Nova's Room – Evening, Three Days After ReturnThe room was small—barely large enough for the five of them. Nova's quarters weren't much better than student dormitories. Seventy-one years at the Academy hadn't earned him luxury.Nova placed five pouches on the table. Each one bulged with magic stones."Contract payment. One hundred stones each."Blake's eyes widened. "That's generous.""That's what we agreed." Nova pushed a pouch toward each of them. "You risked your lives. You earned it."Jake picked up his pouch, feeling the weight. "When's the breakthrough attempt?""Tomorrow morning." Nova's hands were steady now. No trembling. Just calm determination. "Either I become a wizard or I die trying.""You'll make it," Jake said."The materials are good. My preparation is thorough. That's all I can control." Nova smiled. "Better position than I've been in for decades."Silence fell. They all knew what tomorrow meant. Nova would enter the Advancement Chamber. Channel the panther's eye essence. Force his body through transformation.Success meant becoming a wizard. Failure meant death."If I fail—" Nova started."You won't," Diana cut him off. Her voice was flat. Final.Nova looked at each of them. "If I fail, don't mourn. I've lived seventy-one years longer than I deserved. This hunt—these eyes—they gave me hope again. That's worth the risk."Ethan said nothing. Just nodded."If I succeed, I'll be in seclusion for a week while my body stabilizes." Nova picked up his own payment. "After that, I'll find you. Repay the debt properly.""No debt," Blake said. "Contract was fulfilled. We got paid.""Still." Nova's eyes were serious. "You saved my life multiple times. That's worth more than a hundred stones."Diana stood. "We should let you prepare. You need rest before tomorrow."They filed out one by one. Ethan was last. He paused at the door."Good luck."Nova smiled. "Luck is for people with bad planning. I have good materials and desperation. That's better than luck."Ethan left.Academy Library – Late EveningThe library was nearly empty. Most students were in their rooms or training halls.Ethan found Glan at a corner table. Books scattered around him—advanced rune theory texts. A half-eaten sandwich sat on an open page."Ethan." Glan looked up. "You're back. How did it go?""We got the eyes. Barely survived." Ethan sat down heavily. "The panther was worse than we expected. The ambush after nearly finished us.""But Nova gets his breakthrough chance?""Tomorrow morning."Glan nodded slowly. "And you walked away from a wizard-level hunt with a hundred stones in your pocket. Not bad for someone who arrived here just weeks ago.""Luck. A lot of luck.""So, rich man—" Glan grinned. "Can you buy a drink for your poor beggar friend who's been studying while you were out risking your life?"Ethan laughed. First real laugh in days. "Of course."They left the library. Headed to the small tavern on Academy grounds—one of the few places students could buy alcohol. Weak beer and watered wine, nothing strong, but enough to relax.They found a corner table. Ordered two beers."A hundred magic stones." Glan shook his head. "That's serious money for someone at Level 1. What are you spending it on?""Spells first. Need better combat options.""Smart. What type?""Space affinity. Offensive and defensive."Glan nodded. "Expensive, but worth it. With that budget, you can get quality spells and still have plenty left."They drank in comfortable silence."Things are getting tense," Glan said quietly. "You heard about the School of Runes incident?""No. What happened?""Five students died three days ago. Ambushed during a resource gathering mission outside Academy territory." Glan's face was serious. "Everyone knows it was the School of Elements. Border conflicts are escalating. Principal Victor is pushing for retaliation.""Will there be war?""Feels inevitable. The three schools have been at peace for fifteen years. That's a long time in wizard politics." Glan finished his beer. "I'm staying inside Academy walls until this blows over. You should too.""Planning on it. Just survived one near-death experience. Don't need another."They ordered another round.Spell Market – Next MorningThe Academy's spell market was a large hall filled with vendors. Each stall specialized in different affinities—fire, water, earth, air, space, time, life, death.Space affinity stalls were fewer. More expensive. Space magic was rare.Ethan approached a vendor—middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and graying hair."I need Level 0 space spells. Offensive and defensive. Best quality you have."The woman studied him carefully. Measured his bearing. Decided he was serious. "Budget?""Fifty stones. More if the spells are worth it."Her eyebrows rose slightly. She turned to a locked cabinet behind her and pulled out several scrolls."