Kingdom of Serendell
Barony of Silverstone
Silverstone Academy
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A group of young individuals stood in front of a sturdy wooden building. They all held papers in their hands, each reacting differently to what they read. Some looked devastated, while others appeared happy or indifferent. The one thing they had in common was their scholarly attire.
"I must say, I haven't a clue what magical substances you consumed to excel in the exams this year, but do enlighten me, Lucia. This is truly impressive!" exclaimed a girl with jet-black hair, gazing at the paper in Lucia's hand in awe.
Lucia, the rightful owner of the paper and a friend of the girl who had just spoken, was also looking at her results with excitement. Unlike her friend, who basically has a path already paved for her in the summoning world, Lucia, an orphan with no one to heavily support her, had to fight for what she wanted. The results in her hand were going to determine whether she'd even have a kickstart in becoming a summoner.
******
<><>Silverstone Academy<><> - {Student Result}
Name: Lucia Dawn
Age: 17
Class: 12th Grade Trainee
Combat Skills:
- Swordsmanship: B
- Archery: A
- Hand-to-Hand Combat: C
Tactical Abilities:
- Stealth: B
- Tracking: B
- Survival Skills: C
Knowledge: {84/100}
Summoning Aptitude: Awakening Pending
Overall Performance: Excellent
Overall Grade performance: Rank 8
Teacher's Comments:
Dear Lucia,
I offer my sincerest congratulations on your excellent performance at the Academy. Your combat skills are truly impressive, especially your archery expertise, and your commendable tracking and survival skills. I encourage you to continue refining your combat skills, enhancing your tactical abilities, and remaining open to the awakening of your summoning aptitude, as you have the potential to become an exceptional hunter.
Yours truly, Teacher Brian.
********
"Aye! I've made it to the top ten, Mia! I did it!" Lucia exclaimed, hopping a little in her excitement as she shared the joy with her friend, who returned a smile.
"Calm down, Lucia. It's indeed a jolly good achievement to attain such a rank, but pray tell, what be the actual use of it? Why did you bother yourself to score higher when your previous results and performance were already quite satisfactory?" Mia inquired, wondering why Lucia seemed far more excited than she had anticipated. After all, academic results didn't truly affect one's path as a summoner.
But this was mostly true to people like Mia.
Lucia was well aware that, unlike her privileged friend, Mia, her academic results held significant weight in shaping her path as a summoner. With this in mind, she didn't bother trying to explain the intricacies to Mia and simply urged her to share her own results.
Having always been a high ranker in the academy, Mia's natural advantages had propelled her ahead of others from a young age. Lucia couldn't help but wonder how her own results would fare in comparison.
*******
<><>Silverstone Academy<><> - {Student Result}
Name: Mia Victoria Abbott
Age: 17
Class: 12th Grade Trainee
Combat Skills:
- Swordsmanship: A
- Archery: B+
- Hand-to-Hand Combat: B
Tactical Abilities:
- Stealth: A+
- Tracking: A
- Survival Skills: A
Knowledge: {91/100}
Summoning Aptitude: Awakening Pending
Overall Performance: Exceptional
Overall Grade performance: Rank 4
Teacher's Comments:
Dear Mia,
I offer my utmost admiration and congratulations on your extraordinary achievements at the Academy. Your exceptional swordsmanship and archery skills are truly unparalleled, showcasing your unwavering dedication and talent. Moreover, your remarkable tactical abilities, marked by your exemplary stealth, tracking, and survival skills, set you apart as a true prodigy. I have no doubt that you will reach even greater heights in the future, and I eagerly anticipate the awakening of your summoning aptitude.
With profound respect, Teacher Brian.
*******
Upon comparing her results to Mia's, Lucia couldn't help but pout in disappointment, as if her own achievements had been diminished. Mia, noticing her friend's expression, reached out and pinched Lucia's cheeks, her smile a comforting gesture.
"Now, now, Lucia. Don't be disheartened. Compared to your previous results and the progress you've made, my stagnant performance appears lacklustre," Mia reassured her, though Lucia playfully slapped Mia's hands away from her cheeks.
Mia's pinches stung slightly, but Lucia ignored the discomfort. Rather than dwell on the matter, which would only provide Mia an opportunity to tease her further, Lucia addressed her friend.
