"Name?" the senior asked in a bored voice.
"Kathir. Kathir Truesword." I replied.
The scratching of the quills abruptly stopped. Both seniors exchanged a pained look and let out a huge sigh.
"Sorry, that last name is forbidden. Choose something else," the senior in front of me said in an irritated voice.
"Forbidden? May I know why?" I asked in curiosity.
"It is forbidden that is all you need to know. Now, choose something else," the senior said in exasperation.
"May I know why? Is it already taken?" I asked again.
If someone else had beaten me to that last name it would be a shame. That name was the nickname of the greatest swordmaster in Panja. It would be a kick in the balls to the old geezer. But, if someone has it already then I might have to do some quick thinking.
"Look, I know you respect Truesword. All of us do. But that name has some complications. So choose something else," The senior replied in a put-upon tone that grated my nerves.
"Oh! What kind of complications? Is there no solution?" I asked once more.
"Listen here prick, choose another name and get on with it. If you can't then I will choose for you. Here," he pushed a sheet containing a lot of names, "choose one from this."
"No,"
"No!?"
"I don't want any other name. I want that name." I said adamantly.
Frankly that name was not that important. But, I couldn't come up with any other name on the spot that would make the old geezer choke. Hence, I wasn't willing to back down.
The senior massaged his head in irritation.
"Each year some dunderhead comes up with that name!" he sighed before shooting me a glare.
I smiled back innocently. I had learned earlier that an innocent smile works wonders on people's nerves. It agitates them easily and makes it easier to lure them into a faint and go for a kill. It was the first tactic that worked with the old geezer. He had wizened up to it eventually. But, it never failed to work wonders with other people.
"The complications are not worth the name. Just pick some other name, damn it."
"I think I would like to hear about the complications," I replied with the same innocent smile.
I could see the senior's nerves popping in his head. He ground his teeth audibly. By this time, the fat boy's enrollment had also stopped. The other senior let out a huge sigh.
"Boy, trust me it is not worth it. Just pick something else," he said dejectedly.
I didn't reply. I maintained my innocent smile for a few more moments before the other senior let out a weary sigh and signaled the senior in front of me to explain.
"Ok, listen up. That name is put on hold by the Knight Academy. So we are not authorized to award that name."
"The Knight Academy…. interesting," I said in reply.
"Yes, the Knights do not want any upstart mage to take it. The Knight Academy doesn't have any provisions to change the last name. So, no one is allowed to take it there, Only the Amaranthine Academy has the provision for it, So, the Knights put out a restriction on that name. If you want that name, then you have to fight a hand-picked Knight-in-training in one on one duel and win it."
"Ok, that doesn't sound difficult," I said in reply.
Honestly, if beating someone in a duel was what required to stick it to the old geezer, I am more than ready to do it.
"It's not that simple. The Knights are very protective of that name. Moreover, the duel will have magic suppressors in place on the combatants. Without magic, your opponent will eat you alive. And they are not shy of breaking any of your parts," the senior in front of me said solemnly.
"I think I will take the chance," I said looking down at my sword.
The senior noticed the sword hanging by my hip and let out an exasperated sigh.
"Do you even understand, you dimwitted idiot? Just because you have a sword it doesn't mean that you can use it well. Your opponent will most likely be a talented swordsman. Forget breaking, they will even dismember you. It is perfectly legal in a duel. Are you out of your mind?"
"I understand it completely. I think it is appropriate for such a great name to carry its own share of risks. I am perfectly content to take them," I replied sincerely.
"Your funeral," the senior said in an exasperated tone.
The other senior tried to intertwine, but the senior in front of me waved him off.
"Some arrogant bastards need to be taught a lesson. Losing a limb or two will teach him to be less arrogant in the future," The senior in front of me said scathingly before starting to remove a fresh sheet of paper.
The other senior looked conflicted. I smiled at him reassuringly and turned towards the senior in front of me. He wrote something on a sheet of paper before keeping it aside. He asked me a few more questions about myself. I answered them and he made a note of it in the enrollment form. Seeing that the issue was decided, the other senior resumed the enrollment of the fat boy. The fat boy finished his enrollment before me. The senior asked him to wait for a bit as he started tidying up his desk.
Once my enrollment was finished, the senior in front of me asked me one more time whether I didn't want to pick a new last name. When I denied his request, he let out a huge sigh before motioning to the other senior. The other senior asked me and the fat boy to follow him.
