A murmur rippled through the other students. Lunee, her earlier panic replaced by a focused intensity, watched him with an unreadable expression.
"Very well, Mr Voya. Students, I recommend you pay full, steadfast attention to what will unfold." She approached Anton, putting a guarding hand on his shoulder. The wood was warm, and he could feel the mana flowing from the runes imbued in it.
"So, for this first lesson, you will attempt to simply communicate with the Moon Fang; as small as that sounds, this is usually one of the most difficult steps regarding Beast Taming."
She walked in circles around the cages, looking at the students. "Remember, this is not a Bestiary or a Biology class. There is much you need to know about each beast to care and tame them properly - but the fundamentals of what makes a Beast Master are all the same, agnostically to the creatures you are working with."
She took a deep breath and snapped her fingers once more. A mass of crows flew in from the hut's windows and landed on her majestic antlers. They all perched and stared intently at the students.
"Intuition. Resilience. Empathy. Firmness. Transparency and Clarity in every breath and movement. And above all, a deep, unyielding love for all that is living."
He swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. He could feel the weight of everyone's gaze, the silent scrutiny of his classmates, the watchful presence of Professor Yggsilva, and the subtle, supportive energy emanating from Lunee. But above all, he felt the creature's pull before him, a wild, untamed energy that resonated with something deep within his soul.
"Mr Voya, approach the beast. Do not get too close."
The air crackled with anticipation as Anton stepped towards the cage, his heart pounding frantically against his ribs. The Moon Fang, alerted by his approach, uncoiled itself from its tense crouch. Its snow-white fur shimmered under the ethereal light of the runes, and its twilight eyes, pools of captured night, fixed on Anton with an unnerving intensity.
Anton stopped 2 steps from the cage, and the beast eyed him with caution, its tail slowly arching up.
Anton took a deep breath, steeling his resolve. It would be no use to panic now. His father's voice echoed inside his head.
---
"Stop. Stop what you are doing, Anton."
A six-year-old Anton crouched in pain, tugging at his burnt skin. Although the shield spell would protect most of his body, the fire blasts were strong enough to pass through the barrier.
His father crouched near him. "Look, let's start from the beginning, okay? Look, uh..."
Levi Kurona Voya rubbed his temples as if trying to think really hard about something. Of course, anyone who knew the man knew he was incapable of such facets as 'deep thought' and 'intricate problem-solving.'
The man was burly and large. His long white hair would flow above his white cloak, crackling with mana.
"Look, kiddo, you're the same as me. Too much mana in the body, y'know? I used to hurt myself hard all the time. You gotta learn how to feel it. It's like a muscle! You know, in my blunder days, I almost killed your mother with a healing spell. It's dangerous stuff, y'know?"
His father picked up a stone from the ground and threw it weakly. The stone flew a bit and dropped to the ground.
"Don't overshoot it, and don't undershoot it. Has to be just right." He said as he threw the stone into the air with more strength. The stone flew so quickly that it broke in the air and dissipated. "Oops. Well, you get what I mean."
Anton stomped on the ground. "Your explanations never make a shred of sense, Dad! Give me some real advice on how to control it! The only class I'm failing is Spell Casting..."
He crouched near his son and looked him in the eyes. "Kiddo, you're much smarter than me. Your old man here sucks at explaining because I never learned - I just did it." Levi gave him a huge grin, clearly proud of the words he had just muttered, causing Anton to roll his eyes. "But you're smart! Too smart for your own good, I guess that's a gift from your mother. Damn that evil woman, always winning arguments. You're a boy genius! Use that, think through stuff, yknow? Let's see..."
He snapped his fingers. "Oh yeah! A buddy of mine used to talk to himself about this CAST principle thing, used to swear by it. Went something like: Cease. Analyse. Strategize. T... Think? Ugh, I don't remember. Point is! You're not built like your old man, but you got something I don't - Brains. Use em."
"Now! Attempt number 12, let's go! Get up!" He said, clapping and lifting his son out of the ground.
Anton mumbled something incoherent but in a furious and annoyed manner.
---
Cease. The first step was already done. Anton stared intently at the Moon Fang without making any movement. The beast, in turn, seemed to be doing the same. Sitting. Looking. Watching, Not moving a single muscle. The beast's eyes were colder than any lunar cycle above a pale tundra.
Lunar cycle? He closed his eyes, racking his brain to remember everything he knew about the Moon Fangs. Gaia's Wonderful Beasts and Monsters, Volume 3. One of the books that was in the class reading materials. He once again confirmed to himself that reading books in preparation, as always, is a wonderful and useful practice. (ding!)
