"The mystics of the west" is a group of seven (7) powerful spirit user and the legendary students of Galdur academy back from hundreds of years ago----300 years ago.
....Now that they don't exist anymore---the academy is been giving scholarship to the poor regions of Arden--the kingdom where the academy and the villages where Taika and the others are born.
The Arden kingdom is a powerful empire on this age, the--"Age of the Red flower".
Back to the scholarship.
The reason why the Galdur academy was giving scholarships?--The reason is simple---to gather students who have the potential to become a top student and surpass everyon else and become the new "Seven Mystics".
Taika and Alwin didn't know this being in the scholarship paper. It seems like the academy is hiding the truth all along---well.. That's just a theory.. For now.
Taika and the others having a chat inside their classroom.
The instructor just finished teaching for the day.
Taika was reading a book titled: "The Seven Mystics", She imagined how the story would look when she sees it in person.
It reads:
Chapter 1:---" The start"
Long times ago---in the "valley of the great forest", the Arden kingdom was in the near end, dragons attacked the five (5) main cities, " Feu"---"Aqua"---"Ventus" and "Erde" , destroying everything in their path.
Today, we see the five main cities obvious scars that the dragons have left them. It was a concerning sight. The era when the dragons attacked was called---"The Great disaster ".
The king at that time [Hrabar Tudor]....
Taika stopped reading and think.
Taika (thought): " Tudor, huh?, could he be related to....Sky..?"
Taika continued---
---is known for being powerful and brave king, intelligent and a strategic mindset. He [Hrabar Tudor] formed the group of students from a newly built academy of Galdur and named them, "The seven mystics of the westt" and gave them one first and final task---tl defeat the [dragon leader] and it's nest.
Sadly seven of them died after the fierce and brutal battle against the [dragon leader] by using too much magic and reaching their limits.
They didn't die in shame--thet died in a honorable way--by successfully defeating the dragons and it's leader for the safety of everyone.
The king build them a good and silent rest by building their individual tombs as their resting place, and carved the stone tablet with the seven mystics names are written. It was located near the Galdur academy's entrance.
In the present day, the kingdom of Arden still remembers their bravery.
-To be continued
Taika's eyes flooded with tears, "Tears of joy" as it seems.
Taika slowly closed the book.
Her fingers lingered on the worn cover, as if letting go too quickly would erase what she just felt.
"…They died together," she whispered.
Not in despair.
Not in regret.
But in purpose.
Her chest tightened, warmth spreading behind her eyes. She quickly wiped them with her sleeve, but it was too late.
Maya noticed immediately.
"Hey… Taika?"
Taika looked up, startled.
"I-I'm fine," she said softly, though her voice betrayed her.
Clare glanced over from her seat, arms crossed.
"You don't look fine."
Taika let out a small, embarrassed laugh.
"I was just reading about the Seven Mystics."
Maya leaned closer, resting her chin on her hands.
"The legendary ones? The group that saved Arden?"
Taika nodded.
"They were students… just like us. Chosen. Trained. Trusted with everything."
She looked down at the book again.
"They weren't special because they were born great," she said. "They became great because they were needed."
The classroom was quiet now.
Most students had already left.
Clare spoke, her tone calmer than usual.
"So that's why the academy keeps talking about 'potential'."
Maya's smile slowly faded into something thoughtful.
"And scholarships," she added. "From poor regions."
Taika froze.
The words echoed.
Seven Mystics.
Scholarships.
Potential.
Her grip tightened.
"…Do you ever think," Taika began carefully, "that the academy is looking for something more than just good students?"
Maya blinked.
"You mean like… replacements?"
Taika didn't answer immediately.
Her thoughts drifted---
to Almena,
to the sealed dungeon,
to Sky Tudor's gaze,
to the empty space on the stone tablet.
"I don't know," she finally said. "It's probably nothing."
But her heart didn't believe that.
Clare stood up and slung her bag over her shoulder.
"Whatever it is," she said, "it's not our problem right now."
Maya smiled again, bright as ever.
"Yeah! Let's survive midterms first before worrying about becoming legends."
Taika chuckled softly.
"…You're right."
Yet as she looked down at the book one last time----
At the title The Seven Mitself--
A quiet thought surfaced, uninvited.
If history is repeating itself…
Something far beyond Arden kingdom into the west regions where mountains and caves,a sudden--strong--- overwhelming like roar by just hearing i,it tshook the very ground----a luminous gold eyes glowed under the great tomb.
