Gathering of the Powerhouses
The golden sun barely pierced through the high-vaulted stained-glass windows of the Astra High Council Chamber, where the grand meeting of the Ten Holy Ones and the Ten School Prefects had been summoned. Magic inscriptions flickered across the walls. The air was tense with unspoken power, each breath thick with authority.
The Ten Holy Ones:
1. Dante – Rank 1 – The Flame Sentinel: A quiet, calculating mage with fire control so potent it was said his heartbeat melted mountains.
2. Yuno – Rank 2 – The Wind Sovereign: Calm, unreadable, and deadly fast. The only one who ever challenged Dante.
3. Aerin – Rank 3 – Queen of Ice: Controlled frost and emotions alike. Her gaze alone could shatter confidence.
4. Blake – Rank 4 – The Phantom Whisperer: Master of illusions and spirit summoning.
5. Zinra – Rank 5 – Thunderchild: Youngest Holy One, unpredictable, electric both literally and mentally.
6. Zarael – Rank 6 – The Void Monk: A silent monk from the east, master of nullifying magic.
7. Vrenzo – Rank 7 – Iron Will: His earth-based magic was as unyielding as his beliefs.
8. Kaela – Rank 8 – The Mirage Blade: Dual swords and distortion magic, known for vanishing mid-fight.
9. Helion – Rank 9 – Star Seeker: An astrologist and long-range magician with meteor-level attacks.
10. Thorne – Rank 10 – Shadow Binder: Unknown origin, linked to shadows and secrets.
The Ten School Prefects:
1. Clarissa – Rank 1 – The Queen Bee: The girl who sat with elegance, surrounded by loyal followers during the entrance exam. Her charisma and terrifying mind-control magic made her untouchable.
2. Kyro – Rank 2 – The Blue Flame: Hot-headed and strategic, controls blue fire and often clashes with others.
3. Jin – Rank 3 – Wind Raptor: Uses aerial attacks with precise wind manipulation.
4. Asa – Rank 4 – Beast Morph: Half-werewolf, can shift into creatures at will.
5. Lara – Rank 5 – Glass Waltz: Turns her body into reflective glass shards for defense and attack.
6. Kain – Rank 6 – Gravity Pulse: Can control gravitational fields around objects.
7. Mira – Rank 7 – Blood Hymn: Blood magic user, feared for self-sacrificial spells.
8. Ravel – Rank 8 – Sonic Drift: Speedster with sound-wave destruction.
9. Suno – Rank 9 – Mist Blight: Wields poison mist that induces hallucinations.
10. Desmond – Rank 10 – The Observer: Quiet, calculative, and manipulative. He once approached Paul.
Desmond sat in the shadows of the chamber, eyes flickering with unease. "Should I tell them the Dark Realm sent a spy? Or keep it hidden? Paul... if you're the spy, I'll end you myself."
Before Desmond could finish his thoughts, a sudden flash filled the chamber. The grand doors burst open as Jason, Leader of Magic, and Matthew, The King Wizard, stepped in with calm grace. Every Holy One and Prefect immediately bowed, and even the teachers stood up in honor.
Matthew, with a cocky grin, casually said, "Why so serious?"
Jason shot him a stern glance. Now's not the time.
The room grew still.
The Headmaster stood. "My Highness, what brings you to this sacred gathering?"
Matthew raised a hand. "An emergency."
He cast a swirling rune into the air. A glowing screen appeared.
Footage of a prison — Argus's prison — in ruins. The chains shattered. Guards unconscious. The sky darkened as the aura of Argus's escape echoed in the room.
The atmosphere snapped like a storm.
Vrenzo slammed the table. "HOW COULD THE GUARDS FAIL?! This man is a threat to all kingdoms!"
Jason turned slowly, eyes glowing. "You lack respect."
Vrenzo dropped his gaze, shame creeping in.
Matthew continued. "I've dispatched elite wizards to hunt him. We're tracking him down… but this isn't the only problem."
He cast another spell. The image now showed the Silver Kingdom.
"That's… that's the Silver Kingdom," Clarissa whispered.
"Yes," Matthew said. "Our scouts intercepted spies—some are assassins, some might even be students. We caught one… but he refuses to speak."
A Holy One raised his hand.
Jason nodded.
"Why did Silver cross the borders?"
Matthew's face turned grim. "We don't know. If they don't stop… we may have no choice but to declare war."
The room was silent. Magic flickered in panic.
---
Scene Switch: Class E
Paul walked into the classroom. His eyes scanned the chaos: laughter, chatter, loud greetings. He said nothing, moving to the back. His presence was ghost-like.
He sat quietly. On his left… Prisca. She was already reading, calm and cold.
Paul's thoughts: This is getting interesting.
Felix dropped into the seat on his right, acting like a happy parasite. Paul shot him a cold glare. Felix just smirked.
Paul brought out his notes.
Prisca suddenly asked, "Why were you staring at me earlier?"
Paul looked at her and hesitated. "I saw the pain in your eyes… from being placed in Class E. I felt the same when I saw mine. But the way you reacted… it hurt deeper."
Prisca stared at him, unreadable.
"…My brother," she murmured. Then her eyes changed. "Mind your business. Never look at me like that again… or it might be the end of you."
Paul just blinked. Was that a threat?
A voice rose from the middle of the class.
Naomi: "Since we're in Class E now, let's at least get to know each other!"
Everyone agreed.
Deborah turned back, slapped Felix playfully, and pointed at the muscular boy.
"That's my crush!"
Felix fake cried, "Congrats!" He hugged her.
Paul stared, emotionless. Humans are slaves to feelings… which later kill them.
---
Class E Student Introductions (21 students)
1. Naomi – Invisibility
2. Steve – Harden Skin
3. Lucy – Spatial Awareness
4. Deborah – Water Manipulation (copycatting her crush)
5. Peterson – Muscle Strengthening, Magic Combat Mastery
6. Khalid – Mind Maze (Illusion field creator)
7. Isha – Flame Thread (control of magical fire threads)
8. Marcel – Magnetism
9. Zara – Beast Empathy (talks to magical beasts)
10. Rico – Telekinesis
11. Emmy – Plant Growth & Control
12. Jude – Rock Manipulation
13. Fay – Time Delay (can slow time for 3 seconds)
14. Hikaru – Electric Surge
15. Paula – Mirror Duplication
16. Max – Shadow Dash
17. Ray – Mana Scales (absorbs and reflects attacks)
18. Tina – Wind Blade
19. Leo – Sound Manipulation
20. Prisca – Unknown (Deadly Aura)
21. Paul – Bubble Manipulation
When Paul stood up, he said softly, "My name is Paul… from the western kingdom. I use… bubbles."
The class laughed.
Paul sat down, unfazed. I knew they'd laugh.
When it was Prisca's turn, she gave a glare so piercing they skipped her.
Then, a red-haired boy stood, slamming the desk. "Are you people kidding me?! I don't need introductions! Talk again and I'll wreck the whole damn class!"
Everyone froze.
Paul's thoughts: The weak often use loudness to disguise their fear.
Prisca interrupted. "Your power is lame, Paul."
Paul smirked. "It was my father's magic. I cherish it."
Prisca glanced sideways and smiled faintly.
"You'll die with that thought. This place is a game of life and death. Weakness is not tolerated. Especially not in Astra High."
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TO BE CONTINUED…