CHAPTER 5: The Magic Never Taught Like

The next morning, the grand halls of the academy bustled with students, their excited chatter filling the air as they prepared for the first day of lectures. Sunlight streamed through the towering windows, casting long golden streaks across the marble floors. The faint scent of parchment and ink mixed with the crisp morning air, was a reminder that the true beginning of their journey had arrived.

Luna Valentine, ever composed yet with a glint of curiosity in her eyes, turned to Sonya and said, "You should hurry and get ready. We're heading to our first lecture soon."

Sonya, still adjusting to the new environment, fastened her cloak and grabbed her notebook before following Luna through the hallways. As they walked, Sonya casually asked, "By the way, who's our homeroom teacher?"

Luna stopped in her tracks and raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You didn't hear?" she said with a slight smirk. "It's none other than Mr. Ravenclaw. He's the youngest Grand Mage in history."

At that moment, Sonya's steps faltered, and her grip tightened on her book. Austin Ravenclaw? Teaching them?

Her mind raced. In the game, Austin was known to be one of the most influential figures in magic, a prodigy who had mastered all elements. But more than that—he was a major obstacle. If she was to outmaneuver him, she needed to tread carefully.

As Sonya and Luna walked through the grand corridors of the Academy of Magic, the air was thick with murmurs and curious glances. The towering walls, lined with intricate arcane runes, seemed to hum with the presence of thousands of students, all eager to prove themselves in the most prestigious institution of magic.

Yet, amidst this sea of students, all eyes seemed to drift towards one person—Sonya, the imperial princess.

Whispers spread like wildfire.

"Isn't that the princess of the empire?"

"What's an imperial doing here? I thought nobles rarely attended alongside commoners."

"She doesn't look arrogant like the others… but still, she's royalty. She'll never understand us."

The commoner students, wearing simple yet well-kept uniforms, eyed her with a mix of admiration, curiosity, and resentment. Some had spent their entire lives training for a single chance to enter the academy, while nobility had access to private tutors and elite training from birth. For an imperial princess to stand among them—it was both inspiring and frustrating.

Sonya felt their stares but kept her expression neutral. She had expected this reaction. In the game's storyline, the princess was nothing more than a minor character, a spoiled noble who never bothered to take her studies seriously. But now? Now she had control.

She was no longer a mere piece on the board—she was here to play the game in her way.

Beside her, Luna Valentine seemed unbothered by the tension, adjusting her glasses with an amused smirk. "Ignore them," she said, voice smooth and unreadable. "Their opinions will change soon enough."

Sonya glanced at her. "You think so?"

Luna chuckled. "Of course. If you prove yourself, they'll be forced to acknowledge you. If not, well… I suppose you'll just be another privileged noble trying to play hero."

Sonya's lips curled into a small smile. "Then I suppose I'll just have to prove them wrong."

As they neared the lecture hall, the murmurs grew quieter, replaced by the growing anticipation of the first lesson.

This was the beginning of something new. A battlefield of intellect, power, and survival.

And Sonya was ready.

Sonya and Luna stepped into the vast lecture hall, they were immediately struck by the diversity of students present. The large, semi-circular room was filled with aspiring mages, some hailing from powerful noble families, while others were commoners who had fought their way here through sheer talent and determination.

Sonya's sharp gaze instinctively scanned the crowd, her mind running through the information she had compiled the night before.

Arthur Grayson, a commoner whose talent in swordplay would soon make him a prodigy, sat near the front, his arms crossed as he studied the classroom with wary eyes. In the game, he would go on to become a formidable warrior, known for challenging noble mages in duels and proving that skill could triumph over status.

Marina Aurlien, daughter of Count Aurlien, sat a few seats away. She would one day become an influential member of the Mage's Council, advocating for reforms that would change the empire's structure. Her soft features and composed expression gave her an air of nobility beyond her years.

And then, there was Selen Vossaria Whom she would like to bring to her side, she would be a valuable asset against Ravenclaw.

Luna nudged her slightly. "Here in this classroom," she said in a low voice, "some will try to stick to you for their own gain, some will try to use you, and some will outright hate you. But you'll need to be resilient."

Sonya turned to her, arching a brow. "And what about you? Where do you stand?"

Luna adjusted her glasses, her expression unreadable. "To me, you're just another human I'll spend four years with. And after that? We'll both be busy with our own lives. Nothing more, nothing less."

A smirk tugged at Sonya's lips. "How cold of you."

"Better to be cold than naive," Luna replied before taking a seat.

