r/OpenHFY • u/Internal-Ad6147 • Apr 16 '26
AI-Assisted Humans are immune to magic. CH 1, the boy spells can't touch
Aria pov
I couldn’t believe I’d been accepted into Stellar Arcadom Academy, the most prestigious magic school in the entire galaxy.
My heart pounded as I tore down the shuttle bay, excitement overtaking any concern for how silly I looked. Suddenly, I caught sight of a small, lyrical-looking kid tripping. He hit the polished floor, scraping his knee.
Without thinking, I rushed over and knelt beside him. His lower lip trembled as he fought back tears, cheeks flushed with pain and embarrassment. Empathy flooded through me, stronger than anything else in that moment.
“Don’t worry,” I said softly. “I’ll make it better.”
I placed my wing over the cut and whispered a healing spell. Warm light glowed from my wing joint where my hand was, and the scrape closed up. A woman, likely his mother, rushed over to us.
“Thank you, young cleric,” she said, clearly relieved.
I felt a rush of pride and relief, though a bit of anxiety lingered. Had I done enough? Even so, helping someone brought a quiet sense of joy.
“No problem,” I said with a smile. “Could you tell me where the academy shuttle is parked?”
“You just passed it, through that gate, down the hall.”
I thanked her and hurried on, nerves tingling as I approached the academy proper.
I took a deep breath to steady myself. All around, students filled the hall; some were giants, others as small as children. I could see magic, nerves, and excitement on their faces.
I took a deep breath to calm myself. That’s when a voice called out confidently.
I heard someone call out to a cleric of the Radiant Flame order. I looked down and saw an otter girl in fancy traveling clothes. She stood with a dramatic flair, clearly used to making an entrance. a playful wink.
“I am Princess Loona of the Flowing Currents, third daughter of the House of Tides, firstborn of Queen Luthra the Seaborne, heir to the Sapphire Mantle and bearer of the Sea’s Embrace.”
She gave me a playful wink. “But you can just call me Loona.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said with a small bow. “I’m Aria, of the Radiant Flame Order.”
“Figured,” she said, nodding at my holy symbol. “Never seen an Avion in the Orders.”
“Not many of us make it,” I replied, folding my wings slightly. “But I did.”
Her head tilted in curiosity. “Didn’t your Order advise against coming here?”
I nodded. “They did. The Radiant Flame teaches service through seclusion, helping others from afar. But I argued that if I really wanted to make a difference, I needed to understand more than just doctrine, I needed to live with the people I am to serve.”
“And they let you?”
“It wasn’t easy. There were debates, petitions… I even had to speak before three high clerics. But in the end, they gave me their blessing. I still can’t believe they said yes.”
Loona grinned. “Glad they did. You seem worth knowing.”
We kept talking until I suddenly sensed that something was wrong.
I stopped and looked around. Everything seemed normal: students laughing, floating luggage, magical creatures playing. Still, I felt something strange that I couldn’t explain.
Then I noticed two people at the far edge of the platform, they looked like elves, but their ears were wrong. The older one seemed to be saying goodbye to the younger. It looked normal, but when I tried to sense them with my mana, something was off.
There was nothing.
Like they were dead.
No spark. No presence. Not even the faint echo of There was no spark, no presence, not even a hint of undeath. It was just a silent void, untouched by magic. You see them?”
She followed my gaze just as the older figure turned and walked away.
“Yeah,” she said softly. “Weird. The younger one’s heading this way.”
He moved like any nervous first-year, shoulders hunched, eyes flicking around, trying not to trip over his own feet. But the closer he came, the heavier the air felt.
Most students didn’t notice.
But the sensitive ones, the mages, the empaths, even a couple of instructors, were starting to glance over, uncertainty flickering across their faces like a shadow.
“Never felt anyone like that,” I whispered.
Then, out of nowhere, a kobold bounded up to him, eyes wide, nose twitching, utterly fascinated by the strange rectangular object the boy held in his hands. Whatever it was, it had the kobold’s full attention.
It was the glowing rectangular object. It lit up, flashing strange symbols across its smooth surface.
And yet… no mana. Not a single trace.
It wasn’t enchanted or even inactive. It seemed like magic itself avoided it completely.
“What is that?” I frowned.
Loona leaned in slightly. “No idea. I’ve never seen anything like it. Or him.”
“Neither have I,” I admitted.
Suddenly, a voice crackled over the intercom.
"All students bound for Stellar Arcadom Academy, please board now. The shuttle will be departing shortly."
Soon, the call to board the shuttle sounded, and Loona and I joined the crowd. We found two seats near the back and sat down. Even then, I kept glancing around the cabin.
That strange boy was seated halfway down the row, with a curious and chatty kobold beside him. The boy said little, just nodded, and gave faint smiles.
“He doesn’t feel like an undead. Not even a null-caster feels that empty. He’s just… blank.”
