(Kaeron) stared at me with an expression that screamed, "Am I stuck with an idiot or a lunatic?"
He spoke slowly, as if each word pained him.
Kaeron: "I'm not even sure anymore… are you just stupid, or dumber than you look?"
(Nekrios), still bursting with energy, grinned wide.
Nekrios: "Oh, don't worry! I'm just really, really, really excited!
Anyway, I'm off to the magic classes now—bye-bye, ha-haaa!"
I dashed through the academy's halls toward the sorcerers' section, practically bouncing with joy.
I was finally going to learn how to control magic!
A dream come true—for me, anyway. Not for you, dear readers.
And right after those words, as if fate decided to punish me for mocking you…
I didn't walk into the classroom like a normal person.
I was yanked in.
The one who pulled me was…
(Lythia)—with a strange kind of intense excitement, borderline euphoric.
Lythia: "Come here, my precious test subject—uh, I mean, my dear student. Get in."
She dragged me in by the arm, and all eyes in the classroom, rows of sorcery students sitting on elevated platforms, turned toward me.
(Lythia) tried to suppress her giddy smile, but failed miserably.
Lythia: "Everyone, this is our new student, Nekrios! I want you all to treat him well.
Pick any seat you like, sweetie."
Nekrios: "Y-Yeah… right. Sure. Damn it."
I picked a seat in the middle rows by the window. Most of the students were still staring. I could hear them whispering—murmurs of curiosity, amusement, or discomfort.
Why? Because I was one of the Thanalith.
A species thought to have gone extinct centuries ago.
I noticed a blonde boy with glasses giving me a look I couldn't quite decipher.
Was he thinking, "I'll figure you out," or "I'll make you the class clown today"?
As I studied their reactions, (Lythia) began her lecture.
She waved her hand toward the board, grinning like she was about to perform on stage.
Lythia: "Alright, students! Today, we'll learn how to manifest elemental power through pure magic! Let's begin!"
She raised her hand before the class, eyes focused.
Lythia: "As you can see, I'm going to draw out fire—or rather, my own element.
Each of you has your own unique affinity. Your task is to focus and unleash it.
Now, here's how it works:
Magic flows through the body of every living creature, regardless of race.
Its source is always the brain.
By concentrating, you channel that energy to your hand—and your element will respond."
And just like that, powerful electric sparks burst from her palm—crackling bolts of lightning that lit up the front of the room.
Lythia: "Now, my darlings, come up one by one. Let's see what element each of you possesses!"
The students began stepping up to the platform, each trying their hardest to manifest their element.
Many succeeded. A few didn't.
I saw elements like:
Fire
Water
Earth
Air
Lava
Metal
Electricity
Wood
Then came the turn of the blonde boy with the glasses.
Lythia called out to him, excitement in her voice:
Lythia: "Elyos! Come up—your turn!"
Elyos stood with confidence and a hint of arrogance.
Elyos: "Of course, Professor. I'll show everyone how it's done—the Valstraith way."
A girl Student: "Valstraith? The Valstraith family?"
"A girl Student: "Valstraith? The Valstraith family?"
A BOY Student: "Yeah, I've heard of them. One of the strongest magical bloodlines in the kingdom. His element must be something rare and powerful."
Elyos stepped onto the platform and raised his hand. He focused hard.
Sparks of blue light danced at his fingertips, and then...
Crystals began to form. Frost spread along his palm.
Ice.
Lythia, clapping joyfully:
Lythia: "Marvelous! An ice element! How thrilling! Alright, next…"
Then she looked at me like I was some long-lost treasure chest about to open.
She shouted my name with explosive energy.
Lythia: "Nekrios! To the platform!"
Nekrios, standing quickly:
Nekrios: "Right! On my way!"
I moved through the rows. As I passed Elyos, he bumped into me—deliberately and hard.
I didn't react. I kept walking.
Lythia, nearly bouncing in place:
Lythia: "Alright, alright! Nekrios, show us!
Legend says your kind's element could enslave enemies, resurrect the dead as loyal servants…
Let's see it! Mmm!"
Her eyes were wild—like a starving child about to taste candy for the first time.
Nekrios, nervously
:Nekrios: "Okay, here goes…"
I focused on my hand.
I could feel the energy surge from my brain to my palm—like warm water flowing down a narrow path.
It was difficult. I poured every bit of focus into it.
Then… it started.
Black sparks.
Then a soft, dark smoke.
It thickened—coiling around my hand… then around my body.
Everyone was staring.
Waiting.
What was this element?
Then I felt it—something detach from me.
I was right.
The smoke condensed—morphing into a dense, shadowy shape.
It formed a physical mass.
A figure.
My figure.
When I looked down, I realized…
My shadow was gone.
Lythia, screaming with excitement:
Lythia: "I can't believe it! It all makes sense now!
The Thanalith race… they used to subjugate enemies, raise the dead as loyal servants—
All through this! Shadow magic!
One of the rarest elements in existence.
Almost no humans or demons ever possessed it.
But it was a core trait of the Thanalith…
Because of their overwhelming magical power!
You can bind or control the shadow of anything you defeat, Nekrios!
You can teleport by merging with your shadow—
You become intangible!
Oooooh this is so much fun!
I never thought I'd witness this in my entire life!"
My shadow moved.
It looked at me.
Then it bowed.
In front of everyone.
Like a servant pledging loyalty to its master.
But then a smug voice cut through the silence.
Elyos, mocking:
Elyos: "Seriously? That pale freak has the rarest element?
Let's see how far that gets you on a real mission."
Lythia, glaring at him with authority
:Lythia: "Watch your tongue.
Speaking without permission is not tolerated in my class.
Know your place."
Then she turned to me.
Lythia: "Nekrios, return to your seat."
I obeyed immediately.
As I walked back, the moment I lost focus…
My shadow vanished.
It returned to normal—
Just a flat, non-physical silhouette on the floor.
To be continued…