Before Sonya could respond, the door at the front of the room swung open, and silence fell over the class.

A tall, imposing figure strode in, his every step exuding confidence. His sharp, well-defined features, striking violet eyes, and jet-black hair gave him an almost ethereal presence. He wasn't just another professor—he was Austin von Ravenclaw.

A murmur spread through the room like wildfire.

"He's so young!"

"Wait—he's our homeroom teacher?"

"They say he's the youngest Grandmage in history… is that even true?"

Austin took his place at the front of the class, his gaze sweeping over the students, silencing them with a single glance. When he spoke, his voice was calm yet commanding.

"I am Austin von Ravenclaw, your homeroom teacher. For the next four years, I will be the one guiding you."

His eyes sharpened.

"Inside these walls, you are neither commoners nor nobles. You are not defined by your family names, wealth, or bloodline. Here, you are only students. If you expect special treatment due to your birthright, you are free to leave now."

Silence.

Some of the noble students shifted uncomfortably, while the commoners exchanged glances, surprised by his directness. Sonya could see Marina sitting straighter, Arthur smirking slightly, and Selen tilting her head as if analyzing Austin's words.

Austin's expression remained unreadable as he continued.

"This academy does not care who you were before you entered its gates. The only thing that matters here is talent, effort, and the will to learn." He crossed his arms, his gaze piercing. "Now, let us begin."

Sonya leaned back in her seat, watching him carefully.

This was going to be interesting.

Austin clasped his hands behind his back, his sharp violet eyes scanning the room as he continued, "Today, I will teach you the fundamentals of magic." His voice was firm, resonating through the vast classroom.

The students sat in rapt attention, some scribbling notes, others watching him intently. The anticipation in the room was almost tangible.

Austin raised a hand, his fingers moving in precise motions. "Magic exists in various forms, and its medium can differ from person to person. Some use wands, others use swords, canes, staves, or even their bare hands. The way you channel your mana depends on your affinity and control."

A soft hum filled the air as a glowing magic circle formed at his fingertips, intricate runes weaving together in a seamless pattern. A gust of cold wind followed as ice bloomed from the center, forming delicate crystalline shards that hovered in the air like frozen petals.

Gasps echoed through the room. Even among nobles, magic of this caliber was rare to witness up close.

Austin allowed the ice to swirl around him before shattering it into a fine mist with a mere flick of his wrist. He turned his gaze back to the students. "This is ice magic. My specialty."

Sonya, watching from her seat, felt a strange sense of unease. In the game, Austin had been a powerful figure, but this level of control was something far beyond what she had read in the book. Was it because the story had changed? Or was this his true strength, hidden beneath layers of mystery?

Austin continued, "Magic is more than just a tool. It is the extension of one's will. Your imagination dictates its form, your control determines its strength. If you can think it, you can build it. That is the foundation of all magic."

A boy from the back hesitantly raised his hand. "Professor, if magic is based on imagination, then does that mean anything is possible?"

Austin's lips curled into a slight smirk. "Theoretically, yes. But in reality, there are limits. Your body, your mana pool, your understanding—these are all factors that determine what you can and cannot do. Overcome those limits, and you may one day wield magic beyond your wildest dreams."

Another student, a noble girl with platinum blonde hair, scoffed. "Then those born with weak mana pools are simply doomed to be inferior?"

Austin's smirk vanished, his expression turning unreadable. "Not necessarily. If magic was purely based on birthright, then I would not be standing before you today."

Austin turned away from the floating runes and faced his students, his gaze unwavering. "I come from the house of Ravenclaw," he stated, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable weight. The room fell into a hushed silence, as even the nobles among them straightened at the mention of that name.

"My family does not specialize in magic," he continued. "The Ravenclaws are known for our swordsmanship. For generations, we have been warriors, rulers of the battlefield, our blades carving through enemy lines like fate itself."

"I come from a house that is infamous across the empire," he stated. "A house that controls twenty-three dark families, a house feared for its influence in both the light and the shadows."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the students.

"Then how is he a mage?"

"A grandmage at his age? Impossible!"

"They're practically a shadow empire!"

Austin's sharp hearing caught the whispers, but he showed no reaction. Instead, he let his next words cut through the noise like a blade through flesh.

"Power alone would not have made me a mage. My body was trained to wield a sword, not magic. Had I not possessed a high mana pool, I would have been another nameless warrior lost in my family's legacy."

His fingers moved subtly, and the floating symbols behind him shifted, morphing into a grand, glowing sigil. The very air in the classroom trembled under its presence, the sheer density of mana pressing against their chests like an invisible force.

