straddled me confused as to why I was there. 

"Emmy!" I exclaimed, equally wide-eyed and utterly surprised by her sudden appearance. There she was, practically straddling me, confusion etched across her features. The unexpected encounter left us both momentarily bewildered.

I quickly gathered my wits, realizing that this had to be some delightful twist of fate. "I'm here as a special instructor," I explained, my voice filled with a mixture of excitement and disbelief. "I've joined the academy to teach. What about you? What brings you here?"

Our reunion, though unexpected, felt like a gift from the universe, and I couldn't wait to catch up and share in the new adventures that awaited us at the Academy of Magic.

"Emperor and Empress ranked magi are frequently encouraged to share their knowledge during their off-duty hours. In my case, I have enthusiastically embraced the role of instructing others in the intricacies of Beastkin Studies and Anatomy."

As the realization of the compromising situation between two faculty members dawned upon her, a deep blush tinged her cheeks. Without any delay, she swiftly moved to rectify the situation, keenly aware of the need to restore a sense of decorum and professionalism.

As Emmy slowly got off me, I nodded in understanding. "Ah, yes, I've heard about that tradition," I replied, vaguely recalling that Emperor or Empress-ranked Magi often took on teaching roles during their off-duty periods. It was a way to share their knowledge and expertise with the younger generations.

"Beastkin Studies and Anatomy, that sounds fascinating," I remarked with genuine interest. "I'm teaching advanced spellcasting and doing some research on the Labyrinth beneath Aurum. It's great to see you here, Emmy. We'll have to catch up properly soon."

Our unexpected encounter had filled me with a renewed sense of excitement for my new role at the academy, knowing that Emmy was here as well. It felt like the beginning of a new chapter in our lives, and I couldn't wait to see what adventures and discoveries awaited us.

After my meeting with the head of the academy, I was warmly greeted by my cousin, Prince Siegfried. He extended a hearty welcome as he introduced me to my new role as a teacher. Following this, Siegfried graciously led me to my assigned lecture hall. The room was truly impressive in size, featuring four tiers of desks and seating arrangements that gave it the potential to comfortably accommodate around 20 to 30 students.

Despite the uncertainty regarding the exact number of students who would enroll in my classes, I held a firm commitment to share my magical expertise with anyone eager to delve into the craft. Having been fortunate enough to receive instruction from actual dragons and a select few Altar guardians, I carried with me a profound reservoir of knowledge and experiences that I was eager to impart to the next generation of aspiring magicians.

As I meticulously arranged my classroom, adorning it with intricate diagrams and essential formulas, I eagerly awaited the arrival of my first group of students for the afternoon session. Thirteen inquisitive minds had chosen to enroll in this inaugural class, and among them, one individual stood out unmistakably – none other than my cousin, Princess Zinnia.

With a warm and welcoming smile, I addressed the eager students gathered before me. "Welcome, class. This is Advanced Spell Theory," I began, and their greetings in response filled the room with a sense of anticipation. "I am Andeus Izuna, the current sixth Flame Emperor, and it brings me great enthusiasm to be here to share my knowledge with each and every one of you."

With a subtle wave of my right hand, intricate notes materialized on the board behind me, illustrating my proficiency in non-verbal spellcasting. "As you can observe, I've honed the art of non-verbal spellcasting, and my goal for this semester is to empower each of you to do the same," I declared with a determined tone. The room was filled with a sense of excitement and determination as the class embarked on this journey of magical mastery.

Murmurs of awe and curiosity rippled through the group of students as they exchanged hushed conversations. The presence of several newly ascended Emperor and Empress ranked Magi among the academy's teaching staff was nothing short of remarkable. What left the students particularly astonished was the youth of these accomplished magicians.

Andeus, Prince Siegfried, and Emerald, among others, were mere seventeen or eighteen years old, yet they had ascended to the pinnacle of magecraft, holding ranks that usually required decades of dedication and mastery. Their achievements served as an inspiration and a testament to the extraordinary potential that lay within the magical realm. It was a reminder that age need not be a barrier to achieving greatness in the world of magic, and that talent and determination could propel even the youngest of magicians to the highest echelons of power and knowledge.

One young man raised his hand and asked a question about a particular note. "The act of infusion to increase one's base elemental spellcasting, is that really something you learned from a dragon?" they asked, recalling that I was able to produce flames of such intensity that they turned a bright cerulean blue. 

