Grand Arcanum Academy –
The air in the academy's grand lecture hall was thick with anticipation.
Today's subject was Spirit Magic.
A rare and powerful form of magic that few could truly wield.
At the center of the room stood Professor Aerith Sylphara, the elegant High Elf Archmage and an expert in spirit summoning.
Her long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders like liquid moonlight, and her golden eyes held the wisdom of centuries.
Unlike other instructors who carried themselves with dominance or intimidation, Aerith was calm. Serene.
Yet her presence commanded absolute attention.
She raised a slender hand, and the room fell silent.
"Today, we discuss one of the oldest and most mysterious forces of magic—Spirits."
Her voice was soft yet powerful, as if carried by the wind itself.
"There are two distinct types of spirits in our world," Aerith began. "Both exist, yet they are fundamentally different in nature."
She raised her hand, and suddenly—the air shimmered.
A small wind spirit materialized before her, taking the form of a translucent, fox-like creature. Its body was made of flowing air currents, its eyes glowing faintly.
"This," she gestured, "is an elemental spirit."
They watched as the tiny fox twirled around her wrist before vanishing.
"Elemental spirits are beings formed from raw mana. They exist all around us—unseen, unfelt by those without the affinity to sense them."
She paused, scanning the room.
"These spirits take various forms, often resembling animals. They are classified by strength."
She wrote the rankings in flowing Elvish script on the board behind her:
1. Lowest Rank – Minor spirits, barely intelligent, simple elements given form, newly born.
2. Low Rank – More refined, capable of basic communication and elements manuplation.
3. Intermediate Rank – The first level where spirits can assist in battle or magic.
4. High Rank – Powerful entities, capable of wielding magic themselves.
5. Highest Rank – Rare beings with true intelligence, often forming contracts with powerful mages.
6. Elemental Kings – The rulers of their respective elements. Ancient. Nearly godlike.
She turned back to the class.
"Elves, due to their natural affinity with mana, have a high likelihood of forming contracts with these spirits."
Her golden eyes flickered toward Sylara Ilthariel, the High Elven Princess.
Sylara met her gaze with calm confidence, already aware of her natural advantage.
Aerith continued, "But these spirits are not the only kind."
She gestured, and suddenly—a soft golden light appeared beside her.
This time, the spirit took the shape of a glowing bird, its wings pulsing with radiant energy.
"Unlike elemental spirits," she said, "this spirit is different."
She turned to the class.
"There exists another type of spirit—a bonded spirit."
"Bonded spirits," Aerith explained, "are unique."
"They are not found. They are not summoned."
"They are born with you."
A murmur spread through the class.
She nodded. "A bonded spirit is connected to a single soul. From the moment of your birth, it exists—though it may remain dormant."
"These spirits do not belong to nature. They belong to you."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Those born with bonded spirits are rare. However, having high elemental affinity—particularly with nature magic—increases the likelihood of forming a bond."
She folded her hands in front of her.
"Which is why elves, again, are more naturally attuned to them."
Sylvara allowed herself a small, knowing smile.
Aerith turned back to the class.
"Today, we will determine if any of you possess a bonded spirit."
***
The students sat straighter in their seats.
"How do we check?" asked Kieran Azurios, the Merfolk Prince.
Aerith gestured toward a large, crystalline orb resting on a pedestal. It shimmered with soft, pulsing light.
"This," she explained, "is a Spirit Resonance Crystal."
She walked toward it, her hand hovering over the surface.
"When you place your hand upon it, it will interact with your mana."
"If a bonded spirit exists within you, the crystal will react accordingly."
She glanced over the students.
"This is not an awakening," she clarified. "Tomorrow's lesson will focus on awakening any spirits that exist."
"Today, we simply discover."
She stepped aside.
"Come forward, one by one."
The first to approach was Leon Valerius.
He strode toward the crystal, golden-haired and full of confidence.
Placing his hand on the surface, he exhaled.
The crystal flared with golden lightning—but only for a brief moment before fading.
Aerith observed. "You have high mana potential, but no bonded spirit."
Leon frowned slightly but quickly masked his disappointment.
Next came Evelyn Aurelius.
As she placed her hand on the crystal, it hummed softly, emitting a faint golden aura.
Aerith narrowed her eyes. "A weak reaction... but there is something. A possibility."
Evelyn's expression remained composed, though curiosity flickered in her emerald eyes.
Then came Elaine Vaelthorne.
When she touched the crystal, a faint silvery light appeared, shifting like the moon's glow.
Aerith's lips curved slightly. "As expected. A minor connection."
Elaine nodded.
Then—Sylvara Ilthariel.
The moment her hand touched the crystal, the entire hall filled with emerald-green light.
The reaction was instantaneous.
A visible spirit shape flickered within the glow—a majestic stag, woven from leaves and wind.
Aerith nodded approvingly. "A bonded spirit of High Rank. Expected of the Elven Princess."
Sylvara simply smiled.
Then came Kieran Azurios.
When he placed his hand on the crystal, deep ocean-blue mana swirled around it.
A faint serpentine shape formed in the glow—a sea serpent, coiling lazily before vanishing.
"A water-based bonded spirit," Aerith confirmed. "This will serve you well."
Kieran smirked. "Naturally."
Then—Morganna Draven.
The crystal reacted violently.
Dark purple shadows surged across the room, swallowing the light.
For a brief moment, a pair of hollow, glowing eyes could be seen within the swirling abyss.
The presence was chilling.
Aerith studied it carefully. "A bonded spirit... but its nature is dark. This is rare."
Morganna chuckled. "Fitting, don't you think?"
Aerith didn't answer.
Then—
Alistair Vaelthorne stepped forward.
The room fell into silence.
Eyes watched as he placed his pale hand against the crystal's surface.
For a moment—nothing.
Then—
Light.
A pure, radiant glow.
Golden-white energy pulsed outward, illuminating the room.
It was not dark.
Not abyssal.
Not like his usual mana.
It was... light.
Aerith's eyes widened slightly.
The other students stared.
Even Leon furrowed his brows.
Alistair withdrew his hand, staring at the faint glow still lingering in his palm.
How ironic.
He had been blessed by the abyss—and yet, his bonded spirit was... something else entirely.
Aerith finally spoke.
"You... have a bonded spirit."
A pause.
"And it is powerful."
Silence stretched across the room.
Aerith turned back to the class.
"This concludes today's lesson."
"Tomorrow, we will attempt to awaken these spirits."
As the class ended, Alistair simply stepped back, rolling his shoulders.
Tomorrow would be interesting.
---
(To Be Continued...)