The Magic Dominion felt like a place where anything could be possible.
James noticed it first as a sensation. The air feeling denser, charged with potential. Then as a visible phenomena: lights that moved without sources, colors that didn't quite exist in normal spectrums, the occasional object defying gravity just because it could.
"Welcome to the Dominion," Claudia said from across the carriage. "Where magic is everything."
Frank rustled from his pot. "This shit feels weird."
"That's mana saturation," Claudia explained. "The Dominion has the highest ambient mana concentration on the continent. Makes magic easier to use, but also means reality is more... flexible than you're used to."
James took note of the sensation. His Nature magic felt stronger here, responding with less effort. Which meant everyone else's magic was also enhanced. This wasn't an advantage.
They'd been traveling for two days through increasingly magical landscape. Trees that grew in spiral patterns. Rivers that flowed uphill because local water mages had decided so, villages where buildings floated and gardens grew in midair.
The further from the Neutral Territories, the more impressive it became. And the more obvious why the Science Imperium feared this place.
"There," Claudia pointed ahead. "Dominus Academy."
James looked.
The academy floated majestically. A citadel of impossible architecture suspended in midair, held aloft by magic so old and powerful it felt like a law of nature. Towers that spiraled toward clouds. Bridges connecting structures that shouldn't be able to support their own weight. Gardens hanging in space, waterfalls flowing upward, the whole complex radiating power like a second sun.
"Damn," Frank whispered.
"Eloquent," James murmured, but he agreed with the sentiment.
Dominus Academy hung above a city literally built in its shadow, because the academy was large enough to block sunlight for entire districts. The city below existed to service the academy above: shops selling magical components, boarding houses for visiting families, entire industries built around supporting the education of Velatria's magical elite.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Claudia smiled at James's expression. "Founded eight hundred years ago by Archmage Dominus himself. The towers have never touched ground. The magic maintaining them has never faltered. It's a statement: magic is supreme and permanent."
"Arrogant statement," James observed.
"Perhaps. But accurate so far." Claudia gestured as their carriage began ascending, following a magical path through the air toward the floating citadel. "The academy houses three thousand students at any given time. Accepts only the most talented. Maintains the strictest standards in the Dominion."
"And hierarchy?" James had noticed it already in the city, the way people deferred to mage insignia, how commoners moved aside for robed students.
"Exists. Obviously." Claudia's tone suggested this should be obvious. "Academy society mirrors Dominion society. Power determines position. Magical capability equals social standing."
"Even here? Among students?"
"Especially here. Students compete constantly. For resources, recognition, advancement. Your affinity determines your starting position. Your capability determines how high you climb."
James took note of that information. Hierarchy meant exploitation opportunities. Competition meant distraction. Perfect conditions for operating unnoticed.
The carriage landed on a platform extending from the academy's base. Up close, the architecture was even more impossible. Stones that fit together in non-Euclidean patterns, walls that were simultaneously solid and transparent, staircases that existed in more than three dimensions.
Mages moved through corridors and across bridges, their robes color-coded by specialty. Green for Nature. Red for Elemental Fire. Blue for Water. Gold for Eldritch. Others James couldn't identify yet.
"Come," Claudia said. "Orientation first. Then dormitory assignment."
She led them through halls that seemed to rearrange themselves. James noticed the pattern as corridors responded to intentional direction, reshaping to accommodate desired destinations. The academy itself was alive, or at least responsive to magical will.
They reached an amphitheater where new students gathered. Maybe fifty total, all around age twelve, all recently tested, all looking appropriately awed by their surroundings.
James was the youngest present by four months. That would draw attention. Nothing to be done about it now.
An instructor appeared at the amphitheater's center. An older woman, gray hair, robes marking her as senior faculty. Her presence gave off authority and power.
"Welcome to Dominus Academy," she began, her voice clearly audible without amplification. "I am Instructor Sabrina, head of first-year integration. You are here because you demonstrated sufficient magical aptitude to warrant education. You will stay if you continue demonstrating that aptitude. Mediocrity is not tolerated. Failure is not accommodated."
Several students shifted uncomfortably.
"You will be educated primarily in your tested affinity," Sabrina added. "But you will learn theory across all branches. A complete mage understands the entire spectrum, even if specialized in one area."
She continued. "Dormitory assignments are by affinity and year. You will live with others of similar classification. This encourages specialization and healthy competition."
Healthy competition. James translated this as a sanctioned hierarchy enforcement.
"Classes begin tomorrow. Schedules will be provided at your dormitories. Questions?"
A boy raised his hand. Noble, judging by his expensive robes. "What about dual-affinity students?"
"Dual-affinity students are assigned to their primary affinity but given supplementary curriculum for their secondary. They are valuable assets and receive appropriate resources." Sabrina's tone made clear this was prestigious.
Several students began murmuring enviously.
"Anything else?" Sabrina looked over the group. Her eyes lingered on James, youngest present, unaccompanied by family, traveling with a suspiciously mobile plant. "No? Then find your dormitory assignments at the registration desk. Dismissed."
Students dispersed and James approached registration, Frank following.
"James Morningstar," he told the clerk.
"Nature affinity, second-year placement." The clerk handed him a crystal key. "Verdant Hall, room 347. Your roommate is already moved in. Classes start at dawn. Your schedule will be posted in your room."
"Roommate?"
"All students share rooms. Builds camaraderie. Teaches cooperation." The clerk was already looking past James to the next student.
James took his key and headed toward Verdant Hall, following directional signs that helpfully rearranged themselves to point the way while dreading the idea of a roommate.