"Indeed, Mia. While your achievements are undoubtedly exceptional, it seems that Teacher Brian has written your results with great fondness and affection," Lucia remarked, her tone subtly hinting at a playful insinuation.
Her words were intended to convey her thoughts and, perhaps, exact a small measure of revenge. Mia's immediate expression of disgust, as if she were a noblewoman subjected to the comments of a lowly commoner, was precisely the reaction Lucia had hoped for.
To make matters worse, Teacher Brian was notorious for his intense focus on promising students, often going to great lengths to nurture their talents. While this was not necessarily a negative trait, those on the receiving end of his fervour couldn't always decide whether they appreciated it.
The mere recollection of Teacher Brian's intense gaze whenever she performed well sent shivers down Mia's spine. Thankfully, today would hopefully be the last time she would have to endure it.
As the two girls prepared to leave the administration building, their departure was interrupted by a familiar voice calling out their names. Turning their heads, they were met with a sight that nearly twisted their expressions into ones of disgust.
The source of their revulsion stood before them, a young man of their age, dressed in the same scholarly attire as they were. Despite the evident change in their countenances, he paid it no mind and greeted them with a polite bow.
"Lady Mia and Miss Lucia," the youth called out to the two girls with a small bow as a greeting.
"What is it, Albert?" Mia inquired curtly, making her distaste clear. While they were still in public and the young man held a certain level of status, Mia had no intention of masking her displeasure. However, propriety demanded that she maintain a modicum of decorum.
Albert, despite noticing the subtle shift in the girls' expressions, maintained his signature smile as he straightened his posture and spoke.
"Ah, Lady Mia and Miss Lucia, it is a pleasure to see you both on this fine day," Albert began, his composed demeanour unwavering despite the less-than-enthusiastic reception. "I trust you have received your examination results? Allow me to offer my congratulations on your achievements."
Mia crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, her impatience palpable. "Get to the point, Albert. What do you want?"
Albert's smile flickered for a brief moment, but he pressed on with his proposal. "Well, as you are aware, the Baron household has been closely observing the progress of exceptional students such as yourselves. Your skills and potential have not gone unnoticed. I am here today to extend an invitation for both of you to join the prestigious Baron household."
Mia scoffed dismissively. "Join the Baron household? Why would we have any interest in that? My father is a Silver-ranked swordsman, the same rank as yours, Albert. We have our own path to follow and do not require your family's patronage."
Albert's smile wavered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "I understand your reservations, Lady Mia, and I respect your decision. However, joining the Baron household would provide you with unparalleled opportunities, resources, and guidance in your journey as summoners."
Mia remained resolute. "I appreciate the offer, but I am not interested. I will forge my own path without relying on someone else's influence."
While Mia confidently declined the invitation, Lucia couldn't help but feel conflicted. Unlike Mia, she lacked the necessary materials for her summoning ritual, which were crucial for her to awaken her summoning abilities. Joining an organisation or obtaining a loan were her only viable options. The Baron household, despite Albert's questionable nature, could offer her the means to obtain those materials.
Lucia hesitated, her mind filled with uncertainty. The thought of being indebted to the Baron household and Albert's advances made her uncomfortable, but she also recognized the potential benefits it could bring to her summoning journey.
"I... I need some time to consider," Lucia finally spoke up, her voice laden with internal conflict. "But I make no promises, Albert. Mia, I understand your concerns. I will tread cautiously and consider all the consequences before making a decision."
Mia nodded, her expression softening. "I trust you, Lucia. Just remember to prioritise your well-being and trust your instincts. Do not allow anyone to pressure you into something you are not comfortable with."
Albert's smile returned, though tinged with a hint of disappointment. "Of course, Miss Lucia. Take all the time you need to deliberate. The offer will remain open to you."
With that, Albert bid them farewell and departed, leaving Mia and Lucia deep in thought, contemplating the choices that lay before them.
Before she could delve deep into her thoughts, though, Mia grabbed Lucia's hand and made her way from the administration building.
"It's best we leave now before another noble son approaches us or something," Mia stated as she dragged Lucia along to follow her.
Lucia agreed wholeheartedly with her friend's words and allowed herself to be pulled along without any resistance. Unlike Mia, whose father's influential position as a silver-ranked human commanded respect from even viscounts, Lucia's value to the nobles solely depended on whether she joined their ranks.
