True Friends
Third week at the academy
Carsel only truly realised how lonely life at the academy was when he saw other students who always had friends to talk to, study with, or simply laugh with. Every day he witnessed Rion surrounded by admirers, Revan, though quieter, always respected, and even Emerald and Sapphire students who had their own social circles.
As for him? His roommates in Onyx were too peculiar to be close friends. Korgan was too aggressive, Timmy too shy, and Vex too creepy with his necromancy obsession.
That morning, as usual, he sat alone at the Onyx table, eating a piece of cold, hard bread. Around the canteen, conversations and laughter echoed – sounds of belonging he had never felt.
"Mind if I sit here?"
Carsel looked up and saw a boy his age standing with a food tray. The boy had dark brown hair, warm green eyes, and wore an Emerald pin on his blazer. What caught his attention was that he didn't look uncomfortable or condescending like most students from other dormitories when approaching the Onyx table.
"Uh... sure," Carsel replied, a little surprised. "But this is the Onyx table. Shouldn't you be sitting with Emerald?"
The boy smiled genuinely as he sat down. "I'm Kael Ashford. And honestly? The Emerald table is full of drama about who's going to be class representative. Needed a moment of peace."
"Carsel Nightshade," Carsel returned. "And... are you sure you want to sit here? My reputation isn't exactly great."
Kael shrugged, starting to eat. "I heard you're the one with the dark affinity who caused a bit of trouble in the group combat evaluation. But I also heard you're quite good at survival class and swordplay. Which is true?"
Carsel was surprised by Kael's straightforwardness. Most other students judged him based on rumours without bothering to know the truth.
"Both are true, actually," Carsel answered honestly. "I do have dark affinity, and I did... lose control during the evaluation. But I can also do survival and swordplay."
"Hmm," Kael nodded as he chewed. "Dark affinity is rare, right? Must be cool to use shadow magic."
"You... you're not scared?" Carsel asked hesitantly.
"Scared of what? An element is just a tool. What determines its good or bad is the person using it." Kael looked at Carsel seriously. "Besides, I have earth affinity. If you tried anything nasty, I could bury you alive."
Carsel was momentarily surprised, then laughed – his first genuine laugh since entering the academy. "That's... actually reassuring."
"See?" Kael grinned back. "So, why did you choose swordsman class? With dark affinity, wouldn't mage class be more suitable?"
"I... I prefer physical combat," Carsel replied, not wanting to talk about the eight years of forced training. "Besides, dark enhancement can be useful for swordplay too."
"Makes sense. I'm taking mage class with earth specialisation. Father says the Ashford family has been earth mages for generations, so I have to continue the tradition."
There was something in Kael's tone when he mentioned his family – a mixture of pride and... burden. Carsel could relate to that feeling.
"Is your family... strict?"
Kael paused, then nodded. "Minor nobility, desperate to climb the ranks. Father always says I have to excel at the academy to restore the family's honour." He gave a bitter smile. "No pressure, right?"
"At least you know your family," Carsel said without thinking, then immediately regretted sounding self-pitying.
"Orphan?" Kael asked gently, with no trace of the pity Carsel usually detested.
"Yeah. My village was destroyed by a monster attack when I was a baby. Raised by... guardians who found me."
It was the cover story Sage had prepared, but Carsel felt guilty lying to someone who had treated him with kindness.
"That's tough," Kael said sincerely. "But you survived and made it here. That says something about your strength."
For the first time in his life, Carsel felt truly seen and appreciated, not out of pity, but out of genuine respect for his struggles.
ROLE AND TIER SYSTEM
That day, they happened to be attending Basic Magic Theory together. Professor Marlena was explaining the power classification system used throughout the world.
"As you know," she said, projecting a complex diagram into the air, "there are four main roles that determine a person's development path: Swordsman, Mage, Healer, and Martial Artist."
The diagram showed four distinct trees with branching progressions.
"Each role has a different tier system, reflecting their respective specialisations and focuses."
SWORDSMAN TIER SYSTEM:
* Tier 5: Apprentice - Learning basic stance and fundamentals
* Tier 4: Knight - Mastering advanced techniques and combat tactics
* Tier 3: Master - Able to use aura enhancement on weapons
* Tier 2: Grandmaster - Capable of creating original techniques and fighting styles
* Tier 1: Sword King - The absolute peak of swordsmanship, a legend among warriors
MAGE TIER SYSTEM:
* Tier 6: Novice - Learning basic spell casting
* Tier 5: Adept - Mastering intermediate magic and elemental control
* Tier 4: Mage - Active magic user with advanced spells
* Tier 3: Archmage - High-level magic with complex spell weaving
* Tier 2: Sage - Master of magical theory and ancient knowledge
* Tier 1: Transcendent - Spiritual evolution, beyond mortal limitations
HEALER TIER SYSTEM:
* Tier 3: Nutrix - Basic healing and first aid
* Tier 2: Medius - Advanced healing and buff magic
* Tier 1: Saint/Saintess - Divine healing and resurrection abilities
MARTIAL ARTIST TIER SYSTEM:
* Similar to Asian martial arts progression
* Focuses on internal energy and physical mastery
* Culminating in legendary fighters who can fight barehanded against armed opponents
"Most academy graduates reach tier 4-5 in their role," Professor Marlena continued. "Tier 3 and above require exceptional talent, decades of training, and often life-or-death experiences for a breakthrough."
