Arthur turned to Elaris after they were clear of the arena, "Good job in there, Elaris," Arthur said, his voice low and gruff but tinged with genuine approval. He studied her face, searching for signs of fatigue or injury. "That spear work of yours was impressive."
Elaris turned to face him, her violet eyes meeting his gaze with quiet intensity. A ghost of a smile on her lips as she replied, "Thank you, Arthur. Though I must admit you using runes surprised me, is that allowed?"
You're welcome," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "And yes, I made those runes myself so they were allowed. A little trick I picked up from my time on the road."
As they stood there, Arthur found himself oddly comfortable in the brief silence between them. It was a stark contrast to the boisterous energy surrounding them, and he appreciated Elaris's quiet demeanor.
Still, he couldn't help but wonder about the challenges that lay ahead. We've barely scratched the surface of what this place has in store for us, he mused. And with actual magic still beyond our grasp, who knows what we're truly capable of?
As Arthur's gaze drifted away from Elaris, he spotted a familiar figure near the central path leading away from the testing grounds. Rowan stood there, his lean frame unmistakable even at a distance. Their eyes met, and they exchanged nods of acknowledgment, a silent understanding passing between them.
Arthur made his way over, his curiosity piqued. "Rowan," he called out as he approached. "How'd your test go?"
Rowan's green eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and frustration. "Arthur," he greeted, running a hand through his dark ponytail. "It was... challenging, to say the least."
"Oh?" Arthur raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to the story.
Rowan let out a dry chuckle. "I faced this nimble little beast, didn't know its name—quick as lightning and twice as unpredictable. Took everything I had just to keep up."
Arthur listened intently as Rowan recounted his battle, noting the archer's animated gestures as he described his tactics.
"I stayed in the back with my bow, of course," Rowan continued. "But that monster was fast, thankfully my teammates could lock it down enough for me to put some shots in."
Arthur nodded, understanding all too well the difficulty of staying sharp in the heat of battle. "Sounds like you held your own, though. It's tough keeping pace with creatures like that."
Rowan chuckled, his expression softening. "Held my own, sure, barely. Missed a few crucial shots when it counted. Guess it just means I've got plenty to work on." He shrugged, flashing a crooked smile. "That's what this whole test is about, right?"
As they talked, Arthur's mind wandered to their brief interaction with Thalassa earlier. "Speaking of skilled," he mused aloud, "how was that Thalassa what was talking to us?"
Rowan's eyes lit up with recognition. "Ah, her? Yeah, she was impressive. Though it's hard to gauge anyone's true abilities at this point, given we can't actually use magic yet."
Arthur nodded, his expression thoughtful. "True enough. I suppose we'll all be on more even footing once we start our real training."
Arthur's lips quirked into a sardonic smile. "Well, my experience was... enlightening," he said, his tone dry. "We faced a massive beast, all scales and claws. Nasty piece of work."
Rowan leaned in, intrigued. "How'd you manage?"
"Strategy and a bit of luck," Arthur shrugged, downplaying his role. "Though I can't say the same for our noble teammate. The idiot was cocky and then got himself injured within the first minute. Spent the rest of the fight rolling around on the ground."
A chuckle escaped Rowan. "Sounds like quite the spectacle."
Arthur's hand absently traced the hilt of his sword. "It was touch and go for a while. Thankfully my other teammate was capable."
"Come on, Arthur," Rowan pressed, his green eyes gleaming with admiration. "You're selling yourself short. I bet it was a breeze for you."
Arthur waved off the praise, his pragmatic nature asserting itself. "It was a team effort," he insisted, even as a small part of him glowed at the recognition. "Besides, we did good. That's what matters."
As they spoke, the crowd around them began to shift, moving towards a grand hall nearby. Arthur and Rowan exchanged a glance before following the flow of students.
The hall was massive, its vaulted ceilings disappearing into shadows above. Ornate tapestries depicting magical feats adorned the walls, their colors muted in the flickering torchlight. The air thrummed with nervous energy as students packed in, their voices a cacophony of excitement and anxiety.
