Black Mist

by Michael Sisa

  Rouma’s voice further bellowed. “You should all realize how fragile a magician devoid of mana is!”

  Rouma took out a small marble stone. He pulverized it using his fingers and soon after, golems that spanned two meters in size sprouted from the ground one by one. They all held clubs made of rocks. Rouma snorted, forming a small steam in its wake. “Our two demonstrators shall fight these golems! Do not worry for I’ll make sure they do not die! You have my word!”

  Negi heaved a sigh of relief after Rouma’s assurance, but his face paled after the professor’s next words. “But of course, I will not intervene unless one of them is almost at death’s door! The golems are free to batter their bodies as they wish!”

  Rouma made a chet sound. “There’re some healing spells anyways. They won’t die so there’s no need to fret.”

  Negi repeatedly opened and closed his mouth. He tugged at Dan’s arm. He said to Rouma, “Professor! Isn’t this too mu—?!”

  “Shut it!” Rouma snarled. “Ask any senior students here. This is my way of baptizing the first years—you’re just lucky enough to babble your mouth with nonsense while I was talking before.” Rouma pulled out two short swords from his waist and tossed it to Dan and Negi. Clanking sound was heard after Negi failed to catch the thrown sword. Dan on the other fluidly caught his using just a single arm. Rouma gnashed his teeth. “No magic or use of mana is allowed! Start!”

  Ecstatic sounds filled the stadium as the students awaited the upcoming ‘demonstration.’ Some of them were smirking as they watched the two students at the arena’s center be slowly surrounded by almost a dozen golems. A few students hated the fact that the son of the Emperor of Fire was getting special treatment despite his obvious lack of talent in magic. The ‘demonstration’ of Professor Rouma somewhat gave them a pleasurable experience. They looked forward to seeing two battered bodies after the match.

  The moment Rouma had entered outside the golem’s range, he flicked a finger and the colossal monstrosities began to slowly move forward, completely surrounding the two students.

  “D-Dan! I’m sorry I got you into this!” Negi said as he tried to buckle his wobbling knees. He held the sheathed sword tightly on his arms as his eyes swiveled left and right. “W-What do we do? What do w-we do?!”

  Dan unsheathed the short sword and inspected the blade. It was polished to utter perfection. The edges glimmered at the tiniest bit of light. His lips slightly curled upwards. He placed a hand on Negi’s shoulder, making the aghast student stop trembling in response. Somehow, Dan’s grip was full of vigour and life. It was peculiarly filled with unexplainable strength and confidence. Dan said, “This is a fine sword. Relax... we can win this. Try not to leave my side too much.”

  Negi only partly understood, but he nodded his head willingly regardless. He kept looking left and right as he attempted to find an open path towards their escape. Unfortunately, he found none.

  “Unsheathe your sword. Parry and block if necessary— Fight,” were Dan’s words before he began walking towards a golem before them. His gait was calm and steady, and somehow, an air of absoluteness dwelled around him. Even Rouma and the students felt the peculiar aura that depicted the word ‘fearless.’

  A golem now stood right in front of Dan, and without warning, it shot its club towards him. Dan evaded the attack by leaping to the right, eventually making the club smash the ivory stadium ground in the process. With quick and fluid movement, he made a quick slash at the golem’s left arm, completely severing it from the body. It fell on the ground with a loud thud sound before turning to nothing but dust. Without stopping, Dan changed the momentum of his strike to the side, aiming at the neck of the earth-made monster. His movement was lightning-quick, and without word, his blade neatly separated the golem’s head from the body. The creature fell on its knees then slumped on the ground. It turned to dust afterwards.

  A golem charged from his rear, and Dan answered by quickly spinning his body around, his blade ready as it eventually precisely struck the neck of the golem. Another earth-made creature was decapitated, and it also fell limp on the ground before turning to nothing but dust.

  “Wha... what the....” Negi stood at the arena dumbfounded after he saw the precise movements of the student before him. Rouma and the spectators were also unable to believe their eyes.

  By now, the golems seemed to have felt that Dan was a big threat. As though Negi had become the air itself, they ignored him and charged towards Dan. Loud rumbling sounds echoed as the creatures’ feet thumped against the ground, creating small cracks.

  Dan ducked as a club passed above his head. He firmed a foot on the ground and shot his body towards the golem. With quick and fluid motion, he twirled his body twice into the air, eventually slicing of the head of the golem cleanly using his blade. The head rolled on the ground, and before it had turned to dust, another golem swung its club vertically towards Dan. The attack hit nothing but an afterimage. The sound of wind was heard, and another golem’s head fell and rolled on the floor. It turned to dust.

  By now, only six golems had remained, and he took care of them as swiftly as those from before. From each swing of his blade, the students’ and Rouma’s eyes widened more and more. As moments passed by, the scenario of a one-sided slaughter was becoming more and more vivid. After a few more rumbling sounds and swings of blade, the arena had turned into nothing but an ash-filled ground. The remains of the golems were scattered about as occasional light gusts of wind carried some into the air.

