If you ask people anywhere in towns or cities in Lower Earth what’s on the floating island of Aegis, they would most likely answer you, “That’s where the Academy of Swordcraft, Heincraft is.”

This legendary academy, for the past three hundred years, has stood as a daring symbol of excellence, boldly challenging age-old traditions. Its magnetic allure reached beyond the boundaries of privilege, extending a summoning call to souls of exceptional promise.

Those willing to unravel the mysteries hidden within both the blade and the arcane arts. People like me, I guess.

Heincraft Academy wasn’t just about combat skills. Sure, you’d learn how to swing a blade, but that was only the surface. What they really promised was something deeper. They talked about merging your body with your mind, connecting your soul with something magical. The kind of magic that doesn’t just come from casting spells, but from understanding the very forces that make the world tick. That’s the part that drew me in. That’s the part that had me hooked.

But none of that mattered yet. I had the academy acceptance letter in my hands, and the next step was to get to Aegis Island.

It had been a week since that letter arrived, and everything still felt unreal. My mom waved me off with a smile that was half proud, half worried, and then there I was, on a creaky carriage, heading for Newpeak City. Three days of bumps and rattles, with nothing to do but think and try to calm my nerves. It didn’t work. The nerves stayed, and underneath them there was this rush. This electrifying rush of eagerness that I felt in every nerve couldn’t be ignored.

And the journey gave me plenty of time to think about how unprepared I felt.

I stuck my head slightly out of the carriage window. The countryside outside was kind of breathtaking. Fields stretched on forever, trees here and there, making the world feel both small and huge at the same time.

Then, finally, Newpeak. The city. Big. Bigger than I ever imagined. I’d seen large towns before, sure, but this one? This one was enormous. People rushed everywhere, shouting about deals, and moving like there was always something significant about to happen. Buildings rose around me. Old ones and new ones, all competing for attention. It was a living, breathing city.

The real showstopper? The floating islands. They were just up there, hanging in the sky like a landscape from a magical world. Some soared high, disappearing into the clouds, while others floated lower in the mists. I couldn’t help but stare and count each island like a precious gemstone, each with its unique size and shape. And, of course, there were the portals. The magic gateways, they called them. They were every bit as enchanted as they sounded.

These portals weren’t just some fancy decoration. They were the veins of the Ariandor kingdom, connecting everything from Newpeak to Aegis Island, from the heart of the kingdom to the farthest reaches of the Stegia and Fervia archipelago. Among these destinations was Aqua Island, celebrated for its lakeside oasis that called out in the gentle wind. The idea you could just step through one and be somewhere else? It was like something out of a legend.

Before I could enjoy the amazing scene too long, a guy from the Heincraft admin team stepped up. He was calm, like he had done this a thousand times. When I handed him my letter, he smiled. “Miss Redgrave,” he said, “you’re the last cadet to arrive. Don’t worry about the portal. It might feel a little strange, but you’ll be fine. A guide will meet you on the other side.”

Well, that was supposed to help me feel better, right? But honestly, it didn’t. Still, I nodded, trying to act cool, and then, with a deep breath, I took a few steps toward the portal.

Wow. It wasn’t what I expected. One second, I was standing on solid ground, and the next? Boom! The world twisted, spun, and then, just like that, I was standing on Aegis Island.

I couldn’t even wrap my head around it. The air here? Filled with magic. Alive. You could almost feel it in the breeze, like the island itself was whispering with life. The ground? It beat like a heart beneath my feet. It wasn’t just an island. It was a living thing.

The moment I came out of the portal, Skywalk’s town hit me with a welcome that felt like a shock to my system, only in the best way. I didn’t even know where to look first. Everywhere I turned, the place seemed to defy what I thought I knew about the world I had been living in. The buildings weren’t just standing there. A few of them were hovering, like someone had tossed them into the air and said, “Here, this is where you belong.” It was like the whole town had been carved out by celestial hands.

And then there were the people. Everyone was dressed in these fancy robes that shined like they’d been woven from moonlight. The needlework on them was subtle, pastel colors twisting and gliding with every movement. They weren’t walking. They were floating, like the clothes they had a life of their own. They looked more like ethereal beings than mere mortals. As if the visual spectacle were not enough, the streets were loud with amicable sounds. Merchants were everywhere, calling out to passersby, their voices combining with the clinking of coins and chatter. Amid the bustle, I noticed a bakery with its door wide open, offering a tempting glimpse inside. The smell of fresh croissants, my favorite, hit me before I even reached it. It was enough to make anyone’s stomach growl.

Ahead, the Academy stood out like a giant. It wasn’t just big. It was majestic. It was reaching up to the sky like it was trying to touch the heavens. It had this pull, as if the walls themselves were whispering to me, “Come over here, lassie, there is much more you still need to see.” It felt impossible, but at the same time, so very real.

Approaching me with a smile, Elena, a woman dressed in a Heincraft staff uniform, beckoned me to follow her. As we walked through Skywalk, I took everything in with awe written all over my face. The shops along the streets were like nothing I’d ever seen. Trinkets with strange symbols, crystals glowing faintly, weapons that looked like they could slice through the very air. Each one crafted with more care than I had ever thought to give anything.

