The study of Magic has been the nor for an innumerable number of years. Centuries, millennia, even. No one is sure, but one thing is for sure, it is still on going without a visible end up till this day. Scholars and mages delved deep into the mysteries that surrounded this ancient art.
Magic first started with the discovery of the Arcane Arts, the most ancient form of magic; magic in its purest form, according to the existing records that were left behind by those ancient mages who studied the Arcane Arts.
The Arcane Arts is the study of magic in its purest possible form. It is extremely volatile, almost as volatile as the essence of Chaos, but just a step from reaching such. Because of its complexity, as there was an acute lack of diversity at that time, it is extremely hard to progress when studying the complex Arcane Arts. The few mages who are known to make further advancements in this field have only made minimal progress, with the most advanced being at the Early King Class stage.
***
Kai sat cross legged, his reflection visible in the blue water of the Sacred Time Vault. An almost invisible wave of light radiated off his skin, reaching about two inches above the skin. The wave of light seemed to roll and shiver with each breath he took.
'Release...' He breathed out quietly, the white wave of light fading away as he slowly opened his eyes. Drops of sweat ran down the side of his face, a sign of his exerting.
"Good job, it has only just been a couple of days and you are already able to manifest a basic aura." Marvin smiled, handing Kai a small vial of orange liquid, a stamina potion that he had prepared, so he could keep Kai going for longer periods of time.
"...Thank you... Huff..." Kai managed to get in a word of thanks between his labored breathing. Managing to force out a tangible aura, and then maintain it for an extended period of time was extremely taxing on him.
"Will maintaining an aura like this always be so taxing?" He raised a weary gaze to meet Marvin's eyes.
"Haha, no, of course not. In fact, everyone who has stepped into the Lord Class gets an aura by default. This is usually the time where most people begin training their auras. What we are doing now is just giving you a leg up above the others. While they train to control their auras, you will be busy making much more solid gains." Marvin shook his head, waving his hand to make the empty stamina potion vial disappear when Kai had finished it.
When Kai thought about it, he finally realized why he was having so much trouble drawing out an aura. He was too weak! He was just a measly Earth Class mage, and most people usually began to practice this upon reaching the Lord Class. He was far too green for this!
"You have had enough rest. It's time to continue your training." Marvin wiped the smile off his face after a few minutes. He gestured for Kai to resume his meditative posture, making sure the young mage was concentrated before he sank into silence.
***
Whoosh!
A myriad of bright lights flashed, and Kasuyi appeared, along with an extra. Quint nervously looked around the area where Kasuyi had brought him. He had half the mind that he was going to be ambushed, but when he thought back to the overwhelming strength that was already shown by Kasuyi, he pushed that thought to the back of his mind. If Kasuyi wanted hi dead or disabled, then it would not be difficult for him to do away with the mage.
"Here we are. Home sweet home." Kasuyi waved his hand, motioning Quint forward.
The lightning mage took a step forward hesitantly, peering over the edge of the balcony where they had teleported to. Instantly, he was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of hustle and bustle in the city below.
An enormous amount of people occupied the spacious city that expanded beyond the boundaries of the massive dark castle. Bright clusters of glowing rocks in the high ceiling lit up the entire massive cavern, signaling that it was currently day time. The number of people that walked the wide, but still cramped streets completely astounded Quint.
"But how?" He gaped, barely managing to form words.
"All the people here are those who know the truth, or their descendants. Your grandfather, and father both knew the truth, but they were taken out of the equation, and you were taken by the Army when you were still a child. All so they could keep someone like you under their thumb." Kasuyi stepped up to his side as he spoke, also taking in the sight of his prosperous city.
"This 'truth' you keep speaking about. What exactly is it?" Quint turned to look at Kasuyi.
"The truth is many things. It is the foundation of my power. It is the foundation on which this city is built upon. It is the cloth that blinds the masses. It is the light that lets the masses see. It is the very foundation on which the current Imperial Army has been built upon, and finally, it is what the current generation does not know... They have been blinded by the lies of the Imperial Army. Led astray by the lies of my foul students. I have decided to take it upon myself to tear down the Imperial Army and let the people know of the truth."
As Kasuyi spoke, a formless aura began to rise from his body. This formless aura gave him a holy and distant look that made Quint feel extremely small and weak.
The aura only lasted for a few minutes before disappearing without a trace.
"Come, let us go in, and I will educate you of the truth. There should still be some documents left by your grandfather. He was one of the most knowledgeable people I knew back then, aside from me of course." Kasuyi cracked a smile as he led a clueless Quint into his grand library.