Another semester begins at the Ozerint Academy.
Young students wearing clean, well-kept clothes and proudly displaying their wands start another year at the academy. First-year novices, eager to explore the world of magic, walk with bright eyes and wide smiles.
"I can't wait to learn magic."
It is possible to hear the delusions of a red-haired girl who still doesn't understand the reality of the academy.
Second- and third-year seniors, on the other hand, carry tired eyes, the kind belonging to those who didn't have enough rest during the holidays and are already worn down by the academy's heavy routine.
"Man… this end-of-year break is so short. We already have to study again."
However, among the first-year students, there are those for whom this is not their first time at the academy. Eliot watches the magnificent entrance of Ozerint for the third consecutive year, well known among second- and third-year students as the academy's greatest repeater.
"Look over there, it's Eliot. He's here again this year? I don't know how the academy allows him to stay. It's only going to hurt its image."
Says Richard, a boy dressed in fancy clothes, his shiny wand displayed at his waist.
Eliot doesn't seem to care about the looks and comments from the second-year student. He turns his gaze toward Richard.
"Yes, I'm here for another year, aiming to master the magical arts of height increase, weight loss, and anti-baldness spells, just to help you, my friend."
Richard immediately turns red at the comment and pulls his wand from his pocket, as expected from a showy student.
A fireball is conjured and launched toward Eliot, who smiles, already expecting this kind of behavior in a magic academy that has always allowed direct confrontations between students.
He takes a combat stance, ready to receive the attack, when a large silhouette suddenly covers him. Even though Eliot is tall, standing at 1.85 meters, he watches as the fireball's light is completely blocked by a man with long green hair and a large, robust body.
Unaware of the fireball, the man simply walks between Eliot and Richard, taking the spell head-on.
Both Richard and Eliot stop their argument, worried about the man. As Eliot approaches, he notices that the man's clothes are completely intact.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit you."
Richard says with a worried expression, thinking he had injured someone older. However, when the man turns around, Richard realizes he has a very young face. His uniform was yellow, indicating that he was also a first-year student.
"It's fine, senior. I'm not hurt. I need to go, I'm late."
Says the man with a friendly smile before walking toward the classrooms.
Richard and Eliot remain standing there, staring at each other, trying to understand what had just happened, until the bell signaling the start of classes interrupts them.
"Welcome to Ozerint Academy. Please choose a seat and sit down."
Says a thin man with black hair and glasses as he enters the first-year classroom. Around his forties, Professor Davi greets the students.
"Hello, Eliot. I see we have a familiar face here."
Davi says with a hint of sarcasm as he looks at the oldest student in the room.
"Hello, professor. Long time no see. How are you on this beautiful sunny day? Did you miss my handsome face?"
Eliot replies playfully, with a mischievous look, before suddenly floating up to the ceiling, hitting his head, and falling back down at high speed, pulled by gravity.
"Yes, brat, I missed you very much."
The professor says with a fond expression, showing no concern as Eliot crashes to the floor after a "mysterious" flight that he secretly caused just to tease his student.
Clap! Clap!
"Everyone, take your seats. It's time for introductions!"
As Davi claps his hands and observes the room, he realizes that this year's class is filled with very different individuals: a nearly two-meter-tall giant sitting at the back of the room, twin brothers sleeping at the very start of the lesson, and two boys arguing in the corner, preparing to cast spells.
"Uuuuh… looks like I'm going to have a lot of work this year."