"But mana is only potential," he said, his voice calm yet laced with something colder. "The true challenge lies in control. In mastery. In bending your own limits until you shatter them."

The students sat frozen. Even those who were noble-born and familiar with magic had never seen a demonstration like this.

Luna Valentine crossed her arms, watching intently. "So the rumors are true. He isn't just strong—he's dangerous."

Sonya, however, wasn't thinking about his strength. Her mind was focused on something else entirely.

"This isn't how it was supposed to be."

In the game, Austin von Ravenclaw was powerful, yes—but not like this. He was never meant to be a grandmage at this age, nor was he supposed to hold such terrifying mastery over mana.

Something has changed.

She clenched her fists beneath the desk. If the story had deviated this much already, then what else would change? Would her knowledge of the future even be useful anymore?

Austin lowered his hand, allowing the magic to dissipate. "Now," he said, as if he hadn't just shaken the room to its core, "open your books to page thirty. Let's begin."

But for Sonya, the lesson had already begun. And it was a far more dangerous one than what lay in their textbooks.

"Magic in this world is categorized into two types: Light and Dark." His voice was steady, almost indifferent, as though he was merely stating facts rather than redefining their understanding of magic. "Some call Dark Magic forbidden, but tell me—" he paused, glancing around, "which text, which ancient scripture, ever declared it as such?"

Silence.

"None," he answered for them. "Despite that, people fear Dark Mages. Why? Because they draw upon something beyond ordinary mana. They borrow from nature itself—the unseen forces of the world, the very essence that lingers in places untouched by light."

A flurry of hushed whispers broke out among the students.

"Then why is Dark Magic feared?""Does that mean Dark Mages aren't evil?""But history shows that those who use it…"

Austin paid no mind to their murmurs. Instead, he continued, raising his left hand—the one with the normal fire.

"This—" he gestured, "is what we all recognize as fire magic. We see fire, we feel its warmth, its destruction, and we understand it."

Austin observed the students' astonished expressions, his gaze calm yet piercing. He let the silence stretch for a moment before finally speaking again.

"You see, what I just showed you—this fire," he gestured to the normal flames, "is what most people understand as magic. It is fire born from a mage's mana, converted into an element through a magic circle. But there is something beyond this—a deeper, more fundamental force. A fire that does not come from mere mana, but from the very essence of nature itself."

He lifted his other hand, and the eerie black fire flickered once more, but this time, it didn't simply burn. It pulsed. The air itself seemed to shudder around it as if the very fabric of the room was reacting to its presence.

"This—" his voice carried a weight that made the students shiver, "is Pure Magic. It does not come from my mana. It is drawn directly from the world around us—from the latent energy that exists within all things, unseen yet omnipresent and unlike the traditional fires it's cold in touch but lasts longer than our traditional one."

He lowered his hand towards the wooden desk in front of him. Instead of igniting, the wood was left untouched, yet the air around it seemed to twist unnaturally. A few students gasped.

The students exchanged uneasy glances. Fire that didn't burn? It went against everything they had learned.

Austin glanced at them, unimpressed by their confusion. "Magic is not bound by the rules of nature as you understand them. It is the manipulation of energy, of elements, of concepts beyond the physical world. Dark Fire is drawn from mana itself, refined into something purer than mere flame. It does not consume—it erases."

He turned his gaze toward a noble student in the front row. "Touch it."

The student hesitated, sweat forming on his brow.

"Or are you afraid?" Austin's cold voice taunted him.

Not wanting to appear weak, the student gulped and reached out, his fingers brushing against the dark flame. His eyes widened. "It's... freezing," he murmured, pulling his hand back quickly. "It feels like touching ice, but without the numbness."

Austin nodded. "Dark Fire removes warmth, absorbs energy rather than expelling it. It does not spread like natural fire, nor does it consume physical matter in the same way. Its nature is not destruction, but negation."

The students listened in rapt attention, some in awe, others in fear.

Sonya narrowed her eyes. In the game, he wielded Dark Fire with ease. A power feared by many... but respected by all.

She tapped her quill against her notebook.

"He's revealing a lot. Almost as if he's trying to make sure we understand something fundamental before we move forward."

But why?

As Sonya sat in her seat, she tapped her fingers lightly on the desk, deep in thought.

"He's different from what I expected, yet exactly as I remember."

In the game, Austin von Ravenclaw had been a professor at the Academy of Magic, but he had never been warm or approachable. He was known for his cold, straightforward teaching style—efficient, precise, and utterly indifferent to the students' status or feelings. He didn't coddle anyone, nor did he waste time on unnecessary pleasantries.

