Walking through the academy's deserted corridors, Alex adjusted his guard jacket and reflected:
(Wow! This place is huge—and completely empty. Everyone's in class. Looks like personal guards are free during lessons; I haven't run into a single one.)
As he passed by a classroom, he discreetly glanced inside.
(I see. Tiered seating—much more efficient than a standard layout. The professor has a massive blackboard and all kinds of equipment. Interesting detail: the guards posted outside each class are academy guards, not private ones. Hmm…)
Alex was about to move on when something caught his eye. He stopped abruptly and took a step back for a better look.
Inside the classroom, he spotted Ella.
She was wearing a simple violet blouse and a black skirt, topped with a teacher's apron.
(Well, would you look at that…) he thought, intrigued.
Inside the classroom, Ella placed her books on the desk and took a deep breath.
(Alright. Time to begin.)
She stepped forward onto the platform and projected her voice.
"Good morning, everyone!"
"Good morning, Professor!" the students replied in unison.
Whispers immediately rippled through the room.
"Hey, look—it's Ella!" "Ella Lumano? Are you sure?" "I'm telling you, it's really her!"
Slightly uncomfortable, Ella remained composed under Alex's watchful gaze from the hallway.
"May I have your attention, please!" she commanded.
Silence fell.
"This is your first year at the academy, and I know most of you are familiar with me—at least by name. My name is Ella Lumano."
With a smooth gesture, she levitated a piece of chalk behind her. It wrote her name in large letters on the board as she continued.
"I am the same age as you. I graduated just one year ago. And yet, this year, I am your homeroom professor for magic. I will be teaching both theory and practice, and I will be evaluating your progress."
She paused briefly.
"This is new for me, so I ask for your patience—and above all, don't hesitate to tell me if something isn't clear."
Her expression grew more serious.
"That said, introductions can wait. Let's get straight to the point."
With a telekinetic motion, she wiped the board clean.
Watching from the corridor, Alex smiled.
(She's handling this pretty well.)
In the tiered seats, someone else we know thought the same thing.
(Yeah… she's doing fine.)
Ella quickly sketched a diagram of the human body.
"You all have a general idea of what elemental magic is. But do you truly know what magic itself is?"
The class fell silent. Finally, a girl raised her hand. Ella nodded for her to speak.
"Magic is a natural force that allows one to alter the causality of the world," the student said before sitting down.
"That's one approach," Ella admitted. "But changes in causality can also result from abyssal curses, spiritual phenomena, or divine miracles. Magic, however, is based on a very specific principle: the manifestation of essence."
The students leaned forward, interest piqued.
"Every object, every person, every animal possesses an essence. It is their value of existence—their soul. Magic does not act on the material, but on the meta-material. Because something exists, it has the power to act—to influence causality."
Alex frowned slightly, trying to keep up.
"In this world," Ella continued, "causality itself is neutral. Over time, it accumulates power—this is what we call Mana. Mana is infused into our soul like a core and manifests through the mind."
"In theory, magic depends only on your will and your mana reserves. You give form to what you need to bring into existence."
Suddenly, a massive hologram of constellations appeared in the classroom, bathing the students in blue light.
"Incredible…" one student whispered. "She didn't even chant!"
"You can use mana to enhance your body or heal," Ella went on. "But don't think it's easy. Magic is a form of communion. To cast a spell, you must be in harmony with the element."
"This is the foundation of my course. If you truly master the basics, you'll be able to surpass me."
She smiled brightly.
(It feels so good to share this.)
(Yeah, she's totally in her element), Alex thought.
After long technical explanations, the bell finally rang.
"That's all for today," Ella concluded. "Next time, we'll move on to practice—the part everyone dreads. Have a good day!"
As Ella gathered her things, Davina—seated in the second row—watched her leave.
Through the open door, she saw Ella bump into Alex.
(So they know each other?) Davina noted. (That explains why he stayed there the entire lesson. Interesting…)
Outside, Ella jumped slightly when she saw Alex waiting, hands in his pockets.
"Alex?!"
"Hey, Ella. Looks like things are going well. You're an excellent teacher."
Ella turned beet red.
"Wait… you heard everything?"
"Some of it," he replied casually. "If we ignore the fact that I've been here by accident since the beginning."
"Since the beginning?! That's spying!"
Alex placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Don't be embarrassed. It was impressive. Thanks to you, I finally understand the basics of magic—despite being completely unable to use it."
Ella pouted for a moment, then relaxed.
"Well… to make it up to you, let me escort you," he added. "No point just standing around."
A few hours later, during the break, Ella was slumped at a table in the academy café.
(Five classes… five different levels. I'm exhausted.)
As she sighed over her fruit juice, Alex appeared and sat down across from her without asking. She eyed him suspiciously.
"What?" he said. "I've walked around this place ten times already. I'm wiped. I need a drink."
"You're always so unpredictable," Ella sighed. "I never know what you'll do next."
She pushed a plate of pastries toward him.
"Here. Try this."
"What is it? Looks like mini bread rolls."
"Local specialties. They're delicious."
Alex popped one into his mouth. His usually cynical expression instantly softened.
"But… this is amazing!"
Ella burst into a small laugh.
"See? That's a relief. At least now I know you're human."
"What do you mean by that…? Can I have another?"
"Go ahead. Honestly, I've often wondered whether you're even the same species as me."
Alex swallowed a second one, ignoring the jab.
"Look at him—already addicted!" Ella teased.
As they joked, a figure approached their table. A gentle but confident voice broke the mood.
"So it's you. The boy I wanted to meet—properly."
Alex and Ella looked up in surprise.
Davina Lorens stood before them, her orange hair catching the light.
"Do we know each other?" Alex asked, his senses instantly on alert.
"But… you're a student in my class!" Ella exclaimed.
"Exactly," Davina replied. "My name is Davina Lorens, eldest daughter of Duke Léon Lorens."
She turned her gaze to Alex.
"And you, royal guard whose name I have yet to learn… I'd like to speak with you."
Alex stared at her intently. His instincts never lied.
(Yes… I saw her during the entrance ceremony. Davina Lorens. Why do I feel like she reeks of trouble? Her aura is a magnet for disasters—I can sense it from miles away.)
END OF THE CHAPTER
NEXT CHAPTER: Royal Academy – Act I: The Real Problem (2)