《Wires And Wands》 “Electricity” "Alright... alright, I''ve got this," the young man murmured while pacing around the room, hands flexing at his side. His voice wavered slightly, evidently, he was in a lot of pressure. All around him, assistants bustled around with efficiency, wheeling around carts stacked with peculiar mechanical trinkets that glinted against the room''s light. "Tesric," out came a voice as sharp as a razor, slicing through the air and freezing the chaos around him. Tesric stopped his pacing, his gaze snapping to the corner of the room where a woman sat with a regal aura. Wearing an extravagant fur coat that was shimmering faintly under the chandelier, matching the color of her auburn hair. Her piercing gaze locked onto him, and her voice was rich with authority. "Remember what I taught you," she said, her words precise and deliberate. The woman stood up and moved gracefully towards Tesric, her heels clicking loudly against the floor. She stood in front of him as she reached to adjust his collar and tie. Her fingers brushed lightly against the fabric, smoothing it down as she told him. "One should always keep an air of confidence around them." Tesric who was dressed in a sleek dark gray button up shirt and vest with a bright red tie, looked every bit the part of a polished, professional, and brilliant young man. His clean-shaven face was sharp and handsome, his hair was slicked back neatly, his gloves fit snugly over his hands, and a pair of goggles rested on his head, ready to be used. He took in a deep breath and smiled at the woman in front of him. "I know... I think I might just be excited," he said, voice laced with a mix of nerves and anticipation. A sudden voice broke the moment as a woman came into the room. "Madame Lestair, the council is ready for him." Madame Lestair''s gaze flicked toward the woman and then back to Tesric, her lips curling into a smile. She leaned in close towards Tesric''s ear and whispered, "Showtime." Tesric nodded silently towards her and straightened his posture. He took a deep breath to steady himself before moving towards the velvet curtains at the center of the room. The assistants then began pushing the carts as they followed behind him. Beyond the curtains, the Vespera Council awaited-a trio of individuals whose influence over the city was absolute. The council members were the gatekeepers of power in Vespera. Tesric knew that if he wanted to truly change the world, he would first have to prove his worth to them. Tesric stepped through the curtains, and was immediately blown away by the sight in front of him. The room was a masterpiece of architecture, with golden decorations adorning every surface. Silk banners fluttered gently in the air, the colors mixing well with the shimmering in the floating magical orbs used as light. However, it was the floating platform that truly caught his attention. Elevated above the rest of the room, the platform hovered, it''s edges softly glowing with a magical aura. The three council members who were draped in blinding golden robes, sat atop it, looking down upon him. Around the room were other influential figures of the city seated in neatly arranged chairs that were lined along the walls. Madame Lestair gracefully made her way to a seat among them, her eyes briefly meeting Tesric''s before she settled down. Tesric hesitated for a moment, unsure if he was to begin or not, until the council member in the center spoke, his voice smooth and commanding. "Proceed with your presentation." The other two council members remained silent and observant, their eyes fixed on him. Tesric cleared his throat. "My name is Tesric Lestair," his voice steadying with each word. "And today, I present to you an invention that...I believe has the potential to change the world!" He raised his fist in a burst of excitement before quickly letting it drop. The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the next words to follow. He motioned to one of the assistants, who stepped forward and placed a cart infront of him. "Magic is the driving force of our society," he began, his gaze going over not just the council but the lesser ranks in the crowd as well. "Yet, not everyone has the ability to wield it. That''s something we all understand. But with this..." He tugged the cloth off the cart in a slick motion, revealing a strange contraption. A web of transparent wires and cirtuits coiled around a small cylinder. On opposite ends of the cylinder were a marked plus and minus symbol. "Anyone can wield magic!" The room fell into silence as the council members leaned forward, their expressions unreadable but their interest piqued. "Or at least, something that can rival it''s power," Tesric said with a cheeky grin. He took a step back, his fingers fiddling with wires. "I call it electricity." He straightened up, giving a half-smile. "I won''t bore you with the fine details, but basically it''s created by moving electrons through a conductor, like this wire here." With a confident flick of his wrist, Tesric flipped a switch on the device control panel. A faint blue crackling stream shot through the transparent wiring, sparking as it spiraled towards the cylinder, which seemed to pulse with energy. "It can be harnessed through mechanical means, chemical reactions, or even just sunlight itself," he added, his voice rising with excitement.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Whispers began to spread throughout the room, murmurs filled with confusion and curiosity. People leaned in closer to each other, speculating about what the device was meant for. "In essence, it''s an energy source," Tesric explained, gesturing towards the wires feeding into the glowing cylinder. As the light continued to pulse brighter, he flipped a switch which powered down the device. Yet, the cylinder continued to glow, now steady and constant. "Not all too different from the lightning spells elemental mages perform." With care, he detached the cylinder from the machinery and held it up without his gloves for everyone in the room to see. "All the electricity generated is fed into this storage unit, which I call a battery." He turned it over in his hands, showing off the smooth surface and compact design. "Despite the small size, it can hold enough energy to power just about anything you can imagine." He moved along the edge of the room, holding out the battery to the people for closer inspection. "It''s light, safe, and completely portable," he added, his tone laced with brimming confidence. The audience exchanged astonished remarks with each other, no doubt thinking about how the device can be used for their purposes. Even the council members leaned in as they murmured to one another. Tesric motioned toward his assistants, who quickly pushed three carts forward and positioned them beside him. "Now here''s the fun part... the testing!" He declared gleefully. With a cool flourish , he removed the tarp from the first cart, revealing a strange machine. It looked like an engine with two wheels attached to its sides. "With electricity," Tesric began, showing off his contraption proudly, "you would no longer need to hire a mage to enchant your carriages to move without a horse." He slotted the glowing battery into a small port on the side of the engine, the engine glowed blue as well, the moment it connected. Tesric stepped back, gripping a string attached to the machine and with one forceful tug, the engine roared to life. "Aaaaand here we go!" he said with a wide grin on his face, pressing a button on the side. The wheels began to spin faster and faster in a blur of motion. The crowd gasped, multiple people began standing up to get a better look, while whispers of amazement circulated the room. The council members who were usually impassive, exchanged curious glances. Tesric gestured toward another assistant, who wheeled in a massive stone nearly as large as Tesric himself. The slab''s sheer size and weight made it clear it was no easy task to move. While the stone was being positioned, the inventor removed the battery from the engine. The machine powered down instantly, the spinning wheels coming to a halt. "Now," Tesric began, turning to the crowd with an inspirational smile, "how about something to help the working people?" With theatrical flair, he peeled the tarp off of the second cart which revealed a colossal, three-pronged claw arm. The blue and gold metallic appendage gleamed under the lights with intricate joints and cables. "Let''s see how electricity can lend a hand or in this case... a claw," he said, the excitement in his voice unmistakable. Moving swiftly to a control panel mounted on the back of the machine, he inserted the battery into its slot. "Down in the mines," he began, his voice commanding the attention of the crowd, "workers usually have to wait for a mage to come down and enchant their tools to harvest the toughest materials." The claw arm shuddered before glowing a faint blue. Tesric gripped the joystick and demonstrated its range of motion, opening and closing the claw with a menacing quality. "But with this," he continued, guiding the claw forward, "the tools wouldn''t even be needed in the first place." The claw reached out and gripped the enormous stone. Gasps echoed through the audience as the machine lifted the slab, moving it effortlessly as if it weighed nothing at all. Tesric smirked as he turned a dial which commanded the claw to clench. With a sickening crunch, the stone crumbled into fragments which scattered across the floor. "Don''t worry, I''ll clean that up," he quipped, flashing a cheeky smile. The audience''s stunned silence broke out into cheers and claps as the possibilities dawned on them with every passing second. After a few moments, Tesric removed the battery from the claw, the machine powering down. He turned toward the final cart, pausing for dramatic effect before carefully peeling back the tarp. Beneath it was a peculiar object: a bulb-shaped piece of white glass with a metal base. "I think this one can speak for itself," Tesric said with a tone of voice full of confidence. He placed the bulb into a dock, which was connected with wires to a circuit with a battery shaped hole on top. With a flourish he inserted the battery and called out, "Let there be light!" The bulb flickered and casted a steady, warm glow that illuminated the room almost as effectively as the magical orbs they were using. Gasps and cheers erupted from the crowd as they were transfixed by the simple yet amazing display. Even the council members had astonished looks on their faces. Tesric took a step back, letting the moment wash over him. The cheers of the croud and the wide eyes of every person in the room told him one thing: this was it. His dream was finally coming to fruition. But it wasn''t over yet. He straightened his posture, taking a deep breath to steady himself. Now came the most important part-the words that would seal the deal. His invention had spoken for itself, but his speech would speak for its future. He stepped forward, meeting the gaze of the council and the crowd alike, ready to deliver the finale. "With electricity," Tesric began, his voice steady and resonant, the crowd leaning in, hanging on every word. "Not only will the lives of the lower class improve with affordable light, and machines to aid their work," he continued, glancing meaningfully toward anyone who looked wealthy, "but the high class will also benefit heavily from it. Productivity, convenience, comfort will be for everyone." "Perhaps..." he thought about what he was going to say next but his enthusiasm got the better of him. "Perhaps it could even replace magic altogether." The words had barely left his mouth before he realized his fatal error. The shift in the mood of the room was instantaneous, as if he''d just committed a cardinal sin. Gasps of horror rippled through the crowd, followed by rising murmurs of discontent. "How dare you suggest that!" one voice cried out, indignant and sharp. "Treason!" another roared. "He should be exiled for such blasphemy!" "Magic is irreplaceable!" Tesric stumbled back, raising his hands in an attempt to calm the crowd. "Wait, no! I didn''t mean-" he tried, but his voice was completely swallowed in the chaos. The council members looked equally horrified, their faces twisted in disbelief. One leaned forward, her voice cutting through the noise. "Do you understand what you''re implying, young man?" Tesric''s heart pounded as he searched for a way to recover, but his words were lost in the rising storm of boos and accusations. The brilliance of his invention was forgotten, overshadowed by a simple slip of the tongue. . . Meanwhile... a woman in a green robe with delicate pink highlights, her outfit fastened by a pin the shape of a rose, stood silently in the shadows of the room. While the crowd was outraged, the woman remained fixed not on the young inventor''s words but on the invention itself. She leaned slightly forward, her fingers brushing the rose pin as she was lost in thought. