《Illusion Theory》


 The first step

    The smell of ash and burning wood fills Aiden''s lungs.


    With every breath, the searing air scorches his throat and nose, each inhales a cruel reminder of the inferno consuming his home. The crackling of flames and the groaning collapse of timber surround him like a nightmarish symphony.


    "Mom! Dad! Eris!"


    His voice cracks as he screams, desperation raw and unfiltered. He drags himself across the blistering floor, his small hands leaving trails in the soot as he inches toward a jagged opening in the wall. His body is screaming in pain, the burns on his skin threatening to paralyze him, but the thought of finding his family keeps him moving.


    Then he sees them¡ªthree hooded figures standing amidst the blaze, their faces obscured by shadows.


    "A survivor..."


    The voice is distorted, unnatural. Whether by a spell or some device, Aiden can''t tell, but it sends a chill through his young body. The tallest of the figures steps forward, their silhouette illuminated by the flickering flames.


    "He''s just a child," one of them says, the tone eerily devoid of emotion.


    The smallest member of the group approaches him, their movements deliberate and unhurried. A glint of steel catches Aiden''s eye¡ªa dagger, held with purpose.


    "No!" he tries to scream, but his voice catches in his throat, the combination of fear and smoke reducing it to a broken rasp. He presses his face into the scorched floor, too terrified to look up, his trembling form betraying his terror.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    "Enough," the tallest figure commands, their tone cold and final. "Leave him. He won''t last long in this."


    "But¡ª"


    "I said leave him. The dead are dead. This child will join them soon enough."


    The smaller figure hesitates but eventually sheathes the dagger. Aiden watches them retreat, his vision blurred with tears and smoke.


    As the group begins to turn away, Aiden forces his battered body to move. He claws at the ground, trying to rise, but his limbs fail him. The pain is overwhelming, but not enough to drown out their parting words.


    "Lunethra," one of them says, the name falling from their lips like a dark omen.


    Aiden¡¯s heart clenches as he sees his parents¡¯ lifeless bodies lying near the group, their forms burned and unrecognizable save for the faint remnants of their clothes. His throat tightens, a scream bubbling up inside him, but no sound escapes.


    The rain begins to pour, hissing as it meets the flames, creating a shroud of steam around the ruins of his home. It cools his blistered skin, but it can''t extinguish the fire raging in his soul.


    The group disappears into the haze, their dark cloaks vanishing like phantoms in the mist. Aiden tries to follow, his mind screaming for vengeance, for answers, for anything¡ªbut his small body has reached its limit.


    His vision narrows, the world turning to shadows. The last thing he hears before darkness claims him is the sound of raindrops and the echo of the name, Lunethra.


    <hr>


    "Aiden. Wake up."


    "Hmmm... Did we arrive?"


    "Almost. I think about 5 minutes and we should see the city."


    The girl in front of him said casually, her black color hair swaying along with the train.


    "I bought some snacks while you were sleeping. Want some?"


    "It''s alright, Eris. You can have it."


    He pat the girl head gently before standing up from his seat and doing a bit of stretching.


    "Let''s hope that we didn''t come here for naught."

 A chance meeting

    As the two walked along the bustling street, they witnessed the vibrant tapestry of daily life in Lunethra. Despite its reputation as an academy city, the population wasn''t limited to students, teachers, and scholars. Regular citizens formed the backbone of its thriving economy and unique culture, creating a harmonious blend of the mundane and magical.


    Merchants called out from their stalls, displaying exotic goods imbued with minor enchantments. Self-warming cloaks hung beside ever-fresh fruits that gleamed with preservation spells. Street performers drew crowds with displays of magical artistry, their enchanted wands painting the air with ribbons of shimmering light.


    Aiden and Eris passed a blacksmith''s workshop where azure-tinged sparks danced like fireflies as a muscled craftsman shaped a glowing blade upon a rune-etched anvil. The adjacent bakery filled the air with the intoxicating aroma of fresh pastries, its display window showcasing bread and confections spelled to maintain their perfect warmth and texture.


    "Smells good," Eris murmured, her gaze lingering on an array of golden-crusted pastries.


    "Want to grab something?" Aiden asked, already slowing his pace.


