​Tap. Tap. Tap.

​The steady sound of their footsteps echoed softly along the main corridor of Luminous Academy. It was far quieter than Roland had anticipated. A distinct scent of beeswax and a faint trace of ozone—the lingering residue of magic—hung heavy in the air.

​Beneath them, the white marble floor was polished to a high sheen, reflecting their rhythmic steps. Along the walls, a row of gold-framed paintings showcased the portraits of legendary mages in magnificent robes. Every now and then, a crystal chandelier drifted slowly overhead with a soft, melodic clink, shifting along the invisible currents of mana.

​Charis marched ahead like a soldier, his back rigidly straight.

​Lira trailed behind, occasionally looking back at Roland and Rianor, her fingers tightly intertwined. The lingering trace of panic had yet to completely leave her pale face.

​Roland, on the other hand, strolled casually, his eyes sweeping over their surroundings—not with admiration, but with the cold, calculating gaze of a diplomat. Beside him, Rianor had just closed his book with a soft thud. His gaze was identical—observing, mapping every architectural detail.

​They stopped before a carved oak door. A small silver plaque read: Academic Advisor — Liana Velthorne.

​Charis swallowed hard. Gulp. He knocked three times. Tap. Tap. Tap.

​"Enter," a voice called from within—calm, but bearing a distinct note of exhaustion.

​Click. The door swung open. The scent of old parchment and jasmine tea immediately washed over them. The room was modest but meticulously organized. A large wooden desk covered in stacks of ledgers dominated the center. Late afternoon light filtered through a large window behind the desk, silhouetting a woman who had just set down her quill.

​Liana Velthorne.

​She looked to be in her late twenties. Her dark hair was neatly pinned back, and her grey robe featured a silver sun emblem pinned to the collar. Liana massaged the bridge of her nose before rising to offer a polite bow.

​"Welcome. I am Liana Velthorne, academic advisor for the Third Circle." Her gaze shifted to her two students. "And... thank you for bringing Charis and Lira back safely."

​Roland deployed his warmest, most polished diplomatic smile. "Oh, please, no thanks are necessary. If anything, they guided us here. Though..." He glanced at Charis. "...there was a minor incident in the forest."

​Liana let out a long sigh. Haaah. It was not born of anger, but rather the sheer exhaustion of an instructor who knew her students' habits all too well.

​"Yes, the report has already reached my desk." She looked at Charis and Lira with controlled disappointment. "We will discuss your behavior later."

​"Y-yes, Advisor," Charis mumbled, bowing deeply. Lira merely offered a rigid nod.

​"Please, have a seat." Liana gestured to the two chairs across the desk.

​She gracefully poured warm tea from a porcelain pot. Ssshh. Steam rose from the cups. "You've traveled from afar?"

​"Merchants from the north," Roland replied smoothly, lifting his cup. "Exploring new trade routes. We were just passing through."

​Liana gave a slow nod, leaning back in her chair. "I only wanted to ensure my students didn't stir up any major trouble. Thank you for not pressing the matter further."

​"Ah, think nothing of it. Water under the bridge." Roland took a sip. "They simply lack field experience. But honestly? Their potential is quite promising."

​Hearing the praise, Charis's ears flushed red. His rigid back relaxed with a hint of pride. Lira blushed, squeezing her robe's hem to hide her smile.

​Liana offered her first thin smile since they walked in. "Well... they are talented. They just require time and some friction."

​Clink. Rianor, silent until now, set his cup onto its saucer. "The magic ranking system here... how do you measure it?"

​Liana studied his stoic face. A brief pause ensued. "Hm? Are you interested in magic?"

​"I have mana. But I've never been trained to use it. Only... theoretical knowledge."

​Liana's eyebrows arched slightly, her gaze shifting to professional curiosity. "Most people with untrained mana exhaust their reserves in seconds. Or worse... they undergo mana rupture. But you... your aura appears far too stable for an amateur."

​"Self-taught through books. A few minor experiments," Rianor replied evenly.

​Slide. Liana pulled open her desk drawer, retrieving a pale blue crystal about the size of an egg. It pulsed with a faint glow.

​"This is a Measuring Crystal. The academy standard for gauging mana capacity," Liana said, placing it on the desk with a soft clack. "If you are curious... go ahead and touch it."

​Rianor stared at the crystal in silence. Beside him, Roland merely narrowed his eyes, observing without a word.

​Slowly, Rianor extended his hand. His skin met the freezing surface of the crystal.

​Whoosh. The pale blue luminescence instantly churned. The color deepened into a dark, swirling blue, resembling a slow vortex at the bottom of the ocean.

​Liana squinted sharply. The crystal didn't crack, nor did it rupture, let alone fade. It was perfectly stable. However, the intensity of the light clearly did not belong to a novice.