[Spatial Cut]. Offensive. Creates small tears in space that slice cleanly through targets. Fifteen stones."She unrolled it partway. The spell matrix was intricate—far more complex than the basic fire and earth spells Ethan had seen."[Phase Barrier]. Defensive. Brief dimensional shift creates a barrier that deflects both physical and magical attacks. Twenty stones."Thirty-five stones total. High quality work. Worth the investment."I'll take both."Money changed hands. Scrolls secured in his pack."Practice before you need them," the vendor advised. "Space magic is unforgiving if you make mistakes."Back in his room, Ethan spread the scrolls on his desk. The spell matrices were beautiful in their complexity—geometric patterns that bent space itself.He spent the next two days in intense study. Memorizing the mana pathways. Understanding the spatial principles. Practicing the hand gestures and mental focus required.By the third day, he could cast both spells reliably.Training Grounds – Three Days LaterThe training area was busier than usual. Students preparing for potential conflict.Ethan found an empty practice section. Set up the practice dummies. Began testing his new spells.[Spatial Cut] took concentration. He channeled mana through the patterns he'd memorized, made the precise gesture, and a thin line of distorted space sliced forward. The dummy split cleanly—no resistance, no sound. Just sudden separation.Efficient. Deadly.[Phase Barrier] was harder. The timing had to be perfect—too early and he wasted mana, too late and the attack got through. He practiced against the training facility's magical projectile launchers. Slowly, his success rate improved.Between [Shadow Step] for mobility and these new combat spells, he had real options now. Limited by his mana pool, but effective.After training, a message crystal in his room activated.Roma's voice: "Meet me at the old classroom. Important."Old Classroom – EveningRoma was waiting when he arrived. Her expression was grim."War is coming. Soon."Ethan nodded. "Glan told me about the Runes students.""That was just the beginning. Intelligence reports say the School of Elements is mobilizing forces along the borders. Skirmishes are increasing daily." Roma's eyes were hard. "Do not leave Academy grounds under any circumstances. Stock up on healing potions. Check your equipment. Stay with your party when possible.""Understood.""Tell Glan too. Both of you stay inside the walls." She paused. "I'm being deployed to the border outposts in two days. I won't be here to keep an eye on things.""I can handle myself.""Can you?" Roma's voice sharpened. "You're Level 1. You've survived this long through smart tactics and careful preparation. But war is different—it's chaos, mass combat, survival of the luckiest. Your tactical advantages mean less when spells are flying everywhere.""I'll be careful."Roma studied him for a long moment. "See that you are. I didn't waste months training you just to have you die in someone else's political conflict."Equipment Shop – Next DayEthan found Glan at breakfast. "We need proper equipment. Now.""I'm broke, remember?""I have sixty-five stones left. We're getting what we need."Glan's eyes widened. "You're serious about this.""War's coming. I'd rather be prepared."They went to the equipment district. The shops were busier than usual—other students had the same idea.The magical medium shop had quality inventory. Rings, amulets, focusing crystals—all designed to enhance spell casting.Glan found a silver ring with earth runes etched along the band. "Earth affinity enhancement. Eight stones.""Take it."Glan bought it immediately. Slipped it on. Cast a basic Earth Spike—the spell formed noticeably faster and sharper."This is a huge difference."Ethan browsed the space-aligned items. Found a black crystal pendant carved with intricate spatial runes."What does this do?"The shopkeeper—an older man with permanently ink-stained fingers—smiled. "Spatial Focus Pendant. Reduces mana cost for space affinity spells by about ten percent. Also improves casting stability. Twenty stones."Expensive. But for space magic, worth every stone."I'll take it."They also bought healing potions, antivenom, rations, and a basic protective charm for Glan.Total: forty stones spent. Twenty-five remaining for emergencies.Academy Grounds – Five Days LaterThe tension was palpable now."Another attack last night. Seven dead.""School of Elements forces twenty miles from our border.""Instructors are being mobilized.""My family wrote. They want me to come home."Students moved in groups. The training grounds were packed every hour. Spell