Nether cracked his neck as he stepped deeper into the academy gym. The room was filled with various students engaged in different types of physical training—some lifting weights, others sparring, and a few practicing specialized techniques.

His brother Arther was among them, easily lifting a barbell loaded with massive weights, sweat glistening off his skin.

Nether smirked. Of course he’s here.

Walking past, he found an open training area. Since this was his first time actively trying gravity magic, he needed to experiment carefully.

He stretched his arms, closed his eyes, and focused.

---

Experimenting with Gravity Magic

Nether recalled what he had learned earlier:

Gravity magic allows control over weight, force, and pressure.

For now, he decided to start small.

Step 1: Increase Weight

He took a deep breath and channeled mana through his body.

Focus on increasing weight...

Suddenly, a heaviness settled over him. His arms and legs felt sluggish, his muscles strained. It was as if someone had suddenly strapped weights all over his body.

“Damn… that worked too well,” he muttered.

He tried to take a step forward—his legs nearly gave out.

From across the gym, Arther noticed. “Uh… Nether? Why are you moving like a turtle stuck in mud?”

Nether groaned. “Gravity magic… is harder than it looks…”

Arther chuckled. “Looks more like you're struggling to walk properly.”

Nether sighed and dispelled the effect, feeling light again.

Alright, increasing weight works. Now, let’s try the opposite.

---

Step 2: Decreasing Weight

This time, he imagined his body becoming lighter.

The result was immediate—he suddenly felt weightless.

“…Whoa.”

His feet barely touched the ground before he accidentally jumped too high, nearly hitting the ceiling.

“OH SH—”

Flailing in the air, he barely managed to correct himself before crashing down.

Note to self: Control the effect before I launch myself into orbit.

---

Step 3: Gravity Manipulation on Objects

Nether decided to test his magic on something else. He grabbed a dumbbell nearby and focused his mana on it.

Increase weight.

The dumbbell sank into the floor.

Decrease weight.

It suddenly became light as a feather in his hand.

Nether smirked. “Now this… is interesting.”

He looked around, then saw Arther drinking water nearby.

Heh.

Nether channeled gravity magic on Arther’s water bottle, making it suddenly ten times heavier.

“Hmm?” Arther tried to lift it—but it wouldn’t budge.

“…The hell?” He grunted, putting more strength into it. “Why is this so—”

Nether grinned. “Maybe you’ve been skipping arm day?”

Arther glared. “Nether.”

“Yeah?”

“…Drop the magic.”

Nether snapped his fingers, returning the bottle to normal. Arther lifted it too fast, spilling water all over himself.

He paused, blinking.

Nether burst out laughing.

“…You little sh—”

Before Arther could chase him, Nether lightened his own body and dashed out of the gym.

---

Ivan’s POV – A Deal with Ivansia

The academy library was quiet, the scent of aged parchment filling the air. I sat across from Ivansia Raviel, our study materials spread out between us.

She was calm as always, flipping through a thick tome on advanced spell formations, her silver hair gracefully tucked behind her ear. She exuded elegance, yet there was an undeniable sharpness in her gaze.

I, however, was more focused on something else.

Her father.

Duke Raviel was a Grandmaster Mage, a figure of immense influence and one of the most powerful magic users alive. If I wanted to learn high-level magic, I needed to be taught by someone at his level.

And I knew Ivansia could make that happen.

---

The Bet

Closing my book, I leaned back.

“Ivansia.”

She glanced up. “Yes?”

I smirked. “How about we make a deal?”

She raised an eyebrow. “A deal?”

“If one of us four siblings—me, Nether, Rean, or Arther—places first in the next semester rankings, you ask your father to take me as a magic apprentice.”

Her expression didn’t change, but I noticed a slight twitch in her fingers—a sign of hesitation.

“…And if none of you place first?” she asked.

I shrugged. “Then I owe you a favor. Whatever you want.”

She studied me for a moment, then set her book down.

“…Do you really think you’ll beat me?”

I smirked. “We’ll see.”

She scoffed lightly, but there was a glint of amusement in her eyes. “Fine. I accept.”

Got her.