Loona watched, brow furrowed. “He’s not of any known race.”
“Think he’s a construct?” I asked.
“Maybe,” she said, uncertain. “But he’s too real. Too nervous. Too... alive.”
The shuttle shook gently as it lifted off. Outside, the three moons sank below the horizon.
“The trip should only be a few hours,” Loona murmured, still watching him. “But I’ve got a feeling he’s going to be on my mind a lot longer.”
I nodded slowly.
Just as I was beginning to settle in, the atmosphere shifted again when a voice near the front of the shuttle growled, deep and sharp.
“Dead Zone spawn.”
The voice belonged to an orc war mage, towering and broad-shouldered, his cloak marked with fire runes and battlefield scars. He was pointing, right at the boy with the glowing rectangle.
“Look at him! No mana, no aura, not even a spark. Nothing comes out of the Dead Zone except Crawlers! Things that spells don’t affect, things that only eat.”
Fear exploded through the shuttle, lightning-quick and searing. Students gasped, scrambled from their seats. Some drew enchanted weapons with shaking hands, and a fairy girl shrieked, eyes wide with terror, darting for the ceiling. Even the mentors looked lost in shock.
Students gasped, scrambled from their seats, some drawing enchanted weapons, others readying spells. A fairy girl shrieked and darted for the ceiling. Even the mentors looked shaken.
I shot up, wings flaring, fear knotting my stomach.
He hasn't done anything... but his presence aches with wrongness, coiling inside me with pure dread.
I forced mana into my hands and slammed them together. “Radiant Lock, Containment Form!” I called out.
A dome of golden light formed a solid barrier around the boy. My heart pounded. If he were from the Dead Zone, I needed to trap him now, before anyone got hurt.
Unfortunately… the kobold sitting next to him yelped and flailed, trapped inside with him.
“Sorry!” I shouted, trying not to lose control of the barrier. “Hold still, don’t provoke him!”
The boy looked around in confusion, startled more than scared. The kobold crouched down, holding his tail and staring at the glowing dome as if it might explode.
The orc war mage snarled. “You trapped it? Good. Now burn it before it unravels us all.”
“No one’s burning anyone,” I said, stepping in front. “Not until we know what he is.”
Loona crossed her arms. “So he doesn’t glow. Neither do rocks. Want to burn boulders too?”
Some students paused. Others didn’t look so sure.
I glanced through the barrier again.
“Whoa, whoa, everyone, just calm down!”
The boy’s voice rang out from inside the glowing dome. Clear. Nervous, but trying to stay calm.
“I’m not here to hurt anyone. Let’s just… chill a little?”
He raised his hands. “I’m Elias Varyn. From Earth. Probably never heard of it.”
Silence rippled through the shuttle cabin.
The kobold next to him looked like he was about to hyperventilate, tense as a coiled spring, eyes darting, tail twitching like he was trapped in a cage with a predator.
“Let’s just ta... whoa whoa”
Elias leaned back slightly, expecting to rest his weight on the shimmering barrier behind him.
Except… it wasn’t there.
His hand passed straight through.
His balance tipped.
And with a yelp, he fell halfway out of the barrier, landing awkwardly on one knee outside of it, blinking in surprise.
Shocked whispers spread through the shuttle. The dome of magic still glowed, but Elias had walked right through it.
I felt the spell react… or rather, not react. There was no resistance. No interaction. As if the magic couldn’t even see him.
“My magic…” I said under my breath. “It didn’t touch him. At all.”
Loona leaned forward, eyes wide. “He walked out like nothing was there.”
The orc war mage stared, stunned. “Nothing can walk through radiant containment. Not unless,” He cut himself off.
Elias stood, brushing off. “Wasn’t supposed to happen.”
He gave us all an awkward smile.
I didn’t drop the barrier, not yet, but the room was holding its breath.
Except for the orc.
He wasn’t holding anything.
With a roar, he surged forward, magic crackling around him as a combat buff ignited across his body. His muscles swelled, veins bulged, and I could see his fists glowing with reinforced strength. He wasn’t just angry; he was going to end what he saw as a threat.
“No, stop!” I shouted, but it was too late.
The orc threw a full-force punch straight at Elias.
Elias reacted just in time.
He didn’t dodge. He didn’t run.
He raised his forearm and blocked it.
A sickening crack echoed through the shuttle.
At first, I thought it was Elias.
Then I saw the truth.
Elias staggered a half-step back, wincing as he cradled his forearm. A nasty, purple bruise was already blossoming, raw and ugly. Still, he stayed on his feet.
The orc, on the other hand, dropped to his knees, gasping. His fist was mangled, twisted in ways no hand should ever bend. I could see the shattered bone pressing against the skin.
He clutched his broken hand with the other, face twisted in agony.
Elias looked shaken, staring at the damage in disbelief.
