Morning had broken over the Heart estate, gentle and serene. Birds chirped in rhythmic harmony, their songs weaving through the crisp, clean air. Nine years had already been passed since Luther's spirit ceremony
Though the spirit had never revealed itself, everyone was certain that the wind spirit Slyvarra had chosen Luther.
Luther woke up earlier than usual that day, the maid had already drawn Luther's bath. Luther dressed himself and made his way to the dining hall where the best chef of the kingdom had prepared his breakfast, a mix of fruits, nuts and honey.
Once finished, Luther stepped outside into the training yard, where his mentor was holding a wooden sword used by Luther for his training. Luther's mentor was a seasoned veteran, wearing a robe.
The mentor had trained Luther to perform drills and exercises with his wooden sword, for the past week and today was Luther's test. The mentor was shocked at Luther's progress.
"Your mana has grown significantly, you are improving faster than expected"
The mentor remarked with a nod of approval.
The mentor's name was Jess — a calm, battle-hardened man known for his precision and quiet strength.
Luther narrowed his eyes, focusing intently. Mana surged down his legs as he channeled it into his feet, the energy weaving through him like a current. With a sudden burst of speed, he lunged forward, aiming a precise thrust toward Jess's midsection.
But Jess, ever composed, blocked the strike with ease. His stance didn't shift, his expression didn't flicker. A moment later, he redirected the flow of mana into his own blade — a controlled surge — and with a single, smooth motion, knocked Luther backward.
Luther stumbled, his boots scraping against the wooden floor, but he held his ground.
Luther had been training diligently to channel mana into his sword — a task that demanded both focus and instinct. Steadying his breath, he tightened his grip on the hilt and drew the mana inward, guiding it through his arm and into the blade.
With a sharp exhale, he swung.
To his surprise, a crescent-shaped blade of wind burst forth from the tip, slicing through the air. Jess barely managed to sidestep it in time, his cloak fluttering as the slash passed by.
For a moment, silence hung in the training yard.
Then, Jess let out a short, satisfied laugh. "You've finally done it," he said, lowering his guard. "That was your first Wind Slash."
He clapped Luther on the shoulder with pride and added, "We'll end training here for today. You've earned it."
The next morning, Luther awoke with a sense of excitement humming in his chest. Today marked a new chapter in his life — his first day at the prestigious Solthorn Academy. Until now, he had only studied from books, learning theory and history from the comfort of his home. But today, he would finally step into the world of structured magic education.
After a quick wash, he dressed neatly in his new academy uniform — a crisp set of robes trimmed in silver, bearing the emblem of Solthorn on the chest. Breakfast had been prepared by his mother that morning, a rare and heartfelt gesture. The aroma of warm bread and honeyed tea lingered in the air, and Luther savored each bite before heading out.
As he approached the academy, the grand iron gates loomed ahead. With a deep breath, he stepped through.
Solthorn Academy was even more beautiful than he had imagined. Manicured gardens flanked the stone path, bursting with vibrant flowers that shimmered faintly with mana. A marble fountain stood at the center of the courtyard, its water dancing in elegant arcs as if guided by an unseen hand.
Luther paused for a moment, taking it all in. He was ten years old now — finally old enough to begin his journey as a mage.
Luther was quite nervous as he stepped into the grand classroom. The dark wooden floors reminded him of the halls in his mansion, polished and solemn beneath his feet. Rows of wooden benches, each large enough for two students, filled the room. The walls were clean white, and on the back wall hung a massive frame bearing the golden emblem of The Solthorn Academy. At the front, a blackboard was dusted faintly with chalk, the ghost of a previous lesson lingering. Sunlight streamed in through tall windows along the left wall, illuminating the space with a warm, golden glow.
The classroom buzzed with the chatter of nearly two hundred students—more people than Luther had ever seen in one place. He stood still for a moment, overwhelmed, his eyes scanning the crowd with a mix of awe and unease. Raised in the solitude of nobility, Luther had never known what it was like to be among so many children his age.
As he took it all in, his gaze settled on a girl sitting quietly near the window. She looked detached from the noise around her, her eyes fixed on something beyond the glass. There was a loneliness about her; it seemed she had no friends, though he didn't understand why.
Before he could think more about it, a cheerful voice interrupted him.
"Hey! What's your spirit type?" asked a blonde boy who had suddenly appeared beside him.
Luther blinked, startled and unsure how to respond.
"Oh, pardon me," the boy said with a smile. "Let me introduce myself first. I am Finn"
Luther spoke up, his voice trembling slightly with nervousness. "Myself Luther Heart. I am the son of the Head Commander of the Royal Mage Corps."
Finn raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Luther, huh? I noticed you were looking at that girl. Do you like her?"
Luther looked at him, bewildered. Like her? The concept was foreign to him. Love, friendship—these were ideas he had only read about in books. His world had been one of discipline, formal etiquette, and endless study of ancient magic. Emotional connection had no place in the halls of his mansion, where only tales of legendary mages and arcane knowledge filled his days.
He had never been taught how to feel. And now, among strangers, for the first time in his life, he was starting to wonder what he'd been missing.
The door opened with a soft creak, and the room immediately fell quiet.
"Quiet down, everyone," the professor said as he stepped to the front. "My name is Professor Bellgrove, and I'll be your History teacher."
His voice carried a calm authority, and soon he began explaining the basics of the curriculum, the importance of magical history, and what students could expect in the coming months. The lesson passed quickly, the professor's steady cadence marking the beginning of their journey through the academy.
Before long, the bell rang.
It was break time.
Luther opened his lunchbox slowly, revealing the carefully packed meal his mother had prepared. He glanced around the bustling courtyard filled with students gathering in groups, laughing and chatting. But no one sat near him.
Just as he lowered his gaze, a voice broke through the silence.
"Are you alone?"
Luther looked up to see Finn standing beside him, a friendly expression on his face.
"Mind if I sit here?" he asked politely.
Luther gave a small smile and nodded. "Of course."
They chatted throughout the break, Luther realized that he had finally found a friend for the first time in his life, both of them talked about the Solthorn academy
Luther said "I really like the academy, but I feel lonely here"
Finn replied "me too, but not anymore because now both of us are friends!"
Luther after hearing this thought to himself "We are friends? Is this what friendship feels like?"
Luther said "Of Course friend" in an excited voice
Finn Asked "what do you want to become when you grow up?"
Luther, without a thought firmly said "Mage Corp Warrior!!"
Said "Wonderful you want to become just like your father, he is an amazing person"
Luther had never experienced something like this before, eventually the break ended with a ring. And Luther continued with his next class.