The Flowers of Genesis

The magic showcase for the applicants had finally come to a close. All those present, whether they wished to admit it or not had borne witness to Minato’s magic, which outshone Darian’s.

The instructors gathered the applicants together one last time and gave them a briefing.

“Please keep an eye out for mail regarding your admission or rejection. It was a pleasure watching over you all, and I hope to see some of you at our academy.”

The instructor’s gaze flicked toward Minato.
“Minato, the headmaster, would like to speak with you regarding your use of magic earlier. Please follow me.”

Minato stiffened, looking around as though he were in trouble. Darian and the other nobles smirked, while the commoners watched him with concern.

The instructor led him to the headmaster’s office, where the man stood waiting in front of his desk. As Minato stepped inside, the instructor was quickly dismissed.

“Many thanks for bringing him here. I’ll take over now.”

Left alone, Minato fidgeted, nerves buzzing as his eyes roamed. The office was filled to the brim with books, their spines catching the light, pulling his curiosity. He stole quick glances here and there, almost forgetting why he’d been summoned.

The headmaster’s voice cut through.
“You were trembling just a moment ago, and now you’re busy browsing my collection.”

Minato snapped upright, laughing awkwardly. His gaze shifted, noticing the man’s buildbroad shoulders, muscular frame, and calloused palms that looked as if they had gripped a sword for decades.

“Umm… headmaster, forgive my curiosity but… are you a swordsman by any chance?”

The headmaster blinked, then smiled as he eased into his chair.
“Hoho, quite the observation, young man. Yes, in my early years I was indeed a swordsman. But it wasn’t until I encountered the essence of Archana that I awakened mine.”

He gestured to the seat before his desk.
“Sit, please.”

“Thank you.” Minato sat quickly, leaning forward with interest. “But headmaster, I thought people awakened their Archana at young ages. Isn’t that the case?”

“Archana is a mysterious thing,” the man replied calmly. “Yes, a large portion of the population awakens theirs young. But don’t be deceived, some may live their entire lives without awakening.”

“Waitwhy? Isn’t the use of magic the norm? Shouldn’t the body be programmed to handle it? So why would anyone never awaken? Is it like a mutation, or”

The headmaster raised a finger, gently shushing him.
“Let me ask you, my dear boy. What do you understand the Archana to be?”

Minato thought back to Granny and Celis’s lessons.
“Archana is the mirror of the soul. Mana flows through our bodies from birth, and once it integrates with the soul, the Archana awakens, revealing the unseen and the soul manifests through the user.”

The headmaster smiled warmly.
“A brilliant answer. But there is more. Say a person lives their life never satisfied, always uncertain of themselves and their path. Would such a confused soul unable to visualize who they are or who they wish to become truly be capable of awakening an Archana?”

“Well… no, sir. I don’t think so.”

“Exactly. The soul is a fusion of mind, emotion, and will.” The headmaster’s eyes grew distant. “In my case, I was cast out of my family. I wandered endlessly. I picked up the sword to survive not because I wanted to. I studied magic to be accepted not because I loved it. I lost sight of myself.

“Eventually, I found myself in a ruin from the distant past. Yet it had been transformed to house life. Sprites danced through an underground forest. I walked for days, questioning if this was truly a ruin at all. My curiosity grewI needed answers.

“Then I came face to face with it: an Archana Leyline. A single flower bloomed atop it. As I approached, voices echoed with every step unintelligible, but insistent. I touched the flower.

“And suddenly, I saw the stars. I saw the moon. I saw the world. I was mesmerized. But then I saw my own life from the outside, as though another lens had been placed over me. I questioned my actions, my motives, my desires.

“And there he stood before me. A mage who looked exactly like me. He smiled and handed me his staff. It was then I knew: I must devote myself to Archana, to study it and uncover all its truths.”

Minato leaned in, utterly captivated.

