Beckoning Fates, page 6
“There, there.” While wiping the mana beast’s spit off my face, I nonchalantly petted its snout, which was mere inches away. The creature stood about six feet high on all fours. Its body was covered in thick, dark brown fur, and a deep red mane circled its head. Two viciously pointed teeth sprouted from its jaw, making it all the more menacing, but compared to Sylvie’s dragon form, I could only see it as an overgrown kitten.
Even Sylvie showed scant interest in the mana beast and just settled back on top of my head.
“Whoa. He wasn’t surprised at all…” From behind the mana beast, a student peeked out. He looked to be a couple of years older than me, with very dull light gray, almost white, hair that reached over his brows. His eyes were so narrow they were virtually slits, and the smile on his face came off as mocking rather than pleasant. Though lean and tall, his overall frame looked rather frail.
What stuck out the most, however, was his uniform. It was very different from mine—in fact, different from any other I’d seen so far. He wore a loose, dark gray kimono-style robe that covered his arms and came down past his torso; black pants; and a golden sash tied around his waist. Peeking out from his robe was the insignia that all the disciplinary committee members had to carry, the silver knife. Something felt off about him—something that made me wary.
“You’re the last DC officer to arrive. My name is Kai Crestless; I’m a fourth-year. Just call me Kai.” His expression didn’t change at all, his eyes still narrowed and lips still smiling, but he gave a slight wave, revealing a hand that was completely wrapped in bandages so that it looked like he had gloves on.
“Hello. My name is Arthur Leywin. Pleased to make your acquaintance.” I shook his bandaged hand.
“Bah! Another delicate pretty boy! Why aren’t there more real men in this committee?” Looking around, I spotted the source of the voice and immediately remembered what Elijah had told me yesterday before dinner.
A female dwarf with limbs as thick as tree trunks hopped down from her seat and approached me. She came up to my chest, and the only indications of her sex were her long brown hair and high-pitched voice, neither of which suited her masculine appearance.
“Looks like we’ll be working together, so I might as well introduce myself. I’m Doradrea Oreguard, a first-year, like yerself. Let’s get along, eh?” she said, firmly smacking my back and sending a jolt through my body. What power.
“Arthur Leywin. Nice to meet you,” I replied, rubbing my back.
“Well, come on now! Follow me. The rest of the DC officers are in the other room. Director Goodsky didn’t really give us any details so everybody’s curious.” She led me through a hall, and Kai followed behind us with the mana beast.
“Everyone! The last guy is here!” Doradrea shouted at the top of her lungs as we reached a room at the end of the hall.
Inside the gigantic room, which I figured was used to hold events, I saw five other figures.
Without further ado, I approached, offering them all a greeting at once. “My name is Arthur Leywin. I’ve just started at the academy as a scholar mage student. I’m a dual-elemental-attribute augmenter, capable in wind and earth.” I offered a brief bow.
“Arthur Leywin?” The first person who spoke up sounded surprised. Looking around, I saw a boy who appeared to be around seventeen. His mahogany-colored hair was spiked out, making him look almost like a lion. His fierce sword-shaped brows combined with his strong brown eyes to produce a striking gaze. It took me a couple of seconds but I soon realized who he was.
“If I remember correctly, you must be Prince Glayder?” The longer I looked at him, the more confident I became that he was Curtis Glayder, son of Sapin’s king.
“I can hardly call myself a prince now that the three kings and queens have dismissed their titles and become the Council. Just call me Curtis.” His voice was charismatic, carrying a certain depth. His expression was a bit troubled, though, no doubt because his father’s guard had caused some problems for me the last time we’d met.
“Nice to see you again, Curtis. You must be a fifth-year now, right?” I responded cheerfully, which eased his troubled look.
“Yes! Fifth-year fire-attribute augmenter and beast tamer. Nice to see you again,” he announced as we grasped hands. Curtis’s uniform looked much more intricate than Kai’s loose-fitting robe; it reminded me of an old-fashioned military uniform without the cap. His black blazer had dark gray accents and gold buttons. A military-style cord stretched from his right shoulder to the collar of his blazer, giving him a refined yet fierce air.
