"The director is expecting you," she stated.

The elven woman pointed gracefully toward one of the castle's towers. "Just ascend the first tower; it will be on the top floor."

"Thank you very much. Pardon me, I didn't catch your name," Jamie said cordially, his charming smile illuminating his face.

"That's because I didn't give it," she replied tersely, turning her back to return to her students. "Stay on the path; it will keep you from getting caught up in the training."

Jamie exchanged a glance with Thomas, arching an eyebrow. 'Clearly, there are professors displeased with my arrival,' he mused inwardly.

They proceeded along a pathway paved with white stones that led to the castle's grand entrance. To their left sprawled three expansive fields reminiscent of sports grounds. However, instead of games, each field was the stage for intense combat training. On either side of the divided fields stood teams of five, each person gripping weapons with determined readiness.

"Begin!" the elf commanded sharply, her voice resonating across the grounds. The students sprang into action, a flurry of movement and skill as they clashed in mock battle.

"Do you know her?" Jamie asked, his curiosity piqued.

"No, she must be a new instructor," Thomas replied, observing the elf as she deftly navigated between the dueling students.

Suddenly, a shout pierced the air.

[Lightning Lance]

"Dammit, Alonzo! Don't pull that stunt again!" the elf shouted, her tone a blend of exasperation and ire.

Barely a heartbeat later, a blinding flash erupted on the field, illuminating the surroundings with searing intensity. Thunder cracked overhead, the sound reverberating through the very stones beneath their feet. The ensuing explosion was so powerful that even from the path, Jamie and Thomas felt a surge of heat and a gust of wind that threatened to knock them off balance.

"Holy fuck!" Jay yelped, his spectral fur bristling as he dug his claws into Jamie's shoulder to steady himself.

Jamie turned his attention back to the combat arena. In the first field, a boy with an eye patch stood poised, a massive lightning fell onto a spear embedded in a towering block of ice before him. The ice crackled and steamed, tendrils of frost spiraling outward from the point of impact.

"Excellent, Thyra. Good reaction," the instructor called out, her voice now composed but firm. "Alonzo, you will run twenty laps around the academy, and may the gods grant me patience not to fry you when you return."

The boy named Alonzo shrugged nonchalantly, sheathing his lance as he began to jog toward the main gate.

"Not to be a jerk," Jamie began cautiously, not wanting to offend Thomas, "but... how in the world did you fight against someone like that?"

He gestured back toward the training grounds where, moments ago, a teen had unleashed a spell of staggering magnitude. Facing off against a high-level Wizard or Sorcerer seemed an insurmountable challenge, especially for someone of a [Common] class.

Thomas chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No worries," he reassured, a hint of understanding in his eyes. "We didn't, actually. The academy understands the vast differences in our power. That's why there are three separate training fields."

He pointed toward the distinct sections of the expansive grounds. "The first is for those without classes. The second is for [Common] classes, and the third is for [Rare] classes."

'So that student is [Rare]?' Jamie mused.

"Sometimes they use the third field for [Unique] classes," Thomas explained. "But usually, there's a fourth training area beneath the castle reserved specifically for [Unique] and [Legendary] classes."

"[Unique] makes more sense," Jamie sighed, the realization settling in. As impressive as his own abilities were, they couldn't compare to the devastating power he had just witnessed. The sheer scale of the spell was beyond anything he'd encountered.

Perched on Jamie's shoulder, Jay chimed in, rubbing a paw thoughtfully along his spectral chin. "My two brothers were [Unique]. Father was [Legendary]. Is it that rare?"

'Your family had [Unique] and [Legendary] classes? Seriously?' Jamie felt a shiver run down his spine as he recalled challenging Jay's father in the past. Not that it would have changed his actions, but the notion that he had stood against someone of such immense power was unsettling. He might have been reduced to ash had things taken a turn for the worse.

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"Yes," Jay confirmed nonchalantly, leaping down to walk beside them.

Thomas noticed Jamie's momentary distraction. "Is everything all right?" he asked, his concern evident in his voice.

"Hmm?" Jamie blinked, snapping back to the present. "Yeah, sorry. Just lost in thought."

"You seemed a bit startled after witnessing that attack," Thomas observed.

Jamie cleared his throat, attempting to mask his unease. "I was just... impressed. Seeing someone so young wield that kind of power is staggering."

"That's precisely one of the issues," Thomas remarked thoughtfully. "With individuals like that, repelling hordes of monsters becomes almost trivial. It diminishes the value of those with [Common] classes. But ironically, people of such high caliber rarely stay put to defend a city. They're often drawn to exploring dungeons or uncharted territories, seeking adventure. That leaves towns and cities vulnerable when a Monster Rush happens."

