Eryndor Thorne: The Academy of Dreams & Nigthmares

Chapter I: The First Step Towards a Goal

The day bled and shone a warm orange glow over the kingdom of Eldrador casting it upon the capital city, where people started lighting up the streets. And standing atop the city walls was a boy known as Eryndor Thorne. His striking blue eyes were fixed upon the horizon as the sun set, and twinkling stars emerged from the night sky. The sense of restlessness he always felt as if there was more to life other than the familiar bustling rhythms of the city. As his gaze grazed the unknown, a shiver ran down his spine. A sense of anticipation. Something is coming. Something that’ll change his life, for better or for worse.

The night deepened and Eryndor finally decided to descend into the city. The sounds of laughter and music that came from the taverns and inns were a familiar pleasure. His footsteps carried him towards the city’s most famous tower. The Argentum Tower in which the famous light of warning is casted upon the city once it’s in danger. There, his master awaited. The brilliance of the tower, its gleaming spire, seemed to pierce even the stars. The Argentum tower, the beacon of knowledge, power, and security in the heart of the city. Eryndor then went to his thoughts. All the years he’s been training. Every gruesome challenge he had to overcome just to keep up with this world. Because in a world where magic thrives, he is the sole person who doesn’t have magic.

Tonight will be another night of training in the renowned tower. To be as competent as others, he must master a certain and ancient ability known as Ki. Right now, it’ll be his last night training with his master after seven years. Little did he know, this night would be unlike any other. A night in which would set him on a path that a lot of people dared but a few succeeded.

As he reached the peak of the tower, there, gawking over the glistening lights of the city, was a man with shoulder-length brown hair and wearing a black cloak. His master. His uncle, Stryker Thorne.

“Uncle, I’m here. Bit late actually, sorry.” Eryndor scratched the back of his head and gave a soft laugh.

“Didn’t I teach you about punctuality? How one’s awareness of their attendance show respect to the ones they’re going to meet? Did you forget the teaching I’ve taught you?” Stryker then turned, the light of the night sky glowed over his face.

Stryker Thorne, the older brother of Eryndor’s father, who refused to be the head of house because of his yearning of adventure outside the confinement of the nobility.

“Two hundred push-ups. Now!” the uncle ordered as Eryndor went down and started.

After a few minutes of breaking sweat, Eryndor finally got up and wiped the liquid coming down his face. It was a humid evening for some reason,

“Now, the reason I called you here is to have our final discussion. The discussion that’ll—"

“I’ll be finally learning the advanced techniques of Ki? Oh, boy! How I longed for this moment!” Eryndor celebrated as his hands shook in excitement.

But Stryker struck with the look that says ‘nah, I’m not going to teach you that’.

“I told you before, right? That the ability to enhance and make their Ki as advanced it could be is reliant to the improvement and progress of the user. When I learned Ki, I always thought that the advanced version of Ki can be learned through harsh training. But no. It’s only acquired when the user encounters various challenges that can unlock it. So, no, I’m here for a different kind of discussion.” Stryker explained.

“What is it, Uncle?” Eryndor asked as he stood beside his uncle, gazing upon the city.

“Do you know the Wizarding Institution of Magic?”

“Well, of course! It’s only the best magic school in the continent. Its alumni are revered heroes and adventurers all over the world. How could I not know of its existence? You went there yourself, didn’t you? You told me years ago.” Eryndor replied.

“That! Now, here. Read this.” Stryker then gave Eryndor an envelope.

And on its surface, it says,

To, Eryndor Thorne

Eryndor tilted his head and narrowed his eyes as he checked the contents of the envelope. In it, a letter. He opened the letter and began reading aloud,

Department of Magical Education

Wizarding Institution of Magic

Mystical Towers, Enchanted Woods

Date: 20th Loon 3033

Dear, Mr. Eryndor Thorne,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at the Wizarding Institution of Magic. This prestigious institution, revered and renowned for its rigorous curriculum and skillful faculty, will provide you with the ideal environment to hone your abilities and achieve your full potential.

The Wizarding Institution of Magic is committed to fostering a community of students who are passionate about magical arts. Our faculty consists of the most experienced and accomplished mages this world has ever seen. They will guide students through a comprehensive program of study that encompasses both theoretical and practical aspects of magic.

We invite you to join us in the upcoming academic year, which will commence on the 30th of Uly 3033.

A detailed schedule and course information will be provided in due course. Please find enclosed a reply form, which we kindly request you to complete and return to us by 15th of Uly 3033. We look forward to welcoming you to our community of young magicians.