Carsel raised his hand. "Professor, is it possible to master multiple roles?"
"Possible, but extremely difficult," the professor replied. "Most people focus on one role to maximise potential. Hybrid builds are usually not as effective as pure specialisation."
But I'm a swordsman with dark magic enhancement, Carsel thought. Is that considered a hybrid?
"For example," the professor continued, "the current Sage Arthur Stellaris of... well, the former Stellaris Kingdom, he focused purely on the magic path until he reached tier 2. Other legendary kings were also typically pure specialists."
After class, Kael approached Carsel.
"Want to study together tonight? I need help with combat theory, and maybe you need help with magical theory."
"Study together?" Carsel couldn't hide the surprise in his voice.
"Yeah, why not? We can help each other."
Someone wants to study with me. Someone treats me like... a friend.
"Okay," Carsel replied with a smile he couldn't suppress. "That sounds great."
EVENING STUDY SESSION
That night, they met at the academy library – a gigantic building with thousands of books and ancient scrolls. Most students avoided the library due to its intimidating atmosphere, but Carsel felt comfortable there. It reminded him of Sage's collection.
They found a table in a quiet corner, surrounded by books on combat theory and magical fundamentals.
"Okay," Kael said, opening a thick textbook. "I'm totally lost with the aura enhancement concept. How can swordsmen channel energy into their weapons?"
Carsel, remembering Gareth's explanations, began to explain enthusiastically. "Aura is internal energy that can be projected outwards. For swordsmen, we channel aura through the weapon to increase sharpness, durability, or add elemental effects."
He took a pencil and started drawing a diagram. "Look, energy flows from the dantian – the energy centre in the stomach – up through the arms, and focuses in the weapon. But there has to be perfect sync between intent, breathing, and movement."
"Wow," Kael said, impressed. "You explained it more clearly than Professor Hendricks. Where did you learn that?"
"My old teacher was... very thorough," Carsel replied evasively.
"Lucky you. My father only knows basic earth magic, so for advanced theory I have to figure it out myself."
Now it was Carsel's turn for help. "Can you explain elemental resonance? I always struggle with magic theory."
Kael's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh, this is my favourite topic! Okay, so every element has a unique frequency, like musical notes. Earth element has a low, stable frequency..."
He began to explain with genuine passion, and Carsel felt grateful to have someone who was patient and not condescending in teaching.
They studied late into the night, sharing knowledge and gradually sharing stories about their respective backgrounds. Kael talked about the pressure from his family to succeed, Carsel talked about the loneliness in the forest (an edited version, of course).
"You know," Kael said as they were packing up their books, "this is the first time I've enjoyed a study session. Usually I'm stressed because I have to compete with everyone."
"Same here," Carsel replied honestly. "I... I've never had a friend in my life. This feels... nice."
"Yeah," Kael agreed, practicing his earth magic, creating small stone sculptures. "It does."
What they didn't realise was that their conversation was overheard by Marcus and several Ruby students who were passing by.
"Look at that," Marcus said with a smirk. "Two losers consoling each other. The Ashford family is getting so desperate, their son is hanging out with Onyx trash."
"Pathetic," his friend chimed in. "Wait till Kael's parents hear he's befriending a dark magic user. Their family reputation will be even more ruined."
But at that moment, Carsel and Kael were too happy with their friendship to care about the negativity from others.
For the first time since entering the academy, Carsel felt he had someone who genuinely cared about his well-being. Someone who didn't judge him based on his dormitory or affinity. Someone who treated him as an equal.
Maybe academy life isn't as bad as I thought, Carsel thought optimistically.
Maybe I've finally found my place here.
But that happiness wouldn't last long.
The next day, the academy would face its first tragedy that would test every student – and Carsel would make a mistake that would cost someone's life, changing everything forever.
In the darkness of the night, mysterious shadows moved towards the academy, carrying with them chaos and death that would turn innocent academy life into a bloody nightmare.
The time of peace was over.
The era of darkness had just begun.