The banners of Halcyon Arcanum Academy fluttered in the wind, vibrant with the sigils of all known elements. Students from across the three continents had gathered here for the Attribute Awakening Day—a sacred tradition, revered and feared. It was the moment when a child's soul would resonate with the world and declare its allegiance to one of the elemental forces.
In the ceremonial plaza, a glowing monument pulsed: the Mana Resonance Crystal, a massive shard of translucent aetherium, humming with magic. It reflected swirling colors—each hue revealing a different elemental truth. Only the brave stood before it. Only the gifted walked away celebrated. The rest, forgotten.
High above, unseen to most, the Six Elemental Kings watched from a divine observatory, seated in a floating chamber ringed by stone thrones. Their eyes bore down not with warmth, but with scrutiny.
---
Caelen's Turn
Caelen Resonir stood among the crowd, a child of five with unnaturally calm eyes, the kind of silence that unnerved even the instructors. The wind seemed to swirl gently around him, then die down, as if hiding its presence at his request.
He approached the crystal, his parents—Elizabeth and Dareth Resonir—watching from the noble platform, hands clutched in anxious pride.
Whispers danced through the air:
> "That's the sound prodigy, right?"
> "A noble's son… he better show something worthwhile."
The moment Caelen placed his palm on the Mana Crystal, a pulse shot out—Mana... Resonating... echoed across the plaza.
For a second, the wind surged, a brief shimmer of green and silver swirled within the crystal—an omen of duality.
But then... it faded. What remained was Sound—pure, resonant, beautiful. The crowd gasped in awe. A rare and refined magic. Safe.
The elemental kings relaxed in their thrones. For now.
Caelen exhaled slowly. He had hidden it—the Wind, the forbidden power, masked beneath the melody of Sound. But in his soul, the storm raged louder.
---
The Generation of Miracles
Around him, the other prodigies awakened in glory and danger alike:
- Thessra Winterbane (Ice, Human): A girl of frostbitten grace. Her touch froze the edge of the platform itself.
- Riven Caelum (Gravity, Human): A boy who made the ground ripple. Even the air felt heavy when he moved.
- Luneth Reverin (Dream/Nightmare, Demon): Her awakening made nearby children faint—caught in a brief, haunting illusion.
- Theogar Stoneflare (Magma, Dwarf): The crystal almost cracked from the molten pressure of his dual earth-fire burst.
- Ignis Raezhart (Flame, Dragonkin): Flames erupted, the crystal momentarily turning blood red. He laughed as the crowd flinched.
- Faylen Miravelle (Nature, Elf): Vines curled at her feet, flowers blooming in her hair. She didn't even smile.
- Karnath Bleedtorn (Blood, Demon): His drop of blood was enough to reveal his element. The crowd went silent in unease.
- Brokk Ironfell (Metal, Dwarf): The crystal resonated with iron, his skin glinting like armor. He grinned proudly.
- Aeris Lumiel (Light, Half-Elf): The light radiating from her stunned the crowd. Her posture divine. Unreachable.
- Vaerin Solen (Light & Echo, Half-Elf): A silent pulse echoed when he touched the crystal—like a memory of a scream.
The Generation of Miracles had been born. And among them… a hidden god.
---
The Paths of Power
After the ceremony, each student was introduced to the Three Main Paths of Magic Combat:
1. Arcblades – Magic Swordsmen who channel elemental energy into weapons.
2. Purecasters – Masters of long-range, complex spells and elemental control.
3. Augurs – Support and manipulation class. Use enhancement, illusions, and utility magic.
Caelen was evaluated as an Augur, due to his Sound magic. But in truth… he was something else entirely.
> "There's no path that fits a god."
> —Caelen, to himself.
--
Cliffhanger Ending: The First Echo
That night, as he laid in bed within the Resonir manor, Caelen stirred.
> "You heard it too, didn't you?" whispered a voice.
He bolted upright.
A figure stood near the balcony, bathed in moonlight. White hair. A smirk.
> "I was there… at your death."
The wind stirred violently.
> "Let's see if the Wind God still breathes."
To be continued…