PrologueChapter One - TrialsChapter Two: ErrorsStudents walked past, their voices floating through one of the many open windows. The window was part of a dark sand colored room. There were no personal touches to decorate the bare room, there had been none for the past fifteen years. Ever since a dark haired boy had moved in and claimed it for his own.
A slight rustle interrupted the sleepy silence, followed by a yawn. Leon yawned again, his jaw cracking slightly. He cracked his eyes open, his eyelashes gently brushing against his skin as he blinked a couple of times. It was late morning, the morning that the final test began. He should have been up hours ago and eating breakfast with his fellow students.
He wearily lifted himself off the bed and stumbled towards the window. Sticking his head out, ignoring the bed hair that now ruffled in the wind, he glanced at the sun. Squinting slightly he noticed it's position and then turned around to stumble towards the one closet his room had.
"Half an hour," He murmured to himself. Trying to rouse himself into a fighting spirit was difficult so early in the morning. Despite his teachers best effort and the years he had spent waking up early for training, he had remained lethargic in the morning. Idly he wondered if it was because of the act he had put up.
Shaking his head, he reached out and began pulling off his shirt. It inched up past his stomach and over his head. His muscles bunched and then relaxed as the shirt fell away. A clean one was put on, followed by a dark chocolate colored leather vest. Smothering another yawn, Leon then replaced his pants with worn matching leather pants.
He took one last look around his room, then padded out into the hallway in his bare feet. The door closed behind him in finality. Except for the time he would come back to pack his clothes, this would be the last time he would sleep in this room. It was silent once again.
Ten minutes later, he finally reached his destination. The dining room that could house all the students and teachers, and their families. He paused for a moment and sniffed the air expectantly. Something sweet filled the air, making him shudder on the inside. The teachers all agreed that the sticky sweet lemon slices were a good source of energy. Unfortunately for him, he detested the taste and smell of them.
Without wasting anymore time, Leon strolled towards a long table and grabbed two buns. He didn't look as he made himself a sandwich filled with meat and greens. Slowly beginning to eat his breakfast, he began to wander over to the weapons room. He had to pick up his sword and daggers before the testing began, and then head out to the Arena once more.
This test would be public, open to all the nobles and families that wanted to come. He would have a crowd watching him, something that had never happened before. He snorted silently at the thought, his own family wouldn't be there of course. Vahn Senn Phoenix had been half right when insulting him yesterday.
His mother was not a noble of birth, at least not a noble of notice. She had told him before he had left, that he must never forget he was a child that had inherited her families blood. The blood of a Hero. Leon paused and swallowed the last of his food.
'A Hero in whose eyes Mother?' he thought to himself cynically. Shaking his head and walked into the weapons room and looked for his sword. Swiftly finding it with his eyes, he checked over it for oddities. It wouldn't have been the first time someone else would try to sabotage a sword. His half act of laziness had brought him that much, no one would sabotage the sword of someone who wasn't a threat to them.
Assuring himself that there was nothing wrong with his sword, it's weight reassuring and it's steel warming from the heat of his hand. He smiled, his teeth bared. It turned his face from one of relaxation to something that resembled a beast. Today would be his day, the day that he proved exactly what his blood held.
"Drakun, you're going to be late." A voice floated from the doorway. Leon hadn't even sensed the person coming up behind him. Tensing slightly he turned around, his hand already reaching for one of his daggers on the table beside him. When he saw who it was, he relaxed slightly.
"You're back early, Teacher Hanze." He said, his voice drawling out the name.The man before him shook his head, making his gray hair seem even wilder. With a sigh, he looked over the student before him. His light blue eyes raked over Leon, judging what he saw. Leon unconsciously straightened himself up, a habit he had not been able to rid himself of when it came to this teacher. The only teacher who had realized what Leon himself was capable of.
"You won't win," the teacher spoke, his voice rasping slightly at the end. Leon looked up sharply, his eyes narrowing. He clenched his jaw, his eyes flashing.
"What makes you think that, sir?" He replied politely, his voice taking on an icy tone.
