First Class
Kyle decided to complete the quest later. For now, he simply wanted to rest. He closed his eyes for just a moment. Suddenly, Eddie called out his name. Kyle jumped from the bed and fell to the ground. He looked around, startled. Eddie had shouted his name as if the entire academy were under attack. Kyle quickly realised nothing was wrong, then stood up from the floor, facing Eddie with a rising surge of anger. He was furious.
"Sorry about that. Let's go explore the academy a little," Eddie suggested.
"Not interested," Kyle replied, returning to lie down on his bed.
"Your loss," Eddie said, leaving the room with Jake.
Kyle closed his eyes and went back to sleep. The two headed down to the first floor of the hostel building before exiting towards the main academy.
They arrived shortly at the Mage Academy. It was a vast, eco-friendly institution, covering 500 acres within a biodome. It featured flexible classrooms with holographic projectors and collaborative zones with interactive surfaces. There were digital libraries accessible via neural devices, along with indoor gardens and water installations promoting well-being.
Students used specialised devices that enhanced learning, guided by lecturers who were high-ranking mages. Immersive holographic displays supported the teaching process. The curriculum included courses such as BioArt, Virtual Reality History, and discussions on ability mastery and advancement through mage ranks.
Extracurricular activities included virtual cultural exchanges with students from other planets, sustainability projects, and advanced sports facilities focused on physical and mental well-being. The Mage Academy welcomed students from across the galaxy to nurture their mage abilities.
Eddie and Jake were amazed. The academy was breathtaking. They proceeded to the digital library. Upon arrival, they noticed several students inside. Some were seated; others roamed the library aisles.
The digital library was designed for seamless access to a vast array of knowledge. Its open layout, high ceilings, and abundant natural light created a welcoming environment. Large, touch-sensitive screens lined the walls, enabling students to browse books, articles, and multimedia content effortlessly.
Students could connect neural devices to retrieve information instantly, absorbing content at accelerated rates. Augmented reality enhanced the reading experience, offering visuals and interactive elements related to the material. The library housed millions of digital texts, including e-books and research papers on mages, war history, abilities, and their full potential. AI algorithms suggested personalised content based on each student's interests. Collaborative zones were furnished with interactive tables for group work, while soundproof quiet pods allowed for focused study.
Virtual reality rooms offered immersive learning experiences, including simulated field trips—eliminating the need to physically visit a place in order to study it.
Eddie and Jake exchanged glances.
"Kyle's missing out on a lot. We should tell him about this," Eddie suggested.
Jake nodded in agreement. They sat inside the library for a while, collecting digital texts on mage abilities. The quiet pod automatically activated above their table. After hours of reading and browsing, they decided to return to the hostel. It was now late.
Their wristwatches displayed a half-moon icon—signalling bedtime. All students began leaving the library, including Eddie and Jake, heading back to their hostel rooms.
Upon arrival, they found the window screen dimmed to night mode, and all lights turned off. Kyle was snoring, shifting positions on the bed as he slept peacefully. The two others quietly got into their beds and fell asleep. This was now their new home—so it was best they began to feel comfortable.
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The next morning, the class schedule and timings were sent directly to their wristwatches. The three of them took turns in the shower before heading to their first class.
The first subject was titled Introduction to Abilities, held in Classroom D on the fifth floor of the academy building.
Kyle's mind raced with thoughts. He was curious about the Blue Dragon—how it looked, what powers it possessed. He couldn't wait to see it in action. He made up his mind: once this first class was over, he would find a large, quiet, empty space to summon the Blue Dragon.
The three arrived at the classroom together. Inside, only forty students were present, with a mage standing at the front ready to begin the lecture. The classroom featured flexible seating arrangements, allowing students to sit wherever they felt most comfortable. Augmented and virtual reality tools enabled immersive learning experiences for complex subjects. AI-driven platforms adapted lessons to suit each student's pace and needs. Interactive smart boards facilitated dynamic teaching, and the academy's global connectivity allowed for real-time collaboration with students across the universe.
The three chose seats at the back, even though the front rows were mostly empty. The teacher noticed their choice and raised an eyebrow. He was tall and imposing, with a lean but muscular build. His skin had a warm olive tone. His angular face, defined by high cheekbones and a strong jawline, gave him a regal appearance. His deep-set, piercing green eyes sparkled with wisdom, framed by thick, dark lashes. A furrowed brow hinted at a serious disposition. His long, wavy dark brown hair—interspersed with silver strands—was tied back with a leather cord, with a few loose locks framing his face. He had a prominent nose, full lips that curled into a warm, knowing smile, and a well-groomed beard peppered with grey, enhancing his distinguished look. He exuded both authority and approachability. He wore white jeans and a matching white top.
Kyle noticed the girl who had been revealed as a Rank A during the test. She looked back and smiled at him. Kyle was stunned. He didn't understand why she smiled—they didn't know each other.
"Another annoying brat. I can't deal with them. I've already tolerated these two," Kyle thought, glancing at Eddie and Jake, who were seated beside him, staring at the mage with wide smiles.
"Backbenchers," the man muttered under his breath, disguising it with a fake cough. Then he began to speak.
"Hello, students. Welcome to your first year at the academy. My name's Kale. I'm thirty-five years old," he introduced himself, offering a warm smile.
"What's with all the long intro?" Kyle thought.
Kale continued, "I'll be your general abilities instructor for the duration of your time here. My goal is to teach you about abilities and how to fully harness them. In this class, focus is not optional—it's mandatory."
He tapped on a digital display and began the lecture.
The session focused on the various categories of abilities and how to control them with precision. While most students were already somewhat familiar, the lesson served to reinforce and clarify what they knew.
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After the class ended, Kyle told Eddie and Jake to wait for him at the library. He then made his way to an empty training ground. He carefully scanned the area to ensure no one was around. Once certain he was alone, he prepared to summon the Blue Dragon.
A blue flame emerged first—then from within the flame, the Blue Dragon materialised.