Ethan Bellweather's life was ordinary, bordering on dull. One day, an antique compass inherited from his eccentric grandfather hums to life, bathing his room in an ethereal light. He awakens the next morning to a world irrevocably altered. Hawthorne Academy, his high school, is now a prestigious institution dedicated to mastering the arcane arts. Science has taken a backseat to elemental magic. But Ethan's family struggles remain: a debt-ridden father, a younger sister reliant on a wheelchair, and the ever-present pressure to succeed. He soon discovers he possesses a unique gift: the ability to wield not one, but *two* elemental affinities. In a world where single-element mastery is the norm, Ethan is a 'Dual-Core' mage, a title whispered with awe and suspicion. He must navigate the treacherous waters of magical academia, contend with rival mages, uncover the secrets of his compass, and protect his family, all while mastering his extraordinary powers.