When we stepped out of the auditorium, the sun was setting down on the western horizon. The fat boy shot me curious looks all the way to our dormitory located in the commoners' section of the grounds. There were a few of our fellow novices already in the dormitory; we could hear their noise outside. The senior left us in the dormitory doorsteps and took off to submit his work.
I looked at the fat boy and shrugged before making my way into the cottage. The fat boy followed me in. The cottage opened up to a common room with a fireplace. The other students were already occupying the seats near the fireplace when we stepped in. Their conversations stopped and a few of them eyed me warily. The fat boy tried to step away from me as much as possible without making it obvious.
"Hi, I am Elango," one of the students seated near me stood up offering his hand.
I shook it perfunctorily and replied, "Kathir."
Elango had a lithe build. His hair was dark and his eyes had a strange liveliness to them. Its brown color accentuated it very well. It looked as if he was brimming with positive energy.
"You sure have an attitude," a guy who was occupying the nearest seat to the fireplace stated out loud.
I turned to look at him unwilling to refute it. His hair was lighter than Elango. His nose was sharp and pointy and he had a hard chin. His eyes had a calculating quality to them. We eyed each other for a few moments before he averted his eyes unable to hold my gaze anymore.
"Hmmmph," he snorted. "Stay away from him Elango. He will bring nothing but trouble for us."
"Thank you, Santhanu. I can decide for myself," Elango replied with a barely hiding grimace.
"It is my duty as your brother to look out for you," Santhanu said bitingly.
"As if," Elango mumbled.
"What?"
"Nothing, I am just introducing myself to our dorm mate. It is the decent thing to do," Elango replied scathingly before turning away from me and sitting back down.
I could hear Santhanu grinding his teeth. From the look on his face, he didn't like the reply one bit. He snorted at Elango and turned to glare at me. I didn't give him the opportunity to say anything. As he opened his mouth, I started walking away from the common room.
"Wait, I am not done with you," Santhanu called after me.
"But I am," I stated over my shoulder without turning back. I walked up the stairs to my room on the second floor.
"That guy….," I could hear Santhanu as I ascended the first floor.
A chorus of laughter erupted downstairs much to my satisfaction. I have come across guys like Santhanu in my village a lot. They tend to act as if they are the leader. Normally, I would have let it pass as it doesn't affect me much. But after Santhanu's warning to Elango, I didn't feel like playing along nicely. Moreover, I was tired.
I entered my room on the second floor to find the two beds near the entrance already taken. I didn't mind it much as I went further towards the unoccupied bed. It was a little darker there, but I didn't have any other options. I threw my pack unceremoniously into the cupboard placed near the bed, removed my sword to place beside it, and hopped on the bed to take a well-deserved nap.
(*****)
I woke up after some time to a clamor of noise in the room. My two roommates were talking animatedly as I woke up and they were unpacking their luggage to arrange it at their bedside. It looked like the luggage they had left at the gate had finally arrived. I rubbed my eyes to drive away any lingering sleep and sat up. The duo turned to look at me.
"You better get ready. It's almost nearing dinner time," a tall boy with freckles on his face informed me.
The mention of food evoked a sound from my stomach. I smiled sheepishly and mumbled my thanks to him before stepping into the restroom. It was a short affair. I tidied up fairly quickly before donning a fresh shirt. I left the pants on though. I didn't find any sense in changing them.
"My name is Prasad," the tall one introduced himself.
I nodded back in reply. I didn't feel the need to introduce myself again as both of them were present downstairs when I introduced myself to Elango.
"I am Sekar," the other one stated in a timid voice.
Prasad had a sturdier build. He looked as if he was someone who was used to physical labor. He had pale black hair with eyes that were giving off a steady aura. He gave off the impression of an immovable rock to me. Sekar, on the other hand, was a complete contrast to him. He had mousy black hair with curious eyes. He had a happy-going vibe to his body. He was short and lean like a wisp of grass.
I smiled at them in reply. Not the fake one or the innocent one that I normally use to annoy people. This was a genuine one.
"So you can smile?" Prasad joked.
I scowled at him causing Sekar to break out into laughter.
"Well, you handled Santhanu nicely downstairs. I was so bored of his preaching by the time you guys came in," Prasad said amicably.