“Ah.” Everything clicked as the mana beast that had so enthusiastically greeted me sat down behind Curtis. “That world lion must be the one your father acquired at the auction several years back. He gave me quite the welcome.”
“Did Kai use Grawder to scare you?” He shot a look at Kai, who just shrugged back. “Yes—I remember you were with us when we purchased him as a cub. We formed an equals contract last year after he reached A-class.”
He tried to sound humble but I could tell he was extremely proud to call himself a beast tamer. I couldn’t blame him; it really was a great feat to have accomplished, especially since he was able to form an equals contract instead of a master-servant contract with his beast. Looking closely, Curtis and his world lion looked oddly similar. Curtis’s hair and Grawder’s mane were of comparable color, and both of them had a fierce look.
“Looks like your bond has changed a bit as well,” he said, rubbing his chin. “Although it looks about the same size.” While he studied Sylvie, who had fallen asleep on my head, I analyzed his internal mana circulation. Curtis didn’t seem to have gone through assimilation, since the world lion’s beast will wasn’t strong in him.
“Yeah, her growth rate seems awfully slow,” I said casually.
“Don’t worry about it. Even though there are quite a few students here who have bonds, most of them aren’t beast tamers—and even fewer have equals contracts.” He patted my shoulder as if to comfort me.
“You remember my sister, Kathyln, right?” he continued. The pretty, petite, black-haired girl gave me a silent bow.
I gave a simple bow in response. “I do. It’s a pleasure to see you again.” She had grown to closely resemble her mother. The stark contrast of her flawless porcelain skin and her jet-black hair, dark eyes, and long lashes made her look like a doll. She was dressed very similarly to her brother except that, instead of pants, she wore a skirt that came to just above her knees. The only girl I’d seen so far in the academy who hadn’t worn a skirt was Doradrea.
“Nice to meet you again, Arthur. I am a first-year as well, coming in as a scholar mage student. I am a single-specialist conjurer in ice-attribute magic.” She bowed again, her expression set like stone.
I see… She’s a deviant!
“I guess I’m next, although the order is off. My name is Claire, Claire Bladeheart,” said a charming young woman with scarlet red hair that came down to her chin. Claire wore a military-style uniform as well, but instead of a golden cord like the Glayder siblings, her outfit had gold epaulettes—basically ornamental shoulder pads—on both shoulders, along with an upright, embellished collar that closely encircled her neck. Her light gray and gold-accented skirt and knee-high boots gave her uniform a much more regal feel compared to my simple one. “With the new changes in the school grade system, I’m considered a sixth-year battle mage student. I have dual attributes in fire and wind, and I’m also the leader of the disciplinary committee. I’m an augmenter like yourself, so just ask me if you have any questions!” This upperclassman oozed positivity and passion from her very pores.
I tried imagining myself in a uniform like Curtis’s or Claire’s and shuddered at the thought. While they looked great on them, I was glad that the DC officer uniforms were tailored to each individual’s preferences and that Director Goodsky had made mine much simpler.
It took a second to register why her name sounded so familiar. “Are you perhaps related to Kaspian Bladeheart?” I asked.
“I am! Do you know my uncle?” She tilted her head to one side.
“No. I’ve just heard many great things about Kaspian Bladeheart’s strength from my father’s ex-party members.” I gave her a warm smile as she nodded in understanding.
“That’s very kind of you to say! My uncle began training me as soon as I awakened, so many of my techniques are similar to his. Of course, I still have a long way to go, but I’m happy you recognize his name.” She dropped a hand to the golden hilt of the rapier strapped on her left side.
“Long time no see, Arthur Leywin!” A tall, blond elf who looked to be a couple of years older than me walked up, crossing his arms while he looked down at me.
