The Hero Academy was even more imposing on the inside. High arched ceilings stretched above the main hall, filled with floating lanterns that glimmered with faint elemental magic. The scent of old stone and ink mixed with faint traces of fire, water, and other essences — a living reminder that this was a school built for those who wielded power.
Aiden followed the registrar through a maze of corridors, clutching the scroll from Magister Rhoan tightly. Every glance at the other students reminded him that he was out of place. Most wore finely embroidered robes bearing their family crests, and every third student seemed to radiate raw elemental energy.
The registrar, a tall woman with silvery hair tied in a braid, finally stopped at a heavy wooden door. "This will be your dormitory hall. You may store your belongings here. Morning training begins at first light. Be punctual."
Aiden nodded, trying not to fidget. He had expected challenges outside, but the tension here — among peers — was different. Subtle, almost invisible.
Later, he wandered into the training grounds. The courtyard was vast, divided into areas for each element: pools of water shimmered with aquatic energy, stone platforms pulsed with earthen power, wind currents whistled along narrow paths, and towering flames danced in protective circles.
A group of students were sparring nearby. One girl, a striking figure with long silver hair and an icy-blue aura, lifted her hand and sent a small stream of water weaving around her partner. He dodged, then countered with a gust of wind that scattered the water into a mist.
Aiden's heart raced. He had never seen magic used so fluidly.
A soft chime rang in his mind.
[New Quest Available: Begin Training with System Interface]
Objective: Familiarize with elemental combat mechanics and practice your first skill.
Reward: EXP +50, Skill Mastery Progress
The System panel flickered before his eyes, showing a combat interface similar to his forest encounter, but this time with more options.
Aiden Valen – Level 3
HP: 120 / 120
MP: 120 / 120
Skills: Elemental Fusion (Lv.1), Fiery Gale (Lv.1)
Skill Slots: 3 / 4
| Actions: |
| Attack (Physical) |
| Skill |
| Defend |
| Item |
[Tip: Observe other students' elemental techniques for fusion inspiration.]
Aiden took a deep breath and concentrated. Fire swirled in his right palm. Water shimmered in his left. He tried a fusion: Fire + Water. A cloud of scalding steam erupted, hissing and curling in midair.
"Whoa!" a voice said. A girl stepped forward, silver hair glinting in the sunlight. Her eyes were a piercing aquamarine. "That… that's incredible. You're using Elemental Fusion already?"
Aiden froze. "Uh… yeah. I guess?"
"I'm Marina," she said, offering her hand. "Water affinity. Level 5. You're… different, aren't you? I've never seen someone this young — a commoner — handle multi-element magic."
Aiden shook her hand, heart pounding. A princess? He remembered the stories — all seven kingdoms sent their heirs to the Academy. If she was a princess, then…
"Uh… thanks. I'm Aiden," he said quickly. "I… just survived a little trial back home."
Marina's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "A trial, huh? Sounds like you've got potential. You should come train with me tomorrow. I'll help you stabilize your elements."
Before he could respond, a bell rang. Students began filing toward the classroom areas for their first formal lessons.
The System pinged again.
[Quest Updated: Form Alliance with First Princess – Optional]
Reward: +10 Reputation | Unlock Training Partner Mechanics
Aiden couldn't help but grin. He had no idea what lay ahead, but this — this felt like the start of something big.
As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the training grounds, he practiced steam blasts, fireballs, and small bursts of wind. Every success, every misstep, fed into the System, leveling him up bit by bit.
By nightfall, his body ached, but his mind was alive with possibility. He was no longer just a commoner. He was a student of the Hero Academy — a place where the impossible could become reality.
And somewhere inside, seven faint lights pulsed, whispering of a destiny far greater than surviving the first day.
"Alright, System," he whispered, sitting beneath a tree, staring at the stars.
"Let's see how strong I can really become."
The Academy slept around him, but Aiden's journey had only just begun.
[End of Chapter 5 – First Lessons in Power]
If you want, I can continue with Chapter 6, where Aiden encounters his first rival, faces a proper Academy duel, and begins building his reputation among the students — a chapter that escalates tension and starts developing his relationship with Marina further.