Chapter 20 - Proclamation

XYRUS ACADEMY WAS HAILED as the most exalted sanctuary for any of the

would-be mages privileged enough to have both the background and talent to

enter. There were several other academies scattered throughout the kingdom

of Sapin, but the gap between those second-rate schools and Xyrus was insurmountable.

Xyrus Academy was a titan. Those who graduated from this academy were

guaranteed a prosperous future and life. It was rumored that the top graduates

could even become respected guards, instructors, or military leaders for the

king himself. Of course, some chose the humbler route and focused on

research, joining one of the mage guilds. However, it wasn't an exaggeration

to say that students of Xyrus Academy were hailed as the true elites, even

among nobles.

Now, here I was, standing in front of the academy's director. Normally, any

eight-year-old—hell, anyone—would be ecstatic to be in the presence of

someone so influential, but I couldn't hold back my expression of annoyance

at the unexpected guest.

She was a very tall woman, and she held herself in an upright, poised manner

that made her seem even taller. She wore a simple yet elegant robe of navy

blue, laced with gold threading, and a pointed conjurer's hat—an accessory

that amplified the absorption rate of the surrounding mana and, at times,

provided additional benefits. Strapped to the side of her robe was a crystalline white wand with a fluorescent gem attached. Even my ignorant eyes could

see that this wand was extremely valuable. Her aura lent her a fey quality; her

facial features were very soft, reminding me more of a friendly grandmother

next door than an all-important figure of power. The crow's feet etched on

the outer corners of her brown eyes only served to amplify the attractiveness

of her smile when she introduced herself.

She stood there, hand extended, waiting for my response.

What was I supposed to do in this situation? Was I supposed to shake her

hand, or would someone of her rank expect me to kiss it?

I took the safe route and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you too, Director."

The director seemed taken aback.

"Arthur! You're being rude. I'm so sorry for my son, Director Goodsky. He

has just returned home and hasn't learned about formal customs." My mother

pushed my head down with her hand, lowered herself to one knee, and bowed

as she shook the director's hand. I mimicked her actions, which appeared to

be the customary greeting for someone of high standing.

How stupid.

"No, it is quite all right." The director gave a polite laugh, covering her

mouth with her free hand. "No offense taken at all. And please, Arthur, call

me Cynthia. I'm sorry to intrude on you at such a late hour," she explained,

looking at my parents, "but unfortunately, the only free time I could find was

after my meeting tonight. I hope you don't mind."

"No, no, of course not—we're thankful that you'd be willing to take the time

to visit our son." My father was the one to speak this time.

Given the formality the adults were displaying, I was beginning to wonder if

this granny was someone like Grandpa Virion.

The director—Cynthia—nodded at this. "True. It isn't often that I make a

home visit for a potential student.

Even if I had a hundred bodies, I wouldn't

be able to find the time. However," she continued, "Vincent is a good friend

and has contributed greatly to Xyrus Academy. So when he told me about aprodigy living in his home, I became excited as well. I must say that my

curiosity got the best of me. Do you mind leading me to an open space so I

can see a demonstration?" Her gaze was fixed on me, assessing me as she

spoke.

"Can I at least eat din—ow!" My mother had slapped me in the butt before I

could finish my sentence.

"Of course! Please follow us, Director Cynthia." My mother ushered me to

the patio, leading Director Cynthia, and the others followed behind us.

My dinner…

Sylvie, who had been hiding from the unfamiliar human underneath the

dinner table, trotted behind me.

Director Cynthia raised an eyebrow when she

spotted her.

"Oh my… What a lovely mana beast. I assume it is your contracted beast,

Arthur?" she asked inquisitively, kneeling down to get a closer view of

Sylvie.

"Yeah, she hatched a few months ago. Her name is Sylvie," I responded

simply. My mother's hand still gripped the back of my shirt to keep me from escaping.

"I must say, it is common for nobles to buy beasts to contract, but I have

never seen a mana beast like yours."

Shrugging my shoulders, I said, "I'm not exactly sure what she is either. Her

mother was some sort of scaly wolf-like creature. She was already gravely

wounded when I stumbled into her nest. She was protecting her egg."

She stretched out a hand, but Sylvie scampered away and climbed on top of

my head before Cynthia could pet her.

"Sorry, she's a bit shy around strangers."

"I see. Well, enough about her. Let us see if Vincent wasn't just

exaggerating. He didn't tell me much except that you're an augmenter, saying

the rest would be a surprise." She gave a wry smile, making Vincent blush.

In the backyard everyone took their seats, leaving us plenty of space. Sylvie struggled to escape the grasp of my little sister, to whom I had entrusted her.

"You're not going to use your wand?" I asked as I started stretching.