“I apologize… Do I know you?” I had no idea who this elf was—then Sylvie mentally transmitted the information. “Ah—Feyfey!” I pointed at him in surprise. Boy, had he gotten big. He was at least a head taller than me and had turned out to be quite the pretty boy.
Feyfey’s face instantly turned beet red, and he placed both hands on my shoulders. “It’s Feyrith. Feyrith Ivsaar III. I may be a first-year like you, but I’m still a couple of years older than you, so don’t call me by nicknames. I’m a water specialist conjurer, by the way.” I could see veins bulging on his forehead.
“Of course! It has been a long time,” I exclaimed as I shook his hand. He returned the greeting cautiously, as if he didn’t know what to expect from me. His uniform was solid black with gold stripes across his shoulders. It was simpler than everyone else’s, but it suited him well.
“Last but not least, this is Theodore Maxwell.” Claire stepped in between me and Feyrith and directed my attention to the last member.
“Hmph. Seems the disciplinary committee has stooped low enough to recruit twerps.” When Theodore stood up, I could have sworn he was a bear. He stood six and a half feet tall at least, easily the same height as Grawder. His uniform was just a vest, which was unbuttoned to reveal his bulging muscles. By the raggedly torn seams at the armholes, I assumed it hadn’t originally been designed as a vest.
He stood in front of me and placed a hand on my shoulder, and suddenly I felt my own weight increase several times over. My feet began sinking, the floor around me beginning to crack. He was a deviant capable of manipulating gravity.
My body was able to withstand it, thanks to the assimilation I had gone through with Sylvia’s dragon will, but not without protest. I strengthened myself further with mana as I lifted his hand off of my shoulder, my eyes locking onto his.
He wanted to test me?
“Hmph.” Noting the cold, wordless gaze I gave him, Theodore released his grip and walked away, muttering, “Not bad.”
A whistle sounded from the cluster of students.
“Arthur’s got guts. Feyrith crumbled to his knees when Theodore did that to him,” Kai snickered from the side.
“I am a conjurer and Arthur is an augmenter. Please don’t compare me to brutes like you,” Feyrith lashed out, his face red from embarrassment.
“Now, now. I’m excited as to what this semester will bring us! We’re going to be a team from now on, guys! We’ll get lots of chances to bond and get closer, so let’s look forward to it!” Claire piped up in a cheery voice as she put her hand out.
“I’m looking forward to it.” Kai put his bandaged hand on top of Claire’s, his face still wearing a mocking smile.
“Aye! Sounds like we’re going to have some interesting times.” Doradrea stood on her tiptoes to put her beefy hand on top of Kai’s.
“Yes—let’s do our best.” Curtis placed his hand in as well, Kathyln wordlessly following suit.
I’d just met everyone and I was already tired. “I’m sure it’ll be a blast,” I breathed while placing my hand on top of Kathyln’s. Sylvie ran down my arm and placed her paw in as well.
Theodore put his massive hand on top of Sylvie’s paw and my hand, making the whole circle stumble a step forward. He gave a silent nod, and Claire flashed a big, confident smile and shouted, “To us! The disciplinary committee!”
“Aye!”
“Before the club rush commences, the student council would like to formally introduce to you, the students of this academy, a group that was personally picked by the director to resolve and prevent disputes amongst students, as well as enforce punishments for troublemakers. While the student council’s main job is to help the director make sure this academy and the events held here run smoothly, this group’s purpose allows them to use magic appropriately to uphold the peace and safety of students, whether against other students or trespassers. Please join me in welcoming the disciplinary committee!” Tessia’s voice rang at her last words.
The auditorium filled with applause as the red curtains in front of us were raised. We stood there, shoulders squared and hands glued to our sides. I had to admit that with people like Curtis, with Grawder behind him, Theodore, Claire, and even Feyrith, we were an impressive sight in our color-coordinated uniforms.