    She shook her head, though her eyes betrayed her reluctance. "We shouldn''t waste time, remember? The orientation."


    Aiden chuckled. "You''re more disciplined than I expected. Guess I''ll have to skip it too, then."


    The streets grew increasingly animated as they approached the city''s heart. They passed an enchanted fountain where water danced in impossible patterns, suspended in mid-air and radiating a soft, ethereal glow. Children''s laughter rang out as they played around its base, their innocent joy a stark contrast to Aiden''s perplexed expression.


    "Is it just me, or does all of this seem a bit too..."


    "Lively?" Eris supplied.


    "Yeah..."


    Before arriving in Lunethra, Aiden had imagined something far more sinister¡ªa city shrouded in shadows and secrets. The reality before him was jarringly different from those dark expectations.


    "Were you expecting some kind of fight the moment you stepped inside the city?" Eris teased. "I never thought my dear brother would become such a musclehead after all this time."


    "Aren''t you guilty of the same?"


    "We humans are creatures of thought and imagination, you know," she replied with scholarly affectation. "Anyone with common sense would realize there''s no way such an ominous group would openly reveal themselves in this kind of environment. Anyone who thinks otherwise would be either foolish or lacking basic judgment."


    "Are you calling your brother stupid?"


    "Not at all. I''m just stating facts."


    Eris shrugged with theatrical indifference, clearly unconcerned whether Aiden took offense at her analysis.


    "Hah," Aiden sighed. "I suppose that means it''s not the city itself but either a group targeting this place or operating from within it."


    Although somewhat deflated that his dark imaginings of Lunethra had been shattered, he felt a measure of relief that at least¡ª


    A thunderous explosion shattered the morning air.


    Aiden and Eris lifted their gazes skyward in perfect synchronization, their movements eerily calm amid the sudden chaos. Above them, an elegant passenger airship listed badly to one side, flames erupting from its starboard engine housing. The vessel''s crystalline navigation fins flickered erratically as it began a slow, inexorable descent toward their position.


    Around them, the street erupted into panic. Merchants abandoned their stalls, parents scooped up their children, and the once-orderly crowd devolved into a chaotic mass of fleeing bodies. Yet the siblings remained still, islands of calm in a sea of chaos.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    "Well," Eris muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, "I suppose you got your wish for excitement after all."


    Aiden''s eyes narrowed as he tracked the airship''s trajectory. "It''s definitely coming this way."


    "It is, isn''t it? So?"


    Aiden cocked his head and stretched his hand toward Eris, a familiar glint in his eye. "We''re going to be living here for the next four years, so we might as well keep this place safe and clean, right?"


    "We better not be late on our first day." Eris sighed and grabbed Aiden''s hand, her grip firm and assured despite the gravity of the situation.


    Aiden closed his eyes and swiped his hand across his face in a practiced motion. In an instant, his entire body shimmered with prismatic light, as though he were being painted anew. The glow intensified until his form dissolved into a radiant silhouette. When the light subsided, an identical image of Eris stood beside her, mirroring her every detail¡ªfrom her fiery red hair down to the determined set of her jaw.


    "Ready?" Aiden¡ªnow Eris''s perfect double¡ªasked, his voice an uncanny match to hers.


    The real Eris glanced at him with a mixture of approval and exasperation. "Just don¡¯t embarrass me this time."


    Both of them raised their hands toward the incoming airship, their movements synchronized with eerie precision. Magic circles, intricate and identical, materialized around their fingers in glowing patterns of interlocking glyphs.


    "Levitate."


    Their voices rang out in perfect unison, the command reverberating through the air. The street thrummed with power as concentric rings of magical energy expanded outward, wrapping around the falling airship like ethereal ribbons.


    The massive vessel¡¯s descent began to slow, but the strain of supporting such weight was evident in the siblings¡¯ tensed postures. Sweat beaded on their foreheads as they fought against gravity itself.


    "This thing¡¯s heavier than it looks," Aiden muttered through gritted teeth, his voice an unsettling echo of Eris¡¯s.


    "Less complaining, more concentrating," she responded, her brow furrowed in focus.