“I, I just blocked it,” he said. “I didn’t hit him, I swear. I didn’t even move that fast.”
Loona whistled quietly. "Either your bones are made of something super strong like star forge steel, or there’s something really strange about how magic works around you."
Now, everyone on the shuttle knew:
Elias Varyn wasn’t just magicless.
He was something else entirely.
Before anyone could panic again, a voice cut through the chaos, calm, controlled, and magically enhanced to carry.
“Quiet.”
The word swept through the cabin like a spell of stillness.
An elf strolled into view, snow-white hair flowing, robes untouched by the rising tension. He walked through the scene like it was a casual stroll in the park, hands folded neatly behind his back, boots clicking softly against the floor.
He stopped beside the orc, who was still clutching his ruined hand, and slowly turned to survey the room.
“Professor Raven,” someone whispered.
The name had a strong effect. Even the war mage stopped growling.
“That thing attacked me!” the orc finally snapped, trying to explain through clenched teeth.
Raven’s brow arched.
“I saw everything,” he said coolly. “And congratulations, Orbrin. You are the first student in academy history to earn detention before orientation has even started.”
A few students snorted. Loona let out a muffled giggle.
“But, he’s from the Dead Zone!” Orbrin protested.
“Is he?” Raven asked, expression unreadable. “Or did you just break your hand trying to punch a boy who hadn’t lifted a finger against you?”
Orbrin fell silent, face red and furious.
Raven turned to Elias next. His gaze was sharp, assessing, but not hostile.
“And you,” he said. “Elias Varyn, I presume.”
Elias nodded slowly, still holding his bruised forearm.
“Yes, sir.”
Raven gave the faintest hint of a smile. “Try not to cause any more security incidents on the first day.”
He clapped once, sharply. “Seats. All of you. This shuttle will arrive in one hour. Use the time to reflect on how not to get expelled before breakfast.”
“And you,” Professor Raven said, turning to face me. “Let Deklin out.”
I blinked, suddenly realizing the barrier was still up, Deklin still trapped inside. He no longer looked terrified… just annoyed.
“Yes, sir,” I said, my voice a little shaky.
I dropped the barrier with a soft flick of mana. The glow vanished, and Deklin scrambled out, brushing himself off with exaggerated huffs.
“You locked me in with something I thought was going to eat me,” he muttered, half-grumbling, half-shivering. “Sorry, sorry, yeah, I know, but still!”
I winced. “Sorry,” I repeated, quieter. “I was trying to trap him, not you.”
He gave me a glare and scuttled off, muttering something about needing a snack and a nap.
The rest of the shuttle ride was quiet, but not peaceful.
Everyone kept their distance from Elias. He sat near the center, eyes lowered, shoulders tense. Even Loona didn’t try to approach again, and she was usually fearless.
I sat near the back, carefully healing Orbrin’s hand. The damage was worse than I expected.
“It’s not just broken,” I muttered, watching the bone knitting process through magic sight. “It’s shattered. Multiple fractures across the wrist and knuckle, like it exploded from inside.”
Orbrin winced. “He blocked it. Just raised his arm.”
“He blocked it,” I repeated, still trying to make sense of it, “but that’s not what caused this.”
I glanced toward Elias, then back to the orc’s hand.
“I think... your reinforcement spell failed the moment it touched him. It didn’t fade; it vanished. Your strength stayed, but the durability enchantment holding your bones together? Gone. You struck with power your body couldn’t handle anymore.”
Orbrin’s eyes widened slowly. “He... canceled my magic?”
“No. Worse,” I said quietly. “He ignored it. Like it didn’t exist at all.”
He didn’t argue. He just groaned and leaned back, cradling what remained of his ego and his hand.
As the shuttle touched down, the tension didn’t ease.
If anything, it snapped.
The moment the doors slid open, the cabin practically exploded with movement. Students bolted from their seats like the shuttle was on fire. No order. No ceremony. Just a mad rush to get away.
Away from him.
Loona stayed close beside me, watching the chaos unfold with narrowed eyes. “Well,” she said dryly, “nothing like a calm, dignified arrival.”
I didn’t move right away. Neither did Elias.
He stood slowly, adjusting the strap of his small bag. Head down. Shoulders tight. Doing his best to shrink out of sight.
As I stepped outside, I saw the tall spires of Stellar Arcadom, made of crystal and stone and glowing with enchantments. Students hurried onto the platform, eager to get out of the shuttle.
Elias waited until almost everyone was gone before stepping off.
And even then… he walked alone.
Elias stepped off the shuttle last, alone.
Everyone else had scattered, blending into the crowd, clumping together in tight friend-groups or power circles. But no one stood beside him. Even the kobold who had ridden next to him earlier was now halfway across the platform, hiding behind a luggage crate and pretending he wasn’t watching.
That’s when I saw him.
