The bus hissed to a stop in front of the towering gates of Eldorado Magic High School. The doors swung open with a soft creak, and a boy with black hair stepped out, his striking red coat catching the morning light. His eyes lifted to the grand spires of the academy, which loomed like spell-forged towers beneath the rising sun. The sight was breathtaking—like a palace carved from dreams and magic.
Alvin Ashford stood still for a moment, the wind gently tugging at his coat.
"So this is Eldorado Magic High School," he murmured to himself. "One of the greatest magic schools in the world."
He adjusted the strap of the bag slung over his shoulder, took a deep breath, and walked through the iron-wrought gates. All around him, a sea of students bustled about—some chatting, others casting idle spells, a few proudly showing off enchanted familiars that hovered, slithered, or purred at their sides.
"First things first…" Alvin muttered, weaving his way through the crowd. "Find my room. And my roommate."
He entered the dorm courtyard, eyes scanning for a signpost—when a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder. He turned sharply.
Behind him stood a tall boy with sleek black hair and a white cloak that shimmered faintly in the morning light. Calm and confident, the boy gave a nod.
"Hey. You must be Alvin, right?"
Alvin raised an eyebrow. "Yeah…?"
The boy tapped the badge pinned to his chest. It read: Room 13. Alvin glanced at his own. A perfect match.
"We're roommates," the boy said, extending his hand with a friendly smile. "I'm Reid Harven."
"Alvin Ashford," he replied, shaking his hand.
Without waiting, Reid reached over and lifted Alvin's bag off his shoulder.
"You must be tired. Let me carry it."
Alvin blinked. "...Thanks."
The door to Room 13 creaked open a few minutes later. It was a simple but cozy space—two beds, a large window bathing the room in sunlight, a pair of wardrobes, and a desk pressed against the far wall.
"Take any bed you want," Reid said cheerfully.
Alvin noticed Reid's bag already resting on the right-side bed and set his own down on the left. "I'm good here."
Reid flopped onto his bed, stretching with a satisfied sigh.
"Let's go grab breakfast," he suggested. "I've been waiting for you since I got here."
"You waited for me?" Alvin asked, surprised.
Reid chuckled. "Yeah. You're my roommate. Isn't it obvious?"
The canteen buzzed with life—students crowded around floating trays, laughter and conversation mixing with the occasional spark of magic. Plates clinked, spells shimmered in the air, and enchanted dishes refilled themselves at will.
"So?" Reid asked, leaning forward. "Excited to learn magic? New spells? All that stuff?"
"Definitely," Alvin replied. "It's all pretty new to me."
After a moment, he asked, "What about you? What's your dream?"
Reid paused mid-step, thoughtful. "I want to become a member of the World Magic Council."
Alvin raised an eyebrow. "Ambitious."
Reid gave a small grin. "What about you?"
"Nothing big. I just want to live my four years here in peace. That's all."
Reid stared for a second, then laughed. "That's… the simplest ambition I've ever heard."
Alvin smiled without a word as they picked up trays of eggs and toast and found an empty table.
But just as they sat down, a commotion erupted outside.
Outside the canteen, a group of rowdy second-year boys had surrounded a girl in a red uniform. Her black hair was tied neatly behind her, and her eyes held a quiet, unflinching fire.
"We told you to dance, fresh meat," sneered one of the bullies. "If not, I'll turn you into a frog."
"I said, I can't dance," the girl replied coldly.
"Oh? So you're saying no to me?"
Inside, Alvin stiffened. Reid, mid-bite, gave a shrug.
"Shouldn't we step in?" Alvin asked.
"Nope," Reid replied. "Not getting wrecked by seniors over a stranger."
Suddenly—whoosh! A fireball blazed across the courtyard, landing between the bullies.
A boy with spiky blue hair stepped forward, his cloak fluttering with the force of his magic.
"Touch her again, and I'll make sure you regret it," he warned.
"Who the hell are you, punk?" one of the bullies snarled.
"You really want to find out?" the boy shot back.
Tension built—until the class bell rang.
"Fine. We'll deal with you later," one bully grumbled as they retreated.
"Yeah, yeah," the boy muttered. "Looking forward to it."
The classroom was vast and polished, lined with marble floors and glowing lanterns that swayed gently overhead. Students settled into rows of desks as silence fell. The door creaked open, and an elegant woman in flowing robes stepped inside.
Professor Elenwen Word's presence alone commanded attention. Her robes shimmered with silk-like grace, each step echoing with quiet authority.
"Welcome, everyone," she said. "I'm Professor Elenwen Word. Today, we begin with Aura Manipulation."
She glided to the front of the class and looked over the sea of faces.
"Before we begin—does anyone know what mana is?"
A hand rose in the back. Alvin turned to look. It was the same girl from earlier, seated near the window now. Her silver eyes gleamed.
"Mana is the fuel that powers all magic," she said clearly. "We're born with it. Each mage's mana level and capacity differ based on their potential."
Professor Elenwen smiled. "Excellent answer. What's your name?"
"Lira Solen, ma'am."
"Thank you, Lira."
She gestured toward a stack of objects at her desk.
"Aura manipulation lets you control energy outside your body. You can push, pull, defend—even attack."
With a flick of her fingers, a duster flew across the room, slamming into the wall with force.
"To do this, control is everything. Control over your mind… and your mana."
She moved between the rows.
"Close your eyes. Feel your energy. Feed it your mana. Then command it to act."
The students obeyed.
Then—crack!
Everyone's eyes snapped open. A boy stood in the center, hands raised. Two desks and a statue hovered in mid-air.
