Jace the Elemental

Jace sat on the edge of his bed, gazing out the window as the last traces of sunlight faded, giving way to the deep indigo of night. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of magic that seemed to permeate the Academy's walls. He took a deep breath, the cool evening air filling his lungs, and let out a slow, contented sigh.

"I'm actually here," he murmured, a smile creeping onto his face. It was hard to believe. Years of training, countless hours spent honing his skills, and more than a few moments of doubt—all of it had led to this. He leaned back on the bed, the soft mattress conforming to his weight, and stared up at the ceiling.

"But this is just the start," he thought to himself, his chest tightening with a mix of excitement and apprehension. He had done everything to get here, and now that he'd made it, he knew the real work was just beginning. Becoming a pro wasn't just about being at the Academy—it was about being the best. He needed to be at the top.

As he lay there, his mind raced with thoughts of the challenges ahead. The faint sound of distant laughter and the occasional crackle of magic from other dorms reminded him that he wasn't alone in this journey. Everyone here had their own dreams, their own drive. He clenched his fists, determination surging through him. 

He wouldn't let this opportunity slip away.

It took him a while to wind down enough to fall asleep, his thoughts swirling with plans and possibilities. But eventually, exhaustion overtook him, and sleep pulled him into its embrace.

An obnoxious beeping woke Jace up the next morning. He groaned, rubbing his eyes, but didn't hesitate to get up. Discipline had been drilled into him during his years of training, and he wasn't about to let a little fatigue slow him down. Quickly, he pulled on his workout gear and headed down to the kitchen. Each dorm had its own fully stocked kitchen, a convenience Jace appreciated. He didn't have time to cook anything elaborate, so he grabbed a protein bar and a banana, eating quickly as he mentally prepared for the day ahead

Classes started early, so if he wanted to get a good run in, it would have to be now. Since he didn't quite know the layout around his dorm yet, he decided to run laps around the building. The morning air was crisp and cool, carrying the faint scent of dew and grass. As he ran, his thoughts drifted to the challenges ahead. He couldn't afford to slack off—not when everyone here was just as driven as he was. The rhythmic pounding of his feet against the ground helped clear his mind, and by the time he finished, he felt focused and ready.

Back inside, he pulled out his uniform. "Full black uniforms, interesting." He said quickly putting it on, it was surprisingly comfortable, designed for both combat and movement. The fabric felt lightweight but durable, it felt like it could breathe really well without feeling like it was going to fall apart on him. The Academy's crest - a simple wooden staff with the five basic elements surrounding it, the words Power proves it on the bottom - was sewn onto the left breast pocket. The pants were tailored for flexibility, allowing for a full range of motion. Jace glanced at himself in the mirror, running a hand through his hair. "Damn, it looks really good too," he murmured, a small smirk tugging at his lips. 

With a final deep breath, he grabbed his bag and headed out the door. By now, other students had started moving, filling the hallway with a lively buzz as they made their way to their classes. Jace glanced around, taking in the sea of uniforms. But something caught his eye—something that made him pause.

"Wait… why does everyone have on different colored uniforms?" He questioned, from what he could see there were ten colors and uniforms had a combination of two of them. "So why is mine fully black." he questioned himself.

He wasn't the only one who noticed. Groups of students were huddled together, discussing the different uniforms in hushed tones. A few glanced in his direction, their eyes lingering on his all-black outfit before quickly looking away. Jace caught snippets of their conversations: "Do you think it's a mistake?" "No way, they don't mess up uniforms."

For now, he shook it off, adjusting his bag and straightening his posture. Whatever the reason for his unique uniform, he'd find out soon enough. Classes were about to start, and he wasn't about to let a little mystery distract him. With a determined stride, he joined the flow of students, ready to face whatever the day had in store.