"I see." Jamie understood.

At last, Jamie and Thomas resumed their journey through the labyrinthine corridors of the castle, making their way toward the heart of the Imperial Academy.

All around them bustled the vibrant energy of youth and ambition. Students of various ages hurried by, their faces alight with purpose. Some wore simple tunics and leggings, the garb of commoners who had earned their place through talent and determination. Others drifted past in elaborate robes and gilded attire, the unmistakable trappings of nobility.

Amidst the swirl of activity, Thomas gestured toward a spiraling staircase crafted from gleaming white stone. "The tower is this way," he indicated, his voice carrying just enough to be heard over the din. "We need to ascend to the very top floor."

Reaching the final floor, they stood before an imposing door of dark oak. Despite the tower's external narrow appearance, this floor extended into a spacious room beyond.

"This should be it," Thomas affirmed, his gaze lingering on the familiar runes that bordered the doorway. "As I recall."

Jamie stepped forward and knocked firmly on the heavy door. The sound echoed dully, but no response came. Frowning slightly, he waited a few moments before knocking again, this time with increased vigor. Silence persisted, unbroken.

He exchanged a questioning glance with Thomas, who simply shrugged. "Perhaps he's occupied?" Thomas suggested, though uncertain.

Deciding to take the initiative, Jamie grasped the iron handle and gently pushed. The door yielded with a soft creak, revealing the chamber beyond.

They entered a vast study. The room was a scholar's paradise, filled to the brim with towering bookshelves stretching from floor to ceiling, each laden with volumes bound in leather and vellum. The scent of old books mingled with the faint of ink.

Curious artifacts adorned the shelves and tables: celestial globes adorned with subtly shifting constellations, intricate astrolabes ticking softly, and glass cases housing delicate instruments of unknown purpose. Racks of scrolls tied with colored ribbons stood beside maps charted on parchment so old they seemed to crumble at a breath.

At the far end of the room stood an enormous desk hewn from dark mahogany, its surface a chaotic array of quills, inkwells, scattered manuscripts, and half-rolled charts. In front of it were several plush chairs upholstered in rich fabric, and behind it loomed a high-backed seat resembling a throne.

Slumped in this grand chair was a figure who could only be the academy director. He was a man of prodigious proportions,both in height and girth, with shoulders like a bear and hands that could engulf a dinner plate. His long, snow-white hair cascaded over his shoulders, merging with an equally impressive beard that spilled onto his broad chest. His skin was weathered, etched with the deep lines of age and wisdom.

His head lolled back against the chair, mouth slightly agape, emitting a sonorous snore that reverberated around the chamber like distant thunder. Tiny, wire-rimmed spectacles perched precariously on the bridge of his nose, magnifying eyes that were currently closed, hidden beneath bushy brows.

"Excuse me," Jamie called politely, stepping forward. The director did not stir, and his snores continued unabated. Jamie shot an amused glance at Thomas, who bit back a grin.

Clearing his throat, Jamie tried again, raising his voice. "Excuse me, sir!"

Still no response. The man's deep breathing continued, an almost hypnotic rhythm.

Not to be deterred, Jamie took a deep breath and projected his voice with the clarity and authority of a seasoned bard. "EXCUSE ME!"

The effect was immediate. The director jolted awake with a startled snort, choking slightly as his snore caught in his throat. His eyes fluttered open. Tiny, twinkling orbs of bright blue squinted in their direction. He adjusted his spectacles hastily, peering at them over the rims.

"Eh? What's this?" he muttered in a gravelly baritone, his voice roughened by years and perhaps too much pipe smoke. "Who's there?"

He coughed several times to clear his throat, then blinked rapidly as recognition dawned. A broad smile creased his ruddy face, causing his eyes to nearly disappear amidst the wrinkles. "Well, if it isn't young Thomas! By the gods, how long has it been?"

Thomas stepped forward, a respectful smile on his face. "Good to see you again, Director Tannenbaum," he replied, offering a slight bow.

The director waved a large hand dismissively. "Oh, none of that now! You're no longer a student; no need for formalities." His gaze shifted to Jamie. "And you must be the bard everyone's been chattering about. Jamie, is it?"

"Yes, sir," Jamie confirmed, inclining his head respectfully.

"Excellent, excellent!" Tannenbaum pushed himself up from the chair with surprising agility, his robes, a patchwork of deep greens and golds, swirling around him.

"You've caught me amidst... deep contemplation," the director declared. "But we need to discuss how your classes will be, and I need to show you where you'll be teaching."

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