In the Capital city of Cardial, every child began their formal education at the age of seven. It was at this age that their mana cores started to manifest faint traces of energy, shimmering lights only visible to trained eyes. These early signs helped the schools determine the child's elemental affinity with tools , allowing teachers to guide them in the right direction and prepare them for their first spell formation in the years to come.
"Kelven, let's go! It's time for school to start. You don't want to be late on your first day!" Bella's voice echoed through the hall.
"Coming, Mom! Just packing my things!" Kelven called back, his voice full of excitement.
Edward chuckled as he watched his son dart around the room, clutching books and a small lunchbox. "He sure is excited for school."
"Of course he is," Bella said, smiling warmly as she adjusted his little collar.
Kelven twirled once, showing off his new school uniform , a navy-blue tunic with golden edges, paired with cream trousers and a polished badge pinned to his chest. The badge bore the mark of Seen School: an open book surrounded by 12 glowing stars, each representing one of the elemental affinities.
"Let's go, Mommy, Daddy!" Kelven said, holding their hands as they walked toward the family carriage.
The streets were alive with movement. Children dressed in similar uniforms filled the roads, some walking hand-in-hand with their parents, others seated proudly in carriages, waving to friends and neighbors.
Kelven pressed his face to the window, eyes wide. "Wow, Mommy, look! What a huge gate! And there are so many people!"
Bella laughed softly. "This is just the beginning, my love. Wait until you see what's inside."
Edward grinned from beside her. "Hahaha, Kel, this is nothing. When you grow older and enter the Royal Academy for advanced magic studies, that will really amaze you."
Kelven's eyes sparkled. "Really, Dad? Have you been to one before?"
Edward froze for a moment, his expression faltering. Bella covered her mouth to hide a giggle.
"Kel," Edward said after a pause, smiling softly, "not everyone gets the chance to go to an academy. But don't you worry, you have us. We'll make sure you get there someday." His voice held a quiet determination that could cut through steel.
Bella reached over and squeezed his hand gently, feeling the weight of his memories. As an orphan who had once struggled to buy even his own shoes, Edward carried deep scars, but also a fierce will to give his son the life he never had.
Kelven leaned forward and hugged his father tightly. "Don't worry, Dad. Your son is good at everything he does! I'll get into the best academy in the world, you'll see!"
Edward laughed, his eyes turning moist as he kissed his son's forehead. "Yeah… I know my son is the best."
Bella teased gently, "Hmm, if confidence were a weapon, our Kel would already be a mage king."
Kelven puffed his chest. "Then I'd be invincible!"
Their laughter filled the carriage as it rolled down the cobblestone road toward Seen School.
...…
The massive school gates loomed ahead, twenty feet tall, covered in intricate engravings of floating books and swirling mana symbols. Up close, the carvings seemed alive, faintly glowing with an ancient charm that made them appear as if whispering knowledge to anyone who gazed too long.
"That's the mark of Seen School," Edward said proudly. "It's said these runes were carved by the very first Archmage of our capital city, voda"
While they waited for the gates to open, a sudden gust of wind swept through the air. A majestic flying carriage, its body gleaming with violet metal and lightning patterns, descended gracefully from the sky. The crowd gasped and murmured in awe.
"That emblem…" Bella whispered. "It's from the Violet Family."
The Violet Dukedom, one of the five great houses of the Blossom Kingdom, was famous for its members' thunder affinity and fiery tempers. The other four duke families were Mabel, Bernadette, Wialliam, and Peral, each commanding enormous influence across the kingdom which span millions of miles.
The Violet carriage hovered just above the ground and landed smoothly before the gates. Almost as if on cue, the gates of Seen School began to open, massive doors parting with a deep, resonant hum.
Kelven's eyes widened. "Whoa… Dad! Did they know the gate would open right then?"
Edward chuckled. "When you're from a duke family, even the gates know better than to keep you waiting."
Bella interjected with a wry smile. "Let's just say… nobility always has its own timing."
Kelven understand all of it, watching this, he felt something stir inside, a quiet curiosity and a burning resolve. He didn't have lightning-filled carriages or noble titles now, But one day, everyone would know his name.
As the massive gates of Seen School slowly opened, a hush fell over the crowd. From the elegant violet-colored carriage that had just landed, a tall man stepped down, his presence alone commanding silence. His black hair streaked with faint lines of purple shimmered under the sunlight, and his eyes, deep violet like storm clouds before lightning, glowed faintly with mana.