Academia - Ability Wielders

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - The Trial of Elements

Morning at Academia wasn't announced by bells.

It was announced by dragons.

A deafening roar echoed across the campus as three silver-scaled dragons glided through the clouds, their riders saluting the academy below. Students poured out of the dormitories, some rushing, others walking as if they owned the place.

Fin stood frozen on the girls' dormitory balcony, a toothbrush hanging from her mouth.

"... No one thought to mention the dragons?"

Her roommate laughed.

"You'll get used to them."

"I don't think I will."

"You will."

"I definitely won't."

"You'll say that every morning."

"...Fair."

The Girls' Dormitory

Fin's roommate threw her a neatly folded uniform.

"I'm Mira."

The girl had caramel skin, bright green eyes, and curly chestnut hair tied into a messy ponytail.

She radiated energy.

"I'm guessing you're Fin."

"Word travels fast."

"You exploded."

"...Not intentionally."

"Still counts."

Mira grinned.

"I'm from the Western Isles. Wind Ability."

She snapped her fingers.

A tiny tornado formed above her palm before disappearing.

Fin stared.

"...Can everyone do cool things before breakfast?"

"Pretty much."

"That's unfair."

Mira laughed.

"I think we're going to be friends."

Fin smiled.

"I think so too."

Combat Grounds Alpha

The academy's largest arena resembled an ancient colosseum, except every wall shimmered with magical barriers.

Hundreds of first-years gathered in the stands while instructors prepared the field.

Professor Seraphine stepped into the center.

"Today marks your first practical lesson."

Her voice echoed effortlessly.

"You will demonstrate your control over your abilities."

A boy confidently stepped forward.

"Leo Hart."

He raised his hand.

Stone erupted from the earth, forming towering pillars.

The crowd applauded.

Another student froze an entire fountain.

Someone else summoned wolves made of shadows.

One girl manipulated lightning into the shape of a bird.

Fin's confidence shrank with every demonstration.

"I can't do any of that."

Zanne adjusted his glasses.

"You'll be fine."

"I literally have no idea what my power is."

"Neither did half the students on their first day."

"What if nothing happens?"

"It won't."

"You sound sure."

"I've read your file."

"...You what?"

"It was available."

"You read my confidential records?"

"They weren't very confidential."

"...You're unbelievable."

"I've been told."

The Ability Crystal

At the center of the arena floated the same crystal from orientation.

Professor Seraphine explained.

"This crystal resonates with your core."

"When touched, it reveals your primary ability class."

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

"There are seven recognized classes."

She raised one finger.

"Elemental."

A student ignited blue fire.

"Physical."

Another shattered a boulder with one punch.

"Mental."

A girl levitated dozens of books.

"Nature."

Flowers bloomed across the arena.

"Beast."

A student transformed his arms into enormous bear claws.

"Celestial."

Golden wings briefly appeared behind another student.

"And..."

She paused.

"The final class."

Her expression became serious.

"Unknown."

The arena fell silent.

"Unknown abilities are abilities never before recorded in history."

Fin felt a strange chill.

One by one, students approached the crystal.

Each received glowing symbols representing their class.

Cheers erupted.

Applause followed.

Everything felt exciting.

Until—

"Fin Alster."

Her name echoed across the arena.

Every eye landed on her.

Priston leaned casually against a pillar, arms crossed.

"This should be interesting."

Fin shot him a glare.

"You ever stop talking?"

"No."

"Figures."

She climbed the platform.

The crystal hovered before her.

"Place your hand on it," Professor Seraphine instructed.

Fin inhaled deeply.

"Here goes nothing."

Her fingers touched the crystal.

Nothing happened.

Whispers erupted.

"I knew it."

"Maybe she's powerless."

"Didn't they say she caused the explosion?"

Priston smirked.

"Told you."

Fin swallowed.

Her stomach sank.

"...Seriously?"

Then—

CRACK.

A tiny fracture appeared inside the crystal.

Professor Seraphine frowned.

"...Impossible."

CRACK!

Another.

And another.

The glowing crystal began shaking violently.

Students backed away.

"What is happening?"

Zanne's eyes widened.

"...No..."

The crystal suddenly exploded into thousands of brilliant silver fragments.

BOOM!

A wave of blue-white energy swept across the arena.

The barriers shook.

