Lightning is a force of raw power, stronger and faster than fire. At its peak, it can reduce a person to ash in a split second. At its weakest, it disorients, offering a crucial advantage in combat.
Yet, fire remains the most prevalent element in magical combat, not lightning. Why? Lightning is inherently risky. Its strikes have a wide margin of error, meaning a lightning spell can easily miss its target, strike an ally, or even backfire on the caster.
This is why lightning spells are typically cast as a cone of multiple strikes, far from allies, and why casters wear insulating garments to minimize the inevitable backlash.
—
A single, precise lightning strike erupted from Professor Soren’s hand, hitting the golden hologram and dispelling it. The students, aware of lightning's volatile nature, stared in stunned silence.
“What you just witnessed, a lightning strike of high precision, is Spellcrafting enhanced by the application of the Laws of Physics,” the professor explained. “By manipulating the electric potential of the target and its surroundings, the summoned lightning is drawn to the target, minimizing its inherent error.”
“And that concludes today’s class. The following students, please remain for a few minutes. Everyone else is dismissed.”
Professor Soren began reading a list of a dozen names from a sheet of paper. The called students, some with puzzled expressions, gathered before him.
Soren waited until the last student had left, then addressed the small group.
“You will fail this class…”
—
Lyra finished her dinner in the cafeteria and stepped out into the campus courtyard. She glanced at the sunset sky, then at the giant clock floating above the yard.
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Fifteen minutes.
Time to head to the lecture hall Professor Soren had indicated that morning. As she walked, she recalled their after-class meeting.
“You will fail this class, with the new curriculum I must implement this year,” Professor Soren had explained.
“For years, Spellcrafting 101 has included a review of basic Gifts of Constellations, which most students learn from a young age. However, under the direction of Professor Harrow, the Dean of Spellcrafting, this year’s classes will omit any such review.”
The professor scanned the group, quickly assessing their backgrounds. “Most of you are from immigrant communities or minority groups, where you learned different magic systems from your families. However, Spellcrafting at the Academy is primarily based on the Gifts of Constellations. It’s crucial that you grasp these basics. Otherwise, the advanced material will be difficult.”
“There’s a night class in this lecture hall at 7:00 PM,” the professor said, pointing to a campus map and directory. “It will cover reviews and exercises, starting tonight. This class is optional, and you may leave whenever you feel you’ve grasped the day’s material. Please attend.”
And that's where Lyra was heading.
Born into a Vaelora family, she was gifted in Spirit Magic. Unlike her childhood friends, who typically joined Vaelora Temples when at age, Lyra’s talent earned her a scholarship to Soluna Academy, the world’s most prestigious institution.
Lyra reached the lecture hall, smaller than the one used that morning. Most seats were occupied. She recognized the faces of the students from the morning meeting. One of them gestured towards an empty seat.
Lyra smiled and took the seat. She scanned the room. Not only were there Spellcrafting 101 students, but also many who weren’t wearing the Academy uniform. There were even a few second- and third-year students, judging by their name tags.
Shortly after, Professor Soren entered, followed by a silver-haired girl. She appeared to be his student assistant.
“Before we begin, my assistant, Alice, will distribute Dummy Spheres.”
Alice held a crystal sphere, the size of an eyeball, and cast a spell. A white cloud flashed within the sphere, and copies materialized before the students.
Alice bowed to the professor and left the hall.
“Let us begin…”
