Early the next morning, a crowd of humans had already gathered outside the Magic Academy gates.
Most of them had been rejected in earlier years, not because they lacked passion, but because they lacked the natural magical sensitivity required at the ti.
Nearly all were young.
Older candidates faced another problem. Even with talent, mastering magical theory required intense focus, mory, and abstract reasoning. Many adults simply couldn’t sit through hours of foundational study.
Magic wasn’t just about potential. It demanded discipline, intelligence, mory, and patience.
Youth had the advantage.
History had proven that magical talent alone ant nothing. So trained mages could level cities. Others barely handled minor spells.
Those unsuited for magical study were usually guided toward combat training with elves or craftsmanship with dwarves instead.
But today was different.
"I still can’t believe we actually get another chance."
"I didn’t sleep at all after the announcent."
"The Director is incredible. He actually found a way."
"Of course he did. He’s the first human mage. Founder of the Academy. The one who drove off an orc army and saved the Elven City."
"I heard he can turn into a dragon. Is that true?"
"My brother studied here. The elves told him it was real."
Speculation quickly spiraled into myth.
To these young humans, Rowan rcer wasn’t just a mage.
He was a living legend.
Even among elves and dwarves, he was widely respected. Many elves owed him their lives. Dwarves revered his artifact forging, which consistently produced equipnt beyond anything they had imagined.
Then the Academy gates slowly opened.
A breathtaking elf woman stepped forward, her presence calm and radiant.
"I am Lúthien, Vice Director of the Magic Academy," she said gently. "Form two lines. Follow inside."
The reaction was imdiate and chaotic silence.
Several of the younger students looked like their brains had simply stopped working.
Eventually, they scrambled into two lines and followed her inside.
Lúthien was used to this reaction. Even elves needed ti to compose themselves around her.
As they entered the Academy grounds, awe struck again.
Living statues moved through the grounds, cleaning and maintaining the gardens. Trees shimred with subtle magical light. The entire campus felt alive.
But the true shock ca inside the Great Hall.
From outside, it looked like a moderately sized building.
Inside, it felt like stepping into another world.
Above them, a massive artificial sun glowed overhead.
The space itself stretched far beyond what the building’s exterior could possibly contain.
Three long tables filled the hall, seating elf, dwarf, and human students respectively. Elves were still the majority. Dwarves followed. Humans were the smallest group.
At the far end floated a cloud platform.
At its center sat Rowan rcer.
On either side sat elven royalty and senior faculty.
"Step onto the platforms," Lúthien instructed, pointing to two floating cloud lifts near the entrance.
The students stepped on nervously.
The platforms rose into the air.
"Hold steady," she said kindly, spreading white wings as she guided both platforms toward the floating dais.
Rowan nodded approvingly.
Lúthien had learned many magical systems from him. In return, she had shared elven spellcraft. She now handled much of the Academy’s teaching.
"Let’s begin," Rowan said.
Lúthien opened the new student registry.
"When I call your na, step forward, sit in the chair, and close your eyes."
"Hannah."
A blonde girl stepped forward nervously and sat.
Rowan raised a hand.
A hat appeared in his palm.
With a flick of his wrist, it floated onto Hannah’s head.
Her vision filled with unfamiliar symbols and patterns. At the sa ti, warmth spread through her body, like sothing dormant had just awakened.
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