"It wouldn't be fair of me to use a weapon when you yourself are empty-

handed, would it?"

She had a point.

I stomped my right foot into the ground, raising a stone the size of my body. I

stood nonchalantly, both hands in my pockets, and kicked the rock in

Director Cynthia's direction.

A wind wall appeared instantly in front of her, knocking the boulder high into

the air.

I let out a sharp whistle, impressed by the speed of her casting. The fact that

she didn't have to rely on verbal aid to manifest such a spell showed her level

as a mage. She clearly wasn't the type of director who just sat in front of her

desk, signing papers.

Her brows were raised in surprise at the sudden attack I had thrown at her,

but she maintained her composure. Still, I could tell she hadn't been

expecting an elemental attack from me, especially since she knew I was an

augmenter.

I willed a gust of wind underneath my feet and propelled myself to her.

Her expression grew even more surprised when I easily jumped ten feet into

the air, with the help of my wind attribute skill, as a swirling whirlwind

enveloped my right fist. I pushed off the deflected boulder just as it began to

fall back to the ground, hoping to gain enough momentum to break through

her barrier.

Our spells collided, creating an erratic wind current and forcing our audience

to shield their faces.

The collision blew me back, but Director Cynthia remained steady on her

feet. Before I could regain my composure, the director had already made her

next move; gusts of wind swirled around her, shaping themselves into four

twisters, each the size of a small tree. With no visible command from her, thetwisters shot toward me.

Gathering wind-attribute mana, I willed a small tornado to form around me,

spinning in the opposite direction of Director Goodsky's spell. Using the

centrifugal force generated by my cyclone, I began spinning along with it,

creating blades of wind with my hands.

The clash between the four twisters and my cyclone created a small crater,

but otherwise didn't do me any harm.

"Impressive. Vincent, it seems, did not exaggerate."

Instantly I was knocked back, my ears ringing and my vision unsteady. She

was a deviant—a sound mage at that.

I steadied myself, glancing at my opponent, who stared back at me with a

mildly impressed expression.

My head began spinning, trying to think of different possible moves I could

use to win, but seeing the raging sphere of wind gathering around her hand, I

knew she had me in a checkmate. Suppressing my pride and stubbornness, I

took a seat on the ground, admitting defeat.

"That should be enough for a demonstration, right, Director?" I rubbed my

temples.

"Yes," she murmured, "that is quite sufficient." There was a long pause as

she studied me with newfound interest.

She seemed to come to a decision, and was making her way toward me when

I heard my father's voice.

"Arthur, you can use earth and wind attribute spells too?"

"What do you mean, 'too'?" Director Cynthia interrupted, her composed look

giving way to one of confusion.

My mother continued for my baffled father. "He—our son—we thought he

was a fire elemental. He's a deviant as well—he can use lightning magic."

I could hear Director Cynthia's breath catch, and for the first time, her

expression was one of someone truly in shock.

"Surely you jest. You mean to say he is capable of controlling three elements?"

"Four, actually. I can control all four," I cut in. Everyone was going to find

out anyway. This wasn't something that I could hide—nor did I want to.

"Earth and wind are my weakest elements. I'm a lot more adept at controlling

fire and water. I also happen to be deviant in both of those elements, but I've

just begun training in them."

No one responded to my announcement; the only sound was the clichéd chirp

of crickets. It was understandable that they'd be this surprised, but I was

getting tired of all the shocked expressions.

I got to my feet, shaking off the dizziness from her previous attack. I hadn't

been expecting a sound-user so I hadn't bothered enhancing my ears.

Thankfully, the spell seemed to have targeted only me, but the director was

quite cruel, I thought. If I hadn't already gone through assimilation, my

hearing could have been badly damaged.

Now this noble figure, the woman who controlled the most prominent school

on the continent, stumbled forward, barely making it to a chair. Then,

unexpectedly, she began laughing. It started out as a low chuckle, but soon

escalated into a wild laugh of what sounded to me like sheer joy.

Finally, turning back to me as she composed herself, she said, "Arthur, at the

risk of repeating you—you are a quadra-elemental, capable of controlling two

higher elements. Is that correct?"

I'm also a dragon tamer, but that's about it, I thought, and wondered how

they would react if I told them that. But I resisted the temptation. "Correct," I

answered, not bothering to elaborate.

"Please demonstrate." Director Cynthia's eyes grew menacing and the once

friendly-looking grandmother now had the air of a veteran killer as she raised

her hand, the mana around her fluctuating.

A vacuum of wind began sucking me toward her, and a visible sphere of

wind formed in her other palm.

This woman…

I willed water into my right palm and a condensed ball of fire in my left. She

wants to see so badly; I'll just have to show her.