The sky darkened.

Every dragon circling the academy roared at once.

Fin stumbled backward.

Light poured from her chest like a living flame.

Silver markings climbed up her arms before disappearing.

Above her—

A massive constellation formed in broad daylight.

Every student stared upward.

One by one...

The stars rearranged themselves into the symbol of radiant wings surrounding a blazing star.

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Professor Seraphine whispered,

"...The Star Crest."

High Above

Inside the Headmaster's office—

An old man dropped his teacup.

It shattered.

His calm expression disappeared.

"...She's awakened."

Behind him stood another professor.

"Should we evacuate?"

"No."

"The enemy will know."

"They already do."

Back in the Arena

The shattered crystal slowly reassembled itself.

Every broken piece floated together until it became whole once more.

Except...

Its color had changed.

Pure silver.

Professor Seraphine stared at the result.

The crystal projected glowing letters into the air.

Classification...

Everyone held their breath.

ERROR

Gasps spread.

The letters shifted.

Recalculating...

Again.

ERROR

One final message appeared.

CLASSIFICATION IMPOSSIBLE

The arena erupted.

Students shouted over one another.

"What does that mean?"

"She's an Unknown?"

"No Unknown has ever broken the crystal!"

Priston's confident expression faltered for the first time.

"...Who are you?"

Fin looked at her own trembling hands.

"I..."

She honestly didn't know.

Lunch

The academy cafeteria looked more like a royal banquet hall.

Floating trays carried food through the air.

Students sat according to friend groups.

Except one table.

The "problem table," as Mira called it.

Naturally...

Fin ended up there.

Mira dropped beside her.

"So."

"You broke school property."

"I didn't mean to."

"It's legendary."

"I've been here one day."

"Exactly."

Zanne sat opposite her.

Without looking up from his book, he pushed a plate toward Fin.

"You skipped breakfast."

"You noticed?"

"You looked dizzy."

"...You're observant."

"I read people."

"That's somehow more terrifying than powers."

Mira leaned toward Fin.

"I think he likes you."

Zanne immediately choked on his drink.

"I do not."

"You turned red."

"I inhaled water."

"You turned red."

"I nearly died."

"Still counts."

Fin burst into laughter.

Across the Cafeteria

Priston watched them from another table.

His closest friend nudged him.

"You've been staring."

"I haven't."

"You absolutely have."

"I'm trying to figure her out."

"Sure."

His friend smirked.

"Not because she's pretty?"

Priston rolled his eyes.

"She's loud."

"You smiled."

"I was annoyed."

"You smiled."

"...Shut up."

The Journal

That evening...

Fin returned to her dorm and opened the mysterious journal again.

This time—

Words slowly appeared across the blank page.

As if invisible ink had awakened.

If you are reading this...

Then your powers have begun to return.

My name is Queen Elara.

And I am your mother.

Fin's breathing stopped.

More words appeared.

You are not simply gifted.

You are the last heir of the Starborn Dynasty...

The royal family that once ruled the Veiled Realm.

A tear rolled down Fin's cheek before she realized she was crying.

She had spent her whole life wondering who she really was.

Now...

She wasn't sure she wanted the answer.

Suddenly—

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

Someone was at her door.

She wiped her eyes.

"Come in."

The door creaked open.

It was Zanne.

He looked unusually serious.

"I need to show you something."

"What is it?"

He glanced down the hallway before quietly shutting the door.

"I found your name."

"...In what?"

He pulled an ancient library book from his satchel.

Its pages were centuries old.

He opened it to an illustration.

Fin froze.

The drawing showed a young woman with silver-white hair standing beside a little girl.

Both bore the same radiant crest.

Beneath the illustration were six chilling words:

The Starborn Line Must Never Return.

Before either of them could speak—

A loud explosion rocked the academy.

BOOM!

The dormitory windows shattered.

Alarms blared across the campus.

A booming voice echoed through every hallway.

EMERGENCY ALERT.

ALL STUDENTS SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

THE RAVENS HAVE BREACHED THE ACADEMY BARRIER.

Outside, dozens of black-cloaked figures descended from the night sky on monstrous winged beasts, their crimson masks gleaming beneath the moonlight.

And at their head...

The same masked leader who had attacked Fin's home slowly raised his sword toward the academy.

"Bring me the Starborn heir."