Dying wasn't part of my weekend plans.
One minute I was crossing the street, earbuds in, listening to a podcast about obscure myths. The next, I saw headlights, felt a jolt, and then… silence. Just white.
No pain. No darkness. Just a strange stillness—and then a floating message box, like something out of a video game:
> [You have been chosen.]
[Reincarnation Initiated…]
I blinked. I was standing in what looked like space, stars swirling around me, and some kind of celestial voice echoed in my head:
"Bearer of four elements. Child of balance. The world awaits your awakening."
And before I could scream, "WAIT, I HAVE QUESTIONS!", everything faded.
---
I awoke in silk sheets.
There were clouds outside the window.
Literal clouds.
I sat up too fast, got a head rush, and nearly fell out of bed. The room was ornate, gold trim everywhere, and I was wearing royal blue robes embroidered with silver feathers.
A knock came at the door. An elderly man with slicked-back white hair and a floating clipboard entered.
"Good morning, Your Highness," he said, bowing low. "We'll be departing for the academy shortly. Do you require assistance with your attire?"
I stared at him. "What… who… me?"
He smiled politely. "You are Kian Everveil, Crown Prince of the Claus Kingdom, yes?"
Apparently, yes. I was.
My name was Kian, now. Kian Everveil, Crown Prince of a flying kingdom called Claus. And I had magic. Lots of it.
---
The flying carriage was pulled by four winged horses, soaring above an endless sea of clouds. Below us were floating islands, sky rails, and even a city balanced on a rotating disc of stone and storm. I stared out the window, still in disbelief.
"I'm in a fantasy novel," I muttered. "I've been isekai'd into a magic prince."
The old man—Sir Godfrey, my royal escort—nodded approvingly. "Indeed. And you possess all four primary elements: Fire, Water, Wind, and Ice. A prodigy unseen for centuries."
I squinted at him. "And that's… unusual?"
"Unheard of. Most students at the Imperial Magic Academy possess only one element. Two is considered genius-level. Four…" He smiled with mild fear. "We believe the Headmaster fainted after reading your registration."
Wonderful.
---
We landed on a massive floating platform. The Imperial Magic Academy towered ahead like a dream—a citadel of white stone, crystalline towers, floating staircases, and flocks of magical birds soaring through rings of arcane fire. The campus stretched between clouds and skybridges, with airships docked at its sides.
And standing at the gate?
Students.
Dozens of them, all in various noble uniforms, each with magical crests on their chests. Some sparkled with fire, others had icy patterns, water ripples, or gusts of wind spinning near their shoulders. It was like Hogwarts met a fashion designer with an unlimited budget.
I was escorted down the ramp like royalty (because apparently I was), and immediately felt dozens of eyes on me.
"That's him…" "The one with all four elements?" "He doesn't look that impressive…" "Shh! He's from the Claus Kingdom!"
A tall boy with red hair and a ridiculously long sword slung across his back stepped forward. "So, you're the flying prince?"
"I—uh—guess?" I said.
He gave a dramatic bow. "I'm Vinny, Duke's son. Fire and sword specialist. If you need a rival, I'm available."
"Thanks…?" I blinked.
Another student, a girl with silver hair tied in twin tails, pushed past him. "Ignore him. I'm Aria, Duchess of Windhaven. I saw your elemental chart. You're not human."
"Technically, I think I am?"
She smirked. "Not for long if you duel me. I've already scheduled our sparring match."
Wait, what?
---
Inside the grand hall, a glowing magical orb floated before the students. A professor in starry robes gestured dramatically.
"Step forward, students! The Orb of Affinity will read your elemental alignment and assign your class tier!"
One by one, students touched the orb. It flashed colors and issued holographic displays.
"Fire affinity: 73%. Tier B." "Water: 90%. Tier A." "Wind and Earth: Balanced. Tier A."
Then it was my turn.
I stepped up. The crowd leaned in.
I hesitated. "Is it safe?"
The orb sparked.
I touched it.
And it exploded into a vortex of spinning fire, swirling water, cutting wind, and freezing ice.
Everyone screamed. The walls shook. Lightning cracked from the ceiling. The professor dropped his scroll.
Then, the orb calmed and displayed a message in glowing gold letters:
> Quadro Elemental Detected. Tier: S+
Caution: Subject is OP. Handle with care.
The hall went silent.
Then someone shouted, "HE BROKE THE ORB!"
---
After the testing, I was immediately dragged to the Headmaster's tower.
Turns out, the Headmaster was a very short elf with long eyebrows and an extremely tired voice.
"Quadro… you broke the charting orb," he muttered, sipping something suspiciously like whiskey.
"I didn't mean to," I said quickly.
He looked at me. "Do you intend to start a kingdom-wide panic?"
"…Also no."
He sighed and handed me a stack of documents. "These are your class schedules, dorm assignments, dueling exemptions, and emergency magical suppression cuffs. Use them if you accidentally summon a typhoon during a pop quiz."
"...That's happened before?"
"Yes. And you are now banned from fire spells indoors until further notice."
I nodded solemnly. "Understood."
---
Later that evening, I found my dormitory: House Zephyr, a high tower built into a floating island connected by sky bridges. My room had a full bookshelf, a bed that floated slightly, and a closet full of noble uniforms.
I collapsed on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
"I'm a prince," I said. "In a floating academy. With four kinds of magic."
Then I remembered Earth. The streets, my old apartment, ramen cups, and cat videos.
And I laughed a little.
"Sorry, old world," I whispered. "But I think I've got my hands full here."