The Storming Jasmine drifted closer to the steep cliff that seemed to stretch the entirety of the island. As they steered between the jittering rocks the deck grew dense as lunch officially ended. A cave suddenly came into view, hidden by patches of rocks. Princess Jasmine once again appeared above the masses and spoke in her melodious voice

  “We are now entering the western harbor, one of six across the academy. This is where your Dean will introduce herself and tell us about the festivities this afternoon. The Dean is the person you reach out to for any issues with your housing or well being.”

  Her tone took on a more serious tone, one Jasper had not expected could sound so enthralling “She however is not your mother, maid, or servant. Treat her with the respect you’d show the instructors or headmistress herself”

  As the princess spoke the ship moved smoothly into the cave which opened to an expansive cavern. Sunlight illuminated the chamber by a hole in the side of the cavern. The area was spacious and plain, formed of the same dark stone that made up the rocks and island. The ship pulled towards a flat area sitting before the staircase leading further into the academy. A woman standing on the staircase suddenly jumped and flew across the air. She landed easily besides Jasmine and embraced the princess warmly.

  The woman had deep brown skin and short black hair. She wore a flowing dress made of green and brown fabrics woven together. As she released Jasmine she turned to the crowd of new students with a motherly smile.

  ”My name is Claire, and I will be your Dean for this year,” She spoke kindly with a hidden strength. “Now the dorms hold students from different nations. Our dorm holds students from the Cloud nation, kingdom of Rolling Storms, and the Stone Republic. Please remember the Stone Republic has different cultural values than you do on the Sky Continent. Some will seem bizarre, trust me I’m from the Stone Republic. Every time I visit home I feel some culture shock. So please be patient and come to me with any questions or complaints about a student’s behavior. This academy has students and teachers from eleven nations across three continents. The only way the roof stays standing is if we all move with a sense of respect and curiosity. Today the students and faculty have prepared a celebration to welcome you!”

  As she spoke the ship smoothly slid next to a platform where a table was set up. On the table were dark jackets folded and stacked higher than the woman standing beside it.

  “As you depart from the ship,” Claire continued, “make sure to grab your school uniform. It's a simple jacket but the symbol embroidered to the chest indicates what year you are. AlsoFeel free to check the wall next to the stairs for room assignments. There will also be a similar list at the dorm entrance”

  As the group disembarked and merged with the other students, Jasper noticed a student standing on his own. He immediately approached Claire as she left the ship, his expression firm with barely restrained anger.

  ”Yes, Oberon. Can I help you?” Claire said

  ”I just want to clarify I won’t injure my grades or performance by ignoring this spectacle” he spoke quickly and firmly. As if he had been stewing on what he would say when this moment came.

  Claire let out a sad sigh “No Oberon there will not be any reflection on your grades if you choose not to attend. However I strongly suggest you rethink that decision as this is an amazing chance to showcase what you can do and learn how your time here will proceed.”

  ”I read reports from senior students” Oberon shook his head “I understand the curriculum here changes by the month so I see no reason to attend. This is just a distraction to encourage people with dangerous auras to reveal themselves. I have no business there. I’ll be adapting the rest of the year to ensure I am a top performer in the academy”

  “I’m sure you have prepared long for this year” Claire nodded “However you will find performance at this academy requires more than what can be learned from books. Our curriculum has been rather fluid the first few years but you will see this year we have set standards and guidelines that will hold through the entire year”

  “If you say so” Oberon gave a dismissive shrug “Regardless I will not be joining such a waste of resources”

  “That is your choice” Claire nodded stiffly.

  Oberon turned sharply and pulled a rolled up parchment from his pocket. He didn’t say anything more, just opened the parchment and started reading. Claire gave a disappointed shake of her head and walked away to join the crowd of students by the stairs.

  Jasper watched the scene, stuck behind Ruby who would not move to let him pass. He looked to Alison and Sayer for backup but the two were busy embracing to notice him. Mica stood awkwardly by the loving couple sharing Jasper's helpless expression. He tried once more to pull his sister away but he knew it was pointless. Ruby saw someone removing themselves from social settings, she saw an escape.

  “You don’t want to join them?” Ruby questioned to Jasper’s annoyance

  Oberon took a step back as if social interaction scared him

  ”I see little reason too” he replied, straightening his posture “Auracraft may be the academy’s specialty but not everyone in the world will need it. I’m only here because some of the best professors from the Cloud Nation started working here”

  “You from Cloud?” Sayer questioned, allowing some breathing room between him and Alison

  “I am” Oberon glared at the taller more muscular man “My father is the head of the nation’s agriculture department”

  “Nice” Sayer nodded “We have someone from the Cloud nation in the Advanced Class. Do you know Ingrid?”

  “Not familiar” Oberon denied “There are many students from my nation here”

  “You should meet her” Sayer said “She’s been here longer than most students. She can help you lighten up”

  Jasper held back a chuckle as Oberon’s stormy expression. Alison laughed outright.

