Chapter 7: The Mage Who Knew Too Much

  The morning sun bathed theGrand Astral Academy in soft gold, its spires gleaming like enchanted towers from a forgotten age. Magical creatures soared lazily through the sky, and enchanted cleaning brooms zipped across courtyards, sweeping leaves with more attitude than efficiency.

  Inside, the academy buzzed with excitement—and a bit of nerves. Rookies shuffled through wide marble halls, robes crisp and clean, house emblems pinned proudly to their chests: water, fire, wind, earth.

  Aether moved quietly among the crowd in a robe so plain it could’ve belonged to a janitor. He stuck out—not because he was flashy, but because he looked like he was deliberately trying not to be noticed.

  He’d memorized the entire school map in five minutes the night before, including the secret hallways, teleport circles, and the fastest path to the cafeteria.

  "Foundations of Elemental Control. Room 3A. North Wing. Left turn after the floating armor display. Watch out for the second step—it squeaks."

  He entered the classroom—a massive circular arena lit by floating mana crystals embedded in the ceiling. Casting circles glowed softly on the floor in neat rows, silver runes pulsing with power.

  At the front stood an old mage who looked like he drank liquid grumpiness for breakfast. His robes were black, his beard looked like it had survived several fires, and he leaned on a cane carved from dragon bone.

  “Beginner class, huh?” the man rasped, scanning the students like he was picking out weaklings in a gladiator ring.

  “I am Master Halden. I am not your friend. I am not your mentor. I am not your therapist. I am the wall between you and your own stupidity. And yes, I’ve seen students explode themselves before. It’s messy. Don’t make me clean you up.”

  Nervous laughter rippled through the room. One poor kid dropped his wand.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “You’ll each cast a basic fire spark. Nothing more. Try to show off and you’ll be cleaning wolf stalls for a week. Wolfs’s don’t like magic tricks. They like meat.”

  Aether shuffled forward in line, expression calm. Internally, he sighed.

  “Basic fire spark? If I sneeze too hard, I’ll probably summon a phoenix.”

  He knew better than to stand out. Not yet. He could manipulate eight elements, wield spells from all schools, and his mana control was precise down to the micro-thread. But showing that off now? Too early. Too risky.

  As his turn approached, something… prickled. Aether tilted his head slightly.

  There. That mana thread behind the wall… That’s not part of the lighting enchantment.

  He scanned the room subtly. Just above the arch—a hidden scrying glyph. Someone was watching.

  Not just Master Halden.

  “Ah… so it’s one of those tests.”

  Aether stepped onto the casting circle.

  He raised his hand, carefully controlling the output. A single spark bloomed—tiny, warm, innocent-looking.

  But anyone really watching would notice: the flame was perfect. No flicker. No heat leakage. Absolute stability.

  Halden’s eyes narrowed a touch. “Name?”

  “Aether.”

  “Prior schooling?”

  “No school. Just… a lot of reading.”

  A pause. Halden studied him longer than he did any other student.

  “…Sit,” he said finally.

  As Aether walked back, a few whispers followed.

  “Did you see that spark?”

  “How’s a commoner that precise?”

  “He’s either a genius… or a demon.”

  Aether sighed. “Can’t it be both?” He found a seat and slouched like someone who hated attention—which, at the moment, he absolutely did.

  Later That Day — Eidheria

  Back in his domain, things were far more peaceful—and a lot more fun.

  The Spring of Purity now flowed through a glowing grove, and he'd crafted a herbivore nesting field using enchanted vines and thermal domes. His little mana-powered stone golems waddled around like busy toddlers with hammers, building homes out of mossy rocks and enchanted lumber.

  [Achievement Unlocked: First Constructed Town Center]

  [New Blueprint Gained: Market Square]

  [Reward Unlocked: Trade Caravan Gate (Currently Locked)]

  “Nice,” Aether grinned, cracking his knuckles. “Let’s see what the loot box has for us today.”

  [Loot Box – Gold Rank 1: OPENED]

  — Tree House Blueprint

  — Artisan Stone (Structure Tier-Up)

  — Spell Pattern: Mana Pulse Ward

  — New Mineral Discovered: Bronze

  “Ooh. Tree house. I’m living my best childhood and my dreams.”

  He summoned a panel and began sketching out the layout of a raised village for his woodland creatures, complete with wooden bridges and moss lanterns.

  Back in the Real World – Academy Courtyard

  Aether made his way toward his dorm, backpack slung lazily over one shoulder, looking like the most exhausted 12-year-old genius in the kingdom.

  A kid carrying three books ran past him, tripped on a root, and faceplanted into the grass.

  “Academy life,” Aether muttered, helping him up. “Survival of the smartest.”

  Far Below the Academy…

  Deep within the catacombs—beyond the sealed gates even the professors forgot—a crack formed.

  Old magic leaked from a forgotten seal. Ancient mana—thick, potent, and angry—seeped into the soil. It pulsed, drawn upward toward the surface… toward something bright.

  Something… divine.

  It stirred.

  And far above, as the Academy bustled with lectures and fire sparks, the gears of fate began to shift.

  Gods stirred in silence. Monsters whispered in dreams. And in the center of it all, a boy with a plain robe, a hidden world, and eyes that saw too much… just wanted a nap.