Chapter 37– The Art of Magic and Telekinesis
The Path of Will
Arcadia Academy – Grand Lecture Hall
The morning sun streamed through the towering stained-glass windows, painting intricate patterns of light across the polished marble floors of Arcadia Academy's Grand Lecture Hall. Unlike the rugged training fields where students honed their combat skills, this hall was designed for scholarly pursuits and controlled spellcasting.
The walls were lined with ancient runes, softly glowing with magic, their sole purpose to absorb stray spells and prevent accidents. Grand chandeliers floated above the hall, suspended by delicate streams of mana, illuminating the massive space with a gentle golden glow.
Alden stepped inside, adjusting his sunglasses as he walked toward the back of the room.
Magic Theory and Spellcasting.
A core subject for any mage.
For most students, this was a path to power—a chance to refine their spells, awaken new affinities, and push the boundaries of their magical potential.
For Alden?
It was something far more important.
A stepping stone.
He took his seat near the back, leaning slightly in his chair, arms crossed.
The moment he sat down, the whispers began.
---
The Weight of Expectations
"Why is Alden Blackwood even here?"
"He doesn't have an affinity, does he?"
"Maybe he's hoping for a miracle."
"More like a waste of space. He probably won't even cast a single spell."
Alden's lips twitched in amusement as he ignored them.
He was used to it by now.
Among nobles and high-ranking students, those without an innate affinity for magic were considered lesser, incomplete, insignificant.
If you couldn't command fire, ice, or lightning, what was the point of learning magic at all?
But they didn't understand.
Alden wasn't here to throw fireballs or summon storms.
He was here for something else entirely.
A goal that required absolute mastery over mana itself.
The idle chatter died instantly as the doors swung open, and a figure strode into the room.
A presence so overwhelming that silence fell like a curtain.
---
Professor Magnus Everhart
The man who entered was not just a professor.
He was a legend.
Silver hair, flowing like liquid starlight. Golden robes, lined with arcane symbols that pulsed faintly with stored mana. And eyes—piercing violet eyes that carried the weight of decades of mastery.
Magnus Everhart.
An S-Rank Mage. A man whose name was etched into history for having once wiped out an entire battlefield with a single spell.
Alden knew of him.
In the original game's lore, Magnus was one of the most powerful and respected figures in Arcadia Academy. A scholar, a warrior, a mage who had mastered spells that defied reality itself.
And now, he was here.
For the briefest moment, Magnus's gaze met Alden's.
A spark of curiosity flickered in his eyes.
Then, he turned to address the class.
---
The Nature of Magic
"Magic is the foundation of civilization."
Magnus's voice was measured, effortlessly commanding the attention of every student in the room.
"For centuries, magic has shaped kingdoms, decided wars, and elevated bloodlines to power. In this academy, magic is categorized by affinities—Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Lightning, Ice, Darkness, Light, and more."
He glanced around the hall, eyes lingering on the prodigies of noble bloodlines.
"Some of you have inherited powerful lineages. Others have awakened multiple affinities."
His gaze flickered toward Leon, the protagonist of the game, who was renowned for possessing three elemental affinities.
And then—
"But there are some…"
His violet eyes locked onto Alden.
"Who have no affinity at all."
The room tensed.
A few students smirked, exchanging glances.
Alden?
He simply smirked back.
---
A Challenge Accepted
With a wave of his hand, floating spellbooks materialized before each student, hovering in front of them.
"These books contain foundational spells for your affinity," Magnus explained. "Fire Mages will learn Pyrobolt. Water Mages will begin with Aqua Sphere. Ice Mages will start with Frostbind…"
Alden's fingers brushed against the cover of his book.
He flipped it open.
And found nothing.
Blank pages.
The murmurs started immediately.
"Even the book knows he's useless."
"Maybe he should go train with the knights instead."
"What's the point of him even being here?"
Alden exhaled slowly.
Then, he raised his hand.
The murmurs stopped.
"I'm not here to learn elemental magic," he said, his voice steady.
"I'm here to learn Telekinesis."
Silence.
For a moment, no one reacted.
Then—
"Telekinesis? That's barely even real magic."
Laughter rippled through the hall.
Alden didn't react.
Professor Magnus, however, did.
He studied Alden, his expression unreadable.
"An unusual choice."
---
The Trial of Will
Magnus waved his hand.
Small metal spheres appeared before each student, floating just above the desks.
"The goal is simple," the professor announced. "Lift the sphere using only your mind."
Immediately, the students with elemental affinities struggled.
Telekinesis didn't rely on raw power—it demanded precision.
It was a battle of willpower and control.
Even Leon, the protagonist, was having difficulty.
But Alden?
He exhaled.
Calmed his mind.
And focused.
The sphere trembled.
At first, it was barely a shift—a mere vibration against the surface of the desk.
But then—
Alden adjusted his breathing.
He tuned his mana flow, directing it not with brute force, but with precision.
Slowly—
The sphere rose.
---
Breaking Expectations
For the first time since class started, no one spoke.
The metal sphere hovered steadily in the air, swaying slightly, but perfectly controlled.
Even Professor Magnus looked mildly impressed.
Alden leaned back in his chair, resting his chin in his hand, a grin playing on his lips.
"What? Did you think I was just sitting around doing nothing?"
Inside his mind, a voice chuckled.
Kurenai.
['You do love proving people wrong, don't you?']
Another voice sighed in mild exasperation.
Shiranui.
['This is just the beginning, isn't it?']
Alden's smirk deepened.
This was only the start.