First Lessons

Minato made his way through the academy gates as students poured in around him. Wide-eyed first-years craned their necks at the buildings that carried centuries of history, the sprawling garden out back, and the veins of greenery twining along the vaulted halls. Minato slowed his steps, letting the sights sink in. From time to time, he glanced down at his student ID, comparing it to the signs above the doors, until one stopped him in his tracks:

– 1B

"Class 1B. This should be it."

He gripped the door handle, and for a moment his vision blurred. Memories of his past life welled up faces of old classmates who had watched over him, the festival on the day he died. A warm smile broke across his face before he drew a deep breath and pushed the door open.

The warmth drained from him almost instantly. Darian sat near the centre, already surrounded by a cluster of sycophants sons and daughters of lesser nobles, laughing too loudly at his every word. Minato’s shoulders slumped, but before he could slip unnoticed to a desk, a few commoners spotted him.

“Minato it’s really you!”
“Can’t believe we landed in the same class! Here’s to a good year together.”

Their genuine excitement made him blush, though Darian’s hangers-on sneered.

“Wipe that smug look off your face.”
“The only one worth praising here is Lord Darian. Commoners like you should keep your heads down or leave.”

The commoners fell silent under the venom in their voices. Minato glared at them, and though he said nothing, his expression alone was enough to make them flinch.

The door suddenly burst open. Rowan strode in with her coat swapped for a short jacket, sleeves rolled high to her elbows. Trousers tucked into combat boots, belt slanted at her hip with a book dangling from it. Her grin was wide, reckless.

“Oh, Minato! You’re here too? Hell yeah. After class, you’ve gotta show me magic again come on, don’t hold out on me.”

Her voice filled the room, and Darian rose slowly from his seat, his disdain palpable.

“The noisy one arrives. Figures you couldn’t even wear your uniform properly.” His gaze swept down her frame like a blade. “Trousers, boots, a book and belt… were you pretending to be a soldier or just too stupid to dress yourself?”

Rowan’s brow twitched. She grabbed his collar without hesitation. “Say that again, pretty boy.”

Before sparks could fly, Minato wedged himself between them, palms out. “Enough. It’s the first day. You really want to start like this? The teacher’s already here.”

Both Rowan and Darian froze. Their eyes slid to the board where a woman now leaned casually against the desk. She wore a violet robe, a wide-brimmed hat with feathered ornaments hiding half her face.

“Thank you for pointing out our two hotheads, Minato,” she said dryly. “Children, return to your seats. I’d hate to see detention before introductions.”

Flushed, Rowan released Darian, and the two stalked back to their desks. Minato offered a weak smile, but the woman’s eerie grin in return sent him scrambling for a seat near the front.

“Now then,” she said, folding her arms, “my name is Eirene. I’ll be your head teacher until further notice. No need for introductions I’ve already memorized your names. All I ask is that you practice some restraint while we’re here.”

The class nodded.

“Good. Then let’s begin with a question. Aside from humans, what other races walk these lands?”

Rowan shot her hand up. Eirene gestured for her to speak.

“Uhh… demi-humans, right? Also elves, and mountain orcs?”

Eirene clapped softly. “Not bad. Half credit.”

Rowan deflated into her chair with a pout. Eirene chuckled.

“Let’s spice this up.”

She swept her arms wide. A magic circle glowed at her back, and purple mist bled into the air. Students coughed and blinked then gasped as the classroom dissolved into blackness. One by one, shapes formed. A mountain rose before them, dotted with huts. Green- and brown-skinned orcs walked in groups, some wielding massive hammers, others seated in meditation.

“These are mountain orcs,” Eirene explained. “Not to be mistaken for rogue orcs. Unlike their savage kin, these have been blessed with knowledge. They don’t wield Archana as we do. Instead, they draw upon another force… Anima.”

The students leaned in as she pointed to orcs drawing energy from the air, the trees, even the earth beneath them.

