The Introduction

FIN STOOD resolutely before a towering mountain facade, with verdant forests flanking his position on either side. Yet, directly before him loomed a pair of immense double doors, exhibiting a pallid, weather-worn appearance. Their iron hinges were twisted into ornate spirals that curled inward upon each other, and Fin envisaged that in the absence of the luminosity cast by the bus headlights, these doors would have been nearly imperceptible. Etched into the rock above the portals was a symbol that was alien to him, and below it were inscribed the words: "The flame yearns to ignite, the currents aspire to flow, the winds crave to soar, the earth yearns to anchor, and dark hungers to consume." The word "consume" sent a chill down his spine, and he contemplated his last opportunity to flee. However, he realized that he was not fleet-footed and that there was nowhere for him to escape to.

The cohort of aspiring mages had obtained their apparatus and were now congregating, mirroring the stance of their peer. Grand Master Zoltar strode towards the portal, causing a hush to descend upon the group. Master Raven, who was noted for his expertise, stepped forward to address the students.

"You are about to embark upon a journey into the hallowed halls of the Memora," he proclaimed. "For some of you, this may signify the realization of a lifelong ambition. For others, we fervently hope it will be the origin of a newfound aspiration. To all of you, I say this: the Memora has been established for your own welfare. Your innate ability to wield magic is both remarkable and perilous, and it is here that you will learn to hone and control it. You will also be imparted with a rich knowledge of the historical lineage of magekind, tracing back to the earliest epochs.

"Each and every one of you has a unique fate, one that diverges from the mundane existence you may have envisioned, and one that will unfold within these walls. Perhaps you have already become cognizant of your innate ability, when you first experienced the awakening of your powers. However, as you stand at the threshold of this mountain stronghold, I presume some of you may be harboring doubts about the path you have chosen."

A few of the students chuckled sheepishly, acknowledging their apprehension.

"In bygone eras, the first mages grappled with similar misgivings," Master Raven continued. "Inspired by the teachings of alchemists such as Paracelsus, they embarked upon a quest to delve into the realm of elemental magic. Their progress was slow and limited, until an alchemist discovered that his youthful son could effortlessly execute exercises that had proven to be challenging for him. The mages thus uncovered the truth that magic could be performed by those with a natural affinity for it and that it was most efficiently wielded by the young. Hence, the mages began a widespread search for children with magical aptitude, with one in twenty-five thousand possessing this gift. And so, the first school of magic was established, where students could both teach and learn from one another.

"The mages also became aware of tales of untrained young individuals who had inadvertently caused destructive events, such as setting ablaze houses or perishing in the flames, drowning during rainstorms, or being swept away by tornadoes or consumed by sinkholes. Through education and training, the mages learned to traverse molten lava unscathed, delve into the depths of the ocean without the aid of an oxygen tank, and even soar through the skies."

An inner exhilaration stirred within Fin as he listened to Master Raven's words. Recollections of his childhood rushed to the forefront of his mind, particularly a memory of when he was still young and had begged his father to carry him while they both flew through the air, only to be rebuffed and told to stop pretending. Could it truly be possible that he would soon learn the art of flight?

A small, irresistible voice whispered in the back of his mind, "If you could soar above the ground, it would no longer matter that you cannot run."

"You will encounter elementals, enigmatic beings of both captivating beauty and formidable power that have inhabited our realm since the inception of time," continued Master Raven. "You will harness the elements of earth, air, water, and fire, molding them to your bidding. You will delve into our history as you become the architects of our future. You will be privy to wonders that your mundane self could never have dreamt of encountering. You will acquire profound knowledge and make remarkable achievements."

"Welcome to the Memora," Master Raven concluded, eliciting a round of applause. Fin glanced around and saw that the eyes of everyone present were aglow with excitement. Despite his efforts to remain stoic, he was sure that he wore the same expression.

Master Zoltar stepped forward, "Tomorrow, you will receive a comprehensive tour of the school, but for tonight, kindly follow your Masters and make your way to your quarters. Stay close to them as they guide you through the labyrinthine tunnels of the Memora. These tunnels can be quite complex and one may easily become disoriented until they have become familiar with them."

Fin felt a chill run down his spine at the mention of the tunnels. This was the very fear that had haunted him since he had first heard of the Memora. Memories of his nightmare about being trapped underground started to resurface, along with his father's cautionary warnings.

But the thought of being able to fly soon thereafter silenced these apprehensions, as if he were arguing with an invisible entity.

Master Zoltar raised a massive hand, his fingers outstretched, and muttered an incantation. The metal of his wristband began to emit an intense, white-hot glow. With a deafening screech, the doors slowly creaked open, bathing the room in an ethereal light. The students moved forward, gasping in awe at the sight before them. Fin heard exclamations of "Cool!" and "Awesome!" and, despite himself, he had to admit that the sight was indeed awe-inspiring.