"Easy there apprentice" The figure laughed " I'm adept Vain, you have done a favor to the academy for slaying this Basilisk. If it was allowed to escape it would have wreaked havoc to the mortals."
An adept, He seems to have been through beast modification Karthus thought.
"I am Karthus, I have come to join the Barbossa adept school as a beginner apprentice."
"What! your only a beginner apprentice?"
Adept Vain carefully looked at Karthus face but his cold expression never changed. He realized that Karthus was telling the truth.
"Well then, with your capabilities you can skip the entrance test, you'll also be awarded by the school"
"Umm, adept Vain what about me" Safera questioned.
But adept Vain looked at her in contempt, "Your a fire elementium adept right. There is no fire elemental damage in the Basilisk body. Not only did Karthus do all the damage he even killed the beast. You are not worthy of recognition."
"Yes, Adept" Safera said as she looked down. But anger was plastered over her delicate face.
"Let's go Karthus, climb on my back" Adept vain ordered.
As Karthus quickly climbed on his back, adept Vain's large wings swung down and they abruptly launched into the air.
Safera looked at the sky and cursed. "Karthus, It's all your fault, If you didn't tell us to fight, George would still be alive! I will have vengeance"
Adept Vain and Karthus didn't hear Saferas laments, nor would they have cared. As they flew closer the schools enormous silhouette appeared.
Gargoyle statues adorned the roofs of the school.Karthus could have sworn some of them twitched. Adept Vanir landed on the ground across the huge gate.
A four armed cyclops stood in guard. "Welcome back adept Vanir, you are with an unauthorized being"
"He is a new apprentice" Vanir said
"Hmmm, ok get him registered as soon as you can" The Cyclops ordered
As they walked past the gate into the school grounds Karthus asked " Who is he, and why can he order you around"
"That is Sura, our school guardian. He is in charge of the school security, and is a third grade beast. I am only a second grade adept and my position is rather ordinary" Adept Vanir explained.
Karthus looked around the school and saw countless apprentices. They noticed Vanir's adept cloak and made way for them. They went past the yard and arrived at building in the center of the school.
"This is the administration building, usually only adepts are here." Adept Vanir informed him.
They walked into a room and a grey haired man started at them intensely.
"Vanir! Did you handle the Basilisk? It's a grade 3 threat that could ruin a mortal city. And who is this apprentice"
"Vice-dean Fuego, The Basilisk has been dealt with. But it wasn't me who handled it, it was this apprentice"
Vice-dean Fuego stared at Karthus in disbelief. "How is that even possible, he is a beginner apprentice!"
"My partner gave his life so we can kill it, and the other exhausted her spirit" Karthus quickly added. If people couldn't understand how he defeated the Basilisk, they would think he had some precious secret on him and that would be the least of his worries. Other adepts might even kidnapped him to obtain it.
"Well, that makes more sense but, it still… whatever the school thanks you apprentice?…"
"Karthus, its Karthus"
"Vice-Dean wouldn't it be appropriate to reward apprentice Karthus?"
"We'll I suppose your right. What would you like Karthus you have a choice of 2 rewards, make it reasonable." Vice-dean fuego told him while handing him a book.
Karthus flipped the pages in contemplation. He saw soul equipments, potions, knowledge, and even lifeforms. Karthus immediately ruled out the materialistic items. These items could be bought easily, but knowledge couldn't. Especially soul knowledge that he desperately needed. Since the soul was a taboo subject, only a few were able to attain a certain level of mastery in it.
Karthus also needed to improve his power. He flipped the pages and saw something that piqued his interest. The soul of a pseudo banshee. It was in the life forms section but it was the only soul lifeform there. Karthus wrote down his choices and gave them to the vice-dean.
He took the paper and looked at it and his eyebrows raised. "So you're an aspiring soul adept huh. This is a desolate field of study and few accomplish anything significant. Granted those who do accomplish things become immensely powerful."
"I'm sure vice-dean" Karthus said resolutely "This will be my field of study."
"Ok, but the Barbossa school doesn't have much information in soul research. The true dominators of this field are black adepts." After seeing Karthus confused expression he went on. "Black adepts are adepts that have been blacklisted by the association. bBcause of their foul unforgivable experiments on humans and murderous rampages. These adepts have bounties on their heads."
Karthus nodded, but he was partially confused.
"Your rewards will be delivered to your room, I have to get back to work" the Vice-dean abruptly said.
"Thank you for your time vice-dean,"adept Vanir bowed.
"Thank you" Karthus copied.
Vice-dean Fuego slightly nodded and went back to his papers. Karthus followed behind adept Vanir as they left the room.
"Karthus you will also get a favor from me for defeating the Basilisk. Just come to my office and I will help. But you only have one favor so use it wisely. Also for your achievements you have been grouped with the pseudo adepts. Here is a map of the school, go to the marked room and you will receive a schedule there."
"Good luck to you Karthus" adept Vanir added as he walked away.
Karthus looked at him for sometime then went out the administrative building.
He overlooked the campus as a burning confidence lit inside his body. "Let it begin!"