CHAPTER SIX: Welcome to Astra Academy
The sunlight gently filtered through the tall, enchanted windows of Class E's grand hall. A buzz of whispers filled the air — tension, curiosity, fear, excitement — all swirling in the hearts of the newly admitted students. Each student sat upright in anticipation, fidgeting slightly in their newly issued Astra robes, the Academy's crest glowing faintly at their left chest.
Then, silence.
The classroom door creaked open.
And there she stood.
A tall, elegant woman with striking emerald eyes and silver-gray hair tied into a high, flowing ponytail stepped in. Her robes glimmered with faint runes, and an aura of knowledge and raw mana surrounded her like a cold breeze. She held an ornate staff that pulsed with a sapphire gem at its tip.
"Finally," Prisca muttered under her breath, her voice laced with equal parts relief and intrigue. "The teacher has arrived."
The woman's heels clicked confidently against the stone floor as she walked to the front. Then, she turned, eyes sweeping across the class like a hawk observing her fledglings.
"I am Professor Elvara Nyx," she said, her voice smooth, melodic, yet commanding. "I shall be your Head Instructor and Guardian for Class E. Welcome... to Astra Academy."
A flicker of golden light passed across the ceiling, illuminating a magical crest above them—an enormous insignia of the academy. It shimmered and faded.
"This institution is not just a school," Elvara continued, slowly walking down the rows, "It is a living legacy. A sanctum. A battlefield. A home. A trap. A trial."
She paused in front of a girl with nervous hands. "Here, you will learn not just to survive—but to conquer."
---
The Academy Tour (Through Words)
Elvara extended her staff, and suddenly the classroom dissolved into a panoramic magical projection of the entire academy — floating in the air like a 3D map.
"Astra Academy is divided into many wings and territories," she said. "Let me tell you what this place offers."
She gestured, and images began appearing around the students.
1. The Magical Library of Daenor: "Home to ancient grimoires, sealed scrolls, forbidden arcane theories, and evolving tomes that only open when your mana recognizes their worth. These books breathe, speak, and some… judge."
2. The Great Historical Library of Chrona: "A vault of time's truths. Memories from wars, fallen kingdoms, demon lords, heroes lost in myth… You may read them, but be warned—some pages may whisper too loudly."
3. The Aetherium Archives: "For invention, enchantment, magical engineering, potion mastery, and more. Build weapons. Tame elements. Twist space itself."
4. Combat Sectors and Sparring Domes: "There are nine. From 'The Pit of Wills' to 'The Sky Arena'. Fight. Bleed. Grow."
5. The House of Elements: "Learn to command wind, fire, water, earth, and more obscure forces—like emotion, sound, metal, or blood."
6. The Mana Trails: "Endurance paths that stretch for miles. Only open to those who pass the stamina trials. They bend gravity and twist reality. Those who survive them become monsters."
7. The Holy Chambers: "For blessings, faith magic, spiritual training, and contact with divine and ancient beings. But they come at a cost."
8. Astra Arena and Colosseum: "Where classes fight for honor. For survival. For truth."
9. Magical Supermarket and the Trade District: "From mana-infused bread to talking pencils, from invisibility cloaks to enchanted soap—you'll find it there."
10. The Underground Halls: "I won't say much. You will find them eventually. Or they will find you."
As Elvara spoke, students were wide-eyed, gasping, leaning forward in their seats.
---
The Gold Drop and Stats Reveal
"And now," she said with a smile, "A welcome gift from the Council of Astra."
She waved her hand, and hundreds of golden sparks floated down onto each student. In a flash, floating holographic windows appeared before them, displaying:
Their Mana Level
Primary Element
Secondary Affinity
Mental Strength
Physical Stats
Potential Tier
Then a golden text appeared:
200,000 GOLD credited to your account.
The class erupted in cheers.
"What!?" a student shouted.
"This is crazy!!"
"We're rich!!"
"I'm going to buy a griffin egg!!"
But Paul sat silently, eyes narrowing.
> "Why?" he thought. "Why would a school give us this much for free? What do they expect from us?"
His thoughts were interrupted by Felix's grin.
"Bro," Felix laughed. "I never knew I could be this rich without doing a damn thing!"
Paul turned to him with a flat expression, unimpressed. Just then, Deborah leaned back from the front row.
