The Boy Who Walks Beyond The End-Chapter 32: The Elementless One

The sun rose gently over the horizon, casting golden rays across the academy grounds. Inside the tavern, Zen and Lyra stirred from their sleep, stretching in unison as their first official day at Eboncrest Arcanist's Academy began.

After washing up and dressing casually, they made their way downstairs for breakfast. As they ate, Zen noticed Lyra was unusually quiet, her bright demeanor dulled by something she wouldn't admit.

Once breakfast was done, they returned to their room to change into their academy uniforms. Zen adjusted his coat when Lyra looked at him and said, "You're looking so cool in your academy uniform, Zen."

Zen turned slightly, cheeks tinting pink. "Thanks. You look... good too."

Lyra giggled. "Just 'good'? Not even a little 'amazing'?"

Zen gave her a small smile. "Okay... maybe a little amazing."

Afterward, they headed downstairs to say goodbye to the kind tavern lady who had taken care of them during their stay. "Thank you for everything," Lyra said, hugging her warmly.

With bags slung over their shoulders, they made their way toward the academy. The early morning air was crisp. Zen glanced at Lyra again, noticing her downcast eyes.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Upset? Me?" She shook her head quickly. "I'm not upset—I'm excited."

"Me too," Zen replied calmly, though he didn't probe further. As they walked in silence, Lyra murmured, "We'll have separate rooms now..."

Zen paused briefly before nodding. "Yeah."

When they reached the academy gates, the sight before them was overwhelming—students in various uniforms, assistants guiding newcomers, and banners welcoming the new year.

An assistant waved them over and pointed toward a large board. "Please check your name. The class you belong to is listed beside it."

The academy had three divisions:

1. Royal Class – Reserved for the Top 10 scorers. This elite class had no restrictions on where they could learn and what subjects they could pursue.

2. Aetherion Class – For those ranked 11–40 who showcased exceptional talent. Highly respected and capable of rivaling the Royal Class in potential.

3. Verdant Class – Also ranked 11–40, but placed here based on performance consistency and potential yet to be fully realized.

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Lyra found her name under the Royal Class, her eyes brightening briefly—only to dim again.

Zen, despite scoring in the Top 10, was not listed in the Royal Class. Instead, his name was under the Aetherion Class.

Lyra's brows furrowed. "Why aren't you in Royal Class? You're in the Top 10."

"They said it was decided by the Archmagister himself," an assistant replied. "We don't question the head of the academy."

Lyra clenched her fists but said nothing more. Zen stayed quiet, unfazed on the surface.

Around them, noble students began whispering.

"Hah! The jungle boy landed in Aetherion, not even Royal."

"He probably can't even hold a wand. Maybe he bribed his way in."

Lyra snapped. "Bunch of pigs."

An assistant guided Zen and Lyra to their respective buildings. Zen turned and said, "Do well, Lyra."

She gave a faint smile. "You too. I'll see you after class."

Zen followed the assistant to the Aetherion Class. As he entered the classroom, the walls glimmered faintly with enchantments, rows of runic desks, glowing chandeliers above.

He paused at the doorway, observing the unfamiliar students already seated.

"Who's he?" someone whispered.

"Must be some noble's illegitimate son."

"No, I heard he's the one who got a perfect score in the fourth exam."

A confident voice broke through the murmurs. "Standing there all day?"

Zen turned. A girl with sharp, lavender eyes and silver hair stood with arms crossed. "I'm Fiora Reins, Aetherion Class President. Take your seat."

She wore a tailored version of the academy uniform, her badge gleaming with a lightning insignia.

Zen nodded silently and took his seat.

Moments later, the classroom door opened again. A stern man in deep indigo robes entered. His voice boomed, "Silence."

He was tall, sharp-featured, with silver-streaked black hair and an ornate staff.

"I am Professor Aurellan Vane, your magical theory instructor. I specialize in enchantment and arcane constructs. I will be overseeing your development in theoretical and practical magic."

He continued, "You've made it here because you've shown talent, not because of privilege. Remember that. From today onward, you will begin your training toward becoming arcanists of Eboncrest."

Then came a second voice. Another man stepped in, slightly younger, with fire-red robes and a stern expression.

A man in dark blue robes, adorned with silver runes that shimmered faintly, walked into the lecture hall with confident steps. His hair was white as frost, eyes like molten gold—ancient and piercing. His presence silenced the room.

"I am Professor Vaelic Thorne," he said, voice calm but firm. "Instructor of Elemental Studies. I am here to identify the elemental affinities you all were born with."

