"The man of the hour, I've heard great things about you. Follow us." One of the people spoke, walking out of the doorway to the building.
"Ah, we should introduce ourselves, how rude of us.
My name is Anso Gros. That's Meinrad Klaus, Brinna Von Hahn, Adeline Dolchafter, Sarai Ashcombe, Aelric Warden, and last but not least the class president; Aurora Gandorah-York." He spoke, pointing at everyone.
"This woman, Aurora... There was something about her that felt wrong, like she knows who I am. I need to get away from her. From here, what do I do!?"
Maevus' demeanor began to change, and he started to slowly revert, but someone broke the silence.
"Mr. Viviane, I was hoping that we could speak in private, thank you Anso."
Aurora stepped away from the window and walked toward Maevus.
"We can talk, can't we?" Aurora spoke, grabbing Maevus' hand slowly but sensually.
Maevus nodded in silence.
"See you all in the clubroom, this shouldn't take long."
The rest of them left, leaving only she and Maevus. Aurora and Maevus looked at each other for a moment. No words were said but with the eyes, a full conversation had taken place, then she spoke.
"You know, I had a dream about someone named Merlin. It felt prophetic almost, like I was meant to meet you. That's why I enrolled into this academy specifically several years ago. I knew somehow, I'd be thrown on the path of meeting you."
"I have a couple of questions for you, Ms. York."
"The floor is yours."
"First, where are you from? By telling of your last name, you don't seem to be from this side of the world. That much I do know.. And secondly, what do you know about the continent across the Great Blue Lucian Ocean?"
"Now that's a loaded question, well let's see... I hail from a very large state in the middle of Saint Lucia. Here, there are technological advances that would make this entire landmass look like the stone age. Normally, I'd keep my mouth sealed about my life before coming over here; but if you know of the ocean... I'm sure you know about the advancement in magic over there. I became a Great Sage along with so many others by fourteen. But that was thanks to so much knowledge I'd gotten from my dreams of old lessons of a class in a country called Ascia. With every lesson I gained a new affinity for magic and I kept growing until I hit my peak at nineteen. Then I had the dream of meeting you and I headed for what would be Ascia. So, here I am. I believe you were there also but that can't be possible. You don't look a day past twenty. What's your story?"
"I've lived for quite some time and had the grace of traveling overseas and back. But, that much about me isn't to be discussed. Although, when I was over there... I managed to get a rank even higher than Great Sage under the name of Merlin... I also ended up surpassing the title Sword Saint while over there and picked up several other affinities of magic but there's one affinity I can't seem to learn. Hopefully, I can break through the ceiling this time around and gain it."
"Well, I hope to see you gain what you're aiming for. Let's head to the club room and get you situated." Aurora spoke, grabbing his hand. Maevus could still feel something off about her, and it was truly concerning him.
"We're the most advanced class at the academy currently. We strictly learn forbidden and taboo magic. But much of the magic in this continent is barely advanced level magic, that's why when I graduate... I'm going to take over the superintendent's job to ensure this part of the world gets magical advancement."
"I suppose this is the path that Godess has paved for me." Maevus said to himself.
They made it into the clubroom and everyone started talking to Maevus.
"In here, we're mainly doing independent research towards discovering new forms of magic. In turn also developing our own magic. It's really easy and I'm more than sure you'll catch on fast. Our professor is one of the only other people who have managed to learn every affinity of magic and create a system of magic unknown by the rest of the world." Meinrad spoke, walking over to greet Maevus.
"So Merlin, what will you be researching while you're here?"
"That's a rather loaded question, but to be honest... I don't know yet." Maevus replied, looking at the ring on his hand.
"What're you researching right now Aelric?" Adeline asked.
"Currently, I'm working on a mass transport sigil that could send someone across the world to a pre-designated location."
"Translocation sigil? That's interesting. I'm really hoping to see what you come up with." Sarai said, walking over with a book.
"What's that?" Maevus asked.
"This is my research, I'm writing a grimoire. I notice that most of the magic everyone at the academy learns is very elementary. I want to indirectly teach people to learn how to do higher grade magic but from a safe point of view. Keeping every dangerous spell away from the public but also giving them the tools to become better mages if they have the knack for it."
"That could be a real game changer." Maevus spoke, smiling.
"Miss President, show Merlin your research." Brinna said, grinning.
"Ugh, fine. Everyone take a step back." She sighed.
Everyone moved back and Aurora pulled the large rug back. Under the rug was a trapdoor, that led to a room. She opened the large door and went down the short stack of stairs.
"Everyone come down."
They all came down and at first it was a bit cramped.
"Valas Room Expanse, Bisky." The room expanded around them.
"This isn't my research but we're close. Ashkazar Meido Localis, Old Ascia."
The room went pitch black then turned into what seemed to be an old town. People were walking around as if they were actually there. They could smell the sweet scent of baked goods and hear wagons being pulled in the distance. The cool summer breeze and the dancing leaves graciously danced. Maevus was lost for words and made a crucial discovery.