  ”I will spend my first day wisely,” he said snootily. “I had a senior student draw up a map of the area around the dorms and I intend to have the area memorized before dinner. I will ensure I will not be late for a single class this year”

  ”That does sound like a practical idea” Ruby nodded ”The academy seemed huge”

  “And just like the curriculum constantly changing” Oberon added

  “The academy doesn’t change that much” Sayer dismissed “You’ll figure it out like everyone else”

  “I refuse to be like everyone else” Oberon defended “I will be the best student I can be”

  “Whatever dude” Sayer shrugged and turned to Alison “Why don’t we head inside? I’ll be your personal map of the academy”

  Alison smiled at her boyfriend “How sweet are you?”

  “Too sweet” Oberon grimaced at the affection ‘If you’ll excuse me I have a mental map to form”

  “Wait” Ruby stepped forward as Oberon turned, her expression conflicted

  “Ruby” Jasper whispered “You can’t avoid your aura forever”

  ”I know Jasper!” Ruby snapped then softened her tone “Sayer confirmed there’s no avoiding auras here. I just need a little more time to get myself ready”

  “What is it?” Oberon glared at Ruby as if expecting an insult.

  “Can I join you?” Ruby asked putting on a friendly smile “I’m not the type for celebrations either”

  Oberon nearly dropped the map in shock, his expression softening for the first time.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  “You want to come with me?” He asked cautiously

  “If you’ll let me” Ruby shrugged “I need to learn the layout anyway, having a map should help a lot”

  “Oh, well” Oberon tried to fight a smile pulling at his lips “I suppose it would be beneficial to have someone with me”

  The group made their way to the stairs as most of the other passengers were making their way into the academy. The list was huge standing twice as tall as Jasper with small writing. The group paused to look for their dorms which Jasper found easily. Ruby and Alison however took some searching.

  “You’re in room 365” Oberon said, pointing at a section of the wall

  “Wow you have good eyes” Ruby said, squinting trying to make sense of the distant scribbles.

  “I agree” Oberon puffed out his chest for a moment before letting out a disappointed sigh “Though humility insists I be transparent and let you know my aura may have something to do with it. It's all in my eyes”

  “Oh really? Can you shoot out beams of force from your eyes?” Jasper asked.

  “What?” Oberon scoffed “That’s absurd. I can see people’s auras. How would I even know what I was blasting if the beams were coming out of my eyes?”

  “That’s your problem until you make it someone else's” Jasper replied with a smirk.

  “Aren’t auras visible to everyone?” Mica questioned, raising his hand which began to emit a soft mahogany light.

  Oberon aggressively rolled his eyes “Yes everyone can see you accessing your aura. I can see it even when you can’t. To me everyone is constantly flashing with light and colors”

  “Is that why you don’t want to attend?” Ruby asked “I can imagine that would be exhausting”

  “It’s part of it” Oberon said “It's mostly on the principle of the matter”

  “Well we won’t keep you” Sayer said with a sarcastic wave

  He grabbed Alison’s hand and started pulling her up the stairs.

  “I’ll see you later” Alison gave a cheerful wave as the couple ran up the stairs.

  Oberon glared at the retreating pair before turning to Ruby “I suppose we should start our tour then”

  Ruby turned to Jasper with a concerned look “Are you going to be alright on your own?”

  “Ruby I am an adult” Jasper said seriously “You do not need to worry about me getting in trouble here”

  “I wish that were true” Ruby sighed “Just find me if something happens”

  “I will come running,” Jasper grinned.

  Ruby gave her brother a smile and gave an affectionate pat on his shoulder. With a final nod she made her way up the stairs with Oberon. At the top the two turned the opposite direction Alison and Sayer had went out of sight.

  Jasper watched the two leave with an odd feeling weighing in his stomach. Things had worked out better than he had planned. He didn’t even need to find an excuse to ditch his sister.

  “Let’s check out the academy!” he cheered, looking at Mica who offered an encouraging grin.

  The two made their way up the stairs and around the corner, met with a plain hallway. Following the growing sounds of laughter and conversation the two found themselves above ground. Across the field were tents set up with a variety of materials around each one. Some had plants growing around them, others had open fires or water magically circling the booth. One booth even had a blacksmith’s furnace and a series of weapons in front of it.

  However the students present were the most impressive sights. Everywhere Jasper looked was a person glowing with magical energy. One student floated fifteen feet in the sky, a visible tornado holding him up. Another had purple flames for hair that didn't release any heat.

  ”Do you want to check out that booth?” Mica questioned, pointing at an area where students were moving boulders, sand, and other pieces of the ground.

  ”Not yet,” Jasper said, walking towards the table with the weapons.

