Chapter 131: Chapter No.131 Multiple Encounters!
[Samael Ashwood's POV]
As we made our way to the classroom, the lively atmosphere shifted slightly, our earlier playfulness giving way to the anticipation of what lay ahead. The academy was vast, and the corridors were already bustling with students rushing to their respective classes. I couldn't help but feel a blend of excitement and apprehension.
Today marked the true beginning of our journey, not just as students but as aspiring mages and scholars in a world where knowledge and power went hand in hand.
When we reached the entrance of the classroom, the door was slightly ajar. I could see Professor Lincoln already inside, standing in front of a large chalkboard covered with intricate magical diagrams. His presence dominated the room, commanding attention even in his stillness. The students were settling into their seats, whispering amongst themselves as they threw curious glances in his direction.
"Welcome to your first day," Lincoln's voice boomed as we entered, his eyes locking onto me for a brief moment before scanning the room. "Today, we begin our exploration into the world of magic that goes beyond mere spells and incantations. Here, you'll learn the true essence of what it means to be a mage."
We took our seats near the window by the end of the last row, with me sitting by the window. Liliana sat in front of me, Sionna by her right side, and on my right side Eveline and by her right side sat Lily with Raven sitting in front of Lily.
But my attention was on the system notification which appeared as soon as I stepped into the class.
[Ding! Multiple Protagonists and Villains detected! Scanning… Analyzing…]
The System's alert sent a shiver down my spine, and my mind was immediately on high alert. I knew the academy was a central point in the novel's plot, but I hadn't expected to encounter multiple key figures so soon. My eyes scanned the classroom subtly, trying to identify anyone who might be one of these protagonists or villains.
[Analysis Complete!]
The System's voice chimed in my head once more, and this time, detailed information began to flood my vision.
[Detected Individuals:
1. Aiden Pierce - Protagonist: Affinity with Light and Fire Magic. Hidden bloodline potential.
2. Seraphina Mirage - Villainess: Mastery in Illusion and Water Magic. Possesses unique manipulation abilities.
3. Marcus Draven - Protagonist: Dark affinity, skilled in Necromancy. Not yet aware of his hidden potential.
4. Elara Moonshadow - Villainess: Shadow and Sound magic user. Dangerous and unpredictable.
Additional Note: These individuals are intertwined in the fates of each other and with you, Samael Ashwood. Their presence in this academy will significantly impact the storyline's trajectory.]
And if my senses are correct, two girls and one boy were looking at me right now.
The boy had envy written on his face as he glared at me, while the two girls whispered to each other, casting glances in my direction. I quickly turned my gaze back to Professor Lincoln, trying to shake off the feeling of scrutiny. The last thing I wanted was to draw unnecessary attention, especially from potential rivals or allies.
Professor Lincoln clapped his hand, "Since everyone is here now, let me introduce myself and then you will stand up one by one and introduce yourselves." His eyes sparkled with intrigue, almost as if he relished the idea of learning about each of us. "My name is Chris Lincoln, Gravity Magic master and your homeroom teacher.
I specialize in understanding the principles that govern the magical arts, and my goal is to guide you in mastering not just your spells, but your very essence as mages. Now, who would like to start?"
His gaze swept across the classroom, and I could feel the tension in the air as students exchanged anxious looks. I admired how he could command the room with just his presence, igniting curiosity in even the shyest of students.
Aiden Pierce, the boy I had sensed earlier, stood up first, his posture confident despite the envy I had seen flickering in his eyes. "I'm Aiden Pierce. My affinity is with Light and Fire magic. I aspire to become a great mage and protect those I care about." His words were sincere, and as he spoke, I sensed a powerful aura surrounding him, a hint of potential yet to be unlocked.
"Next!"
"I'm Sid Redstone," the next student introduced himself with an enthusiastic grin, standing up with a slight bounce. "I'm really into Alchemy and want to create potions that can help people! My affinity is with Earth magic." He seemed a bit nervous but excited, and I admired his determination.
"Interesting goals, Sid," Lincoln said, nodding approvingly. "Alchemy is an essential discipline that intertwines with many other branches of magic."
