by Za1d3
The other boys could see that Kaidus did not want to talk about it.
“Fine.” Jorva dropped the topic, moving onto a different one. “Have you guys notice something odd ever since the last learning period?”
“““No. No. Nope.””” They all replied.
“Doesn’t it seem that there are more Mystiks guild members out and about than before? I saw at least thirteen members of the guild over the ryes. Something’s probably going on in Ferrent.” Jorva explained.
“Now that you mention it, I did see a couple guild members coming around, asking my father something.” Larant added.
“Yours too?” Jorva had a look of surprise on his face.
“Is it rare for the guild to do such a thing?” Kaidus investigated, joining in on the talk.
He knew what it was about, but there was no point in telling. It would just raise questions.
“Not really I guess, but Lord Varath has no affiliation with the Mystiks guild. It was just surprising.” Jorva answered.
Jorva’s statement was understandable. Nobles who were without magic had little to do with the Mystiks guild. Lacking the abilities and the understandings that would be beneficial to the guild where magic was concerned, the two parties rarely intermingle when it comes to official matters.
“Maybe it’s something else?” Mirat threw in. “Like you said, maybe something is happening in Ferrent?”
“Could be… but what?” Jorva agreed.
“No point worrying about it.” Larant chimed in. “Why not ask your father next time the ryes comes around?”
Without waiting for a reply from Jorva, “Mirat. You’re taking Intermediate Supplementation of mana, right?” Larant questioned.
“I am.”
“When does Beginner’s Supplementation start learning how to utilize the mana from Lagus?”
“You don’t really learn how to utilize it in Beginners.” He answered. “The first half of beginners is all theoretical lessons and understanding the process along with the risks and benefits. Absorption is taught in the second half. Using will be at the end of the year, and only as a test.” Mirat explained.
“I see… You’re in intermediate now. I assume it wasn’t hard?”
“Depends on how well you do. I failed the first time…” Mirat answered sullenly.
“Sorry. I just thought you didn’t take it your first year.”
“It’s fine. I thought I understood the concept and the process, but doing it was quite difficult. I was able to purify the raw mana that I siphoned from Lagus using my own mana, but I was unable to cast a spell with the purified mana during the test.” Mirat gave a recollection of his failure.
“At least you passed last year right?” Larant attempted to cheer him up.
“Yea.”
“Mirat, how much of the raw mana are you able to purify?” Kaidus joined in.
“Right now, the masters say it’s less than .4%…”
“You’re kidding…” Jorva muttered from his spot at the table.
“Hey, .4% is a lot for me!” Mirat retorted. “Even with spirits that are pretty much mana incarnate, they can only purify a third of the mana at best. Using my own mana to make usable a measly .4%, I’d say it’s pretty good considering my lack of skills. It’s either go with that, or use the raw mana and become mad with power.”
“I thought the requirement for passing was at least 1% purification?” Jorva asked.
“No. The test consists of tapping into Lagus, absorbing its power, purifying it, then using it. As long as you can do all four, then you pass no matter the amount you can purify on your own.”
“How do the masters know you’ve succeeded? Isn’t all that within your own control?” Larant questioned.
“The purified mana is different. Just the feel of it as it courses through your body for a second is incredible. Even with just a measly .4%, I felt like I a new person. Like a real mage. I can understand why mages would risk using the raw unprocessed mana even if it costs them their mind.”
Mirat knew he was weaker than the other students in his year.
His abilities were far from adequate in his mind, and he was also one of the few third years who are still taking a beginners class. Usually by their third year, most students are in all intermediate classes, working towards advanced.
“You planning on breaking your mind?” Jorva joked.
“No.” Mirat smiled then stood up and put one foot where he was sitting. “I am Mirat Raesu Klivus, the first in three generations to be born with mana! I carry the dreams of my forefathers, how can I face my great grandfather if I was consumed by the greed for power?” He struck a gallant pose then grinned. “No. I will stand tall and work my way to the top, using the strength bestowed upon me by my parents. Step by step, spell by spell. I will prove myself, and tower over my peers.” Finished with his speech, Mirat sat back down. The grin still plastered all over his face.
“Hahahaha!” Larant burst out. “You and me both, Mirat. People who are gifted like Jorva and Kaidus wouldn’t understand.”
Larant knows exactly how Mirat feels. He himself was also the first in two generations. Although his father Lord Alzin Varath does indeed have mana, his father lacked the abilities and capacity for true magic, stagnating as a Mahj—the lowest ranks of a mages. He himself was a true mage, and was here at the academy to bring honor to the Varath house.
“I don’t know whether to take that as a jest, or a compliment.” Jorva interjected.
“You can take it however you want.” Larant replied with a wily grin.
“Good, you are all still here!” a familiar voice called to them.
Looking to his side, Kaidus saw two girls were approaching their table. The emerald princess, the beautiful Prim Lithius, and a beauty with short brown hair—barely to her shoulders—Lisin Rhonorus.
“Council business running overtime?” Jorva asked.
“Yea. I can’t believe we’re having this much problems barely two turns into the term.” Prim answered.
