The Archmage took the duo around the academy with drawn out steps, each one feeling longer than the last. Each piece of furniture, each decoration and even the intricacies between the curves of the stone pillars didn't escape the descriptive and story telling prowess of the old man. Corvigs eyes had long went blank, entirely absent. Donis had no such pleasure as the Archmage had been speaking directly to him non-stop. It had already been a 3 hour journey, yet they've only explored 4 rooms.
Donis had tried and tried to usher the old man further, maybe hoping to gain some more [EXP] from other items or objects, yet the Archmage seemed adamant in telling the entire history of every brick in the academy. Donis had to even see anything of interest either, as there seemed to be no students or professors around, nor were there any weapons like that staff earlier. His greed had entirely backfired on him this time.
'Next time, no matter how juicy the info may sound, I promise myself I will never let an old man ramble on again. Not in this life or the fucking next,' seethed Donis.
An idea flashed into Corvigs mind when they passed a window. "Sir, as much as Donis is enjoying this, I promised his parents I shall bring him home before nightfall. It'll take a little while for us to return to Vorinar so if there is truly nothing else of importance, we will be departing," said Corvig matter-of-factly.
"Tch. Fine, I wouldn't want to worry this young talents parents. You came here for a brief introduction and yet I've kept you for so long! It's just I've been so lonely here with no one to talk to during the holidays," said Lorenzo pitifully.
Neither of them budged or even showed a sign of feeling sorry for this sly old man. Seeing this Lorenzo sighed, "Okay, go, get out of here. Corvig you should know you don't need to come to me for these small matters, I trust in your ability to make decisions for yourself. He's an outlier, so do what you deem to be the right choice," waved off Lorenzo, seemingly letting them go on their way.
The duo bowed slightly, "Thank you sir. I'll see to it that Donis here will become a wonderful mage," said Corvig with a hint of determination rising in his voice.
***
Lorenzo walked back into his office, a cup of freshly brewed tea flew slowly into his hands. He sat down and placed his hands on his bushy beard, gently stroking it while sinking deeper into thought. The room slowly filled with a warmth, shelves moving about, even the lighting changed to an amber colour.
'Hmm.. Formosa huh. This child will be interesting in ten to twenty years. No need to think about him just yet. He might come in useful then, but for now I'll just consider him an outlier, but insignificant,' thought Lorenzo.
A black book inlaid with golden spirals converging into a single point with the title "Variis's Black Rain and the Counter to Formosas Blessing".
***
Inside the carriage, Donis and Corvig sat in silence the whole way back to Vorinar. It was a much needed break from the incessant ramblings of that man. Donis took those quiet few hours to review what he had scanned in Vernaic.
'System, please catalogue the jobs, skills, and abilities I have scanned into their own separate columns,' asked Donis.
-[Non-Combat Job]
[Blacksmith] -
[Alchemist] -
[Runeforger] -
[Botanist] -
[Spellwriter] -
[Merchant] -
[Enchanter] -
[Monster Specialist] -
After reading through the jobs, he realised that there were no specific combat jobs he had seen. 'I wonder why that's not here, there must have been some warriors amongst the people I scanned. I wonder if I got these because I saw them working, therefore using their abilities respective to the job? It'd make sense then for me to not scan any combat jobs,' thought Donis.
If he was pleasantly surprised by the list of jobs he received, then the list of skills was intense. Varying from [Powerful Metal-Forging Strike] to [Animal-Hide Identify]. There were 447 greyed out job specific skills ready to be learned at any time. He decided to look through them all and at least learn their uses before deciding if he'd bother learning them at a later date.
The entire reading endeavour took the majority of the carriage ride which in turn gave Corvig the much needed mental break. All the same, they had finally arrive the Laurents home. The whole family had already started pouring out of the front door, beginning to welcome the two when they noticed the vacant looks the duo were sporting.
"Is everything okay Sir Corvig, sweetie? Did everything go okay?" asked Morissa. As the two stood there, they almost in unison breathed out a heavy air.
"Everything is fine, no need to worry. The trip was a little longer and slightly longer winded than expected. Anyhow, everything has been set in order and I expect Donis to begin studying under me at the Academy tomorrow onwards, I expect him to be there for 9am sharp. Do you guys need help setting up a carriage to pick him up, or do you have that covered?" said Corvig.
"Oh. Oh! No no, we should be able to handle everything from here! Thank you so much Sir Corvig!" beamed Morissa. "We will always be in your debt Sir Corvig," said Korrin while bowing slightly.
"Not to worry Korrin, Donis here would have been found and recruited sooner rather than later, it was thanks to your keen eye that everything was done so quickly," said Corvig matter of factly.
"Anyway, I must be off, the day has been long and I have much to prepare for our young talent here. Take care, and make sure to get a good nights rest Donis, you'll be having less of those soon," Corvig said while walking back towards the carriage.
The family ended up waving him off, giving their endless pleasantries that just tired out Corvig even further. The family went back inside and continued the conversation there. As soon as the door closed behind them everyone erupted in cheers. The whole family hugged Donis and congratulated him non-stop for the whole evening.
Getting swept up in the emotion of the whole house, Donis was cheering alongside them. He felt so much love right now, it felt refreshing. Throughout the merriment the family found out more about Donis's experience in the Academy, and the city was mentioned in passing. Their laughter could be heard well into the night as the excitement couldn't be quenched.
Laying in bed Donis thought about the whole ordeal. 'Tomorrow I'm starting my journey in the Academy to really, and truly learn to be a mage. I don't know what to expect, but my heart can't stop beating, I'm so excited!' beamed Donis mentally. Eventually, the house drifted off into sleep, with excitement still deep in their hearts.
At 6am, Morissa came in to Donis's room, dressed him and nearly threw him downstairs for breakfast. The house was abuzz already. The girls were sitting excitedly, awaiting for the carriage to arrive so they could see their little brother off.
Korrin was also up, sitting alongside the girls staring proudly at his son. Morissa had prepared him his favourite breakfast. The smiles gently placed on everyone's faces really sank into Donis's mind. He knew now that these people were utterly, and truly his family. Any reservations he's held against forming a real bond with them has disappeared. 'These people truly care for me, they only want what's best for me. I cannot disappoint them. Not that I want to do shit at the Academy, but I guess I'll use this as an extra bit of motivation,' mused Donis.
The carriage ride while taking a while, felt like an actual eternity to Donis. His excitement built to an all time high and this extended waiting did him no good.
Yet all the same, the scene of the city filled his senses. New skills filled his notifications, but he didn't care right now. The only thing on his mind right now would be the Academy. That logic defying building was etched into his heart and mind.
The carriage stopped at 8:46am outside of the Academy's doors. Corvig was already waiting there, leaning against a never before seen cane. "Hello teacher, I've arrived a bit early!" said Donis as he got out, bowing to his new senior.
"Come come, if you have time to dawdle out here you have time to learn. I told you, as long as you're under me, there will be no such thing as early, only late. If you arrive before the allotted time, then you're only barely not late. If you arrive on time, you're already late. Am I clear?" said Corvig with a commanding tone, befitting a strict teacher. Donis could only smile in response.
Corvig sighed. Gesturing him to come in, the duo entered, and Donis's journey into learning magic has truly began.
"This is going to be magical"