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she murmured under her breath, "Interesting." “Letter Of Admission” "I shouldn''t have said that," Tesric repeated to himself over and over all while rubbing his temples in frustration. His mind showing him the disaster over and over, "how could I have been so stupid." Next to him, Madame Lestair sat calmy, sipping her tea entirely unfazed by his despair. Outside, the bustling city of Vespera unfurled around them. The enchanted Lestair family carriage rolled smoothly down a road which was filled with other magical carriages. Above them was the reckless motion of people on brooms and carpets zipping past, some flying way too low and earning tickets from patrolling enforcers. "You''re beating yourself up," Madame Lestair said finally, setting her teacup down. "It''s unbecoming." "I know," Tesric sighed, leaning back in his seat. "It''s just... all my life''s work went into the trash, all because of a few words." He rubbed his eyes, the weight of the blunder pressing down on him. His voice cracked a little bit as he stated, "The whole city thinks I''m an embarrassment. I''ll never get another chance to present to the council again." He stared out of the window to watch broom riders darting through the air. "I suppose I should just give it up and continue my work in the Lestair Industries factories." He sighed deeply, his fingers idly tapping against the windowpane Madame Lestair''s gaze sharpened, her expression turning cold at hearing Tesric''s resignation. "Do you want to know why I took you in from the orphanage all those years ago?" she asked, her tone cutting through his despair. "What? You''ve already told me this a million times," Tesric said, his frustration evident in his voice. He wasn''t normally this irritable, but the events of the council meeting were still fresh on his mind. "It was because you saw my potential when I made those steam-powered toys for the other kids in the orphanage," he recounted, with a flat tone as he remembered Madame Lestair telling him the same story during various points in his life. The Madame raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smirk. "Ah, but that''s what I told you," she replied smoothly. "Not the real reason." She took another sip from her cup before she set it back on the table with a clink. She turned her full attention to Tesric, as she looked at him with an almost playful smile. "If I took in every kid who showed promise," she said with a touch of dry humor, "I would have been swimming in hundreds of children by now." Tesric, intrigued as he had never heard of this before, leaned forward, his brow furrowed in curiosity. "Then why was I special?" The smile on her face softened into something more genuine. Without a word, she reached out and placed a finger on his chest, right above where the heart was. "Because of this," she answered, her voice steady but full of meaning and warmth. "What I saw that day was a boy who had heart. A boy who would do anything to achieve his dream, no matter how difficult it may be." Her gaze held his with intensity. "Never lose that spark, Tesric," she added, her voice carrying the weight of years of experience and wisdom. "I see... thank you... Mother," Tesric said, his voice soft as the two shared a rare moment of genuine connection as mother and son, not patron and beneficiary which was how most outsiders viewed their relationship as. Madame Lestair gave him a loving smile, sensing the shift in his mood. "And besides, my investment in you has already paid off," she added, her tone lightening his mood already. "Our house is now powered by electricity, instead of those pesky mages who charge an ungodly amount of money." Tesric chuckled at the Madame''s rant about mages, his mood finally lifting. "I guess that''s one way to look at it," he commented, a grin spreading across his face as he leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to allow himself to rest. The rhythmic motion of the carriage and the sound of the road outside gave him a brief moment of peace from the chaotic day. After a while, the carriage finally arrived at the Lestair family mansion. As the carriage came to a halt, numerous servants hurried out to meet them, ready to move Tesric''s machinery back into his workshop. The Lestair mansion stood out starkly against the other similar estates in the area. Unlike the elegant and enchanted homes that relied on magical power to function, the Lestair estate relied on electricity, which made it look like a chaotic mess of wires and mechanical contraptions, stretching across the entire building. To anyone unfamiliar with it, it might appear like a mess, especially when compared to the elegance of it''s contemporaries. But Madame Lestair would always say that it was simply a matter of "functionality over beauty." Tesric and Madame Lestair made their way to the front door of the mansion. As Tesric reached for the doorknob, the door suddenly swung open, revealing Elowen, the family Butler, standing there with a cake in hand. "Happy 18th birthday, young master," Elowen said, her voice warm with fondness for Tesric. Madame Lestair also leaned in towards his ear and whispered "Happy birthday". Tesric flinched in surprise, his mind still preoccupied with the council meeting and unfortunate events of the day. He quickly recovered, shaking his head with a light laugh. "Isn''t it tomorr"The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Before he could finish his words, Elowen raised a pocket watch (one that he created and gifted her.) in front of him. It showed that it was exactly one minute past midnight. Tesric blinked in surprise."Oh," he muttered, realizing she was indeed correct. Even with all his mechanical genius, Tesric really didn''t seem to be the brightest tool in the shed sometimes. Time had slipped away from him, and without even realizing, his birthday had already arrived. Elowen smiled fondly, holding out the cake toward Tesric as she waited for him to blow out the candle. "It''s your special day, young master. A new chapter begins." As she placed the cake before him, her tone shifted to a inquisitive one. "I also hope your presentation to the council went well." Tesric chuckled softly, remembering how not well it went. "Have I got a story to tell you," he said with a cheeky grin, letting the weight of his blunder lift from his shoulders through the use of humor. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and blew out the candle. . . . The woman in the green robes murmured softly to herself as she wrote down the words onto the paper: "You are formally invited to..." She thought about what she had just witnessed during the council presentation, the invention of the young man and the power it could create. She had been captivated, and without hesitation, reached out to the principal of her school of employment, seeking permission to admit the young inventor into the school for mages. "With love, Pinkrose Academy," she murmured to herself as she wrote the final words in the letter, her fingers glowing as she casted a sealing spell. With a steady hand, she picked up the two letters on her desk and approached a large cage in the corner of the room, where a three-eyed eagle was perched. "Deliver these letters to the exact coordinates," she said, her voice laced with some sort of command. The air around them seemed to crackle as the magic flowed between them. The Eagle stepped forward and eagerly grabbed the letters in its talons, as though it was bound by her compulsion, ready to carry out its mission. The eagle took flight, soaring into the night sky through the open window, the letters clutched tightly in its claws, heading toward their destination with precision. . . . Tesric layed sprawling across his workbench, still dressed in his apron, goggles, and gloves with a mess of tools and wires around him. After his birthday celebration, the others had resigned to their bedrooms, but he instead opted for his workshop. It wasn''t unusual for Tesric to fall asleep here, it was after all where he felt most at peace, surrounded by his creations. His room which had a soft and plush bed and decorated with the grandiose luxury of the Lestair mansion, always felt more like a cage to him. However, here in the midst of wires, gears, and half-built machinery is what truly felt like home. He didn''t mind the fatigue nor the long hours of work that had left him drained. Exhaustion from his projects was something he loved because it meant progress. It meant that he was one step closer to his dream. The warmth and joy of the birthday celebration had faded from his memory hours ago. And now, the hum of machines was a soft, comforting background to his peaceful slumber. *clack* *clack* Tesric blinks a few times, his groggy mind trying to focus as the soft clacking of what sounded like a bird''s talons pulled him out of his sleep. His eyes look up towards the window where an eagle slips in a letter from the opening it created. A shiver runs through him, half from the sudden intrusion and half from the surreal sight. The piece of parchment drifts lazily through the air toward him as if it was guided by some unseen force. His hand instinctively moves to grab it, but before he can, the letter moves erratically and lands softly on his face. Tesric slowly pulls it off, still half-asleep. The paper feels almost otherworldly in his hands, and for a moment, he stares at the rose shaped pink seal holding the envelope shut. His eyes widened as he realized that this was no ordinary letter. He immediately recognized it as a Pinkrose Academy letter. And who wouldn''t? It was one of the most prestigious magical schools in the entire realm, known for producing some of the most powerful and influential mages in history. As such only those who show the greatest magical potential during their childhood years are invited to the academy. "Why is this here?" Tesric muttered under his breath, confused and bewildered. The letter in front of him seem to glow pink faintly, it''s rose shaped seal was unmistakable. But he just couldn''t understand why it was delivered to him. After all, he wasn''t fortunate enough to be born with the gift of magic. So why would Pinkrose even be sending a letter to someone like him? He stared at the envelope for a moment longer before deciding to just open it. There had to be some sort of explanation, right? Carefully, he broke the seal and opened up the letter. As soon as he did, a beautiful bouquet of pink roses immediately burst from the letter, causing Tesric to leap back in surprise. The flowers seem to grow right out of the paper, blooming right before his eyes, their sweet fragrance filling the air. The plant''s growth soon came to a stop, and floating golden letters began to appear on the surface of the bouquet. Each letter shimmered and hovered in mid air as they spelled out this message: Dear Tesric Lestair. On behalf of Pinkrose Academy, we are pleased to extend an invitation for you to join our esteemed institution for the upcoming academic year. One of our staff had the privilege of attending your presentation during the Vespera city council meeting and was deeply impressed by the ingenuity of your invention. After some careful consideration, we believe that your skills and innovative technology would be an invaluable asset, not just to our academy but the whole world as well. We are eager to offer you the opportunity to study at Pinkrose, regardless of your lack of magic. Should you choose to accept our invitation, please make your way to the Vespera Airship Bay in precisely 23 days, 2 hours, and 45 minutes. We hope to see your presence there. With love, Pinkrose Academy. After completing the letter, the bouquet''s flowers suddenly wilted as its vibrant petals began dropping in an instant. Within seconds, the beautiful flowers turned a dull gray and crumbled to dust, flying off into the air. Tesric sat in silence for a while, staring at the ashes that once was the bouquet. His mind thought about everything that had happened. At first, he had dismissed the idea of accepting the invitation. But the more he thought about it, the more it made sense for him to accept it. He could already hear the voices of his detractors in his head, the very same ones that had always put him down. You can''t compete with magic. But what if he could? What if his inventions could do the same things that magic could. If he could show the world what he was capable of, maybe then people would finally take him seriously. The thought of it stirred something deep within him. He wasn''t going to just be another inventor living in obscurity. No, he would make a name for himself and prove that his creations could stand up to magic, that they were just as powerful, if not, even stronger. A new goal had sprouted in his mind: Become a Techno-Mage. “Arden” Vespera, the Everlit City, as it was known to the rest of the world, stood as a monument to progress and innovation. The bustling factories, towering skyscrapers, thriving businesses, and great economy made it the perfect place for those with ambition and big dreams. Yet beneath its radiance lies an isolated region deliberately hidden from view: The Gloam. Beneath the hollow grounds of the Everlit City, sprawled The Gloam. A maze of crumbling buildings and narrow alleys that served as the home to Vesperas most unfortunate. Hidden away from the eyes of polite society and ignored by the authorities, it had become a lawless land, a wretched hive of crime and violence. The people who lived there though, rarely had a choice. Either being born