Two weeks passed, and during that time, Baxtor had his people diligently gather all the information they could on the Baron 'Marsden' family. This involved sifting through old records, interviewing local townsfolk, and piecing together connections that had long been buried in the shadows of history. Meanwhile, Cassandra was immersed in her studies, still taking her lessons with unwavering dedication. She was currently engaged in one particularly important lesson, her mind focused amidst the swirling thoughts of magic.
"Now, today we have permission to use actual magic!" Professor Fayeth exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she pointed her teaching wand toward the small princess. However, in stark contrast to the professor's enthusiasm, Cassandra remained composed, her face a mask of concentration. She almost always kept her emotions under tight control.
Since the incident in her first lesson, where the measuring tool had exploded in a spectacular display of chaos, the emperor had taken a firm stance. He instructed that Cassandra would not be allowed to use any forms of magic until she had thoroughly navigated all the theory and safety books, completing rigorous tests to meet the standards of at least a Fourth Class Mage. This policy was not merely precautionary; it was a reflection of the gravity of her potential and the responsibilities that lay ahead of her.
Mages have ten distinct classes within their hierarchy, each reflecting a different level of power and mastery in the arcane arts. However, the only beings known to have ascended to the elusive Tenth Class are the dragons, majestic creatures of immense magical prowess and ancient wisdom. The Eighth Class seems to be the limit for all other races, and even achieving the status of an Eighth Class mage is a formidable challenge that very few can overcome. Those who do manage to reach this pinnacle of magical ability are referred to as Archmages. Throughout history, there have only been ten individuals who have held the title of Archmage, each leaving behind a legacy of extraordinary feats and profound wisdom.
This historical context sparked a memory in Cassandra, reminding her of the enigmatic dreams she had been experiencing. In these vivid visions, an Archmage would appear, ready to collaborate with Tyrla, forming a dynamic partnership that would make them the eleventh Archmage in the annals of history. What intrigued her even more was that this mysterious figure went solely by the name Raven. Their visage remained shrouded, always obscured by a veil or hood that concealed most of their face. They communicated exclusively through whispering into someone's ear and they would deliver their words to the others. This left Cassandra perplexed and unable to recall their gender or race.
"So, we'll start with testing out the elements." The professor announced, her voice filled with enthusiasm. With a graceful flick of her wrist, she lifted her wand, and a spark of vibrant flame danced above the tip, illuminating the room with a warm glow. "Now, name all the elements."
Cassandra, leaning back in her chair. "The most common elements are fire, earth, water, and air," she replied, her tone bordering on nonchalant. "Then there are rare elements: plants, lightning, and ice. Finally, we have light and darkness, although no one has been able to harness them." Her voice dripped with a hint of boredom, as is she has recited this information countless times before.
"That's right." Professor Fayeth confirmed, her expression serious. "Unlike the other elements, light and darkness, for some inexplicable reason, cannot be learned or wielded by practitioners."
The professor continued, sharing a bit of history. "The only reason they are classified as forms of magic is due to the existence of users during the founding of the Empire, at the time when Dragonoirs first came into being. There was a time when light and darkness were prevalent, but it seems these two elements disappeared afterward, leaving no trace behind."
The princess rolled her eyes, having heard all of this before. She had read the same information in countless books, each one simply rephrasing the last in a myriad of ways that added little to her understanding. It was beginning to feel like a tedious cycle of repetition, one that she was all too familiar with.
"The first spell you'll use is one that will show us the element that you are affinity with." the professor announced with a hint of enthusiasm, as she began to draw an intricate glyph on the blackboard. Her movements were fluid and confident, the chalk gliding smoothly across the surface, leaving behind a pattern that seemed to pulse with potential.
"As you know, everyone in this world can only use elements, whether it's through magic, divinity, spirit, or aura. However, there is always one primary element that resonates with your very essence." Fayeth, the professor, lifted her wand with a flourish, and as she channeled her magic, the air around her seemed to shimmer with energy. "For me, earth is my affiliated element." As she spoke, rich, brown matter began to materialize, swirling gracefully into a small rock that formed beautifully above the tip of her wand. With a gentle flick, it fell onto the desk in front of Cassandra.
"Elements such as earth, air, and plants are very common for elves." Fayeth continued, her voice steady and clear. When it comes to one's affinity, race and family play a significant role in determining what element one can wield effectively.
Elven descendants often find their affinities rooted in earth, air, or plant-based elements, as the professor had mentioned. Beastmen, on the other hand, have a natural inclination towards earth, fire, or lightning. The Fae possess the ability to harness water, air, earth, or plants, while Merfolk typically draw their power from water, air, or ice. Humans, the most versatile among the races, are frequently born with affinities for fire, water, air, or earth. Interestingly, the only race that seems to possess the unique potential to be born with any of the elements is the enigmatic ones, with light and darkness being the solitary exception across all races.
Of course, these are just the guild lines for most races and there are always exceptions to the rules.
"The spell I just used is the very first spell that all young mages learn." Professor Fayeth announced with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling as she turned towards the blackboard. She pointed her wand at the intricate symbols that adorned its surface. "Now, it's time for you to try your hand at your very first spell."
Cassandra glanced at the board, her eyes tracing the glowing glyphs that seemed to dance in her vision. With a determined expression, she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to center herself. Lifting her hand so that her palm faced upwards, she conjured the image of the glyph in her mind, focusing intently until it began to radiate a soft purple light.
Professor Fayeth's eyes widened in disbelief as she observed a dark, swirling substance beginning to flow from Cassandra's palm. The sight was both mesmerizing and alarming.
"No way... is that...?" The professor's incredulous tone filled the air, prompting Cassandra to open her eyes, curiosity piqued by the astonishment etched on the elven woman's face.
"Is this... darkness?" Cassandra wondered aloud, her heart racing. The black substance above her palm floated with an otherworldly grace, and she felt a strange connection to it.
As she stared at the dark energy, her brow furrowed in thought. It struck her that throughout her dreams, she had never witnessed anyone wielding the power of light or darkness. Regardless of the context—be it magic spells, spirit conjurations, aura manipulation, or even divine blessings—no one had ever demonstrated the ability to control these fundamental forces.
Yet, here she was, seemingly capable of harnessing the essence of darkness alongside all forms of energy. This revelation left her grappling with a multitude of questions. however, the main was why could she use the power of darkness when no one has ever been able to?