Although only a 3rd year student, Prim’s outstanding progress and skills had caught the attention of the masters. Not taking into account her humiliating defeat at the hands of Kaidus last term, she is definitely one of the brightest student in the academy.
“And just last year you were so jealous of Kaidus’ position in the Council.” Lisin spoke, giggling with a smile on her face.
Kaidus laughed at what Lisin had revealed.
Lisin was not a council member, but being Prim’s closest friend here, they were inseparable. Surprisingly, she was betrothed to Larant six years ago, but with the sudden awakening of her magic four years ago, her parents had called off the engagement. The group had learned about it after relentlessly questioning about how the two knew each other.
“Lisin, I told you that in confidence!” Prim admonished her friend.
“It was quite obvious.”
“Yep…”
Both Jorva and Mirat added.
“You should have seen your face when you learned that you had been recruited into the council. It was probably one of the happiest faces I’ve seen.” Lisin grinned at her friend.
“You… traitorous… AH! Whatever! Fine! I’ll admit, I was jealous then. But now, I don’t know anymore. 1st chair Alexus has us new members doing everything he thinks is too troublesome, and 2nd Chair Val is missing half the time. I don’t even think they want do their jobs anymore…” Prim conceded, voicing out her misery.
“Sounds just like Val and Alexus.” Inside, he was laughing his heart out. “Good thing someone capable like you joined them.” Kaidus added with a chuckle.
Alexus and Val were the 5th and 6th chair last year when he was in the council. Kaidus was 7th chair, and three other 4th years were 8 to 10th chair.
After a year of laboring and solving other people’s problems, no one wanted to become 1st and 2nd chair and take charge for this year. Abiding by the rules, previous council members are to elect a 1st and 2nd chair
from their members for the position, and he had nominated both Alexus and Val.
Those two had gotten lazy over the year, and were delegating most of their work to him because of his abilities; it was his own little friendly payback. Chairs 1-4 were all 6th years at the time, and were all leaving the academy anyways, so they didn’t vote. Many of the members also agreed with his opinions about how lazy the two had become, so as punishment, they were voted for another year. Of course the council had its perks, but nothing beats the freedom to do as he wish.
“You two aren’t eating?” Larant asked the girls.
“Lisin brought me lunch and we ate in the council room while I finished up.” Prim replied.
“A little late to be joining us then, isn’t it?” Jorva spoke up.
“Right. Kaidus.” Prim turned to him.
“Yea?”
“Can you meet me later in the eastern grounds? I’ve been wanting to test something, and to see how you would deal with it.”
“Sure. I’ll be going to the library, but I can head there after your 3rd class is over.”
Chapter 43 – Innocent Ties
The eastern grounds surround the technical buildings, doubling as a classroom for practical hands-on lessons, and a practice ground after classes are over.
By the time Kaidus arrived, there were already a few students quietly practicing magic. A master patrolled the area, making sure nothing happens.
He made his way to where a small group of familiar faces were waiting.
“Alright, Kaidus is here. Shall we begin?” Jorva asked.
“I’m ready, but whose turn is it to set up the arena?” he replied, joining them.
“That would be Mirat and mine.” Jorva answered.
The two older boys looked at each other and nodded. Both began chanting incantations.
As soon as they finished, the ground stirred and four walls of earth rose up, merging together to form an enclosed arena. Rising up to Kaidus’ shoulders, the modestly sized rectangular arena had an opening for where the combatants would enter through. The walls were more to keep out wandering students than to enclose the combatants.
Mirat and Jorva grinned at each other, having accomplished their task. Using compound magic, they amplified each other’s earth magic, strengthening the walls and increase the speed of the phenomenon.
“Thanks.” Prim thanked the two boys and entered the arena.
Kaidus followed.
“A duel?” Larant asked the others with a puzzled look.
He was relatively new to the group being a first year, and did not know what to expect.
“It’s something that Prim and I came up with when we were first years.” Lisin replied with a grin. “Do your best Prim! Go easy on her Kaidus!” she yelled.
“Oh.” A smile drew across Larant’s face, seeing Lisin yelling for the boy to go easy on someone twice his size.
“When you’re ready.” Kaidus told Prim as they each walked towards their own side.
“You better be ready.” Prim replied as they separated.
Reaching his position, with a thought, the ground under him rose up and he was standing on a circular dirt platform barely higher than his knees. Kaidus looked over to where prim was standing, and soon enough, she also raised herself up on a platform.
The rules were simple:
Two mages, one on each side of the arena, each on a raised platform.
The mages try to push each other off the platforms using magic, and the first one to leave the perimeter of the platform or gives up loses.
Except for lowering the platform to the ground and lethal magic, anything goes.
The separation and distance put between the mages are there, so that they cannot hear each other’s incantations.
After getting to know each other over the last year, on occasion they would engage in these little bouts of magic, practicing what they’ve learned and applying it in friendly competition. It first began with talking about magic, then practice, then this rivalry.
