Nova Sorcery
Chapter 1:
Nova Begins
Part 1: Arrival
The sun had just begun to peek over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the landscape. Birds chirped melodiously, welcoming the new day, while the distant sound of a train's whistle echoed through the lively city of Brookshyre. A young man with a determined look on his face rode his bike, his dark hair tousled by the morning breeze. He had the appearance of someone on a mission, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
As he approaches a large gathering, a majestic building with towering spires and intricate carvings, he felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. This was the Central Institution of Sorcery, a place known for its prestigious training and rigorous selection process. He had been chosen, out of millions, to be here.
He parked his bike in front of the grand gate, admiring the ornate ironwork for a moment before stepping through. To his surprise, as soon as he let go, the bike vanished in a puff of shimmering light. He blinked, momentarily disoriented, before shaking his head and continuing forward. Magic was still something he was getting used to.
He joined the line at the main entrance, a mix of eager and anxious faces around him. Some students chatted excitedly, while others looked around in awe at the grandeur of the institution. He noticed the librarian, a peculiar being with the body of a human but with jellyfish-like tendrils flowing gracefully around her, finishing up with another student.
"Next!" she called out, her voice both melodic and authoritative.
The young man stepped up, offering a polite nod.
"Name?" the librarian asked, her tendrils floating gently around her as she reached into an endless drawer.
"Renato Souza," he replied, his accent hinting at his Brazilian heritage.
The librarian pulled out a folder, handing it to him. "Inside is your schedule, a copy of your transcript, a lunch pass, an ID, and your dorm key. If you ever need a replacement for the last three, it'll cost any currency equivalent to $5 USD."
He nodded, taking the folder. As he turned to leave, the librarian's voice rang out again. "Next!"
Renato walked away, examining his schedule and noting his dorm number. The campus was vast, with classrooms, a stadium, and dorm halls stretching out before him. He eventually found his dorm room, the door slightly ajar. Inside, a young person with striking features and a laid-back demeanor was already unpacking.
"For a minute, I thought I was sharing this room with myself," the roommate said, looking up with a grin. "I already took the left bed if you don't mind."
Renato blinked, taken aback by the sudden friendliness. "No, it's fine," he replied, setting his bag down. He offered a hand, trying to match the other's easygoing energy. "I'm Renato."
"I'm Akimi," the roommate introduced themselves, their Japanese accent evident. "Sorry, I should've started with that." Akimi's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Orientation starts in an hour. Go to the stadium."
"Thanks," Renato said, still processing his new roommate's energetic personality. Akimi left with a casual "see ya," leaving Renato alone in the room. He smiled, taking in the modest but comfortable space. This was his new home.
Part 2: Orientation
The stadium was buzzing with activity as students found their seats. Renato stood at the top, scanning for a familiar face, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the sheer number of people.
"Oi, roomie!" Akimi's voice cut through the noise. They were waving from an aisle seat, a broad smile on their face.
Renato made his way down, grateful for the saved seat. "Thanks for saving me a seat."
"No problem," Akimi replied with a smile. "Glad you made it. I didn't want to sit next to some rando."
Renato chuckled, relaxing slightly. "I am a stranger, though."
"Yeah, but you're my roommate, so you're different," Akimi said with a shrug, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Renato felt a warmth in his chest at Akimi's words. As they settled in, Principal Davidson took the stage. A tall, imposing figure with a commanding presence, his voice resonated through the stadium. "Welcome, future sorcerers, to the Central Institution of Sorcery. I wish not to bore you all with a long speech, but I want to congratulate all of you. You were all hand-picked out of millions of applicants to be here. Now then, let's begin with the cool part of the orientation. Magic!"
At his cue, senior sorcerers and teachers emerged from the shadows, accompanied by winged and flying creatures. The air filled with the sound of spells being cast and the sight of magical displays. Seniors performed tricks atop their mystical mounts, while teachers demonstrated spells that ranged from simple enchantments to complex feats of magic. The crowd watched in awe, gasping and cheering with each display.
Renato's heart raced as he watched the performances, feeling a mixture of excitement and anticipation. This was what he had dreamed of.
The ceremony ended with a final, dazzling burst of light, leaving the students buzzing with excitement. Groups of new friends began to form, exploring the campus and the nearby town together. Renato found himself wandering with Akimi, talking about their favorite parts of the ceremony.
Part 3: First Day of Class
The next day, Renato found his first class and entered the lecture hall. He took a seat towards the top, unknowingly sitting in front of Akimi, who hadn't noticed him yet. The room was filled with a low hum of chatter as students waited for the teacher to arrive.
