"We missed you after class yesterday."
Hearing the words made me take a deep sigh and pause at the top of the steps before I entered the common area. Looking up, I saw none other than Zakira. Slouched over the sofa. Staring at me with that half-distant, half-dreamy look that was forever present in her scarlet eyes.
Like the morning before, I emerged from my room hours before sunrise. When only us nocturnals were awake. And Twig. Reclined on the windowsill, staring up at the night sky.
"I just need some to myself every once in a while." I smiled at her. "You hungry?"
Her all-too-enthusiastic agreement followed. And so too did a peaceful bout of silence that persisted throughout us eating and subsequently migrating to the gym.
Blissful though it was. It was ruined by me, in the end. There was a theory I had that could benefit us both. So, I asked.
"What's your room like?"
Her eyes bulged wide before she turned away with a wry impression. Only then did I realize the implications of such a question. But I pressed on anyway.
"I imagine your dorm is trying to change to your preferences but, from what I can tell, your preference is my death magic. I have a feeling that if I go in your room, it'll learn to mimic whatever it is that you feel when you're close to me."
"I mean…" She muttered. Then continued muddling over mine for a while until she turned back to me. Beaming wide. "You'd do that for me?"
"Of course!" I smiled. "You and Peter were the first friends I made here." Which was true, but I also wanted her a meter or two away from where she currently was.
"Okay!" She pulled herself deeper into my shoulder and let out a purr-like hum.
And from there, we sat in silence and watched the seats fill as the hours passed.
By around 6:30, a few students had made their way to the floor and had begun practicing their elemental or magical abilities. Including Peter. Off in the corner by his lonesome.
Before long, our isolated corner was intruded upon by two individuals. A boy and girl. Both with pale, tan skin like Zakira's. What was curious, however, was that the male seemed to trail behind the female as Zakira did with me.
He was a head taller than her. With a pointed, handsome face like we of the Fey were reported to be. A prominent widow's peak dominated his brow. Naturally capturing my gaze eye and drawing it to the tightly braided ponytail that swayed behind his neck with each step.
The girl looked a lot like Zakira. Large forehead. Bulbous eyes. Thin frame. Only, she was a head taller and carried herself with more elegance and regality than my teammate could ever dream of having.
Not that I thought such traits were good.
"Hey, Opal!"
I reeled back from Zakira's shout at once. Only to be ripped forward and pulled out of my seat from her gentle 'tug.'
"Wow, Z." The one I assumed to be Opal concealed her smirk behind a finely manicured hand. And shook her head. "A boyfriend already?"
"No!" we simultaneously said with varying intensities.
"Just, like. Shake his hand." She giggled to her friend with a gesture to me. Yet the boy was the one to approach my outstretched hand.
"Oh, my!" He reeled back to palm his heart and give me an incredulous, almost lustful eye. "Never in all my years have I ever felt something so… pure. Why that's better than blood!" He laughed maddeningly while shifting his gaze between us three. Eventually settling on the girl. Opal. "I do suggest that you try it, Miss."
"I can feel it." She regally said. Sizing me up and down for seconds.
"I'm not a centerpiece in a museum." I stared blankly.
"I know you aren't." Opal stared back with a masterful poker face. Yet fluttered over her words like a child in the principles office. "And I do apologize. It's just… I- we've never felt anything like this before. What- who are you?"
"I am Amun," I said.
"Elijah." The boy bowed in turn before gesturing to the girl he came with. "This is Miss Opal. Are… are you by chance, a vampire?"
"No." I simply shook my head. "And I'm not dead either. I'm half-drow."
"And half-devil!" Zakira stepped in with a blatantly smug grin. "I call him the Elven Devil. Cool, huh?"
"You've never called me that!" I scoffed. Taking a look around at the few non-humans scattered across the vast space. "And don't ever call me that I again. People are listening."
"The Elven Devil." Elijah gasped as if Id just talked to myself. "I think 'Devil of the Fey' has a nice ring to it. What say you, Miss?" He turned to Opal. Still standing before her seat. Giving me her blank stare while I only got more annoyed.
"You heard what he said, Elijah!" She suddenly and very loudly snapped at her companion before taking a courtesy bow towards me. "I apologize, My L-"
"Don't call me that either." I quickly spat.
"But, you are-"
"I know what I am." I spat again. "I'm not trying to deny my nature. Just-" I took a deep sigh. "Don't call me that. And don't be so formal." I attempted a warm smile while gesturing around the gym. "We are all Pages here."
After another long, awkward pause, a hopeful smile spread across her face and she took her seat. Then leaned forward with that same hopeful smile. "I believe we've bitten the wrong side of the neck."
'I beg your fucking pardon?' I blinked rapidly at her.
"My name is Opal of the Blackblood Clan. This is my Thrall, Elijah." She gestured to him. "I approached first because I saw Zakira. Second, because I caught word of your duel and someone was kind enough to point out your face."
'Hmm.' I felt a deep grunt bellow from within me just before a certain face drifted through my mind. 'I wonder who that could've been.'
