Chapter 3: The First Class

Luciel stepped out of Principal Gabriel's office, his mind still reeling from the conversation. The weight of the principal's words lingered in the air, a mix of encouragement and expectation. As he closed the door behind him, the kind woman who had escorted him earlier was waiting patiently in the hallway. She smiled warmly, her clipboard tucked under her arm.

"How did it go?" she asked, her tone gentle.

Luciel nodded, still processing everything. "It was… overwhelming. But I think I'm ready."

The woman's smile widened. "Good. My name is Elise, by the way. I'm one of the administrative staff here at Celestia Academy. I'll be showing you around today and helping you get settled. Follow me."

Luciel fell into step beside her as they walked down the grand hallway. The academy was even more impressive up close. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings and glowing runes, and the air was thick with the faint hum of mana. Students bustled past them, their uniforms crisp and their conversations lively. Luciel couldn't help but feel a pang of self-consciousness in his tattered clothes, but Elise didn't seem to notice.

"Celestia Academy is divided into several wings," Elise explained as they walked. "The main academic building houses classrooms, lecture halls, and laboratories. Over there," she pointed to a towering structure with a glass dome, "is the Arcane Library. It's one of the largest repositories of magical knowledge in the world. You'll likely spend a lot of time there."

Luciel's eyes widened as they passed the library. The sheer scale of it was breathtaking. "Do all students have access to it?" he asked.

Elise nodded. "Yes, though some sections are restricted based on rank and clearance. As you progress in your studies, you'll gain access to more advanced materials."

They continued the tour, passing by training grounds where students practiced spells and combat techniques. Luciel watched in awe as a group of students conjured swirling flames and shimmering barriers with ease. The power on display was unlike anything he'd ever seen.

"This is the Combat Training Wing," Elise said. "Here, students hone their practical skills under the guidance of experienced instructors. You'll start your training here once you've settled in."

Luciel's heart raced at the thought. The system's screen flickered in his vision, a reminder of the path ahead.

[New Objective: Begin training at the Combat Training Wing.]

[

Reward: Increased Awakening Completion Rate.]

Elise led him to a quieter part of the campus, where a series of elegant buildings stood. "These are the dormitories," she explained. "First-year students are housed in the East Wing. Come, I'll show you to your room."

They entered one of the buildings, and Luciel was immediately struck by the opulence of the interior. The floors were polished marble, and the walls were lined with artwork and magical lanterns that glowed softly. Elise led him up a flight of stairs and down a hallway before stopping at a door with a brass plaque that read "Room 207."

"This will be your dorm," she said, handing him a key. "Go ahead and take a look."

Luciel inserted the key and turned the handle, pushing the door open. His breath caught in his throat as he stepped inside. The room was spacious and luxurious, far beyond anything he had ever imagined. A large bed with silk sheets sat against one wall, and a desk with a stack of books and writing materials occupied another. A floor-to-ceiling window offered a stunning view of the academy grounds, and a private bathroom was tucked away in the corner.

"This… this is mine?" Luciel asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Elise smiled. "Yes, it's all yours. Celestia Academy spares no expense when it comes to the comfort and well-being of its students. You'll find everything you need here, including a wardrobe with your new uniform."

She walked over to the wardrobe and opened it, revealing a neatly hung uniform. It was a sleek, tailored outfit in the academy's colors of deep blue and silver, with the Celestia crest embroidered on the chest. Luciel reached out to touch the fabric, marveling at its quality.

"Try it on," Elise encouraged. "I'll wait outside."

Luciel nodded and quickly changed into the uniform. It fit him perfectly, as if it had been made specifically for him. He looked at himself in the mirror, hardly recognizing the boy staring back. The uniform gave him an air of confidence and belonging that he had never felt before.

When he stepped out of the room, Elise's eyes lit up. "You look wonderful," she said. "Like a true Celestia student."

Luciel smiled faintly, and said in fluster. "Thank you."

Elise handed him a small booklet. "This is your student guide. It contains everything you need to know about the academy—class schedules, rules, and important locations. Take some time to read through it. The class should start at 10 am, so in 30 minutes."

Luciel took the guide, his mind already racing with anticipation. "I will."

