Chapter 1 : The Student and the master .

"Elise, come quickly! You're wasting my time!" Erin's sharp voice cut through the cool air, echoing across the training grounds as she stood there waiting, her patience clearly wearing thin.

In the distance, Elise stumbled through the grass, her bag half-open and her hair slightly messy.

"Coming, Ms. Erin! I can't find my staff!" she called back, her voice a mix of panic and embarrassment as she hurried forward.

Elise, how many times have I told you to be more responsible? If you continue like this, you won’t be able to pass the First-Class Mage Exam," Erin said, walking toward her slowly, with Elise’s staff held firmly in her hand.

Elise froze. "You… have it?"

Erin raised an eyebrow. "Of course I have it. Did you think it grew legs and wandered off?"

"I—well—maybe?" Elise mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

Erin sighed, though a faint hint of amusement flickered across her face. "If your staff could think for itself, it would have chosen a better mage by now."

Elise winced. "That’s… a bit harsh."

"Reality often is," Erin replied calmly. She stepped back and tossed the staff lightly toward Elise. "Now, let’s see if you can at least use it properly."

Erin watched her for a moment, a quiet thought crossing her mind. *She’s extremely talented… I wouldn’t be surprised if she reached my level someday. But... her clumsiness needs work *

"Elise, your reflexes and speed are extremely impressive. In most battles, that’s already half the victory. Not many can manage both. So even if your combat magic isn’t exactly reliable, good defensive spells might just keep you out of trouble "

But Master, are basic defensive spells really enough against an enemy?" Elise asked, her tone carrying a hint of doubt.

Erin stepped closer, adjusting Elise’s grip on her staff. "In this era, mages rely too much on powerful combat spells or narrow fields of magic. They chase mastery of a single technique and forget the basics—yet those same basics are often enough to end a battle."

Elise nodded slowly, though uncertainty lingered in her eyes. She glanced at her staff, then back at Erin. " I’ll try, Master… I just hope I don’t set myself on fire again."

" Silly kid ," Erin said, nudging her shoulder gently. It was a small gesture, but enough to reassure her that she could improve.

" What are we learning today, Ms. Erin—sorry, Master !" Elise corrected herself quickly.

" Today’s lesson is barrier and veil creation ," Erin replied calmly.

" A barrier for what , Master ?" Elise asked curiously.

" Barriers and veils are two different forms of magic," Erin said. "Barriers are for protection. "

She paused, watching Elise carefully.

" Veils, however, are used to conceal battles from the outside world. Unlike barriers, they don’t just block attacks—they hide everything within them. Only a few individuals can enter or pass through a veil once it’s formed. "

Erin lowered her staff slightly. "Now watch carefully."

Without another word, she stepped forward into the open training ground and lifted her staff. A faint glow formed at its tip, steady and controlled.

"This is a basic barrier," she said.

With a small, precise motion, the magic expanded outward. A thin, almost invisible layer formed in front of her. It shimmered faintly like glass catching sunlight, distorting the air beyond it.

"Barriers are simple," Erin continued. "They block impact, reduce damage, and protect the caster."

She tapped the surface lightly with her staff.

A soft ripple spread across it—but the barrier held firm.

Then, she let the glow fade.

" But strength alone isn’t what makes them useful," she added, glancing back at Elise. "Control does. "

"The veil is similar in concept, except it’s dark and colorless—black, in other words. It may be noticeable to those who can sense magic."

Erin cast the veil, a dark, colorless layer spreading across the training grounds like a shadow.

Elise hesitated for only a moment before following her lead. She raised her staff, focusing carefully this time.

The magic formed—unsteady at first, then stabilizing.

Erin watched closely, her expression calm and controlled.

For once, Elise didn’t lose control.

The veil held.

A faint nod came from Erin. "You're getting better at this ."

High above the training grounds, beyond the palace windows, two figures stood observing in silence.

The Crown Prince of Heviruna—Cloud—and his right-hand knight, Sir Killian.

At first, Cloud’s gaze drifted across the field without much interest, as if this were no different from any other training session.

Then it paused.

His eyes settled on the veil… then shifted to the mage who cast it.

Erin.

There was something precise about her movements. Controlled. Effortless.

Cloud’s expression changed, just slightly.

"That level of control…" he murmured.

Sir Killian followed his gaze. "Not an ordinary mage."

Cloud said nothing for a moment, his attention no longer wandering.

"No…" he replied quietly. "She’s not."Sir Killian stepped forward slightly, his voice calm. "She's known as one of the finest mages of this era… though many say she surpasses even the mages of the past."

"Interesting," the prince said, a faint amusement in his voice.

And below, the training grounds continued as if nothing had changed—yet something already had.

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