The sun rose over Elyndor Academy, its floating spires casting dappled light across Aetherion's bustling campus. The Celestars, fresh from passing the brutal entrance exam, hauled their herb-filled bags into their assigned dorm—a cozy, rune-etched room in a ivy-draped tower. The air smelled of polished wood and faint mana, with distant sounds of student chatter echoing from the courtyard below.
Lui dropped his bag, eyeing the six bunks. "Dibs on the top one," he said, ruby-hilted sword clinking.
Rick slung his blue wand, grinning. "Window bunk's mine—water vibes, you know?" He dashed to a bed by a rune-lit window, only to trip over Iuro's bag.
Iuro laughed, Tofu buzzing above his shoulder. "Careful, or you'll flood the dorm!" He claimed a bunk near a potted glowvine, stroking its leaves.
Ishi, shadow daggers tucked away, took a corner bunk. "Quietest spot. Keep it that way."
Izumi, map in hand, chose a bunk with a desk. "This'll do for studying."
Yuuv, yawning, flopped onto the last bunk, bell wand chiming. Ding~. "Soft… good for naps."
The room was small but lively—wooden beams carved with star runes, a mana-powered lantern flickering blue, and a shared table already cluttered with their Gladefen herbs. Rick tried a water orb trick to "organize" the table, but it splashed Izumi's map, earning a glare.
"Save it for class, Rick," Izumi said, drying the parchment with a spatial pulse.
Lui clapped his hands. "Unpack, then explore. We've got class at 9 AM—basic spell foundations. Don't be late."
They roamed the dorm tower, finding a common room with beastfolk playing rune-dice and elves chanting over spellbooks. A draconid student, scales glinting, nodded at Ishi, recognizing his shadow aura. Rick, still starry-eyed from the black-haired girl in the exam hall, scanned for her but found only giggling novices.
"Give it a rest," Iuro teased. "You'll see her when you see her."
Rick pouted. "She's, like, perfect. Did you see her fix my diagram?"
Yuuv mumbled, "Stars say… she's shiny." Ding~.
The class was held in a circular hall, its ceiling a mosaic of glowing mana threads. Professor Lirien, a wiry elf with a crystal wand, greeted them. "Charms are the root of magic—focus, intent, control. Today, you'll craft a light charm."
The brothers sat among diverse students—nobles, hybrids, a dwarf with a hammer-wand. Lui's red eyes tracked Lirien's demo, his sword hand steady. Izumi scribbled notes, gray eyes sharp. Iuro's green wand twitched, eager to try. Ishi stayed silent, observing. Yuuv, half-asleep, leaned on Rick, who was distracted, sneaking glances at the black-haired girl across the room.
"Focus, aqua boy," she mouthed, her black eyes twinkling as she formed a perfect silver light orb.
Rick's heart raced. He waved his wand too fast, his "Light Ripple" charm spluttering into a watery spark that fizzled out. The class laughed, and she smirked, her orb glowing brighter. "Try slower," she whispered.
Rick blushed, managing a dim blue glow. "Got it… uh, thanks."
Lui's flame charm burned steady, a red spark hovering. Izumi's spatial charm warped light into a silver swirl. Iuro's plant charm grew a tiny glowing bud. Ishi's shadow charm cast a dark, flickering orb. Yuuv's Ding~ sparked a cyan-gold light that pulsed oddly, drawing Lirien's attention.
"Curious," Lirien said, inspecting Yuuv's orb. "Dual-tone. Rare for a novice."
Class ended at 1 PM, the brothers buzzing from their first lesson. As they left, Rick lingered, watching the girl—Selene, he'd overheard—pack her wand. She caught his eye, smirking again. "Keep practicing, water boy."
"Name's Rick!" he called, but she was already gone.
Back at the dorm, they collapsed, laughing over Rick's flop. "She's got you whipped," Iuro said.
"Am not!" Rick protested, but his grin said otherwise.