I glanced at Tessia and realized she was staring at me, but as soon as our eyes met, she quickly turned her head away. As we stood in front of the students of Xyrus on the stage, side by side, we pulled out our knives and held them out in front of us so the insignia showed. Unsheathing our knives, we proceeded to offer a small bow as a group before saluting the crowd.
Claire gave a short speech on behalf of the disciplinary committee and then we all headed toward the back of the stage, leaving the crowd with mixed emotions.
For some students, the disciplinary committee would serve as a shackle to prohibit their spoiled behavior. For others, we would be a shield protecting them from the threat of harm.
Either way, it would be an interesting school year.
50
Classes and Professors
“Hey isn’t that one of the DC officers? I think his name was Arthur, right?”
“Isn’t he only a first-year? How was he able to get on the disciplinary committee? He must have connections or something.”
“That’s dumb. Even if he does have connections, he’d still have to be really strong to be on the disciplinary committee.”
“He’s kinda cute, no?”
“Yeah, he’s totally my type.”
“That white fox on top of his head is so adorable!”
I sat toward the back of the classroom with Elijah next to me. The constant murmurs and whispers that echoed against the walls made my head hurt. The professor for our first class, Fundamentals of Mana Theory, had yet to arrive, and the discussions about this morning’s ceremony seemed to be unending.
“Look at how popular you are, Mr. DC Officer.” Elijah nudged me with his elbow while giving me a sarcastic smirk.
Before I had the chance to respond, a man—the professor, I assumed—strode confidently into the room.
He seemed pretty young—in his mid-thirties, at most. His brown hair was kept neat and styled with a wide part. His face was freshly shaven to reveal a narrow jaw. He was on the thinner side, but by no means out of shape. His proportions were good for a conjurer, which the wand strapped to his side identified him as.
He used the folder he held as a gavel, thumping it on the podium before speaking. “Now, now… I realize that there are many wonderful things to talk about, but you aren’t very good at gossiping. If the subject of the conversation is in the same room and can hear what you’re saying, then it really isn’t gossip, now, is it?” He looked in my direction and gave me a wink. I shook my head in defeat.
Some of the students shrank down in embarrassment, but most of them just laughed.
“My name is Professor Avius, and I must say that it’s great to meet you all. This is technically a basic class and some may think it’s unnecessary; I, on the other hand, believe this class is the foundation for what will make you a great mage. We won’t be doing much casting, but there will be fun assignments and projects that I will assign along the way. That’s something we can look forward to!”
The class erupted in a synchronized groan at the thought of doing projects. I couldn’t imagine what sort of projects he was going to assign twelve- to fourteen-year-olds, but thought they should be rather easy.
“On that note, I think today is a fine day to have a lecture. No one’s going to get any younger, so absorb as much knowledge as you can while your brains are still fresh! Take out your notebooks and writing utensils.” His thin face wrinkled as he smiled.
Elijah adjusted his glasses and promptly took out a fresh new notebook and pen and eagerly wrote the title of the class and today’s date. I just leaned forward and rested my chin on my hand to listen.
“Today’s topic will focus on the segregation between conjurers and augmenters.” He wrote messily on the chalkboard. “There is a deeply embedded discrimination against augmenters by conjurers on the premise that augmenters are ‘brutes’ or ‘savages’ who can only fight by getting themselves dirty.” He used his fingers to air quote. “This is a rather ignorant stigma, which everyone should get rid of right here and right now.” He leaned forward, his face turning serious.
His words caused a few murmurs of disagreement and some of acknowledgement.
“Speaking as a conjurer, it is silly to say we are above augmenters simply because our bodies are better suited for influencing mana remotely, as this advantage is present only while we are in lower levels.” He scribbled some key points on the chalkboard. “When a mage’s mana core reaches the silver stage, in conjurers and augmenters alike, the ability to manipulate mana becomes much less restricted. There becomes less of a distinction between the usage of mana veins and mana channels, because the purity of mana produced by our mana core enables us to freely manipulate mana both remotely and directly.” He underlined the words ‘remotely’ and ‘directly’ and circled ‘less of a distinction.’