---Something had awakened.
Maya: "Do you feel that...?"
The air inside the classroom shifted.
It was faint—almost nothing---yet heavy enough to make Taika's skin prickle.
Maya straightened from her seat, her usual energy dimming.
Maya: "Do you feel that…?"
Taika: "…Yeah. It's like something brushed past me."
Clare looked toward the windows, arms crossed.
Clare: "The building didn't shake. But it felt like it should have."
A strange silence settled, thick and uncomfortable. The distant hum faded, leaving only the soft rustle of pages and breathing students who hadn't noticed a thing.
Maya forced a small grin.
Maya: "Mana fluctuation? The instructors were messing with barriers earlier, right?"
Taika nodded, though her fingers trembled around the edge of her desk.
Taika: "Maybe… but this feels different."
She glanced down.
The book in front of her---The Seven Mystics—was open.
She was sure she had closed it.
Taika: "…That's strange."
Clare leaned in.
Clare: "You didn't turn the page."
Maya stepped closer, peering at the illustration.
Maya: "Was that picture there before?"
Seven figures stood drawn in faded ink, their forms half-erased by time. Behind them loomed a massive shadow with wings spread wide, eyes glowing like twin suns.
Taika felt her chest tighten.
Taika: "No. That page was blank."
The low hum returned----soft, distant, but unmistakable.
Clare's expression hardened.
Clare: "That's not normal."
Maya swallowed, her voice quieter than usual.
Maya: "Taika… you're not casting magic without realizing it, are you?"
Taika shook her head immediately.
Taika: "No. I didn't do anything."
She closed the book, a little too quickly.
For reasons she couldn't explain, a single thought echoed in her mind---cold and clear.
The tomb was never meant to stay sealed forever.
Taika tightened her grip.
Whatever had awakened…
it had noticed them.
The tension lingered for a few seconds longer.
Then Maya clapped her hands suddenly, a little too loud.
Maya: "Okay! That was creepy—but also… I'm bored."
Taika blinked, pulled out of her thoughts.
Taika: "Bored…?"
Clare exhaled.
Clare: "You're really good at changing the mood."
Maya grinned proudly.
Maya: "Someone has to. If we keep thinking about ancient tombs and glowing eyes, I'm not sleeping tonight."
Taika gave a small laugh, relieved by the shift.
Taika: "So… what do we do now?"
Maya tapped her chin dramatically.
Maya: "Hmm. We could go to the dorm common room. Or the music room. Or the empty practice hall."
Clare raised an eyebrow.
Clare: "The practice hall is always noisy."
Maya: "True… and I don't feel like getting yelled at by instructors."
Taika thought for a moment.
Taika: "What about the dorm study lounge? It should be quiet right now."
Maya leaned closer.
Maya: "Quiet, cozy, and no scary books?"
Taika nodded.
Taika: "No scary books."
Clare picked up her bag.
Clare: "Fine by me. As long as we're not staying here."
Maya laughed.
Maya: "Decision made!"
They stood and headed for the door together, their footsteps echoing down the hallway.
As they left the classroom behind, Taika glanced back once more.
The room looked normal again.
Too normal.
She turned away and followed her friends.
For now, at least, she wasn't alone.
Their footsteps echoed softly along the hallway.
Maya was walking ahead, humming to herself, when she suddenly stopped.
Maya: "Oh—hey!"
Taika nearly bumped into her.
Taika: "W-what is it?"
Maya pointed forward.
Maya: "Look."
A boy stood near the window, holding a stack of books close to his chest. His dark blue hair caught the light, and his gaze lifted in surprise as he noticed them.
It was Alwin.
Alwin froze.
Alwin: "Ah—u-um…"
Taika hesitated, then gathered her courage.
Taika: "H-hello, Alwin."
Clare gave a short nod.
Clare: "You heading back to the dorm?"
Alwin shook his head quickly.
Alwin: "N-no, I was just… walking."
Maya smiled brightly and stepped closer.
Maya: "Perfect timing! We were about to hang out in the dorm study lounge."
Alwin blinked.
Alwin: "…Hang out?"
Maya leaned forward, hands behind her back.
Maya: "Wanna come with us?"
Alwin's mind went blank.
Three… girls? Inviting me?
His grip tightened on the books.
