The Aetherion Academy Of Magical Arts stood on a hill, old but grand. Its stone walls were covered in ivy, and tall towers reached up toward the sky. Even though the building was very old, it still looked powerful and full of magic. Inside the academy, students were everywhere—walking, talking, and practicing spells. Some were laughing, others were arguing, and a few were rushing to finish their work. It was always busy, like a storm of young magic.
In one part of the academy, called the Flower Building, the youngest students under eighteen studied the basics of magic. Many of them didn't understand how to control their powers yet. One boy had accidentally set a scroll on fire. Another floated upside down, stuck to the ceiling. Magic was flying in every direction, and it felt like something could explode at any second.
Then everything went quiet.
Professor Lysandra Veylin walked through the tall doorway. Her long lavender robes flowed behind her, and her silver hair was tied in a neat braid. She held a glowing moon-shaped staff that clicked softly against the floor as she walked. Her eyes were sharp and calm, the color of violets. She didn't have to say anything—just seeing her was enough to make the students freeze. The wild magic in the room seemed to calm down, as if even the spells were afraid to misbehave in front of her.
Professor Lysandra Veylin stepped into Class 1, the room filled with the youngest students of Aetherion Academy—just twelve years old, wide-eyed and full of untamed magic. The moment they saw her, every student stood up quickly, their wooden chairs scraping against the stone floor.
"Good morning, Professor Veylin!" they said in unison, some louder than others, a few nervously tripping over the words.
Lysandra gave a small, cold nod, her eyes scanning the room carefully. The desks were neat, the scrolls stacked perfectly, and no one seemed to be floating or accidentally casting sparks. For once, everything was in order.
Her sharp gaze softened just a little, and the corner of her lips lifted into a faint, almost-hidden smile.
"Sit down," she said calmly, her voice smooth like flowing water. "Let's begin."
"What are we going to learn today, Professor?" a small boy with golden curls asked, his voice full of curiosity.
Professor Lysandra Veylin looked at him with her usual calm expression. "Today," she said, her voice smooth and steady, "we will learn about what we are… and who we are."
The classroom buzzed with excitement. Some students leaned forward in their seats. Others whispered to each other, wide-eyed. They had been waiting for this lesson for years—it was the first time they would hear the true history of their world.
Lysandra stood at the front of the room, her lavender robes flowing like water around her. She tapped her moon-shaped staff gently on the floor, and a glowing map appeared in the air—soft golden light drawing the shape of their world.
"We are born in the land of the great continent Lunaria—the world of good magic," she began, her eyes scanning the glowing map. "Here, we live alongside fairies, angels, gods, goddesses, and pure spirits. Every bright and noble power is found in this land."
The students watched in awe as tiny glowing figures—fairies, angels, and spirit animals—danced across the floating map.
"This land is made of seven great countries," Lysandra continued. "Lunareth, Sylorine, Velastra, Florinel, Mytherra, Solmira, and Crystavella."
The names echoed through the room like magic spells.
"Each country holds its own power. But among them, Lunareth is the strongest—and this is where we live. Our land is the birthplace of the mighty Goddess Celesthera, who was blessed with all forms of magic found in Lunaria. She is still known today as the Protector of Light."
Gasps filled the room. One girl whispered, "She's real?"
Lysandra nodded. "Very real. Even though she passed long ago, the protection wall she built with her magic still surrounds Lunaria. It guards us from the darkness beyond."
The map shifted, now showing a shadowy land on the other side of a glowing barrier.
"This place," Lysandra said darkly, "is Duskvaria—the Devil's Continent. A place of dark magic, filled with demons, devils, vampires, monsters, dark witches, and other creatures of evil. One hundred years ago, they tried to attack Lunaria."
The students sat frozen in their seats, hanging on to every word.
"But Goddess Celesthera rose against the Devil King, and with her full power, she defeated him. Before he could die, she placed a curse upon him—and that curse still traps the darkness within Duskvaria. Now, they have chosen a new king," she said slowly, her voice lowering. "But the curse remains, and they are still trapped… watching us… waiting."
A cold silence fell over the room.
"But as long as the wall stands," she added, "they cannot pass."
A student in the back raised his hand nervously. "Professor… do you think they'll try again?"
Lysandra looked at him quietly, then gave a small smile—calm, but serious. "They always try. That is why we must be ready. That is why you are here."
"But…" Professor Lysandra's voice suddenly paused.
The class leaned forward. A boy near the front raised his hand quickly. "But what, Professor?"
Lysandra looked at him with calm eyes, then slowly continued, "Putting the Devil King and Duskvaria aside… we have a big problem right here, in Lunareth."
The room grew silent again. Even the smallest students sat up straight, eyes wide.
"After the death of Goddess Celesthera, everyone believed her daughter, Princess Lunastia Celesthera Evandor Valeska, would be just as powerful," Lysandra said. "That belief grew stronger when the princess was born with ginger-red hair and golden eyes—just like the goddess herself."
Gasps echoed around the classroom.
"She even looks like a goddess," a girl whispered.
"Yes," Lysandra agreed. "But there is one problem. A shocking one. The princess has shown no signs of magic since birth."
The students looked at each other in confusion.
"But how is that possible?" a boy asked. "Even we started showing signs of magic when we were babies!"
"Exactly," Lysandra said, her tone serious. "Children in Lunaria usually show symptoms of magic from a very young age. And on their 18th birthday, the Tree of Fate reveals their true magic and life's duty."
The map behind her changed again, now showing a glowing tree with floating lights.
"But Princess Lunastia," she continued slowly, "has never shown any signs of power. Not even a spark. Tomorrow is her 18th birthday… and if she still has no magic, the entire country will face a crisis."
Some students covered their mouths. One girl clutched her desk tightly. A few whispered to each other with worry.
"What will happen, Professor?" a boy asked in a small voice.
"If Lunareth has no goddess-like protector," Lysandra said, "the other countries may challenge us—especially Sylorine, the second most powerful country. If they rise above us, Lunareth could lose its crown… its safety… even its honor."
The classroom burst into quiet, fearful chatter.
"She has to get her powers, right?" one girl said.
"What if she's cursed?" asked another.
"I heard people say she's not the real princess," whispered a boy from the back. "They say she's a witch from Duskvaria in disguise."
"No way!" a girl cried. "Some people even say Celesthera cheated on King Evandor, and that's why the princess was born powerless!"
"That's a lie!" one of the girls shouted, face red.
"Silence," Professor Lysandra said firmly. The room went quiet again.
"We don't know the truth yet," she said. "But tomorrow, when the Tree of Fate reveals her magic—or doesn't—we will all know. And if the princess has no power…"
She paused, her face turning serious again.
"…it could bring disaster to all of Lunaria."