into poverty or cast out from the glittering Metropolis above. It was a harsh existence, and the fight to survive was constant and unrelenting. . . *Pant* *Pant* A young man dashed through the twisting alleyways while clutching a loaf of bread tightly to his chest. His purple cloak drifting in the air behind him as he twisted and turned in an effort to escape the men chasing him. He had run out of breath a while ago and his chest was burning, but he couldnt afford to stop. Youre only delaying the inevitable! one of his pursuers yelled out, the sound of his footsteps growing closer every second. He rounded the corner into an intersection, his eyes scanning everywhere for an escape. To his left was a thug with a grin and a rusty pipe in hand, straight forward was another, cracking his knuckles menacingly. With no other option and overcome with panic, the young man darted to the right. His heart sinking when he found himself staring at a cold, solid brick wall. A dead end. The two thugs closed in, cornering him in the small alley. Their leader emerged from one of the paths, his appearance making it clear he was in control. The large man wore a tailored jacket that could have only been purchased with ill-gotten wealth, very much unlike the ragged attire of his goons. Things only seem to get worse as the leader snapped his fingers, conjuring a flame that flickered in his hand. Please, just let me go, the young man begged to the thugs, his voice trembling as he clutched the loaf of bread tighter. It was just a piece of bread I hadnt eaten in days. The leader who was clearly unimpressed, raised an eyebrow at him. You think I care about a piece of bread? he said with a tone full of mockery. He took out a cigar from his pocket and lit it up with the flame in his hand. No, what I care about is the optics. The leader placed the cigar in his mouth and took a long drag, a cloud of smoke swirling around him as he breathed out. Brats like yourself dont steal from me and walk away without facing the consequences. The young mens heart pounded faster and faster as the leader took another puff and gestured his men forward. Teach him a lesson. The goons advanced towards him, banging their weapons on the wall to instill dread. With his back against the wall, the young man held out his trembling hands. Please dont come any closer. he said, his voice was unsteady and laced with fear, but not for fear of them, but of himself. For your sake. The thugs chuckled at the young mans words, their grins widened as if his warning was the funniest joke they had heard all day. The leader however, didnt quite share in their amusement. His expression turned to anger, his ego was bruised by the young mans audacity. You shouldve just stayed silent, the leader spit out, his voice filled with anger. The flame in his hands sparked up, growing larger and larger, increasing with his fury. He moved forward and pushed his goons out of the way. Step back. Ill deal with this brat myself. The thugs wishing not to anger their employer further, moved to the side of the alley as their boss hurled a massive fireball straight at the young man. The young mans breath hitched as the flames came closer. Just as the ball of flame was about to snuff him out, his eyes snapped open, glowing a deep purple. Almost instantly, a burst of magic expelled from the young mans body, the chaotic explosion illuminated the alleyway with a rainbow of colors. Beams of fire, ice, light, shadow and other forms of magic were blasted in every direction, engulfing everything with uncontrollable energy.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. The thugs in the corner obviously didnt stand a chance. The both of them were struck by blasts of pure magical energy, flung around and folded like laundry. Even an unfortunate rat coming out of a dumpster was struck by a beam of transmutation, leaving behind a brick where it stood. The leader, who was scared out of his mind and had just realized the power of what he had provoked, conjured up a barrier in a desperate attempt to protect himself. However, it proved useless as the barrier crumbled under the awesome power it stood against, shattering like glass as the energy overwhelmed him. Finally, the leader collapsed with a grunt, his clothes now scorched and torn apart. . . . When the young man finally regained consciousness, he felt his body ache, and his mind was cloudy. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, blinking as he tried to piece together what had just happened. The alley was quiet and almost empty, the air filled with the scent of burnt concrete. His heart pounded as his gaze fell on the thugs who were prepared to end him a moment ago. They now lay scattered across the alley, their clothes singed and their weapons incinerated. They were still alive, although barely. The young man gazed around the alleyway and saw the loaf of bread, miraculously still intact, resting on the floor. He crouched down to pick up the loaf of bread, wondering how it even survived but relieved nonetheless that it was still intact. Just as his fingers hovered over the bread, he stopped himself. The bread laid there untouched. He shouldve taken it, it wouldve probably been the best meal he had eaten all month. But the desire to eat it had disappeared from his body, and his mind felt different. Whatever power he had just tapped into had seemingly wiped away his hunger and fatigue. It was almost like he had been rejuvenated, the emptiness in his stomach felt full, and the heaviness in his limbs disappeared. With one final look at the alleyway, and seeing the thugs beginning to recover. He adjusted the hood of his cloak, pulling it low in order to obscure his face, and slipped quickly from the alleyway. The young man made his way out of the alleys and into the main streets of The Gloam, where buildings that were falling apart lined the roads and shady shops filled every nook and cranny. People zoomed past him on enchanted items that probably shouldnt have been enchanted but that was a common sight in this part of Vespera. The air was thick and carried the noise of vendors calling out, the sounds of clanking metal from god knows where, and the murmurs of conversations. The Gloam truly felt alive, but there was always a certain heaviness to it that pulled his mood down. After about three minutes of walking, the young man found his way to an abandoned building, which he had made his home over the past few months. The walls were cracked, the roof probably shouldve collapsed ages ago, and there was giant hole that let the occasional beam of light through. It wasnt what you would usually call a home, but it was shelter, and to him that was enough. He entered and sat down on the floor, using the wall as a headrest. He stared at his hands, still feeling the strange magical power lingering beneath his skin. Another arcane release he mumbled himself while rubbing his hands together in frustration. It wasnt even the first time his powers had unleashed itself uncontrollably. He had no idea why it kept happening or what triggered it. And as far as he knew, he didnt come from any magical lineage, so where did this even come from? His mother had been an ordinary woman, who had worked hard to provide for him on her own in the Gloam. She did her best, but the Gloam had claimed her life when he was just 13. Since that day, he had learned how to survive on his own, fighting for every scrap of food, and every bit of warmth from a fire. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small locket, opening it carefully to reveal a picture of his mother and himself when he was about 10 years old. He caressed the photo with his finger for a moment, then whispered, I wish you were still here to guide me. The Gloam had taken every bit of happiness in his life. His mother, his childhood, and now he had magic, a power he couldnt control. He closed the locket slowly and slipped it back into his pocket, letting his head fall back against the wall and closing his eyes. . . . Sunlight from the hole in the building shined directly on the young mans face, forcefully waking him up. Shaking his head a few times he managed to wake himself up fully, realizing he had dozed off where he sat down. As his gaze become clearer, he froze up from what he saw. A three-eyed eagle was perched in front of him, its eyes fixed on his face. Before he could even process anything, the eagle flapped its wings and flew through the hole in the building. Where the eagle had been perched, there was now a small letter. The young man leaned forward and picked up the letter, inspecting it, and noting the rose-shaped seal keeping it shut. He recognized the emblem from a poster hed seen floating around, it was the symbol of some sort of prestigious mage academy. Cautiously, he resolved to open the letter and broke the seal, instantly a bouquet of pink roses sprouted from the letter, a magical vibrance blooming with it. The young man jumped back, understandably startled at the sight. After it had stopped growing, golden letters began to appear on the surface of the bouquet. Each letter shimmered and hovered in mid air as they spelled out this message: Dear Arden Solwyn. On behalf of Pinkrose Academy, we are pleased to extend an invitation for you to join our esteemed institution for the upcoming academic year. We had detected a growing magical presence within you, and one of our staff came to the city to confirm our suspicions, and they were confirmed. After some considerations, we believe that your latent magical potential is too great to ignore. We at Pinkrose are most privileged to offer you the opportunity to learn to control your magic and study at our academy. Should you choose to accept our invitation, please make your way to the Vespera Airship Bay in precisely 23 days, 2 hours, and 50 minutes. We hope to see your presence there. With love, Pinkrose Academy. The bouquet began to crumble after Arden completed reading the message, its petals disintegrating into nothingness. The only thing left behind was a single piece of paper. Arden bent down and picked it up, inspecting it carefully. And what he saw was a carriage ticket, the destination? The main city of Vespera. His hands began shaking as the weight of the moment fully set in, and tears streamed down his face. This was it. This was the chance he had been waiting for, the chance to build a better life for himself. Clutching the ticket tightly in his hands, he mumbled, Finally “Fated Encounter” Arden stared out of the window of the enchanted carriage, he was entranced by the amazing and breathtaking view of the commercial area of Vespera. With it being his first real time venturing out of the Gloam, the contrast between the two was astonishing to say the least. The buildings here were pristine with sleek and modern architecture, and shining glass facades that reflected the sunlight. The stores and shops were luxurious, their interiors immaculate and inviting. However, what was the most striking of all were the people, their faces were lit up with smiles, and their laughter echoed throughout the streets. A far cry from the usual gloominess he had grown used to. Were here, sir! The carriage operator called out enthusiastically. Arden was Jolted out of his thoughts, realizing that the carriage had already come to a stop a while ago. He opened the garage door and stepped outside, pausing at the edge of the carriage when his feet met the smooth concrete floor. For a few moments, he just stood there with his eyes closed, letting the warmth of the sun wash over him. In the Gloam, sunlight rarely made it through the smog, and even the times it did were never like this. Arden inhaled deeply, savoring the clean and crisp air. It was the greatest thing that had ever graced his nostrils, a hard contrast to the probably poisonous, musty stench that was ever present in his place of birth. Arden turned towards the carriage operator, who was engrossed in his map, looking for his next destination, preparing to depart at moments notice. Sorry to interrupt, but could you tell where the airship bay is? he asked. The operator chuckled, realizing that he had forgotten about Ardens unfamiliarity in the city. Oh, right, first time topside, he said, at the same time scratching his chin. Just follow the signs, lad. He pointed with his index finger towards the numerous street signs scattered all around the city, the design on the signs were pointed at various directions with glowing texts that indicated key locations. Got it. Thanks a lot, Arden replied with a trace of urgency in his voice. A few of it came from his excitement, and most of it from the nagging awareness that he had exactly 20 minutes to reach the airship bay. As Arden turned to leave, the operator called out to him with a grin. Good luck on your journey, future spellcaster, he teased, tipping his hat in a show of goodwill. The words caught Arden off guard and he was left there stunned momentarily. He had never once in his whole life dreamed of becoming a mage, nor did he ever want to, but hearing the title of spellcaster directed at him made something hidden deep within very happy. It felt natural it felt right. A smile crept across his face, wide and unrestrained, as he gave a casual two finger salute back to the operator as a farewell. Arden