I heard Elijah make an ‘ooh’ of understanding, and he furiously scribbled the statement into his notebook.
Even Sylvie showed scant interest in the mana beast and just settled back on top of my head.
“Whoa. He wasn’t surprised at all…” From behind the mana beast, a student peeked out. He looked to be a couple of years older than me, with very dull light gray, almost white, hair that reached over his brows. His eyes were so narrow they were virtually slits, and the smile on his face came off as mocking rather than pleasant. Though lean and tall, his overall frame looked rather frail.
What stuck out the most, however, was his uniform. It was very different from mine—in fact, different from any other I’d seen so far. He wore a loose, dark gray kimono-style robe that covered his arms and came down past his torso; black pants; and a golden sash tied around his waist. Peeking out from his robe was the insignia that all the disciplinary committee members had to carry, the silver knife. Something felt off about him—something that made me wary.
“You’re the last DC officer to arrive. My name is Kai Crestless; I’m a fourth-year. Just call me Kai.” His expression didn’t change at all, his eyes still narrowed and lips still smiling, but he gave a slight wave, revealing a hand that was completely wrapped in bandages so that it looked like he had gloves on.
“Hello. My name is Arthur Leywin. Pleased to make your acquaintance.” I shook his bandaged hand.
“Bah! Another delicate pretty boy! Why aren’t there more real men in this committee?” Looking around, I spotted the source of the voice and immediately remembered what Elijah had told me yesterday before dinner.
A female dwarf with limbs as thick as tree trunks hopped down from her seat and approached me. She came up to my chest, and the only indications of her sex were her long brown hair and high-pitched voice, neither of which suited her masculine appearance.
“Looks like we’ll be working together, so I might as well introduce myself. I’m Doradrea Oreguard, a first-year, like yerself. Let’s get along, eh?” she said, firmly smacking my back and sending a jolt through my body. What power.
“Arthur Leywin. Nice to meet you,” I replied, rubbing my back.
“Well, come on now! Follow me. The rest of the DC officers are in the other room. Director Goodsky didn’t really give us any details so everybody’s curious.” She led me through a hall, and Kai followed behind us with the mana beast.
“Everyone! The last guy is here!” Doradrea shouted at the top of her lungs as we reached a room at the end of the hall.
Inside the gigantic room, which I figured was used to hold events, I saw five other figures.
Without further ado, I approached, offering them all a greeting at once. “My name is Arthur Leywin. I’ve just started at the academy as a scholar mage student. I’m a dual-elemental-attribute augmenter, capable in wind and earth.” I offered a brief bow.
“Arthur Leywin?” The first person who spoke up sounded surprised. Looking around, I saw a boy who appeared to be around seventeen. His mahogany-colored hair was spiked out, making him look almost like a lion. His fierce sword-shaped brows combined with his strong brown eyes to produce a striking gaze. It took me a couple of seconds but I soon realized who he was.
“If I remember correctly, you must be Prince Glayder?” The longer I looked at him, the more confident I became that he was Curtis Glayder, son of Sapin’s king.
“I can hardly call myself a prince now that the three kings and queens have dismissed their titles and become the Council. Just call me Curtis.” His voice was charismatic, carrying a certain depth. His expression was a bit troubled, though, no doubt because his father’s guard had caused some problems for me the last time we’d met.
“Nice to see you again, Curtis. You must be a fifth-year now, right?” I responded cheerfully, which eased his troubled look.
“Yes! Fifth-year fire-attribute augmenter and beast tamer. Nice to see you again,” he announced as we grasped hands. Curtis’s uniform looked much more intricate than Kai’s loose-fitting robe; it reminded me of an old-fashioned military uniform without the cap. His black blazer had dark gray accents and gold buttons. A military-style cord stretched from his right shoulder to the collar of his blazer, giving him a refined yet fierce air.