He gestured, and with a flick of his fingers, a large glowing crystal orb floated to the front of the classroom, resting atop a pedestal of stone.

"But before that," he continued, "you must understand the divine origins of your powers."

He raised his hand, and images appeared mid-air—ethereal silhouettes of six majestic figures.

"There are six great gods who rule over the elements of this world."

His voice echoed in the silence.

"The Fire God – bearer of the flame that fuels creation and war.

The God of Destruction – embodiment of chaos, ruin, and end.

The Nature God – guardian of forests, life, and balance.

The God of Freedom – ruler of winds and unbound spirits.

The God of Thunder – harbinger of storms and judgment.

And finally... the Demon God – bearer of the forbidden power: Dark."

Murmurs spread through the students.

"The elements you may awaken today—Fire, Water, Ice, Electro, Wind, Earth, Light, Nature—each link back to one of these gods," Professor Vaelic continued. "But heed this carefully: Dark power is not meant for humans.

"No human is born with it. If one is... that means he or she has received the Demon God's blessing—marked as a threat to our world. Such a person would be watched, feared, and—if proven dangerous—eliminated. You'll learn more about this later.

"But for now... let us begin."

He stepped aside as the students were called one by one to place their hand on the glowing orb.

A girl's palm pressed to the crystal. It shimmered pale green.

"Nature element. Next."

One boy placed his hand—blue ripples flowed from the orb. "Water affinity."

Another received wind. Then Earth. Then Ice.

One boy's hand brought forth glowing violet arcs that crackled across the surface. Professor Vaelic raised an eyebrow.

"Electro. Impressive. Rare indeed."

Fiora stepped forward—the class representative. She placed her hand confidently. The orb blazed bright purple, bolts of lightning dancing around it.

"Electro again?" gasps filled the room. "She's incredible..."

Then, finally...

"Next. Zen."

Zen slowly stood and walked to the orb. He hesitated only a moment, then placed his hand on its surface.

Silence.

Nothing happened.

The orb stayed dull and lifeless.

Professor Vaelic frowned and waved his hand, casting a brief spell. "...It's not reacting. Is the artifact malfunctioning?"

Then his eyes narrowed. "Your name?"

"Zen," he said quietly.

Vaelic blinked. "Zen...? Ah, so you're that commoner. The one admitted by special recommendation from the king."

The room stiffened. Students turned to stare.

"A... commoner?" someone whispered.

"In a noble academy?"

"What is he doing here?"

Vaelic stepped back with disappointment etched across his face. "Even commoners are born with low-tier magic. But you... have none? What a shame."

He shook his head.

"You seem to possess talent in swordsmanship. I suggest you abandon this path and join the Swordsmanship Ardent Class. You may still become a knight. Even swordsmen must learn basic magic, but since you have no elemental affinity... learning magic is impossible."

Zen stood frozen, hand still on the orb.

"Return to your seat."

He turned away slowly, his mind blank, heart heavy. As he walked past the rows of students, they whispered—no longer hiding their scorn.

"Trash with no element." "He must've begged the king." "Useless commoner."

"A magicless trash."

"How did a nobody like him even get in?"

"Wasting space in our class..."

Zen sat down, staring at the floor.

Professor Vaelic returned to the front and continued his lesson, but Zen heard none of it. His thoughts were spinning.

He had come this far to learn magic. To forge a future with power. But now... all of it was shattered. No element. No magic. Nothing.

And the stares burned holes into his back. The sneers. The disgust.

When the lecture ended, Professor Vaelic gathered his materials.

"Your class is dismissed," he said. "Proceed to the Academy's Grand Billboard. There you will find your name listed beside a number. Assistants will escort the male students to Lunar Dormitory. As for the female students—you will be taken to Celestia Bloom Hall."

He walked out.

As soon as the door closed behind him, chaos erupted.

Students surrounded Zen, laughing, mocking, jeering.

"Should've stayed in the slums, trash."

"Going to cry now, Commoner?"

"You're worse than dirt."

Just as someone shoved Zen's desk, a voice rang out.

"That's enough."

Fiora stood at the front, arms crossed.

"This is the academy—not a street brawl. Find your numbers and get to your dorms."

Grumbling, the students dispersed.

Zen didn't say a word. He rose quietly, avoiding every glance, and left the classroom with his heart hollow.

He had crossed the border of the kingdom to reach this academy.

And now... it felt like he had already failed