began walking along the sidewalk, his eyes focusing between the signs pointing to the airship bay and where he was walking. As he followed the directions, making his way through a park, he was suddenly bumped into by a group of children who were playing with a magic bubble maker. One of the really really big shimmering bubbles popped against his shoulder, showering his cloak in glittery soapy water. He laughed at the childrens antics and even blew a couple of bubbles for them. Soon after, he stepped aside to let the children continue their game. Further along the way, a caramel apple was thrusted into his hands by a persistent street vendor who chased him down. Free of charge! You look like a guy in need of something sweet! the vender exclaimed happily. It was the best thing he had eaten in years, and he savored every bite as he continued the walk. Just as Arden thought he was starting to get the hang of the city life, a rogue enchanted pillow zipped past his head, just about missing him. In disbelief, Arden stared as a flustered man in pajamas ran past him, shouting apologies and unsuccessfully chasing after the sack of cotton. After what felt like an eternity, although it was only 15 minutes. Arden finally stood in front of the towering terminal of the airship bay. He began to brush glitter off his cloak, and wiping away the caramel still clinging to his fingers in an effort to look slightly decent. As Arden neared the entrance, his attention was drawn to a young man near the doors. He had slicked-back brown hair, a crisp white shirt with a red tie tucked professionally under a dark gray vest, and oddly enough, a pair of goggles were rested on his head. The young man embraced a woman who Arden assumed to be his mother, it was a hug that spoke of goodbyes and well-wishes. Arden stopped in his tracks, a feeling of yearning hitting him like a sudden wave. Maybe if he thought. If his mother were still alive, would she be here seeing him off like that? Ardens chest tightened, but the feeling really didnt last long. The melancholic moment shattered when the young man turned away from his mother and began wheeling around a comically large, and I mean really large luggage bag behind him.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. It was almost as tall as the young man himself, and had peculiar and strange objects poking out of of its seams that were holding on for dear life. One particularly precarious contraption poked out of the top bursting through the zippers, looking like it was ready to fall at any moment. Arden covered his mouth with his hand, suppressing his chuckle. What in the world? he muttered, the absurdity of the whole thing lifting his mood. He took a deep breath and stepped closer to the entrance, unaware that he was heading toward the same path as the young man. . . Tesric pulled away from Madame Lestairs warm embrace, adjusting his collar and tie as he prepared to depart. His morning had started with a surprise farewell party organized by the mansion staff. It was heartfelt and touching, in fact, Tesric almost teared up, but at the same time, it was also overwhelming. He appreciated the effort, truly, however, the lengths they went to were a bit excessive to say the least. The highlight had to be when Elowen brought out the cake that was sculpted into a perfect replica of Tesrics face. He could still hear the staffs laughter as they cut into it. Shudder Tesric swaggered toward the entrance of the airship bay terminal, the oversized luggage rattling behind him. Every step was a battle for control between the bag and him. Madame Lestair watched the spectacle unfold before her, a mixture of fondness and secondhand embarrassment plastered on her face. The entrance of the airship bay was no ordinary door, it was a pair of massive stone slabs, smooth as can be and sealed tightly together. Hovering over the slabs was a glowing ward that scanned every approaching visitor. Tesric stood in front of the ward, standing still to allow it to do its work. As the eye of the ward scanned him, he noticed a young man in a purple cloak trying his damnedest to push the stone doors open. After a few seconds of trying and failing, the man glanced at Tesric and mimicked what he was doing, realizing his mistake. After the ward was finished scanning, the doors finally split apart, revealing the passage ahead. Tesric took a deep breath and stepped through, closing his eyes as his foot went over the threshold. When he opened his eyes once again, he was now on the rooftop of the airship bay terminal, which was a skyscraper that overlooked the city. He saw the sunlight bouncing off shiny buildings, and the spires of others piercing the heavens. It wasnt his first rodeo with the elevator enchantment, but it was something he would never get tired of. Near him, the young man in the purple cloak looked around his surroundings with wide eyes, clearly disoriented by the unanticipated change in elevation. Tesric couldnt help but smirk, First time buddy? he teased, but the windy air masked the sound, and the man didnt hear him. Continuing on, Tesric walked through the open-air hangar. On a regular day, this place would have been bustling with hundreds of travelers and workers. However, on this day, the hangar was surprisingly quiet, with only a couple of people boarding airships. Pinkrose must have picked a good date, he said, saying his thoughts outloud. A bad habit that Madame Lestair gave him a lot of lectures about, so he stopped doing it around her. Keyword: Around her His eyes scanned the hangar, looking for the academys airship. Commercial airships followed a pretty simple design, a wooden hull similar to any other water-based ship, but without masts and sails. They hovered above swirling clouds of magical energy, the color of the clouds depending on the enchanters preference. Thankfully, spotting the Pinkrose airship wasnt any particular challenge. It was humongous compared to the rest of the smaller private and commercial airships present on the bay. The exterior of the vessel was decorated with carvings of blooming roses, and as the name of the academy suggested, it was overwhelmingly pink. Of course, Tesric sighed at the sight, just had to stay on theme huh. The airship looked relatively clean and new, with no signs of use whatsoever, which he deduced to mean that he was the first to be picked up. That also meant that he would have the ship to himself for a little while. Pinkrose Academys rule of inviting only one student per city ensured that he wouldnt have to share this part of the journey with other students. Not that he minded. After all a little solitude would give him time to improve his inventions and refine them before arriving at the Academy. Tesric pulled out his pocket watch and looked at the time. Precisely 30 seconds remained until the agreed-upon time of meeting. Without any hesitation, he began to run towards the docking area, or as close to running as one could get while dragging an impractically large luggage case. Ahead of him, a mustachioed man with a monocle in pilot attire stood next to the airship, holding up a wand that projected above him floating numbers that were counting down the seconds. 0:10 Tesric unleashed a burst of speed, his heart pounding as he quickened his pace. 0:01 The pilot, his voice amplified by magic, shouted, Pinkrose students!? Here! Tesric yelled out breathlessly at the same time as another, more calm voice beside him. Right here. Tesric whipped around to see the same young man he saw earlier in the purple cloak. He was slimmer than Tesric, his frame carrying an aura of quiet confidence, and his face was strikingly handsome especially when framed by his long messy purple hair that matched the hue of his eyes. Their gazes met each other in a mix of curiosity and surprise at the presence of the other. The pilot raised his eyebrow in bewilderment, stroking his mustache as he pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket. How peculiar, he muttered while scanning the list of names. Two students from the same region Thats a first! He straightened up and cleared his throat, All right, attendance time! He began reading the names. Arden Solwyn? Arden raised his hand. Next is Tesric Lestair. Present and accounted for! Tesric said with confidence, also raising his hand. The pilot nodded and put the paper back in his pocket. Right, how about you boys get to know each other while I prep the ship. he said, before disappearing through a small door in the side of the airship. Leaving the two boys standing awkwardly at the dock. Tesric wasted no time, his confidence shining through. He extended a hand toward Arden. Arden, huh? Nice meeting you. Arden stared at the hand stretched toward him, hesitating for a moment before returning the gesture by shaking it. Likewise. “Class Assembly” Part 1 As he was shaking it, Tesric felt the roughness of Ardens hand, his fingers moving along scars that lined the skin. He had some rough hands himself, years of tinkering with machines and a few electric shocks will do that to you, but Ardens scars were different, born from survival rather than creation. Tesrics analytical gaze shifted to his worn dirty cloaka rare sight in a topside full of formal wearand the slimness of his sharp face, putting the puzzle pieces together. Youre from the Gloam, arent you? Tesric asked casually, his tone more curious than judgmental, devoid of any malice. Ardens eyebrow raised slightly, Yeah, I am, His voice had an edge to it, something that must have spawned from too many conversations like this one. You got a problem with that? Tesric tilted his head slightly, allowing the silence to stretch for a moment with a mischievous glimmer present in his eyes. Its absolutely he dragged the words out, feigning hesitation. Perfectly fine! he grinned with a playful and disarming tone of voice. Arden blinked in surprise, not expecting that response. I see.. Tesric chuckled and hit Arden with a playful punch on the shoulder, basically telling him to lighten up. Got you there, didnt I? A faint smile finally broke out of the mage-to-bes guarded expression. Sure did. The two students continued their conversation, although it was mostly Tesric doing the talking. He enthusiastically talked about his inventions, his family, and his engineering background. Arden, who really didnt know what he was talking about, offered only short responses. Tesric also realized when he was talking about their childhoods that Arden didnt like that topic being brought up, so he steered the conversation to safer topics. And also, I dont have magic, Tesric said suddenly, dropping the fact in the middle of the conversation as though it was completely unimportant. Arden stopped and whipped his head towards Tesric. His expression, a mix of shock and confusion, and his voice loud with disbelief. Wait, what? Then why are you even he- Time to get on, boys! The pilot shouted from the deck of the airship, interrupting Ardens questioning. The pilot swished his wand around, and glowing steps of energy materialized which floated upward, leading to the edge of the airships deck. Well get to that later, Tesric said, cutting the conversation short. He turned towards the steps, his face lighting up as he gestured towards it, Cmon, lets go. Tesrics gigantic luggage also started levitating up toward the deck of the ship. Tesric glanced at it briefly, praying it wouldnt crash into something. Arden shook his head, still trying to process the information Tesric had laid on him, but there was no time to press further. He followed Tesric up the glowing steps, while the faint hum of magic buzzed beneath their feet. As the two made their way up the glowing steps, their eyes were immediately drawn to a circular pattern etched onto the wooden floor. At the edge of the circle, five small crystals were embedded at precise points. Next to the crystals were the names of various cities: Floriellis, Myrthal, Valdros, Bramverde, and Ruthgard. Tesric recognized the names, but it was the pattern that held his attention. He knelt down to examine the strange design of the ritual, his brow raised in curiosity. Ive never seen anything like this before, he muttered, lightly brushing over the markings with his fingers. Arden, who was behind Tesric, extended his hand toward the pattern as if he was feeling the magic emanating from it. A warp ritual, utilizing dragon scales, Arden said matter-of-factly. The pilot who was finishing the circles last segment, glanced over at Arden with a pleased smile. Thats right! he affirmed, Great answer, Master Solwyn. Tesric, who was surprised and impressed at Ardens words, turned to him with a smile. Nice one, Arden. How did you he cut himself off when he saw Arden look just as puzzled as himself. Arden started rubbing his temples, I dont know, he muttered. There was simply no way he couldve even known that, after all information of that kind wasnt common knowledge in the Gloam. Tesric studied his expression for a moment before shrugging his arms and getting up. Well whatever that was, its pretty impressive, The pilot walked to the center of the rune ritual and twirled his wand around into a circle. Find something to hold onto, boys, he called out gleefully. The dragon scale embedded next to Myrthal began to glow and evaporate into nothingness. Were off to pick up your classmates! Arden quickly gripped one of the sturdy support beams of the airships, bracing himself for whatever was happening. Meanwhile, Tesric glanced down at his luggage and decided to trust that its impressive size would make it an effective anchor.