  Dan calmly stood as he gazed at the blade of the short sword he carried. After a gentle smile, he sheathed it into the scabbard then walked towards Negi’s direction. He offered a hand and said, “Are you alright?”

  It took a while before Negi was able to reply. “Y-Yeah?” He rubbed his eyes using a finger. After blinking thrice, he glanced around. The remains of the golems were still evident. “What the hell... it’s real... not a... dream.” His words were a whisper.

  Negi looked straight into Dan’s crimson eyes. He noticed that despite the unfolded carnage, Dan was not breathing heavily. He did not show even a slight hint of panting.

  “Crimson Bastille—take me there next time,” Dan said with a grin. “The Drake you mentioned... it seems interesting.

  Chapter 20: History Class

  A deafening silence filled the Training Grounds the moment Dan’s blade severed the head of the last golem. Everyone’s heartbeat seemed to have amplified many folds as it thumped violently within their chests. Dan sheathed the short sword into its scabbard, creating a soft and mellifluous sound. He brushed off the dusts on his uniform. He turned to Professor Rouma.

  It took the professor a while before he was able to regain his calm. After a cough, he awkwardly glanced left and right as he scanned the astonished looks of the first year students. With a snarl that was not as ferocious as before, he declared, “I see that we have a talented one here?” His voice carried with it a hint of bewilderment and questioning. He clapped his hands twice. “Name?”

  Dan stared straight into the professor’s eyes. Unbeknownst to him, Professor Rouma almost flinched the moment he did so. The professor had been to numerous battlefields, but it was the first time a child made him lightly tremble due to the unknown. The child carried with him great uncertainty. The child seemed to be a wonder. He had become a figure that piqued Professor Rouma’s interest.

  Dan’s voice was low and polite. “Daniek Roshaila, sir.”

  “I see....” Rouma’s voice trailed off as his mind was filled with various thoughts. After a pause, an unruly laughter broke everyone from their stupor. “Kuhahahaha! So you’re the son of Edward? I’ve heard rumours that his son is now attending this academy! Who would have thought that his son would become my student! As expected of a Roshaila! As expec—!”

  Rouma suddenly stopped. He looked at a first year student on his left. With a fierce glare, he asked, “Isn’t this class... the class for those that attained F rank?”

 
The student trembled as he attempted to squeeze out a reply. “Y-Yes!”

  Rouma’s eyes squinted for a second then resumed its fiery glare. He found it hard to believe that such a monster student like Dan was categorized as an F rank. Based on the battle he had just witnessed, the child could easily take care of any student that was ranked one or two levels above him. That much, Rouma was sure.

  Rouma stomped his large body forward, creating loud rumbling sounds. He stopped right in front of Dan. Staring at the child below him, he said, “Child of Edward—there must have been something wrong with the rankings. I’ll personally see to it that you get a second chance at the test. I’ll personally go and see Chairman Grasse regarding the matter.”

  “Thank you for the gesture... but I’ve already spoken with Professor Janus. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the result of the test. It seems that my mana pool is too low for me to become a proper magician,” Dan said. Negi was now beside him, and he gazed at Dan with eyes filled with disbelief.

  Rouma made a frown. He felt that the child was not lying. He did not reply and after making a chet sound, he instead turned around towards the clustered group of students. Even now, their lips were partly opened. Some were still staring at the remnants of the annihilated golems.

  “I need two volunteers.” Rouma’s words sent shivers down everyone’s spine. It seemed that the professor wanted to make a ‘comeback’ using another set of students as demonstrators. “No one?” Rouma raised a brow as he pointed at two students. One was male and one was female. “The two of you—forward.”

  With wobbly knees and sweat-filled faces, the two ‘volunteers’ went their way towards Professor Rouma. The professor wordlessly signaled for Dan and Negi to exit, giving way for the next batch of ‘demonstrators.’

  “It seems that this class needs a second batch of demonstrators,” Rouma declared. His words made the two students almost piss themselves. They had both seen the absurd sizes of the golems from before, and just from that, they were sure that a single strike from their maces would break their bones.

  “Professor... isn’t the previous demonstration... enough?” the female student suggested. Her voice was sobbing.

  Rouma snorted, creating a small steam in its wake. “That’s an exemption. I have not really shown this class the danger of losing one’s mana.” He placed a hand on her trembling shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the two of you don’t die.”

  Without waiting for the two ‘volunteer’ students to make another complaint, Rouma took out another pebble and crushed it using his large fingers. Another set of golems formed from the stadium’s ground. They were as bulky and as fierce as the ones from before.

  Rouma crunched his neck. “Same rules as before. Start.”

  That day, the sounds of screaming and bones shattering reverberated in the entire Training Grounds of the Sky Academy. The sight of students vomiting on the ground became a common scenario as the “demonstration and baptism” unfolded before everyone’s eyes.

  ***

  The first day of the Martial Arts Class had ended. Most of the students’ knees were wobbling as they made their way back to their respective dormitories. The gruesome sight of torn muscles and broken bones left a deep scar within their minds. On the other hand, Negi and Dan were currently on their way towards the Crimson Bastille.