As more students introduced themselves, I observed the dynamics in the room. Some seemed genuinely eager, while others were visibly hesitant or trying to gauge their peers' reactions. I couldn't shake the feeling that each introduction was more than just a formality—it was a declaration of intent, a way of staking a claim in this competitive environment.
"Next!"
The moment Seraphina Mirage stood, the air in the classroom shifted. Her presence was captivating and unsettling at the same time. With an air of confidence bordering on arrogance, she proclaimed, "I'm Seraphina Mirage. My affinities lie with Illusion and Water magic. I plan to master them both to bend reality to my will."
As she spoke, I could feel the subtle shift of energy around her—a ripple of power that hinted at her manipulative abilities. Her sharp gaze swept over the classroom, locking onto me for a brief moment. There was a flicker of something—was it curiosity, or perhaps recognition? Either way, it sent a chill down my spine.
"Very ambitious, Seraphina," Lincoln remarked, his tone neither approving nor disapproving, but clearly intrigued. "Next!"
The introductions continued, each student revealing their ambitions and affinities, but I could feel the tension in the room building with every passing moment. It was evident that this was more than just a classroom; it was a battleground for prestige and recognition.
"Next!" Lincoln called again, his patience seemingly running thin.
Marcus Draven stood, his demeanour dark and brooding. "I'm Marcus Draven. My affinity is with Dark magic, specifically Necromancy. I intend to delve into the depths of the unknown," he declared, his voice low and serious.
The air around him felt heavier, as if the shadows themselves were drawn to him. I remembered what the System had said about him—unaware of his hidden potential. It made me wary. He was someone to watch closely.
"Next!" Lincoln prompted again, his excitement growing as the roster dwindled.
"I'm Elara Moonshadow," the next girl said, her voice smooth and enticing. "My affinities are Shadow and Sound magic. I seek to explore the hidden depths of both to become the most feared mage in this academy." A smirk graced her lips, and a sense of danger radiated from her. I recalled the System's warning: unpredictable and dangerous.
With each introduction, I could feel the web of connections tightening. Each student had their own motivations, strengths, and weaknesses—potential allies or threats as we navigated this new environment.
The classroom fell silent as Liliana stood, her voice steady but with a hint of challenge. "I'm Liliana Ashwood, specializing in Blood Magic. I aim to support my love Samael with my all."
"..."
The entire class looked at Liliana as if they were trying to process the weight of her declaration. It was one thing to reveal one's magical affinity; it was quite another to declare one's intentions so openly, especially with a hint of defiance in her tone.
I felt my cheeks flush at her words, a mix of pride and embarrassment swelling within me. Liliana had always been fiercely protective, and her declaration underscored the strength of our bond.
"Blood Magic, you say?" Lincoln mused, his interest piqued. "A complex and often misunderstood discipline. I hope you tread carefully down that path, Liliana."
"I will, Professor," she replied confidently, meeting his gaze without flinching. There was a strength in her spirit that I admired deeply, but I knew that this world could be unforgiving, especially for those who wielded such powers.
So they chose to ignore her aim altogether.
"Next!" Lincoln's voice rang out, and my heart began to race. It was my turn, and I could feel every pair of eyes in the room fixed on me.
Taking a deep breath, I stood up and squared my shoulders. "I'm Samael Ashwood. My affinities are Star, Lightning, and Nature—"
"WHAT!!!"
"Did you hear that-"
"Three affinities-"
"No one in the entire academy has that many affinities!"
The classroom erupted into murmurs and exclamations, students turning to one another in shock and disbelief. I could see the mixture of awe, envy, and even suspicion in their eyes as they processed what I'd just said. The mention of three affinities wasn't common, and I knew that it would put a target on my back right from the start.
Lincoln's eyes widened for a brief moment, and I could see a flicker of something—curiosity, perhaps even recognition—before he regained his composure. "Three affinities," he repeated, his voice calm but with an edge of intrigue. "Impressive, Samael. Very few can boast such a unique combination."
He let the statement hang in the air for a moment, allowing the weight of my revelation to settle on everyone in the room. I could feel the intense gaze of Aiden, Seraphina, Marcus, and Elara on me, each of them analyzing, measuring, and trying to gauge just how much of a threat or an ally I could become.
