"Even the faintest star still burns beneath the endless night."
The sky…it wasn't really a sky, not like back home. Over Aetherion, it just shimmered, all melted glass and soft gold, streaks of violet bleeding through. The bells, though—those were real. They rang through the courtyard, clear and measured, almost holy, you know?
Eryndor Caelis stopped at the marble steps, clutching his admission scroll like it was a lifeline. His hands were shaking, yeah, but not from fear, exactly. It was more…standing somewhere that hummed, that vibrated with something bigger than him.
Students moved around him, deep blue cloaks swirling like currents, spells flickering above their palms. Laughter mixed with the faint crackle of mana, and the air…God, the air was sharp, almost humming against his skin.
He'd imagined this moment a million times. But now, surrounded by all this…brilliance, he just felt smaller, somehow.
A gust of wind tugged his hair loose, and as he reached up to fix it, that's when he saw him.
Across the hall, leaning against a pillar like he owned the place, was Luca Veyren. Sunlight pooled behind him, like it belonged there. Tall, elegant, effortless, his uniform was half-buttoned, tie undone. And his eyes…liquid gold, just caught the light, seemed to look right through Eryndor.
Luca Veyren.
Even the whispers shifted when someone said his name. Top student. Genius of elemental control. Heartbreaker, they said.
And he was looking at Eryndor.
For a heartbeat, neither moved. Then Luca's mouth curved, something between amusement and…curiosity? "You're standing in the way," he said, voice smooth, unhurried.
Eryndor startled, stepping aside, quick. "Ah…sorry. I didn't realize…"
Luca pushed off the pillar, closing the distance with this lazy grace. Frost and cedar, that's what he smelled like. He stopped close enough that Eryndor could see faint sparks dancing along the edge of his cuff. A harmless display? Or just a quiet flex.
"No harm done." Luca's gaze lingered. "You're new."
Eryndor nodded. "First day."
"Thought so." Luca tilted his head. "You look like you'd rather be anywhere else."
That earned a nervous laugh. "I'm just…adjusting."
Luca's eyes softened, almost imperceptibly. "You'll get used to it. Or it'll swallow you whole. Depends which comes first."
It could've sounded cruel, but his tone was…gentle? Like he was warning him, not mocking him.
Eryndor forced a smile. "Comforting."
"Didn't say I was trying to be."
Something flickered in Luca's eyes then, a spark of…recognition? Interest? He glanced at Eryndor's hands. "You holding that scroll for decoration, or do you plan to open it before graduation?"
Eryndor blinked, realizing he'd been clutching it so tight his knuckles had gone white. "Right. Um…now, I guess."
"Good choice," Luca murmured. "I'd hate to watch someone faint before orientation."
The tease was light, but it left warmth blooming in Eryndor's chest. He unrolled the parchment, quick, pretending not to see the smirk playing on Luca's lips.
Students were gathering at the gate. The dean's voice echoed across the courtyard, calling names, assigning dorms. Luca stepped back, but didn't look away.
"Caelis, right?" he said.
Eryndor blinked. "You know my name?"
"Everyone knows who gets accepted with a zero-mana record."
The words stung. He looked down, but Luca added, almost soft, "Doesn't mean you don't belong here. Sometimes the quiet ones make the loudest noise when it counts."
Eryndor looked up again, caught off guard. Luca's smile was faint, unreadable, but his eyes…those golden eyes were steady.
Then the bell rang again, breaking the moment.
Luca straightened his collar, took a half-step closer, close enough that the space between them just pulsed with something unspoken.
"See you inside, Caelis," he said, voice low. "Try not to trip on your own awe."
And before Eryndor could think of a reply, Luca was walking away, sunlight catching in his hair like a halo of molten gold.
Eryndor let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. His pulse was thudding against his wrist, too fast, too warm. He glanced at his reflection in the polished marble floor, and wondered why, for the first time in years, his magic…the magic he thought was gone…seemed to stir faintly beneath his skin.