“Anima is a current that runs parallel to mana. We channel mana to shape elements, but they refine Anima into sheer vitality, physical might multiplied a thousandfold. If you meet one in battle, don’t fight them head-on. You’ll be crushed.”

A few nobles scoffed under their breath. Eirene’s sharp glance cut them quiet before she snapped her fingers. The scenery shifted to a small village where beast folk bustled between stalls.

“Demi-humans, too, walk this balance. Some are born with bodies unsuited for mana. They turn instead to Anima to bridge the gap. Among their kind, half wield Archana, half wield Anima. Which means,” she smirked, “underestimate them at your peril.”

At that, Darian stood, face red with fury.

“Why must we waste time on animals? What value is there in studying lesser species? They are beneath us, teacher, and so is this lesson.”

The class froze. Eirene’s smile vanished, her voice dropping to ice.

“Darian. Your ignorance is breathtaking. Let me enlighten you.”

The illusions trembled as her mana surged. “The survival rate of a lone human mage against a lone demi-human using Anima? Less than fifty percent. You live in comfort only because greater powers protect your kind. Without them, your kingdom would have fallen generations ago.”

Darian sat down hard, his face pale.

Another snap. The mountain faded to towering stone figures. Except no, not statues. Their vast chests rose and fell in slumber.

“Giants,” Eirene whispered. “The first to walk these lands. They slumber still, their true strength… a mystery even to our Headmaster.”

Students murmured uneasily, but before they could question, the scene shifted again. Dragons filled the valley, scales glimmering like gemstones, eyes glowing with judgment. Even knowing it was illusion, the students quaked. Minato felt his heart hammer, sweat cold on his neck. Even Eirene struggled to hold the spell steady.

“Behold,” she said with reverence, “the dragons. Closest to gods we have ever seen. In their war with the giants, they triumphed. None since has dared challenge them. Their Archana is not ours, nor any mortal’s. All we know is its name the Archana of Genesis.”

The words rang like a tolling bell. Minato clutched his chest, trembling, but his mind burned.

I want to forge a draconic weapon. I have to. Something that nears their power.

He shot up. "Teacher the Reverie creates from knowledge, from memory. Has anyone ever made something with dragons at its core? A draconic weapon?”

Eirene’s face drained of colour. She dismissed the illusions in an instant.

“Minato,” she said firmly, “forget that thought. Never attempt such a thing. The dragons watch us closely. Yes, others have tried. Those who did were struck down before they could even lift their creations.”

Her tone brooked no argument. Minato sank back into his chair, heart heavy. “I understand.”

The lesson wound down, students buzzing with unease but ignited curiosity.

When the bell rang, Minato lingered, thoughts circling. He left at last, only to find Darian and his gang cornering a commoner in the hall.

“Darian.” Minato’s voice cut through. “First day’s over. You really need to pick a fight now?”

Darian sneered. “Stay out of this, insect. This fool bumped into me and stepped on my foot.”

The boy shook his head frantically. “No, sir, I swear I only slowed to let you pass, but you charged at me with that look in your eye. You missed and hit the wall. You stepped on your own foot!”

Minato blinked, half-amused despite himself. Darian’s fury only deepened. He seized the boy’s collar, fist drawing back

and Minato grabbed his arm. “That’s enough. Let it go.”

Darian snarled. “Why won’t you flies stop buzzing?!”

A cool voice cut him off. “That’s quite enough, Darian.”

A young woman with flowing blue hair stepped into view. Her presence alone stilled the air. Darian clicked his tongue.

“Tch. You. Fine. I’ve no time to waste here. Let’s go.” He shoved past with his lackeys, leaving Minato and the commoner in stunned silence.

“Uh… what just happened?” Minato muttered.

The girl approached, composure unshaken.

“Minato, isn’t it? I’d like to invest in you if you’ll allow it.”

He blinked at her in confusion.

“My apologies for the abruptness.” She dipped into a graceful curtsy. “I am Maria Veymaris, of House Veymaris. I wished to thank you for protecting me during the practical exam.”

She lifted her eyes, smiling intently.