The sky-carriage soared above a sea of golden clouds, the wind gently brushing Aaron's dark hair as he leaned on the polished silver railing. Beneath the translucent glass floor of the carriage, he could just barely make out the vast, ever-shifting archipelago that housed the Mysterious Academy—an island chain suspended mid-air by ancient magic, ringed in protective clouds and aurora veils.
Aaron had been quiet most of the ride. It wasn't because he was nervous, but because he was certain he was underqualified.
"They must've accepted me out of pity," he muttered to himself, sipping lukewarm tea from a reinforced cup. "I mean, who accidentally gets appointed as a professor?"
Behind him, the two steward knights accompanying him shared a look but wisely said nothing.
The sky-carriage gently docked on an aerial platform paved with obsidian and marble veins. Giant, crystalline runes flickered beneath it like breathing light. The moment Aaron stepped down, a hush seemed to fall.
Awaiting him at the landing strip was a full delegation: the Headmistress, the Vice Headmaster, ten senior professors, four junior professors, and twelve instructors, all lined in formal rows. Behind them stood a regiment of upper-year students with ceremonial banners fluttering in the wind.
Aaron stopped mid-step.
"…Am I… early?"
Nova, the Headmistress, stepped forward with her usual disarming smile. "Professor Aetherwyn," she said, voice clear and echoing across the platform, "welcome to the Mysterious Academy."
Kaelen, the Vice Headmaster, followed with a curt nod. "Your arrival was anticipated."
Aaron scratched the back of his neck. "You really didn't need to gather everyone. I'm just… me."
The gathered staff whispered among themselves.
"He's humble… even now…"
"He arrived in robes wrinkled by travel. A man untouched by vanity."
"He has no aura pressure! That must mean his control is… godlike."
Aaron, oblivious, tried to shake Nova's hand. She clasped it with both hands and leaned in slightly.
"You'll get used to the attention. Or at least pretend you don't notice."
Aaron nodded nervously. "Right."
Kaelen gestured, and an instructor stepped forward—a stern-looking woman in scholar's attire.
"This is Instructor Elira. She'll guide you to your quarters and assist with orientation," he said.
Aaron bowed slightly. "Thank you. I think I'll need help finding the bathroom."
---
The path to the residential wing was a marvel in itself: bridges of glass strung between floating towers, hovering platforms redirecting based on arcane leyline currents, and statues of mythical beasts lining the walkways. Elira said nothing, only leading him with calm efficiency.
They arrived at a modest yet elegant structure: a standalone professor's cabin perched on a cliff overlooking the academy's central arena.
Aaron stepped in.
The interior was spacious, lined with bookcases, softly glowing light-crystals, and a desk already stacked with files. A basin of shimmering blue water glowed in the corner—an enchanted washing pool.
On the desk lay a sealed envelope labeled: Orientation – Professor Aetherwyn.
Aaron broke the seal and began reading.
---
Mysterious Academy Orientation Summary – Internal Use Only
Structure:
7-year academic program.
Each year split into 4 semesters.
Each semester includes 4 exams; the midterm and final are critical.
Student Intake:
Over 100,000 applicants annually.
Only 1,000 are accepted.
Entrance Exam: 4 parts — Theoretical Magic, Practical Combat, Resource Application, and Situational Ethics.
Ranking System:
Students ranked internally by exam results and contribution scores.
Rankings update live through the Arcane Obelisk System.
Tournaments:
Held after 1st semester every year.
1st Years vs 2nd Years, 3rd vs 4th, 5th vs 6th.
7th Years observe, manage logistics, and duel faculty for graduation exams.
Inter-Academy Tournaments hosted globally between the 10 World Academies.
Faculty:
1 Headmistress
1 Vice Headmaster
10 Senior Professors
10 Junior Professors
12 Practical Instructors
Your Appointment:
Junior Professor for 1st Year.
Assigned Course: "Foundations of Applied Celestial Runes."
Required to revise syllabus before student arrival.
Teaching Room: Atrium Hall C, North Wing.
---
Aaron set the file down and stared at the ceiling.
"Foundations of Applied what now?" he muttered. "I don't even remember how I learned half this stuff!"
The enchanted wall parchment beside him flickered to life, displaying a countdown:
Time until Entrance Ceremony: 3 Days, 12 Hours, 17 Minutes.
Aaron groaned and flopped onto the reading couch.
---
Later that evening, a courier knocked gently and handed Aaron a sealed scroll.
"Preliminary Student Profiles – 1st Year Cohort."
The scroll unrolled itself mid-air, showing photos, magical stats, and brief bios.
Names flashed by:
Olivia Virelith – Scion of the Dragonblood House.
Rye Grell – Engineering prodigy from the Human Kingdom of Gadar.
Velis Noxen – Silent prodigy from the Elven Syndicate, rumored to manipulate time.
Saria Vonn – Foreign student from the Infernal Dominion, here on special accord.
Kirin Zecht – Iceborn warrior from the Polar Sovereignty.
…and many more.
Aaron's eyes widened. "These kids… could probably teach me."
But somewhere deep in his thoughts, a tiny voice said: They'll need you more than they know.
---
As the stars rolled across the floating isles of the Mysterious Academy, Aaron stood on his balcony, watching moonlight dance over the arena below.
"Okay," he exhaled. "I'll give it a shot."
The moonlight flickered—no, bowed—around him.
He didn't notice.
---
[To be continued in Chapter 23: "A Syllabus of Panic and Power"]