  “We’re almost there,” Negi excitedly said. It had almost been half an hour since they left the Training Grounds. He puffed out a large gust of breath then looked at Dan using the sides of his eyes. “You’re actually a monster, eh? I should have known—the blood of the Emperor of Fire resides in your veins after all~”

  Seeing that Dan did not seem intent on replying, Negi continued. “Know what? The history of the Roshaila Family originated around five centuries ago. According to records, the Roshaila, Monfort, Ulva, and the Kulaima were the ones that started the Empire. Quite an old lineage, I must say...though it was only during the time of the legendary magician, Walker Vont Ilian, that the Empire was officially formed. I guess having an impossibly large wall enclose the land marked the start of the Empire?”

  The view of a large structure that resembled a castle was becoming more evident as the two continued with their walk. The area was devoid of any trees, and it was filled with nothing but stones and boulders. The ground was rough and cracked, and occasional wild grasses grew in between it. Somehow, the air seemed peculiarly stale.

  Negi continued his one-sided speech. To Dan’s amusement, the student seemed very knowledgeable of History. He wordlessly listened to the student’s enthusiastic stories as they approached the fortress.

  “If they asked, tell them that were here due to Professor Janus’ orders,” Negi whispered. He took out a small piece of parchment. Dan curiously read the word’s imprinted on it. The name of Professor Janus along with his signature was seen.

  Dan almost halted his steps as he said ,”Don’t tell me?” His voice trailed off as he shot a quizzical stare at the student beside him.

  “Yup! I copied the professor’s mark! How else would we be able to enter that thing?” Negi pertained to the Crimson Bastille. He scratched his head as he made an awkward laugh. “This is a secret, ‘kay? I’m actually good in replicating things... I mean... As long as the magic involved is not that complex... My father even told me that I might be a genius in that field!”

  “Genius in replicating things?” Dan almost retorted. He stopped in his tracks. “Forget it. I’m leaving. I didn’t know—” He paused when he realized that they were already at their destination.

  The two of them were now in front of the Bastille’s gates. Negi grabbed his arm and tugged him towards the five guards positioned right at the entrance. He whispered, “Too late to back out now, mate.” He then cast a broad smile at the academy guards.

  The guards wore a white hooded robe that covered their entire body. The crest of the Sky Academy was embossed on their right shoulders.

  “Hello~ Dear! Sirs!” Negi revealed his white pearls. With a quick lick of his lips, he rubbed his palms together and squeaked, “We’re here for Professor Janus’ orders!” He then showed the guards the forged letter. The magic embossed on it was very similar to the one the professor used. The guards glanced at each other.

  “It’s the noisy student,” one of the guards said. His voice carried with it a hint of resignation. He returned the letter to Negi. “That student beside you?”

  “Yup!” Negi gleefully answered. “He’s with me!”

  The other guard sighed. “Something’s fishy about you two.” He stared at the students. “Do note that I will confirm the authenticity of this permit with the Professor later.”

  Negi furrowed his brows. It was bad news. Inwardly, he thought of how awesome he was to have prepared that thing. He pulled out another letter from his vest’s pocket. “Here.”

  The guards took it then read its contents. They were frozen for a few seconds. “T-Then, please enter!”

  Negi pouted then smiled. “Hehe~ Thanks!” He pulled the arm of Dan and ushered the unwilling student deeper into the Bastille.

  After they were out of eavesdropping range of the guards, Dan asked, “What’s in the second letter?” He felt that what they were doing was more trouble that he thought.

  “The Chairman’s permit. It’s embossed with the highest seal. There’s no way for them to confirm it with Professor Janus if the chairman himself asked us to be here. Well, that’s what’s stated in the letter anyways,” said Negi.

  Dan groaned in resignation. “What are you doing!? What if they rechecked everything? It’s relatively easy to ask the other professors or the chairman himself!”

  Negi chuckled. He patted Dan at the back. “Hahaha! Now, now. Calm down. We’ll cross the bridge when we get there. As of now, let’s enjoy the moment—‘kay?”

  Dan gave out another sigh. If worse comes to worst, the most severe consequence was that he’ll be kicked out of the academy. Somehow, he did not mind t
hat. At the very least, he’ll get to see his family a little bit sooner.

  The two of them had been walking for a few minutes now. Along the way, Dan suddenly grabbed the sleeve of Negi’s uniform. With vigilant eyes, he scanned their immediate surroundings. The path they were currently at was dimly lit. Dan mumbled, “Let’s get out of here.”

  Negi shot a quizzical stare. “What do you mean? We’re almost there.” He brushed off Dan’s grip. “Come on! Let’s go!”

  ‘This is definitely the stench of blood,’ Dan thought. He placed a firm hand on Negi’s shoulder. “Listen… I don’t think we should continue with this path. Believe me when I say this—there’s something wrong with this place.”

  Negi pouted. “Of course? This place houses ‘that’ creature. I can understand if you’re frightened of the Elder Drake we’re about to encounter but believe me… It’s shackled by the chairman himself. It’s impossible for it to escape from imprisonment.”