Arthur's gaze swept the room, taking in the sea of faces. Some wore expressions of confidence, others looked as though they might be sick. He felt his own stomach tighten with anticipation, though his face remained impassive.
At the far end of the hall, a group of professors gathered on a raised stage. Among them, Arthur spotted Professor Kaelthorn, his tall figure unmistakable even at a distance. As if sensing Arthur's gaze, Kaelthorn looked up, meeting Arthur's eyes. The professor offered a small nod and a smile, causing Arthur's eyebrows to raise slightly in surprise.
"Looks like you've made an impression," Rowan murmured beside him.
Arthur shrugged, trying to ignore the warmth of pride blooming in his chest. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We still don't know the results."
As the last of the students filed in, a hush fell over the crowd. The air seemed to crackle with tension as everyone held their breath, waiting for the announcements to begin.
A wizened professor with a long, silver beard stepped forward, unrolling a scroll. His voice, magically amplified, rang out through the hall.
"The following teams have successfully passed the entrance trials," he began, then started listing names.
Arthur's muscles tensed as he listened, his heart pounding. He glanced at Rowan, who was fidgeting with the hem of his tunic.
"Team Fourteen, Team Sixteen… Team Twenty-three…"
A wave of relief washed over Arthur. He allowed himself a small smile, nodding at Rowan.
Rowan's face lit up, his grin wide and infectious. He clapped Arthur on the shoulder. "We did it!" he exclaimed.
"Indeed," Arthur replied, his tone measured despite the surge of excitement he felt. "Well done."
As the announcements concluded, those who hadn't passed filed out, their disappointment palpable. Arthur felt a twinge of sympathy, but his attention was quickly drawn back to the stage as Professor Kaelthorn stepped forward.
"Congratulations to all who have passed, normally it would be the headmaster here talking, but he is occupied today." Kaelthorn's voice carried easily across the hall. "Your journey at Ithica Academy now truly begins. But first, there's one more crucial step."
Arthur leaned forward, intrigued. What could this be?
Kaelthorn gestured, and several assistants began moving through the crowd, each carrying trays laden with small vials of glowing blue liquid.
"Each of you will receive a potion," Kaelthorn explained. "This potion is designed to unlock the mana within your bodies, allowing you to harness magical energy and cast spells."
An excited murmur rippled through the crowd. Arthur's mind raced with questions. He'd always assumed nobles could already use magic. Why did they need this potion too?
"Along with the potion, you'll receive a key to your new dormitory," Kaelthorn continued. "It is imperative that you drink the potion alone in your room. The process can be... intense, and privacy is recommended. For those commoners here, unlocking the magic inside a young person can have very negative effects, hence the eighteen-year age requirement to learn here."
As an assistant approached, Arthur accepted a vial and a key, studying the blue shimmering liquid with fascination. This tiny bottle held the key to unlocking his magical potential. The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying.
"Well," Rowan said, holding up his own vial with a grin, "here's to new beginnings, eh?"
Arthur nodded, a mix of anticipation and apprehension swirling in his gut. "Indeed. To new beginnings."
As the crowd began to disperse, Rowan decided to head back immediately but Arthur stayed behind. Arthur felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. He turned to find Professor Kaelthorn standing behind him, a warm smile on his face.
"Young Arthur," Kaelthorn said, his blue eyes twinkling with interest. "I wanted to commend you on your performance during the test. Your combat capabilities are clearly as good as your rune writing capabilities."
Arthur's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Thank you, Professor," he replied, his usual blunt demeanor softening slightly. "I've always been fascinated by runes."
Kaelthorn nodded approvingly. "It shows. I'm quite excited to see what you'll accomplish in my class."
A question nagged at Arthur's mind, and he couldn't resist asking. "Professor, about this potion... What are the negative effects of taking it ttooearly? Is it really so bad that nobles don't unlock it earlier than others?"
Kaelthorn's demeanor shifted to one of seriousness. "Those are perceptive inquiries, Arthur. The reality is, that while those of noble birth are educated in magical theory from a young age, introducing actual magical energy into a developing body can be hazardous. It can result in unexpected transformations, and some unlucky individuals do not even survive the process. That is why we wait until students reach the age of eighteen when their bodies are nearly fully developed and can handle minimal changes while also reaping the most benefits."