"He never played favorites, never cared whether his students were nobles or commoners. To him, ability was all that mattered."

She glanced at the other students, who were still murmuring among themselves, enchanted by the idea that such a young and powerful Grand Mage was standing before them. Some admired his talent, while others whispered about his family, about how they controlled twenty-three dark families and specialized in brute strength rather than magic.

But Sonya knew better.

"In the story, he wasn't just a powerful mage. A war strategist. The man who overthrew my father."

Yet here he was, explaining the fundamentals of magic as if none of that had ever happened—or rather as if it hadn't happened yet.

Her fingers tightened.

"I have to figure out what he's after. If he's still following the same path or if something has changed."

Austin clapped his hands together, the sound echoing through the silent classroom. "Now that you understand the fundamentals of magic, let's move on to something crucial—protection magic."

The students straightened in their seats. Protection magic was one of the core principles of magical combat and survival.

"There are four types of protection magic," Austin continued, lifting a single finger. "First—Full Protection."

He raised his hand, and a translucent dome expanded outward, surrounding him completely. The shimmering barrier pulsed with energy, and its surface shifted like rippling water.

"This is a complete defensive sphere that guards from all directions. It is the strongest form of defense but also the most mana-consuming. Mages who specialize in defense often train their reserves specifically for this."

With a snap of his fingers, the barrier shattered like glass, disappearing in an instant.

"The second type—Face Protection."

A semi-circular barrier formed in front of him, resembling a large, glowing shield.

"This form is useful in duels or battlefields, where attacks come mostly from the front. It is significantly cheaper in mana usage than Full Protection, but it leaves the sides and back vulnerable."

He dispelled the barrier and took a step forward.

"Third—Forward Protection."

Unlike the previous shield, this one stretched far ahead, forming a large wall of energy across the classroom. Some students gasped as the glowing construct seemed almost impenetrable.

"This is used for area-wide defense, protecting allies or blocking pathways. Mages in war often use this to shield troops from incoming projectiles."

Finally, Austin flicked his wrist, and the massive shield vanished. He raised his palm one last time, summoning a thin barrier that enveloped only his body like a second skin.

"The last type of protection magic—**Individual Protection—**is by far the most powerful and the most difficult to master."

The students leaned in, intrigued.

Unlike the other barriers that were summoned in fixed locations, this magic adapted to the user's will. It was not static—it moved, flowed, and defended wherever the caster needed it.

Austin raised his hand, and a faint, almost invisible shimmer surrounded his body.

"This," he said, "is true defense."

Suddenly, he flicked his wrist, and an unseen force blocked an imaginary attack aimed at his back. He twisted his fingers, and the barrier shifted instantly, covering his left side, then his right.

"It is unlike the previous types of protection magic. It is not a wall, not a dome, not a shield—it is you."

The students watched in awe as the barely visible energy flickered and shifted around him like a second skin.

"Individual Protection follows intention and instinct rather than direction. If mastered, it can act faster than thought, shielding against surprise attacks, magical ambushes, and even countering before the enemy strikes. However, the mastery required is immense. Few in history have ever perfected this technique because it demands absolute control over one's mana, reflexes, and mind."

Austin let his hand drop, and the shimmering defense vanished.

"The reason this magic is so difficult is simple," he continued. "Unlike a wall that absorbs attacks or a dome that blocks everything at once, this type requires you to predict, react, and adapt all at once. A fraction of a second delay, a lapse in concentration—and you might as well have no defense at all."

He looked over the students, his gaze sharp.

"Protection magic is not about putting up a shield and hoping it holds. It is about knowing when and where to place it, how much mana to use, and whether it should be solid or flexible. In combat, those who rely only on brute force die first."

The class remained silent, absorbing the sheer complexity of what he had just shown them.

Sonya clenched her hands. In the game, Ravenclaw had always used this magic in battle. Unlike others who relied on barriers or armor, he walked through wars untouched, as if his body was an extension of magic itself. He was untouchable, an unbreakable force.

She narrowed her eyes.

"And now, he's going to teach us how to wield it?"

A student raised her hand and said 

"So, Professor," she said, tilting her head slightly, "does that mean mages are invincible?"

For a brief second, Austin studied her carefully.

She is Selen Vossaria—the daughter of Duke Vossaria.

A girl with a quiet, calculating nature.

A girl who, in the game, had harbored a deep hatred for him.

Abyssal.

A member of the secretive organization that operated in the shadows of the empire.