Analyze. He stared at the Moon Fang, paying close attention to the beast's details. His eyes gleamed slightly, and his large fangs were covered in a thin glow. The arched tail indicated fear or hostility.
Moon Fangs depend on the moonlight to store mana inside their bodies; a unique coat in their fur can absorb and use the moon's mana. Although healthy and decently fed, the beast in front of him didn't seem to have a substantial stock of lunar mana inside it.
He looked at the hut's windows. A lot of sunlight was entering through the glasses, mixed in with the gold refractions of the Earth's Staff.
Strategize
"Professors, can you close the windows on the hut?"
Astrid widened her eyes, surprised. She nodded in approval, and with a snap of her fingers, several magic circles floated near the windows. "Kinema."
The windows all shut themselves in sequence, an orchestra of coordinated and timed sounds that would have engulfed the room in pure darkness if not for the glow of the Moon Fang.
The Moon Fang's tail wagged slightly, and its breath relaxed.
And now, for the fourth step. His father would always change the T part of CAST to whatever sounded good at the moment, but Anton stuck to one single favorite. One that seemed to fit the best, no matter the situation.
Try.
Anton lifted his staff, causing the Moon Fang to bear his fangs and growl.
Let's see if he still remembers this specific spell. With a deep breath, he poured his mana into the staff.
"Under the silver, watchful eye,
Of the moon that sails the night sky,
Through the stars, a whispered plea,
Lunar light imbued me.
With the shadows, long and deep,
And the secrets that they keep,
By the owl's, silent flight,
Bathe me in your gentle light.
Selene's Grace, Luna's Gleam,
Lumia, a radiant dream"
The crystal on his staff started to create several magic circles, all of them coalescing, shrinking, and moving to form a sphere. The sphere began to glow in a pale blue light that grew wildly strong. Some of the more sensitives had to look away, but two beings couldn't retract their watchful eyes.
Astrid watched cautiously, nodding to herself. Something stroked her as dangerous, and she tightly clutched her hands, the wood scratching itself.
And the Moon Fang basked gloriously in the moonlight. It howled at the rays of light that came out of the staff, a thunderous sound that shook the hut. Its eyes now glew enough to illuminate the cage, and the beast's fur started to flow slightly. The beast's shadows seemed to extend unnaturally but couldn't leave the cage.
Anton came closer to the cage, standing directly in front of it. "There, that's what was making you uncomfortable, wasn't it?" he whispered, extending his hand inside.
The Moon Fang growled briefly, then quickly retracted its crescent fangs. It seemed to think for a while, then...
It nuzzled Anton's hands.
A hush fell over the room as the Moon Fang bathed in the soft glow of Anton's spell and nuzzled his outstretched hand. A collective gasp, a mixture of awe and disbelief, escaped the lips of the assembled students. Even Professor Yggsilva, her usual stoicism momentarily forgotten, allowed a small smile to grace her lips. The students all muttered among themselves, eyes carefully analyzing the young man, which held a prideful smile as he stroked the beast.
"Remarkable, Mr. Voya," she said, her voice carrying a newfound respect. "Truly remarkable. You have managed to deeply understand the Moon Fang's needs and thoughts, applying great empathy. Not only have you calmed it down from its agitated state, but you have managed to form the spark of a bond with it, a feat rarely achieved on a first attempt. And with such an unconventional use of the Lumia spell... most impressive. "
Before Anton could fully process the weight of her praise, a booming voice echoed from the hut's entrance, startling both students and the Moon Fang alike.
"Indeed, most impressive!"
Headmaster Khan, his blue robes billowing behind him, strode into the room, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of amusement and something akin to pride. Two stern-faced guards, their hands resting on the hilts of their rune-etched swords, flanked him.
The room fell silent, the earlier replaced by a palpable tension. As if sensing the shift in the atmosphere, the Moon Fang retracted its head from Anton's hand, its eyes, deep as a pool of starlight, fixed on the Headmaster.
Lunee shivered, her previous blushing expression turning into one of fear.
Professor Yggsilva straightened, her antlered head bowing slightly in deference. "Headmaster," she said, calm and respectful, "a most unexpected visit."
"Circumstances, Professor, dictate otherwise," Khan replied, his gaze shifting from the Moon Fang to Anton. He paused, his blue eyes seeming to bore into Anton's soul. The air crackled with unspoken words, with the weight of secrets yet to be revealed. "Mr. Kurona, a word with you, if you please. In my office. Lunee, I'll talk to you back at home."
