For Viscount Starlight, his daughter Aurora is the best daughter he could ask for. She is cute, with beautiful blue hair, a nice personality, and gifted with the rarest magic element, light.

But despite all the good things, sometimes she can be pretty odd too, like today. His daughter's personal maid came to him with the news that Aurora had suddenly expressed interest in buying an abandoned mine. This was completely out of the blue, as she had never shown any interest in mining or anything related to it.

He couldn't help but wonder if this sudden interest was because of her friend's influence or if there was something else at play.

"But, isn't this mine abandoned?" the Viscount asked.

"That's correct, my lord," the butler replied.

"Then why?" the Viscount scratched his head. "She's specifically asking for this."

"I'm afraid I don't know either, my lord," the butler said.

Despite the potential dangers and lack of profit the mine may bring, the Viscount knew that if his daughter had her heart set on it, he would make it happen. 

"Doesn't matter," the Viscount said. "We will follow her wish. I will buy that mine and immediately recruit some people to do some mining."

"Yes, my lord," the butler replied, bowing respectfully.

***

The next day. 

"Miss, as you wished, your father has already bought the mine and the mining process will start today," Lyra said as she combed Aurora's hair.

"Is that so?" Aurora said. "Great."

"But, miss," Lyra looked worried. "Are you sure they will find something?"

"Stop worrying, geez," Aurora said. "Just trust me."

"Right, sorry." Lyra apologized. "Anyway, isn't your practical magic class starting today?"

"Yes, I'm so excited," Aurora smiled widely. 

Magic, of course she's excited. Before she get engrossed in dating Sims, she used to like magical girls a lot. And now she finally can using magic. Her childhood dreams come true.

Aurora and all of her classmates were making their way to the practice area behind the main building. The teacher had already set up some practice dummies for them to use.

Suddenly, Ruby appeared behind Aurora.

"You look excited," she said.

"Oh, hey Ruby," Aurora said with a smile. "I'm really looking forward to this. I can't wait to try out some magic."

"I see," Ruby said. "I'm also excited to see light magic for the first time."

"I'll do my best," Aurora said, her smile growing. "By the way, what element is your magic?"

"Earth," Ruby replied briefly.

Aurora nodded. "That makes sense. I heard you're into gems."

"Well, yeah," Ruby said, looking a bit embarrassed. "What about you? What do you like?"

Dating Sims games was what Aurora wanted to say, but she knew that didn't exist in this world. "Probably reading books," she said instead.

"Hmph, sounds boring," Ruby said.

"Why do you say that?" Aurora asked.

"I mean, I'm already reading enough boring stuff in class. Why would anyone want to read more outside of class?"

"No, I didn't mean boring stuff like that," Aurora said.

Before they could continue their conversation, the teacher clapped his hands, calling for their attention.

"Alright class, let's get started. For those of you who are unsure of your magic element compatibility, please raise your hand and come see my assistant. We'll use the Compatibility Crystal to check. For those who already know, let's begin the lesson.

Aurora had already discovered her magic element when she was 5 years old, or at least that's what she remembers. Despite not having manifested her light magic yet, rumors about her element were already circulating.

The teacher began explaining how to manifest our magic by accessing our mana core and other things she didn't quite understand. Aurora couldn't keep up and looked around in confusion. 

Some of her classmates picked it up quickly, like the villainous Nova who created a floating ball of darkness. Ruby also successfully manifested her magic, creating a piece of earth floating above her hand. 

Aurora felt a sense of panic as more and more of her classmates demonstrated their abilities. 

She closed her eyes and tried once again to feel it. But nothing really happened.

What on earth is a mana core anyway? 

Doubts crept in - did she even have a mana core? Could someone like her even use magic?

Her doubts only fueled her frustration. If this was a game, she could easily use magic by pushing a few buttons.

Suddenly, Aurora felt a warmth in front of her and opened her eyes to see a blinding ball of light floating before her.

"It's light magic!" someone exclaimed.

Everyone turned to look at her.

"It's warm," Ruby said, smiling beside her.

Magic. Aurora almost couldn't believe it.

But how? She didn't understand the whole mana core thing and all she did was just imagine pushing buttons.

Don't tell me...

She released her magic and the ball of light disappeared. She gulped, then tried it once again. She imagined pushing a certain combination of buttons in her mind.

Light particles started to appear and formed some sort of spear made of light.

It's works! 

"You can manifest two forms already?" Ruby said in disbelief. "So unfair."

Aurora forced a smile. "Sorry."

"Miss Starlight," the teacher said, walking toward her. "Consider you have successfully manifested attack magic. Do you want to try releasing it?"

He pointed at the dummies.

Aurora nodded. "Okay."

She wasn't sure what to do, but let her instincts take over. She made a throwing motion and threw the magic spear at the dummies.

A blinding light and a strong sound could be heard. It was a hit, not in the middle but still a hit.

Her attack left a mark on the dummies.

"Fantastic," the teacher said. "Alright, continue practicing."

Aurora smiled in satisfaction. Ruby tapped her hand, still dissatisfied but accepted. Some other students talked to her too.

But behind her, Nova stared at her with disdain.

Two hours later, everyone was starting to get the hang of using their magic. Most of them were only using one form, but some, like Ruby, already had a second and even a third form. 

