They entered into a room. Alex could already see what was in it.
Paul flipped on the light switch and a suit of armor was revealed.
"Cool right, we have simplified this as much as possible, but we still can't make it fully operational within the given time limit. During the competition you get three hours. We can set this up and apply the runes within that time, but the amount of energy it uses can't be made more efficient in that time."
"We also can't fine tune the mana lines that will bring it altogether. Not all runes are the same, meaning that after it's all done we will have to use this nice thing to calibrate the runes to the suit." Paul said while picking a a complicated looking machine, littered with runes.
"Okay, guys can you help me take it apart." Paul asked already getting to work.
Alex watched as Jim created screwdrivers out of ice and proceeded to remove screws.
Whenever a part came loose a gust of wind from Paul caught it and laid it down neatly.
Dan was heating up parts loosening a type of glue that held parts together, and after it came apart Paul set it down as well.
Alex watched as they completely removed everything from the stand in 30 minutes. "How was that, now we just have to do that again but in reverse." Paul stated
Alex was surprised what they had done in 30 minutes he could do in one. His spacial energy had no set size or shape, allowing him to do many things. But how would he be able hide it. 'A mixture of darkness and space.' Of coarse he would disguise it as wind and darkness.
"You ready to help us out Alex, just give a hand where you feel necessary."
Alex lifted up the first parts by their shadows, moving them into place trying to conserve energy. He then picked up some screws creating some gusts of wind around them moving them into place increasing the pressure while screwing them in. Cables that supplied mana, flew into place. The rune board that would allow diagnostics to be processed was set in place. He applied a glue to an area using darkness while simultaneously placing the sheet of armor on top. Within ten minutes everything was back in place.
"Good, very good. You saved us 20 minutes already. With that time we can almost fine tune the runes, or create a motherboard to control the runes remotely." Paul told Alex while thinking over the possibilities. "However you should allow Jim and Dan to help you, your dark mana was waning towards the end. Don't want you to over exert yourself."
Alex knew what he was talking about he had used quite a lot of energy in just 10 minutes, but if David could see his mana, then he would also be able to tell that he wasn't a wind mage. He would see that the gusts of wind Alex created were fake, and that they were produced by tiny fans, or fast movements of energy. He needed to only rely on darkness by the time this years competitions arrived.
"We're gonna have to rely on you learning a majority of these runes, the more you learn, the more time we have time to work on fine tuning." Paul said handing Alex a book. He went took a list of runes, and began copying a few of them onto a new list.
10 minutes later while Alex was flipping through the book, Paul came over with the new list and tools for writing runes.
"Here you go. Try to get these done within a month. If you find yourself with spare time as well, you can look over the rest of the runes within the book." "Once you know all these we can show you the process of simplifying for runes. At our current speed we can only get it put together in three sessions which is the bare minimum needed to qualify."
"You can write them, imprint them, just get familiar with the runes because to get you ready for the competition I'm gonna have to fill your head, with what I've learned all these years."
"I understand, thank you for the opportunity." Alex replied
"No need for all the thanks, we need the help. Us three were the only ones who have been able to understand the complexity of runes, James sure did try but he is a bit of an air head when it comes to rune making."
"You will have it easy because we can show you rather than just tell you, but we will get to that later. Now, we will be in here for the till the next break period, do you have any questions?"
"Not at the moment." Alex said eager to go through the book.
"Alright I'll leave you to it. Not much time left, but you are free to stay here during your break."
Alex nodded in understanding, and sat down to get familiarized with the runes. The list contained 50 runes and the page numbers they could be found in.
He looked over them and each had a small definition of what they did, many were non sensible doing very little at all. Alex didn't know how they would use them, but he was just gonna have to wait until he could see them in use.
He got a brief look through most of them before a tone sounded, indicating the end of class. He looked at the schedule.
'I have to meet back up with the main instructor, we will see what happens.'
Alex left heading back to where the rest of his class was present. Entering the room he could see that everyone was done. Some were content while others wore frowns indicating that they hadn't fared well. Alex headed over to the man who had the clipboard.
"Ah Alex right on time, we just came up with a plan for your year group. Just wait here while Duncan announces the plan."
Alex did as told.
After a while Duncan broke away from the rest of the instructors and cleared his throat.
"Ok. everyone, this year will be a little different. We see a lot of of you are far behind, but a few are far ahead." His eyes lingering on a few students, including Alex.