practice ran late into the night.Then the announcement came through the message crystals.Nova had succeeded. He was a wizard.Nova's New Quarters – Wizard WingThe wizard wing was in a different part of the Academy entirely. Better construction. More space. Actual privacy.Nova's quarters reflected his new status—study area, sleeping chamber, meditation room.Nova himself looked transformed. Young again—mid-twenties at most. Dark hair, smooth skin, bright eyes. But the pressure radiating from him was immense. Wizard-level power barely contained."You made it," Blake said."I made it." Nova's voice was deeper now. Resonant with power. "The transformation was brutal. Three times I nearly failed. But the panther essence was strong enough. I survived."Ethan, Blake, and Jake sat in the study. Diana was notably absent."Where's Diana?" Jake asked."Great Wizard Aldric recalled her two days ago. Her contract with the Academy ended." Nova's expression was neutral. "Whatever mission brought her here is complete."Gone without a word. Typical."What about the war?" Jake asked."The situation is complex." Nova leaned back. "Supreme Wizard Wilson oversees all three schools. He's Level 4—far above everyone else. But he maintains strict neutrality. He won't intervene directly in conflicts between the schools.""So no one stops it?""Principal Torven of the School of Elements and Principal Victor of the School of Runes are both Level 3. They're evenly matched, which makes them bolder. Our own Principal is trying to keep the School of All neutral, but pressure is building.""And students?""Survive. Stay behind Academy walls. Don't engage unless you have no choice." Nova paused, then pulled out three sealed letters. "But I have an alternative for you."He placed them on the table."Long-term mission. Resource survey in the northern mountains. Six months. Far from any conflict zones. Wizard families are sending their children away to safety. I can do the same for you."Blake and Jake exchanged glances."We're in," Blake said.Nova looked at Ethan. "You?"Six months. Away from war. Safe.Or stay behind Academy walls. Hope the defenses hold."I'll go."Nova handed over the letters. "These authorize your departure. Present them at the northern gate within three days. The mission handler will have your assignments.""What about you?" Jake asked."I stay. New wizards always remain during conflicts—to prove loyalty and demonstrate capability." Nova smiled without humor. "But you three don't need to die for wizard politics. Go. Survive. Come back when it's over."They stood to leave."One last thing," Nova said. "Thank you. Without that hunt, I'd have been dead within a year. Now I have five centuries ahead of me. That debt won't be forgotten.""No debt," Blake said. "We completed a contract. We got paid."Nova laughed quietly. "Still. When you return, if you need anything, find me."Ethan's Room – Two Days LaterPacking was simple. Everything he owned fit in one pack.Clothes. Potions. Spell components. Rations. Crossbow and bolts. Twenty-five magic stones wrapped carefully in cloth.Glan sat on the bed, watching. "So you're really leaving.""Six months in the northern mountains. Away from whatever's about to happen here.""Smart move." Glan didn't sound happy about it. "Wish I had one of those mission letters.""Come with us. We could try—""Can't. The authorization is for three specific people. They check these things." Glan shrugged. "I'll be fine. I'll hide in the library. War is for fighters and wizards. I'm just a scholar trying to learn rune theory.""Stay safe.""You too."They clasped hands—the gesture of friendship between students.Northern Gate – MorningBlake and Jake were already waiting when Ethan arrived. All three carried travel packs. All three had their mission letters ready.The mission handler—a stern-faced instructor named Carver—examined their documents carefully."Everything's in order. You'll head north to the mountain research station. Six months minimum deployment. Food and basic supplies are provided, but—"WAAAAAAA. WAAAAAAA. WAAAAAAA.The alarm cut through everything. Loud. Piercing. Unmistakable.War alarm.Carver's face went pale. "That's the attack warning. They're here—"Explosions bloomed in the distance. South side of the Academy. Massive magical detonations lighting the morning sky in violent colors."ALL STUDENTS TO DESIGNATED SAFE ZONES!" Guards were shouting, running. "THIS IS NOT A DRILL! MOVE NOW!"Chaos erupted instantly. Students running in all directions. Instructors mobilizing. Defensive formations activating across the Academy walls.Ethan stood frozen at the gate, mission letter still in his hand.The war had begun.And the northern gate was sealing.There was no escape now.