"The Weapons Master isn't a fool. He watched you yesterday, he won't misjudge you." With a bark of laughter Hanze gestured with his hand, motioning silence before Leon could open his mouth and spoke again, "He's not the Weapons Master of this Academy for nothing. You should know better."
"Just watch then. I'll beat him, sir." With the last emphasis Leon grabbed the rest of his daggers, strapping them on his wrists and waist as he stalked past the old teacher. His mind whirled, he knew that he would have a hard time beating the Weapons Master. If the teacher, the teacher who had realized his skill, hadn't said it in such a knowing tone, Leon wouldn't have said anything.
Leons eyes flashed as he walked out into the sun, the light reached his stormy eyes and seemingly created lightning from within. As he reached the Arena, he sighed, attempting to calm himself down. He bent over and strapped the rest of his daggers on his ankles and thighs. Straightening, he allowed himself to look around.
The Arena had been changed overnight it seemed. It held places for the nobles to sit, for the families to sit. Decorated with royal blue in some places, royal purple in others. Not to mention the people that were sitting around, there must have been thousands of them. He shook his head slightly, breathing through his nose.
The others participating in the test were already there. Vahn was standing nearest to him, tensed as he watched Leon. Smirking slightly, Leon raised a hand lazily and waved. Vahn looked at him and snarled, then stiffly went to go stand somewhere else. The other student who had passed walked up to him and grinned. He smiled slightly in return, Payne Tahniel was someone he enjoyed talking to.
"Wonder why he woke up on the wrong side of the bed, hm?" She said, her voice holding a current of laughter. She was a very tall woman, not quite reaching his height, but not having to tilt her face up to look at him. Thin as a weed, but very lean and tough. Payne was the only female to have passed in the last twenty years. It wasn't surprising, she held the blood of the creator of the Academy within her.
He replied to her, his voice wry, "Oh. I don't know. Maybe because a lizard turned into a dragon without warning."
Payne snorted with laughter, her eyes dancing. She shook her head and stood beside him casually, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Leon relaxed beside her, she had succesfully taken his mind off of what his teacher had said before.
"Let us begin the Ceremony. The Judgement shall be passed!" A loud voice proclaimed, startling a few birds into flight. Cheers vibrated throughout the Arena, bringing the excitement into his blood, making it pound. He breathed in sharply, embracing the feeling that was rushing through him.
Beside him, Payne straightened, her breath echoing his. This was something they had never experienced before, and might not experience ever again. It was a heady feeling, one they would never forget. The announcer spoke up again, his voice shouted over the cheers, echoing slightly.
"First Place, Leon Drakun." Murmurs rose slightly, in confusion and wonder. They hadn't heard of him before of course, they hadn't been expecting this. Ignoring the murmurs, the announcer went on. "Second place, Vahn Senn Phoenix. Third place, Payne Tahniel."
The cheers came again at those two names, especially at the last one. The name Tahniel was known throughout the lands. Grinning, Payne turned her head and looked at him. Giving him a slight thumbs up sign and whispering, "Good luck."
Leon grinned and began to walk forward, knowing what was to come. As soon as he started walking forward, the others moved out of the Arena. Their time would come after his. First place always got a shot at the Weapons Master before anyone else.
"Leon Drakun, prepare yourself." The voice came. It was a gravely voice, hardly pleasant to listen to. The owner of the voice was the Weapons Master. He had had his throat crushed years before, now his voice was something that no child would want to have tuck them in. Leon just grinned slightly, and dug his feet into the ground. His sword hissed as it came out of it's sheath, glinting as the sun hit it.
"Bring it on Weapons Master," He replied. Vaguely he heard the announcer shouting a few things, and then the word "GO!" Not needing any encouragement, he dragged his left foot back and lunged quickly. The sword sang through the air, missing the contact of flesh. The Weapons Master just laughed harshly and danced back, bringing out his own broadsword while moving swiftly.
Sand was raised as the two moved back and forth, in an intricate dance that only a person studying weapons would understand and appreciate. The swords rang as Leon brought his down and the Weapons Master blocked it. He was breathing in dust, sweat rolling down the sides of his face, his lungs heaving for air. Despite it being only fifteen minutes that the battle had begun, Leon was getting tired. Deciding to bet it all on the next few moves, he bared his teeth at the Weapons Master.