---

Ivan’s Magic Affinity

After finalizing the bet, I continued reading through a magic affinity analysis book.

Most people had one or two elemental affinities. A rare few could master three or more.

My test results?

Fire – High Affinity

Water – High Affinity

Earth – High Affinity

Wind – High Affinity

Lightning – High Affinity

Ice – High Affinity

Light – High Affinity

Dark – High Affinity

In short, I could use every known elemental magic…

Except for Gravity and Time.

That was the only difference between me and Nether.

Nether’s Gravity Affinity was something I lacked. But unlike him, I had absolute mastery over all elements.

Which meant…

If I mastered spellcasting efficiently, I’d become one of the strongest mages in the kingdom.

---

Nether Arrives – The Usual Chaos

As I was deep in thought, the library doors slammed open.

A familiar voice rang out.

“Yo, Ivan!”

I didn’t even need to look.

“…Nether,” I sighed.

He walked over, looking annoyingly relaxed, his usual smirk in place. “You’re actually studying magic?”

I rolled my eyes. “Unlike you, I take things seriously.”

Nether plopped into a chair across from me and stretched. “Eh, I’m already a genius. No need to overwork myself.”

Ivansia scoffed lightly. “You placed sixth in the entrance exams.”

Nether blinked. “…Damn. That’s still top 10, though!”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “You barely made the cut for advanced classes.”

“…Still made it,” he shrugged.

I sighed.

Ivansia, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. “Actually, Nether.”

He looked at her. “Yeah?”

She leaned slightly forward, her silver-blue eyes narrowing.

“…Why did you take so much food from the cafeteria earlier?”

Nether froze.

A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.

“…I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She crossed her arms. “I saw you stuffing pastries in your pockets.”

Nether coughed. “I was saving them for later.”

I sighed again. “You eat like a starving wolf, and you have the worst manners.”

Nether just grinned. “At least I don’t look like a noble trying to impress a girl.”

Ivansia tilted her head. “Is that what he’s doing?”

I glared. “No.”

Nether smirked. “Oh, really?”

“…Leave.”

He burst out laughing as I tossed a book at him.

----

Academy’s First Major Announcement

A month before the first semester exams, all first-year students were gathered at the academy’s grand training ground. The atmosphere buzzed with curiosity and anticipation as students whispered among themselves.

Standing on the podium was Headmaster Alric Von Durnhart, a seasoned hunter and former S-Rank adventurer. His presence alone demanded absolute silence, and soon, the murmurs faded.

Alric scanned the crowd before speaking.

“Starting today, you are no longer just students.”

His deep voice carried through the training ground.

“To become true hunters, you must prove your worth in the real world. Therefore, as part of your first semester exam… you will all register as official hunters at the Hunters’ Guild.”

A wave of shock and excitement spread through the crowd.

But Alric wasn’t finished.

“Your first major task as hunters…” he continued, his expression turning serious, “is to clear a C-Rank Dungeon.”

Silence.

Then, chaos erupted.

“What? A C-Rank Dungeon?!”

“Isn’t that too dangerous for first-years?!”

“We’ve barely started combat training—”

Alric raised his hand, and the noise stopped instantly.

“This is not up for debate. The path of a hunter is one of battle, hardship, and survival. If you cannot handle this… then leave now.”

Nobody moved.

Despite the complaints, no one dared to back down.

Alric nodded in approval.

“Good. Then prepare yourselves. You leave for the Hunters’ Guild in three days.”

And with that, the first major test of the semester was set.

---

Ivan’s POV – The Reality of the Test

Back in the dorm, I sat on my bed, thinking about the C-Rank Dungeon.

“First mission as a hunter, huh…” I muttered.

Rean, who was reading a book, glanced up. “You think it’ll be difficult?”

I nodded. “C-Rank Dungeons aren’t something to take lightly. Even trained hunters struggle with them. For first-years like us… this is dangerous.”

Arther, who was doing push-ups on the floor, grinned. “Isn’t that what makes it exciting?”

Nether, lying on his bed with a pillow over his face, groaned. “Exciting? More like a pain. Just means we have to train harder.”

I smirked. “Exactly.”

---

To be continued