It was unsettling, how easily Luca could throw him off balance. What did he want?
The Great Hall of Aetherion was a cathedral, all glass and light.
Crystals floated near the ceiling, refracting sunlight into shifting ribbons of color that danced over marble and silk banners. The air pulsed with magic—raw, wild, alive.
Eryndor moved through the crowd, careful. Every glance felt heavy, judging. "Zero mana," someone whispered. "How'd he even get in?"
He lowered his gaze, clutching the strap of his satchel. He told himself he didn't care. He'd grown used to being the odd one, the quiet, powerless boy who didn't quite fit.
But here, in this sea of brilliance, the absence of power felt louder than ever.
A pulse of light flared on the stage.
The Headmaster appeared, tall, silver-haired, his robe flowing like living mist. "Welcome, students of Aetherion," his voice boomed. "Within these walls, you will be tested. Not merely in skill, but in truth."
A murmur rippled through the hall.
Eryndor felt it before he saw it: the prickle at the base of his neck, the faint vibration beneath his feet. Something ancient stirred within the room…or within him.
He blinked hard, and for a split second, the world just…shifted.
Every spark of mana around him flared brighter, like reacting to his breath. The crystal lights trembled overhead.
Then silence.
When he opened his eyes again, everything was normal. No one seemed to notice.
Except Luca.
From across the hall, Luca was watching him. Elbows propped on the back of a chair, chin resting on his hand, lazy, amused, yet too focused to be casual. When their eyes met, Luca didn't look away. Instead, a slow, knowing smile curved his lips. I saw that, it said.
Eryndor's heartbeat jumped. He tore his gaze away, heat rising to his face.
Maybe it was a trick of light. Maybe his nerves were playing games.
"Students!" The Headmaster's tone snapped through the noise. "Pairing evaluations begin tomorrow. You'll be tested in mana resonance compatibility. Choose wisely who you partner with your bond may define your future."
Whispers exploded instantly. Names, reputations, alliances all shifting like the tide.
Eryndor's stomach sank. He had no one. No mana, no reputation.
"Guess you'll be the one left over, huh?" someone snickered behind him.
Before he could turn, a voice answered—low, even, dangerous.
"Funny," Luca said. "I don't remember asking for your opinion."
The crowd hushed. Eryndor froze.
Luca had crossed the space in seconds, standing just slightly behind him now. The air felt heavier, the scent of frost sharp against the warmth of the hall.
The boy who had mocked him stammered, then backed away. Luca didn't bother looking at him. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, his words close enough that Eryndor could feel the whisper of breath against his ear.
"You should keep your head up," Luca murmured. "People mistake silence for weakness."
Eryndor swallowed hard. "You didn't have to…"
"I didn't." Luca's eyes glinted. "But I wanted to."
A long pause. Around them, the noise of the hall seemed to blur, fading into a distant hum.
Then Luca straightened, his usual smirk returning. "See you at the pairing test, Caelis."
He turned to leave, fluid, effortless but just as he did, a flicker of light burst near Eryndor's hand.
It was faint a spark, gold and white but unmistakably mana.
The parchment he was holding curled slightly at the edge, glowing with symbols that hadn't been there before. The magic faded as quickly as it appeared, leaving a faint warmth pulsing against his skin.
Gasps whispered through the nearest students.
Eryndor froze, panic rising. He hadn't cast anything. He couldn't.
From across the growing circle, Luca looked back.
For a brief, charged moment, their eyes met again. No mockery this time only quiet astonishment, and something else…a spark of…recognition?
Then, slowly, that infuriatingly calm smile returned.
"Looks like you're full of surprises, Caelis," Luca said, soft, almost to himself.
And before Eryndor could respond, the hall erupted in noise, professors rushing forward, students whispering. The light above them dimmed for a heartbeat, as if the academy itself had felt something shift.
God, what was happening? And why did it feel like Luca already knew?