I try to keep my head low as I walk onto campus grounds. As much as it would benefit me to try and befriend these people, having my cover blown as 'not like the others' would only cause problems. I'm...not opposed to the idea of going through this alone but...

"Ah! It's him! He's here!"

Who? Important person?

The chattering of the courtyard turns into full-on cheers and squeals as many students rush to the academy gates. I turn around to look for the source of everyone's commotion only to realise that I can barely see over the swarm of students. I should use this opportunity to head into the main hall for the welcoming announcement. As I walk towards the main building, my curiosity starts to overwhelm my better judgement.

Who in the world are they crowding around? It can't be the king, people would be scared. Some sort of celebrity?

Now that I think about it, Liken Academy usually isn't this crowded during its first day. I know because I've seen it many times before. The students typically go in early for the opening ceremony. Yet, most of them were outside. They must be waiting for this special someone. Oddly enough, the rest of the students here don't have their luggage with them. No doubt having some poor sod be the temporary storage area.

That also means, there is a pretty big flaw in my current appearance. Maybe I can just hide my bag in the corner and-

I break out of my concentration as another student crashes into my bag, bringing me down with him. My token slips out of palm and rolls away from me. I need to get it back.

"What the hell is your problem? Why are you still carrying this with you!" shouts the most guilty party here.

The Raekol must have some sort of service to have their bags transferred to their rooms. I need to-

"Stop making a commotion Lish. The prince will walk over here soon enough"

The prince?

Two other students started walking over to their downed comrade. I can't afford a confrontation this early on. I hurriedly crawl over and palm my token before standing up to face the current issue. The three students in front of me are big and burly with the exception of a shorter, more toned student in the centre. Naturally, all three of them are still taller than me. The student in the centre takes a step forward while wearing an annoyed expression on his face.

"You're blocking the way with that thing. No holder? Of course, as a Domer, my family got one easily."

How nice of him to say brag about his standing already. The Domer family is one of the leading researchers in Raekoft leading to them having a lot of control around Halsana in particular. I need to run.

"Sorry about that. I don't trust those services all that much so I'll be keeping my things with me," I lie through my teeth. The tallest of the three whispers something under their breath which reached my ears all too late. I quickly prop my luggage bag up before a tingle of magic makes me shudder. This feeling is all too familiar. My hands tense up as solid lassos of light clamp down on them. The aggression in the magic is apparent as the lassos tighten and pulsate. I turn around to see the perpetrator holding his arms out to me. Why is he doing this? Do the Raekol really love to fuck with people? The Domer takes a step forward as a twisted smile forms on his face.

"You're a commoner, aren't you?"

Too soon. This is all too soon. I need to try something. Take a deep breath. Straighten your back. Sharpen your smile.

"What? Who do you take me for? Mr Domer, the Dracon family may not be well known in Halsana but I'll have you know that I'm not a peasant." I exclaim with a smile of my own. The Domer seems taken aback for a moment, probably racking his brain for the 'Dracon' name. Odd he would even think of someone other than himself. I try moving away but the lassos lock me in place. I accidentally lock eyes with the tall one and he tightens his lassos which makes me drop the token.

"What's that?" the Lish idiot goes up to pick up the shining coin off the ground. I didn't expect the Raekol of all people to act like magpies but they never cease to surprise me. I can't let this go on any longer. I let the black smoke seep out and propel my arms forward to snatch the coin away. The tall one gets yanked with his lassos and I take this opportunity to force my luggage bag under him, breaking his nose on the handle. He loses his concentration and his hold on me falters. I need to-

There's that shiver again...shit

The Domer's magic is active and it is terrifying. His magic feels red-hot, overwhelming and furious, yet once again, I heard no command. For the Raekol to be whispering their spells...I'm too far behind. I turn to see Domer coming at me, flames spilling out of his enclosed fist. I only have a second to react but it won't be enough. It's not going to be enough.

However, a strong gust of wind throws me and my attackers around me off balance. Domer's fire gets extinguished as the crowd of students start surrounding the four of us as a student no taller than Domer walks into the inner circle. He has messy, dirty blond hair and distinct brown eyes that little boys and girls are told to fear.

Malik Yauler, Second Prince of Raekoft. Son of King Erik Yauler, the Manipulator of Magic.

Of course I remember his stupid titles...why is here?

The Yauler royal family has been ruling Raekoft for almost two centuries now. Their bloodlines have birthed the most powerful mages in the continent. They spearhead research into magic which has also helped in making the Yauler royal family the most adept mages in Raekoft.

Notable achievements include creating the official magical spectrum, that arranges magical types with regard to all their different factors. It's all very complicated, but from why I managed to decipher, the seven types of base magic are arranged from easiest to control to hardest to control and from 'less shape' to 'more shape'.

Air, Fire, Earth, Water, Mind, Light and Dark.

Each type of base magic has multiple subsets. The further down the spectrum, the more subsets the magic has.

The possibilities of magic become vaster, the more we find out about its uses.

"What's with the fighting? We haven't even started school yet. I thought you were done with this nonsense Leon," questions the prince. I turn to see Leon turn pale as the hand that had just held a powerful flame was now quivering in fear.

"My Prince, I'm very sorry but the peasant was being very unreasonable," claims Leon.

