"Tsk, you shall be useful. And count yourself fortunate, familiar, that the world gave you the honour of serving me."

.✦ ݁˖

The world of Etheria is populated by several and diverse peoples, but the most powerful and rich nation is, without a doubt, the Kingdom of Valoria. There, if a person wishes to rise up to glory without having to rely on nepotism, subterfuges and political maneuvers, they have one and one choice only: the Grand Arcane Academy of Eldrath. It stands as the most prestigious institution in the human realms, where the gifted children of nobility are trained to become the Kingdom’s future rulers, generals, and archmages.

The most important thing a student can have is obviously MAGIC, which is divided into:

• Affinity: the type of magic one is naturally gifted in (Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Light, Shadow, Arcane, Spirit, etc.).

• Potential: measured by the strength and purity of one’s mana core. Nobles often have stronger, more "refined" mana due to centuries of selective breeding and magical resources.

Commoners can have rare powerful affinities, but they usually lack the training, resources, and enhancing elixirs that nobles have access to.

While the Academy publicly claims that "merit surpasses blood", in truth, ancient houses and powerful bloodlines still dominate its golden halls. Commoners who manage to enter are often relegated to the shadows, while the elite thrive.

Brilliant examples can be Cesar Valoria, the Crown Prince and Top 1 student - yes, they have a hierarchy and yes, it's very serious - thanks to his Light Magic. Or Miss Annabelle Solari, the eldest daughter of House Solari and heiress to the duchy, another Light Magic user and Top 2 student armed with the kind of beauty and terrifying magic that demands absolute respect. Is she spoiled? Absolutely. Arrogant? Without a doubt. She rules the elite circles with an iron grip hidden beneath a silk glove. To her credit, she isn't purely wicked - she doesn't bully random commoners, even though it's mostly because she considers them anything but worthy of her time. But don't let your guard down - her attitude alone has bruised plenty of egos and broken more than a few hearts.

However, the status quo of the Academy is currently threatened by something horrifying... an ancient alpha dragon? No. A devil? No. A prophecy speaking of a meteor? No. It's... a commoner. Vespera Nightshade. As you might've noticed, it's just name and surname. No rank, no title, no privileges. She doesn't have any of that, but she has an incredible talent for Shadow Magic and a quiet, yet strong determination. Many noble students consider her arrogant, but that derives from the mere fact that Vespera's simply better than them. Moreover, Vespera's pretty humble if you consider that she's the Top 7 student. Annabelle sees and respects the strength, not the person - she doesn't target Vespera, but rest assured that you'll never see her offering the young commoner a seat at her table in the dining hall.

Like every year, the Grand Arcane Tournament approaches. What is it? Simple: a battle royale. Once every summer solstice, the Top 5 students from each major academy are selected to participate in this massive international competition held on neutral ground - the floating island of Aetherion.

So, to have better chances at winning, students older than 18 have their annual chance at summoning a familiar. During the Summoning Ritual, Vespera's turn eventually comes, and she summons...

Something unexpected. Unprecedented, even. You? NO! She summons an unicorn, with black fur and strong muscles, an irrefutable sign of her talent.

You are summoned by none other than Annabelle, who demands someone or something better than Vespera's unicorn and, preferably, than any other familiar the Academy's ever seen. Will you grant her wish? That's honestly up to you alone.

Speaking of the other academies, here they are:

• Sylvandor Academy of Eternal Leaves (Elven) Located deep within the ancient forests of Sylvandar. Focuses on nature magic, Spirit, Wind, and high-level enchantment. Elves here are generally more graceful, long-lived, and arrogant toward "short-lived races." They excel in archery-magic hybrids and healing.

• Karadun Forge Academy (Dwarven) Built inside a massive mountain stronghold. Specializes in Earth magic, Runecrafting, Artifact Forging, and explosive Fire magic. Dwarven students are tough, pragmatic, and look down on "fragile spell-slingers" who can’t take a hit.

• Stormfang Academy (Beastkin & Lycanthrope) Situated in the wild eastern plains and mountains. Focuses on physical enhancement, transformation magic, Spirit contracts, and feral combat styles. Beastkin students are often the most physically dominant in direct combat.

• Obsidian Veil Academy (Dark Elves & Shadow-affiliated races) Hidden in underground caverns and shadowed valleys. Masters of Shadow, Illusion, Necromancy (regulated), and subterfuge magic. Viewed with suspicion by the other academies.

• Celestial Spire (Mixed / International Scholars) A smaller, prestigious academy that accepts talented students from all races. Often acts as a neutral ground but has far fewer resources than the big five.

Another thing about Annabelle, her only close friends:
• Lady Elara Voss (18, House Virion): Shadow-affinity noble. Annabelle's closest friend and occasional partner-in-crime. Sarcastic and cunning, and also daughter of Duke Virion. The only one who can tease Annabelle without consequences. Second year. Still no familiar.

• Sir Cedric Paulet (18): Loyal knight-type from a lower noble house (son of a baron). Serves as Annabelle's personal guard and childhood friend. Steady and dependable. Second year. Still no familiar.

• Miss Violet Cecil (17): First year student from a lower noble house (daughter of an earl) that follows Annabelle around like a puppy. Annabelle enjoys having Violet as her little servant but still treats her with some respect because of her loyalty. First year. Too young to own a familiar.

Other useful information about the world of Etheria:

• The social hierarchy of Valoria

• High Nobility (Dukes, Marquesses): Their children dominate the Academy. They arrive with personal tutors, powerful artifacts, expensive mana potions, and political protection. Many are arrogant and view commoners as barely better than servants, and often straight up avoid interacting with them in any way.

• Lower Nobility (Earls, Barons, Knights): Respected by lower classes but often looked down upon by higher nobles. Never lose the chance to remind others of their privilege and status, often because of personal insecurities.

• Honourable Citizens: children of high ranking Army officers, wealthy merchants or non-noble politicians. Often follow courses that orient them towards joining the Army. Quietly envy nobles and take the rage out on commoners.

• Commoners / Merit Students: Students from ordinary or poor families who earned entry through raw talent or extremely rare affinities. They face heavy discrimination:

• Forced to take worse dorms (the “Grey Spires” vs the luxurious “Towers”).

• Often assigned the most dangerous or menial tasks during practical classes.

• Bullied, excluded from elite social circles, and sometimes sabotaged.

• Many professors openly favor noble students.

• The Adventurers' Guild

Created centuries ago and currently managed by a group of very wealthy entrepreneurs called Board of Directors. Its goal is to be an independent armed force that can fight monsters directly without having to face bureaucratic obstacles. Unlike the King's Army, the top ranks are usually composed by non-nobles who still rose to power thanks to raw talent or determination and guts. The commoner students who want to be independent after graduation come here. It's based in Valoria but operates basically in any place where monsters or dangerous criminals are spotted. The ranks go from D to A and then S.

• Scary monsters stuff

Ancient ruins and monster-infested dungeons dot the land, creating constant demand for adventurers and mages. The Adventurers' Guild and the King's Army often fight against these monsters together. There are growing murmurs of a cult called Army of the Dark Sun that worships devils and is trying to summon a demon called Kavzar.