There are a total of 4 Empires in the Continent of Matrona. These are the Thorinar Empire or the Human Realm, the Demitrout Alliances or Kingdom of the Beast race and the Einlad Dwarves, the Velvetoir Empire or the residence of the Elven race, Siethdorians, and the Bloodswourn Legion where the Serpentines rule.
These groups have been under silent terms for a little less than 500 years. But though they do not portray public violence, the empires have been on constant tension and competition among themselves. And they've later set the stage at the academy, Queensfort Studies. As wide and as prosper being it's own kingdom, Queensfort Studies accepted bright and talented students from every nation. It was built by a famous and powerful elven magician called Aquila, who was known for being indiscriminate and kind yet stern and adamant.
Queensfort isn't the only place to school young prodigies, but it has proved over and over again to be the best when it comes to nurturing raw talent. Multiple graduates were revered to be geniuses that thrive on their own fields and came home to as a highly respected individual recognized by the empires. Such is the place where our hero will be attending.
Carriages lined uniformly over at the prepared stables after delivering their passengers at the entrance to the guest's hall, which was by the way, comparable to a stadium. Nobles and peasants from different races were accommodated by students from the academy tasked to do so, a way to show off the promised prestige of its name.
*Creak*
The hinges of the wheel cried as to mark the of the ride. The coachman rushing to the door assisted, only to find Gab asleep carelessly on Alisa's lap.
"s...iss...Miss *giggles*, we're here."
"Uhh *wipes drool*"
The journey lasted a quarter of a day and Gab was hardly able to get a wink of sleep because she kept rolling around the room, excited to enter school. Her body got back at her during the ride. Alisa came down the coach and assisted Gab on her way down, later then handing her the things she prepared for the occasion.
"B-b-best of luck miss, may the god, Orthtro, guide you. Uh, I know you can do it. Um, y-you can do this!"
Alisa stuttered, trying her best to cheer Gab on. Turns out she was more nervous than Gab was right now.
"Y-yeah...are you alright?"
"*deep breaths*...yes, miss. I'm alright now, off you go~."
"Yeah, I'll see later."
In her first life, Gab had read and memorized most of the books in her dad's library. And mind you, he had more than 10,000 books in his study. She proved to have quite the brainpower, but reading all of those took away her social life for she lost all her time in there. So the first test was sure to be a breeze, her problem was the second one.
What talent does she boast? If her knowledge can be deemed as one then she wouldn't have to worry about this, but here scholars are commodity. Now that wouldn't be much of a talent, would it? Well her mana, mana manipulation, and conjure versatility can tell anyone to shut up.
But well, what she needed was something that can finish the deal. She needed something that can assure a future where she gets chosen as hero and that thing should help her at the least, do damage to Astaroth. So what is it?
She was there sitting by a bench at the back. Gab was with the other children taking part in the tests. A girl took a seat beside her, however, Gab...was asleep with her eyes open.
"Hmph! Well at the very least you look decent. Which family do you come from?"
"..."
"...Haha, I know. It must be a shock for you to talk to someone as famous and revered as I am. But pity now, I have bestowed upon you the blessing of being in my presence."
"..."
"Oh of course, you must be puking nervous to speak. Giving account to the examination we are about to participate in, how dreadful."
"..."
"...*annoyed* H-hey."
She leaned near Gab's face. Who was at the moment sitting upright but was looking into empty space. The girl waved her hand in front of her, trying to call out for attention. But Gab remained stagnant.
'Uwahh~ I accidentally talked to a strange one. She hasn't blinked since a while ago. But she is without a doubt a noble, the hairpin proves it but I can't remember which family had that pattern...I should try at least three more times to make her notice me. Daddy always told me that "...Listen honey, when I was young like you, I thought that money, fame and power was everything one needs to be happy in this world. And well, now that I'm all grown up. I proved myself right, always knew I'm genius. So sweetie, now that you are of right age, do what I did. Keep yourself close with rich, disciplined people because when they become famous, so do you. Daddy just wants you to be happy dear, alright? Give your daddy a kiss, my little poochypie~" So I must stay close to this girl and catch her attention.'
And so here she goes again, trying her best to catch Gab's attention while trying to avoid looking desperate.
"Hey." *pokes Gab's cheek*
"..."
"Heey~." *softly blows air on neck*
"..."
"...*pissed*"
"..."
"Oi!!! *knocks head* Tohh!"
Waking up while holding a bump on her scalp. A girl in a dress too big and elegant with gloves and a well-designed fan, greeted her. Well Gab was simple, she had stockings, belt, short skirts with a long-sleeve and a light vest.
"Ow! *holding her head*"
"Hmph! That's what you get for ignoring me."
"Um...who're you?"
"...what?"
"Why'd you hit me? And I was at the best part of my dream~...damn. *irritated*"
"Y-you were asleep...? *flustered*"
"Yeah."
'D-DDAAMMMIITT!!!!'
Yes, the girl is embarrassed to the very core of her being. Looking away from Gab and covering her face.
"Hm? What's wrong?"
'T-THIS BITCH...I'LL KILL YOU, I'LL KILL YOU! THE EXAM WOULD BE STARTING WITHOUT YOU NOW. YOU PETTY! SAD! PATHETIC PIECE OF SHIT!! UUURRRGGGHH!!!!!! YOU SHALL EXPERIENCE MY WRATH RIGHT HERE!'
She then quickly turns to answer Gab.
"Oh no, everything is alright, just a bit of excitement. I'm Marie by the way, Marie Eloise V'becuim. It seems you didn't hear me a while ago, pleased to make your acquaintance. *bright smile*"
"Hm, so it's Mariel."
"What, no. My name is Marie Eloise, not Mariel!"
"Mhm, nice to meet you Mariel. I'm Gab, Gabrielle Xylmuitte, it's really nice to meet you. Hehe~"
"Wait, no, listen to me. Its Marie, not Mariel, MARIE!"
"*ignores*...*twitching*U-um, you know. I'm really happy right now. I've finally made my very first friend, and um...P-please take care of me, Mariel. *heavenly smile*"
"Wha—? *flustered again*"
It's super effective. (*pokemon reference*| yes, again)
"W-w-well since your my first friend that's my age, I'll allow a nickname."
*Gab giggling*
*DUNN* *CREAK*
The giant doors leading to the examination room slowly opened. There was gasping from the crowd as five people walked out. There was an tall old man with a horns and a tail in ashen white robes, a serpentine. A pale, human woman with fixed, reddish-purple hair that matched her outfit of a loose, red kimono with wooden slippers.
A girl with fluffy ears and 9 dazzling fox tails, she had short orange hair with a ribbon behind her head, also wearing a kimono but pink and shorter to show her small legs. There was dwarf wearing thick armor engraved with runes, he carried a giant hammer on his back. And an elf, he had really long, pure-white hair braided reaching his thighs. Wearing a simple, light-blue robe and a smile.
"To all examiners, we shall now proceed with the trials. Prepare yourselves."