His right foot dug into the ground, then shoved off. Bringing his sword back, racing towards the old man, it was only three millimeters away from the ground, stirring the dust. In return, the Weapons Master stood in place, setting his weight into the ground and bringing his sword forth. Leon brought his sword forward, listening as it sliced through the air, his eyes concentrating on some point only he could see. Bringing it down with all the force he could, the sound of steel upon steel screamed through the Arena as the swords met.
Shoving his sword down, they met in a battle of wills. Brute strength battling it out for supremacy. Leon was winning, the old man had no chance when it came to strength, and he knew it. Understanding lit the Weapons Masters eyes. Smiling, he took a deep breath and spoke in his gravelly voice, "Sorry Leon. But not today."
With that the old man jumped back, Leon started to stumble forward and corrected himself just as the broadsword hissed through the air and passed where his head had been. Swearing and moving back as fast as he could, Leon wiped the sweat from his brow. Then he came to a decision, sighing, he raised his one hand. The Weapons Master stopped in the middle of his charge and looked straight at him. The next words out of Leons mouth were those who knew first hand that he could not beat this man.
"I have lost."
Serasi swore loudly in her mind, wondering why the universe hated her so. She was presently surrounded by a bunch of her fellow students, all of them wishing her congratulations in passing. Briefly she wondered if it would be against the school rules to use her magic to gain her freedom. Sadly deciding that it in fact was against the rules, she slumped back into her seat, defeated.
"Serasi! Congratulations!"
"La'Fei! I didn't know you had it in you."
"Congratulations!"
"You did it!"
Normally she would have smiled and laughingly answered them. Today wasn't normal however. It had been only two hours since it was public knowledge that she had passed her tests.The voices were slowly grating on her nerves, and just as she was contemplating throwing something at the growing crowd, a voice was raised and rescued her.
"La'Fei, please come to my office." The voice belonged to the same teacher who had led her to the testing room. Serasi's green eyes flashed with relief and she quickly stood up.
"Yes ma'am!"
Walking quickly towards the teacher, and following her back to the woman's office. She let out a sigh of relief as the heavy oak door was shut behind her, effectively shutting out all the voices as well.
"Serasi, have a seat," her teacher bid. She did as she was instructed, sitting on one of the plush red seats and looked across from her. The desk was piled high with scrolls, papers, and books. It was a miracle that the whole stack of them didn't slide off the desk. Serasi winced at the thought, and tried not to breath so hard.
"As you know, the Ceremony of Scrolls will begin tomorrow. You have everything memorized I presume?" Her teacher paused, making sure that Serasi nodded her head before continuing. "Good. It will be a short ceremony. Nothing like what the Academy of War held a few days ago of course. It will only be the students, the teachers, and your family."
Serasi stilled at that, wincing in her mind. She hadn't seen her family ever since she had been brought here. They hadn't been able to afford coming to see her, which was fine with her. The Academy was her home, the teachers and the students her family. The teacher was still talking though, and Serasi quickly brought her mind to attention.
"--You'll meet your partner right after the Ceremony of Scrolls. We received word that they held their own ceremony a few days before ours. The ones who are fit to be partners for any Casters will be arriving to see this as well. The other teachers have already taken aside your fellow students, who managed to pass the test too." The woman paused for a few deep breaths before starting up again.
"I know you already know this Serasi. But it is imperative that you listen to your partner. They are there to keep you safe. The Goddess knows that it's been quite a few years since that awful mess, but one can never be too careful. Wild animals and worse are on the roads."
Serasi nodded her head in understanding, thanking the Goddess in her mind silently. She didn't think she could survive out on her own. After all, every student was kept inside the Academy until they passed. While it didn't quite give them good survival instincts, it had kept them safe from outside influences; and the outside safe from the new Casters too.
Listening to her teacher, she found herself drifting off. The magic she had spent today had been utterly useless in practicality, but it was a good way to test control and power. It had tired her more out then she had thought at first, and it was taking it's toll. As if realizing this, her teacher stopped talking and nodded sharply to her.