“Ah.” Everything clicked as the mana beast that had so enthusiastically greeted me sat down behind Curtis. “That world lion must be the one your father acquired at the auction several years back. He gave me quite the welcome.”
“Did Kai use Grawder to scare you?” He shot a look at Kai, who just shrugged back. “Yes—I remember you were with us when we purchased him as a cub. We formed an equals contract last year after he reached A-class.”
He tried to sound humble but I could tell he was extremely proud to call himself a beast tamer. I couldn’t blame him; it really was a great feat to have accomplished, especially since he was able to form an equals contract instead of a master-servant contract with his beast. Looking closely, Curtis and his world lion looked oddly similar. Curtis’s hair and Grawder’s mane were of comparable color, and both of them had a fierce look.
“Looks like your bond has changed a bit as well,” he said, rubbing his chin. “Although it looks about the same size.” While he studied Sylvie, who had fallen asleep on my head, I analyzed his internal mana circulation. Curtis didn’t seem to have gone through assimilation, since the world lion’s beast will wasn’t strong in him.
“Yeah, her growth rate seems awfully slow,” I said casually.
“Don’t worry about it. Even though there are quite a few students here who have bonds, most of them aren’t beast tamers—and even fewer have equals contracts.” He patted my shoulder as if to comfort me.
“You remember my sister, Kathyln, right?” he continued. The pretty, petite, black-haired girl gave me a silent bow.
I gave a simple bow in response. “I do. It’s a pleasure to see you again.” She had grown to closely resemble her mother. The stark contrast of her flawless porcelain skin and her jet-black hair, dark eyes, and long lashes made her look like a doll. She was dressed very similarly to her brother except that, instead of pants, she wore a skirt that came to just above her knees. The only girl I’d seen so far in the academy who hadn’t worn a skirt was Doradrea.
“Nice to meet you again, Arthur. I am a first-year as well, coming in as a scholar mage student. I am a single-specialist conjurer in ice-attribute magic.” She bowed again, her expression set like stone.
I see… She’s a deviant!
“I guess I’m next, although the order is off. My name is Claire, Claire Bladeheart,” said a charming young woman with scarlet red hair that came down to her chin. Claire wore a military-style uniform as well, but instead of a golden cord like the Glayder siblings, her outfit had gold epaulettes—basically ornamental shoulder pads—on both shoulders, along with an upright, embellished collar that closely encircled her neck. Her light gray and gold-accented skirt and knee-high boots gave her uniform a much more regal feel compared to my simple one. “With the new changes in the school grade system, I’m considered a sixth-year battle mage student. I have dual attributes in fire and wind, and I’m also the leader of the disciplinary committee. I’m an augmenter like yourself, so just ask me if you have any questions!” This upperclassman oozed positivity and passion from her very pores.
I tried imagining myself in a uniform like Curtis’s or Claire’s and shuddered at the thought. While they looked great on them, I was glad that the DC officer uniforms were tailored to each individual’s preferences and that Director Goodsky had made mine much simpler.
It took a second to register why her name sounded so familiar. “Are you perhaps related to Kaspian Bladeheart?” I asked.
“I am! Do you know my uncle?” She tilted her head to one side.
“No. I’ve just heard many great things about Kaspian Bladeheart’s strength from my father’s ex-party members.” I gave her a warm smile as she nodded in understanding.
“That’s very kind of you to say! My uncle began training me as soon as I awakened, so many of my techniques are similar to his. Of course, I still have a long way to go, but I’m happy you recognize his name.” She dropped a hand to the golden hilt of the rapier strapped on her left side.
“Long time no see, Arthur Leywin!” A tall, blond elf who looked to be a couple of years older than me walked up, crossing his arms while he looked down at me.
“I apologize… Do I know you?” I had no idea who this elf was—then Sylvie mentally transmitted the information. “Ah—Feyfey!” I pointed at him in surprise. Boy, had he gotten big. He was at least a head taller than me and had turned out to be quite the pretty boy.