Aurora herself stuck to just using two forms. She knew other button combinations, but refrained from using them. Making herself stand out too much could be dangerous, especially with Nova watching her.

"Alright, you guys are doing great," the teacher said. "Let's wrap this up--"

"Teacher," Nova interrupted. "I have something to say."

The teacher obviously didn't like being interrupted, but knowing it was Nova Wilder, he held back. "Alright, what is it?"

"I'm asking permission for a duel," she said.

"Duel?" the other students immediately started chattering.

"I heard you can ask for a duel at the end of the practical class," Ruby said. "But isn't it too soon?"

Aurora had a bad feeling about it.

"Shouldn't you wait for a bit?" the teacher said. "You've just learned it."

"I want to do it now," Nova said, not seeming willing to go back on her word.

The teacher sighed. High-rank students were always a pain to deal with.

"Fine," he said. "Who are you challenging to a duel?"

"Her," Nova pointed at Aurora.

Aurora smiled bitterly. Of course.

"How about it, Miss Starlight?" the teacher said. "Do you accept the duel?"

Beside her, Ruby grabbed her hand. "If you're not ready, just reject it," she whispered. "We don't really need to deal with her right now."

"Come on, hurry up and answer," Nova said. "Or are you too much of a coward, exactly like your friend?" Nova looked at Ruby with a smirk.

Ruby gritted her teeth.

Aurora sighed. She understood that a conflict with Nova was unavoidable. There was no point in backing down.

"Okay, I accept," Aurora said.

Everyone immediately emptied the middle of the practice ground. They watched from the sides while Nova and Aurora stared at each other in the middle.

"Alright, when I give the sign, the duel starts," The teacher said. "And the duel ends when I say so. Understand?"

Aurora nodded.

Nova calmly replied, "Yes."

"Okay," The teacher said. "The duel begins!"

"I don't know what you are," Nova said, as she and the other girl stood facing each other. "But before I regressed, I had already mastered my magic. Let's see how far you can go with that weak light magic of yours."

With that, Nova made the first move. Suddenly, more than ten blades made of darkness appeared, floating around her menacingly.

Okay, that's scary. Aurora admitted.

"Creating just one is hard," said one student. "Yet, she makes so many!"

"Indeed," said the teacher. "That's not the level of a first-year student."

When Nova released all of her blades, Aurora immediately ran and jumped to dodge the attack.

But Nova was not done yet. She called more blades of darkness and instantly flung them in the direction of Aurora.

Aurora kept running and dodging, with so many blades flying around, she didn't have a chance to pull off her own attack.

"I admit, you can really dodge," Nova said. "But is that all you can do?"

Nova pushed her hand forward and immediately, tentacle-like things appeared from her shadow, instantly catching Aurora's leg. This was her second form.

Aurora fell to the ground, grunting in pain.

One last blade was flung at Aurora. Ruby from the side yelled, "Dodge!"

Aurora tried, but her leg couldn't move and it ended up cutting her hand. Thankfully, it was only a shallow cut.

In terms of elements, light is stronger than darkness. So Aurora created a spear of light and hit the tentacle that caught her, immediately destroying the darkness and freeing herself.

"Not bad," Nova said. 

Aurora ignore her, she wasn't out of danger yet. Nova sent a flying ball of darkness,. Nova third form. It flew slower than the daggers, but when Aurora tried to hit it with her spear, it exploded.

Aurora stood there, stunned.

"Is-isn't that's too extreme?" Aurora said, taken aback. "I won't die if I touch it, right...?"

"Why don't you try it!" Nova called more daggers and floating balls of darkness.

Thing starting to look really dangerous. 

"Shouldn't you stop it, teacher?" one student said, scared. 

The teacher seemed unsure.

"Aurora, it's dangerous," Ruby yelled. "You should just give up!"

Nova laughed. "Right, why don't you listen to your cowardly friend and just give up?"

So far, Nova has always been annoying. But mocking someone who was worried about her, that made Aurora pissed. 

She can try to use another form of her magic, but that might not make much difference. So she decided to try something else.

Cheat code.

Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, A, B.

She suddenly feels as light as a feather. Aurora smiled.

That code activated a hidden form.

"You talk so much for someone who hits nothing," Aurora said. "It's embarrassing. Why don't you try harder?"

That hit a nerve.

"You're asking for it! I don't care even if you die!" Nova called more blades and balls and immediately threw them at Aurora.

"Dodge!" Ruby screamed.

The amount of projectiles reminded Aurora of bullet hell games. But with her speed, she could dodge them easily.

With her speed, all of Nova's attacks almost seemed like they stopped in time. She could afford to dodge them as closely as possible while she walked toward her enemy.

She had never done this before. In her past life, she had been a frail girl. But with so much adrenaline, she felt like she could do it. She clenched her hand into a fist and then with all her might, she threw a punch at Nova's belly, making her fall to her knees. Then Aurora created a spear of light, pointed at Nova's head.

"Checkmate."

"So fast," Ruby said, stunned.

Everyone else couldn't even react. Even the teacher was in disbelief.

"What...happened?"

"I blinked and I missed everything."

"That's crazy."

The teacher finally realized what had happened. He walked up and cleared his throat.

"Duel ends!" he yelled. "The winner is Aurora Starlight."

***