The young man's question drew my attention, and I nodded appreciatively at his attentiveness. "Ah, an excellent question," I replied, acknowledging his curiosity. "Indeed, the technique of infusion to enhance one's base elemental spellcasting is a skill I acquired through my interactions with dragons."

I paused for a moment, letting the significance of this sink in. "Dragons possess an unparalleled mastery over elemental forces, and from them, I learned how to channel and infuse my fire spells with greater intensity and precision. The cerulean-blue flames you've heard about are a result of this infusion, which not only increases the power of the fire but also refines its properties."

The students listened intently, the room abuzz with fascination as they absorbed this insight into the unique and potent knowledge passed down to me by these ancient and wise creatures.

The room fell into a hushed awe as I summoned a mesmerizing ball of black fire into the palm of my hand, its dark and enigmatic flames dancing with an otherworldly grace. "Behold," I spoke with a touch of reverence, "this is a gift from my patron, the guardian faerie of my people, Izuna."

As the students gazed upon the mysterious black fire, I continued, "While it pales in comparison to her own Faerie flame, this gift has allowed me to not only excel in skill but also harness incredible raw power." With a subtle gesture, I extinguished the dark fire, allowing the room to return to its natural lighting. 

I emphasized the rarity of this divine connection, stating, "Only a select few among my people can call upon her divine fire, and fewer still have come close to mastering it as I have." The atmosphere in the room was charged with respect for the unique and potent abilities I possessed, a testament to the remarkable nature of my magical journey and the guidance of my guardian faerie.

"As we embark on this magical journey together, our first lesson will revolve around gauging everyone's magical aptitude," I announced to the attentive class. "I am aware that a few among you have already attained the esteemed Saint Rank, but it is important for us to understand how effectively you can harness your raw power."

I instructed the students to form a line, ensuring that everyone had a chance to showcase their abilities. The classroom buzzed with anticipation as the young magicians prepared to demonstrate their magical prowess. This initial assessment would provide a valuable foundation for tailoring the course to meet each student's specific needs, ensuring that everyone had the opportunity to grow and excel in their magical studies.

The aptitude test results revealed an interesting challenge – even among the Saint-ranked students, a strong command of magical control was lacking, a significant hurdle considering the importance of fine magical manipulation as a prerequisite for non-verbal spellcasting. While some students were close to the desired level of proficiency, others clearly required additional guidance to excel in the course.

Addressing the class, I sought to inspire confidence and motivation. "As some of you may already know, your ranking title is primarily based on your elemental affinity, but it's important to understand that you can also become skilled in other elemental and even non-elemental magics," I explained. "For instance, I have honed my skills in Wind and Light magic to a high degree, and I've dabbled in the other seven elements to varying extents. My aim is to help each one of you reach your full potential and, perhaps, achieve Emperor and Empress ranked status in the future."

With a wave of my right hand, the notes on the board transformed to reveal fundamental principles I had learned from Marshal, the Fire Emperor who had mentored me. "My mentor once imparted a valuable lesson," I continued, "that to truly master your magic, you must first learn to contain it." This foundational concept was met with a sense of purpose, setting the stage for a journey of magical refinement and growth in the classroom.

After the first class concluded, I couldn't help but feel a swell of admiration for my students. Their eagerness to learn the craft and their dedication to perfecting their individual magecraft were evident. It was a promising start to what I hoped would be a transformative journey for each of them.

Retreating to my office, I took a moment to reflect on the personal motivations that had led me to become a Mage. My grandmother's cloak, hanging gracefully on the coatrack, served as a poignant reminder of my lineage – she had been both a Queen and the most powerful Enchantress in our Kingdom. Her legacy had inspired me to follow in her remarkable footsteps.

My gaze then shifted to the ring adorning my left hand, a cherished gift from my father and a symbol of his unwavering devotion to the Izuna tribe. It was a testament to the indomitable strength he possessed and the unyielding love that flowed within our family. In those moments of reflection, I found renewed determination never to falter in my pursuit of excellence and in guiding my students to achieve their fullest potential in the magical arts.

This marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life, a journey filled with purpose and the pursuit of greatness. I realized that dwelling in the shadows of sadness would be a disservice to the memory of my family. As long as I remembered them and carried their legacy forward, they would never truly be gone. Their spirits lived on within me, guiding my path and inspiring me to shine brightly in the world of magic.