The two months Daemon had spent in methodical self-study led not only to breakthroughs in runic theory but to a fundamental evolution of his own elemental control. While practicing his Tria affinities—specifically the rapid cycling between Fire and Water to increase core strain—Daemon accidentally discovered a unique synergistic effect. He was practicing channeling both elements simultaneously, forcing them to interact in a contained, neutral space just beyond his palms, aiming for maximum energy expenditure. The process was inherently volatile, a deliberate act of magical aggression against his own core. He would channel a focused stream of cold Water affinity from his left hand and simultaneously channel high-intensity Fire affinity from his right. The energies were designed to cancel each other out, maximizing energy debt. However, in one sustained repetition, Daemon managed to precisely equalize the output of both elements, channeling them into a small, unified field of ambient Aether. Instead of neutralizing, the intense heat immediately forced the rapid phase change of the water, resulting in the violent, pressurized eruption of Steam Magic.
Daemon's initial reaction was not surprise, but cold, scientific satisfaction. He had engineered a fusion affinity, a true by-product of his unique Tria core, recognizing its immediate strategic value as a hidden card. He analyzed its proposed usage: first, for Area Denial and Obscurement, projecting thick, high-density fog banks or smoke screens to completely obscure his position and break the line of sight during engagements. Second, for Debilitation and Control, focusing the steam into pressurized jets to inflict scalding burns at short range without the overt visual signature of a large elemental attack, and using rapid moisture deployment to disrupt the ambient Aether, hindering enemy spellcasting. Third, for Kinetic Force and Mobility, controlling the rapid expansion of the steam to generate sharp, powerful bursts of force to shove opponents off balance or to achieve short, powerful propulsive boosts for unexpected movements. This new Steam affinity was the ultimate expression of his control—a fusion magic that was utterly unique and concealed from his instructors.
Daemon's ability to develop this fusion magic was indirectly fostered by the peculiar nature of the Berlin Magic Academy itself. Although it was called a magic academy, the instructors were fundamentally only there to impart theoretical basics and point out unavoidable mistakes. They viewed their role as supervisory, not hands-on developmental. Students were explicitly expected to study and train on their own, taking full responsibility for their progress. This hands-off approach was why having credits was so crucial; they provided unrestricted access to the libraries, historical references, and advanced spell manuals necessary for true self-development, which the nobility bought and Daemon had earned.
The regular flow of academic life was shattered late that afternoon. The first-year students were gathered for an assembly in the grand auditorium, a cavernous hall usually reserved for formal ceremonies. The atmosphere was immediately tense, the usual student chatter replaced by anxious murmurs. The Dean in charge of the first years, a formidable, square-jawed mage named Arch-Mage Thiel, took the stage. His voice, naturally amplified by runes, boomed across the auditorium. "Students, mages are combatants first before anything else," Thiel declared, his eyes sweeping across the crowded commoner and noble sections. "The theoretical knowledge you acquire is meaningless if you lack the strength to enforce it. Therefore, in two weeks, the Academy will hold the First-Year Placement Tournament."
A collective wave of nervous energy and excitement washed over the room. Thiel continued, detailing the stakes, which were transformative: "Your performance in this tournament will dictate your status in the Academy for the next year. This is a true measure of your worth." He paused, letting the significance of the prizes settle: "The top three students will receive a personal elevation in status. They will be granted a personal residence—away from the crowded dormitories—equipped with a personal training facility. Furthermore, they will receive a substantial grant: the third place student receives 5,000 credits, second place receives 7,500 credits, and the champion receives 10,000 credits."
The announcement was met with a spectrum of intense reactions. The Nobles, led by Cassian, transitioned immediately from bored entitlement to fierce possessiveness. To them, the prize money and the private residence were inherited birthrights that the Academy was simply formally bestowing. They immediately began sizing up the competition, focusing primarily on eliminating rivals from other noble houses. Cassian, still smarting from the humiliation of the Damascus sword fiasco, immediately saw this as an opportunity to publicly crush Daemon and reaffirm his superiority. The Rich Commoners reacted with a mix of desperate hunger and fear. The sheer amount of credits—enough to secure their entire four years of study and launch them into a successful career—was intoxicating. They saw the tournament as a single, life-changing opportunity to break free from the constraints of their backgrounds, yet they were acutely aware of the magical and physical gap between themselves and the noble students. Daemon's internal analysis was swift and clinical. The prizes were not desirable for luxury, but for unparalleled strategic advantage. The personal residence meant unrestricted, completely private training without fear of surveillance. The champion's prize of 10,000 credits would secure his financial independence for years, allowing him to purchase any resource, no matter how specialized or rare. The tournament was no longer a problem to be avoided; it was the single most efficient acquisition method for the tools he needed. He immediately began calculating the maximum amount of power he could display to secure a top-three spot without revealing the true, unnatural source of his core's growth. The Steam affinity was now his emergency button.