Elise placed a hand on his shoulder. "You've been given a great opportunity, Luciel. Make the most of it. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

With that, she left him to settle into his new room. Luciel stood in the doorway for a moment, taking in the grandeur of his surroundings. This was his new life—a life he had never dared to dream of.

As he closed the door and sat on the edge of his bed, the system's screen flickered once more.

[New Objective: Attend your first class at Celestia Academy.]

[Reward: Increased Awakening Completion Rate.]

The system seemed to constantly give him objectives that increased his awakening rate, he wasn't sure what would happen when he awakened, but he couldn't but be wary of the system, as it constantly tried to quicken his awakening, but as he had no control over the matter he could only go on with the flow. 

Before he realised it, the next class was just about to begin. He quickly got ready, donning the crisp uniform and smoothing out the fabric. The Celestia crest on his chest felt like a badge of honor, a symbol of the path he had chosen. After a quick glance in the mirror, he grabbed the student guide and headed out the door.

The campus was already bustling with activity. Students moved in groups, their conversations filled with laughter and excitement. Luciel followed the map in the guide, making his way to the main academic building. His first class, Introduction to Mana Theory, was held in Lecture Hall B.

As he entered the lecture hall, he was struck by its grandeur. The room was vast, with tiered seating that descended toward a central podium. The walls were lined with glowing runes, and a massive chalkboard floated in the air, ready to be inscribed with magical equations. Students were already filing in, finding their seats and chatting with one another.

Luciel hesitated at the entrance, unsure of where to sit. He scanned the room, feeling a pang of self-consciousness. Most of the students seemed to know each other, and they were talking happily with their friends. He was an outsider, a newcomer in a world that had long been established.

"First day?" a voice asked, breaking him out of his thoughts.

Luciel turned to see a girl standing beside him. She had short, dark hair and sharp green eyes, and her uniform was adorned with a small pin in the shape of a flame. She smiled warmly, her demeanor friendly and approachable.

"Yeah," Luciel replied, nodding. "I'm not really sure where to sit."

The girl chuckled. "Don't worry, it's not as intimidating as it looks. Come on, you can sit with me. I'm Aria, by the way."

"Luciel," he introduced himself, feeling a bit more at ease.

Aria led him to a seat near the middle of the lecture hall. As they sat down, she leaned over and whispered, "So, what's your affinity? Mine's fire. Hence the pin." She pointed to the flame-shaped badge on her uniform.

Luciel hesitated. "I… I'm not sure yet. I only just found out I had potential."

Aria's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, you're a late bloomer? That's rare. Most of us have known since we were kids. You must have some serious talent if you got into Celestia."

Before Luciel could respond, the room fell silent as the professor entered. He was an elderly man with a long white beard and robes adorned with intricate runes. His presence commanded attention, and the students immediately straightened in their seats.

"Welcome, first-years," the professor began, his voice carrying a weight of authority. "I am Professor Alden, and this is Introduction to Mana Theory. Over the course of this semester, you will learn the fundamentals of mana—its nature, its properties, and how to harness it."

The professor waved his hand, and the floating chalkboard came to life, glowing runes and diagrams appearing on its surface. "Mana," he began, "is the lifeblood of magic. It flows through all living things, connecting us to the world around us. To become an Awakened is to learn to manipulate this energy, to shape it according to your will."

As the lecture progressed, Luciel found himself captivated. The professor's explanations were clear and concise, and the concepts, though complex, felt within his grasp. The system's screen flickered in his vision, updating his progress.

[New Knowledge Acquired: Basics of Mana Theory.]

[Awakening Completion Rate: 12%]

Luciel's heart raced. He was learning, growing. The system was responding to his efforts, and he could feel the faint stirrings of mana within him. It was like a spark, small but undeniable.

When the lecture ended, Aria turned to him with a grin. "Not bad for your first class, huh? You looked like you were really into it."

Luciel smiled faintly. "It was amazing. I've never thought about magic like that before."

Aria nodded. "It's a lot to take in at first, but you'll get the hang of it. Hey, if you ever need help, just let me know. We late bloomers have to stick together."

Luciel felt a surge of gratitude. "Thanks, Aria. I appreciate it."