Arsia Magic Academy: The Path Beyond Spells

Venustusia Arsia stood tall and composed at the podium, her presence commanding yet inviting. The sapphire-blue of her eyes sparkled like gemstones under the grand hall's magical chandeliers, and her flowing blue hair cascaded like a waterfall, framing her exquisitely regal visage. Her beauty was almost ethereal, an embodiment of grace and power that silenced the room the moment she raised her hand. In one fluid motion, she teleported the gathered freshmen from outside to the academy's grand hall, a marvel of architecture and magic.

The hall itself was breathtaking. High vaulted ceilings were adorned with intricate murals depicting the empire's legendary heroes, their deeds immortalized in golden strokes. Rows of gilded chairs stretched out below, enough to seat over 250 students, all arranged in perfect symmetry. Large windows let in beams of sunlight, casting prismatic hues across the marble floor. Within the hall sat nobles clad in ornate attire and commoners wearing simpler garments, their shared aspirations unmistakable, though the unspoken divide between them loomed as heavy as the air.

Aqua found himself seated beside Casial and Claire, the imperial siblings. The casual camaraderie between them drew the attention—and ire—of several nobles scattered across the hall. Their disapproving glances betrayed their envy, particularly one figure seated a few rows ahead: Johnathan Wisearian, of the Wisearian Duchy. A 4th-circle swordsman and the ambitious son of Duke Beraksian Wisearian, Johnathan regarded Aqua as little more than an unwelcome rival. His piercing gaze followed Aqua like a predator sizing up its prey, his annoyance palpable.

At the podium, Venustusia's lips curved into a kind smile, one that seemed to light up the hall. Her voice, melodic yet firm, resonated with the authority of a leader and the warmth of a mentor. "Welcome, young minds, to Arsia Magic Academy," she began, her words carrying the weight of tradition and opportunity. "You have arrived with bright hopes for yourselves and for the future of our great empire. This academy is where those dreams can become reality." She paused, her gaze sweeping across the hall, as though she saw not just the students before her but the paths they might one day carve.

"Our academy, rich in tradition and history," she continued, "offers a diverse array of courses—magic, combat, alchemy, literature, business, and more. Here, you are free to choose the path that aligns with your passion and destiny. Strive hard, and may you succeed."

Her final words hung in the air, a spark of inspiration igniting in the students' hearts. Casial turned to Aqua, his curiosity barely contained. "Which course are you planning to choose, other than magic?" he asked, his tone genuinely inquisitive.

Aqua's reply was unexpected, his voice calm and steady. "I'm not going to take a magic course," he said, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Casial blinked, caught off guard. "What?" he exclaimed, his surprise mirrored by his twin sister, Claire. She turned to Aqua, her brows furrowed in disbelief.

"Why aren't you choosing magic?" she pressed, her confusion evident.

"To me, it's simple," Aqua replied with quiet conviction. "I am not a mage."

Casial's jaw dropped slightly as he tried to process Aqua's revelation. "What! You're not a mage? I always thought you were one," he said, his voice tinged with disbelief.

The twins' shock lingered, their reactions contrasting sharply with Aqua's composed demeanor.