Arthur's brow furrowed as he processed this information. "So, the nobles don't actually have practical magic experience?"
"Precisely," Kaelthorn said, his tone calm but deliberate, "In fact, many nobles aren't as far ahead as you might think when school begins. Some of them, unfortunately, rely more on their status and don't study magic before ttheyjoin Ithica."
Arthur allowed himself a small smile at this. The idea that rank and wealth didn't guarantee success was reassuring. "That's good to know," he said with a polite nod.
Kaelthorn studied him for a moment, his expression softening. "You've done well to make it this far, Arthur. Keep that focus, and I have no doubt you'll accomplish great things. I look forward to seeing how far you'll go."
"Thank you, Professor," Arthur replied, his tone firm and sincere. Praise didn't come often in his line of work, but from someone like Kaelthorn, it felt earned.
As Arthur prepared to leave, Kaelthorn raised a hand. "Before you go, I might as well explain the coming days. Tomorrow is a rest day for all first-years, giving you time to recover and settle in after you ingest the magic awakening potion tonight. The day after that, you'll choose your classes. TTheofficial instruction begins next week."
Arthur nodded, appreciating the clarity. "Understood. That sounds manageable."
Kaelthorn's lips curved into a faint smile. "It's structured for a reason. Adjusting to academy life takes time, but I suspect you'll do just fine. Take care, Arthur."
"Thank you, Professor," Arthur said again, inclining his head slightly before turning to make his way through the bustling corridors.
The air was alive with chatter and energy as students lingered in the halls, their voices carrying the excitement of the announcements and the promise of what lay ahead. Arthur weaved through the groups, his focus on the map he'd been given earlier.
Eventually, he reached the quieter wing where his dorm was located. The noise faded as he pushed open the door to his assigned room.
The space was modest but comfortable. A single bed rested against the far wall, a desk and chair nearby, and a wardrobe stood in the corner. Soft light filtered through a small window, casting a warm glow over the polished stone floor.
Arthur stepped inside, letting the door click shut behind him. The stillness was a relief after the chaos of the day. He set his bag down and let his gaze sweep over the room. It wasn't large, but it was solely his, and that was more than enough.
He began unpacking with the same precision he applied to everything. Knives were placed neatly on the desk, each one inspected before being set down. His sword found a home on a rack near the bed, and his clothes were folded and tucked away in the wardrobe.
When his belongings were arranged to his satisfaction, Arthur let out a slow breath and sat on the edge of the bed. The events of the day played in his mind—the announcements, the test, Kaelthorn's words. Tomorrow would bring a moment to pause and prepare, but the day after, he would be deciding the courses that would shape his path forward.
Arthur swept his gaze around the room once more before settling on the small vial of shimmering blue liquid placed carefully on the desk. He couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement and anticipation as he reached for it with trembling fingers. This was it - the moment he had been dreaming about for years. Real magic, tangible and powerful, within his reach.
Twisting off the cap, Arthur caught a sharp scent that was unlike anything he had ever encountered. With a deep breath, he raised the vial to his lips and let the smooth liquid slide down his throat. The taste lingered in his mouth, metallic and strange at first, but then warmth spread from his chest like fire. It coiled and pulsed through him, making his blood feel thick and hot with power.
For a moment, it felt like his body was engulfed in flames, but then a swift gust of icy chill washed over him. The cold shot through him like knives, freezing him from the inside out. His muscles clenched as he struggled to stay steady with the conflicting sensations coursing through him. It was overwhelming, but he knew this was the magic unlocking inside of him, pushing him to his limits.
The intensity eventually began to fade, leaving behind a constant hum of raw energy beneath his skin. Exhaustion quickly set in, weighing down his body like lead. He managed to make it to the bed before collapsing onto it and pulling the covers over himself.
Despite feeling drained and heavy, Arthur's mind raced with possibilities and excitement as he drifted off to sleep. The effects of the potion still pulsed faintly within him, promising great things to come. And with one last pulse of magic in his chest, everything went quiet and Arthur fell into a deep slumber.