Chapter 62: The Magic Academy Adventures

Chapter 62: The Magic Academy AdventuresThe next morning arrived with clear skies and a cool breeze that cut through the stone alleyways of Eldrath. Inigo stood in front of a massive wrought-iron gate wrapped in ivy and guarded by twin statues of roaring dragons. Above the arch was a silver crest—seven stars encircling a single flaming tower. The Royal Magic Academy of Eldrath. He adjusted his coat, double-checked the confirmation scroll Elowen had left him, and approached the gate. As if on cue, the heavy doors creaked open on their own. Waiting just inside the courtyard was Serina. She looked different today—still in her pristine academy robes, but her platinum hair was no longer tied in a formal ribbon. Instead, it fell softly over her shoulders, catching the sunlight like strands of silk. Her large, almond-shaped eyes brightened the moment she saw him. There was something inherently gentle about her—an aura of calm in a city of chaos. "I-Inigo," she said, her voice soft and a little high-pitched, the kind that wouldn’t feel out of place coming from a shy anime heroine. "You came." "I said I would, didn’t I?" he said with a small grin. "You didn’t think I’d get cold feet?" Serina shook her head quickly. "N-No! I mean... I hoped you would." He chuckled. "That makes two of us." She fiddled with the hem of her sleeve. "Um... Headmaster Elowen asked me to give you a short tour before your appointment. Is that... alright with you?" "Perfect. Lead the way, Miss Tour Guide." Serina’s cheeks flushed pink. "I-I’ll do my best!" They walked together down the central walkway, flanked on either side by majestic spires and stained-glass towers. The academy was unlike anything Inigo had seen—part university, part cathedral, part magic fortress. Students in flowing robes zipped by on floating platforms, while others conjured hovering notebooks and familiars with a flick of their hands. "Is this normal?" Inigo asked, watching a griffin casually land near the stable tower. Searᴄh the Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "More or less," Serina giggled. "That’s Professor Kravitz’s familiar. He teaches Aeromancy." "Sounds windy." Serina laughed again—a soft, bell-like sound. "You’ll get used to it. Over there’s the main library—it holds over two hundred thousand volumes, some dating back to the Age of Founding. And that building on the left is the Duelling Colosseum." Inigo raised an eyebrow. "How many duels happen around here?" "Too many," she muttered under her breath. "Some students think winning a duel makes them better than everyone else." He smirked. "Sounds familiar." She peeked up at him, smiling a little. "But you’re different." "Oh?" "You won, but you didn’t gloat. You protected me. I think that matters more than anything." That caught him off guard. He looked away briefly, scratching the back of his head. "Just did what anyone should’ve done." Serina shook her head. "Not everyone would." They reached a tall cylindrical building at the far end of the campus—white marble with golden inlays and a rune circle etched into the entire front lawn. "This is the Tower of Administration," she explained. "The Headmaster’s office is on the top floor. He’s expecting you." Inigo nodded. "Thanks for showing me around." Serina’s smile softened. "I’m glad I got to." They stood in silence for a second—just long enough for the moment to almost feel romantic. Serina looked like she wanted to say something more, but instead, she bowed politely. "I’ll leave you here. Good luck, Inigo." "Thanks." With that, she turned and walked away, her steps light and graceful. Inigo watched her for a second longer before heading up the spiral stairs that led into the tower. The Headmaster’s office was absurdly large—at least three stories tall, lined with bookshelves, alchemical equipment, and a telescope that pointed not to the sky, but to another realm entirely. Floating orbs danced along the vaulted ceiling, and the floor was a glowing mosaic of the academy’s founding history. Elowen stood by the window, hands behind his back as he stared out over the campus like a chess master examining his board. "Inigo Velasquez," he said without turning. "Punctual. I admire that." Inigo stepped forward. "Good morning, Headmaster." Elowen turned, his silver-white hair catching the glint of arcane light. "I take it Serina showed you around?" "She did," Inigo replied. "She’s... sweet." "She’s one of our best. Comes from a long line of court mages, though you’d never know it from how modest she is." Inigo smiled. "Yeah. That checks out." Elowen gestured to a chair in front of his desk. "Sit. Let’s talk business." Inigo took a seat. "As I said yesterday," Elowen continued, "your skills, while unorthodox, are undeniably real. That weapon you used—it’s not conventional magic, but it behaved like it. The Academy defines magic not just by tradition, but by function. You manipulated the battlefield. You produced force through unknown means. You defended the weak. That, in itself, qualifies you for assessment." "Assessment?" Inigo repeated. The Headmaster nodded. "Every prospective student—no matter their background—must undergo the Proving. It’s a standardized evaluation meant to measure your aptitude, resourcefulness, and magical potential." "Let me guess. Pass, and I get in?" "Precisely. But this isn’t just about entering a school. Should you succeed, you will be recognized not just as a student—but as a contributor to the magical sciences. You’ll have access to classified spellcraft, research privileges, and faculty-level lab time." "Sounds intense." "It is," Elowen said. "But so are you." Inigo leaned back. "So what’s the test?" "You’ll find out soon enough," the Headmaster replied, his expression unreadable. "It changes based on the applicant. You’ll face it tomorrow." Inigo gave a casual nod. "Alright. Let’s go for it." Elowen smiled faintly. "Good. I look forward to seeing what kind of anomaly you truly are." Inigo stood up, steady and unshaken. "Then I’ll see you tomorrow." As he left the office, the sun outside bathed the academy in gold. Tomorrow, he thought, would be the real beginning of his isekai adventure. Complete the test, and he would be like other main characters in isekai animes that he watched. This is going to be exhilarating.