#Marcus Laurier#
"You were evicted for the crime of stealing an artifact from a merchant whose name stays unrevealed for you." The officer eyed me suspiciously. As if he couldn't believe the official papers he read, "A former line of knights huh?"
I sat in a chair enclosed in an iron-clad room. The officer looked more like a knight on compulsory duty.
"From here on, you are free." He declared whilst unlocking the magic-reinforced handcuffs through a spell. "You will be put under academic care. Meanwhile, we will send you to an orphanage as temporary accommodation until you are accepted into a school."
I sat in the chair silently. What was the point? My mother was still not here.
After a while, the officer took me to a building. Probably 3 times as big as a normal house. The officer told me to wait outside and later came out with a lady in her mid-twenties dressed in black and white, wearing an eye-catching necklace that symbolized across.
A church. Huh.
"Don't get into trouble kid," the guard reminded me, "stay safe."
He waved to the lady and she ushered me inside.
I later learned her name was Christina. She was a nun that served the church. As well as being 1 one of 4 who worked and cared for the church and its residents. She always wore the same clothing that matched her golden hair. The kids who lived in the church were all energetic. Each with its own personality.
"Marcus," one of the orphanage kids called me, "why are you so sad?" I look back at the kid, "Being happy is important." He leaves and continues playing in the playground. Advice so superficial, naive. But there was only truth behind those words, not a hint of lie. To be happy... What would mother say?
"Cheer up son," I spoke to myself, "I only want you to be happy..."
From that day, I tried my best to get over it. During that time, I decided that I would learn how to wield a sword. There was one problem: I was too weak to lift even a wooden sword that the Church had in their century-old storeroom.
I honed my body day and night, without breaks. I trained so much that Aunt Anna had to drag me to dinner every night.
I also got to know the other 3 nuns that run the place. Aunt Anna is mostly responsible for cleaning and cooking, her cooking is the best. Aunt Fina helps us out in our studies. Usually, when I see her, I ask questions that I'm stuck on and she answers them easily with an explanation. The last one is Aunt Kassia. The scariest one out of all. Our detention teacher, but also the one responsible for making us, well, responsible people. But I don't blame her because most of us are a hopeless bunch.
My life at the church was short. I met some amazing people and I had the opportunity to learn about my magic. Aunt Fina, who was a former mage, recognised that I had some aptitude towards magic arts. She ended up teaching me some basic magic.
Life at the church was fun and unending. There were laughs and smiles every day, and we had our fair share of grief and sorrow. It all went by another year. I was 15 now, and it was time for my first entrance exam.
Schools were important because the information they teach and provide can't be found in libraries or books and is sourced directly from experts. The school was also a place to make valuable connections, and also a good way to secure an occupation.
"Marcus," Aunt Christina came and kneeled down to my eye level, "You may not remember your last name but since you're already part of our family, from now on, you will be called Marcus Laurier."
A last name…
"Thank you aunt Christina!" I walk to the path.
"Good luck Marcus!" the nuns and the kids waved me goodbye on the doorstep of the church in the morning. I waved back, walking through the fog for my 3-day journey.
⁜⁜⁜
The forest was vast, dark, and quiet. There was the occasional hoot and the rustle of leaves that I couldn't bother whether it was an animal or not. At the time of daybreak, I stayed on the main road which merchants use, which was safe because of magical fencing. However, in the evening when the sky was devoid of sunlight, I would stray from the path to avoid human encounters. Bandits, rogues, outlaws you call them. There is no such place that is safe from harm. Every night I would traverse until about 10 pm and rest there with a tent and a blanket gifted from the church to snuggle with. Luckily, I could say warm with my magic, away from the cold of the night.
On the second day of my journey, I encountered a ragtag group of thieves that wore knives around their waists like professional assassins minus the cape and the mask.
I would laugh at them but I couldn't since I wasn't strong enough to boast about strength. Heh, Wannabes.
On my third day, I had a fateful encounter with a Mastodon. A creature that resembled that of a wolf but exponentially stronger in terms of physical abilities. In a book I read, they could travel at most a quarter the speed of sound. But they are primitive in their intelligence and seem hostile only towards those to trespass on their territory. How they mark it is a question that remains unknown, since they use whatever is at hand.
I was walking quietly until I noticed seams of ores lined up under a small trench that was made by some animal. I collected it on impulse and found out later that it was a territorial mark. 10 minutes after picking the ores up, a Mastodon came charging at me. I realized soon that the trail of footsteps were paws traveling at high velocity towards me. Shortly after, I encountered the city gate patrolled by two flashy-looking knights. Noticing a certain Mastodon catching up, the guards swiftly took care of it. A slash and a kick were all it took to kill a beast. I thanked them and quickly paid the entry fee with the remaining savings I had and entered the city. Argos. Making sure that the time of arrival would be approximately an hour before the exam starts.
Into the city twice as big as Luxom, Argos was the city of knowledge. A foundation of many up-and-coming experts and celebrities. Towers shot high up in the sky, each with a flag-waving atop, piercing the sky. There was the school, praised as the most prestigious and famous on the whole continent. Noble families converge there to learn. The library covers a quarter of Argos. Its landmark is famous for withholding countless amounts of information. Your go-to dictionary.
