The classroom doors opened with a soft creak.
Boots echoed against the polished marble as a familiar presence entered — Professor Elara Vorn, the same instructor from the entrance exam. Her indigo robes flowed behind her, and her silver eyes scanned the eleven students with the calm authority that had made even the proudest nobles tense during the trials.

“Good morning, Class S,” she said, her voice firm yet composed.

Several students stiffened. Marcus whispered under his breath, “It’s her…”
Elena’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Professor Elara…”

Yes — the same woman who had administered the first test — the one who had made them nearly drown with just three words: “Don’t get wet.”

Elara’s gaze softened briefly.
“I see some of you remember me. That’s good. Attention to detail is important for survival.”

She continued, “I am Professor Elara Vorn. My specialization is Elemental Magic, with three elemental affinities: Wind, Water, and Earth. You will learn control, adaptability, and strategy — essential skills for an elite mage.”

Her eyes swept across the students. “Now, introductions. Stand, state your name, and your specialization. Princess Elena, start us off.”

Elena rose gracefully.
“Elena Elsgard. Ice Magic — shaping, precision, and control.”

Next came Marcus, grinning confidently.
“Marcus Blaze. Fire Magic.”

The other students introduced themselves one by one: Serena Vale, Alric Dawnfield, Hugo and Helena Vayne, Clara Voss, Rufus Grant, Iris Lunehart, Sylvain Arcrest.

Finally, all eyes turned to Leon Milford.

He rose slowly, his black uniform crisp and immaculate.
“My name is Leon Milford,” he said calmly. “And I am a General Mage.”

The classroom froze. A stunned silence followed. Marcus’s frown deepened, Elena’s eyebrows shot up, and low murmurs spread across the room.

A General Mage…

Unlike the prodigies around him, Leon had no elemental affinity, no specialization in a single type of magic. He could wield fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, ice, light, or shadow — any magic at all. But there was a reason General Mages were so common: they were weaker than specialists. A fireball from Marcus burned hotter and struck harder than Leon’s. A single earth spike from Rufus could crush obstacles more efficiently than Leon could replicate.

General Mages were versatile, yes, able to react to almost anything, but that adaptability came at the cost of raw power. Most elite academies considered them supplementary — useful in supportive roles, but rarely capable of dominating the battlefield alone.

The murmurs quieted as the weight of this became clear. Even Elena, usually composed, tilted her head with curiosity and caution.

Professor Elara’s eyes flickered toward Leon, a faint, unreadable smile on her lips.
“I will be very interested to see how you handle Class S,” she murmured softly.

Before Leon could sit, Marcus leaned back in his chair, smirking.
“Seriously? A General Mage?” he scoffed, voice dripping with derision. “That’s what they let into Class S now? You’re weaker than all of us in every specialization, and yet you think you belong here? You’re just… a jack-of-all-trades with no real strength. This class isn’t for you.”

Leon’s gaze met Marcus’s, calm and unwavering, while the rest of the class shifted uneasily, sensing the tension rising.

Professor Elara’s silver eyes flickered toward Marcus, but she said nothing. The challenge had only just begun — and already, the first test of Class S had presented itself.