With a deafening bang, I’m sent flying through the glass my movement restricted from the cords entangling my body. As glass fills the night sky I slowly rotate around to see the car filled streets below me. Slowly my momentum shifted from horizontal to vertical as my descent begins to speed up. I never thought I would die from falling, especially considering my fear of heights, yet here we go. Slowly I close my eyes and accept my fate.

-A week earlier-

As the sun rises it is another day it Etcka, a beautiful city that is a perfect mix of magic and science. Its got all the features magic cars, some low scale teleportation magic, cool floating screens, you know the works. Shame it's really just for the upper class though, not for bottom feeders like me. And even though I’m so far from the true beauty of Etcka, it’s fine because I’ll get to the top of the totem pole, or burn it down trying.

Speaking of burning I should probably get up smells like Jess is ‘cooking’ again which means I gotta dip and fast. I quickly roll out of bed and towards my clothing rack and grab a pair of tight jogging pants and my favorite shirt sleeve T-shirts. This cool alternative rock band sold limited editions and I ‘borrowed’ it from a stranger leaving their concert. As I slowly attempt to leave my apartment I feel a tugging on my shirt and am yanked back into the kitchen and thrust in front of a plate of mystery meat.

“Try it Cal, I made some nice and hardy breakfast just the way you like it”

“Jess I really think I’m fine but th-”

“Shut it and eat my food, its rare that I cook so you better enjoy it!”

“Ughhh, alright”

As I began to choke down the food hoping to eat it fast enough as to not taste anything I sadly slip up and taste the charcoal-like texture of burnt eggs, in addition to the slimy ham with a cold center. Jess was a talented girl but cooking was better left to someone else, or anyone else just not her.

After a brief detour in the restroom to relieve myself of the previously consumed toxin, I made my way towards the door. As I swing open the door I’m greeted to the sight of Etcka. Skyscraping towers, floating billboards, air traffic, you know the works. As I’m talking about the city I think its important I fill you in on the interworkings of this magical ‘little’ city. Our city is home to various organizations, big, small, public, private, however, one of the most important ones is the city is the stars academy. It's basically a training bay for the future military of our city. When you are this big everybody wants a piece, therefore they always have a garrison at the ready. Of course, there is your fair share of clans, groups, and corporations trying to gain control of the city from inside.

Personally, I’m hoping I can pass into the Stars this is the year I finally meet the age requirement and Jess said she’d kick me out if I didn’t pass so I guess I’ll give it a shot. If you don’t know the requirements are simply to be a youth of 14 years and pass the magic requirements. I don’t know what mine are so I can only hope I pass, one’s parents would normally have their childs magic checked around 5 when it develops. Only one problem though my mom couldn’t handle the responsibility of a child so she ditched me, my dad did it first though so fuck them both.

Personally, I hope I have something like fire that way I can just shoot fireballs from a distance and relax, but who knows what the world has in store. Maybe I’ll be some legend with multiple affinities then I’ll be able to laugh at my shit parents.

As I make my way into the mass apartment elevator I press the lobby button and begin my descent. As I reach floor 7 the elevator door opens and some girl walks in, about the same height as me, some very long blonde hair, and some powerful blue eyes. I don’t stare too long as I’m not some creep and mind my business. She gets on her phone and I stare at the ceiling as I have no hope of being able to afford one, at least not yet. Slowly we reach the lobby and I move out towards the airbus stop, I notice the girl is still heading in my same direction and seeing as she’s around my age I think I should talk to he-

“Hey, are you going to Star’s academy?”

“Uhh, yea, I’m assuming you are too.”

“Yep, I’m really excited with my magic affinity I’ll hopefully be placed in advanced courses.”

“Cool...I’m happy for you I guess.”

“Yea thanks, I’ve got a real high affinity for water and wind so hopefully I’ll be able to do support magic, what affinities do you have?”

“I have no clue I was never checked”

“Ohh that's weird, aren’t you scared your gonna fail before we even start”

“Well it is the way it is, I’ll never know if I don't try, besides everything will probably be fine”

“If you say so...ummm… what’s your name?”

“Caleon, but you can call me cal.”

“Ok, I’m Lucy”

As our conversation toned down we boarded the bus luckily as it was a Monday at 10:00 am there really wasn’t too many people on the bus and as I sat down on the outside part of the seat, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see Lucy with eyes that say ‘you should let me sit with you’. Obviously, I scooch over and give away my premium seating to the pretty girl. The stars academy is pretty far on the outskirts of the city, therefore a pretty long bus ride was in order about an hours worth. About 20 minutes in I feel a bit of weight on my shoulder, of course, Lucy’s head was draped over my shoulder. Being the gentlemen I am I don't wake her up.

As we reach our stop I turn to wake up Lucy only to notice a big wets spot on my shoulder, gross. I shake her and she slowly comes to her senses. And we get off the bus and make our way to Stars we are greeted to a beautiful vista. The buildings are gigantic with several buildings mirroring your above average college campus. I can see off in the distance some sort of Coliseum. Slowly my little duo follow the crowd towards this huge gathering area with a platform with several official looking fellas. Slowly as the stragglers catch up the officials begin their speal.

“Hello future students and others of Stars Academy, we hope you found your travels pleasant and we hope for those who go back that they find that journey somewhat pleasant as well. To emphasize most of you will be going back home with our acceptance rate of 12%. We will be accepting based off a few things: raw magic aptitude, physiology, and constitution, intelligence, and finally do we see a spark!”

The official's eyes seem to glow with excitement, his wrinkled face’s expressions show a fire within. his long white beard is flowing even with the lack of wind. His robes are black and lined with gold and silver that reflects under the sun.