Is having so much luck even possible? She was just on her way to school this Saturday morning. The same uneventful walk like always. Their expectations were such, at least. Ellyn with her best friend and neighbour Selea have walked this wide cobbled road more than a thousand times before. For the first time ever, though, they witnessed something awe-inspiring.
A battalion marching through the street. An amazing sight most students of school for mages want to see. 18-year-old and has never seen it? How is that even possible? Such formations march regularly. True, however, Ellyn would not know when those soldiers will be passing by. The army kept silent about their plans. Another reason, well… she was a very busy student.
How does a battalion march through the street? They cast Mind Connect spell and order people to move aside without uttering a single word. Simply put, but that is the essence of what happens. Master Malgard. It was him, who communicated using his thoughts. Ellyn`s heart could explode from joy. "This man…" she thought, her eyes getting teary, smile widening.
A battalion`s master mage- a core commander leading it. That man has mastered all required spells, met the almost impossible conditions set by the leadership, while he has also been trusted enough to lead 999 soldiers. 34. Such was the current number of these monstrously powerful elite mages, Salona Kingdom believed and placed their hopes in this much.
All it took was a song about Master Malgard`s incredible accomplishments and unrivalled bravery in Battle of Cailon Fields chanted by the crowd for Ellyn to start crying like a child, waving her hand at the battalion, hoping that a soldier or two would notice. She couldn`t think straight. These moments were too powerful. A weakness of any proper army fanatic.
"Are you 4? Ellyn, even children are looking at us weird. Come, or we`ll be late for school."
"Did you see? Did you see? There were 2 level 5 mages in the back line and the way..."
Selea has been her best friend, but the immense interest in violence was not a shared one. She had a dream- becoming a great medic mage. Learning about how human bodies function, which spells and drugs have what effects, healing civilians or soldiers. It differed from Ellyn`s idea of army life too much- to do battalion formation battles that decide the future.
They were not being late. Zero chance. The experience had been intense, but a short one. Her friend simply preferred to be taken seriously by people that could recognise them in public. Their school for mages was starting at 9 hours. Still more than an hour left and mere minutes of walk from the destination. Hm? Where is Ellyn`s bag with sportswear? Those snacks! Oh no!
"We have to return! I must have dropped my bag. To the place, where we saw the battalion…"
"Ellyn, you are hopeless. Look here and tell me what you would be doing without me."
Selea had two bags in her hands, one for each of them. Ellyn reached out a hand, only to be denied. She should calm down first… right… Dropping anything as the head stops working… Not good. A big problem, even. Soldiers can`t lose focus like that whenever dealing with powerful emotions. This will get everyone around into trouble and some might die.
Her best friend reached into a bag and took out a sweet treat, then handed it to Ellyn. She didn`t say anything. Explanation simply wasn`t necessary. Munching on something always helped, no matter the situation. True, better not overdo this reliable treatment, unless confident in staying fit. Their physical condition has been great, so that should be safe.
This wasn`t from Selea`s bag. Ellyn always had something similar. Not to munch on it herself. The stuff was really tasty, mostly healthy, and very importantly, cheaper than anything that might be bought in a hurry. Why carry a treat at all times? A sweet bribe could solve conflicts or even help with making friends. Yes, calming someone down seemed like an obvious use.
Conflicts at school… these were not common, but could erupt easily. One way was getting into Idreyn`s favour. Baron Isloe`s daughter had a flock of bootlickers everywhere she moved. Those students knew. The genius mage would get far. A legend in the making. Becoming a master? An ambition like that only made sense. Ellyn with Selea shouldn`t be seen too close to her.
Too bad, bootlickers! Idreyn was a girl as sweet as the treat Ellyn has been munching on. Sweeter, even. This talented classmate lived in a rented small house not far from school. Those women wouldn`t dare follow their shining star after spell casting training, fearing falling out of her grace. The duo`s friend regularly met them there to eat late lunch and talk about stuff.
No amounts of sweet treats would have saved them, had the bootlickers realised. Luckily, it was 2,5 months left until the licence tests. What a weird thought… nothing lucky about that. On 31st May, those who pass will become licenced mages and join the army. How is Ellyn going to ever succeed? A futile effort... She hasn`t cast anything in all her life. A late bloomer.
There were others like her in the past. It happened every now and then. Some managed "to bloom", but the rest never did. They gave up. Passing the practical test with only 2,5 months left? Wouldn`t that be a little miracle? Ellyn needed strong will. Positive thinking. She is going to make the impossible happen. Just you watch! If not this May, half a year later might do.