That was precisely why Lucia placed great importance on her academic performance, far more than Mia did. In a world governed by summoners, it was evident that everyone aspired to become one. However, if it were easy to attain such a status, the significance of being a summoner would diminish.
Becoming a summoner required successfully summoning a spirit from the spirit plane through the summoning ritual. However, the materials necessary for these rituals were exorbitantly expensive, making summoners a privilege mostly enjoyed by the nobility. This disparity hindered many from pursuing their summoning aspirations.
This is why Lucia believed that one way for her to become a summoner was to align herself with an organisation, such as a noble house. Even then, not all nobles would accept just anyone, as there remained a distinction between an elite and an ordinary human.
Thus, Lucia's academic results became crucial. She knew that the academy shouldn't have publicly disclosed the students' results yet. Albert likely approached her due to her friendship with Mia and her impressive past performance as a rank 18 student out of the entire academy in her grade. It was a remarkable achievement considering the hundreds of students in Grade 12 alone.
For young trainees like Lucia, lacking any significant backing, attending an academy within a noble territory and achieving remarkable results became a means to catch the attention of noble households, adventurer teams, or mercenary groups. They preferred investing in individuals with a strong foundation rather than those starting from scratch.
Even the least expensive summoning ritual, which required less unique materials, still demanded a considerable sum. Thus, when nobles sought to invest, they chose the cream of the crop, often high-ranking students like Mia and Lucia herself.
Apart from joining a noble household or waiting for a noble to approach her, Lucia had another option to become a summoner: securing a loan from organisations like the Adventurer Guild, Mercenary Guild, or Merchant Guild. These organisations, too, sought promising individuals to join their ranks. Lucia, with her ability to demonstrate her value, could collect a loan from such an organisation to pursue her summoning aspirations.
If someone received a loan from an organisation to become a summoner, they were granted a specific time frame to repay the loan with a substantial interest. Failure to meet the repayment terms resulted in an agreement where the loan recipient had to work for the granting organisation for an extended period.
Nonetheless, Lucia knew she had ample time to weigh her options and decide how she would become a summoner. Instead of rushing herself or dwelling on her thoughts excessively, Lucia chose to push her worries to the back of her mind and focus on the journey ahead with Mia, who had just led her out of the academy gates.
Mia and Lucia walked out of the academy, stepping into the quaint village nestled within the Barony of Silverstone. The air carried a hint of steam, but it was not as pervasive as in the bustling viscountcy or earldom. Instead of towering steam-powered factories and grand steamships, the village exhibited a more modest implementation of steam technology.
Small chimneys dotted the rooftops of houses, releasing gentle wisps of steam as the village's residents went about their daily tasks. Some homes had simple contraptions powered by steam, such as heating systems and kitchen appliances, while others relied on manual labour and traditional methods.
The streets were lined with charming shops and workshops, each showcasing their own unique steam-powered inventions. A blacksmith's workshop emitted the rhythmic clang of hammers striking metal, assisted by a small steam-powered forge. A nearby bakery relied on a steam-driven oven to create perfectly baked goods, filling the air with the aroma of fresh bread.
While the village lacked the grandeur and scale of bigger territories' steam technology, there was an undeniable charm to its simpler implementation. The villagers took pride in their ingenuity and resourcefulness, finding creative ways to incorporate steam power into their daily lives.
As Mia and Lucia strolled through the village, they exchanged greetings with familiar faces, their presence a familiar sight in the tight-knit community. They passed by a small steam-powered fountain in the village square, where children gathered to play and cool off in the misty spray.
The villagers had adapted steam technology to suit their needs, embracing its potential without overwhelming their serene way of life. They valued tradition and harmony with nature, incorporating steam power in a way that complemented the village's rustic charm.
Mia and Lucia appreciated the delicate balance struck between progress and tradition in their steam-powered village. The soft hiss of steam mingled with the gentle sounds of nature, creating a harmonious symphony that resonated throughout the village.
"Our journey is truly beginning now, Lucia," Mia declared, her gaze fixed upon the darkening sky. Lucia nodded earnestly, fully comprehending the gravity of her friend's words.
"Together, we shall conquer the kingdom," Lucia proclaimed, her voice brimming with unwavering determination. Mia responded with a hearty chuckle, a testament to the bond they shared.