Feyfey’s face instantly turned beet red, and he placed both hands on my shoulders. “It’s Feyrith. Feyrith Ivsaar III. I may be a first-year like you, but I’m still a couple of years older than you, so don’t call me by nicknames. I’m a water specialist conjurer, by the way.” I could see veins bulging on his forehead.
“Of course! It has been a long time,” I exclaimed as I shook his hand. He returned the greeting cautiously, as if he didn’t know what to expect from me. His uniform was solid black with gold stripes across his shoulders. It was simpler than everyone else’s, but it suited him well.
“Last but not least, this is Theodore Maxwell.” Claire stepped in between me and Feyrith and directed my attention to the last member.
“Hmph. Seems the disciplinary committee has stooped low enough to recruit twerps.” When Theodore stood up, I could have sworn he was a bear. He stood six and a half feet tall at least, easily the same height as Grawder. His uniform was just a vest, which was unbuttoned to reveal his bulging muscles. By the raggedly torn seams at the armholes, I assumed it hadn’t originally been designed as a vest.
He stood in front of me and placed a hand on my shoulder, and suddenly I felt my own weight increase several times over. My feet began sinking, the floor around me beginning to crack. He was a deviant capable of manipulating gravity.
My body was able to withstand it, thanks to the assimilation I had gone through with Sylvia’s dragon will, but not without protest. I strengthened myself further with mana as I lifted his hand off of my shoulder, my eyes locking onto his.
He wanted to test me?
“Hmph.” Noting the cold, wordless gaze I gave him, Theodore released his grip and walked away, muttering, “Not bad.”
A whistle sounded from the cluster of students.
“Arthur’s got guts. Feyrith crumbled to his knees when Theodore did that to him,” Kai snickered from the side.
“I am a conjurer and Arthur is an augmenter. Please don’t compare me to brutes like you,” Feyrith lashed out, his face red from embarrassment.
“Now, now. I’m excited as to what this semester will bring us! We’re going to be a team from now on, guys! We’ll get lots of chances to bond and get closer, so let’s look forward to it!” Claire piped up in a cheery voice as she put her hand out.
“I’m looking forward to it.” Kai put his bandaged hand on top of Claire’s, his face still wearing a mocking smile.
“Aye! Sounds like we’re going to have some interesting times.” Doradrea stood on her tiptoes to put her beefy hand on top of Kai’s.
“Yes—let’s do our best.” Curtis placed his hand in as well, Kathyln wordlessly following suit.
I’d just met everyone and I was already tired. “I’m sure it’ll be a blast,” I breathed while placing my hand on top of Kathyln’s. Sylvie ran down my arm and placed her paw in as well.
Theodore put his massive hand on top of Sylvie’s paw and my hand, making the whole circle stumble a step forward. He gave a silent nod, and Claire flashed a big, confident smile and shouted, “To us! The disciplinary committee!”
“Aye!”
“Before the club rush commences, the student council would like to formally introduce to you, the students of this academy, a group that was personally picked by the director to resolve and prevent disputes amongst students, as well as enforce punishments for troublemakers. While the student council’s main job is to help the director make sure this academy and the events held here run smoothly, this group’s purpose allows them to use magic appropriately to uphold the peace and safety of students, whether against other students or trespassers. Please join me in welcoming the disciplinary committee!” Tessia’s voice rang at her last words.
The auditorium filled with applause as the red curtains in front of us were raised. We stood there, shoulders squared and hands glued to our sides. I had to admit that with people like Curtis, with Grawder behind him, Theodore, Claire, and even Feyrith, we were an impressive sight in our color-coordinated uniforms.
I glanced at Tessia and realized she was staring at me, but as soon as our eyes met, she quickly turned her head away. As we stood in front of the students of Xyrus on the stage, side by side, we pulled out our knives and held them out in front of us so the insignia showed. Unsheathing our knives, we proceeded to offer a small bow as a group before saluting the crowd.