“But headmaster… if that’s true, then what about Pragma Archana? I’ve heard it called the Archana of commoners. Isn’t that unfair? I thought all were equal before Archana.”

A shadow fell over the man’s face. He rose, staring out the window.
“In truth, my boy, the Pragma Archana did not exist in my youth. Back then, commoners could awaken any Archana. The sentiment toward them was not so cruel.

“But think carefully if the Archana reflects the soul, why would such a thing manifest?”

Minato frowned, thinking of the way commoners were treated, crushed, denied every chance to grow. His voice was soft when he answered.
“…Like a bird whose wings were clipped before it ever learned to flap them.”

The headmaster nodded gravely.
“Exactly. The royal family has done irreparable damage. They’ve warped the minds of nobles into mindless destructors, while commoners can only dream of being dirt beneath their feet. All I can do here is try to create a place where even Pragma users can grow. That is my only wish now.”

A heavy silence filled the room. Minato sat with the weight of it, until the headmaster finally broke it with a smile.
“I apologize for my long ramblings.”

“No, no it’s fine, headmaster. That was… really instructive. I appreciate it.”

“You are a sweet child. Now, as to why I called you, firstly thank you for protecting the other applicants. It is a shame I cannot publicly reward you. But if there’s anything you need, ask, and I will try.

“Publicly, however, my hands are tied. The nobles filed a complaint against you for using magic when it wasn’t your turn, despite the fact that you protected their children. They are… shameful.”

“That’s putting it mildly. But don’t worry, headmaster. I’ll take our discussion as my reward. It helped me understand things better. I’m grateful.”

The man chuckled as Minato rose to leave.
“Thank you once more, Minato. I hope we can speak again soon.”

“Hopefully I passed, ‘cause I’d definitely come again.”

Minato bowed and moved toward the door.

“Oh, Minatoone last thing.”

He turned. “Hmm? What is it?”

The headmaster adjusted his glasses, returning to his book. Without looking up, he spoke.
“Classes start next week. Please don’t forget. Wouldn’t want you late on your first day.”

Minato blinked, then grinned brightly.
“Yes, sir!”

He stepped outside. Camillia was waiting, waving.

Other commoners rushed up, voices full of excitement.
“Minato, your magic was incredible, thank you for saving us back there!”
“I’m rooting for you to enter the academy!”
“You’re definitely in! Those wings were so beautiful!”

Their praise left Minato flushed and embarrassed, though secretly warmed. Darian, scowling, looked on as Minato rejoined Camillia.

“Well, look at you, smiling from ear to ear,” she teased. “You did great today. I’m proud of you.”

“Haha, it was nothing. Told ya I’d do great.”

They returned to her estate, where happy smiles and congratulations continued to follow him.

Two days later, a letter arrived confirming Minato’s admission. Celebrations erupted. A letter was even sent to his village, where Granny wept with pride as the villagers cheered.

Five days after the practical test, Minato moved into his academy accommodations with Celis.

He opened the door to his chambers and blinked at the sight. The room carried the quiet dignity of nobility: polished wooden floors, a canopy bed draped in dark blue sheets, tall windows curtained in velvet that softened the sunlight. A mahogany desk and bookshelf stood neatly against the wall, while a silver-embroidered tapestry bearing the academy’s crest hung above a modest fireplace.

“Not bad. Not bad at all. I like it. What do you think, Celis?”

“As long as it suits your taste, young master. Besides, I’m glad this time you’re not wandering around gawking at everything.”

“Whahey, hey!” Minato sputtered, embarrassed, while Celis giggled.

Finally, his academy life was ready to begin.

The first day arrived. Minato slipped into the academy uniform, fastening the crisp white shirt before pulling on the long, dark coat lined with silver trim and bearing the academy’s emblem on the chest. The fabric was heavier than expected, carrying with it a dignified weight. The hood folded neatly against his shoulders, while black trousers tucked into polished boots completed the set.