"Very impressive, Kael," Elenwen said, nodding.
Whispers spread like wind.
"That's Kael Sundrake… one of the Five Great Families. He's a flame mage."
Alvin watched, intrigued.
"Flame magic, huh?"
Professor Elenwen stepped back. "Now, everyone—practice on your own. I'll check your progress next class."
As the class ended, the corridors filled with footsteps and chatter. Alvin and Reid strolled out, chatting lightly about the day's lesson, when a sharp voice cut through the air.
"I saw you two in the canteen earlier. Why didn't you step up for that girl?"
It was the spiky blue-haired boy from before, his gaze sharp.
Reid scoffed. "Because we're not looking to get trashed by seniors on day one."
Kaien's expression hardened. "Or are you just cowards?"
Alvin stayed quiet, studying the tension—until a soft voice interrupted.
"Please, stop fighting."
Lira stepped in, her silver hair catching the afternoon light.
She smiled gently at Kaien. "Thanks for saving me earlier. I'm Lira Solen."
Kaien didn't take her hand. "Kaien Ruelle."
Alvin stepped forward. "Lira… sorry we didn't do anything."
Reid scratched his head. "Yeah. Really sorry."
Kaien scoffed again. "Cowards."
Reid's fists clenched. "Wanna fight?"
Kaien smirked. "Maybe I do."
Before things escalated, Alvin stepped between them. His presence alone seemed to cool the heat.
"Let's not do this. Me and Reid are heading to the library."
He turned to Lira and Kaien. "Come with us?"
Lira smiled. "Yeah, why not?"
Kaien rolled his eyes. "Library? Boring. Let's go to the duel grounds instead."
But Alvin's calm energy was infectious. Kaien grunted but followed.
The library was a majestic cathedral of knowledge—towering shelves, floating scrolls, glowing crystal lanterns illuminating ancient tomes.
They found a quiet table in the corner and sat together.
"You seem to know a lot about magic," Alvin said to Lira.
"My father's a magic history professor," she replied. "He taught me a lot."
"Do you want to be like him?"
"I don't know yet. For now, I just want to enjoy academy life."
"That's a good plan," Alvin smiled.
Reid leaned toward Kaien. "That fire spell earlier—where'd you learn it?"
Kaien smirked. "Basic stuff. My grandfather taught me."
"Think you could teach me?"
"Sure. Why not?"
Alvin leaned back, watching them bond.
"To think," he murmured to Lira, "they're becoming friends already."
"Yeah… it does look that way."
A stern voice echoed from behind.
"Library's not for yelling. Be quiet."
A tall boy stood nearby, his aura cold and powerful.
Kaien frowned. "Why should I listen to you?"
Reid whispered, "That's Kael Sundrake. He's in our class. He's strong."
"I don't care who he is," Kaien snapped, standing. "I challenge you to a duel!"
Kael didn't flinch. "I don't waste time on losers."
He turned to leave—but Kaien lunged, until Alvin grabbed his wrist.
Alvin's golden eyes were sharp now.
"Don't. If you could sense his mana… you'd know he's out of our league."
Lira nodded. "His aura is overwhelming."
Kaien hesitated… then sat.
"Fine. Not yet."
The library returned to quiet, but something unseen had shifted.
The next day, Alvin and Lira sat together at lunch beneath the glowing crystal-glass ceiling of the academy cafeteria. Golden sunlight danced across the marble floor.
"Ever tried using fire spells?" Alvin asked, a playful flame swirling on his fingertip.
Lira giggled. "I'm not good with elemental magic. Especially fire."
"I can teach you, if you'd like."
"Yeah… I'd like that."
Suddenly, Reid burst into the cafeteria, breathless.
"Alvin! Lira! Come quick—Kaien and Kael are fighting!"
They ran. Through the halls, out the gates, to the forest edge.
A crowd had gathered. Magic pulsed in the air like static before a storm.
"Kaien!" Alvin called. "Stop!"
Kaien turned. "Don't stop me!"
Kael stood across the clearing, sneering. "Even your friends know you can't win."
"We'll see."
Kaien summoned roots from the earth. They wrapped around Kael like vines of fury.
Kael exhaled—and fire erupted, incinerating them.
Kaien cursed, sending razor-sharp leaves flying like daggers.
They shattered against an invisible shield.
"He's using aura as a barrier," Lira whispered.
"Kaien—attack from below," Alvin urged.
Roots surged. A fireball hit Kael's shoulder—he staggered.
Kael's face darkened. "Let me show you real power."
He summoned a boulder, then ignited it—molten fire roared in his palms.
Kaien raised pillars, tried to shield himself.
Then—boom.
A firestorm engulfed the forest.
When the smoke cleared… a red-haired boy stood between them, blue fire circling his hand.
"Enough," he said. "Stop."
Kael growled. "Who the hell are you?"
Kaien narrowed his eyes. "And who gave you the right?"
The boy's gaze was ice.
"I'm Eris Sundrake. Head of the Disciplinary Committee."
Both Kael and Kaien froze.
Eris walked forward. "You're lucky this is your first offense. Next time—I won't be so forgiving."
He turned to the others. "Get your friend."
They walked back in silence.
"Did you feel that?" Reid muttered. "That mana? He's… something else."
"They say he's the true heir of the Sundrake family," Lira whispered. "A master of flame magic."
Kaien gritted his teeth. "Next time… I'll end him."
Alvin looked over. "You need control. Magic without it is just wasted power."
Reid yawned. "Let's go rest. We've seen enough fire and fury for one day."
They parted ways—each carrying the weight of what had just begun. A storm was rising.