"Hi, Idreyn," Ellyn said in an appropriate tone suitable for those who were deemed unworthy.
"Hi, girls," the genius surrounded by bootlickers replied, smiling politely, like always.
Ellyn wanted to talk with her about witnessing the march on their way, but it won`t be possible until later. Unlike Selea, Idreyn loved army. War stories have been among the lower noble`s most favourite. The bootlickers` usual tactic was admiring Isloe family loudly. All praises were meant for them. Little did they know that she hated being seen as a treasured property.
Thinking of treasured property, many laid their claim. A man could marry Idreyn and women may become her official lovers. That being the case, the girl made the currently popular choice among those with talent, pledging to not marry or take in an official lover until the day she becomes a master mage. Soldiers often conceived children even at around 90, no problem.
As the girl planned on becoming a master mage one day, Idreyn had to marry a man. There was no way around it. A local allegiance could change after a marriage. If an Aspion female soldier married some Argelan male, she`d be a part of a different army inside their kingdom, for example. Women were simply sealing that possibility, to become level 4 and higher.
Ellyn had a completely different worry than reaching level 4. She`d be accused of mocking the pledge by making it, as things stood. If, however, one day… There was a possibility to spend money on a contractual marriage. These relationships are always for life, so the thing isn`t cheap, but… some still did not cry over the investment. They nicknamed her "Ellynstone", soo...
Ah, yes… the pledge makes no sense, right? Wrong! Engagement for a specified time… a thing that allowed a woman to not be married and have a way of reaching further as a soldier. Idreyn was pursued, getting such offers. How many already? More than a hundred. Most very serious, in writing, signed by the man making it, with an official`s seal, having a registration number.
"Are you daydreaming about Master Malgard? Did you fall in love with a voice in your head?"
"Selea, my dearest friend… must you mock me so? He`s a great man and I`m a no one."
"And did he start as a great man or was he the same "no one" like we are, all those years ago?"
"But he`s married already…"
"Aaaahahaa! Aahahaa!"
"Hey! What`s so funny?"
"Already thinking of a marriage… Ellyn, you should take it one step at a time, don`t you think?"
"What`s the point of finding a good man and not marrying him? I need to seal the possibility."
"How very romantic of you…"
"I can be both romantic and have a head on my shoulders to think about my career with."
"You can, but I`ve never seen you being romantic."
"You`ve never seen me cast a spell either and it will happen."
Selea smiled widely, seeing her friend not admitting defeat for being a late bloomer. They`ve been classmates since 10, while neighbours from… the very beginning. Children study at school, which teaches spell casting, but there are years before, with other kids in general classes, where basics should be taught. Their parents have work to do and can`t babysit them.
"Girls, girls, listen… I`ve heard that Princess Lunor is already hosting a tea party today," one of the classmates said about half an hour before the first lectures.
"Impossible. The divine princess only arrived and married Prince Ulweld yesterday. We know, because Princess Lunor`s birthday is on March 15th and they were to become a husband and wife on the 16th," other classmate replied.
"My brother`s wife works for Rainry. Yes… the owner of Rainry`s Tearoom. The invitation for Rainry arrived on March 15th. It was sent by Lunor Argela then, but the one welcoming her today is going to be Princess Lunor Aspion," she replied.
"Damn, the divine princess is not wasting any time…"
These "tea parties" were not meant for drinking expensive drinks and smiling at each other. The hot beverage, as the name suggests, can, naturally, be served, but the important part was about serious business investment discussions. Anyone invited there would receive a royal favour. Rumours said that investments of no less than 1000 gold crowns are discussed.
Princess Lunor… the most popular high noble in Salona Kingdom, nicknamed "divine". People who had met the young woman all agreed and songs were being sung about her wisdom, ability, charm, as well as beauty. No one dared to say it wasn`t deserved or fitting. Their future queen has been an integral part of the leadership since 5. A genius. Alone among millions.
The divine princess was at the royal palace in City of Aspion. They were very close to each other! Unfortunately for Ellyn, not being 5 days away anymore changed nothing. Witnessing the girl might be possible during the opening ceremony before the practical test, where she`ll almost certainly fail miserably. Their future queen won`t even notice a nobody like that.