"It's the first duel of the year." She continued whilst simultaneously concealing her pout with nearly masterful success. "One of my teammates won't shut up about it."
"Oh?" Zakira turned to her with sudden interest. "Who?"
"Umm." Opal tapped at her cheek and looked up to the ceiling before snapping her eyes back to Zakira. "She's a girl with darker skin, like you." She pointed to me. "Long curly hair. Umm. Gray eyes. Ro-something. Rohan? Rohen?"
"Roheisa?"
"Yeah, that!" She snapped her fingers to point at me. "There's her and another human from Maru. A girl who keeps calling herself a Warrior. Kinda weird, but she's strong. And then there's me. A quiet dude from Nonus. And a Triton Prince named Zohnos."
"Triton?" Zakira shook her head in confusion. "What's that?"
"It's a type of water people." Opal dismissively shrugged. "Webbed hands and feet? Scaled bodies. Bright hair that looks like seaweed? He's strong. Pretty arrogant though. So he and Ro argue a lot. They should just duel already." She blew a sort of raspberry under her breath.
Meanwhile, Elijah turned to me with an expression that mimicked his master's. "I'm in Baker Party, team two. My teammates are two humans from Epethia, Quinn, and Rommy. As well as another Marulean Warrior, Orsola. There's also a dwarf named Darekhil. And, obviously, myself."
"I'M with Amun!" Zakira burst in to latch onto my shoulder like a baby spider monkey. "And. There's a dwarf. A goliath. And a human too! His name is Peter. He's right there!" She pointed through the glass to the small boy still training his heart out.
"Lucky!" Opal pouted. Ignoring the latter parts entirely.
They continued their small talk while I waited for classes to start and thought about this whole vampire ordeal.
I was willing and even wanted to have a vampire minion or two under my wing in the future. They were absurdly powerful on their own. And being undead removed the potential for betrayal. Yet, each passing day I fell more and more in line with my great-grandfather's ideologies. I had to find something to do with them come time for the guild's formation. Adding yet another check box to the list.
Come time for class, Zakira and I reported to Doyle's classroom for the usual process before migrating to our place of study. Which was a marvel to say the least.
Every wall was filled from floor to ceiling with display cases. Like a wall of sealed cubes. Filled with everything from metals and powders, to live plants, terrariums, and even aquariums. It was a veritable goldmine to my eyes.
But unfortunately, I couldn't explore. As our teacher trailed soon behind us to rapture everyone's attention.
At least that of every young man. Including myself to a much lesser extent.
Olga Godzuik was a red-haired woman with a similar build to that of Grandmaster Vilignin. Tall, thick, and muscular. But with a round, gentle face dotted with a dense patch of freckles atop her nose.
"Animals. Plants. Ores." She enthusiastically smiled with nary a greeting. "In this class, you will learn how to classify, collect, and create magical items using materials refined from the world around us. This first half of the semester will be dedicated to your education and collection of such parts. The latter half will consist of you refining those materials to create products of your own making.
"Today, we'll start with a briefing on the various tiers creatures are placed into, and have a summary of the different Zones within the Bodhi Tree's Wilds. After lunch, the focus of this week will begin with our lecture on the Marulean Tree of Life. And our next class will continue with an in-depth lecture on the Vaguan Tree of Life. Followed by shorter lectures on the Trees found in Betrarth and the White Worlds.
"Ahem." Olga cleared her throat like a ninety-year-old smoker before continuing in her song-like voice. "Across the Realms, all things are categorized into tiers, classifications, or levels that distinguish them from others. Fauna is no different. The first of them are normal animals- the harmless ones. And normal beasts are, naturally, above them. The third tier of creatures is known across the realms as Magical Beasts. These are creatures who aren't quite sentient, but have developed or have been born with an affinity core.
"Those of them that do have sentience, are known as Mythical Creatures." She explained. "These are the ones found both in literature and across the realms. Centaurs. Manticores. Cyclops. Harpies. Naga. Tengu. Gorgons. Sirens. Minotaur. And many more. Regardless of the type, these can be dangerous opponents even to the most experienced adventurers. And those who are ignorant of their ways will meet a swift death."
'Damn right.' I nodded. 'Minotaurs are fucking terrifying.'
"The next tier encompasses all of the civilized species." She said. "That includes every race present in this year's class and every documented race in all the realms. If they've been reported to live within complex communities and have a common written language, they fall into this tier.
"However!" She raised an excited finger. "There are many reports of guilds recovering forsaken humans and found that they've evolved to befit their environments. The most famous example of this would be the Beastkin that were found during the Great Migration. But many more fantastical sentient races have yet to be discovered.
"Moving on." She continued. "Divine Beings. These are beings so powerful- so feared or revered that they're considered godly. Or, creatures who were birthed in a God's realm. The most famous example of the latter would be the Unicorn. Celestials sent from the goddess Colleron to protect nature.
"The next tier belongs to the Dragons. Which we will discuss more at a later time. So, we'll move on to the realm of the gods." She explained with mild enthusiasm. Not that I could blame her. "First come the Demigods. Those born with a sliver of divine power. Giving them anything from immortality to absurd strength. Above them are the Lesser Deities. Those who have ascended to godhood and gain rights to live in their realm. But not bestow power unto a mortal. Though they can sometimes perform miracles.