"Experience mate," I grinned in reply. "Give guys like him an inch, he will take a mile."
"That's true," Sekar nodded in agreement.
"Sekar! Prasad! Are you coming down? It is about time," Elango's voice echoed from downstairs through the open door.
"Coming," Sekar hollered back.
"Oh, before you come, wake up Kathir too," Elango shouted back. "I will be waiting for you guys in the common room."
"No need to wait. Kathir is up. We are coming down," Sekar shouted back before rising up from his bed and hurriedly tidying up.
I nodded to Prasad and we both started towards the door. Sekar caught up to us in the stairs after locking our room. As we entered the common room the conversation stopped for a second to acknowledge us, before continuing on. There were three more guys in the common room including Elango, Santhanu, and the fat boy. Santhanu scowled upon seeing me but didn't comment. Elango had a big smile on his face. The fat boy, for his part, was skulking near Santhanu. He didn't even acknowledge me, but I didn't mind him.
We chatted for a few minutes about general things before Santhanu decided to have another go at me.
"So, you are taking the forbidden name?" he asked me without preamble.
I looked at the fat boy and scowled. He was the only one who was with me in the auditorium when the topic had come up. I didn't mind people knowing about it. But, it was one thing for the seniors to tell people and it was entirely another thing for the fat boy to spread it even before the night ended. Especially, to someone like Santhanu. The fat boy failed to meet my eyes.
"Is it true?" Elango asked curiously.
I looked around to find Sekar and Prasad looking at me expectantly. I sighed and nodded my head in affirmation.
"Wow, that's so cool," Sekar exclaimed.
Prasad nodded approvingly at me with an encouraging smile. Elango looked as if he was going to rupture in happiness at any moment. Seeing their happiness, I felt a little happy myself.
"Idiot, it is suicide," leave it to Santhanu to ruin things. "Do you know what happened to the last person who applied for that name? He got his right arm cut off. And, he was a noble. What do you think they are going to do to you? A mere commoner." Santhanu sneered.
I didn't reply. Sekar and Prasad had an uncomfortable look on their faces. The fat boy was looking pleased with himself. Elango had an undecipherable look on him.
"Those brutes in the Knight Academy are very vicious when it comes to that name. You will be killed for sure. If they dare to cut off a noble's arm, imagine what they will do to you. Even the Great Houses don't dare to contend with the Knight Academy for that name. What can you do? Do you know at least to hold a weapon properly? You will go and change the name in the morning. Do you hear me?"
I looked up at Santhanu with the same innocent smile I had graced the seniors. The fat boy squirmed uncomfortably upon seeing it.
"I don't want too," I said flippantly with the same innocent smile.
"What! Didn't you hear me? Don't be a dimwitted moron, the first thing you should do tomorrow is to change that name," Santhanu said vehemently.
"Nope, not doing it," I replied flippantly digging my pinky in my ears.
"Are you…"
I stopped Santhanu midway and said, "What I do is my business, don't bring your nose where it doesn't belong."
Santhanu spluttered angrily. He glared at me for a moment before turning to Elango.
"Do you understand now? He is a lunatic. You are better off without him," he said triumphantly. "And you two, you would do better to stay away from him, lest his madness affects you both."
Sekar and Prasad didn't reply. They had an uncomfortable look on their face. I didn't offer any explanation, nor did I implore them to understand. I sat simply waiting for their reactions. But, it was Elango who replied first.
"He is right," Elango said softly looking at me. "You should keep your nose out of others business," he said to his brother in the same soft tone.
Santhanu looked apoplectic. He threw up his hands in the air in anger and started sulking in his seat. I smiled at Elango and he nodded in reply. Sekar and Prasad chuckled amicably to Elango's statement causing Santhanu's face to turn red. The fat boy acted as if nothing concerned him.
"Anyways, how did you get into the academy? I am sure, it would be a great story," Sekar changed the topic eager to get away from the uncomfortable conversation.
"Ah, nothing special. My Granny got me into the academy," I said in reply.
The fat boy perked up immediately. A conflicting emotion ran across Santhanu's face. Elango let out an impressed whistle. Sekar stared at me slack-jawed.
��You talk as if it was nothing," Sekar mumbled unable to believe me.
"Oh! Then your Granny must be very influential. What does she do?" Prasad asked eagerly.
The others nodded eagerly to his question.
