Chapter 8: The Magical Academy

After Arthur began studying the book, he quickly realized the depth and complexity of magical science. The first thing that struck him was the explanation of the spiritual world's nature. It turned out that this inner world not only reflected its owner's personality but also served as the source of their power. Spiritual energy drawn from one's inner world interacted with the magical energy in the air, enabling the use of spells and influencing reality.

The foundation of a wizard's training lay in improving their spiritual world. This was achieved through special runes carved onto the surface of the spiritual world. These runes didn't just alter the world's structure but also added new properties to it. Each element—whether earth, fire, water, air, space, poison, or something else—had its unique runes.

For example, space runes could alter spatial structures. They made instant travel easier, created more stable spaces, and allowed manipulation of spatial distortions.

Earth runes were closely tied to the power of nature and the material world. They granted their users greater control over earth, stones, and minerals. Additionally, earth runes helped strengthen one's connection to nature, bringing stability, resilience, and enhanced durability to spells.

Fire runes symbolized energy and destruction. They enabled their bearers to manipulate fire more easily, accelerate combustion processes, and increase flame temperature.

Water runes were associated with water's many properties and healing. They facilitated control over water in all its states, enabling the creation of water barriers, mist, or rain. Water mages were also adept at using magic to heal wounds.

Life runes represented growth, development, and creation. They helped heal injuries, extend life, and enhance vitality.

Death runes symbolized transformation, the end, and the beginning of new cycles. They greatly simplified necromantic magic.

Fate runes were directly linked to predictions, karma, and causality. They allowed users to glimpse the future more clearly or trace cause-and-effect relationships.

What amazed Arthur even more was the sheer number of runes for each element. For instance, space alone had 27 basic runes, each with unique effects. Earth had even more—48 runes with various properties.

Meditation proved to be the most crucial part of magical practice. Through it, wizards could "see" their spiritual world, study its features, and plan rune placement. The book emphasized that the better a wizard understood their spiritual world, the more effectively they could improve it. Moreover, compatibility between the world and the runes applied to it had to be considered.

Arthur, with his innate curiosity, quickly grasped the basics of meditation. Closing his eyes, he began to sense his inner space—the floating island surrounded by pink clouds.

The book advised beginners not to rush into carving complex runes. The first symbols had to be chosen carefully, as they laid the foundation for all future changes. A mistake could make the spiritual world unstable and its development extremely difficult.

Arthur decided not to carve any runes just yet but to study their properties and understand which ones would best suit his spiritual world. His island was relatively simple, but the clouds surrounding it hinted at connections to the elements of air, space, and something illusory.

Further reading helped Arthur realize the importance of choosing the right development path. Wizards who used fire runes were known for their destructive power. Those specializing in earth became masters of defense. But Arthur was drawn to space runes. They seemed truly mysterious and powerful, offering the ability to travel vast distances or create personal dimensions.

Despite their advantages, the book warned about the challenges of this path. Space runes required incredible concentration, and improper use could lead to losing control of spells. Arthur understood it would take him much more time to make a final decision.

As the airship descended, a sight unfolded before Arthur that he would never forget. Ahead, a colossal tower rose skyward, its spire seemingly piercing the heavens. Its height was incredible, stretching several dozen kilometers! The tower was so tall that its peak disappeared into the clouds, as if propping up the sky.

Beside the tower, a castle nestled like a toy house. Despite its impressive size, it seemed tiny in the tower's shadow. However, upon closer inspection, it became clear the castle was far from small. Its walls, hundreds of meters high, loomed over the surrounding landscape like an impregnable fortress. It spanned an enormous area of several hundred square kilometers. Paved courtyards, winding paths, beautiful gardens, and tall towers were all hidden behind its massive walls.

The castle's walls were covered with various runes carved into the stones.

Arthur immediately guessed that the castle before him was the magical academy where he would study. His heart raced with anticipation.

When the airship landed on one of the castle's massive platforms, Elric led the newcomers to the entrance. Huge gates adorned with golden and silver runes opened smoothly before them, welcoming them into the Academy of Magic.

Immediately upon entering, each student received a magical card activated by their spiritual energy. This card was not just a pass to the Academy but also a multifunctional tool. It displayed a map of the territory, a class schedule, and could even be used as a payment method for purchasing study materials and other items.

Next came a formal procedure—each student signed a magical contract. Using their spiritual energy, they sealed an agreement whereby the Wizarding Council paid for their education. However, upon graduation, each student was required to repay ten times the cost of their education.

This contract made many students reflect on the seriousness of their studies. Magic was an expensive endeavor, and the price of acquiring knowledge demanded tremendous effort.

After completing the formalities, Elric gave the newcomers a brief tour. He explained that their Academy was renowned for its profound knowledge of transformation magic. The Academy's founder, Malik, a great fourth-level wizard, was one of the leading masters of this art.

Transformation was one of the most complex and majestic forms of magic. It allowed wizards to temporarily alter their bodies, transforming into magical beasts, elemental energy, or even intricate magical constructs. However, this path required not only immense spiritual power but also a vast reservoir of knowledge.

The tower next to the Academy belonged to Malik. According to Elric, it was considered one of the best in the world. No students were allowed inside—it was the great wizard's private domain. Nevertheless, its grandeur deeply inspired students, reminding them of the heights they could reach by following the wizard's path.

On the first day, Arthur and his peers were given their schedules. The curriculum was strictly organized.

Morning classes focused on theoretical preparation, including the basics of magical energy, the spiritual world, basic runes, magical history, anatomy, and other subjects.

Afternoon classes were practical, involving meditation, training spiritual energy, and working with magical elements.

Evening classes allowed students to specialize. Each student could choose additional courses in specific magical fields.

Night classes were optional and designed for those who wanted to deepen their knowledge.

The Academy left a strong impression on Arthur. Its marble-lined corridors, walls adorned with bas-reliefs and murals, and every detail exuded magic.

The library especially captivated him. It was located in a massive hall with countless rows of bookshelves stretching to the ceiling. The collection ranged from basic magical texts to ancient diaries written by great wizards.

***

Anya, like Arthur, delved into studying magic. She was particularly interested in water and nature runes. She had already begun planning how to improve her spiritual world by incorporating elements related to these aspects.

***

The first days were filled with intense work. Every evening, Arthur returned to his room utterly exhausted but with a sense of accomplishment. His spiritual world began to change slowly—he meditated more frequently, exploring the island and studying its features.

He noticed that each day brought him newfound strength. His concentration improved, and the runes that once seemed complex gradually became more understandable.