Yours sincerely, Professor Elwynn Silvermist, Dean of Admissions; Wizarding Institution of Magic

After finishing the letter, Eryndor stared at his uncle with a look of disappointment.

“Uncle, are you playing with me? Is this a test? Or are you joking? If that’s the case,” Eryndor then started to force a laugh.

But his uncle’s expression didn’t change. After all the years they’ve been together, Stryker is not the joker type of guy.

“Uncle, please. This has to be a joke!”

“No, Rin. This is no joke.”

Rin is the nickname of Eryndor, he insisted on it himself as his name is far too ancient.

“But how could this be? I don’t have any magical attributes! That’s the reason why I learned Ki and swordsmanship in the first place! Besides! I didn’t even participate in an entrance exam! So, how would I be accepted—”

“I arranged it.” Styker pointed out.

Eryndor collapsed on the metal railing of the tower. His disbelief made him turn his attention and stare blankly at the shimmering sky.

“I pulled some strings in WIM. Your parents have agreed to it, although, you have the same reaction as them. It was a long argument and negotiation, but eventually, they agreed.”

Stryker looked at his nephew. He can’t blame him. In a world filled with magic, he’s the only one who doesn’t have it. As a child, he was always ridiculed and shunned even by some relatives. However, Stryker took him under his wing after seeing Eryndor’s determination to continue to be a great member of their household. The Thorne household is the governing noble family of the west city of Brindlemark. Their house is one of the most revered noble houses in the kingdom of Eldrador. Known for their superior magic, especially their bloodline magic, which is sealing magic. And for them to have sired a son, the eldest son that has no magical attributes, was a big scandal. But Eryndor’s parents and siblings accepted him for who he was and protected him at all costs.

“I know this is a shocking decision on my part, Rin. But it comes with a purpose.” Stryker sat beside his nephew.

“What purpose? To further humiliate me? If I ever go there, nobles and royals will ridicule me. They will--” Eryndor asked.

“Are you afraid? Afraid that you’ll be shunned once again?” These words might have pierced Rin’s heart.

Stryker then puts his right hand over Eryndor’s shoulder, “The purpose of this is to finally have the goal you have always yearned for. The acceptance. It’s a step towards your dream. I remember the day you told me that you'd defeat powerful mages with your sword and Ki. Now’s the time to prove it! Besides, you’ll fit right in.”

“How would I fit in an academy that is filled with mages?”

“You’ll see once you get there. So, are you up for the challenge?”

The two looked at each other. Eryndor is having doubts. But what his uncle said was true. He always wanted to prove himself to the world. That even if you don’t have magic in a world filled with it, you can still be one of the greatest. This truly is a step towards his goal, but it’s too risky. The Wizarding Institution of Magic values magic above all. And with a magicless 15-year-old kid entering it, it might spark a controversy. However, Eryndor then realized. Why would the head of that academy accept him? Is it because of his uncle’s and family’s influence? Or is it because of something else? He's curious. And his uncle can see that.

“Okay. I’ll accept it.” Eryndor says, determined.

Stryker gave him a nod and a proud slight smile, “Firstly, you must go home. It’s been seven years since you last came home. I have arranged a horse for you. Now, that ends our seven years of training. Good luck on—”

Stryker’s words ceased to come out of his mouth as Eryndor suddenly took a knee in front of him, “Rin, what’s this supposed to mean?”

Even at the dimly lit peak of the tower, Stryker can see something dripping from his nephew’s face.

“Thank you for all these years of patience, training, and knowledge you have given me. I wouldn’t even be here without you! Thank you for your acceptance! Thank you for believing in me. I’ll never forget everything you did for me. I’m eternally grateful, master!” Eryndor sobbed.

Stryker then remembered everything. Eryndor was a scrawny little kid when he placed him under his tutelage. And now, he’s grown to be a fine and strong man.

“Go on. It’s been a pleasure also. Besides! We’ll see each other again, don’t cry, idiot.” Stryker laughed.

Eryndor stood up and wiped the tears off his face that is now being smothered by a grateful smile.

“I’ll be going first! See you, master!” Eryndor then bowed one last time before running down the staircase of the tower.

Stryker chuckled. He then went back to take a breath as he looked at the city. A tear fell,

“Go and show them, Rin! I know you can make a difference in this world! I just know. I’m proud of you.”

And this is the beginning of Eryndor challenging the very balance of the world.