The Hall of Admissions, still echoing with the imperious voice of the instructor, quickly emptied as students, a mix of grumbling and eager anticipation, dispersed to their inaugural classes. Ace and Klaus, having exchanged their farewells, navigated the bustling corridors in opposite directions. Ace, making his way towards the Aquaris lecture hall, couldn't shake the feeling that his new reality was less a grand adventure and more a meticulously choreographed play, with everyone assigned their roles long before they even stepped onto the stage.
The Aquaris lecture hall was a striking space, bathed in a soft, ethereal blue light that seemed to emanate from the very walls. Murals depicting swirling currents, misty landscapes, and powerful oceanic beasts adorned the high ceilings. Rows of polished dark wood desks curved around a central dais, where a lone figure already stood.
The professor, a lean man with a neatly trimmed silver beard and robes the color of a deep ocean trench, had eyes that sparkled with an almost unsettling intensity. He introduced himself as Professor Marius Thorne, and his voice, though calm, carried the quiet authority of a tide.
"Welcome, first-year students of Aquaris," Professor Thorne began, his gaze sweeping over the assembled class, lingering for a fraction longer on Ace than on others. "You are here because you possess an affinity for the fluid, the adaptable, the subtle power of water, air, and the underlying energies that bind our world. Here, you will learn to harness these forces, to shape them, and to understand their true potential."
Ace settled into a desk near the back, observing his new housemates. They were a mixed bag, certainly, but even within Aquaris, the hierarchy was evident. Near the front sat students whose robes were richer, their bearing more confident. He spotted a few faces he vaguely recognized from the initial throng in the courtyard, their family crests subtly embroidered on their sleeves. Lysander Valerius, thankfully, was not among them; he would be in Pyros, undoubtedly already setting fire to something unnecessarily.
Professor Thorne continued, "Our initial lessons will focus on the fundamental principles of Arcane Flow and Stability. The arcane, like water, seeks the path of least resistance. It is your task to guide it, to give it form, to prevent it from becoming a chaotic deluge or a stagnant pond."
He raised a hand, and a small, shimmering orb of water materialized above his palm, rotating gracefully. "For our first exercise, a simple one: focus. Clear your minds. Feel the inherent arcane energy within you, and attempt to draw forth a single drop of water from the air. A small droplet. No more, no less. Precision is key."
A murmur went through the class. Ace closed his eyes, drawing a slow, deliberate breath. He could feel the pervasive arcane energy in the air, a faint hum against his skin. It was easy, almost too easy, to tap into. His elemental affinities for Fire, Air, and Lightning were strong, but he knew the expectation here was water. He focused, visualizing a single, perfect sphere.
Around him, various sounds began: soft pops, faint sizzles, a few frustrated sighs. Some students managed to conjure misty vapor, others a few trembling beads. One particularly eager student, a boy with an overly confident smirk and a signet ring, managed a small, uncontrolled spray that landed on the desk in front of him, much to the professor's quiet disapproval.
Ace opened his eyes. Hovering just above his outstretched palm was a single, flawless droplet of water, perfectly spherical, catching the blue light of the hall like a tiny crystal. He held it for a moment, letting its cool, collected presence settle, before gently releasing his focus, letting it dissipate into the air. He hadn't wanted to draw too much attention, but he couldn't help but make it precise. He could have created a torrent, manipulated the very humidity in the room, but restraint was the key.
Professor Thorne, who had been silently observing, walked slowly down the aisles, stopping occasionally to offer a quiet word of advice or correction. When he reached Ace's desk, he paused. His intense gaze swept over Ace's empty palm, then up to his face. Ace met his gaze evenly, a slight, almost imperceptible tilt of his head.
"Dragnell," Professor Thorne said, his voice quiet. "You managed the exercise with… proficiency." It wasn't a compliment, exactly, but it wasn't a rebuke either. It was an observation, a probing. "Tell me, what did you focus on?"
Ace chose his words carefully. "I focused on control, Professor. The smallest amount, with the greatest precision. Less is often more, particularly when dealing with forces that prefer to be unruly."
A flicker of something unreadable crossed Professor Thorne's face. Approval? Curiosity? "Indeed," he finally said. "A valuable lesson. Many confuse raw power with true mastery. Remember that, class." He then moved on, leaving Ace with the distinct impression that he had been weighed and, for now, not found wanting.
The class continued with more theoretical discussions on arcane currents and the properties of water and wind manipulation. Ace found himself absorbing the material with ease, his Intelligence (S) allowing him to grasp complex concepts quickly. He made a mental note of the practical applications for his unique ability; while it wasn't directly related to elemental manipulation, understanding the underlying principles of arcane flow would undoubtedly help him refine his control over his own molecular structure.
The lecture concluded with an assignment: a short essay on the philosophical implications of elemental balance in arcane practice. Ace already had several sarcastic, yet insightful, opening lines forming in his mind. He was here to learn, yes, but he was also here to survive, and perhaps, to make a statement.
As students began to pack up, a young woman with sharp, intelligent eyes and a subtle House crest he didn't recognize, approached him. "That was an impressive droplet, Dragnell," she said, her tone analytical rather than admiring. "Most people try to conjure a geyser on their first try."
Ace offered a small, knowing smirk. "Efficiency, I find, is often underestimated. Why waste energy on a flood when a single drop will suffice to make your point?"
She quirked an eyebrow, a faint smile touching her lips. "Indeed. I am Elara Vancroft. I look forward to seeing your 'points' in the future, Dragnell." She offered a brief, polite nod and then slipped away, blending into the departing crowd.
Ace watched her go, a new name added to his mental roster. Elara Vancroft. Aquaris. Another subtle player in this intricate game. He still felt like an outsider, a low-tier noble with a secret, but he was here. And for now, that was enough.
Ace Dragnell - Initial Status
* Name: Ace Dragnell
* Noble Status: Low-Tier Noble
* Age: 16 (First Year Student)
* Strength: D
* Agility: D
* Endurance: C
* Intelligence: S
* Willpower: A
* Charisma: D
* Arcane Power: C
* Abilities:
* Unique Ability: Molecular Disassembly & Regeneration (Untrained - some basic control achieved)
* Description: The innate power to disassemble one's body to a molecular or even atomic level and reassemble it at will. Can regenerate from a single cell or atom. Can reassemble specific body parts, which will possess the same inherent power as the main body. This ability is currently raw and unrefined, its full potential unknown even to Ace, but he has begun to exercise rudimentary control over it.
* Elemental Affinities: Fire, Air, Lightning
* Skills:
* Basic Self-Defense (C)
* Survival (Wilderness - from his manor's remote location) (D)
* Reputation: Unknown / Low-Tier Noble (among students)
* Silver Crowns: 300
* House: Aquaris
What do you think Elara Vancroft's intentions are, and how might her presence affect Ace's time in Aquaris?