Dawn came earlier than Mercer had hoped, crawling out of bed he got ready. The university had provided a set of robes to him which contained enchantments to keep them clean and protect the wearer. While not being the most potent runes they would protect a student from most threats, and allow for duels without being life threatening. Putting on the clothes, and turning his staff into a pendant for him to wear he got ready to go. Starting today he would be training with the headmaster so he had to make sure he at least looked like he was goin to try.
The trip up the stairs was uneventful and long. The tower was an impressive height and it was hard to appreciate this when you were in a rush with others. Arriving at the top and knocked on the door.
"Master Miran, I am here to begin my training."
Inside the sounds of paper rustling and a chair scraping against the wood flooring could be heard. "Ah right, one moment!" As the door opened Mercer noticed how disheveled Miran looked, his hair disorderly and his robe wrinkled. "I apologize, I have been focused in some texts for quite some time, but please come in." Miran stepped aside to let Mercer through then shut the door. "There's an open space with a runic board at the back, please head there." Miran then went back to his desk and grabbed a small wand.
"To begin I shall explain magic as I do not know how much you have learned," Miran turned and began drawing on the board, "Magic is performed in two ways: one is through the runic core, a circle that is drawn with runes added to create an effect, this form is mostly used for enchantments because it is best for simpler effects; Second is the spell core, a sphere filled with many intricate instructions written in the ancient runic language, this is used for complex spells and is limited only by magic power inside the spell architect or magician." He had drawn an example of the runic core, and now he generated a spell core to display to Mercer. "I assume you've heard at least this much?"
"Yes, Tumuo had taught me how to make and use runic cores, and was just teaching me about spell cores on the way here."
"Ah good, then we can continue. I will start by teaching you more about how spell cores work and are created."
...
The class continued for a few hours with Miran telling Mercer all about Spell cores and how they worked.
"That's it for today Mercer, we will continue tomorrow with more theory."
Mercer got up and walked to the door. "Thank you for today Master Miran, I will be back tomorrow." He headed downstairs to his room, when he arrived Lera was still away at her class. He wasn't sure whether or not she had already gone to her class to learn about the life stone but it was what it was, he would see her that night. He went over the the circle on the wall and pressed it, then he sat down. A short while later Kira came in through the door.
"Did you need something Mercer?"
"Yes Kira, where can I go to get food?"
"Ah! Of course, we have a dining hall in the building out the other side of thins one. Most of the school goes there, though some prefer the restaurants in the city. I will show you the way."
"Thank you Kira."
The two left down the stairs, The path through the building was fairly long. They had ti go through the whole hall. Taking time to look at the building he could see clearly how grand it was, with intricately carved stone pillars supporting a roof covered in detailed paintings. The windows on either side where made of a colored glass and depicted many famous wizards that had come from the academy when it was just starting. When they finally made it outside Kira paused for a moment and pointed inwards towards the park and beyond to the sea.
"That is the park, it is filled with many plants and I recommend you go and experience it before winter hits and it dies."
"I will check it out with Lera after she returns from her classes."
They continued on into the building that was across from the entrance hall. It was much less intricate, aiming to be more practical than beautiful. The building was designed to be pleasing to the eyes with many flowing parts and designs etched into it, while still keeping an open but compact interior. Inside they made their way up to the second floor where the cafeteria was. Inside there were many people who were already eating, the room had a couple buffet style tables along the far end with many circular tables scattered throughout the floor.
"You can get food from the tables along the walls, they are produced by professional chefs we have hired. Then take any seat you want in the room."
"Thank you, I will be fine from here." Mercer really wasn't fine, but he thought he could figure it out. He had never eaten in this manner before, having only ever eaten in his home with his family or on the go as travel rations. Looking over at the food that was available he recognized very little. However next to the names it would show what country or region it came from. They had food from every country, even the Empire of Kong on the other side of the continent. He looked around and grabbed something that looked good then went and found an empty table to sit at. While sitting and eating he noticed that there were a couple variations of the school uniform. There was the green uniform that only a couple of students wore, being that of the goddesses blessings. He guessed its purpose because a few women were wearing it too. Next there was the white uniform he wore that designated your average student. Finally there was a red uniform that were worn by a few groups, He wasn't sure what it meant but he figured it may be a battle oriented class, since he was focusing on theory over battle. He also figured it couldn't be based on power since he was at the pinnacle from what he understood.
As Mercer continued eating a group of red robed students entered the dining hall, they looked much more arrogant than the other students and most of the others were clearly looking away from them. They made their way over and grabbed their food then gazed around the room. At this point most of the other tables were full so they eyed his mostly empty table and started walking over. A table over was the group of green robed students he had seen earlier, one of them looked at the group coming then at Mercer.
"Hey, come join us over here, you look nice!" The person who had called him over was one of the few girls in the University. Mercer looked up at her and figured she was trying to save him from the group coming over and took her up on the offer. He got up and moved quickly to the seat that they offered to him. Even though he figured he could win in a duel with them he would rather not test his luck as he was not yet familiar with Spell Cores and would only win because of Silachlume. (Granted, He forgot that very few people can use Spell Cores well in combat and they are mainly used for complex tasks that are not urgent. Runic Cores can be used for most spells and usually are.)
"Hello! I am Velarisa, but you can call me Vela." She smiled at Mercer then looked over at the other guy sitting with her.
"I am Wen'Shran, call me Wen." He spoke quietly but his voice carried an odd elegance.
"You sound like you're from Shiragagia, but if you were you wouldn't be here. Where are you from?" Vela seemed genuinely curious and was looking at Mercer expectantly.
"My mother and father were both from there before mother went to the mountains with us. We met very few people other than a few from a village we got supplies from. What about you?"
"Our family is actually from Old Ahmesh, before the calamity our family managed to escape. Granted, this was a long time ago. Now we live here in Hapsu."
"Oh, have you learned the Ahmeshian Language from your family?"
"A bit, though they have been less strict about teaching it... Why?"
"Me and my sister need to enter Ahmesh..." Immediately both Vela and Wen focused on him, staring at him intently.
"I may be from Kong, but even I know you should never enter there. That place is a death trap."
"Especially if you want to go to the capital. They say the God of the Sun and Desert lives there." Her voice had become much quieter and more serious.
"He is who we need to find."
"Well if you're that convinced then at least let me join you, I know the way. My family will send some desert guards along with who know the environment and can aid you."
"thank you... Oh, you guys are both being trained in life magic right?"
"Yeah what about it? We have our class later today." Vela responded while Wen just nodded.
"My sister Lera will be joining you, she could probably use some friends and you guys seem nice."
"Oh we would love to!"
They continued chatting while eating until it was time for them to go to their class. Mercer went back to his room and prepared to go to bed.