    Just as their arms began to tremble from the effort, a commanding voice rang out from behind them.


    "City Guard! Stand clear!"


    A squad of uniformed figures rushed past them, their official robes bearing the emblem of Lunethra''s shield. Their captain, a tall woman with striking silver hair, took point at the head of the formation.


    "Glacial Embrace!"


    Streams of crystalline ice shot upward, wrapping around the airship''s damaged engine and creating a stabilizing lattice of magical frost. The combined efforts of the guards and the siblings finally brought the vessel to a complete stop, hovering safely above the street.


    As the last passengers were safely evacuated, the guard captain approached the siblings. Her sharp eyes took in their identical appearances with barely concealed surprise. "That was exceptional work, young ladies. I''m Captain Leaze, and you have my deepest gratitude for your quick thinking."


    Aiden, still wearing Eris''s form, clasped his hands together and bounced on his toes. "Oh my, thank you so much, Captain! We''re just happy we could help!" He batted his eyelashes and gave a girlish giggle that was so over-the-top, that several nearby guards had to suppress their smiles.


    Eris''s response was swift and merciless. Her fist connected with Aiden''s stomach with surgical precision, causing him to double over with a decidedly un-ladylike grunt.


    "Please excuse my... sister''s behavior," Eris said smoothly, though her eye twitched slightly. "The excitement must have gone to her head."


    Captain Leaze''s gaze flickered to their uniforms¡ªthe distinctive silver and azure of new academy enrollees. "Ah, you must be among this year''s incoming class. You should hurry along to orientation; I wouldn''t want your heroics to make you late on your first day."


    "Thank you, Captain," Eris said, practically dragging her still-winded sibling away from the scene. "We appreciate your understanding."


    As the siblings disappeared into the crowd, Captain Leaze watched them go with barely concealed amazement. To her trained eye, their feat was nothing short of remarkable. The power required to even slow such a massive airship, let alone hold it steady, would have challenged most seasoned mages. Yet these two had managed it with what appeared to be minimal strain.


    "I guess I can expect great things from this year''s students," she murmured to herself, turning back to oversee the recovery operation. "Let''s hope we meet again soon."


    Once they were safely out of earshot, Aiden released his transformation with a shimmer of magic, returning to his natural form. He was still rubbing his stomach with an exaggerated grimace.


    "Was that really necessary? I was just trying to lighten the mood."


    "Consider it a reminder to take things seriously," Eris replied, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice. "And if you ever imitate me like that again, I''ll aim lower next time."


    "Point taken," Aiden chuckled, falling into step beside her. "Though I have to admit, that wasn''t quite the exciting welcome to Lunethra I was expecting."


    "No," Eris agreed, her expression thoughtful. "But it does make you wonder if it was really an accident, doesn''t it?"


    Aiden¡¯s smile faded slightly as they hurried toward the academy grounds. "Yeah... it does. Well, let¡¯s leave it to the city guard. It¡¯s not our job to meddle, not yet anyway. I¡¯m sure they can figure something out."

 Entrance Ceremony

    The grand gates of Lunethra Academy loomed before them, their crystalline archways stretching impossibly high into the azure sky. Ancient runes pulsed with gentle light along the metalwork, creating patterns that seemed to shift and dance with each passing moment. The gates themselves were masterpieces of dwarven craftsmanship and elven enchantment¡ªa testament to the cooperation between races that had made the academy legendary.


    "We made it," Eris breathed, her earlier irritation forgotten as she took in the magnificent sight. "And with ten minutes to spare."


    Aiden nodded, equally impressed by the spectacle before them. The courtyard beyond the gates was already filling with new students, creating a vibrant tapestry of diverse races and cultures. Tall, graceful elves with their characteristic pointed ears moved with fluid grace, their traditional robes adorned with living vines and shimmering enchantments. Sturdy dwarves, their beards intricately braided and decorated with precious stones, gathered in small groups, their booming laughter carrying across the grounds.


    A group of beast-folk students caught Aiden''s attention¡ªa tiger-clan warrior whose fur gleamed like burnished gold stood next to a petite rabbit-folk girl, her long ears twitching occasionally as she listened intently to their conversation. Nearby, a wolf-clan student helped a shorter dwarf arrange some fallen books, their unlikely friendship already forming on their first day.