"But," I continued, holding my ground and keeping my voice steady, "my true goal here is to understand the depths of magic, to uncover its secrets, and—" I paused, meeting the gaze of each of the key figures in the room one by one, "—to forge my own path, no matter where it leads."
The murmurs rose again, this time tinged with curiosity and even a hint of respect. I knew my words were vague, but that was intentional. I didn't want to reveal my true intentions just yet, not when the game had barely begun.
Lincoln's eyes narrowed slightly, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "Ambitious," he said, his tone now carrying a hint of challenge. "I look forward to seeing where that ambition takes you, Samael."
"Next!"
"Hello! Hello! I'm Eveline Clearwater soon to be Ashwood, my affinity is water, I too want to support Samael, my fiance."
Eveline's bubbly announcement brought the attention back to the front of the classroom. A ripple of surprise coursed through the room, and I felt a mix of pride and unease. She was declaring our engagement openly, which drew more attention than I had anticipated.
"Clearwater?" Aiden muttered under his breath, his expression shifting to one of annoyance. I caught the disdain in his voice, the hint of rivalry bubbling just beneath the surface.
"Yes, I am the heir of the Clearwater family," Eveline continued, her voice ringing with confidence. "I aim to learn and use my magic to assist my loved ones, especially Samael."
Lincoln looked genuinely impressed. "A strong lineage indeed! The Clearwaters are known for their mastery of Water Magic." His gaze shifted around the room, sensing the dynamics shifting yet again. "Next!"
"I'm Lily Ashwood, Ice Affinity, I too want to support Samael," Lily introduced herself, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling around us. I felt a warmth in my chest at her declaration, a sense of unity among us. Lily's presence, alongside Eveline and Liliana, brought a comforting sense of familiarity to this otherwise tense environment.
"Three fiancées? Such ambitions, and a delightful twist of fate," Professor Lincoln remarked, a slight grin tugging at the corners of his lips. He seemed to enjoy the tension that hung in the air, as if it fed the atmosphere of competition and camaraderie he sought to cultivate.
"Next!" Lincoln called out again, his enthusiasm palpable. The class continued, each student revealing their ambitions, but I couldn't help but notice how the spotlight shifted increasingly toward me and my fiancées. I could feel the weight of expectations pressing down, both from my peers and myself.
"I am Sionna Ashwood, Water Affinity, I too want to support Samael and help protect our family," Sionna declared, standing tall and resolute. Her voice was firm, and I admired the way she projected confidence, even as the tension in the room simmered.
The murmurs erupted again, but this time they were laced with a blend of admiration and envy. I could sense the curiosity surrounding my family connection and the implications of having multiple fiancées at the academy. It was a rare situation, and I knew it would draw attention, both good and bad.
"Ah, the Ashwood legacy continues to grow!" Lincoln exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "It seems you have quite the support system, Samael. Perhaps we'll need to organize some friendly competitions to test the strengths of these unique affinities." His smile was infectious, but I felt a slight apprehension.
The dynamics within our circle were complex, and adding competition into the mix could stir up trouble.
"Next!" Lincoln urged, turning his attention back to the remaining students.
"Name's Raven, Dark and Illusion Affinity. I too want to support my Samael~" Now she is doing this on purpose.
The room erupted into chatter at Raven's declaration. The playful glint in her eyes suggested she was fully aware of the reaction she would provoke. I could feel the weight of their gazes upon me, tinged with curiosity, envy, and even a hint of admiration. My cheeks flushed as she winked at me, adding yet another layer to the already complicated situation.
"Ah, I see. Another member of your expanding circle," Lincoln said, suppressing a chuckle. "Dark and Illusion magic, a fascinating combination! I trust you all realize that with such a varied set of affinities, you'll need to work hard to harmonize your strengths."
"Yes, Professor," we all replied in unison, though my mind was already racing with thoughts of what this all meant. The dynamics of our relationships were bound to complicate things further, and I could sense the shifting allegiances among my peers.
"Now, let's discuss your first assignment," Lincoln continued, steering the class back to the subject at hand.
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..
...
[To Be Continued]
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Stone Me!, I can take it.
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