"You may go now Serasi. Drink some tea and eat something with salt in it. Sugar too if you can. You know the drill. Lay out your things for tomorrow before sleeping." With that parting advice, she led Serasi out of the room and shut the door as soon as Serasi got out.
Smothering a yawn, Serasi headed to the small kitchen in her dorm. Her eyelids felt heavy and her body sluggish. The students who had flocked towards her were gone now, which she was more than grateful for. She didn't know if she could handle dealing with them again without flying off the roof. Using magic to this degree always made her cranky, though it wasn't widely known.
After grabbing a quick snack and a cup of tea, she walked to her room. It was quiet in the halls, her footsteps echoing loudly. A brush of sadness washed over her as she realized that she wouldn't be walking these halls for quite a few years to come. Pushing the feeling aside, she reminded herself sharply that it wouldn't be forever. 'I can go out, see the world. Get experience, new spells, and then come back.'
With that, she finished her tea and snacks just as she came to her door. Opening it, it creaked slightly; it had always creaked, ever since she had moved in. That had been quite a few years ago, twelve in fact. She wondered briefly if her family would recognize her. Probably not, she had grown up quite a bit.
As she entered her room she looked around slowly, her eyes sweeping over every detail. The walls were gray and littered with bright colored tapestries. Her favorite one had always been right across from her bed, so that every morning she would sit up and look at it. Warm yellows, reds, and oranges were woven into a complicated pattern of the sun. It showed nothing else, but to Serasi, it was the most awe inspiring piece of art she owned.
Tilting her head to the right, she decided right then and there that she was taking it with her. She hadn't been sure before, but now she was. If nothing else, it would serve to remind her of her Academy days. Taking it off the wall, she carefully rolled it up and placed it on the bed. Walking quietly to her closet, she pulled out the things she thought she would need.
"Let's see.. Two packs. Wrap the objects up in clothes, the food.." Sighing she sat down and began to fold her clothes into the largest cloth pack. There were the two new uniforms for those that passed the test, the clothes she thought she could hike in easily, two formal uniforms, and two of her old ones. Her room quickly became bare, losing the personal touches she had added over the years. With a pang in her heart, she carried the finished packs over to the door. She was beyond tired now, more then ready to fall onto her bed with a thump and fall asleep.
It was only when the sunlight peeked through her windows and brushed across her face gently that she woke up. Opening her eyes slowly, she smiled and got up. Her energy had been renewed, along with her spirits. Today would be a great day, she was sure.
"Good morning," She said to no one. It was her own personal ritual, as soon as the sun hit her face she would greet it. If it was setting before she was in bed, she would say goodnight as well. She remembered when a couple of students had heard her and laughed, until one of the teachers had reprimanded them with a lecture.
"Those who are sensitive to the flow of magic are the ones who are aware of what we have around us. To them, the nature something that lives with us side by side. The greatest casters are able to feel the very life around them. Remember that!"Serasi smiled at the memory, then shook her heads to get rid of the clouds in her mind. She had to go for breakfast and get ready for the Ceremony of Scrolls after that. Quickly shoving her feet into her shoes, she rushed out the door. The thought of her day sent excited butterflies to her stomach, she shivered slightly as she hit the small kitchen. It was cooler in here than it had been in the hallway and her room. There were a few other students from her particular dorm in the room already, they smiled at her and went back to chattering amongst themselves.
Quickly gathering her breakfast, a slightly cold bagel and a bit of fresh jam, she sat at the table and made quick work of it. Her mind flashed over the things she had to do. Scratching breakfast off her mental list, she decided that heading to the formal dressing room would be her next step. She only had two hours to get ready, and even with friends helping her, it would be a close call.
Pouring herself some juice, she allowed herself to relax for a minute as she swallowed it. It wouldn't do to get all worked up and make a mistake. 'Calm down Serasi,' she thought, 'It won't run away. If nothing else, I'll just be the last one to sign the Scroll.' Taking a deep breath and finishing off the last of the berry juice, she got up from the table, cleaning her dishes up behind her. Then she was off again, quickly walking towards her next destination.
