Water, fire, wind, and earth. The foundational magical attributes that make up our world are all interconnected in life, the environment, and our very soul. Complex layers cascade light and dark magic, yet they are also the simplest thing of all. Light is not always a surface level concept. Darkness is not always how it appears. Darkness is dangerous, but in that danger lies the ability to change.
My eyes scan the first paragraph of the book.
"Magic and Emotions, written by Justus Amin," I whisper to myself, committing the book to memory for future reference.
Justus Amin is one of the top Keepers who runs this school alongside the Principal Keeper. He is the mysterious second-in-command, the Vice-Principal Keeper. As my eyes fly through the pages, I can't help but feel something is off about this book, but in a good way.
The Keeper Academy Administration, through their teachings, always spouts that light equals good and darkness equals evil.
It's no wonder that light magic is praised while dark magic is banned at the academy unless a Keeper is present. This author doesn't convey light and dark magic in this sense. My gut tells me there is a deeper meaning behind these texts.
For reference, the Principal Keeper runs the academy with an iron fist.
Individuals who speak positively about dark magic or negatively about light magic are forbidden by the Principal Keeper from being at the school. The only way to voice dissent against the system in texts or speech is to hint at it passively.
The thing that confuses me the most is why the Vice-Principal Keeper, the right-hand man of the Principal Keeper, would be against the Keeper philosophy.
The adaptability of water, the passion of fire, the flexibility of wind, and the centeredness of earth reflect various aspects of our emotions. The discovery of magic makes it seem like we are superior human beings now. However, this discovery could not have happened without being rooted in human personality and emotions.
There is a connection between all emotions.
All nature interconnects. The entire universe is connected. When the universe is born, there is only darkness and light. However, there would be no darkness without light and no light without darkness. Two different sides of the same coin. Only by having the opposite concept appear can you acknowledge the existence of your personality and magic.
My mind takes in this information like wildfire. My neurons burst like fireworks, creating new pathways as I attempt to understand how all forms of magic are connected. As I pause reading the book, I notice my hands appear pale.
Is my magic who I am to the core, not that different from everybody else? I think to myself as I look out of one of the library windows.
"Hey, Nico! Fancy seeing you here," a familiar energetic voice calls out to me.
I turn around to see who is speaking to me. I am frankly shocked because everybody in the academy seems to avoid me. The voice calling out my name belongs to none other than Ivy McKinley. My mind is slow in registering this as I try to cover my serious expression. My heartbeat was increasing, but I did my best not to show it.
"Hey, Ivy! Um… how have you been?"
I ask awkwardly, putting my book down on the table. To be fair, I was not expecting to have any more social interaction today.
"To be honest, not doing that great, haha," Ivy says lightly, her voice trailing off. She notices my book on the table.
"What are you reading there?"
"Magic and Emotions by Justus Amin. This book is fascinating! The book provides great information about magic and how everything is connected. A top Keeper wrote it, so you know it's going to be great. I love how the book differs from a lot of other books written by other Keepers and—"
I pause as the words come tumbling out of my mouth.
Whenever I get super passionate about something, I completely forget that I am socially awkward. I forget my words come out way too fast.
"Anyway, what are you doing here, Ivy?"
She laughs cheerfully at my words. Her laugh gives color to my eyes, unlike the hurtful monotone laughs of others.
"I'm sure that book is great. Let me know all about it once you finish it! I'm just here to get some homework done. The library is a great place to study since it's silent, unlike other places. Also, this place helps me calm down when my thoughts become too overwhelming."
"For example, today I lost my duel against Leena Grey, which means I'm stuck in the normal classes for now. I just came here to think about it in perspective. Her magic was in another league than mine. May I ask how your duel went?" she asks.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I won my duel, but I thought I was a goner. Does that mean I have to fight Leena Grey to get first place?" I ask in a slightly anxious tone.
If I have to fight someone that powerful, that means I can't afford to hold back at all, even from the get-go. I think to myself as I wait for her response, which I already know the answer to.
"Congratulations on winning! It means you have to fight her. I wish you the best of luck because her fire magic is on par with the top students of the upperclassmen. The only thing that separates her skill-wise from the best fire magic users is her lack of control over her eighth affinity level magic techniques. Her mana capacity is astounding."
"If she had perfect control over her magic, she would be one of the strongest magic students in the entire academy. I should also mention she focuses on explosions," Ivy tells me in a wavering tone.
I feel my body internally shake slightly with anxiety as I take in every single word from Ivy. Fire magic? She focuses on explosives. Without my dark magic, I'm her but a million times worse. I will have to truly give everything I have to win the next battle and do my best to end it in a flash.
My fist slams into the table, causing other students in the library to focus on me.
"Nico Lotus, please proceed to Justus Amin's office. I repeat, Nico Lotus, please proceed to Justus Amin's office," the school's magical intercom system announces across the academy.
My head bursts with questions and no answers.
What does the Vice Principal Keeper and author of Magic and Emotions want with me?