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. The circular pattern pulsed brighter and brighter until finally, the airship appeared to disappear from existence. The world felt like it was spinning in all directions, yet oddly, feeling weightless. After only a few seconds, the light dimmed and the airship was steady once again. Tesric looked around cautiously, it looked like they were in the same place, but something was different. The air was cooler, and the timezones had changed, with it being morning when they got on and now it was the afternoon. As he peered down over the side of the deck, his eyes widened and his jaw dropped. Below the airship was a magnificent city, vastly different from Vespera in every way. Massive towers of stone were built on the side of mountains, their surfaces edged with glowing runes. Bridges made of light connected the towers in a web of luminescence. At the heart of the city stood a castle that was crowned with glowing orbs that floated above its towers. Arden leaned against the railing of the deck next to Tesric, scanning the cityscape with awe. Any idea where we are? Tesric looked at him with a gaze alight with excitement. Myrthal, the city where magic was born. His words came out fast as his enthusiasm bubbled. Some of the greatest academics and innovators in history came from here! Ive always dreamed of seeing it in person. Arden look at Tesric, whose eyes were sparkling with wonder, and smirked at him. For someone without magic, Youre really into this stuff, huh? he remarked, half-teasing. Tesric chuckled at the teasing. Of course I am, how else am I supposed to figure out how to make my inventions replace magic if I dont understand it first? Youre trying to wha The question was cut abruptly short as the airship suddenly dropped, rapidly descending toward the citys docking port. Arden who was decidedly tired of being interrupted, chose to just not question it any further. The pilot, unfazed by the sudden landing, stepped down to the docking area with his wand in hand to welcome the next passenger. After a minute of waiting, the sound of footsteps on the conjured steps, cut their attention. A dark-haired girl ascended up them, her scholarly attire swaying with each of her steps, and the glasses sitting on her nose gave her a studious aura. Once on the deck, she approached the two boys with a polite nod. My name is Quinn Zerithis, she introduced herself with a calm voice. Tesric Lestair, Tesric replied warmly. Arden Solwyn. Arden followed, though more reserved. Quinns gaze flicked between the two of them, her expression thoughtful, while stroking her chin in contemplation. Hmm. Judging by your overall appearances, Id say you two must be from the same cityhow unusual, she remarked. Both of the boys blinked in surprise at her deduction. Quinn turned her attention to Arden, her eyes narrowing as she focused. Though, you appear to be from a lower class than him. The statement was blunt, but she viewed it as a simple observation rather than an insult. Its quite obvious from the differences in your clothing and skin tone. Arden stiffened at the comment, crossing his arms defensively, but before he could respond, Quinn shifted her focus to Tesric. And you, are an academic, likely from Vespera, if I had to wager. Tesric smiled, impressed at the young womans assessment. Pretty spot on, he admitted, though I wouldnt call myself an academic more of an engineer. Quinn gave a small nod at the correction. An engineer.. fascinating. Its always refreshing to meet someone with intellectual capability much like my own. She turned back toward Arden, softening her gaze a bit. No offense, of course. None taken, Arden replied coolly although his arms were still crossed. After a few minutes of getting to know one another, the pilot who wanted to keep the schedule tight, stepped back into the center of the warp ritual, and the magic hummed to life once more. The students braced themselves as the ship was warping once again. This time holding onto one another for support, though Quinn had other priorities. Her eyes narrowed at the dragon scales used in the ritual, expression sharp with disapproval. I cant believe theyre wasting rare fossils for something as mundane as this. After the deed was done, the three found themselves hovering above a new location. Below them was a beautiful and breathtaking city, its architecture an ode to classical elegance. White pillars supported grand temples and numerous buildings. And, a majestic river flowing from the largest temple at the citys center, split the city into two. Arden, once again not knowing anything about geography, turned to the two geniuses beside him. Quinn was the first to anwer, her tone filled with admiration at the city below, Floriellis, the most beautiful city in the world. Tesric nodded in agreement, although his expression carried less awe than Quinns. Big tourist spot, too, he added. Went here on vacation a few years back. The temples are incredible, exhaustingly long lines though. The ship descended towards Florielliss airship dock. The three gathered at the decks edge, waiting for the arrival of their classmate. Soon, a dark figure emerged from the steps. A girl with white hair and dressed in flowing black robes, ascended. As she approached them, the air began to feel noticeably colder. The three step forward to introduce themselves. Tesric, being an extrovert, introduced himself first. Hello! Im Tesric Lestair, your classmate and aspiring engineer, he grinned as he extended a hand. The girl replied with no words. Instead, she raised her hands and began making gesturessign language, which was unfamiliar to Tesric and Quinn. The girl noticing their unfamiliarity with the language, raised her hand to conjure words. But before she could, Arden stepped forward and surprised them, responding with his own hand movements, his gestures were rough and not practiced, but it was good enough. The girls expression softened, and she smiled at Arden in acknowledgment, moving her hands again to reply. Tesric gave Arden a pat on the back, impressed by him. You know sign language? Arden replied to him, while at the same time signing with the girl, Picked up a lot of things in the Gloam. After a brief exchange with the girl, Arden turned towards the others. Her names Serena Everly. However, Quinn wasnt so focused on the introductions. She had been watching the girls shadow the entire time. While Serena stood motionless, her shadow slithered and roamed like it was a living creature, its form vaguely resembling a monstrous cat. Fascinating, Quinn murmured under her breath. Serena saw Quinns curiosity at her shadow, and simply smiled, before turning and walking towards a shaded corner of the deck. Her figure melded with the shadows as she stepped into the darkness, until she disappeared entirely within it. Well, Tesric said after a few moments of silence, scratching the back of his neck. That was something. Quinn adjusted her glasses, obviously thinking about the implications of the living shadow. Ill say, and weve still yet to be a complete class. Arden crossed his arms, staring at the shadows where Serena rested. Seems like were in for an eventful next three years. To be continued “Class assembly” Part 2 Once again, the pilot initiated the warp, and one of the three remaining dragon scales began to glow. Tesric, Arden, and Quinn braced themselves for the teleport, gripping whatever was within reach, which was mostly each other, to steady themselves. Tesrics eyes locked onto the corner where Serena had disappeared into the shadows. He was concerned if she might have needed assistance, but froze as the shadows in the corner seemed to grow? He turned around and chose to just not mess with the creepy stuff. When the warp was completed, the scene below them was blinding. The three students found themselves hovering above a city so expensive and haughty that it looked like a treasure chest. Buildings were coated with gold, and even ordinary objects like street lamps had diamond crusts. Arden turned towards the educated people next to him, hoping for another explanation to their location. But, before either could respond, the pilot stepped in. The golden city of Valdros! A Land where even the dirt is probably worth more than me. he declared with amusement. And it looks like well even get a warm welcome! hehehe. he chuckled as he gestured to the crowd gathering at the docks below. The students leaned over the railing of the airship to get a better look at the massive crowd that had assembled, the people down below were waving signs and posters featuring the face of a handsome young man. A marching band was present also, playing a triumphant tune with drums and trumpets. Alongside the crowd and the parade band, were soldiers in emerald armor that flanked an extravagant red carpet, stretching from the citys grand plaza all the way to the airship dock. A regal figure stood at the far end of the carpet, commanding the attention of the people. The man was dressed in flowing robes embroidered with golden decorations and wearing a jeweled crown, holding in his hands a magic device that amplified his voice with magic. People of Valdros! he announced with a celebratory tone. Today, my son and your prince, Darian Altheron! Will embark on his journey to the prestigious Pinkrose Academy! Give him the farewell he deserves! The crowd exploded into cheers and songs as they waved banners and chanted the princes name. The marching band played even more triumphantly, as magic fireworks in the sky exploded, the sparks shaped like the princes face. From behind the king, the Prince himself emerged and stepped confidently toward the airship from the end of the carpet. Darian Altheron was the definition of perfection, blonde hair that shined like the sun, dreamy blue eyes, and effortlessly graceful movements. His outfit was immaculateexpensive tailored clothing colored white and gold, adorned with gemstones, and a cape that swayed with every step. As the prince made his way down to the airship, the three students observed the royal with varying degrees of amusement. He frequently stopped to sign autographs, wink at girls, and even kiss babies on the forehead. The crowd, who were clearly in love with the guy, erupted with cheers at every gesture. Quinn leaned forward slightly and stroked her chin as she began to share her observations. From his appearance and haughty behavior, it seems that he is quite an arrog Arden interrupted her comment when he placed a hand on her shoulder.Maybe dont say that out loud, Quinn, he muttered while glancing at the rows of soldiers present in the area. Not when the guys entire army is here. Tesric, ever the confident man he is, turned towards the two with a smile. Good thing I was raised and taught on how to speak with people like him, he said as he adjusted his collar and fixed his hair. He gestured toward the prince, who was currently climbing the conjured steps. Just follow my lead, he bragged, with a thumb pointed toward himself. Arden and Quinn exchanged skeptical looks at each other. Nevertheless, they decided to let Tesric handle it, hoping that he knew what he was doing. Tesric approached Darian with a practiced smile as he reached the deck. He gave the prince a courteous bow and extended his hand for a handshake.Prince Darian, I am Tesric of House Lestair from Vespera, he said respectfully. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Tesric exuded an air of formality and poise, after all, Madame Lestair made him rehearse this exact moment countless times before. Darian stared at the hand before him for an uncomfortably long time. His gaze flicking from the hand to Tesrics face and body, silently judging him. Arden, unable to bear the silence, leaned towards Quinns ear and whispered his thoughts, This is not gonna go well, is it? Quinn shot him with a side glance, biting her fingernails with concern. My thoughts exactly. Finally, Darian scoffed with contempt. You dare address me as an equal? he took a dramatic step back like Tesrics very presence was repulsive. And look at your hand, he gestured at Tesrics calloused palm. Its so rough I cant even think about it anymore. he raised the back of his hand and put it on his forehead, as though he was overcome by illness at the mere sight. Tesric remained impassive at the insults and simply smirked at the princes antics, though a flicker of irritation briefly crossed his face. When the airship began to ascend, Darian began to complain on a whole new level. What do you mean I have to stand? he whined. Are you telling me Pinkrose couldnt afford seats? My father will hear about this when I get back! he glared daggers at the pilot, who was ignoring him while preparing for the next warp. Darian then shifted his attention towards the floor, frowning as he tapped his boot against it. What is this even made of? he asked to the three students. Its so uncouth. Arden, who was quite tired of the spoiled prince, simply shrugged. Uh its wood. Well, I dont like it, the prince huffed. With a hair flick, he turned and began to search the deck for a place to sit. Quinn, who had been watching everything unfold, approached the two boys from Vespera. Would you like to hear my observations now? she offered genuinely. No need. I think I got it. Tesric replied, still staring at his unshaken hand. He had seen enough of Darian himself to form a conclusion. . . The four students braced themselves once again as the ship began to light up to warp to a new location. After the flash of lights subsided, they found themselves looking out over a very different land. There were no towering skyscrapers or magical towers this time, just a field of crops stretching out as far as far can be. Huts were scattered across the whole field, serving as small, humble homes of farmers. Arden, tired of relying on his classmate for answers, glanced over at Quinn and Tesric for answers. Alright, where are we now? his voice tinged with frustration. Quinn who was clearly intrigued by the sight of an almost endless farm, gazed out for a moment before answering the question. Bramverde, the worlds agricultural supplier. Always eager to speak and share his knowledge, Tesric added, Every fruit and vegetable in the world is grown here. He looked at the two with a inspirational smile. You know, Ive always thought about how I could help the farmers here with my inventions. Their methods havent changed in centuries and theres so much room for improvement.