Aetherion walked through the academy grounds, the whispers of the other students still echoing in his mind. "He thinks he's better than everyone else," one had muttered, and Aetherion couldn't help but feel a flicker of amusement.
"Don't they realize I'm an angel?" he thought to himself, his mind wandering back to his duel with Azraelis, another celestial being. Surely, they would understand the significance of that battle. But as he passed by more students, their looks of curiosity and mild disdain made him pause.
That's when the system spoke up, its tone carrying an air of realization. [Aetherion, it seems they don't know.]
Aetherion's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
[They don't remember your duel with Azraelis as it happened. In fact, it's likely they don't remember any indication of your angelic nature. It's as though their memories have been… altered.]
Aetherion stopped in his tracks, the weight of the system's words sinking in. "Altered?" he repeated, his voice low. "How? By who?"
The system continued, [It's unclear, but someone powerful has placed a spell over the academy—one that wipes the memories of the students regarding your angelic status. They might remember the duel itself, but not the fact that you're an angel.]
Aetherion thought back to the battle, the flames, the clash of divine powers. And yet, no one seemed to acknowledge the true nature of that fight. "I see… interesting."
Aetherion felt a strange sense of relief wash over him. While he wasn't particularly concerned about others knowing he was an angel, it was somewhat convenient that the academy's students were unaware of his true nature. He didn't have to hide as much as he initially thought.
"Well," he muttered to himself, "that's one less thing to worry about."
[Indeed,] the system responded. [But be cautious. Whoever placed that spell must have considerable power. Whether they did it for your benefit or their own reasons is something you'll need to discover eventually.]
Aetherion nodded. "For now, I'll focus on what's in front of me."
He made his way to his first class: Protection Magic, an essential part of the academy's curriculum. As powerful as Aetherion was, defensive spells like wards and barriers were less familiar to him. This would be an opportunity to expand his magical skillset.
The Protection Magic classroom was vast, with high ceilings and walls adorned with glowing runes. Several students were already seated, and the air buzzed with excitement and nervousness. At the front of the room stood Professor Elyndor, a tall, imposing figure dressed in deep blue robes. His eyes gleamed with the sharpness of someone who had spent decades mastering the arcane arts.
"Welcome to Protection Magic," Professor Elyndor began, his voice carrying easily across the room. "This class will focus on defensive spells—wards, barriers, and shields. These are the spells that will save your life in battle and protect your allies. Mastering them is not optional."
Aetherion took a seat toward the middle of the classroom, keeping a low profile despite the glances some students sent his way. He could feel their curiosity, but he didn't let it distract him.
"Today, we will begin with basic shielding magic," Professor Elyndor continued. "You will learn to create a barrier around yourself, using your magic to protect against external threats. It requires focus and precision. This is not a brute force spell."
Aetherion listened carefully. While he excelled at offensive magic, protection spells required a different kind of control—one he wasn't used to.
The class was divided into pairs for practice. Each student would take turns casting a shield while the other would send small magical bolts to test its strength. Aetherion partnered with a girl named Lyria, who seemed eager to test her skills.
Lyria smiled nervously as she stood in front of him. "You go first. I'll attack your shield."
Aetherion nodded, feeling confident. He raised his hand and concentrated, trying to summon the magic to form a protective barrier around himself. A faint shimmer appeared in the air, signaling that the spell was beginning to take shape. But just as he started to solidify it, the shield wavered and flickered out.
Lyria hesitated. "Are you… okay?"
Aetherion clenched his jaw slightly, surprised by his own failure. "I'm fine. Just give me a moment."
The system chimed in, [Remember, Aetherion, protection magic requires finesse. It's not about power—it's about control.]
Aetherion tried again, focusing more intently. This time, the shield appeared more clearly, though it still lacked the solidity he wanted. Lyria sent a small bolt of magic toward him, and it passed through the weak shield, making Aetherion's frustration grow.
As Lyria watched with concern, Aetherion took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. This wasn't like him. He was used to excelling in all things related to magic, but protection spells seemed to demand a type of control he hadn't fully grasped yet.
"It's all about balance," he muttered to himself. "Too much force and the shield breaks. Too little, and it's useless."
The system offered encouragement. [You're improving, Aetherion. Don't let frustration cloud your focus. It's natural to struggle with new forms of magic.]
Aetherion nodded slightly, ignoring the curious stares from the other students. "I'll get it," he whispered. "It's just… different."
On his third attempt, he concentrated more carefully. He visualized the shield in his mind, steady and firm, but flexible enough to absorb attacks. The shimmering barrier appeared once more, this time holding steady. Lyria cast another small bolt, and this time, the shield absorbed the impact, rippling slightly but remaining intact.
Aetherion allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. He was starting to get the hang of it.
As the class continued, Aetherion slowly began to improve. He made mistakes—his shields sometimes broke under pressure, and occasionally, he couldn't summon them quickly enough—but each failure taught him something new.
Professor Elyndor walked by, observing Aetherion's progress. "Good," he said with a nod of approval. "You're starting to grasp the balance required for protection magic. Remember, power alone won't save you in a fight. A solid defense is just as important."
Aetherion thanked the professor and returned to his practice. With each attempt, his shields grew stronger and more stable. While he wasn't yet at the level he wanted, he could feel his understanding of the magic deepening. It was a humbling experience to struggle, but it also reminded him of the importance of growth and learning—something even a Primordial like himself could not ignore.
As the class came to an end, Aetherion reflected on the day's lessons. He had faced frustration and failure, but through it, he had learned a valuable lesson about control and patience. Protection magic wasn't about overwhelming force—it was about balance,precision, and adaptability. These skills would prove valuable, not only in his time at the academy but in the larger battles that awaited him beyond the mortal realm.
The other students packed up their things, some looking satisfied with their progress, while others seemed just as frustrated as Aetherion had been at the start of the lesson. He noticed a few more glances thrown his way, but now they were less curious and more respectful. It was clear that even though he wasn't perfect, he was improving rapidly.
The system spoke softly in his mind. [You're on the right path. Remember, mastering protection is about more than defense—it's about resilience. You'll need both in the trials ahead.]
Aetherion nodded to himself as he gathered his materials. Today had been a reminder that even with his immense power, there was always more to learn. And while he might face failures along the way, those failures would only make him stronger.
As he left the classroom, his thoughts drifted back to the memory spell that still hung over the academy like an unseen cloud. Whoever was responsible for it had power, and that meant Aetherion needed to remain vigilant. But for now, his focus was on his studies, on mastering his magic, and on maintaining his carefully constructed disguise.
His journey at the academy was just beginning, and though the road ahead would be difficult, Aetherion was ready to face whatever challenges awaited him.