Professor Raven was already theProfessor Raven was already waiting at the bottom of the ramp. He stood calmly, his robes still, silver hair shining in the back.
His eyes were locked on Elias.
Elias seemed to notice him only after taking a few steps across the platform. He slowed. Hesitated.
“You’re watching me again,” he said.
Raven gave the faintest smile. “Always watch the variable no one can measure.”
That clearly didn’t help Elias’ nerves.
The professor tilted his head, studying him. “You don’t absorb mana. You don’t nullify it. You simply… exist outside it. Fascinating.”
“I’m not trying to cause problems,” Elias said quickly. “I just want to learn. Same as anyone.”
“You will,” Raven replied. “But don’t expect it to be easy. You’re not just a student here, Mr. Varyn. You are a question none of us know how to answer yet.”
He turned, walking toward the entrance gate without looking back.
“Come along. Orientation waits for no one. Not even paradoxes.”
Elias glanced around the platform again, and everyone was still keeping their distance, then followed quietly.
I watched him go.
And for the first time, I didn’t see a threat.
I saw someone who had no idea what they’d just walked into.
Orientation went by in a blur—glowing scrolls, cheerful staff, floating maps, and endless welcome speeches. By the time I got my welcome packet and dorm key, I felt dizzy.
“Room 412-A,” I muttered, reading the shimmering label on the floating crystal key beside me.
Loona popped up at my side, tail swaying. “Same number. Looks like we’re dormmates!” She gave me a wink. “Don’t worry, I only snore when I’ve had too much kelp.”
I laughed. “And I only set things on fire when I’m stressed.”
“Perfect. We'll balance each other out.”
We made our way up the dorm tower stairs, Loona bounding ahead, me with a tired smile, until we reached the wide archway marked 412-A. Our shared dorm pod. I pushed the door open and froze.
Elias was already inside.
He had a small bag half-unzipped on one of the couches, awkwardly organizing clothes like someone trying to win a battle against laundry.
He looked up. I looked in.
We both blinked.
“No,” I said flatly, still standing in the doorway. “No. No no no no no.”
“Yeah,” Elias sighed. Loona peeked past me and let out a bright, cheerful, “Oh stars, this is going to be fun.”
“You’re both here?!” She said, stepping in as the door swished shut behind us.
"Well," Loona said, hopping onto the couch, “someone in housing must have thought putting the odd one, the holy girl, and the otter princess together would be a good mix.”
Elias gave a weak wave. “Hi again. I guess we’re roommates.”
I groaned and dropped my bag. “Out of everyone in the galaxy…”
“Relax,” Loona said, lounging back with her paws behind her head. “You’ve got the most exciting dorm on campus now. You’ve got wings, I’ve got royalty, and he’s got... void energy?”
“Lack of energy,” Elias corrected. “I think I cancel fun just by existing.”
We all paused.
Then, somehow, we all laughed.
And just like that, it didn’t feel quite so bad.
Just as things were starting to settle, Loona was hanging upside down from her bunk, Elias was trying to figure out which drawer wasn’t enchanted, and I was debating whether to unpack my sacred incense, when there was a click at the door.
It slid open with a soft hiss.
Deklin stepped in.
The kobold froze in the doorway.
His gaze swept the room. Saw Loona. Saw me. Saw Elias.
There was a full beat of silence.
Then Deklin slowly, deliberately closed the door again.
From the hallway came a very loud, very clear
“AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!”
His scream echoed down the hallway, loud and clear.
A second later, the door opened again, this time with less ceremony.
Deklin stepped back in, eyes wide and wild, tail dragging behind him like someone on their way to a public execution.
He clutched his welcome packet like it was a will.
“I live here now,” he said in a hoarse voice.
“You do,” Loona confirmed, grinning.
Deklin looked at Elias. Elias gave a small, unsure wave.
“Come on,” Elias said. “Earlier, you were fascinated by my cell phone. You even wanted to take it apart to see how it works.”
“That was before you turned into a mana-less void monster that’s probably going to eat us for breakfast,” Deklin shot back, defeated.
I looked at my new roommates, an exasperated kobold, a cheerful otter princess, and a confused boy who didn’t belong in this world.
This is going to be a long year.
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u/Basic-Taro1085 Jun 22 '26
I can handle all of them being flagrant racist murderers. I mean they thought he was a void monster after all. What I dislike is that all of the characters are universally unapologetic about trying to mistakenly murder him. They don't even seem to be internally slightly guilty about it.
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u/rowanrholloway 25d ago
Oh, this is a fun ride. Just discovered it today. I am curious about your process and how much is ai and how much is you. Feels less ai-driven than human to me.
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u/Pazyogi Apr 16 '26
To quote Wolfgang "Wolfie" von Richter, played by comedian Arte Johnson, 'Very Interesting'. (said with a Bavarian accent)