I went ahead to Argos' commercial district and sold the guilty-free ores I took from the mastodon. Poor guy, your sacrifice wasn't in vain. The shop owner eyed me conspicuously. Ah, the other problem.
My clothes. I looked like a poor beggar or a homeless thief, which wasn't so far off from the truth. I needed to look better. Going to the most prestigious school on the continent with ripped and dirtied clothing won't help me to gain a reputation.
Right after, I went shopping and not long after, went to the hairdresser for a quick cut, coming out looking like a proper man, or student.
I was tired from my traveling and I only had about 6 hours of sleep last night. I panicked. Has everything I've learned been enough? I began to lose hope and confidence as I reached the front gate of the school.
Calm down, I've come so far. I thought. It's time to see the fruit of your efforts.
There were many people, probably as scared as I was. SoNome were drooped and some were closing their eyes. There were confident ones too and there were ones who didn't care.
Bam!
"Watch where you're going. Kid", I looked up to see 3 kids sniggering, "Oh sorry, I didn't mean to step on you Commoner, you'll have to watch out next time".
I brushed my shoulder and resumed walking to the examination classroom with eyes staring at me. Why me? I pondered as I lined up and waited for what seemed an eternity.
"Yulis Heath," the lady holding the translucent globe announced and wrote with swiftness. She handed out a slip to the examinee who walked out the line for his practical examination.
The exam consisted of a Theory and a Practical exam. Both of which are equally important. Knowing the theory but lacking in skills will make you essentially useless. While have skill but not knowing theory stagnates your skill ceiling.
I've been studying for this exam for a year while others may have done so earlier. It doesn't help for me to be in prison for a year.
"Marcus Laurier," She handed me the slip with my name on the top left and full of symbols that I did not understand.
"Clara Aether of house Aether"
I turned around to see a girl about a few centimetres shorter than me. Wearing posh clothes that seemed to fit a noble. Her blonde hair was as bright as the sun, reflecting the glorious rays of light. Her expression brings no emotion but rather a dignity that makes the others around respect her. The Child of Light was what she was called. I had heard briefly but to meet in person was quite... intimidating.
I turned around dazed from light and headed towards the practical examination room. Students were lined up against targets. They had wristbands that had some magical application and flying stones were floating and recording their each and every move. Some who opted for close-quarters combat possessed weapons like swords and knives while others chose long-ranged weapons enhanced with magic such as bows. There were a few mages but magic hadn't interested me as much as swordplay. Although dull, there were many intricacies that magic could not provide. It's the epitome of 'wisdom under pressure'. The mage's job rarely has a confrontation whereas a knight's job is to take the front. To me, that kind of role appeals to me.
I decided to go for the magic examination, as I wasn't well versed in swordplay while I had learnt some magic.
Just as I was observing another examinee, I heard a loud bang. Turning my attention towards the commotion, I saw a glimpse of a green hue left by the smouldering hole made by a certain examinee.
I was intimidated and nervous. Someone like that made a huge hole, but the most I could do was make it cool a little, lest hold a sword and spar like the others.
However, the examinee's face was just as surprised as if he wasn't the one who intended to create this laser. The bands that were given to him popped off, emanating steam as the magical rune shattered.
"Marcus Laurier". The moment I've been waiting for. I hoped my hunch about the wristbands was right.
I had the feeling of déjà vu when I was cuffed and sent to prison.
Instinctively, I pulled back from the wristbands but shortly gave in. These wristbands, unlike my prison cuffs, sent a surge of energy I felt similarly to back then.
I wish I could tell my mother, all the thing that has happened…
"Laurier please hurry up."
Right, the best I could do is try my hardest. Mother if you're watching me right now, I'll make you proud. And proud I did make her. Because when I started chanting, the wristbands surged energy through me to my palms. I looked at my target and I chanting the only spell I knew.
To my astonishment, it shot out my hands, but not as fast as I thought it would. The instant I opened my eyes after the chant, I saw the mana bullet writhe and crawl towards its target. It hits and the target explodes.
Keep going, there's one more. But my mind thought different. A surging pain striking me through my head. Is that all the mana I have?
"Marcus Laurier, pass," the examiner announced, staring in peculiarity.
The cuffs once again clipped themselves off, letting steam out. They led me outside the room to recover.
Inside the room, some people were crying, smiling, or nervous.
I, for one, knew the outcome already.
⁜⁜⁜
#Clara Aether#
Every night, I would seclude myself. With the manual that father gave me, I was able to learn the path of a sword. Violent as it may be, but under a peaceful circumstance, it played more like a dance than anything. The whole body moves in harmony, not one action conflicting another. They all accentuate their strengths and cover for their weaknesses.
To me, learning swordsmanship was a path to freedom. However, it was the first time I had hit an obstacle.
My magic had not progressed much.
I see the sketches in the manual and each different person had an illustration of a strange aura around their whole body, able to pinpoint and concentrate on different areas of the body to reduce impact and increase power.
But there was no manual on it. I had searched our library to no avail, and asking father would only make him curious. Should I trust him? I couldn't bring myself to say so.