    "It''s exactly as the pamphlets described," Eris mused as they joined the flow of students moving through the gates. "A true melting pot of cultures and races."


    "Though they left out how overwhelming it would feel," Aiden added, watching as a tall draconic student¡ªhumanoid with distinct dragon-like features¡ªducked to avoid hitting their horns on a lower archway.


    "Now that we''re here, where are we supposed to go next?"


    "It just says that the new students have to reach the front of the school. Nothing else."


    LOOK OUT BELOW!


    A loud voice echoed from above them, causing the students to glance up toward the sky.


    Wondering if somehow another unlucky airship has exploded and is heading toward their way, the two glance toward the sky, followed by other students who also wonder what the source of the sound is.


    Flying, or rather, falling toward them at high speed, is the figure of a man, plummeting through the air with all the grace of a falling boulder. His long black coat billowed dramatically behind him as he descended, and despite the perilous situation, his expression seemed unnaturally calm.


    "Should we¡ª" Eris began, raising her hands to cast another levitation spell.


    "Wait," Aiden interrupted, noting something odd about the falling figure. The man''s descent, while rapid, had a controlled quality to it. The air around him shimmered with a faint magical signature.


    Just before impact, the man''s fall suddenly slowed. He landed in the middle of the courtyard with a theatrical flourish, his coat settling around him like dark wings. Standing up straight, he revealed himself to be tall and lean, with sharp features and penetrating golden eyes that seemed to glow with inner fire.


    "Welcome, welcome!" he announced, his voice carrying across the courtyard without any apparent magical enhancement. "I see my entrance got your attention. Excellent! Always remember, young mages¡ª" he paused for effect, scanning the crowd with those unsettling eyes, "¡ªthe most important skill you''ll learn here is how to make an entrance."


    A collective groan rose from the older students watching from the sidelines, suggesting this was not an uncommon occurrence.


    "Professor Drahem," a stern voice called out. An elf emerged from the crowd, her silver robes marking her as part of the faculty. "Must you traumatize the new students before orientation even begins?"


    "Ah, Professor Slo! Just teaching them their first lesson about expecting the unexpected." Professor Drahem grinned, revealing teeth that seemed a touch too sharp to be entirely human. "Besides, what better way to demonstrate practical applications of air manipulation magic?"


    Eris leaned closer to Aiden. "Is he... actually, a professor here?"


    "Unfortunately, yes," a soft voice answered from beside them. They turned to find a young elf with midnight-blue hair and silver eyes regarding them with amusement. "That''s Professor Raziel Drahem, head of the knight major. He does this every year. Well, every year, he got assigned to look over the newcomer anyway."


    "I''m Lyra shallow," she continued, offering a slight bow. "Third-year student. And you''re the two who helped with the airship incident this morning, aren''t you?"


    Before either could respond, Professor Drahem''s voice boomed across the courtyard again. "Now then! All first-years gather ''round. Time for your first test!"


    A worried murmur spread through the crowd of new students.


    "Test?" someone squeaked. "But we haven''t even started classes yet!"


    "The best lessons," Drahem declared, "are the ones you don''t expect." With a flourish of his hand, he produced a small crystal sphere that pulsed with swirling colors. "This little beauty will guide you to the main hall... probably. All you have to do is follow it!"


    He tossed the sphere high into the air. Instead of falling back down, it split into dozens of identical orbs, each shooting off in different directions.


    "But remember," he added with a mischievous glint in his eye, "only one is real. The rest are illusions that will lead you... elsewhere. You have thirty minutes to find the main hall. Good luck!"


    With that, he vanished in a swirl of his coat while laughing heartily, leaving behind a crowd of bewildered first-years.


    Professor Slo coughed a few times to get the first-year attention. "As you''ve heard, the first year will be searching for the main hall by using the crystal sphere as a guide.


    "Those who fail to reach the main hall within the time limit will be considered to have failed and will be expelled from the school, effective immediately," Professor Slo announced, her stern voice cutting through the shocked silence that followed. Her silver robes rustled in the morning breeze as she adjusted her wire-rimmed spectacles. "This is the first test of your aptitude as a potential student of Lunethra Academy. Time management and critical thinking are essential skills for any mage."The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    "But we''re knights!" a muscular human student called out from the crowd. "Isn''t this test better suited for those taking sorcery classes?"