"Hey, boys. What should I even buy with my money?" she asked, twirling a strand of her hair.
Felix leaned forward dramatically. "Easy! Hair charms, mana lipstick, enchanted earrings, a beauty-stabilizer stone—"
Prisca, still watching her stats silently, muttered, "Most students here don't realize... this is just the first test."
Paul caught her words, turned, and stared at her for a moment, expression unreadable.
---
The First Lecture: Magic Formation 101
The class transitioned into another hall—this time, a massive, circular domed room. Runes covered the walls and the floor glowed with circles and ancient diagrams.
A different teacher stood there—a fiery-haired woman with golden spectacles.
"I am Professor Thailene Voss, Master of Magical Foundations," she said. "Today, we learn the birth of all spells—Formation."
She raised her hand and fire danced across her fingers, forming a perfect triangle mid-air.
"A spell is not just power—it is a conversation. Between your mana and the world's rules. You must write, shape, and command it."
She waved her hand again. The triangle shattered and formed a complex formation diagram.
"Formation involves three key parts:
Intent. Channel. Seal."
Intent: Your mind must form a purpose. Without it, your spell is aimless.
Channel: Your body becomes the bridge. Mana flows through your veins like lightning in wires.
Seal: You lock your spell. Give it form. Give it death or life.
"For example," she continued, turning to a board of runes, "A simple Flame Bolt may look like this—"
She drew a diagram with ancient symbols and ignited a small orb of fire.
"But change one seal…"
She replaced one rune and the fire turned into searing black flame.
"Boom. You've created a hellfire-class forbidden flame."
The students gasped.
Hours passed. Students tried forming simple spells. Paul struggled to stabilize his flow. Prisca mastered her water channeling. Felix accidentally froze his sleeve.
Magic. It was thrilling. Dangerous. Beautiful.
---
Lunch Break: The Supermarket Scene
The scene cut to the Magical Supermarket, a massive, glowing structure that shimmered with living enchantments. Shelves floated. Items rearranged themselves. Students buzzed through in packs.
Seniors in elite uniforms. Juniors in casual robes. Prefects with symbols of command. And some… cloaked students with divine symbols—"The Holy Ones."
Paul walked alone.
He bought a toothbrush, a mana-soap, and nothing else.
He turned a corner—and bumped into Prisca.
She stepped back.
"I never thought you'd be my first stalker," she said coldly.
Paul blinked. "Stalker? What do you mean?"
Prisca crossed her arms. "Everywhere I go—you're there. Why?"
Paul stared. "Perhaps it's—"
Suddenly, yelling echoed across the aisle.
A group of Class A seniors surrounded a Class D boy. Laughing, mocking, pushing him.
"You're trash," one sneered.
"Class D scum!"
"Go back to farming mana dust!"
Prisca clenched her fists. She stepped forward, rage in her eyes.
But Paul grabbed her wrist gently.
"This isn't the right time," he said quietly.
Prisca glared at him and yanked her hand back. "Don't touch me."
Just then, a prefect in dark robes appeared. "You five—outside. Now."
The seniors left, smirking. Paul's eyes followed them.
> "The prefect… is in on it," he thought. "Why else would they smile?"
Some bystanders helped the Class D boy up.
Prisca turned back. "Don't ever hold my hand again."
Paul bowed slightly. "I'm sorry."
Prisca looked at him. "No problem."
Then Paul said, "Looks like you bought little girls' items."
Prisca's jaw dropped. "What?! Are you spying on me?"
Paul blinked. "It was visible."
"Don't you have manners? It's rude to look at a girl's purchases."
Paul shrugged. "Sorry." He walked away.
Prisca watched him leave. "Emotionless robot," she muttered.
---
Outside the Market: Tension Rises
Outside, Paul spotted the same Class A seniors again. One of them was in an argument with a loudmouth from Paul's own Class E.
"You Class E losers have no future," the senior spat.
Paul's classmate sneered. "Keep talking. Annoy me more and I'll fight."
The seniors just laughed. "We'll meet again. Soon."
They disappeared.
Paul's classmate angrily kicked over a trash can.
Paul walked quietly toward it, picked it up, and arranged the dirt back in place.
Then he whispered:
> "The seniors… are up to something."