The dragon's severed head, a grotesque trophy, lay mounted on the wall, its empty eyes sockets staring into the vast, echoing throne room. Two years had passed since Kaiser, with a casual flick of his wrist, had ended the tyrant's reign. The gathered masses, freed from the dragon's oppressive rule, had hailed him as their king. Now, Kaiser sat on the ornate throne, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, a picture of profound boredom.

  "So bored..." he sighed, the sound echoing through the cavernous hall. His advisors and friends, a motley crew of warriors, healers, and mages, stood awkwardly, unsure how to alleviate their king's ennui.

  "Kaiser, we could always seek out more... challenges," Piori, the ever-optimistic priest, suggested. Her blessings, a mix of ancient rituals and enthusiastic pronouncements, had always been more theatrical than divinely effective. "Perhaps a larger dragon? Or a demon horde?"

  "No," Kaiser waved a dismissive hand. "I'm done with dragons and demons. They lack... subtlety."

  Rior, the court mage, stepped forward, his single monocle glinting in the dim light. "My lord, if you seek a new challenge, perhaps you should consider learning magic."

  The room erupted in laughter, a cacophony of disbelief. But Kaiser's eyes lit up, a spark of genuine interest igniting within him. "Magic, you say? How... intriguing."

  The laughter died down, replaced by an uneasy silence. "Alright then," Kaiser declared, a rare smile gracing his lips. "I will enroll in the Athrum Imperial Academy of Magic. Rior, contact Archmage Zephyr. I believe he's the headmaster there."

  He rose from the throne, his massive frame casting a long shadow across the room. "From this day forth, I will learn magic..."

  Brodar, his stoic head warrior, finally found his voice. "My lord, who will rule the kingdom?"

  "You will, Brodar," Kaiser said, removing the crown and placing it on Brodar's head. "Be king or something."

  "Rior, point me towards the academy," Kaiser said, already pacing towards the exit. Rior, still slightly bewildered, pointed north.

  "Just head that way for a couple of days... Wait, what are you doing?" he asked, watching Kaiser perform a series of deep squats.

  "Priming my legs," Kaiser replied, his voice laced with anticipation. "I'm taking the scenic route."

  With a powerful thrust, he launched himself into the air, soaring out of the throne room and towards the open sky.

  "My gods..." Rior muttered, shaking his head. "I hope he doesn't land anywhere... nasty."

  Outside the imposing gates of the Athrum Imperial Academy of Magic, a serene lake reflected the azure sky. The tranquility was shattered as a large object crashed into the water, sending a geyser of spray into the air. Kaiser emerged, shaking himself dry like a wet dog, and strode towards the closed gates.

  "Hey, where do you think you're going?" a gruff voice demanded. A pair of guards, their faces etched with suspicion, stood barring his way.

  "Into the school," Kaiser replied, pointing towards the gates.

  The guards exchanged incredulous glances, then burst into laughter. "You're not going anywhere, you big lug."

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  "Archmage Zephyr is expecting me," Kaiser said flatly.

  A flash of light erupted behind the gates, followed by an authoritative voice. "Let him in, guards."

  The gates swung open, revealing Archmage Zephyr, an ancient elf with eyes that held the wisdom of centuries. "Kaiser, my friend! It's good to see you!"

  "Zephyr, you haven't aged a day," Kaiser grinned.

  "You saved my life, Kaiser, I’d never forget you." Zephyr chuckled. "I received Rior's message. Are you certain you wish to attend this academy? It's not quite like conquering kingdoms, the politics here are… subtle."

  Zephyr gestured, and a shimmering portal opened, transporting them to his opulent office.

  "I'm certain," Kaiser replied. "I was bored. Boredom makes me do... things."

  "Every person is born with magic, Kaiser," Zephyr said, his voice laced with a hint of concern. "But it requires patience, dedication. Normally, I wouldn't allow someone of your… stature to enroll at this stage. But I believe this will be… interesting."

  "Don't worry, Zephyr," Kaiser beamed. "I'm sure I can handle it."

  Zephyr's eyes held a weary look, a hint of "what have I gotten myself into?" flickering within them. "Come back to me in three months, and we'll see how you're progressing." He handed Kaiser a key and a folded robe. "The key will lead you to your dorm. Simply insert it into thin air and turn. As for the robe… it might require some alterations. Just ensure the school crest is visible, also here is your cirriculum follow it and you'll never get lost in the academy."

  Kaiser nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "This is going to be fun."

  Stepping into his dorm, he surveyed the cramped space. "Cozy," he muttered, his voice echoing off the bare walls. The bed, a simple mattress on a wooden frame, looked like it belonged in a monastery. "Soft enough," he decided, and promptly collapsed onto it, falling asleep instantly.

  Morning arrived with the insistent chirping of magical songbirds outside his window. Kaiser, still half-asleep, wrestled with the academy robe, ripping off the sleeves with a triumphant "There! Much better!" only to find the fabric constricting around his biceps like a magical sausage casing. "Will need a proper tailor," he grumbled, "but for now, it'll do." The magic within the robe, though ill-fitting, contoured to his frame, highlighting his impressive physique in a way that made the other students stare.

  His curriculum indicated "Arcane Basics 5th Year" was his first class. As he walked down the hallway, he noticed the students recoiling, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and confusion.

  "Is that... Kaiser?" someone whispered. "What's he doing here?"

  "Dude, this is messed up," another student muttered. "He could probably punch a hole in the wall with his pinky."

  Kaiser, oblivious to their reactions, followed the map, his footsteps echoing like thunder. He opened the door to the classroom, a slight trip sending a tremor through the floor, and took a seat, his presence dominating the room.

  The professor, a portly fellow with a perpetually flustered expression, floated into the room. "Students… we have a new… student," he announced, his voice cracking slightly. "Please welcome Kaiser, the World's Strongest Warrior." A smattering of nervous applause filled the room.

  "Let us begin," the professor said, his voice regaining a semblance of authority. "Arcane Fireball. The staple of the Krillia Family." He began to draw complex magical circles that danced before him like miniature suns. "The key to understanding this spell is to understand magic itself. It is… fickle. Now, Lirila Krillia, perhaps you can demonstrate your family's… staple for our new student?"

  Lirila Krillia, a vision of elegance with long black hair and a haughty expression, rose to her feet. She struck a dramatic pose, her hair flowing behind her as she chanted, and a stone golem materialized in the center of the room. With a flourish, she unleashed a torrent of red, orange, and purple flames, obliterating the golem in a spectacular display.

  "Impressive, no?" she asked Kaiser, her voice dripping with pride.

  Kaiser scratched his head. "Hmm? Oh, yeah. Pretty colors. You really… uh… disintegrated it."

  Lirila's face contorted in a mixture of confusion and outrage. "Disintegrated? Pretty colors? I just demonstrated a high-level Krillia Fireball!"

  "High-level?" Kaiser blinked. "It was… adequate."

  Lirila stormed out of the classroom, muttering about "unenlightened barbarians" and "brute strength." She tripped over her own robes in her haste, adding to the comedic chaos.

  Kaiser, oblivious to the social faux pas he had committed, leaned back in his chair. "Is this all magic is?" he wondered aloud. "It's not very… impactful." He then tried to punch the magical energy in the air, creating a small localized earthquake, and making the Professor almost fall out of his floating position.