"I don't know. Never had much of a contact with her. She is always busy and has little time to visit me in my village. I know she works here in Samara. That's it," I said to them.
Santhanu snorted. The others grumbled unhappily.
"So, you stayed with your parents?" Sekar asked after a few moments.
"Nah, they died when I was very young. I am kind of an orphan. Even though I have Granny, she rarely visits me. I grew up in my village along with other kids with my foster parents," I replied in an even tone trying very hard not to let my emotions creep into it.
My parents were a sore subject for me. Even though my foster parents took care of me, I didn't have any memorable moments with them. Most of my memories belonged to my training with the old geezer who too dropped in occasionally to visit me like Granny. Both of them taught me well, but I still yearned for some parental love.
"No wonder he doesn't have manners," Santhanu mumbled audibly causing everyone to flinch.
"Mind what you say," Elango started angrily but I waved him down.
It didn't matter. I have faced and heard far worse things than what Santhanu said. I knew guys like Santhanu were always looking for a weak spot to control guys who don't necessarily agree with them. If I showed any weakness here, he would seize it. So, I acted as if it didn't bother me at all.
Elango was still staring daggers at Santhanu, but he acted as if he didn't see it. An uncomfortable silence filled the room. The fat boy fidgeted in his seat. Prasad and Sekar were looking everywhere, except in my direction. I was content to let the silence stretch on.
"Ahem," Sekar cleared his throat to dispel the uncomfortable silence in the room.
"Well, so, ummm, eh," Sekar tried unsuccessfully to launch a conversation.
"Oh, what color was your crystal?" Elango asked me with eager anticipation.
"Ummm, it was… hmm.. Red," I answered with a sheepish smile.
"Woah, no wonder you got admission into the academy," Sekar exclaimed enthusiastically. "I knew it, there must be something special in you to get admitted her. A Red huh, no wonder."
"Well, what else would it be," Santhanu snorted.
"A Red huh?"
"Suits you," Elango smiled happily.
I fidgeted uncomfortably in my seat. During the testing for magical talents, a special kind of crystal is used. This crystal has the unique property of changing colors based on a person's mana. Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, and White are the five different types of color it might change into. Green crystals are the normal ones. Green crystals indicated that the mage has a decent amount of mana in his body. Green mages are called the versatile mages. They can perform any type of magic. While they don't have a specialty in anything, they can perform decent magic of all types.
The other common ones are Blue crystals. Blue crystals indicate a low amount of mana in a person's body. Blue mages usually specialize in creating magic equipment. Blue mages normally have great control over their magic, making them the ideal persons to get involved in magic fields that need accuracy over power.
The other three colors are rare types. Yellow crystals indicate that the person's mana is highly compatible with healing magic. Yellow mages are highly sought after and are always in demand. They can usually perform higher tier healing magic with ease. Also, they are proficient in body transformation magic, making them the perfect spies.
White crystals indicate that the person's mana is highly spiritual in nature. White mages are often referred to as Soul Mages, due to their exceptional affinity towards soul magic. They can easily communicate with animals and are also very proficient in Life Magic.
Last but not least, Red mages are rarer than any other mages. A Red crystal means that the person's body can produce a high amount of mana. They are called as the mana powerhouses. They can easily throw around mana like no man's business. As with everything, being a Red mage was not all rosy. Due to the high amount of mana output, Red mages mostly struggle with their control. They are also referred to as walking disasters. Any magic by a Red mage can easily backfire.
I didn't know all this before Granny explained these things to me. Hearing that I am a Red, the old geezer knew immediately that if I am not trained, I would become a walking disaster. Untrained Red mages have died at an early age. It was the primary reason the old geezer had pushed me to attend the academy.
Even though I understood the old geezer's reasoning, I couldn't help but feel a little angry with it. I wanted to walk the path of the sword. Not cower behind a magic barrier and sling magic at enemies. I wanted to be in the thick of the action. Not far away in a safe zone.
The excitement from my revelation soon calmed down enough for me to ask the others their colors. Sekar, Prasad, and Fatty were Blue mages. Elango and Santhanu were Green. After learning their colors, the conversation slowly drifted to the various kinds of various mishaps everyone was involved in. I didn't have much. Granny had only given me basic training in what little time was available to her. The others had one whole year to indulge in magical escapades. We laughed at our escapades till the dinner bell rang to rouse us from our seats.