It wasn't a request, but an order. Still in knots from his earlier exploits, Anton's stomach clenched even tighter. He nodded, unable to find his voice, and followed the Headmaster out of the hut, leaving the curious gazes of his classmates behind. Lunee watched with a pained expression, her mind full of conflicting feelings.
Anton couldn't help but steal glances at the Headmaster as they walked through the University's labyrinthine corridors. Khan moved with quiet authority, his long silver hair interwoven with thin silver threads flowing behind him like a banner of power. The ancient dragon, the emblem of the Astra family, embroidered on his deep blue suit seemed to writhe subtly as he walked, a testament to the powerful runic magic woven into the very fabric. The guards, in their metallic, mana-infused armor, marched behind them.
---
They reached a pair of imposing doors made of a dark, unfamiliar wood etched with intricate runes that seemed to shift and change as Anton watched. Anton noticed that the mind map in his head didn't quite know where they were; it appeared that this location was not meant to be easy to get to.
Khan waved his hand, and the doors swung open silently, revealing a grand and strangely intimate office.
The room was circular, the curved walls lined with towering bookshelves that stretched towards the high, vaulted ceiling. Books of every size and description filled the shelves, their leather spines worn with age, their titles hinting at secrets and forbidden knowledge. In the center of the room, a massive desk, also made of the same dark wood as the doors, stood as the focal point, its surface covered with strange artifacts, arcane instruments, and stacks of parchment filled with meticulous notes and diagrams.
Behind the desk, a large window offered a breathtaking view of the floating island; the Earth's Staff, a colossal tree of golden mana, stood proudly at the edge, a beacon of magical energy. The setting sun cast a warm, golden light through the window, illuminating the room and creating dancing shadows that seemed to writhe with a life of their own.
Khan gestured for Anton to take a seat in one of the plush chairs facing the desk. As Anton sat, he noticed a slight, almost imperceptible tremor in the Headmaster's hand as he reached for a crystal decanter filled with a shimmering, amber liquid. A silent pause, while he poured two glasses, his movements deliberate and precise.
"A calming draught," Khan offered, handing Anton one of the glasses. "Helps to settle the nerves. I find it also aids in, shall we say, facilitating productive conversation."
Another pause. He took a sip from his own glass, his eyes, like glacial pools, fixed on Anton.
Anton took a tentative sip. The liquid was cool and surprisingly sweet, with a faint, earthy aftertaste. He did feel a slight calming sensation wash over him, but it was quickly replaced by a renewed wave of anxiety as the Headmaster finally spoke, breaking the tense silence.
"Mr. Kurona," Khan began, his voice low and resonant, "your… unconventional arrival at Professor Yggsilva's class, while undeniably impressive in its magical execution, has caused a not-insignificant amount of damage to the Aquila building."
"Sir, I... I didn't mean to—" Anton stammered, his voice tight with a mixture of fear and regret. "It was an accident. I misjudged the Tachýs spell. I was trying to break my fall, not—not destroy the building..."
"Mr Kurona, you do not need to explain or justify yourself. I see and hear all that happens on the grounds of this University. I understand the situation that resulted in your actions, starting from Professor Arthas's chat with you."
He paused, letting his words sink in. The silence stretched, punctuated only by the faint crackling of magical energy from the various artifacts in the room. Anton could feel the weight of the Headmaster's gaze, the silent scrutiny that seemed to penetrate his very soul.
"Worry not, Mr. Kurona. Albeit there won't be long-lasting consequences that will harm the future of such a promising student like yourself. However. The cost of repairing such damage, particularly to a structure reinforced with high magic," Khan continued, his voice taking on a sterner tone, "is, shall we say, substantial."
Anton's heart sank. He had been so caught up in the thrill of magic, in the desire to prove himself, that he hadn't fully considered the consequences of his actions. Now, faced with the reality of his recklessness, he felt a wave of despair wash over him.
"I… I don't have any money, sir," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I used all of my savings to pay for the University's entrance fees and to buy my books and equipment..."
Khan leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. He steepled his fingers, the thin silver threads interwoven with his hair glinting in the fading sunlight. The silence returned, heavier this time, pressing down on Anton like a physical weight.
"Indeed," Khan finally said, his voice thoughtful. "A predicament. However," he continued, a subtle shift in his tone, "the University, in its infinite wisdom and benevolence, is not without options for students in such unique circumstances."
He paused, his gaze drifting towards the Earth's Staff, its golden leaves shimmering in the twilight. "As the ancient texts say, 'Necessity is the mother of invention.' And sometimes, the greatest discoveries are born from the most unexpected of circumstances."
He paused again, his gaze unwavering. Anton held his breath, his mind racing, trying to anticipate what the Headmaster would propose.