Claire gave a short speech on behalf of the disciplinary committee and then we all headed toward the back of the stage, leaving the crowd with mixed emotions.
For some students, the disciplinary committee would serve as a shackle to prohibit their spoiled behavior. For others, we would be a shield protecting them from the threat of harm.
Either way, it would be an interesting school year.
50
Classes and Professors
“Hey isn’t that one of the DC officers? I think his name was Arthur, right?”
“Isn’t he only a first-year? How was he able to get on the disciplinary committee? He must have connections or something.”
“That’s dumb. Even if he does have connections, he’d still have to be really strong to be on the disciplinary committee.”
“He’s kinda cute, no?”
“Yeah, he’s totally my type.”
“That white fox on top of his head is so adorable!”
I sat toward the back of the classroom with Elijah next to me. The constant murmurs and whispers that echoed against the walls made my head hurt. The professor for our first class, Fundamentals of Mana Theory, had yet to arrive, and the discussions about this morning’s ceremony seemed to be unending.
“Look at how popular you are, Mr. DC Officer.” Elijah nudged me with his elbow while giving me a sarcastic smirk.
Before I had the chance to respond, a man—the professor, I assumed—strode confidently into the room.
He seemed pretty young—in his mid-thirties, at most. His brown hair was kept neat and styled with a wide part. His face was freshly shaven to reveal a narrow jaw. He was on the thinner side, but by no means out of shape. His proportions were good for a conjurer, which the wand strapped to his side identified him as.
He used the folder he held as a gavel, thumping it on the podium before speaking. “Now, now… I realize that there are many wonderful things to talk about, but you aren’t very good at gossiping. If the subject of the conversation is in the same room and can hear what you’re saying, then it really isn’t gossip, now, is it?” He looked in my direction and gave me a wink. I shook my head in defeat.
Some of the students shrank down in embarrassment, but most of them just laughed.
“My name is Professor Avius, and I must say that it’s great to meet you all. This is technically a basic class and some may think it’s unnecessary; I, on the other hand, believe this class is the foundation for what will make you a great mage. We won’t be doing much casting, but there will be fun assignments and projects that I will assign along the way. That’s something we can look forward to!”
The class erupted in a synchronized groan at the thought of doing projects. I couldn’t imagine what sort of projects he was going to assign twelve- to fourteen-year-olds, but thought they should be rather easy.
“On that note, I think today is a fine day to have a lecture. No one’s going to get any younger, so absorb as much knowledge as you can while your brains are still fresh! Take out your notebooks and writing utensils.” His thin face wrinkled as he smiled.
Elijah adjusted his glasses and promptly took out a fresh new notebook and pen and eagerly wrote the title of the class and today’s date. I just leaned forward and rested my chin on my hand to listen.
“Today’s topic will focus on the segregation between conjurers and augmenters.” He wrote messily on the chalkboard. “There is a deeply embedded discrimination against augmenters by conjurers on the premise that augmenters are ‘brutes’ or ‘savages’ who can only fight by getting themselves dirty.” He used his fingers to air quote. “This is a rather ignorant stigma, which everyone should get rid of right here and right now.” He leaned forward, his face turning serious.
His words caused a few murmurs of disagreement and some of acknowledgement.
“Speaking as a conjurer, it is silly to say we are above augmenters simply because our bodies are better suited for influencing mana remotely, as this advantage is present only while we are in lower levels.” He scribbled some key points on the chalkboard. “When a mage’s mana core reaches the silver stage, in conjurers and augmenters alike, the ability to manipulate mana becomes much less restricted. There becomes less of a distinction between the usage of mana veins and mana channels, because the purity of mana produced by our mana core enables us to freely manipulate mana both remotely and directly.” He underlined the words ‘remotely’ and ‘directly’ and circled ‘less of a distinction.’
I heard Elijah make an ‘ooh’ of understanding, and he furiously scribbled the statement into his notebook.