Renato glanced around nervously, trying to gauge the mood of the room. His thoughts were interrupted when the teacher entered. She was a stern-looking woman with piercing eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor. "Welcome, children, to Principles of Sorcery. I am your homeroom teacher, Miss Balmer. I want to start by saying that if you like to cause trouble or do not wish to take my class seriously, drop out. I will not tolerate foolishness. If you ask any of your upperclassmen, they'll say the same. With that out of the way, today will be an easy day. You'll receive a syllabus that must be signed by this week. You'll also be taking your ability and inergy[1] examination after lunch, so make sure you come back here afterwards."
Renato took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her words. He exchanged a glance with Akimi, who gave him a reassuring nod. This was serious, but he wasn't alone.
Part 4: The Examination
Two hours later, the students gathered in the gymnasium for their exams. Renato sat down in front of a robotic helper, a sleek, efficient machine designed to assist with various tasks. He felt a nervous flutter in his stomach as he waited.
"Hello, Renato Souza," the robot greeted in a polite yet mechanical tone. "I will now begin your ability and inergy exam. This exam will require me to make a small prick to your index finger to draw inergy. Do I have your consent to continue?"
"Uh, yeah sure," Renato replied, holding out his hand. His heart pounded as the helper pricked his finger and began the exam.
"If you don't mind me asking, what do you mean by ability?" Renato inquired, curiosity getting the better of him.
"An ability is something that grants sorcerers distinct effects or properties to enhance their attacks," the helper explained. "These abilities could range from enhanced strength, telekinesis, or even foresight. Your examination is done."
The helper removed the needle and handed Renato a report. He thanked the robot, his mind racing with possibilities, and made his way out of the gym.
Renato wandered into the courtyard, examining his report. His fingers trembled slightly as he read through the details. He heard a familiar voice calling out.
"Oi, Renato!" Akimi was rushing over, their face lit up with curiosity. "Did you get an ability?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I did," Renato replied, trying to keep his excitement in check. "Doesn't everyone?"
"Well, some people do," Akimi explained, their expression thoughtful. "It's mostly dependent on genetics and luck though. Let me see your report."
Renato handed over his report, feeling a knot of anxiety in his stomach. Akimi looked it over, their expression turning serious. "I'm sorry."
"Wait, no way-did I get something bad?" Renato snatched the report back, his hands shaking.
"No," Akimi said, barely suppressing a laugh. "You're the most common person I've ever seen."
"That's not funny, dude," Renato said, punching Akimi lightly on the arm, feeling a mix of relief and annoyance. "I thought I got something totally bad."
"But for real," Akimi continued, their tone more serious now, "you got amplification. It's super common but has a lot of potential. Look over there."
Akimi pointed to two upperclassmen training nearby. The girl on the right cast a simple fire spell.
The spell hit a magic dummy with a burst of flame.
The guy on the left began to cast the same spell, but as he did, inergy visibly built up around him. His fireball changed color, glowing more intensely.
His spell hit the dummy, causing significantly more damage.
"See, that's the potential that amplification has," Akimi explained, their eyes bright with enthusiasm.
Renato watched, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "So cool."
"I'm pretty sure we learn how to apply abilities later this fall," Akimi added, their voice filled
with anticipation.
"Oh, Akimi," Renato said, turning to his friend. "Did you get an ability?"
"Yeah, of course," Akimi replied with a grin. "I got enhanced speed. It's pretty common in my family." Though his face was bright, Akimi's demeanor seemed off when he stated thus.
Renato smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie. They were both starting something new and exciting together.
Part 5: Letter
That night, Renato sat at his desk, writing a letter. His thoughts wandered as he carefully penned each word. He finished it and put it in an envelope, addressing it carefully. He glanced up at the stars through the window, lost in thought.
"mamãe," he whispered, "sorry for leaving without telling you."
The room was quiet, except for the soft sound of Akimi's breathing. Renato smiled, feeling a sense of peace. This was just the beginning of his journey. He felt a mix of excitement and determination, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
**END OF CHAPTER 1**
[1] Inergy is an invisible current that fuels both sorcery and physical feats. Unlike traditional magic systems where power is drawn from external sources (like mana pools or artifacts), Inergy is deeply personal. It emanates from within the body, like heat from a fire, and can be trained, focused, and shaped through rigorous discipline. The stronger the spirit and clarity of purpose a person has, the purer and more potent their Inergy becomes.
At its highest level, Inergy can even influence the environment around the user — changing the air pressure, crackling across the ground, or making objects subtly tremble as if responding to the user's unseen force.