"The Greater Deities are considered the first beings birthed by the Trees of Life scattered across the Mortal Plane. Some of them went on to ascend in godhood. Their places were taken by others who've ascended to their position. Examples of the ones who retain this position are six orc shamans from Betrarth. And, some suspect, the first thirteen demons and the twelve vampire progenitors who grew to become the center of the feared families and clans that exist today.
"The Ascended Deities, or True Gods, are next," Olga stated. "These are those that are the stars in the night sky. Those who us mortals worship and those who bestow power unto their followers. Hence the name, all True Gods were once Greater Deities who took to the abyss above to form realms of their own. Their heavens. A place where the gods under them may live freely. Where the devoted followers of their pantheons can be saved from the Underworld. The first of them was the first dragons, Bahamut and Tiamat. It's believed that Faenya, Corellon, and Lilith came next. Followed by Yue, Ein, Viltramas, and Kratus from Maru. As well as many more.
"The only known entities above them are Primordials." She declared. "Entities that are both natural phenomena and living creatures in the same form. The Elemental Planes are but a few examples. As is the Plane of Shadow and the Realm of Light. The Heavens and the Underworld, however, are the oldest of these primordial beings and planes of existence. But there are many more that are almost incomprehensible to our minds. The Astral Plane. The Ethereal Plane. The Cosmic Plane and many others are but examples.
"Now." She flicked her arm towards the ceiling to prompt another finely made map to unfold for our viewing pleasure.
This one was of the Bodhi Tree and the surrounding forest to the north. Within it were twelve concentric rings that extended to the mountain separating the peninsula from the rest of the continent. A portion that was grayed out in comparison to the alternating blue and green shades found within the closer zones.
"The Zone One is where you all will be spending this week's venture time." She declared with a slap of her pointer on the first ring. "Within this realm, are relatively harmless animals and an abundance of forage for you all to make use of. This week's venture is nothing more than a familiarization exercise. Zones Two through Three will be accessible next week and will be your limit until the end of the month.
Within it are normal beasts," she said. "Albeit stronger and more hostile ones that what you're most likely used to. You will hunt them. Or they will hunt you. Only then can you grow stronger as Pages and make the most of your ritual come year's end. At the end of this month, your restrictions will be lifted. You will be able to travel freely through the wilds with your party and teams. Fighting and growing stronger as you do.
"You see." She circled her pointer around the zones to point out something unseen. "The Bodhi Tree's roots are spread across all the Zones. Giving Headmaster Knagh control of it all. Through that and the enchantments in your clothes, we staff are capable of being anywhere at a moment's notice to rescue or heal you. So fear not about exploring as much as you can. And fear not about missing your studies due to an injury.
"But remain careful all the same." She warned. "For Zones Four through Six is the realm of magical beasts. And Zones Seven through Twelve is home to mythical creatures. You are behooved to seek these creatures out during your time in the Wilds, for these encounters will prove invaluable when you meet such creatures in the real world. Whether you search them out for study, hunting, or conflict is up to you. But keep in mind that these Zones are generalized. Depending on a creature's personal interest, power level, or intelligence, you can find a magical beast within Zone Ten just as easily as you can find a mythical creature in Zone Four."
***
"Today, Maru is a half-civilized world." Olga began the moment we returned from lunch. "It is the birthplace of humans, dwarves, gnomes, and halflings. Like all the realms, Maru is unique. It's the smallest of the realms. And it remains isolated from the others by an unimaginably vast and deep body of water known as the World Sea.
"Within the realm is four continents." She tapped at the map with her pointer. In order of smallest to largest, they are known as Deapou Island, Phaegrath, Ulai, and Epethia. Plagued by an endless winter, Deapou Island is a harsh land." She slammed her pointer atop my home. "Yet, boasts the largest population in all of Maru and is home to two sister empires. The Deapou and Odissian Empires. The Epethian continent comes second place in terms of population. It is the largest continent by far. But over half of its surface is covered in sand. And half of the side that isn't has been left unclaimed by the Epethian Empire.
"Nearly all of Phaegrath's population can be found within a single city-state. Silva City." She pointed to what looked like a large mountain sitting on the continent's northern edge. "But, that's the limit of human occupation in Maru." She solemnly sighed. "While the portal leading to Nonus has long since been sealed on this side, the portals leading to the other Realms are all concentrated on the Ulaian continent. Trapped inside a barrier. That has not only cut the humans of Maru off from the other realms, but many theorize it created a haven for any creatures coming in through the other side.
"I won't go into any detail about the common races found on Maru. But I will say that Maru is special when compared to all other Realms for one inexplicable reason. The Marulean Tree of Life is dead." She declared. Much to the astonishment of both Peter and Winston. Surprisingly. "It has been for tens of thousands of years, some think. But the time is inconsequential. The fact remains, Maru is a dead realm. Perhaps that, and the fenced-off portals is why few Marulean graduates seek to return to its surface.
"But, who am I to say?"