I recall the moment. He said that he didn't want me to live that kind of life.
Father would never say that.
He had been cold to me this whole time and if there's one thing that I've learnt, it's that there are no happy endings. Even if father guarantees it. I'm sure he's hiding something.
It's been two years since that day and I wanted to escape before my fate was sealed. Had I stood out less, maybe the crown prince wouldn't have taken notice.
Because today is the day of my entrance exam.
For Zenith Academy, the most prestigious school on the continent. A chance to prove my worth, my own strength. Make new allies and if not, make enemies along the way.
"Lady Clara, I will be here to pick you up in 4 hours."
"Thank you, Amelia, you may go now."
The carriage disappeared into the city. After the exam, I would have a dorm to sleep in, away from all the formalities.
"It's the child of Light! What's she doing here?" people whispered. They distanced themselves from me as if I was some celestial being. At this rate, I won't have any friends. Everybody will be too busy gossiping and spreading rumours about me.
"Watch where you're going. Kid. Oh sorry, I didn't mean to step on you Commoner, you'll have to watch out next time". A boy from house Cyrus and his other two typical goons. I've met them at a banquet once. They were quick to greet me and as expected.
I watched as the commoner quickly got up, and moved like a shadow, unfazed after the three boys left. Peculiar. Most people would be grovelling for forgiveness if they knew what house they were from. Either he's ignorant or he's living under a rock.
He seemed bold. By the fact that he was unfazed by the insult just then or he didn't care about a fickle thing such as status.
I ignored him and moved on to get my ticket.
"Marcus Laurier."
Marcus, I'll keep that in mind.
"Clara Aether."
The examiner handed me my pass and I headed to the practical examination room.
Then our eyes met.
It was awkward. He was staring at me not with affection or admiration, but with mild curiosity which nobody else had done so before. He wasn't looking at me like some experimentation lab rat, but rather intrigued about who I was. He probably heard 'Child of Light'
Black hair and eyes radiated a deep purple haze. I found myself gazing into his eyes, and they looked back at me. I could see pain, sorrow, and rejection. It wasn't something as fragile as light could fix. He was like me.
I snapped out of it.
The hell Clara? He's just a guy.
He, too, turned away and continued to walk to the same destination.
I arrived, and the room was colossal. There were many students, like so with examiners. I could feel the magical bursts of mana erupting, an abnormal amount. There was fire, water, ice, wind, many others which I didn't have the luxury to study. I was preoccupied with sword-arts anyways.
There were the martial artists. They held weapons, or some simply didn't need to and used their fists in a mock fight between an examiner. I chose to spar for my exam, as I still wasn't sure about the destructiveness of my magic.
I gripped my rapier tightly. The result of my years of effort will be tested today. How far have I grown in relation to others my age?
"Next! Clara Aether."
The male examiner greets me and we start the spar at a training ground. We both bow and we ready our stances. I go in for the first hit and I swipe from my left hip to his head. He blocks with ease as his sword was more sturdy. This head-on confrontation is meaningless. I thought.
I double back and rethink my strategy. The examiner was confident and stable, but the mass of his sword holds him back from making quick counterattacks.
I circle around him and he glares at me, waiting for my next move.
I rush in again for a second bout, my rapier meeting his longsword. My blade bounces off like hitting a wall, but almost immediately I slash again at the same spot, not giving him time to think or reposition. I continue to strike and focus his attention on his sword. Upon a decisive moment, I aim for his neck and he dodges just in time, swiping my rapier away from his vitals.
"Good movements," he compliments. He leans his body forward.
His stamina was insane. not a single part of his body shows exhaustion. I need to end this quickly if I want any chance of winning.
This time he runs toward me and he holds his sword high, leaving a large gap in front. A common trap that I won't fall for. Any normal newbie would rush in for the opening, but if one were to go for his chest: his sword - superior in length, would come down and hit the attacker before they could reach him.
I'll wait for him to swing.
The examiner, who realised I noticed his trap, goes back to his guarding stance. Then he starts drawing an aura.
Wait, an Aura already?
He dashes close to me and clashes with my sword. My hands felt like giving up as he continued his constant barrage of attacks. Barely blocking each hit with the little strength I had. The sword skill that I learnt from the Aether manual. What was it? If a person in front of you constantly aiming for your sword to drain your stamina.
Use the first form.
I recall the moments of training and studying. Move the left leg forward to surprise the opponent by countering their momentum, step in and get close. Chant the name, and the light will complete the rest!
Aether Style, Halo Strike!
My sword draws a blazing light and it envelopes my sword. The light makes a circle and it ends up in the centre. So this is what the manual was talking about. I follow the path with my sword and I thrust forward with all my strength, a bright light in the shape of a cone follows after it sends the examiner flying a few metres away. My muscles go weak and I sit down. The examiner, who was surprised, got back up. His armour shattered to pieces, and his sword crumbled.
"Spectacular work Clara!" He says as he helps me up with his hand, "A truly wonderful display of sword arts." He pats me on the back and sends me towards the examinee room.
Did I pass?
⁜⁜⁜