The Royal Magic Academy did not gather ordinary students.
It gathered heirs.
The morning sun cast long shadows across the Grand Assembly Hall, where first-year students were summoned for their official introductions. The hall itself was massive—arched ceilings etched with ancient runes, floating platforms displaying family crests, and banners representing kingdoms across the Gin Continent.
Mei Lin stood quietly among the Lin Family delegation, her eyes observing everything.
> This academy isn't just a school, she thought.
It's a battlefield without weapons.
---
The Academy's True Purpose
An elderly man stepped forward, his presence alone silencing the room.
"I am Grandmaster Edrion Valcrest, Head of the Royal Magic Academy," he announced.
"This institution exists to educate talent—but also to maintain balance among the powers of this continent."
The implication was clear.
Those who failed here would fade.
Those who succeeded would rule.
---
The Jade Family
A floating sigil ignited first.
Emerald light formed the crest of the Jade Family.
From the front stepped Henry Jade, taller than his peers, his expression sharp and cold. His mana flared briefly—fire mixed with domination magic.
"The Jade Family," Edrion said, "current administrators of eastern trade routes and military logistics."
Whispers followed.
"They rose too fast…" "They replaced the Lin Family."
Henry's gaze swept across the hall—and stopped on Mei Lin.
His lips curled slightly.
Mei Lin didn't react.
> [Threat Level: Moderate — Escalating.]
---
The Uzumaki Family
Next, a white-and-silver sigil rotated into place.
"The Uzumaki Family," the Grandmaster continued, "guardians of the Dungeon of No Return."
A girl with calm eyes stepped forward.
Martha Uzumaki.
Her mana was controlled to the point of silence—terrifying in its restraint.
"Primordial Arch Mage," someone whispered.
Martha bowed once and stepped back, uninterested in attention.
Mei Lin met her gaze briefly.
They acknowledged each other with a nod.
> She's dangerous, Mei Lin thought—not as an enemy, but as a force.
---
The Chaos Family
A storm of silver wind swept the hall.
The crest of the Chaos Family appeared, ancient and feared.
"Military authority and autonomous power equal to a minor kingdom," Edrion said carefully.
Luo Chaos stepped forward.
The wind settled instantly.
Silence followed.
Even Henry Jade looked away.
Mei Lin felt the air shift instinctively toward him.
> [High-Compatibility Entity Present.]
She ignored the notification.
---
The Royal Family of Hiroshima
Golden light filled the hall.
"The Royal Family," Edrion said, his tone formal. "Bearers of divine authority within the kingdom."
Princess Ariel stepped forward gracefully.
She smiled gently, but her mana—holy and wind-aligned—was undeniable.
Students bowed.
Mei Lin observed closely.
She doesn't know, Mei Lin realized.
She's standing in a web she can't see.
---
Other Rising Powers
Several other families were introduced:
The Frostvale House – Ice specialists from the northern mountains
The Crimson Talon Clan – Assassination and shadow arts
The Ironforge Guild Lineage – Crafting-focused nobles with rare artifact bloodlines
Each represented a future variable.
Each could be ally—or enemy.
---
Unspoken Tensions
As the introductions ended, Grandmaster Edrion concluded:
"From today onward, your family names will grant you no immunity. Only results matter."
The hall erupted into murmurs.
Henry Jade clenched his fists.
Martha Uzumaki closed her eyes.
Luo Chaos exhaled slowly.
Princess Ariel stood uncertain—but determined.
Mei Lin smiled faintly.
> Good, she thought.
A place where power must prove itself.