A tall building loomed overhead. The grand clock tower high on top of the gate showed the time to be 15 minutes before the 5th hour. The emblem of the academy - a white shield with a black sword with a rose wrapped around it - was right under the clock. The words 'Rose and Sword Academy' sat below the emblem in gold, glittering in the sunlight.
The guards on either side of the gate straightened up and hollered for the gate to be opened when they saw sentinel Warren. They gave a slight bow as Sage and the sentinel made their way through the gate to the Academy grounds. The inside was a whole new world, at the sight of which the curious expression in Sage's face turned to awe.
There were trees of all kinds on either side of the dirt path leading to a castle-like building with huge turrets and ancient elegance. As the horses trotted forward slowly Sage saw multi-colored cherry blossom trees in full bloom - red, white, orange, pink, the sight was mesmerizing. After that was a huge orchard filled with apple trees, orange trees, and pear trees which went on till the edge of the stables which were only a few meters away from the academy.
Sage left the horse with the stable boys and followed sentinel Warren to the academy doors where a man and a woman were waiting for them along with a girl who looked the same age as Sage. Both the man and woman were old, had thin bodies but strong frames. They had the same black hair with white running through them and their smiles seemed identical as both had dimples. The only difference was that the man's eyes were blue while the woman's were green.
Twins? Sage guessed.
"Welcome to the Rose and Sword Academy.", the woman greeted as she bowed." I am head maid Daria Travis, and this is my brother butler David Travis. We are here to collect your luggage."
"It's f-", Sage started to object, but her bag was snatched from her hands.
"We insist. ", the butler and head maid said together and went off to do their jobs.
Sage closed her gaping mouth. Sentinel Warren turned to her and bowed.
"Miss Evellora, my work here is done. I shall be leaving now. ", he said and turned on his heels.
Why is everyone abandoning me?
Finally, Sage turned to the girl who was smiling. She had long blonde hair tied in a pony and brown eyes, a dimple on the right cheek of her cherub-like face. She was wearing a sky-blue top with wide sleeves, a brown sleeveless vest with a snowflake brooch on it, and brown pants. She also had a brown leather pocket tied at her waist which Sage confirmed to be containing a dimensional space since the girl pulled out a large book from inside it.
How is she not cold? Sage thought and then noticed that the weather within the academy was warm compared to outside in Clios.
"Hello, I am Skylar Valis, head student of the lower masses. I will be overseeing you until your awakening and assignment.", she said in an authoritative voice and then handed Sage the leather-bound book. "You are expected to read this book and be familiar with the rules and regulations as well as the map of the academy and your duties well before the awakening ceremony. Follow me. "
She started walking into the building with Sage trailing behind her. They walked up a couple of stairs, passed some corridors, and finally reached a room with a black door, with Skylar going on and on about the Academy's history. They stopped in front of the room and Skylar pulled out a black key with a ruby dangling on its head and opened the door.
The room was small with a medium-sized wardrobe with a floor-length mirror on one side and a bunk bed on the other. There was a window opposite the door from where a garden could be seen. Everything in the room was white and grey, with only a few flowerpots I to add color.
"What's the awakening ceremony? ", Sage asked Skylar who was sitting on the bed.
"The awakening ceremony will bring forth your spirit beast and give access to its full powers. You will receive your mage's mark and will be placed in your respective class according to your powers. You can then receive your class schedule, your privileges, and can settle into your official room.", she stopped and breathed. " For now, you are to stay here. I will escort you to the ceremony at noon. There are clothes in the wardrobe and shoes. You are required to change into them for the ceremony."
With that, she left. Sage sat down on the bed and opened the Academy guide to pass the time until she would need to get ready.
- - -
Sage put on the white puff-sleeved ankle-length gown and looked at herself in the mirror. It looks like a nightgown! she thought. She threw her loose hair up in a bun and put on the white boots.
Just in time, the door opened to reveal Skylar in a sky-blue dress that had a high neck and cap sleeves. Her hair was braided and had pearls woven in them. A droplet-shaped pearl was dangling in the middle of her forehead.
"Let's go. We must not be late.", she said and started walking with Sage following behind her.
After a few minutes of walking, they reached two large doors which opened when Skylar stepped forward along with Sage. It was a large courtyard and in front of them was a long aisle which lead to an alter at the end of which an old man stood wearing the same clothes as the grand mage except his were grey and all the gold was replaced by silver and he didn't have the staff nor the same amulet. Students of the academy lined either side of the aisle donned in different attire according to their rank and class. They stared at her and Skylar as they made their way to the altar.
"Sage Allesia Evellora, it is time for the awakening! ", the man bellowed as Sage stepped up onto the platform at the altar. Up above them, a dome-like structure came into view. It quickly turned from transparent to the replica of the glittering night sky.
Sage realized it was the praesidio tecti or the protection dome as Skylar had told her. It was a magical barrier that covered the academy grounds completely to prevent any mishaps outside that could be caused due to magic within the academy. It wasn't visible to the naked eye outside the academy and even on the inside, it could not be seen unless made opaque. Now their dome had become opaque, it had cast the inside of the academy into the nighttime atmosphere.
The head mage in front of her lifted a chalice above his head which was encrusted with rubies, diamonds, sapphires, and pearls, then he brought it in front of Sage. She saw the liquid inside glow with magic and with slight hesitation took hold of it and when the head mage nodded, took a sip. She didn't feel anything different. Then a mirror was brought in front of her and she glanced at her reflection.
Right in front of her eyes, her reflection morphed into a flaming shadow that took the shape of a bird. It opened its beak, and she was sucked in.
——— ——— ———
"Child...."
That voice is so soothing, Sage thought.
"Child... Open your eyes", a clear feminine voice called to her.
Sage opened her eyes and in front of her stood a woman in white. Her tresses burning with blue fire at the ends, eyes glowing with ancient wisdom, her face eternally elegant, slender figure encased in living fire which flowed down from her shoulders to the ground.
"I know of your perils child, your thoughts and struggles, every pain you've endured I've felt each and every one. Let go child and let me help you seek justice for all you've lost. "
"Let go...? ", Sage whispered.
——— ——— ———
Sage opened her eyes. She was back at the altar with the mirror in front of her while everyone around her looked at her in confusion. Let go, the woman had said and so she did.
Instantly, the cage within her broke, its prisoner was set free and Sage's body was set ablaze in an icy blue fire.