"There is, for instance, the option of assistant work," Khan said, his lips curling into a slight, almost imperceptible smile. "A chance to contribute to the University's upkeep, to learn valuable skills, and, of course, to offset the damages incurred."
He stood up and began to pace around the room, his movements fluid and deliberate. He stopped in front of one of the bookshelves, his fingers tracing the worn spines of the ancient tomes.
"The University is a vast and complex institution. Its smooth operation relies on the tireless efforts of many individuals, from the groundskeepers to the librarians, from the laboratory assistants to the professors themselves."
He paused, his hand lingering on a book bound in dragon hide, its title obscured by shadow. "And sometimes," he added, his voice barely above a whisper, "the most important tasks are those that are unseen, unacknowledged, performed in the quiet corners of history."
He turned to face Anton, his blue eyes piercing. "And it is my belief, Mr. Voya, that you possess certain qualities that could greatly benefit the University. A certain aptitude for magic, a quickness of mind, a willingness to learn, however… unconventional your methods may be."
"Wh-what kind of assistant work, sir?" Anton asked, his voice filled with a mixture of apprehension and a flicker of hope.
Khan's smile returned, a fleeting expression that softened the stern lines of his face. "Patience, Mr. Kurona. All will be revealed in time. But know this: the tasks will be varied, challenging, and will require the utmost discretion." He paused, his gaze drifting towards a shelf filled with strange artifacts - a crystal skull that pulsed with a faint inner light, a silver astrolabe that seemed to track the movements of unseen celestial bodies, a small, wooden box covered in intricate carvings.
He paused, his gaze lingering on a particular shelf filled with books on ancient prophecies and forgotten magical disciplines. His hand, almost unconsciously, reached out to touch a small, intricately carved wooden box, its surface covered in runes that seemed to writhe and pulse with a faint inner light.
"Consider it," Khan said, his voice regaining its earlier formality, "an opportunity. A chance to prove yourself, to learn, to grow, and to contribute to something far greater than yourself. The threads of fate, Mr. Kurona, are often intertwined in ways we cannot perceive. What seems like a setback can, in fact, be a turning point. A chance to forge a new path, to embrace a destiny we never knew existed."
The unsaid hung heavy in the air.
Anton nervously took a heavier sip of the calming brew and felt his fears wash away for the first time since he left his room. His mind went through the conversation and his predicament, weighing his options and analyzing what to do next.
"I...I accept, sir," Anton finally said, his voice firm with a newfound resolve. "I'll do whatever it takes to repay my debt and prove my worth."
The Headmaster gave a curt nod. "Excellent. That is all I needed to hear. In this, what I would like to think is not a coincidence but a thread of fate, you are following in your father's footsteps. He blew an enormous hole in the meeting hall before choosing his classes, becoming my personal assistant himself." He said, chuckling lightly to himself.
Anton frowned and became pensive - not without the Headmaster's notice. The high Elf sat on his chair again. "Worry not, Mr Kurona. There will be much you will still learn about your legacy, which will all come in its own time. Perhaps, once you finish repaying the construction efforts, we can sit down for some nice tea, and I will answer any questions you have."
The weight of that statement hit Anton like a truck. Khan Astra Marcate was one of Gaia's most renowned figures. In politics, science, war, and peace, the Astra bloodline was always a centerpiece in the complex land of events that shook the land. Being able to simply have tea and ask questions. Perhaps that was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that wouldn't come to many.
"Very well. Our business here is done. You will receive your duties by letter, or the teachers will send you requests personally. Good luck."
He waved his hand, and the two guards reappeared, flanking the doorway. They stood at attention, their faces impassive, their presence a subtle reminder of the Headmaster's authority. "You are free to go, Mr. Kurona. Dianoia Einai Dynami."
"D-Dianoia Einai Dynami," Anton echoed, rising to his feet.
The guards walked him out of the room. After they pushed him out of the room, he looked back, and both the wooden doors and the guard were nowhere to be found. Anton sighed and took a deep breath.
Anton stood there for a long moment, trying to process the whirlwind of events. So much had happened in the past few hours that he barely had time to process everything.
It felt as though time, a force he was perpetually struggling against, was once again slipping through his grasp. He yearned for more hours in the day — Time, he felt like time was always against him. Always late. Always wishing he had more time to study. More time to enjoy the moments alongside his brother. He wished he had more time in the past to enjoy his parents. A glance at the ornate clock in the hallway jolted him back to the present. The intricate hands, a relentless reminder of time's passage, seemed to mock his predicament.
Oh no. He still had Spell Crafting class today.