"So, we have decided to split up the class. Those who couldn't meditate properly will be given extra homework, and we will try to catch you up with the rest, but it all depends on your motivation to get through it."
"Those who have done well will begin training their combat with weaponry weapons, and later on when the rest of the class is brought up, we will begin combat with magic."
"That said when Stacey, Don, or I call your name you will remain in here." He said while pointing gesturing to a few instructors.
"If Michael, or Daniel calls your name, then you will follow them outside to the training grounds." he said pointing to the man with the clipboard, and the man next to the light podium.
Following this the instructors began calling out names. Somehow always managing to speak, without talking over each other.
Alex heard Daniel call his name, it was the man who had the clipboard. Alex walked over to him, and noticed that only 20 out of the sixty students were ready to be taught.
Michael motioned them to follow him. They did and once they left the room he spoke up.
"Okay guys, I know what you guys are thinking, but just because I'm a light mage, doesn't mean I can't pack a punch or two."
Daniel jumped in. "Of coarse you will find that the other teachers won't be able to keep up with him in non magic combat."
"He says other while excluding himself, even if Daniel limits himself to a quarter staff he still kicks ass, forgive my bad language."
Daniel chuckled.
Alex watched as a large group of senior students went into the classroom. 'So that's how they expect them to catch up. That's a lot of extra help.'
Feeling a hand on his back, Alex turned around surprised to see a few familiar faces.
"Hey there Alex." Paul said surprising Alex.
"Um hi, I wasn't expecting to see you guys so soon." Alex replied to Paul.
A group of students had gathered. Paul, Tom, James, and a few others wearing the same fancy captains garbs.
The others split up while Paul, Tom, and James walked beside Alex.
"Haha. You would expect us to be surprised when we got called out while being told we would receive compensation for for training a few students." Tom said merrily
"Normally, Paul would just ignore such
calls-" James leaned in close as if he were gonna whisper the next part. "but, I'm pretty sure he has a thing for you since all he had been doing was praising you." Failing at whispering Paul heard it all.
"I do not! You guys were the ones truly praising, I was simply adding to the conversation." Paul retorted.
"But honestly the way the instructors run this department is amazing." "The flexibility and training what the students are missing set them far apart from ordinary teachers." Paul said while looking up as if reminiscing.
"Not one mage has ever been left in the dust, not like they would ever let anyone be left behind. I've heard that things have been getting worse in the world, one mage left behind could mean an unprotected town in the future." Paul said turning somber.
'He feels the weight of the world bearing down on him.' Alex looked at the rest of the captains. They had the same look.
'They all feel the same, it's their last year here soon they'll be split apart and sent out into the world. I know how they feel. I've spent a lot of my life looking forward, and I can never see anything. I can only make a plan and hope it goes well.'
"One day, one day the world will be safe. When that day comes I hope to you guys there with me relaxing not having a worry in the world. Seriously you guys are only eighteen and worrying about the well-being of others. I'm lucky you guys are my peers." Alex said returning some praise to them.
They all got surprised and wore a smile while Tom spoke up.
"What do you mean only eighteen? you are one to talk what are you fourteen? Jeez you speak like an old man." Tom said while patting Alex on the head.
"Hehe." Alex chuckled.
'I honestly don't know my age anymore. Well I guess one phrase could put it into perspective. (Wisdom beyond my years).'
When they had made it to the training grounds Daniel called out.
"So Millay is everything set up?"
"You betcha. I can never get tired of watching young mages grow into warriors." A mature female voice replied.
A second later she appeared, the leaves that were on the ground fluttered before once again landing.
There stood a woman with graying hair, but a fit figure. No doubt her age was doing nothing to hold her back.
'Ah right she was the last instructor. I saw her earlier when all of them were gathered, It felt like that was a long time ago.'
"Indeed always a joy in these dark days."Michael replied to her.
"Alright everyone today is the day you choose your weapons. In the future they will be with you through storm and strife." Michael said pulling out his weapon out from beneath his robe.
A collective "woah" was heard as he pulled a blade, that was longer than Alex was tall, from it sheath. The sheath was not even half as long as the sword itself.
Alex looked at it in surprise. In his eyes it was short but his energy showed that the sword was sitting snuggly in the sheath.
'Is this sheath made from a spacial beasts skin?'
"A Beauty isn't she, I've had her ever since I was in high school." Michael said while admiring his great sword.
"I know you've got lots of questions, but those questions can wait. Now, It's time to choose."
After he got done speaking, all the students walked up to the tables with weapons laid out on them.