Ellyn must keep attempting to reach a breakthrough. Not only are some people supporting and cheering her on, but she dreams of becoming a master mage one day. A big dream dreamed by a late bloomer. Pathetic… a word for those who give up, having nothing in common with failing. Being licenced as a level 1 soldier might be a more realistic goal, though it won`t do.
Students stopped chatting when 9 was sounded. A mentor entered their classroom with an assistant. Individual lectures also started at 10, 11, 12, 13 and lasted for about 45 minutes, a short 5-minute break in the middle, plus twice as long one after the end. Physical education has always been the last, done outside, concentrating on either increasing strength or stamina.
Privacy was, thankfully, taken seriously. Their schools had individual booths intended for changing clothes and washing sweaty bodies. It surely wasn`t cheap to pay all the guards and the personnel`s wages among other expenses, but… they were the future soldiers of Salona Kingdom. A heavily hygiene and battle-oriented culture. Not everyone did things this way.
"About what the other girls said… I don`t think that Princess Lunor is already battling Prince Ulweld. She may be taking care of some duties fast, but battling is very personal and they`ve only known each other for a short time," Ellyn said to Selea after the physical education was done and they were clean and smelling nicely.
"Ellyn… you should start saying "sex". It is only a word and you`ll be confusing everyone by not using it."
"They`ll figure it out or ask, if confused. I like the word "battle" more."
"Say the word… penis…"
"A battle-thing."
"How is someone to figure out what you mean? Had I not known you, I`d be looking at you like at a crazy person."
"Anyway, I think so too. It is too soon for sex. They`re only saying it, because Prince Ulweld is considered to be a little cold and… you know how they are… the girls want the divine princess to affect him a lot. A child so soon would also be a blessing to the kingdom."
Ellyn with Selea had a clear goal in mind. Food. While most students aimed for the public training grounds, the duo preferred avoiding being there now. Too many people visit that place. Queues will be not only near washing booths, but also at the measures. The two girls got a spare key to Idreyn`s house and an inn serving decent, well-priced meals was close, so...
5 crowns a meal and 2 more per additional dessert was reasonable. Ellyn with Selea bought for the star friend too, like always. Innkeepers liked polite clients- those who understood… it is either drinks or buying something extra to really say "thanks". Their parents were not poor. The opposite would be a rare occurrence in City of Aspion, Salona Kingdom`s capital.
The small place they were in… The laws forbade a person from owning or renting a house for other purpose than living inside. Anyone found to break the said law, would be fined. It got rented by Baroness Isloe, since her husband owned a manor already and could not rent another himself. Such a thing was possible with a royal exception due to Idreyn`s talent.
Why an exception? Idreyn should not have been studying with Ellyn and Selea, but in City of Miral. Mirals were liege lords for Isloes. The high noble family had been raising the talented girl from 3-year-old. They wanted to help the star student`s career by making important connections. Letting 1 hostage study at the capital wasn`t a difficult decision, having 2 more.
Hostages… yes, why not call things more fittingly? Laws had their intended purpose. This one even a long tradition. Noble children were raised by liege lords from 3-year-old until 18, unless the crown individually decided otherwise. The reason behind the law was very simple- rebelling meant death. It may seem cruel to some, but safety of millions could be at stake.
"Ellyn, Selea, I… uuuh…" Idreyn started talking after entering the small house, making an uncharacteristically nervous face.
"I have an unexpected guest."
"Is it one of the bootlickers?" Ellyn asked, wondering why else would their friend be nervous.
"No, no. It is a high noble."
"We haven`t bought food for her, I`m afraid," Ellyn said, to which Selea almost started laughing.
"That`s OK. She`s not hungry."
"You may come in," Idreyn invited a young woman surrounded by guards.
She did exactly that. Not alone. A lady-in-waiting was by her side. The guest has been wearing armour and had a short sword on belt. Both the armoured noble and the young woman with her were very interesting, though the latter... A real beauty. Divine. The single most beautiful person. Heart beating rapidly and face turning red, Ellyn failed to avert her gaze.
"Cathe Miral, daughter of Countess Miral," Idreyn introduced.
"My lady, it is a pleasure to meet you," Selea responded, Ellyn still looking elsewhere.
"These are my friends and classmates, Selea Frowe and Ellyn Arte."
"Hello, Selea, Ellyn. I hope I didn`t interrupt you. Call me Cathe, when in private," Cathe said.
"Meet my favourite lady-in-waiting, Alyl."
"Hi," Ellyn said in a weird voice, smiling stupidly. That was about as much as she could say.