Combining the opposing magics, I created a massive cloud of steam,

completely enshrouding the two of us from everyone else's sight.

The cloud of steam didn't last long against her, but it did give me enough

time to create a spear of ice. I threw the spear just as the steam dissipated,

then quickly repositioned myself. As I expected, the director easily blocked

my ice spear just as I came in range to strike, my fist encased in lightning.

But before I could, I was blown away once more by a powerful sound wave.

Fortunately, I had reinforced mana over my ears, but there was no way for

me to get near her.

"Whew! I must say, I am thoroughly convinced! You pass, Arthur Leywin."

She clapped her hands, the sharp sound of which was dulled as it washed up

against my protected ears.

Getting back up, I dusted myself off. This demonstration had left me with

mixed feelings. On the one hand, I was frustrated that there were combatants

I couldn't even touch, let alone defeat. However, for the first time, I began

seriously considering the potential value of learning at Xyrus. If I could have

a professor whose strength was even close to Director Goodsky's level, my

magic would grow by leaps and bounds.

"I'm sorry for hiding this from you," I said, turning to my parents. I was a bit

worried that they might be angry with me for keeping this from them, but

fortunately, my father took it pretty well.

"My son is the first ever quadra-elemental!" He scooped me up by the

armpits and swung me around like he had done when I was an infant.

Traumatic memories began popping up.

"Please, Art, no more secrets," my mother said with a wry smile, concern still

etched on her face.

I couldn't promise her that. I tried to convince myself it was for her

protection, not for my convenience."Forget a quadra-elemental—on this continent, there aren't even any tri-

elementals other than you, Art," Tabitha chimed in, her voice trailing off into

a sigh.

"Is my brother strong?" my sister chimed in, still clutching Sylvie.

Patting her on the head, the director nodded. "Your brother has the ability to

become very strong indeed, little one."

Ellie giggled, a proud look on her face, as if she were the one being

complimented.

Vincent's face was a picture of disbelief. He was still processing everything.

Lilia waved her hand in front of his face, making sure her father was all right

before shooting a quick glance in my direction. Her face bore a mixture of astonishment and a little fear.

I didn't blame her.

When my father set me down I turned to Director Cynthia, giving her a stern

gaze, a gaze that I knew didn't belong on an eight-year-old's face.

"Director Goodsky, there's a reason I didn't hide my capabilities today."

Picking up on the seriousness in my voice, she nodded in understanding. "I

had a hunch you weren't just brazenly showing off, Arthur. You seem too

sharp for that."

I nodded in agreement and continued. "There are only a few benefits I can

reap from attending your school. One is learning how to utilize my lightning

and ice elements. However, that is something I can learn on my own in due

time. The main reason I would attend your academy, if I choose to do so at

all, is for protection. Right now, I'm not strong enough to protect everyone.

However, you hold a position of power and influence that can provide safety

for my family and me, at least until I develop the strength to protect them

myself."

"Arthur! You're being rude to Director Goodsky! How can you—"

"No, it's fine, Alice." The director mumbled a soft chant before speaking

again. "Arthur, I believe you hold the ability to make incredible changes inthis world. For that reason, if you're willing to attend Xyrus Academy,

become a rightful citizen, and pledge to protect this land, then I will abide by

any criteria you set."

Director Goodsky's voice was clear and determined, but I noticed confused

looks on the faces all around us, and although I could see my parents' mouths

moving, I couldn't hear their voices. I could only assume that Director

Goodsky had created a bubble of silence around us.

Turning back to her, I met her gaze solemnly. "Very well. I will study what I

feel is valuable from the classes your school offers and will train my own

powers. As long as you give me the tools and freedom to do so, and keep my

loved ones safe, I will consider you an important benefactor," I promised.

Director Goodsky's lips curved up into a smile, and we shook hands. I was

suddenly able to hear everyone else's voices again. When I looked at the

director, she gave me a wink.

Clarifying for the others, I said loudly, "I will abide by our agreement—when

I enroll in your academy."

"Oh? Were you not planning on enrolling anytime soon?" The director had a

puzzled look on her face, as did the other adults.

"I don't plan to enroll in Xyrus Academy until I reach the age at which

normal students attend. I've decided to enter your academy on my twelfth

birthday—a very average age for one to begin. I assume that will not be a

problem?" I tilted my head.

"Goodness! That's a little more than three years. Arthur, what do you plan to

do in the meantime?"

I had figured Director Goodsky wouldn't be accepting of my desire to

postpone my education for so long.

I turned to face my parents again, since it would be up to them to allow me or

not.

I looked up at the night sky, at the stars shining brightly. It was so unlike my

old world. The lack of bright lights here made the star-glittered night truly beautiful. Turning my gaze back to my family, I answered.

"I'd like to become an adventurer."