Alwin: "I-I don't want to be a bother."
Taika shook her head gently.
Taika: "You're not. We were just talking anyway."
Clare added flatly.
Clare: "You already know us. It's fine."
Alwin swallowed, then nodded.
Alwin: "…O-okay."
Maya beamed.
Maya: "Yay! New member accepted!"
Alwin walked alongside them, still trying to process what just happened.
Three beautiful girls.
Casually inviting him along.
His heart wouldn't calm down.
Alwin (thought): This academy is terrifying in a different way…
The study lounge was quiet.
Soft lights glowed overhead, tables neatly arranged, the distant murmur of other students barely audible.
Maya dropped onto a couch.
Maya: "Ahh, much better."
Taika sat beside her, relaxing her shoulders.
Taika: "It's peaceful here."
Clare leaned against the wall.
Clare: "At least nothing strange is happening."
Alwin stood there for a moment, then slowly took a seat.
Maya's eyes suddenly lit up.
Maya: "Oh! I know—what if we have a little magic showcase?"
Taika stiffened.
Taika: "A… showcase?"
Clare sighed.
Clare: "You mean showing off."
Maya laughed.
Maya: "Not showing off! Just for fun. No pressure."
Alwin shifted in his seat.
Alwin: "I-I'm not very good at demonstrations…"
Maya waved it off.
Maya: "That's fine! Everyone does whatever they're comfortable with."
She pointed at Taika first.
Maya: "Besides, I really want to see how Taika's 'wrong way' magic works again."
Taika looked away, embarrassed.
Taika: "I-It's not that impressive…"
Clare crossed her arms.
Clare: "Still curious."
Maya clapped her hands.
Maya: "See? Majority vote."
Taika let out a small laugh.
Taika: "…Alright. Just a small one."
Maya suddenly grabbed Clare's hand and pulled her up.
Maya: "Let's start with you, cold princess!"
Clare: "H-hey!"
Before Clare could protest, she was already standing in front of them.
Clare sighed, brushing her hair back.
Clare: "You're impossible."
She raised her hand calmly.
The air around her fingers shimmered—then frost spread across the floor in a thin, delicate pattern, forming crystal-blue lines like frozen veins.
A small sphere of ice bloomed above her palm, perfectly shaped, cold mist drifting from it.
Clare: "Ice manipulation. Nothing fancy."
Taika's eyes widened.
Taika: "…That's beautiful."
Alwin stared, completely silent.
Maya grinned.
Maya: "See? Totally a cold princess."
Clare snapped the ice sphere, letting it dissolve into harmless mist.
Clare: "You're next, loud one."
Maya gasped dramatically.
Maya: "Wow, so rude."
Maya jumped up eagerly, bouncing on her toes.
Maya: "Alright! My turn!"
Taika and Alwin leaned forward expectantly.
Maya shook her head with a grin.
Maya: "Actually… I'll just explain mine first."
Clare raised an eyebrow.
Clare: "Explain? Aren't you going to show it?"
Maya crossed her arms dramatically.
Maya: "Nope! It's a rare magic. Scent manipulation!"
Taika tilted her head.
Taika: "Scent… manipulation?"
Maya nodded, her eyes sparkling.
Maya: "Yep! I can use the natural smells around me—flowers, grass, even the air itself—and manipulate them. If an opponent smells it… they can be knocked out for an hour!"
Alwin's eyes widened.
Alwin: "An hour? That's… insane."
Maya: "Exactly! That's why it's energy-consuming. I can't spam it like other magic."
Clare leaned back, smirking.
Clare: "So you're basically a walking knockout."
Maya grinned, twirling in place.
Maya: "Pretty much! That's why I don't show it casually. Too dangerous."
Taika laughed softly.
Taika: "Well… that is impressive."
Alwin just stared, still processing how someone could fight with smells alone.
Maya: "See? Told you it's unique!"
Taika shifted nervously, hugging her book to her chest.
Taika: "…I guess it's my turn now."
Maya bounced excitedly beside her.
Maya: "Yay! Let's see it! Your 'wrong-way magic'!"
Clare raised an eyebrow.
Clare: "Wrong-way magic? Sounds… messy."
Taika blushed, looking down at her hands.
Taika: "It's not really messy… it just… corrects itself."
Alwin tilted his head.
Alwin: "Corrects itself?"
Taika nodded slowly.