Idreyn started looking Ellyn`s way with a worried expression and wide eyes, while Cathe`s smile grew. Everyone present knew instantly, not only the obvious- the girl`s head wasn`t all there, but also why. Selea was about to make a move, an attempt at taking the attention away from her best friend. It turned out being unnecessary, Alyl responding in a very pleasant tone.
"Hi, Ellyn. You have something on your face. Can I…?"
Without wasting any time waiting for an answer, there suddenly appeared a handkerchief in her hand and Alyl was right in front of a stunned Ellyn, wiping sauce from under the lower lip. The stupid smile in the past, gone, replaced by a very different look. The girl really wanted. She needed. What? Why? The contact didn`t last forever, no matter how much Ellyn desired it to.
"This is a gift," the very pleasant voice said and Alyl`s hand touched Ellyn`s. No… she placed the handkerchief into it and used the other hand to make the stunned girl grasp it.
There must have been a talk between the young women, surely, but Ellyn kept looking Alyl`s way and not paying attention to anything or anyone else anymore. The stupid smile returned "completely on its own" after some time, at which point the lady-in-waiting simply smiled back, doing what doomed any chance of the stunned girl returning into reality anytime soon.
"Ellyn… Ellyn… Ellyn!" Selea tried making her snap out of it.
"Hm? What? Where? Where are we?" Ellyn said, looking around.
"Are you not going to ask "when"? Some people thought that I drugged you and I had to explain that you are not responding for a different reason."
They were standing at the public training grounds. This must have been… what was the time? 10 minutes after 17. Damn. How did it get so late already? The sundial didn`t lie. No big queues anywhere either. Ellyn gradually started snapping out of her state, remembering pieces, trying to recall, then link as much as possible, the face and ears getting red like a beetroot.
She checked the bag. The dirty handkerchief was there, together with sweaty sportswear. Phew… that nice piece of fabric had a different value. Losing it would have been a shame. Ellyn tried being useful, for a change. They were near a measure used when casting. Selea needed a helper to estimate the distance at which Mana Pulse spells cast by her disperse.
"18,3 metres!" Ellyn shouted her way.
The last Selea`s attempt of the day had the same distance as those cast before. All Ellyn needed to do at the practical test on May 31st was reaching 10 metres with her Mana Pulse. This has been the huge, seemingly insurmountable obstacle. A level 2 spell. Doesn`t sound so difficult, right? Wrong! 2,5 months left, when 0,1 metres a week would be an acceptable progress.
"Your turn. I`ll measure."
Nothing to measure, yet again. Ellyn`s been doing everything right. That was the simple truth. The problem seemed obvious. Having mana core and circuits wasn`t enough, as the fact alone didn`t mean anything, when the girl could barely feel her mana. The mana connection wouldn`t be impacted by correct channelling techniques learned at school or concentration.
"Go home, please…" Ellyn said.
Selea responded with a nod. She knew to just listen and not argue. Ellyn needed to shout, punch, then kick every time nothing changes. No change of her mana connection for months or years… it mattered not. The same result. There has to be a way! Next attempt! Fu… Aaaargh! Calm down, concentrate. Again! The channelling technique used when casting Mana Pulse is…
"Why??!" She shouted when there was almost no one present anymore.
"Why won`t you work?! Battling battle! Aaaargh! Again."
Sweaty and shaking, Ellyn`s been trying to somehow make her stupid head finally control that stupid mana. Pushing blindly with all might seemed to be the only way forward. No potions or medic spells would help and books did not know sh…t about this condition, because it was battling too rare and zero people cared to figure out anything! Once more. The last one today.
Hm? Why is she lying? Ellyn was not even outside. On a bed, inside a room, body hurting a little more than before. Where… Aah, an infirmary. Makes sense. Maybe the collapse made her hit that stupid useless head of hers enough to make a difference. Wouldn`t it be nice? Yes, what a dream… Close your eyes and you won`t fall asleep, but feel mana instead… as if.
"Ehm, ehm."
"Hm?!" Ellyn got jump scared a little.
"I`m sorry. I thought you`ve noticed me sitting next to you."
"No… I… must you be sitting here without moving?"
"I`d say that I won`t make the same mistake twice, but is it me who should be apologising here? I had you brought over after finding you collapsed on the ground."
"You`re not a medic mage`s assistant?"
"No."
"My name is Niriel. Niriel Irato."
