The sun was beginning to set over the elven village, painting the sky in warm shades of orange and pink. Ares walked along the path covered in fallen leaves, a strange tranquility surrounding them after such an intense day. Although Ares had managed to partially control his enhancing magic, the thought of his blue fire still lingered in his mind.
It was hard not to think about who he was, living in a world where no one else was human. Elves, with their powerful magic and deep connection to nature, lived in complete harmony with their surroundings. And then there was Ares—a human, a stranger among them—who had been accepted as one of their own, yet would always be different.
"Ares, have you ever heard of the Supreme Magic Academy?" Liana asked, breaking the silence as they walked together.
Ares looked at her, surprised. It wasn't common for elves to talk about the Supreme Magic Academy. Although he knew it was a place where the best human mages trained, as a human, he never believed he could be like the elves. Their pure magic made them seem destined to be superior in any magical academy.
"The Supreme Magic Academy?" Ares asked, curious. "I always hear about it, but no one's ever told me how it works or what it takes to get in."
Liana stopped and turned to him, her eyes shining with a determination only the wisest elves possessed.
"It's an incredible place," she said with a smile. "That's where the best mages in the human world train. It's located in the human country, and only those with exceptional magic can enter. Elves, like you and me, don't struggle much to be accepted because our magic is strong and natural. But humans... they have to prove something far greater."
Ares frowned slightly, feeling a small pang of insecurity. While elves were revered for their magic, he was a human living among them. He didn't have their natural control over magic. And humans, despite their intelligence, were often seen as inferior in a world where magical races dominated.
"And how does the academy work?" Ares asked, intrigued.
"Every student starts at the first grade in the Magic Academy, but if you're talented enough, you can rise all the way to the Supreme Institute," Liana continued, watching as Ares absorbed the information. "Students advance in grade as they prove their skills and improve their magical control. Level 100 is the highest, and once you reach it, that's when you can try to enter the Supreme Institute."
Ares nodded slowly, taking in what Liana was saying. Such a big goal felt both fascinating and terrifying. But there was something else he was thinking about.
"And what does it take to get there?" he asked, still uncertain.
Liana smiled, almost as if she had been waiting for that question.
"It's simple," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "You need to become the strongest mage. And to do that, you must fully master your magic. You have to be disciplined and prove that you have what it takes to advance. Everyone who enters the academy starts as an apprentice, but those with true potential rise quickly."
A spark of excitement ignited in Ares' chest. The strongest mage. That would be his goal.
"To become the strongest mage..." he said, his eyes shining with determination.
Liana nodded.
"Yes, Ares. And I believe you can do it. You have something others don't. Your enhancing magic is incredible, and the blue fire... even if you can't control it yet, it has the power to make you unique. If you can master all of it, no one will be able to stop you."
Ares smiled shyly, but part of him still felt insecure. He knew his enhancing magic was powerful, but the blue fire was still a mystery. Something no one had ever seen before. Not only was it difficult to control, but at times, it seemed more like a danger than a gift.
"And what if I don't have magic like the elves?" he asked, recalling what he knew about half-humans and dwarves—beings scorned by humans for lacking magic.
Liana stopped, looking at him seriously.
"The road won't be easy, Ares. Half-humans and dwarves have always been looked down on for not having elemental magic. But your enhancing magic is powerful. If you manage to control your blue fire, it won't matter what others say. You'll be a unique mage, and no one will be able to deny it."
Ares fell silent, processing her words. Even though the dwarves' enhancing magic and his lack of control over the blue fire seemed like a disadvantage, something deep inside told him he could do it. The path to the Supreme Magic Academy would be hard, but now he had a clear purpose.
"So... when do I start?" he asked, with a determined smile.
Liana laughed softly.
"With the first step. You'll start at the Magic Academy like everyone else, but to reach the Supreme Institute, you'll need more than just talent. You'll need determination, effort, and most importantly, control over your powers. If you manage that, you'll become the strongest mage."
Ares nodded, his mind full of goals and his heart pounding with excitement. The Magic Academy was just the beginning. Now he knew what he wanted to achieve: to become the strongest mage, to master his blue fire, and to earn the respect he had always dreamed of. The road wouldn't be easy, but he was ready to begin.
"I'm going to do it!" he declared, determined.
Liana smiled, seeing the resolve in her friend's eyes.
"I know, Ares. And I'll be here to help you every step of the way."