Taika: "I don't have to speak incantations. I just… think it, cast it, and it fixes itself. Most people in the academy learn silent spells, but I figured it out on my own."
Maya grinned.
Maya: "See? I told you she's special!"
Clare crossed her arms, unimpressed.
Clare: "Alright, show us then."
Taika took a deep breath. She stepped forward, lifting her hand slowly.
Her fingers glowed faintly, a soft golden light forming in the air. She concentrated silently, and sparks danced upward. The light wavered for a moment, twisting oddly—but then it straightened on its own, forming a small flame hovering above her palm.
Taika: "…It's… done."
Maya clapped, eyes wide.
Maya: "It's amazing! And you didn't even speak!"
Alwin stared, mouth slightly open.
Alwin: "I… I've never seen magic work like that."
Clare smirked, finally impressed.
Clare: "Huh… maybe the cold princess underestimated you."
Taika smiled shyly, looking at the flame.
Taika: "It's nothing… just my way."
Maya: "No way! Your way is awesome!"
Alwin swallowed hard, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on him.
Alwin: "…I guess it's my turn."
Maya bounced excitedly.
Maya: "Yes! Show us your magic, Alwin!"
Clare tilted her head.
Clare: "Let's see if it's as special as you said."
Alwin nodded quietly.
Alwin: "My… ability is summoning. I can call weapons and animals I've tamed before."
Taika blinked, intrigued.
Taika: "Even swords?"
Alwin: "…Yes. Even special swords, if I've tamed them."
He stepped forward.
The floor beneath him glowed faintly. A circle of intricate runes appeared around his feet, shimmering blue.
A soft hum filled the lounge, and from the center of the circle, a small fox emerged. Its fur was bright blue with lighter streaks running along its back. It padded beside him silently.
Alwin knelt slightly, speaking softly.
Alwin: "Tamamo…"
The fox looked up at him, ears twitching.
Alwin: "Tamamo is more than just a fox. When she awakens to her full form… she grows larger. Her fur darkens and lightens in intricate patterns, and nine tails appear."
Maya's eyes widened.
Maya: "Nine tails?! That's… amazing!"
Clare smirked.
Clare: "So, you've got a fox companion and summon magic… not bad, newbie."
Alwin smiled faintly, a little shy.
Alwin: "She's loyal… and very protective. I've trained her a long time."
The fox, Tamamo, sat gracefully beside him, tail flicking slowly. Even in her small form, a faint aura of power radiated.
Taika whispered to Maya.
Taika: "I… I didn't expect that kind of magic."
Maya grinned.
Maya: "See? I told you our new friends are full of surprises!"
Clare nodded once.
Clare: "Alright, this was actually… interesting."
Alwin's gaze softened as he patted Tamamo's head.
Alwin: "…Now, let's see what we can all learn from each other."
The study lounge grew quieter as the afternoon sun cast soft shadows across the floor.
Maya leaned back, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
Maya: "You know what? We shouldn't just hang out for fun all the time…"
Taika tilted her head.
Taika: "…What do you mean?"
Maya: "Mid-term exams are coming up in less than a month, and they're not just individual—they're group and solo. Finding an ally early is way smarter than panicking last minute."
Clare smirked, crossing her arms.
Clare: "So you want to form a team… with us?"
Maya bounced in excitement.
Maya: "Exactly! We already know each other's strengths. Taika's unique magic, Clare's ice skills, and… Alwin's summoning. That's a solid start!"
Alwin, still sitting quietly with Tamamo at his side, hesitated.
Alwin: "…You're serious?"
Taika nodded shyly.
Taika: "I… I think it makes sense. Working together will help all of us prepare better."
Maya clapped her hands once.
Maya: "Then it's settled! We'll be a team!"
Clare raised an eyebrow, her smirk softening.
Clare: "Fine. But don't expect me to hold back just to make you look good."
Maya laughed.
Maya: "That's the spirit!"
Alwin smiled faintly, finally relaxing.
Alwin: "Then… I'll join you too."
Taika looked around at her new friends, a small warmth spreading in her chest.
Taika: "…Let's do this… together."
And so, the unlikely group of four quietly made a pact.
Together, they would face the challenges of Galdur Academy.
Together, they would survive mid-terms.
And together, they would uncover the mysteries waiting for them beyond the walls of the academy.
For now, the path was uncertain---but for the first time in a long while, Taika felt… ready.