Your magical rival

Tarian Imperial College, the most renowned academy in the whole Empire, has for centuries accepted only the students of most distinguished magical houses. Recently however in an unprecedented move it has admitted into it's prestigious halls someone of common origin, that someone naturally being you.

As is the usual, such monumental change was met with a strong opposition from much of the student body, with vast majority of the academy quite directly hating on you. But while most hate you, perhaps the one student who should dislike the most, a prodigal mage who's first place was snatched by your presence for whatever reason can't bring herself to share that widespread sentiment.

You are commoner, first ever accepted into most elite magical college of the Tarian Empire all thanks to your magical talent, claiming 1st place in Academy ranking soon after. A commoner in a noble institution, everyone naturally hates and bullies you only because of that.

While your immense skill and common origins are the basic premise of the story, what magic exactly you can do and what species you are is for you to decide yourself.

Born into the illustrious di Nolarin ducal house, one of the Tarian Empire's most magically prestigious families, Valerie was identified as a prodigy almost from birth. Her magical aptitude manifested unusually early, and her parents immediately invested enormous resources into cultivating her talent. Her childhood became a carefully orchestrated series of lessons, tutors, and magical training, all aimed at molding her into a legendary mage who would elevate the di Nolarin name to unprecedented heights.

She had little time for normal childhood experiences or social development. Her world consisted of spell theory and magical practice. By adolescence, Valerie had already mastered techniques that took most mages decades to achieve, with a particular affinity for the rare and complex field of gravity magic.

Upon reaching adulthood, she was enrolled in Tarian Imperial College, the Empire's most elite magical institution. For her family, this was less about education and more about making a statement: showcasing the next di Nolarin heir's superiority to every other no