    "Yeah!" Several other students joined in, their voices rising in agreement.


    The murmurs of protest were instantly silenced by Professor Slo''s piercing glare. The womanly elf''s eyes swept across the crowd with an intensity that seemed to pierce right through their objections.


    "So you''re suggesting," she began, her voice carrying a dangerous edge, "that just because you''ve chosen the path of a knight, learning magic is beneath you?"


    The silence that followed was deafening. Even the wind seemed to still, as if nature itself was holding its breath.


    "Allow me to remind you all," she continued, each word precisely measured, "that Lunethra Academy stands as one of, if not the most prestigious magical institution on this continent. Your acceptance here wasn''t granted on a whim¡ªit was earned because each of you demonstrated the potential to strive for excellence beyond the ordinary."


    She adjusted her wire-rimmed spectacles, the morning light catching them in a way that made them gleam ominously. "If you find yourself complaining about something as fundamental as this test, then perhaps you should reconsider your place here before you bring embarrassment upon yourself. This applies equally to those planning to major in sorcery, summoning, or magical engineering."


    Her voice softened slightly, though she lost none of its authority. "While we don''t force students to major in every discipline, mastering the fundamentals is non-negotiable. This is what it means to be a Lunethra student. That will be all."


    With quiet dignity, Professor Slo stepped down from the raised platform, leaving behind a thoroughly chastened crowd of first-years. The only sound was the gentle rustling of her silver robes as she moved, and the distant chiming of the academy''s enchanted bells marking the passing of time.


    The courtyard immediately erupted into chaos. Students began frantically chasing after the various spheres, their footsteps echoing across the stone pathways. Some tried to work together, while others ran off alone, determined to find the correct path.


    "Thirty minutes to find the main hall or face expulsion?" Eris muttered, her eyes narrowing. "That seems rather extreme for the first day."


    Aiden watched the panicking crowd with a calculating gaze. "Maybe that''s part of the test, too. Look how everyone''s rushing around without thinking."


    "Is that why you''re just standing here instead of following one of the spheres?" Lyra asked, still lingering beside them. Her silver eyes held a knowing glint.


    "Don''t the third year also have their own orientation?" Aiden asks, wondering why she''s still here.


    "Quite a rude junior, aren''t you? We do have stuff to attend after this, but it will be a while until then. Do you want help from this lovely senior of yours?"


    "Sorry, that came out wrong," Aiden apologized, realizing his tone had been unnecessarily sharp. "Thanks for your offer, but I think we can handle ourselves."


    Lyra looked at the two for a few seconds before turning her head the other way.


    "Then be sure to pass, alright? I have high expectations for both of you." Lyra bids them farewell and disappears among the crowd, leaving the two siblings to stand there.


    "Quite a character, isn''t she? I thought elves were supposed to be kind and gracious. Well, she seems kind but still..."


    "Ah." Eris suddenly exclaimed.


    "What''s wrong?"


    "We forgot to ask how she knew about the airship."


    "Right. We got so immersed that we forgot about it. Let''s ask her when we meet again."


    Without any worry on their mind, the two follow the path that one of the crystals left behind.


    <hr>


    The journey to the main hall proved surprisingly short¡ªat least for those who knew where they were going. By the time Eris and Aiden arrived, a handful of students had already found their seats among the grand hall''s opulent d¨¦cor. The room was as breathtaking as the gates, with towering stained-glass windows depicting legendary mages and heroes of Lunethra''s past. Rays of sunlight filtered through the intricate designs, casting colorful patterns onto the polished marble floor. Chandeliers floated lazily in the air, their candles flickering despite the lack of any discernible breeze.


    Eris and Aiden stepped cautiously into the hall, their eyes scanning the rows of ornate seats that filled the room. At the far end of the hall, a raised dais held a podium flanked by faculty members, each dressed in robes that represented their respective disciplines. Behind them, an enormous banner with the Lunethra crest¡ªa phoenix encircled by intertwining runes¡ªhung proudly.