"This is my research, this is Project Luna. I only started working on this a couple of months ago but I can go as far as this old town. If I were to push myself I might be able to take us to the beach. But, for reasons I won't name. I'll do something different." Aurora spoke as she pulled the sky down.
"Ashkazar Meido Localis, St. August." The room began spinning and took them to a town much more advanced than what they've seen.
"This is where I lived before coming across the Great Blue."
Maevus didn't say a word still, but he knew this was part of what he would need.
"I think I know what I want to research."
"What have you thought about?" Brinna asked.
"What do you all know about reincarnation and immortality?"
"I've heard legends about immortal warriors but they're only stories from my childhood. I've heard about reincarnation many times but its mostly still a mystery." Meinrad said.
"Reincarnation mainly. After I figure that out, I'm going to research immortality."
"Nice, but it would be best to not let anyone else know. The last person who made an attempt to learn such magics was shipped to the edge of the world." Aelric added.
"Will do."
"Return." Aurora spoke.
The room returned to its original form.
"Alright, I need to work on some things.. You're free to leave if you're done with research today."
"Merlin, I'd like to see you after everyone dismisses." Brinna said, she looked determined.
He stayed back and waited to see what she wanted. They walked down the hall and talked, until they got outside and the sun stood over the academy.
"So, I never told you what I was researching. I think you'd be interested alot."
She pulled the slim booklet from her satchel and handed it to him.
"This is my research. Every sigil in this section is a step into getting to the door way into the soul. It's recommended not to look at them for too long, especially in your case since you can do chantless magic. I noticed you seemed shaken up when she went into Old Ascia. In this part right here, I'm actually working on a spell that would give the user a chance to manipulate time itself but the problem is... I'm getting a part of the equation wrong, so it's not complete yet."
"When you say look into the soul, do you mean your Akashic Records?"
"Yes! That's it."
"You know, if you actually lay them on top of eachother and place your hands here and here."
Without thinking it through, Maevus' eyes went black and he fell into the hole. When Maevus woke up, he stood in front of a large statue of the Goddess he saw on that day.
"I didn't expect to see you here.. So this must be it." Maevus spoke to himself.
Maevus walked into what seemed to be a library and saw different versions of himself sitting down, reading, and standing behind a counter. He walked over and the Maevus behind the counter greeted him.
"Ah, so you're that Maevus. Are you currently using the name Merlin?"
"Yes."
"From aisle seven to four-hundred and ninety nine is yours. Enjoy." Counter Maevus spoke.
Maevus walked the aisles, picking up books and realized it was his memories. He read and continued reading up until he got close to the end of what was his. Realizing he was getting to what would be his future.
"I would advise against reading about our future. It may not turn out how you want it to and you may not like the outcome." Librarian Maevus said, pushing a book cart.
"I am in control, only the Goddess can change my fate." Maevus spoke confidently.
He made it to aisle five-hundred and felt something pulling him to the six-hundredth aisle.
He speed walked over to the aisle and started reading the memories.
"The War Fanatic leads a siege against the country of Saint Lucia. He destroys much of the West and sets his sights on the continent of Sworadey." This sentence made Maevus very uncomfortable but he involuntarily continued.
"The Red Horse rides for Tailin in search of Greater Death. Many will die for Greater Death but it cannot be conquered. The Red Horse falls but the Lion rises from the grave in search of Greater Life. As a patron to the Goddess of the Beast, she grants the moon life once again. The Moon becomes the Empress of Death, embodying life and death itself. The Red Horse retreats for the mountains in search of Black Famine. But once the Black Horse is heard-" and it stopped there. The rest of the pages were blank and Maevus felt so overwhelmed.
"What does all this mean!? Are there others like me? What's going on, what's happening!?"
"Told you not to look, but look at it like this... Our goal will be accomplished sooner than you've read. So, I'm sending you back.. These are Tigris' wishes." Security Maevus said before tapping him on the forehead. He fell backwards falling upward into the hole he saw when the spell activated.
When Maevus woke up, his fists were clinched and tears were streaming down his face. Brinna sat patiently while he went experienced the spell firsthand.
"So, how was it?" Brinna asked.
"I have to begin my research now." Maevus said, with a look of concern on his face.
"So, I see you decided to peak at the future... I did that once, that's how I knew to catch you at this very moment. But time is ticking, the war is coming." Brinna spoke, standing over Maevus.
Maevus, sweating bullets, nervous, began to break character. As his eyes met hers, she smiled like she had something to hold over him now. She kneeled in front of him with her head down.
"As a follower to the Goddess of the Beast, I will follow you wherever you go and give my life if need be until I can no longer serve you."
Maevus realized, this was his second gift from the Gods he was waiting on. He stood up and smiled in relief.
"I should also mention, Anso will be joining us. But, your truth is safe between me and you. Think of it as a death clause."
"Very well. I should begin now, I'm going to need all of your research and everyone's you can gather. There's no longer any time to waste."
Maevus and Brinna left the academy campus together and began working.