The Nature affinity dormitory was exactly what he expected: built into a massive tree that grew through several floors of the academy, with rooms carved from living wood, windows that were actually carefully shaped gaps in bark, and gardens everywhere.
Room 347 was halfway up. James climbed stairs that grew from the tree's interior, noting the complete absence of nails or conventional construction. Everything was grown, shaped, convinced to exist in useful forms.
Impressive magic. Constant maintenance requirement. Vulnerable to fire. He thought as he reached his room and opened the door.
The space was modest but practical. Two beds, two desks, extensive shelving already half-filled with books and components. Large windows overlooking the academy grounds. And one occupant, currently arranging plants on his windowsill.
The boy turned. Tall for his age, light brown hair and green eyes, fitting for someone with his affinity. His robe looked expensive but worn. Nobility fallen on harder times, maybe?
"You must be my new roommate," the boy said, offering a hand. "I'm Henry. Henry Witherspoon. Second-year Nature specialization."
James was hesitant at first but shook his hand, noting the calluses that suggested discipline. "James Morningstar. Also second-year, I guess."
"You guess?" Henry smiled. "Don't you know your own placement?"
"Just arrived. Still figuring things out." James set Frank's pot by his bed. The plant remained silent, playing normal houseplant.
"Is that—" Henry approached Frank with interest. "Is your plant mobile?"
"Sometimes. Nature magic experiment. He's... temperamental."
"Fascinating. I've been trying to achieve autonomous plant movement for months." Henry circled Frank, clearly itching to examine him. "How did you manage the binding?"
"Mana saturation accident. I do not recommend."
Henry laughed. "Honesty. I like that. Most people here spend all their time posturing." He returned to his windowsill. "Fair warning: academy hierarchy is brutal. Everyone's constantly measuring themselves against everyone else. Dual-affinity students think they're gods. Single-affinity students have to prove themselves twice as hard."
"And you?"
"Nature affinity. Flora and fauna domains, though I'm trying to specialize in flora." Henry gestured to his plants that were all healthy and positioned for optimal light. "I'm commoner-born like you. My parents saved for years to afford the academy tuition. I have to excel or I've wasted everything they sacrificed."
"I see." James heard the edge beneath those words and it felt familiar.
"What about you?" Henry asked. "Your file says orphan. Ward of the academy. But second-year placement suggests significant potential."
"Self-taught. Had time and motivation to practice." James unpacked his minimal belongings. "No family obligations. Just me and my goals."
"Which are?"
"Learning everything."
Henry studied him. "That's... ambitious."
Henry pulled out a schedule. "Classes tomorrow: Magical Theory at dawn, Practical Applications mid-morning, Affinity Specialization after lunch, Combat Applications late afternoon. Heavy schedule. They don't believe in easing us in."
"Good. I didn't come here to be eased."
"You're going to fit right in. Or get eaten alive. Could go either way." Henry grinned. "Either way, should be entertaining."
"The only person doing the eating alive will be James."
"Okay..." Henry scratched his chin with his finger with a smile. "Let's get going."
---
That evening, James explored the dormitory. Students were clustered by affinity and social standing. Noble houses grouping together. Commoners forming defensive alliances. Dual-affinity students holding court like celebrities.
He noticed the girl immediately.
She held court in the finest corner of the room, surrounded by admirers and sycophants. Her robes bore dual-color threading, suggesting she was a dual affinity mage.
Her posture radiated confidence and entitlement. Her expression suggested everyone present existed to acknowledge her superiority. Her voice carried across the room. "Obviously I'll be top of our year," she was saying. "The instructors have already fast-tracked my advancement."
Her admirers murmured agreement.
James watched from the shadows, categorizing. She was definitely talented. Arrogant, obviously. Accustomed to being exceptional. Used to winning.
"That's Serena Pendragon," Henry whispered beside him. "Descended from some ancient noble house. Been training with private tutors since she manifested. She's... a lot."
James took one more glance and looked away. "If she is 'a lot,' it is only because the academy has yet to meet James. When it does, your scale will adjust accordingly."
"I gotta say, I'm loving the energy man."
James turned slightly to him with a look that conveyed that his approval was irrelevant, but nonetheless acknowledged.
It was at this moment that Serena noticed them watching. Her eyes narrowed, assessing James with the calculation of someone used to measuring threats.
Then she dismissed him. Too young, too common and a single affinity mage. Clearly not worth her attention.
James felt nothing about the dismissal. It was better to be underestimated.
He returned to his room and documented the day:
Dominus Academy: Impressive architecture. Rigid hierarchy. Emphasis on competition and capability.
Roommate: Henry Witherspoon. Commoner, competent, practical, hippie? Potentially useful alliance. Seems genuine, which is either refreshing or suspicious.
Notable student: Serena Pendragon. Dual affinity, noble lineage, complete confidence in her own superiority. James requires no lineage to surpass them all.
Tomorrow: Classes begin. Maintain cover and learn what academy can teach.
James closed his journal as Frank finally spoke, leaning to tap the journal with his leafy arm. "And what's this note about your roommate being a 'hippie'? That's rich coming from the guy who literally hangs out with a talking plant."
"Frank, your commentary is as chaotic as your metabolism. Were James concerned with your approval, perhaps it would sting." He dusted off his robe and laid on his bed, surrounded by students who thought they knew how magic worked, while frank rolled its eyes or what passed for eyes at him.
***
A/N: Laughing Maitreya here.
We are finally at the Academy. To those who stuck around, thanks for all your continued interest. It means something to me!
If you like this story, show your support.
And yeah... peace!