And, most importantly—someone who had also sought the Orb of Nemesis.

She had reached for it once. But she failed.

She holds a deep resentment for Ravenclaw, why well he uncovered his scandal in the Empire and her father was executed. She didn't know the full truth, but that didn't matter.

To her, Austin von Ravenclaw was the reason her father was dead.

Austin tapped his fingers against his desk, considering his response.

Then, in a calm, almost dismissive voice, he said,

"No. Mages are not invincible. No one is."

The classroom was silent as his words settled in.

"Magic is powerful, but it is not absolute. Just like how a well-cast barrier can block an attack, a well-placed strike can shatter that same barrier. Mages rely on mana, and mana is not infinite. If a mage loses focus, their spells fail. If they run out of mana, they become vulnerable. If they are caught off guard—"

He snapped his fingers. Crack.

"They die like anyone else."

Selen's expression didn't change, but Austin noticed the slightest twitch in her fingers.

He continued, watching her closely.

"Invincibility is a myth. A foolish fantasy. What exists is strength and weakness. Mages have their strengths, but they also have fatal flaws. A swordsman with the right timing can kill a mage before they can cast. A well-prepared assassin can strike when a mage is exhausted. And sometimes—"

His lips curved into a faint, knowing smirk.

"—even magic itself can betray its wielder."

Selen's hands curled into fists.

"I'll kill you myself ravenclaw no matter what," she thought.

Another question from her was said.

"Then how is a mage killed?"

The classroom fell into stunned silence.

A few students audibly gasped. Others exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from confusion to curiosity. A handful of them—particularly the nobility—looked outright horrified that someone would ask such a question so boldly.

Even Luna Valentine, who had remained impassive throughout the lecture, slightly raised an eyebrow.

"Interesting," Austin thought, tapping his fingers rhythmically against the desk. She's not just testing me anymore. She's looking for an answer. A real one.

Sonya, sitting a few seats away, narrowed her eyes.

Selen Vossaria… you're asking your sworn enemy, how to kill him from his mouth, huh? How… fascinating. She's clever. Strategic. But more than that—she's dangerous.

Selen wasn't just asking about mages. She was asking about him. About Ravenclaw.

She wants to know how to kill him.

The thought sent a shiver of excitement through Sonya.

"She's sharp, and she's patient. Not the type to lash out recklessly—no, she's planning something. Even though she failed to obtain the Orb of Nemesis in the game, she was still one of the most persistent enemies of Ravenclaw. She never gave up. She kept coming back, over and over, until she became a genuine threat."

Sonya smiled slightly, concealing her amusement behind her hand.

I need her on my side.

It wasn't just about survival. It wasn't just about getting stronger.

Selen was the kind of person who, if nurtured correctly, could become an ally of terrifying potential.

She had intelligence, willpower, and most of all—a reason to hate Ravenclaw. That alone made her valuable.

If I can redirect that hatred, guide it where I need it to go…

Sonya's fingers lightly tapped against her notebook.

"I just have to find the right angle."

Austin finally spoke, his voice calm but firm.

"There are many ways to kill a mage."

The murmuring stopped immediately.

"The simplest method is a swift strike before they can cast. Mages rely on concentration. If you break that, their spells fail. A well-placed arrow, a poisoned blade—anything fast enough to land before a spell forms is effective."

His crimson eyes gleamed as he added,

"But that's only for the weak mages. The real threats? The true masters? Killing them requires more than just speed."

Selen's lips curled slightly. He's taking the bait.

Austin stood up, walking slowly around the desk, his footsteps echoing in the large classroom.

"Strong mages understand their weaknesses. They build layers of defense—barriers, counter-magic, spatial distortions. You cannot simply rush in and expect to win."

He glanced at the students, watching their reactions. Some were nodding, absorbing the lesson. Others looked uneasy, as if they were realizing how fragile power could be.

"To kill a high-level mage, you must break them down. Deprive them of mana. Exhaust them. Force them into a situation where they can no longer cast—whether through prolonged battle, sealing magic, or even psychological warfare."

Selen tilted her head, her eyes sharp.

"So, in the end, patience is key?"

Austin smirked.

"Patience, intelligence, and the will to strike when the time is right. A mage is not invincible. No one is."

Selen held his gaze for a few seconds longer before finally sitting down, satisfied.

Sonya let out a small breath, hiding her grin.

"She's testing him, but he's playing along perfectly. This is going to be fun."

Note: what do you all think of the chapter written till now please share your thougths int he comment I am a novice write so it will help me greatly to improve my writing