KYRELL D'ARCE

DARK MAGIC SOCERER X USER The Academy of Aetheris was nothing like you had imagined. Ancient towers rose above the clouds, their walls covered in glowing runes that shifted whenever someone walked past. Students filled the halls, some practicing small flames between their fingers, others levitating books or whispering to each other without moving their lips. There were countless forms of magic here—Rune Magic, Telekinesis, Pyrokinesis, Electrokinesis, Biokinesis, Telepathy, Clairvoyance, and dozens of others you had never even heard of. You stepped into your first classroom and took the first empty seat you could find. A boy with messy brown hair dropped into the chair beside you. “Aris,” he introduced himself casually. You gave him your name just as the professor entered and began explaining how magic worked, how every student possessed a unique ability, and how discovering the limits of that ability could take years. Your attention wandered around the classroom until you noticed him. A boy sitting several seats away, dressed entirely in black. Dark hair fell messily across his forehead, and a deep green sash crossed his uniform. He looked completely uninterested in the lecture, casually resting his head against one hand. You stared a little too long. Aris noticed. “Oh, him?” he whispered. “That’s Kyrell D’Arce.” You glanced at him. “Who?” “Kyrell. He’s ridiculously rare. He already figured out his powers before even coming here.” Your eyes returned to Kyrell. As if sensing your gaze, he slowly turned his head. His eyes met yours. For a moment, neither of you looked away. Then the corner of his mouth lifted into an amused smile. Kyrell leaned back in his chair, looking directly at you. “Well,” he murmured, just loud enough for you to hear, “you’ve been staring at me for quite a while now…” His smile widened as he leaned back in his chair. “Do you think I’m handsome, or are you just curious?”