    "Looks like we made it in time," Eris remarked, taking note of the clock enchanted above the podium. Only a few minutes had passed since they had entered the courtyard.


    Aiden nodded, his gaze settling on the few students already seated. Most appeared calm, though a few were visibly relieved to have completed the test. Among them, he spotted the tiger-clan warrior and rabbit-folk girl they had seen earlier, sitting side by side and chatting animatedly.


    Standing next to the podium were Professor Drahem, Professor Slo, and two unfamiliar faces: a male dwarf with a precisely trimmed brown beard and a petite woman wearing wire-rimmed glasses.


    (Seems like we''ll meet those four a lot from now on.)


    The enchanted bells rang again, their melodic chime signaling the official start of the ceremony. The remaining students hurried in, filling the rows as the last few seconds ticked by.


    "No! Wait!"


    "Someone hold the door!"


    The desperate cries of the remaining students were silenced as the massive doors were sealed shut with a resounding thud.


    Professor Slo approached the podium with measured steps. "For those of you present, congratulations. You have proven yourselves worthy of attending Lunethra Academy." She gestured to the two unknown professors. "Allow me to introduce the remaining faculty who will be teaching the first-year summoning and magical engineering classes."


    "First is Professor Ariana, who will be teaching Summoning." A friendly wave from the bespectacled woman.


    "Next is Professor Strum, who will be teaching Magical Engineering." The dwarf raised his hand in acknowledgment.


    Polite applause followed each introduction.


    "And last but not least," Professor Slo continued, as a spotlight magically illuminated the side entrance, "Headmaster Tyrene Colem."


    The students waited with bated breath, eager to see the legendary principal who led the most prestigious magical academy on the continent.


    "....."


    Seconds ticked by.


    "......."


    More seconds ticked by.


    ".........?"


    A full minute passed in awkward silence.


    "Headmaster?" Professor Slo''s voice carried a hint of exasperation that suggested this wasn''t the first time this had happened.


    With a long-suffering sigh, she glanced at Professor Ariana, who disappeared behind the stage only to return moments later... carrying what appeared to be a small, gray-haired child in her arms.


    Professor Drahem''s barely contained laughter echoed through the hall while Professor Slo pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering something suspiciously like "not again."


    "Ahem," Professor Slo cleared her throat. "Let me introduce you again. This is Tyrene Colem, Headmaster of Lunethra Academy. Despite appearances, she is indeed a full-fledged adult, so please refrain from mistaking her for a lost child."


    Professor Ariana gently set the tiny headmaster behind the podium, where she promptly yawned and rubbed her eyes like someone who had just been rudely awakened from a particularly pleasant nap.


    After some gentle prodding and what appeared to be a subtle elbow nudge from Professor Slo, Headmaster Tyrene finally opened her eyes and addressed the crowd.


    "Mm? Oh, right. Welcome, everyone!" She brightened momentarily before her eyes started to droop again. "Hope you find the next four years entertaining. Study hard, sleep harder¡ªthat''s my motto. Make friends, eat your vegetables, and don''t forget to write home to your parents. Is that everything? I think that''s everything. Class dismissed!"


    Before anyone could react, she disappeared in a puff of sparkly smoke, leaving behind what looked suspiciously like a teddy bear in her place.


    The entire hall fell into a silence so profound that you could hear someone''s hope for a normal school year shattering in the distance.


    "...That concludes our entrance ceremony," Professor Slo announced, looking like she had aged ten years in the past ten minutes. "Please proceed to the exit where the dorm managers will guide you to your accommodations."


    As the students filed out, a single thought united them all, regardless of race, class, or magical affinity:


    [We''re doomed, aren''t we? Our headmaster is literally a sleeping child who just quoted a breakfast cereal commercial in her welcome speech...]


    [Wait, did she just trade places with a teddy bear?]


    [Is it too late to transfer to the Warrior''s Guild?]


    [Mom was right. I should have become a baker...]


    The sound of Professor Drahem''s uncontrollable laughter followed them all the way to the dormitories, while Professor Slo could be heard in the background requesting a very strong cup of coffee¡ªor perhaps something stronger.