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Arden crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at his words, Okay and how exactly are you gonna do that? His voice was full of skepticism, most especially after hearing Tesric claim that he wanted to replace magic earlier that day. Perhaps some sort of mechanism that would automatically water crops in the morning, Tesric began, his eyes lighting up as he shared his idea. Or maybe even a vehicle that could plow the fields faster and better than any ox could manage, he gestured theatrically to Arden, raising his fist up into the air. The possibilities are endless! Quinn who was intrigued by Tesrics idea and boundless optimism, threw herself into the conversation. She adjusted her glasses and offered her thoughts on the matter. Quite an interesting idea but how would you power it? Assuming that mages cant be here enchanting equipment around the clock to keep it running. Tesric smirked, delighted that someone had finally asked him about a power source. He leaned closer to his two classmates, his smile widening. Oh, I am so glad you asked that Before he could launch into a detailed rant about his groundbreaking invention of electricity, a voice from across the ship cut him off. Darian stood in the corner with his arms crossed while bellowing at the pilot, What an absolute foul stench! Why didnt you put up a barrier if you knew we were going somewhere full of dirt? The young prince pinched his nose for dramatic effect as he glared at the fields below like they were his mortal enemies that ruined his life. Tesric sighed, his enthusiasm deflating at the reminder of the spoiled prince on board, while Arden muttered to him and Quinn, First wood, now dirt, does he just hate the planet or what? The airship came to a halt, and hovered ever so slightly above a field of wheat. Bramverde had no airship docks, and required more humble accommodations for their short stay. Soon enough, the next student strutted into view from the field, walking to the ship. A boy wearing a torn sleeveless shirt, dirty worn-out sandals, and a bamboo hat began climbing the steps to the deck, all while balancing a basket full of apples. He looked like a sturdy fellow, his skin touched by the sun, and despite the less than flattering attire, he still bore a warm smile on his face. Arden couldnt help but feel enthusiastic. While he truly did enjoy Tesrics determination and optimism, as well as Quinns analytical mind. It was refreshing to meet someone who, much like himself, didnt come from a world of privilege. The boy made his way up the deck and immediately approached the group with a polite bow. Please, sirs and maam, take this. I picked them myself just this morning, he said warmly as he reached into the basket, pulling out the apples, and handing them to the trio. While distributing the fruit, he introduced himself, My name is Eryth Lumis. Good to meet you. The three responded with their own introductions, touched by his kindness. However, when Eryth turned to Darian, the mood got a little weird. Here, for you sir, Eryth said, extending an apple toward him. Darian scoffed, and with a swift motion, he knocked the apple out of Eryths hand, sending it tumbling across the floor. Thats Prince Darian to you, he said sharply. Like an actual prince? Well yes. Eryths eyes widened, and his whole demeanor shifted. He immediately bowed lower than any of them had thought possible, his forehead touching the floor. Please forgive me, Your Highness! I didnt mean to offend you. His voice was a mix of awe and panic. Darian let his lips curl into a satisfied smirk at the farmer boys display. He reached down and helped Eryth back onto his feet with an air of smugness present. At least someone here knows how to show proper respect, he said, his gaze flicking toward Tesric, Quinn, and Arden. Tesric and Arden stood frozen, both bewildered and full of disbelief at what just happened. Meanwhile, Quinn adjusted her glasses and spoke with her analytical bluntness.It appears that Eryth grew up in a servile environment and is deeply dependent on figures of authority. Tesric scratched his head, looking at her with admiration as he bit into the apple. You got all that from a bow? Quinn shrugged. Its rather obvious, dont you think? Arden rolled his eyes at their conversation, his gaze now lingering on Eryth, who was now dutifully polishing the princes already immaculate shoes with a piece of cloth. A shame too, Arden muttered under his breath, Hes a good guy. Tesric noticed Ardens simmering anger under his expression, before letting things get out of control, he approached and put a calming and comforting hand on his shoulder. . . Cutting through the tense moment was the pilots booming voice. He held the final dragon scale high in his hand, shouting enthusiastically, Boys and girls! Time to meet your next and final classmate! The warp ritual sparked to life once more, and within moments, they were hovering above a new location. The five students peered down at the landscape below, which looked like something straight out of a paintinga brutalistic and militaristic fortress city. Thick stone walls encircled the city within, and guards patrolled every corner. Outside the walls, small training camps were scattered around the area, where soldiers could be seen sparring with mages. Darian recoiled back as if he got hit physically, his face pale with fear and outrage. You brought us to this land of barbarians and savages! he exclaimed. He turned to the pilot, pointing a finger at the mustachioed man. Do you have any idea what youve done? You know our cities are at war! Eryth, ever eager to please his perceived betters, leaned in close to the prince, his voice tinged with concern. Your Highness, please, try to stay calm. Arden rolled his eyes at the scene in front of him, Here he goes again, he muttered, assuming it was just another overdramatic reaction from the prince. But after seeing the expressions of genuine concern on the faces of Tesric and Quinn, his sureness quickly evaporated. Quinn gestured toward the city below. Were In Ruthgard, she said grimly, her tone shakier than usual. She pointed towards the fortress, its stone walls bearing a menacing banner. A city built on strength and combat. Also hell-bent on world domination, if the giant fortress didnt make that clear enough. Tesric added, with a weak chuckle as tried to lighten up the mood despite everyones weariness. The pilot steered the ship toward the plains around the fortress city rather than the city itself. The ship slowed down until it began to hover just above the ground. Lets meet your last classmate, shall we? the pilot said cheerily, despite the less than cheery mood of the ones onboard. Through the sandy air and thick fog, a large figure became faintly visible. Even obscured, the silhouette was still imposing and radiated menacing aura with each step. As the figure came closer and closer, her appearance became clearer. She was a gigantic woman, towering over everyone present in the area, her physique was like that of a brick wall. Clad in practical leather armor, her bulging muscles and scars that couldve only come from battle, were visible. The students instinctively huddled together as a group. Quinn leaned toward Tesric and Arden, I dont suppose you need my input to figure out her occupation. Arden gulped, his eyes still fixed on the walking mountain approaching. Uh-huh, his intimidation laced with mesmerization. Tesric, who decided not to judge a book by its cover, stepped forward with confidence and extended his hand out in greeting. My name is Tesric Lestair. His eyes brushed over her chest armor, noticing the name carved into the leather. And you must be Kaedra. Nice to meet you. Kaedra scanned him up and down, like he was prey and she was the predator. She grasped his outstretched hand and began to squeeze in a grip that would make a crocodile bite jealous. The moment she squeezed, Tesric crumpled to the ground, yelling in pain as he clutched his crushed hand with the other. How disappointing, Kaedra commented, tossing his hand aside as if it was garbage. She turned her attention to the others, who were now in defensive stances. Kaedra brefly took a look at Quinn and Arden before dismissing them just as quickly. Frail, she muttered. Her interest was instead on Darian, whose noble posture and clothing made him look like a potential challenge Kaedra approached the prince with slow steps and a smirk on her face.Finally, someone with some meat on their bones. Darians eyes began to glow an intense blue as his magic formed orbs of energy into his hands. Dont you dare come any closer! he warned. Beside him, Eryth prepared his own spell as well to show solidarity. Kaedra laughed, her smile widening into a wolf-like grin. Good, she said with approval. Theres some fight in you. She began to circle around the prince, analyzing his stance and magic flowing through his body. Satisfied for now, Kaedra backed off, leaving the prince and his assistant still tense but unharmed. Her stance softened as she moved towards the group of Arden and Quinn, who were helping Tesric up. No hard feelings, eh? she said with amusement, but also genuineness. Just wanted to see what all of you were made of. Tesric winced as he held his hand, but forced a grin through nonetheless. I somehow doubt that there wasnt a better way for you to do that. Kaedra laughed deeply, Maybe, she replied with a grin. With everyone settling back down, the airship began to lift off from the harsh land of Ruthgard. As the ship climbed above the clouds, the pilots voice rang out. Gather around, everyone, he called out. Your class of seven is now complete. My name is Ingram, and Ill be your pilot for the short flight to PinkRose Academy, he said enthusiastically, his upbeat attitude rubbing off onto the class. Seven? What do you mean, seven? Theres only six of us, Darian questioned, his voice dripping with confusion. Tesric, Arden, and Quinn looked at each other with knowing glances, remembering that they had completely forgotten to mention that Serena was right there in the shadows Darian got into a complaining mood once again. Honestly, Ive had enough of this schools incompetence However his words were suddenly cut off when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Whipping his neck around at lightning fast speeds in surprise, his eyes widened as he came face-to-face with a figure that looked like it was almost swallowed by living shadows that clung to its body. It was Serena! Ahhhhhhhhh! “Airship Troubles” The airship dining room was cozy and slightly cramped, with tables and chairs magically bolted in place to prevent turbulence incidents. The warm magical light eluminating the room was quite calming, though the atmosphere at one table did not fit the lighting. So to recount, Quin said flatly while swallowing a last bite of food, tone as measured as ever while pushing her glasses up, exactly 20 seconds ago, you revealed to me you have no magic. And now, youre planning to tell the entire class about this right here and now. Her voice didnt have any indication of emotion, but the words themselves had a undertone of disbelief. Tesric, still as confident as ever, grinned, I have no idea why you needed to say all that, but yes. Thats the plan. Arden, who for the first time in his life had a full stomach, groaned and rubbed his eyes in frustration. Its a terrible idea. He pointed toward Darian, who was seated while Eryth stood behind him massaging his temples, still recovering from the shock of Serenas surprise appearance. For starters, Prince high and mighty over there is going to treat you even worse than before. He then gestured toward Kaedra, who was alone at a table using a combat dagger to eat slices of her food. And her? Shell probably call you weak and crush your hand for real