At the large institution known as the Imperial academy, the new students that have been granted admission to the school after passing the tests, both physical and theoretical were seated in the halls. Preparing to listen to the speech that was to be delivered by the vice chancellor and head of the academy, Adam Baldwin.
He was the fourth and current vice chancellor of the imperial academy, having been in this position for almost seven years. His experienced eyes shone with expectation as he inspected the new batch of students.
The Imperial Academy wasn't the only magic academy but it was the best. It taught all fields of magic which was a broad one.
Not all mages were fighters some were researchers diving and making findings that contribute to the improvement of the arcane arts. Some were healers, spending their time to learn and master healing spells, this path was restricted to water and light mages.
There was also the field of potioneering and alchemy. This field could be practiced by all mages regardless of grade. They specialized in creating potions and elixirs that could heal wounds, regenerate mana, poison and other notable factors they could utilize to enhance magic and it's effectiveness.
Another notable field was the one of enchantment and forgery. Mages were able to forge and enchant items, giving the items set effects and abilities. For example, a sword that was able to cut anything from a distance using the mana of the person wielding it or a throwing knife laced with poison effects, even a necklace that possessed healing properties. The downside of this art was that it required high consumption of mana to enchant a weapon and also to control the weapon. It was also expensive varying according to the degree of mana it consumes from the users. The more mana efficient an enchanted item the more expensive it is. This field could also be also be practiced by all mages but was restricted to mid grade and high grade mages.
Nonetheless, this revered institution has long been a beacon for young mages eager to learn and master their arts.
This set had the most number of mages with high grade affinities.The average number of students that possessed high grade affinities for each year out of almost one thousand applicants was less than three with the rest being mid grade.
Presently, there were six students sitting at the front row. Some sat there out of desire, a few sat because they were told to and one, because he was forced to.
These students were none other than Anya, Sarah, Paul, Marcus, Zahad, and Benjamin the only one that had a pouting expression on his face because he wanted to sit at the back.
"Ugh! Why can't they just let me pick where I want to sit? I hate front rows, it's not like I'm watching a play." Benjamin grumbled and complained as he sat.
"..." The rest of them just stared at him in silence, not wanting to call him out for his lack of etiquette.
"I mean, what's so great with looking at a bald man smile and talk about stuff we already know and other stuff we are bound to forget. It makes no sense."
"You don't understand the privilege you enjoy, just being here." Zahad interrupted Benjamin's loud musings with a stern expression, he continued.
"You only know how to whine and complain avoiding every stressful thing and taking it all for granted. "
"So?" Benjamin said, unbothered by Zahad's rant.
"??"
"How is that my problem? I just don't like stuff that's not necessary. This is a waste of time, I would have been at the back sleepi--I mean resting my eyes instead of getting worn out from a long speech."
"But it hasn't started yet." Someone from behind them chimed in.
"Shut up, I'm complaining in advance."
"..."
"Oh, I'm tired, so tired." Benjamin reiterated.
"Then go away." Zahad spoke, agitated by his remarks.
"Don't let me start with you knife boy."
"As if you could."
"You are the weakest here, you know that right?"
"Huh?"
"Oh! There's Sarah but apart from her you are friggin weak."
Sarah's hands trembled, but she didn't respond and calmed herself down.
"You can't stand me!" Zahad stated.
"I don't have to, Anya or Paul is enough, Marcus is overkill."
"You are a coward!"
"And you are the weakest, accept it." Benjamin retorted calmly.
"What makes you think that?" Zahad was seething with rage.
"Your knife."
"My knife, what's wrong with it?"
"Everything, like who in their right minds would bring a mortal knife to a mage fight?"
"It's sharp enough."
"No it's not."
"Well it cut Paul."
"Hmm, Paul's a bit stupid, a basic fortification spell would have sufficed so I'd say you got away with it."
After Benjamin spoke the rest of them turned to Paul in realization.
"Well then, I challenge you. After the orientation let's have a b---"
"I refuse." Benjamin interrupted Zahad's declaration.
"And you call yourself strong, you can't even accept a match against someone as 'weak' as me." Zahad said, trying to goad Benjamin into accepting the match.
"I didn't say you were weak."
"Huh?" Zahad was puzzled.
"I said that among us, you are the weakest. Please try to listen better next time."
"Zahad stop, talking to him will only get you pissed off more. And Benjamin, you should cut it out. There's a time a time and place for these things. Now is not the time and here is not the place." Marcus shut down the argument before it could get any more heated.
They both listened to him, Zahad no longer spoke and kept quiet. While Benjamin just yawned and stretched his body a bit. Eliciting stares from other students as their perceptions of every high noble was that they were all dignified and acted with in accordance with proper etiquette.
The vice chancellor, Adam Baldwin as one would expect gave a long speech about the history of the imperial academy, what their aims should be. Why they should strive to do better for the sake of the kingdom and if not for the kingdom, then for themselves and their families.
Benjamin slept all through the speech, with his back against his in a relaxed position and a palm on his face. He drifted off, carefree of the consequences of being caught.
"You name and your assigned classes have been placed on the notice board. And all lectures will commence from tomorrow, so make sure to locate your classes and note the lectures you will be attending before that time." The vice chancellor informed them and concluded his speech before leaving the platform.
An applause resounded, waking Benjamin up in the process.
"Uh, is it over?" He asked.
"No it just started." Zahad replied with sarcasm.
"Wow! You know sarcasm." Benjamin exclaimed in surprise.
"..." Zahad gave him a blank look.
"I thought you were just an emo kid with a knife, but you have a funny side too."
Marcus shook his head, Benjamin was doing it again. Even when he didn't want to annoy people he unintentionally did.
"Let's go check for our classes." Anya said, standing up. The rest of them followed, Benjamin was slightly confused because he didn't listen to a word the vice chancellor said but he followed them.