Before long, we reached the Academy’s gate. Now, this wasn’t just any gate. It was a statement. Guards stood nearby, eyes sharp, watching everything that moved. And the gate itself was a masterpiece, engraved with symbols of wisdom and strength. As we walked through, I felt like I was entering a whole new world.

Around me, the buildings gleamed under the sun. Marble statues lined the path, each one honoring a renowned swordsman or swordswoman, frozen in time with their swords held high. The landscape was just as stunning. Fields stretched out as far as the eye could see, and fountains were placed here and there, their gentle flow filling the air with a peaceful refrain of splashing droplets.

Guided by Elena, I arrived at the administration building. My attention shifted to the congregation of fellow cadets gathering in the large courtyard, an area used for entrance ceremonies for freshmen and graduation events for students. It also served as an assembly point for all personnel during the school’s urgent announcements and occasionally provided a backdrop for various communal activities and celebrations.

Youthful faces of boys and girls my age freely socialized with each other, their attire reflecting individuality and personal style. Some wore robes that emulated the ever-changing colors of the sky, while others dressed in garments fashioned to resemble ancient armor.

Elena bade me farewell, and I stood alone, caught in the ebb and flow of unfamiliar faces. My eyes scanned the scene, seeking a familiar presence in the sea of strangers.

The large oak doors of the main building swung open, unveiling a diverse group of adults spanning ages and genders. Leading them was Clara Furell, the assistant headmaster. Her eyes were full of warmth and sagacity. Her voice rang out, “Welcome to Heincraft Academy,” and even though I had no idea what to expect, I felt like she was speaking directly to me.

As she spoke, my mind started to drift, imagining what the academy would be like. She brought to life a vision of the libraries, where time-honored tomes held treasured knowledge awaiting our minds. The training halls scattered throughout the premises came to life, filled with the clash of blades and the recurring footfalls of dedicated practitioners. The dining halls transformed into spaces not only for meals but also for exchanging stories and fostering connections that could carry us through the forthcoming challenges. And the classrooms, ah, the classrooms, where the tales of historical periods would sharpen our intellects and set ablaze fires of enlightenment within us.

When the assistant headmaster finished, there was a shift in the air, a stillness as she motioned for us to stand straighter and show respect. It wasn’t just a suggestion. You could feel the emotional heft of her words, and the anticipation spread through the crowd. The next speaker was clearly someone important.

Once more, the grand doors opened, announcing Holden Gruelcraft, a man in his sixties and the academy’s twelfth headmaster. The way he moved made it clear this was a man who garnered respect. Every step he took seemed thoughtful, like each movement had a specific reason behind it. He was making the path with each movement. The faculty stepped aside to let him through, and it was easy to see why. His presence filled the space, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

He was dressed in a blue robe, and the fabric flowed around him. His silver hair glinted in the sun, and his eyes were dark and expressive. And then, when he spoke, his voice was steady and deep, carving through the air like a sharpened sword. “Before me,” he began, “I see young men and women who bear the responsibility of Ariandor’s future.” His words were firm, but there was a sincerity that made everyone in the courtyard listen just a little harder.

“Let this academy be the stepping stone that propels you toward self-improvement, the catalyst for your growth and fulfillment.”

He continued on with his speech, reminding us it wasn’t just about becoming skilled. This was about becoming something more. The path to becoming an Aura Swordsman, or for those with even more talent, a Magic Swordsman, would be a journey like no other. It’s certainly not going to be easy, but it would be worth it.

“I wish you all the best of luck in your three years studying at Heincraft,” he added, his voice carrying a tone of expectation. “And may the dance of blades and the wonders of magic inspire legends in your wake.” With grace, he drew his sword, its blade catching the sunlight as it slid from its sheath.

The courtyard went dead silent as we waited, everyone holding their breath. Then, a gust of wind kicked up. Leaves and flowers swirled around us, and I watched with my mouth agape as they began to form something huge and impossible. Slowly, the leaves and petals twisted and combined to form a gigantic sword suspended in midair high above us. It was like a scene out of a dream, moving with the same sinuous flow as the headmaster’s own blade.

In a moment that felt both slow and fast, the headmaster brought his sword down. The giant blade of leaves and flowers followed his movement, plunging toward us with all the pressure and power of the earth itself.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as students jumped back, some even raising their arms unconsciously to protect themselves, bracing for the impact. But I stood there, rooted to the spot, unable to look away from the spectacle above. The sword descended, and just as it seemed like it would crash down on us, it landed softly, its weight pressing lightly on the ground. Within seconds, the leaves and petals scattered, carried away by the same wind that birthed them.

There was a brief, breathless silence, and then the courtyard erupted in applause. It wasn’t just clapping. It was pure, unrestrained joy, a celebration of what we had just witnessed. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the headmaster, though. In that pivotal moment, I realized my aspirations transcended the limitations of being merely an Aura Swordsman or a Magic Swordsman. I wanted more. I wanted to become something greater. I wanted to be an Elemental Swordmaster, to fuse the forces of nature with my own sword and wield them together.

As the applause slowly faded, I caught the headmaster’s eye. He was smiling and looking unswervingly at me, and for a second, I felt like he saw exactly what I was thinking, like he understood the fire that had just ignited inside me. And in that silent exchange, I knew my journey here was going to be tough, but it was going to be extraordinary. It would be full of challenges, yes, but also of conquests, accomplishments, and breakthroughs that only happen when you push yourself past everything you thought you knew.