The bus rattled and bounced as it made its way through the streets of Guestinore, citizens lining either side of the street to wave their future lords goodbye. It was a tradition for the carriages to signify a day off of work, and was often called Academy Day.
This day varied depending on the town and the carriage's arrival time each year, sometimes being over a week earlier or later if there were severe transportation issues.
As they rode along the cobbled stones women waved gold and white cloth, the colors of House Guestino, while the men performed the military salute, a fist held over the heart.
The noble twins did their best to smile and wave politely at everyone they could, sparing some more intimate gestures for those they knew best.
Mr. Dan was chief among them, standing at the top of the staircase of the museum, his long hair whipping his face in the wind. He was waving energetically for his age, screaming at them about historical lessons to remember.
Roger, meanwhile, was positively glowing. He smiled at every single person they passed and pointed at everyone he had robbed with a wink.
He almost never stopped winking at people.
A thud on the top of their carriage was followed by loud cheers and applause from the gathered masses and Roger rolled his eyes.
"That show-off won't quit…"
Orpham rolled his eyes.
"Hey, he is a Magos! He earned it!"
The twigs and leaves around the carriages seemed to spring to life as they passed, turning into small figures that jumped and danced around in celebration. Waves of green light shone across Guestinore as Nature mana responded to the flamboyant entertainer's call.
The citizens of Guestinore rarely had a chance to see such powerful magic used. They were far from the war front, where almost all the mages in the kingdom were sent.
"Maybe if he had a cool element like Shadow or Darkness then it'd be a good show! Or even Dark Ghost! That's what the Dark One uses on the Western Front you know!" Roger argued, his eyes growing more excitable as he talked.
"I didn't know you were a fan of Heroes Roger," Ojero said, surprise filling his voice.
The dark-haired youth scoffed.
"Of course I am a fan of Heroes! Who isn't? If not for them we would all probably be dead!"
That was a good point, everyone Ojero knew talked about the legendary saviors of humanity, leading the charge against the Beasts on all fronts.
"I like Braveheart the most," Orpham added.
Roger cocked an eyebrow.
"Braveheart? That's a hero?"
Orpham seemed aghast at that, the thought of someone not knowing Braveheart striking him deeply.
"You haven't heard of him?" Orpham began. "He is this Hero who was formerly a Knight of Avar, he wields an artifact sword that can sheer through any substance we know of, and he uses his Steel element to protect his allies as he charges directly into the fight. He is really well known, I'm kind of surprised…"
Ojero could see the realization dawn on his brother as he slowly petered off while speaking.
"Have I ever said you're kind of an ass?"
"Guilty as charged. And I mean it, Braveheart is all brawn and no brain! Didn't you hear about the disaster that was Operation Steelstorm? The idiot almost cost us dozens of kilometers of land!"
"Hey! That was Voltage! She wouldn't follow Braveheart's plans! If she did, that would never have gone the way it did!" Orpham argued, passion in his voice.
As the two went back and forth, Ojero focused on the countryside they passed.
He would one day rule this land, after all.
He might only have been a few minutes older than his twin, but the laws still made him their family's primary heir.
It was only right he should know the land he was going to inherit.
Fields of green dotted with flowers and trees went for kilometers in every direction. Occasionally, a farm would be on the horizon, oxen and cattle grazing on open pastures with rows of wheat and corn growing in the distance.
Farmers would approach as they rolled past, offering them bread or apples and words of encouragement.
Due to their generosity, the trio never went hungry, despite Roger complaining that he didn't have any ingredients to make a "proper meal."
The argument had long vanished, replaced with comfortable silence and the occasional conversation about inane subjects like the weather or what items Roger was most proud of stealing.
Eventually, a long silence was broken by Orpham turning to Ojero.
"Hey, I don't think I've asked you for a while what kind of gem you want to bond with. Now that I've got mine, we can both focus on getting you one of your own!"
His brother's eyes glowed even brighter as he spoke, the golden glow filling the cabin of the bus.
"I haven't thought of it much," Ojero lied.
"Uhuh. Really, tell us. Now I'm curious!"
Roger could smell the lie immediately, being a master of the craft himself.
Scratching the back of his sheepishly, Ojero decided to come clean.
"Well, if I really could pick from any of them, I'd go for one of the ethereal aspects I think."
Both Roger and Orpham just stared at him for a moment, broken only with Roger leaning back in loud laughter, his voice sounding shrill and mocking.
"Ethereal? Oh of course, only for you, your majesty! I happen to have a Time gem in my pocket here! Dang! I seem to have forgotten it! Will you settle for a Space related one? They grow on trees back in Guestinore, did you know?"
Ojero just watched his friend tease him with a nonplussed look on his face, Orpham watching him with a frown.
"At the risk of taking back my offer already, you do realize how rare those gems are? They only come as legendary gems. There are maybe a few hundred living mages that have bonded to a gem in the ethereal category, Ojero."
Ojero already knew that. He had spent years dreaming of joining them, of wielding powers beyond reality.
Elements were split into rarities that the system decided upon, but humans had made some of their own subcategories. Elements of similar types were often grouped together in these, and one of the rarest categories was ethereal elements.
These were the elements that impacted the fundamental laws of reality, often shaping them or denying them in specific areas. Elements in this group were often related to time, space, reality, the soul, and other cosmic entities that were usually only manipulated by the gods.
All ethereal gems were also legendary, so it was nothing more than a dream, even for the heir of a duke.
"I just really want to be able to stand out with my element and discover the secrets out there. The best explorers and artifact collectors have ethereal gems, so if I want to join them I have to do the same!"
"Well, you might as well change goals already! If you ever manage to find an ethereal gem, hell I'll tell everyone Braveheart is the best hero ever!"
Roger said as he wiped tears away from his eyes.
Orpham punched him in the shoulder, prompting a surprised "Ouch!" from the short boy.
"Don't worry Ojero, I'm sure we can find one for you somewhere! It might take a while, maybe even after the first year or two at the Academy, but if it gets Roger to eat his words it will be worth it!"
His brother's words lifted his spirits a little, but he knew Roger did have a point.
Only legends wielded the strength of an ethereal gem, the system made sure of it, and he didn't quite believe he was a legend.
Maybe one day, but that would have to be many years in the future.
Orpham noticed his hesitation and continued.
"Remember that story Mr. Dan used to talk about? The one about the Tehirgutian Giant?"
"The one that fell off a cliff when he became greedy about reaching a fruit?" Ojero replied, his tone growing even more reserved.
"No! The one that beat the Frozen Dragon of the North!" Orpham quickly fixed.
Ojero did remember it, most people who knew any history did. It was the story of a frost giant from Tehirgut known as Thorbald the Conqueror, who united the tribes of Tehirgut and slayed the Ravager known as the Frozen Dragon of the North.
Thorbald was the son of a chief but had been banished. While in exile he killed a snow fox, and somehow received a legendary gem that gave him the power of Frostfire, a deadly power that directly countered the Ravager's icy strength. With its strength, he returned from his exile and fought for the right to claim his birthright, proving his courage and might.
The story was often told as a way to remind people that even if society tries to stop great people from rising, the system will always make sure to intervene and give people what they are worth.
It was a favorite of Mr. Dan, who had told them both the story hundreds of times.
Remembering it, Ojero finally cracked a smile, feeling a little better.
"If the system did it for Thorbald, I have a chance, right?" He asked.
"Of course you do, I'll make sure it." Orpham replied mirthfully.
"Okay, I'll give it to you. That's actually a pretty good story to use here. I didn't know you had it in your Orph," Roger said, finally without any hint of insult.
The teenager never saw the punch before he once again screamed out in agony.