“My name is Mary Mcgall, vice principal of the academy. You have all been accepted here in order to bloom you into what would be the best version of yourselves, though not all of you will make it. Those that do, be prepared, for you will represent this academy upon graduation.”

She droned on about the academy for a few more minutes before we were taken to our designated rooms. Paying enough money ensures a single room in the dorm, so of course I had a single room. The room was painted white, it had a large couch in the centre with a table in front of it. In one of the corners, there was a large table along with a comfortable looking chair.

I walked into the large bathroom to clean up myself then went downstairs towards the cafeteria. Once I entered, I looked around at the students milling around and forming groups to eat together.

I went to the counter and picked up some food before going and sitting down to eat my food. As I was eating, someone came in front of me and dropped their tray in front of me on the table before also sitting in front of me. I looked up and took in the person in front of me. He looked to be the same age as me, with black hair and brown eyes. He had an average looking face and a somewhat skinny build. He looked at me and smirked.

“You must be Solis Whitefyre.” I raised one eyebrow while looking at him, waiting for him to complete what it was he was trying to say.

“My name is Brandon Smith and I’m here to declare my intention, I am going to surpass you to be the best student in our year.” He declared.

“Surpass me? The year has yet to begin.” I was somewhat interested in where this was going.

“My mother comes from a long line of seers, and that sorcery manifested in interesting ways for me. I have a sixth sense, a sort of instinct that guides me when I question myself. Sometimes it’s images, sometimes it’s words, most of the time it’s impressions. The more important it is for me, the more I get out of it.” He paused for effect.

“My ability has declared that you will be what stands before me and top of the class. Well, excluding the princess, but she is a whole other beast. But you, you are extremely attainable and I intend to surpass it.”

‘Well, isn’t this interesting.’

“I wish you good luck then, but I won’t make it easy for you.” I said.

We finished the food and went our separate ways. I returned to my room and went to sleep in preparation for the following day, the start of school.

The next morning we went to our respective first classes, mine being runes. The teacher was a tall bald man with brown eyes and glasses.

“I am Mr. Colbert, a 6th circle wizard and rune grandmaster. From now till I’m done with you, we will take a deep dive into the world of runes and all its many facets. With this subject, we can ward cities, change matter, affect natural phenomena and so many more things. This subject will also be a prerequisite to some of the more popular classes you may want to take, like alchemy and enchanting. Be prepared.”

What followed was a somewhat basic introductory class that would entail including the runic alphabets we would be concentrating on for the semester. Just at the end of the class before we were dismissed, he made a final statement.

“At the end of this year, your final project will be to create an original runic array, always keep this in the back of your mind as we move forward.”

The rest of the day, I attended the remaining classes that all followed roughly the same vein as the first. As the day ended, I went to my room to freshen up before going to the library. I collected some books to catch up to the advancements made in magic since the last time I was here. Magically, there had been some progress from what I had hypothesised. But nothing so outlandish that I couldn’t understand. I spent the rest of my free time in the library before retiring to my room to rest.

The following day saw me in the training ground waiting for the instructor of the final class of the day. A tall muscular man who had what looked to be a black and yellow mane topped with ears of a lion along with yellow eyes entered the clearing. A beastman then.

“Lionels’s the name, nothing more nothing less. The only thing we are doing today is you sparring with me to get a feel of your level. Then we go from there.”

He looks around the class before his eyes settle on me.

“You, my instincts tell me you are the most powerful person in this class, come into the circle and let’s begin.”