Ellyn almost died of shock. Master Niriel! Right next to her. Barely 23-year-old and already an Argelan master mage! Hold on… A big idol for many had helped her get treated at this infirmary. Mhm. Then her saviour stayed with the unconscious girl until she woke up. Yes. After that, Ellyn criticised her sitting there without moving, getting a small jump scare as a result.
"I`m Ellyn. Ellyn Arte," she said, pretending like none of it ever happened.
"Ellyn, you need to be more careful with your trainings. Had I not been there, you would have probably been lying on the ground even now. Let me give you this," she said and handed her a beautiful blue hair ribbon.
"I need to go now. We will see each other again."
And the most talented mage was off. "See each other again" … what did Master Niriel mean by that? Why is someone like her even in City of Aspion, days away from the assigned battalion? Had Ellyn`s head… Hm? Could it…? Maybe?? Better not get overexcited. She might have a little more control over mana, but this may be the worst time to make conclusions.
Ellyn has been late. She would normally have arrived home already. Her head hurt. Slowly… better not make sudden movements... The medic mage of the infirmary came as the girl was sitting and checked her condition. There should be no reason to keep her, but an assistant got sent with her just in case that changed. Who protests against a safety decision?
"Mom, dad, I`m home!"
"Sweetheart… what happened to you? Why are your clothes dirty?" Meron, Ellyn`s mom asked.
"I fell and got some bruises. Nothing serious, mom."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, mom. I just… I wasn`t doing well and got angry and fell."
"Ellyn, we love you and support you, but please, be more careful."
"I will."
"Is dad home?"
"Yes. I`ll tell him to bring hot water for you, when he finishes tending to his armour. Wash yourself. We`ll be dining together afterwards."
She did not meet her sister Marys on the way upstairs, as it sometimes happens. They`ll talk about their days during the dinner. The 16-year-old girl spends a most of the time in her own room, because she dislikes wearing clothes. There are rules elsewhere. Seeing a battalion march the street, meeting Cathe and then even Master Niriel? Ellyn has a lot to share.
First, the two gifts Ellyn got today… both look amazing. Their quality is high. Hm. The handkerchief was dirty too, but the hair ribbon, she`s going to show off at the dinner from the start. Take out the sportswear, get clean casualwear, prepare the bag for tomorrow… can`t forget taking another sweet treat. No time could be spent on reading books, unfortunately.
"Sweetheart, I`ve brough you the hot water," Giliam, Ellyn`s dad announced.
"Hi dad! Thank you," she said after leaving her room in a hurry to hug him.
"Did you have a fight?"
"No, I just fell because I got frustrated."
"I`ve seen something amazing today. I can`t wait to tell you all at the dinner," she said and returned to her room for the clean clothes.
Clean and smelling nicely, they`ve been eating dinner and talking about their days. Meron has been running a clothing business with aunt Savine for many years. Marys was studying in a general school and liked foreign languages. Her dream was to travel a lot. Giliam was an aura user mentor. A former soldier who chose a change of profession as a level 3.
"That handkerchief is expensive and the ribbon… I`ve never even seen a silk like that," Meron said.
"You haven`t seen some fabric?"
"Ellyn, who gifted those to you?"
"The handkerchief was from a lady-in-waiting to Cathe Miral. We`ve met her as the high noble was visiting Idreyn`s house."
Meron nodded, as if the material made perfect sense.
"The ribbon I got from Master Niriel."
Now, there was an expressive reaction on their faces. One noble meeting another is not all that unexpected. Argelan master mage in City of Aspion, however… Very rare. Marys was curious about both, but the handkerchief was probably more interesting to Ellyn`s sister. Meron and Giliam though… they have been thinking for some time before responding.
"Ellyn, this ribbon… it may be more than you think," Giliam said, looking at it.
"I`m no mage and I`ve been called up when Atris` rebellion broke out, so I`ve never seen it with my own eyes, but even the aura users have opening ceremonies of their own and there is a custom to be gifted ribbons before the practical tests. It means that the one gifting it has chosen you as a champion."
"I believe that Master Niriel gifted you the ribbon to show you that she thinks you have what it takes."
Her teeth were thoroughly cleaned. Ellyn was trying to fall asleep, but her heart has been beating too fast. The youngest master mage believes in her… then she should do her best and make it, right? The ribbon will bring the needed luck. Yes. She`ll be wearing the pretty piece of blue fabric until the test. Mana control… did the condition improve or not? Tomorrow.