this time. Quinn nodded in agreement with Arden, A fair assessment. Tesric acted out a dramatic sigh and then leaned forward, pulling the two closer by slinging his arms around their shoulders. Cmon guys! he said with enthusiasm. For the next three years, were going to be sharing a class and dorm together. At that point, were basically family. Tesric pressed on with an unwavering warm smile. And family dont need to hide things from each other, right? Especially something that could affect us all. Well, I wouldnt know, Arden muttered, half-joking but with an air of longing. Quinn, who was analytical as always, spoke up with an oddly reflective tone. I wouldnt quite say thats the case. My mom and dad constantly hid important things from me and told me to figure it out on my own. They said it would build intelligence. She touched her head with a sense of pride. And it worked out quite well, evidently. Tesric stared at her while resisting the urge to make a quip. Noted, he mumbled before blinking rapidly as if to reset his brain. Ok, screw it, he declared, leaping off the chair and up to his feet with such speed that Arden nearly spilled his drink in surprise. Wait, what are you doing? Arden blurted out. In a flash, he sprinted to the center of the dining room, causing such a ruckus that he drew the attention of every student. Tesric, with a dramatic flourish, then called out, Class gather around! I have important information to share! To the surprise of absolutely no one, Darian paid no heed and refused to even glance in Tesrics general direction. Eryth however, looked conflicted. He was curious about what Tesric was going to say, but he was loyal to his perceived superior. Kaedra, an enjoyer of drama and mess, paused mid-bite on her food, to watch the entertainment. Serenas acknowledgment was more subtle, a shadow in the corner of the room where she lingered seemed to creep closer, as if trying to listen. With most of the people in the rooms attention held, Tesric took a breath and said boldy, I am attending Pinkrose academy the same as all of youhe paused to build anticipation, with one key difference. I dont have any magical abilities. For a single moment in time, the room was silent. What?! Darian whipped his head around so quickly to look at Tesric, that it was a miracle that he didnt snap his neck and die. Kaedra simply smirked, setting her food down and grinning as wide as the ocean itself. The shadows in the room shifted again, contorting and changing darkness, as if Serena was confused and trying to think of an explanation. Eryth laughed heartedly while clapping his hands. Ha! Nice one, Sir Lestair. His laugh broke the tension for a moment, before he noticed that everyone was looking at him. His smile quickly disappeared off his face. It was a joke, right? Arden caught his eye from across the room and shook his head. Oh. Darian stood up from his chair abruptly, the expression on his face colder than anything hes shown before. He marched towards Tesric, his posture rigid and filled with disdain. Why are you here? he asked with a serious tone, very much unlike the haughty arrogance he displays most of the time. Arden quickly walked to the center of the room and positioned himself at his fellow Vesperans side. As if he was bracing for the escalation of the confrontation. Tesric answered Darians question with enthusiasm, ready to talk about his mechanical innovations. Well, you see, I invented I dont care, Darian interrupted him before he could complete this sentence. Us mages are not taught magic. No, we are born with this glorious power. So I want to know what a lesser born like you is doing in my class. First off, its not your class. Tesric retorted with a quip, provoking Darian to take another step forward to close the distance between them. Arden extended his arm to bar Darians path with a firm and solid hand. Back off, man, Darian scowled and slapped Ardens arm off him. Get your filthy hands off me, commoner! he snarled, shifting all of his anger and attention to Arden, and his eyes beginning to glow blue. Speaking of which, I cant fathom why Pinkrose would admit someone like you. I guess it makes sense now you two really are from the same backwater city.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Tesric planned to make a witty reply but faltered as soon as he glanced at Arden, who had clenched fists paired with a face full of irritation. It seemed the frustration of all the years of being looked down upon by people better off than him, was finally blowing up. Ill show you what a commoner like me can do, Arden snarled, his eyes faintly shining purple, stepping forward to get up in Darians face. However, before either of them could make a single move, a creature that seemed to be created out of shadows emerged from the corner of the room and stepped between the two at lightning fast speeds. The prince jumped back immediately, the earlier encounter with Serena still lingered in his mind, and he stumbled over a chair in his retreat, causing him to land directly on the floor with his back. Your Highness! Eryth exclaimed while rushing to Darians side, filled with concern. He offered his hand to the prince, and after a moment of hesitation, Darian took it and was helped to his feet. Once he was on his feet, Darian brushed dirt off of himself and shoved Eryths hand away. Seeing that the others were against him, he weighed his options and chose to retreat over escalating the situation. Servant, he ordered, take my food to the sleeping bay at once. With that, Darian turned his back to the group and swaggered toward the sleeping bay without another word. Eryth dutifully gathered food and beverages but paused before following the prince. He gave a look to Tesric and Arden, one that seemed to be an unspoken apology. Then, without further delay, he hurriedly followed the prince. As the tension dissipated, the shadow creature dissolved into nothingness, as Serena emerged from the corner of the room. She stepped forward with confidence, while she moved her hands gracefully as she signed to Tesric and Arden, Are you alright. Arden smiled at her and signed back a gesture of thanks. While he was doing that, Tesric leaned closer to him and whispered playfully, Hey, can you also tell her that that was awesome? Which earned him a light punch to the shoulder. Serena watched the exchange with amusement, before nodding at the two, bowing slightly, and retreating back into the shadows as quickly as she appeared to them. The next moment after Serena was gone, Ardens smile left his face, now a scowl as he turned to Tesric. I told you that was a bad idea, he said, his tone full of annoyance. Oh, come on, Tesric replied defensively, throwing his hands up. None of you couldve predicted it would go that bad. Actually, I did, Quinns monotone voice came from behind them, startling the two boys. They turned around to see her standing there, with an expression as flat as ever. In fact, she continued, it went better than I predicted. Tesric hearing those words, immediately wrapped his arm around Ardens shoulder, smiling to cheer him up. See? It couldve gone worse! Arden rolled his eyes in response Quinn seeing Tesrics optimism, added, That is, of course, not factoring in Clap Clap The sudden sound of clapping alerted the group as Kaedra stood up from her table, a wide grin present on her lips. She sauntered toward the group, her imposing presence making them take up cautious postures. Now that was good entertainment, she said. A shame shadow lady had to stop the fight. Kaedras piercing gaze then locked onto Tesric. Arden and Quinn instinctively huddled close to Tesric, making themselves some sort of makeshift shield. As Kaedra kept walking slowly, Quinn whispered matter-of-factly, I fear Im not aware of any protection spells that could stop her. Yeah, not helping. Arden shot back, as he tried to think of all the possibilities the situation could go. But Tesric, who was never one to think the worst about anybody, pushed past his confidants and stepped forward. Im not going to shy away from revealing who I am, he declared bravely, in spite of the brick wall he stood before. Kaedras deadly smirk remained as she raised her hand. Arden quickly lunged to pull Tesric back, while Quinn started to prepare a spell in her hands, both fearing the worst. However they froze up when Kaedras hand came down, not in a strike, but just a pat on Tesrics back. She smiled widely at Tesric.Going to a mage school without any magic? Kaedra said, with as much childlike amusement as her voice could produce Thats badass! Quinn froze up mid-spell cast, the rune she was casting glowing in the air as she was filled in disbelief. It wasnt exactly the reaction she had anticipated from Kaedra. Arden, meanwhile exhaled in deep relief, thanking every pantheon of god that he wouldnt have to stand against the warrior woman. Tesric grinned and held his hand into a fist for a fist bump. Hell yeah, it is! he said with enthusiasm. With no hesitation, Kaedra bumped his fist with hers before pulling him into rough embrace.Youve got guts, Ill give you that, she said while ruffling his hair with a fist, like how an older sibling would do. Looking forward to seeing how you hold up in the ranking tournament. With that, she straightened up and gave Tesric one last pat on the back, and strolled away to Pilot Ingram, who was serving drinks at the bar. Tesric turned back to his two classmates with a smug face. See? You guys are way too cynical about people. Told you itd all work out fine. Arden crossed his arms, Ive got my reasons for that, he said as he glanced to the side, reminding the two about his rough upbringing. However, Quinn was caught up on something else. Tournament? she repeated to herself, eyebrows furrowing and deep in thought. What tournament? Arden predictably shrugged, he really didnt know anything about Pinkroses curriculum. Ive never heard of a ranking tournament at Pinkrose, Quinn mused, stroking her chin in thought. Perhaps its a recent addition to the curriculum? Something specifically mentioned in her letter of acceptance to entice her? She theorized. No use thinking about it now, Arden interjected, Were arriving tomorrow anyway. Might as well rest before the real thing starts, especially after all the chaos earlier. He said, while side-eyeing Tesric. Tesric stretched his arms out dramatically and wrapped them around the two. Ill second that. He pointed his thumb toward the sleeping bay with a smile. What do you say we call it a night? . . . Later in the dark of night, Arden laid in his mattress, gently tracing his old locket with his fingers. His mind raced and he couldnt sleep because of the anticipation for what awaited him at Pinkrose, and also the loud conversation happening in the room. And I call these solar panels, Tesrics voice echoed throughout the bay. He was pointing at a contraption in his now-open luggage, showing it of to Quinn. Fascinating, Quinn murmured, inspecting a small device in her hand. It had a button at the base and two metal prongs protruding from the top. And you believe you believe this device will allow you to compete with mages in combat? Tesric sheepishly scratched the back of his head. Well... hopefully, he said with a nervous chuckle. Arden groaned, burying his head into two pillows. Can you guys at least keep it down for five minutes? Before either could respond, Darians tired voice blasted out. "Quiet down, you imbeciles!" He sat up on the bed, glaring at Arden, "Ugh... I should''ve known you of all people would lack any common decency. Arden shot up to a sitting position as well, his face more confused than angry. Why the hell are you blaming me?!" From the corner of the room, Kaedras booming voice overpowered the bickering between the Prince and Commoner "Oi! Both of you! shut it already!" The commotion even woke up Eryth, who had been lying in the bed next to Darians. He pushed himself up with an elbow, and smiled at the group. "Well, now that we''re all awake," she offered brightly, "how about we play a game?" "No!" "Yes!" "Who the hell said yes?!" Tesric leaned back and smiled, watching the chaos unfold with amusement. He slung his arm around Quinn and gestured the other toward the class. "What did I tell you? One big, dysfunctional family." "Uh huh. “Arrival” Part 1 Sir Lestair, wake up! A voice called out to Tesric, along with a few light nudges to his shoulder. Tesric yawned and slowly opened his eyes, realizing who the figure standing over him was. Yeah? He muttered with a tired voice. Looking down at him was Eryth, with a warm smile on his face. Sir Ingrams told us to gather out on the deck! he said with a cheery tone. He reached out his arms in order to help Tesric off the chair and table he had fallen asleep on last night, surrounded by a mess of tools and peculiar gadgets. Tesric rubbed the back of his neck and scratched his head as he stood up, still not fully awake. How long was I out? Long enough for everyone to start wondering if youd ever wake up, Eryth teased him with a smile. The whole class is waiting for you outside, and they sent me to make sure you hadnt croaked. Well, thank you, Tesric returned the warm smile, for being so reliable. He complimented Eryth and gave him a friendly pat on the arm. As he turned to tidy the scattered tools on