The Academy had a room in the middle of it, the room where ceremonies were held. Next to that, there was a room that held every students formal uniform. Every year there would be a new uniform, courtesy of the farmers living near them. This year would be Serasi's last time to wear this uniform, the last time to enter this room, and the last time she would be able to have her friends surrounding her, giggling as they helped her dress.
When she opened the door to the room, she noticed that five of her friends were already there. They grinned and waved at her, not speaking but quickly motioning her to strip. She pulled her clothes off hurriedly and dropped them onto the floor. They were wrinkled anyways, she had slept in them after all.
Once there, she was shoved into another small room on the side. The room itself was the bathroom, where she showered and quickly toweled herself down. Serasi ran out of the bathroom just as someone else ran in, grinning they exchanged excited looks. Her friends herded her back to the spot that held her formal clothes.
The formal clothes were rather bulky, if pretty. They were used only a few times in a year, and took an hour to get on. First came the white undergarment, silky against her skin. Then came a large dress that reached her feet, it too was white. The next piece was a very heavy embroidered robe over top of it all. It held the sun and moon symbol that all students of the Academy wore proudly. The moon chased the sun across the front, while stars sparkled from the long sleeves. The garment was then buckled into place, holding it so that nothing would be able to move it from it's proper place.
Serasi made a face as it was all put on her, then as her hair was pulled as it was brushed. From behind, a friend brushed her wet hair, slowly using a spell to dry it evenly. Her other friends crowded in front of her, asking her questions and making sure that she knew what to do. She smiled brightly at them, wishing in a way that the time would never come to an end.
When her hair was finally dry, it was brushed behind her ears and shoulders. The side of her hair was pulled into two small braids, that were then wrapped around to the back of her head. Once there, they formed an intricate pattern until the hair ran out. The rest of her hair was loose, brushing against her back and ending at her waist. When she looked into the mirror, she smiled. She looked more mature, more sure of herself now. The robes had the effect on everyone.
"Are you ready now?" Someone asked. Serasi nodded her head, not really trusting her voice just yet. She was pulled by the hand by another student, who had also passed. Led away from her friends, she looked back once and smiled. Tears burned the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she took a deep breath and headed out into the ceremony room. It was filled with students, reassuring her. There were teachers here and there, and a few spatters of unfamiliar faces. Those faces belonged to the families of the students who had passed. Without really thinking about it, Serasi searched for someone who looked like her.
There! She saw a nervous looking man, his pepper colored hair thinning at the top. He didn't look like her, but the woman who was standing beside him did. The woman was short, with the same colored hair as Serasi's. A light copper color that shone as the light hit it. Serasi took a nervous breath and quickly looked away, she would have to speak to them after the Ceremony of Scrolls. Then, well then she wasn't sure what would happen, or what would be said.
Before she could get more nervous, the room went quiet. The Head Mistress stepped forward, her face hidden once again by a silver robe. She had motioned for silence, and had gotten it. Serasi straightened herself up, noticing that the other students who were standing with her doing the same.
"Welcome honored guests, fellow teachers, and students of the Academy of Spells. Welcome the to Ceremony of Scrolls. Where we will honor the seven students who passed their Trials, who have earned the honor of being called a Caster." The Head Mistresses voice echoed throughout the room, she had spoken neither too loud nor too quiet, and yet everyone had heard her.
"We shall now begin the Ceremony of Scrolls. Bring forward the Scroll, the Scroll that Lehbia Vayknell once held in her hands. That has every name, be they alive or dead, of every Caster who has graduated. We are proud to once again bring out the Scroll, and to welcome the talented new Casters into our ranks." With that, the Scroll came out. It wasn't very long, it held the magic within it. It would seem normal, until someone actually read it. There was over two hundred years worth of names, it would be impossible for a regular scroll to hold anything to that extent.
The names were called out one by one, and each student went up to shake the hand of the Head Mistress and sign their names. Every time they signed, a small bell rang out, it's silver tone ringing in a quiet song. Soon enough, almost too soon, it was Serasi's turn.
"Serasi La'Fei." Her name was called out. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a second, then opened them and stepped forward.
© of Rynnal