Of course, the normal rules did not apply to Kaidus. For him, he could only defend while his opponent attempts to push him out. The match would be over once the attacking party fails to disengage him from the platform within a time limit, gives up, or he is pushed out.
With the start of the new school year and Prim’s council work, today was the first time this year.
Kaidus stood on his platform waiting patiently for whatever Prim has in store for him.
He watched silently as the sound of muffled incantations resounded about, and the sensation of the other girl’s mana whirled out, working their way into the world.
Kaidus took a quick sidestep, dodging a gust of wind aimed for his chest. Within seconds of moving, he repositioned himself again as another gust shot at him from the side.
“Massssterr.” Zion hissed in his mind.
‘It’s fine. I am not in danger.’ He thought back to the entity, keeping it down.
The area beneath his left feet surged with mana and crumbled in itself—concaving the platform—in an attempt to stagger him. Kaidus calmly shifted positon again, moving to the middle of the platform.
A ball of water followed and shot straight at him, but before it could hit, a single thought shattered the blob of water, turning it into thousands of droplets that rained on him.
He saw Prim smile.
After a quick incantation, he was assaulted by another blast of wind followed by a burst of lightning magic. Kaidus formed a shield of mana in front of him to absorb the incoming attack. The shield blocked the wind magic, but the trajectory of the lightning bolt was not aimed at him. A small pool of water had collected underneath him due to the concaved shape of his platform, and the magic bolt was directed at it. Drenched and standing in a pool of water, his lips curved upward at the attack. Kaidus jumped from his position before the bolt of lightning hit the puddle. In the air, he felt a flood of mana homing in on his position.
‘Amazing. She’s gotten even better.’ He thought to himself. The last time they competed was before the Rjus. Her casting speed, control, and precision were even more precise than he remembered.
A quick wave with his hands, and a wall of wind formed, deflecting Prim’s wind magic that was about to blown him out of the air.
Landing onto the platform, he stood on the edges away from the puddle.
Another gust of wind tore at him but was also deflected.
‘Interesting.’
He knew there was no way prim was casting wind magic this fast; focusing his mind, he sensed the oddity. Because of the flurry of spells in accordance to how prim usually attacks, he was not paying attention to the subtle flow of mana. It was now evident what she had done.
Prim only casted wind magic once, and had been sustaining it this whole time. She attacked with it in intervals to make it look like she was recasting it, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike him out of the platform.
Invoking, and then sustaining the magic is one of the more advanced forms of control when it comes to using an element. The magic requires excellent focus and a sufficient flow of mana from the user. To be able to use other spells while sustaining her own wind magic, Prim truly lives up to the prestigious Lithius name.
Kaidus smiled at her progress.
With an indomitable will, he shattered the girl’s flow of mana to her wind magic.
He saw Prim’s look of surprise.
“I give up!” Prim announced from her platform. A defeated smile appeared on her face as she realized Kaidus had seen through her scheme and broken it.
Anticlimactically, it was over.
Prim got off the platform and walked towards the opening of the arena where the other three were waiting—along with a couple of new spectators.
“That was a good try Prim. You almost got Kaidus out.” Lisin tried to cheer up her friend.
“No. He was going easy on me the whole time.” Prim replied. “I never thought I had a chance, but I wanted to try anyways.�
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“It was a good strategy. If I’d been slower while I was in the air, you may have taken the win. I was not expecting your lightning magic to go after the water, followed by a sneak attack. Good set up and attempt.” He complimented.
“I see. Then it wasn’t all for nothing. Thank you.” The disappointment of defeat vanished, and in its place emerged the brilliant smile of a beautiful young woman.
“What was that?!” Larant exclaimed excitedly.
“Kaidus won the match.” Mirat spoke from beside him.
“I know that, but did none of you see what just happened!?”
“Ah… Lord Varath never told you Kaidus is a voiceless caster did he?” Jorva added.
“He certainly did not…” Larant’s excitement quickly died, seeing the group already knew. Suddenly, a realization dawned on him about something else entirely. ‘That crafty old man… No wonder he’s been so adamant about Sylvia’s training.’
“Well, allow me to reintroduce you to Zorin’s own little….”
Not caring about what was going on with Larant and Jorva,
“How long have you been able to control and sustain wind magic like that?” Kaidus asked Prim.
“My sister taught me over the Rjus, and I’ve been practicing with Lisin in secret.” Prim answered while Lisin gave him a scheming grin.
“I see.” Kaidus knew who the sister was. “I was surprised at how capable you’ve become at controlling your magic. What other elements can you manipulate?”
“Just wind magic for now. It seems I have a higher affinity with it than the others elements.” Prim paused for a moment contemplating something. “Kaidus. What did you do to my magic anyways? It felt like it just vanished.”
“I severed your mana flow that was sustaining it. You just have to recast it again.”
“Severed? Is that like cancellation magic?”
The other four heard, and they joined in on the juicy topic.
“Something like that.”
“I’ve heard of cancelation magic, but that’s usually along the line of a mana shield or a stronger magic that overwhelms the other, such as using water against fire, or metal to trap and deviate lightning magic. I didn’t notice you doing any of that.” Prim replied.