the table back into his luggage, Eryth stepped forward to offer assistance. "Oh, let me give you a hand with that. Before he could render the assistance though, the unmistakable and irritable voice of Prince Darian echoed from all the way out on the deck. Eryth! Come brush the dust off my cape! Eryth hesitated, his expression conflicted, torn between helping Tesric and serving his perceived superior. Tesric caught the conflict in his eyes and gave him a reassuring nod. Go on, Ill handle this. Eryth murmured a soft thanks, and with a quick bow of his head, he hurried towards the door, the quiet cabin now belonging to Tesric alone. Tesric continue to put away his things, hands moving automatically as his mind wandered elsewhere. His fingers brushed against a battery that was resting on the table, and he stopped, taking a moment to hold it up in his palm. Doubt crept up inside him, the reality of attending a school for mages without any magic, having to rely solely on his wit and intellect. It wasnt really the best circumstance anyone could have. But the doubt was quickly overtaken by determination, a small smile tugging at his lips as he caressed the battery. Never lose that spark. I got this, he whispered to himself, now gripping the battery tighter, before putting it away into his luggage. After securing his luggage and hauling the giant thing out of the cabin door. He froze in surprise at what he saw on the airship deck. The once open and Sunlit deck was now incased in a massive, dark and translucent cloud. Its surface shimmered like liquid glass, but its texture was more like a heavy fog than anything, it cast the deck into a muted, shaded atmosphere. The air also felt cooler beneath it, as if it was still night time. What is this? he muttered aloud. Its a shading spell, Appearing at his side was Quinn who was her usual self. Her gaze fixed on her notebook as well as the darkness cast above, it appears that it was something she studied before. Its used to control temperature during hot weather and spare our eyes from overly bright mornings. Tesric tilted his head while staring at the structure, trying to recall if he had ever seen the spell in his life. Huh. Never seen anything like it in Vespera. From the other side appeared Arden, who nudged Tesrics shoulder with a grin. Took you long enough to wake up. Tesric smirked, turning to Arden You can blame her for that. He motioned theatrically toward Quinn. She kept me up with her endless curiosity about my inventions. He then pressed his hand onto his chest, acting as if it was a sincere excuse. Hardly my fault. Quinn raised an eyebrow, the humor flying right over her head. You kept yourself up, she corrected. Tesric chuckled, Fair enough. Then he asked in a non-joking tone to Arden.But seriously, last I remember we were all wide awake at the same time, how didnt you oversleep like me? Arden shrugged, Just used to waking up fast when every sound might mean trouble. Tesric nodded at him, the allusion to Ardens past not lost on him. Then he turned back to Quinn. What about you then? Dont tell me you have some secret method to waking up I dont know about? Quinn adjusted her glasses, I simply didnt sleep. At all? No, Okay, sure. Arden laughed softly at the exchange of his two friends, as the three began strolling across the deck. They passed by Darian and Eryth, the prince stood straight with royally perfect posture while the farmhand dutifully brushed the princes fur cape. Arden couldnt help but roll his eyes at the scene while they made their way toward the edge of the airship where Kaedra and their pilot, Ingram, stood engaged in what could only be assumed as a lesson on combat techniques. So, is this the proper way to swing an axe? Ingram asked, holding a glowing axe that was made out of pure magical energy. His stance was wide, holding the axe in a overhand position, and his posture careful but still ready to strike. Perfect form, actually, Kaedra said approvingly, a grin on her face as she broke her own stance to give him a thumbs up. Oh, lovely, Ingram replied, visibly proud of himself. Just as his eyes caught the trio approaching, the magical axe dissolved into thin air with a simple flick of the wrist and the pilot turned to greet them. Ah, hello, you three. I see youve all made good friends out of each other. Most of us, except for Prince Douche over there, Arden qupped, jerking his thumb backward toward Darian, who was currently enjoying a royal massage from Eryth.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Tesric chuckled, Im sure well warm up to him in due time. He said, trying to be the optimist he had painted himself as since he stepped foot on the airship, though everyone could tell his positivity toward Darian was quite forced. Quinn, ever the realist, adjusted her glasses and took the analytical approach with her reply. Factoring in Ardens background and your lack of magic, Id say the chances of warming up are quite slim. After her statement, Kaedra suddenly saddled up to Quinn and threw her arm around her shoulder, Oh, dont be like that! Kaedra said with a dangerous and yet oddly warm smile. Were all going to be good buddies, right? Quinn swallowed hard. Id say the chances of warming up are quite high, she amended quickly. Tesric snorted with laughter while Arden smirked. Kaedra gave the academic a quick but firm pat on the back before stepping away from her. Thats the spirit! she said cheerfully, leaning on a magically constructed stool as the airship began to descend. Ingram stood watching the students with a fond smile on his lips. He seemed to be lost in thought at the view, perhaps reminiscing about his own days at a magic school, maybe even at Pinkrose academy itself. His reverie was swiftly interrupted though, by a sharp magical chime that emanated from the wand attached to his belt. "Ah, we''re here," he announced, snapping back to reality. He pulled the wand from his belt and with practiced ease, completed a wand pattern, before pointing it toward the center of the magical shading around the airship. The shading spell dissipated almost instantaneously, the warm sun cascading down onto the deck, and the view of the open sky was revealed in all its glory. Other airships that drifted beside theirs was now visible, their dark clouds of shading vanishing in synchrony, leaving the students breathless. What are you waiting for? Pilot Ingram called out with a booming voice, gesturing the students onboard toward the front railing of the ship with an inviting grin. The view is all yours! Tesric led the students among him to the edge of the deck in a rush, eager to take in the sight of their new home. Quinn paused and muttered about the statistical likelihood of the front railings failing, but was interrupted when Kaedra threw her like a sack of potatoes onto her shoulders, running to follow Tesric. Arden lingered behind, his focus was on somethingno, someone else. Serena stood apart from the crowd on the corner of the deck hidden from view, but now without shading, her shadow writhed around in pain as if searching for any hint of darkness. The expression on her face wasnt pained, more uncomfortable, her hand blocking her eyes from the sun. From behind her, Arden approached quietly, stretching his cloak out to cast a shade over her. The results were immediate, her shadow stilled its writhing and curled around the cloak in relief. Serena looked up at him, a soft smile spreading across her face when she saw Arden. Arden responded with a small, fond, slightly shy smile of his own. Without a word between the two, he guided Serena toward the edge where the others were so she could share in the moment. The class leaned over the railing in awe, their gazes hooked on the enchanting landscape below them. First was the forest, an wide expanse of not just green, but an endless variety of tree colors, their treetops stretching to the horizon. The trees swaying gently there were ancient, some older than society itself. Next was the vast, shimmering lake, the surface so clean and clear even the inhabitants living in it could be seen for the airship. The size of the lake was something else entirely, even from up there it could have been mistaken for for a sea. Finally, at the center of it all, Pinkrose Academy stood. The academy was a master piece of magic, modernity, and natural beauty intertwining. The grounds of the academy was an enchanted garden, overflowing with vines and roses that came in every hue imaginable. Red brick pathways snaked through the garden, leading to enormous buildings scattered around the academy that resembled symbols of the various forms of magic. Is this real? Arden whispered. Oh Its more than real, Tesric replied. The airship came to a stop and gently touched down at the Academys grand entrance. A towering gate that seemed to be filled with ancient power, the intricate carvings of vines and flowers on the rough stone shimmering faintly. Other airships landed nearby, five of them to be exact, each on their own designated platforms. Soon after, the shimmering conjured steps of Tesric and Ardens airship appeared, leading down to the grounds of the academy. Darian predictably pushed to the front of the class. Royalty should always go first, he declared, striding down the steps as his cape billowed in the air dramatically. The rest followed soon after, some trying their best to avoid stepping on his cape, while some couldnt be bothered to even try. Tesric leaned toward where Arden was, expecting him to throw some sort of jab at Darian, but his fellow Vesperan was focused on someone else. Arden stood slightly apart, his cloak now off his body as he wrapped it around Serena to lessen her discomfort from the sunlight. Tesrics eyes widened at the two, his lips twisting into a devilish grin. He leaned closer to where his Quinn had been standing, Is it just me, or are those two Quinn wasnt there. Quinn? Tesric asked, glancing around the place in confusion. Thankfully, it didnt take particularly long to spot her. She had wandered off a few meters away and was now crouched near a bed of flowers that had been growing in pots along the path. With her notebook in hand, she was entirely entranced by the botanical wonders, her sharp eyes darting between the notebook and the plants, trying her best to identify them. Tesric watched her for a moment, before glancing over to Arden once again, who was now deep into a chat with Serena using sign, as well as making sure the purple cloak was neatly draped over her. With no one to converse with, Tesric resigned to a life of solitude and turned his attention towards the towering entrance gates. Marveling at the intricate carvings, the wards at the top surveying the students, and every vine and petal that grew along the mossy surface. His life of solitude, however, was short-lived. When the unmistakably, heavy and muscular arm of Kaedra striked playfully across his back, nearly making him stumble to the floor. See what happens when you only have two close friends? Her voice boomed from beside him, teasingly gesturing toward his otherwise preoccupied confidants. Tesric smirked. And I suppose your solution would be to make more friends by crushing their hands during introductions? Kaedra laughed heartily. Damn straight. Youre actually serious about that, arent you? Why wouldnt I be? Kaedra replied, completely sincere. The chatter of the students was cut through by the sharp voice of Pilot Ingram. Students, follow me! He commanded, now descended from the steps of the airship. Gone was the uniform of a pilot, now he wore a crisp, red, formal attire resembling that of a butlers. Similarly, the pilots of the other airships led their own groups toward the center, each dressed with the same attire. The flow of the six classes of students converging into one point beneath the towering gate. As Tesric and Ardens group neared Ingram, Darian spun around dramatically, the movement sending his cape dangerously close to slapping the others right in the face. I know some of you may lack basic decorum, he began, tone dripping with royal arrogance. His gaze drifted toward Eryth, and he gave a warm, but manufactured smile. Excluding you, of course. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6... Darian continued, This is a time for unity! We must present ourselves as a cohesive and dignified class. He raised his right arm into the air, like he was delivering a speech to his subjects. Together, we will have to make an unforgettable impression on the headmaster, and if we do 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6... Will you please stop counting! Darian snapped, losing his patience as he turned to glare at Quinn in the corner. Unfazed by the princes outburst, Quinn looked up from her notebook, the expression on her face as shocked as one with a face as unexpressive as hers could look shocked. I cant believe I overlooked it. Arden, who was always good at seeing when someone had a problem on their mind, stepped closer, Quinn, whats wrong? I assumed it was just a policy change, Quinn said evenly, standing tall and gesturing toward the other five classes gathered around. Pinkrose has always assigned six students per class. Thats how its been for centuries. But. The realization hit the class like a thunder strike. Were the only class with seven..