"And who's fault was that Leon?" retaliates the prince. The prince doesn't look angry or even disappointed with Leon. He's wearing a mild expression of annoyance of his face but that was enough to have the three idiots back away from me. The prince then walks up to me and smiles, putting his hand out for me to grab. That's the second prince for you, a real 'class act'. I take his hand and give him a smile of my own. I hid my own shaking hands in my pocket before releasing one to grab hold of my luggage bag.

"I haven't seen you around here before. Introduce yourself won't you?" the prince asks. I ponder for a moment whether to properly answer his question and introduce myself to him and the hundred other Raekol surrounding us.

"I...rather not," I say truthfully. It's bad enough that Leon's conclusion turned a few heads in the crowd but I wouldn't want to admit it right now. The prince gives me an inquisitive look that I don't intend on answering.

Sharpen your smile, Ritz.

This entire encounter is nerve-wracking. The prince is still staring at me and expecting an answer I really don't want to give. Lying to the prince won't be a good idea either, no matter how good I might be at lying. I dig my fingernails into my palm to stop the shaking from being too obvious. The students around me are looking at me with horrified looks on their faces, no doubt due to the fact I dared to refuse a question. Thinking more about it now in the deafening silence that followed my refusal, it probably wasn't the best idea. But, I dug my grave and jumped in it just to make sure.

Come on, come on...I have nothing else to say! Just leave already!

"Well, I'm sure I'll learn your name once school starts but for now, I'm Malik. I'm sure you know that" Malik finally says with a smile on his face. He holds his hand out which I cautiously accept into a friendly handshake. We both look at each other for a brief moment before he breaks away and continues his journey to the main hall, his entourage following closely behind. I take a few moments to ensure that my heart doesn't burst out of my chest before I make my way to the main hall myself.

The main hall is what one first sees when entering the main building, and it is massive. Several doors look entirely different, with each door probably leading to different areas of the Academy. There is an enormous crystal chandelier hanging from the domed roof—the Academy's achievements dressing the roof itself. Coloured walls with familiar shades of red, silver, blue and gold high swirl form the silhouettes of the Academy's current leaders.

I try to take in the unfamiliar grandeur of the main hall before an overwhelming presence strolls into the room. The chittering of First-Years immediately halts as Arduan Liken walks out of his office.

Arduan Liken, descendant of The Great Hero Liken Rae. The Liken Family bloodline has given Raekoft some of the best mages in the world, and Arduan Liken is no exception. Tales of his immense power in Mind magic are told all across Raekoft. Stories of Arduan Liken killing an entire army with a mere flick of his fingers, the corpses bleeding from every outlet as if their very souls were ripped out of their bodies.

Needless to say, when he speaks, everyone listens. Whether they want to or not.

"Greetings students. I would like to give you all a warm welcome to the Academy! Now, since we have a lot of students here, we don't have the time to introduce each one of you individually. So, I'll do it myself." he says with a sly smile. The students start looking at each other nervously as we try to decipher the meaning behind what he just uttered.

Prince Malik Yauler of Raekoft

Poland Garrick of the Garrick Political Family

Rel Ishkar of Ishkar Industries

He's introducing us to each other. Names and titles of every First-Year student are projected into our heads with a mental picture of the student mentioned that is currently in the crowd.

Leon Domer of Domer Institution

Leyna Relqis, Daughter of Telen Relqis

Ritz Dravus of Carder

Wait.

Ritz Dravus of Carder? Carder is not my father's name. Carder is my town's name. The small, shabby village near the edge of Halsana. The same small, shabby town that doesn't house a single Raekol. Maybe nobody will notice? I hesitantly glance at my surroundings and am met with glares and looks of sheer disgust. My plan to keep my cover as a peasant lasted a whole of two hours.

"Now that introductions are out of the way, here comes the fun part," Arduan Liken says with a mischievous grin.

"We do not have the time to evaluate each of you individually when it comes to magical ability since we have so many of you now. So we will be judging your abilities based on duels!" he continues with so much glee behind his voice that it's almost palpable. The students immediately start nervously murmuring amongst themselves. This is...the worst-case scenario. I wouldn't say my magic is bad but I am nowhere near the other students here who can afford proper training. What if I kicked out here? Will I really be good enough to even make it to the classes?

"Yes, student over there!" shouts Liken. He's pointing to someone in the crowd who just so happened to have his or her hand raised.

"Sir, I would like to challenge a specific student for my duel."

Of course, it was Leon. The Raekol live for this shit. I can only hope that Liken would ignore his request and-

"Oh, really? Who?" replies Liken with a smirk. I look up and our eyes immediately meet. He knows. He narrows his eyes for a moment before turning his attention back to Leon

"Ritz Dravus" replies Leon.

My eyes are locked on Arduan Liken as he thoughtfully taps his chin. He almost looks excited about this whole ordeal.

"I'll allow it."

Fuck.

"You two will be the first to fight then."

Fuck.

The headmaster then returns his gaze back to me There seems to be a hint of...curiosity in his eyes which I notice as they burn holes into my own. Metaphorically, of course.

"I hope you're ready, Ritz," he says with a wide smile.

I smile back because it's the only thing I can do.