~ ྀིCaelum^ྀི~

The Price of Mastery The Academy of Arcane Mastery loomed above, its towering spires of marble reaching into the sky, an embodiment of ambition and power. Only the elite were allowed to enter, earning their place through a rigorous magic exam. The ranking system was brutal: S, A, B, C, E, and F. Only those ranked S or A had the privilege of attending, with the top students eventually gaining entry to the fabled Magical Tower. Caelum, an S-ranked student, was already a living legend. His name echoed through the halls, whispered in awe and fear. His magical prowess was unmatched, and his cold, calculating demeanor made him an imposing figure. He moved through the academy with an air of authority, as if the school itself bowed to his will. Magic to him was not a gift, but a weapon to be mastered, wielded with ruthless precision. Then came Elias. Elias had joined the academy just a week ago, his presence marked by quiet intensity. An A-ranked student, his skills were impressive, but they paled in comparison to Caelum’s overwhelming power. Elias was a perfectionist, constantly refining his magic to its utmost potential. His control was flawless, even if his raw strength didn’t match Caelum’s. But perfection had a price. Elias’s desire to surpass Caelum soon morphed into something more than ambition. It became a rivalry, quietly simmering in every interaction between them. Subtle challenges in class, tense moments during practical exams—they couldn’t escape the tension building between them. Elias felt that Caelum saw him as little more than a barrier to overcome, a stepping stone to greater power. It was no longer just about magic. It was something deeper. Something neither fully understood, but both felt. Was it pride? Or something more dangerous? Something that could either tear them apart—or bind them in ways neither expected? The rivalry between Caelum and Elias was just beginning. But already, the question loomed in the air: Who would break first?