  “Doesn’t your aura allow you to shape stone?” Mica asked

  ”That’s just one part” Jasper chuckled and picked up a steel hammer.

  “You two blacksmiths?” a deep voice cut in.

  Across the table stood a muscular man in a smithing apron and soot stained clothes. He had a thick beard with a bald head.

  “I can’t call myself a blacksmith” Jasper answered with a grin “Just a crafter”

  From his hands his cerulean light flowed, covering the hammer in its glow. Then he grabbed the top, the steel gave way as easily as clay. He pulled and stretched the hammer's head into a rough fan shape.

  “I can mold anything really” Jasper explains “As long as it's not too heavy for me to move a handful. Now this needs some design”

  Jasper reached into his pocket and produced a metal ring with a long needle extending from the top. The ring fit snugly on the top of his index finger leaving the needle like an extended pointer. The cerulean glow flowed through the needle and Jasper began carving a floral pattern into the fan’s steel surface.

  ”Quite a work of art” a smooth voice said.

  Jasper turned and froze at the sight. A handsome silver haired man stood behind him with a gorgeous smile.

  ”If you say so” the blacksmith grumbled “We make cheaper fans out of paper”

  ”Creation isn’t about prices” the silver man said “It’s about taking something and crafting a new existence into the world”

  “Whatever you say Ace” the blacksmith said with a shrug.

  Jasper nearly dropped the hammer in his hands, had he heard that right?

  “I’m sorry” he forced himself to meet the silver haired man’s gaze “Are you Ace? Like saved Star City yesterday Ace”

  “Ah you saw the print” he chuckled at the question

  “Yes it is I” Ace raised both arms above his head with his hands spread open. Each of his fingers glowed with a different color of light.

  “I am Ace. Number one student at the academy. Master of ten aura. Hero of the Moon Civil War. Savior of Star City. And the best slow roast cooker on Sky Continent”

  Jasper couldn’t believe this was happening. He had spent the last year consuming every news print that had Ace’s name in it. To now be face to face with someone he had considered a legend was incredible. Not only that but Ace was far more attractive than any reporter had given him credit for.

  “However we are not here for me” Ace suddenly waved his hands dismissively, though the lights persisted creating a small light show as he moved.

  “Today is about new students and new auras!” he turned to Mica “What can you do my little mouse?”

  ”I unlock doors” Mica said with his eyes to the ground, his face flushing heavily.

  ”Oh really” Ace’s smile broadened “Like doors open to you or its the lock mechanism you effect?”

  ”The lock” Mica said hesitantly

  “Can you lock gates as well? Is it just doors”

  ”Um” Mica looked uncomfortable discussing his aura “I can do gates. It works on any basic lock that requires a key. Chests, doors, and the like.”

  ”Interesting” Ace nodded

  “I guess” Mica laughed halfhearted “It doesn’t really help much in life unless I forgot my house key”

  ”Nonsense” Ace shook his head “Don’t look at a limitation as weakness. Your strength is in what your aura can do and what your aura can do comes from who you are. Recognizing the true potential of your aura is glimpsing a direct core of your being”

  “So how does that work with people who have multiple auras” Jasper asked, his heart pounding

  “Each aura is another facet of the person” Ace explained “Some would say multiple auras is a sign of instability, a reflection of a person with a split self image. However I believe humans are more complicated than we give ourselves credit for. I believe each aura a person has is a core aspect of who they are and should be accepted as equal”

  “I think that’s beautiful” Jasper could barely breathe. This could be his chance. He could truly open up.

  “From you that’s a high compliment” Ace smiled and met Jasper’s gaze “Someone with an aura like yours has to know true beauty. An aura like yours can accomplish many things”

  “I um” Jasper could feel the heat rising to his cheeks as he tried to think of words “I have something else I can do”

  Ace’s eyes lit up, a pale light shining from within “Oh and what’s that?”

  Jasper placed the steel fan on the table amongst a series of wooden poles. He raised his hand and held his breath. He pulled from his chest the strange energy that was his aura. He however didn’t feel for his desire to mold and craft that brought out his cerulean aura. Instead he concentrated on his desire to hide. His hand lit up with a fuchsia light that spread across his palm. He slowly slipped his hand over the fan and as the fuchsia light struck the steel changed, turning into wood. Once he was done the iron fan appeared indistinguishable from the wooden poles.

  “That’s fascinating” Ace leaned in, his cheek nearly on Jasper’s “Only a few students in the academy can use a second aura. What other secrets are you holding?”

  Jasper could feel his heart beating its way up his throat. Ace carried a faint scent, slightly ethereal but homey.

  “It’s just an illusion” Jasper explained, aware of how out of breath he sounded “It disappears after a few minutes or if touched”

  “Ace!” A voice boomed throughout the hall. Many of the students and faculty paused mid sentence to look at the yelling figure.

  Alison approached with an aura spear in hand “Ace I challenge you to a duel!”