​"Intriguing..." Liana murmured. "Your mana capacity is not particularly vast. But your control... is remarkably refined. You must have practiced for years."

​"I merely read. And tried."

​Liana retrieved the crystal. "For your information, mages with your level of control are usually drafted straight into the Academy. But I see..." Liana offered a knowing smile, "...you are not the type of man who likes to be commanded, eh?"

​Rianor remained silent. But the corner of his mouth twitched. A microscopic smirk, almost invisible to the naked eye.

​Bam. The door burst open without warning. A broad-shouldered man in a brown robe marched in hurriedly, his hair silvering at the temples.

​"Liana, about the tournament—" He cut himself off, freezing as he realized there were strangers in the room. The atmosphere turned instantly awkward. "Oh. Er... my apologies. I didn't realize you had guests."

​Liana massaged her temples with a soft sigh. "It is quite alright, Master Dorian."

​Dorian let out an awkward cough. "Ahem, very well. I... shall return later." He took a step back and quietly closed the door.

​Silence reclaimed the room.

​Roland broke it with a casual smile. "A tournament?"

​Liana hesitated, her fingertips tapping the handle of her teacup. Tap. Tap. "It isn't exactly a secret. But it isn't something we usually discuss with outsiders either."

​Roland raised his hands in a polite gesture of surrender. "Hey, we're just curious. Sounds exciting."

​Liana looked between her two guests before letting out a defeated sigh, her posture relaxing. "The academy's magic tournament. It's an annual event in Luminara. But... this year is different."

​"Different how?"

​"Usually, it's just a stage for talented students to showcase their skills. But this time, there is a hidden agenda. Arcanum recruitment... by direct decree of the Holy Maiden."

​The name made the hairs on Charis and Lira's necks stand on end. But Roland? He merely gave a small nod, looking like someone hearing the term for the first time.

​"The Arcanum require fresh blood," Liana said, staring blankly out the window. "The demonic aura from the southern border has been strengthening lately. They need to prepare."

​"Seven Arcanum. One for each attribute?" Rianor chimed in suddenly.

​Liana looked back, startled. "Oh? You know of them?"

​"I caught whispers of it on the road," Rianor excused himself smoothly. "Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Lightning, Wood, and Light."

​"Correct." Liana adjusted her collar. "Each Arcanum represents absolute mastery of a single element at the highest level. They are at the Seventh Circle. Above them, there is only the Holy Maiden—the sole Circle Eight mage."

​Rianor logged the information in his mind. "And this tournament... who can participate?"

​"This year specifically? It's not limited to students." Liana smirked. "Instructors who have not yet joined the Arcanum are also permitted to enter the arena. And as it happens..." She stared at her reflection in her teacup. "...I have yet to be registered. So, I am eligible."

​Roland leaned forward with interest. "Oh? You're entering?"

​"Perhaps. It depends." Liana stared sharply at Rianor. "If you are truly serious about learning magic... that tournament is the absolute perfect place to witness how real mages fight."

​Scrape. Roland and Rianor rose in unison from their chairs.

​Roland bowed respectfully, his movements fluid and diplomatic. "Thank you for the tea and your time, Advisor Liana."

​Liana stood and returned the gesture. "I should be the one thanking you. You returned my students."

​"Ah, they were quite helpful. They'll make great mages someday," Roland smiled.

​Hearing the compliment, Charis grew flustered again, while Lira's face flushed as red as a boiled crab.

​Roland and Rianor turned and left. Click. The wooden door closed softly behind them.

​The corridor welcomed them back into silence. Their footsteps echoed rhythmically on the marble floor.

​"This is our golden opportunity," Roland whispered.

​Rianor didn't reply. His steps suddenly slowed. His left fingers grazed the surface of the Mana Glove on his right hand. He stopped. His eyes locked onto his own palm.

​Earlier... when he touched the Measuring Crystal, something had felt different. It was not about his mana capacity. Nor was it about his control. There was... another sensation. Like a gentle shockwave, an echo touching his nerves for the very first time.

​He did not know what it was. But the sensation lingered.

​"Rianor?"

​Rianor quickly lowered his hand. "Yes, I hear you."

​They stepped out of the building. The evening breeze immediately brushed their faces. At the far end of the academy courtyard, their horse carriage—its canvas still scorched—sat quietly.

​Naya leaned casually against the carriage frame, her hand alert near her dagger hilt. Dom, the giant, sat like a statue on the driver's bench. Adul grinned, waving a small hand from behind the window, while Eva's silhouette stood vigilantly inside.

​Rianor stared at the reddening twilight sky. Then, his eyes drifted back to his Mana Glove.

​Bzzzt.

​Faint, incredibly faint. Something had changed inside it. And he was going to find out exactly what it was.