The oppressive heat of today overshadowed the atmosphere of Mr. Isolde's class, as summer was taking its last breaths. The intense heat couldn't distract the students standing before the luxurious pine tables that had aged over the decades. The class began with unprecedented focus, as Mr. Isolde—after previous sessions—ensured to train the newcomers on drawing magical circles using velvet plates, as a prelude to casting a simple spell that would create a transparent bubble colored with the hues of autumn leaves, solid in its essence despite its soft appearance.
With his usual skill, Mr. formed a glowing circle between his open palm, while the students busied themselves trying to imitate him. They raced to inscribe the circles using "mana," attempting to shape the core of the magical bubble, as mastering the inscriptions was a prerequisite for completing the spell, unlike other methods.
Across the pine tables extending from the first to the sixth grade, most of the new students at Azoria Preparatory School stumbled in forming the simplest circles, but no one admitted defeat. This was new to these beginners who were not yet accustomed to the complexities of engravings and spells, but their determination suggests that they will soon overcome this minor obstacle.
Ethan, the student with the tousled black hair, was inscribing the spell's runes with sweat and arduous effort, while his peers fell behind one after another. Mr. Isolde felt this time that Ethan might finally be able to cast his first spell since the end of the spring days, when the noble and common children returned to the academy six nights ago. Ethan, hailing from the famous noble Vermouth family, in Arentia.
Ethan carries tainted blood according to the registration reports, as he differs from those unable to use magic; his ability to harness magical powers exists.
But casting spells is delayed and sometimes fails, like trying to grasp something that slips through one's fingers, while those who are unable do not produce "mana" at all.
Isolde watched Ethan standing rigidly in front of his sparkling circles on the pine table. Despite his excessive pressure on himself, and although he started before everyone else, he was the only one who didn't succeed among his classmates who had completed their turns. The teacher sighed as he returned to the blackboard covered with ancient runic writings.
Mr. Isolde – known for his stout body and cheerful face resembling a bear in its friendly features – was concluding his speech in the student hall after congratulating the successful ones in crafting the spell, indicating that the rest would succeed sooner or later, except for Ethan whose fate remained uncertain. As for Thalia Stormhide, from the illustrious Stormhide family, she began her role in the scene amidst the whispers of her classmates who mocked Ethan in hushed tones, believing them to be unheard.
And while Mr. Isolde was leaving the hall, having not heard what was coming next, Thalia's voice rose, defying all boundaries. She began mocking Ethan without regard for his feelings, calling him insulting names; from "the inexperienced, barren one" to "the ungrateful son of Vermouth," despite the Vermouth family's motto – the strong, leafless oak tree.
Ethan was nothing more than a thin branch representing his family's faded history. He left the hall without uttering a word, as if he hadn't heard the sharp arrows of her words. But the truth is, he heard every letter, then chose to ignore the void carried by those insults, forgetting them in his confident steps that took him away from the noise, his chest beating with a bitter pain he couldn't reveal.
His constant inability to use mana and spells remained a barrier preventing him from achieving what he deserved since birth. In his early years, he discovered that his late mother was just like him; her blood was tainted and incapable of generating mana.
Ethan felt suffocated every time he remembered that from the dawn of his life he was a powerless monarch, inheriting this rare condemned lineage, unlike his older brothers with their shining reputations who were untouched by Ethan's curse.
He found himself in Master Sigfried's office after being summoned by him during a brief encounter in the hallway. The latter nodded, indicating that he had known his sister since she joined the Azoria Academy a decade ago. The girl was always present, contributing to the management of the tasks assigned to her, and she even had the opportunity to sit among the members of the elite council in their white silk robes just before her graduation from the prestigious academy. Master Sigfried wished to keep Ethan – his youngest student's brother – occupied away from the academy's hustle and bustle, so he assigned him a short tour to welcome a new arrival from the outskirts of Iron Renaissance.
It wasn't an urgent matter, but merely a trick to distract the young man from his inability to use magic, without appearing too reserved. Ethan accepted the task with a brief sentence, even though his presence at the "North Star Lantern Academy" was not out of his father's will— the head of the "Vermouth" Union— but out of his desire to hone his skills and break through his weaknesses to rise among the elite sorcerers... away from his family's military traditions related to swordsmanship and fencing. Master Siegfried nodded with his weary voice: "The newcomer is waiting for you in the courtyard. You'll find her near the Lady of the Lantern fountain... and be careful!" Ethan took the responsibility with an unprecedented seriousness and headed to the fountain After leaving Master Siegfried's office for a while where he found Nila standing in a simple dress belonging to the academy's students, a dark blue color that concealed the dread of waiting. Ethan was impressed by Neela's simple beauty.
Her hair was a dull brown, its wavy strands cascading down her back over the bluish-black academy robe. He knew he was tasked with guiding her during the brief introductory tour, but his anticipated nervousness faded at her calm glance. After Nila nodded in agreement, they set off across the courtyard, which resembled a small garden alive with the laughter of middle school students. Ethan began the tour by taking her to the places he had memorized since his early days, when he had sneaked behind the giant gate with its imposing statue. There stood the "Lantern" statue, commemorating the Azuria witch team and her companions before the academy was founded. He then led her from the aromatic basil meadows at the edge of the gate to the dueling yard designated for sword training, suddenly recalling his evening lesson with Mr. Leona, the young instructor renowned for her rare skills in martial arts, even though sunset was only hours away.
Nila's eyes sparkled lightly towards Ethan with her silver eyes about the specialization Ethan had chosen a week ago. Here in Azoria, students can choose their own curriculum, from fencing arts to ancient sorcerer techniques and potion-making. Ethan told her he had chosen both curriculums, although he preferred magic more, because of one of his nannies who used to play with him when he was still sucking milk from his mother's breasts until the age of six, when his brother Henry started training him in the arts of Vermouth in fencing.
He discovered then that he was unable to cast spells when he tried to perform the simplest techniques but failed.... Nila guessed that he was of tainted blood, the people who first appeared 300 years ago and intermarried, passing that blood down to their children and grandchildren. It's unfortunate that the grandchildren bear the burdens of the grandparents. As for Ethan, he didn't seem bothered by what he inherited from his mother; he was just as he is now.
Ethan bid farewell to Nila, as he escorted her from the academy all the way to the Raghineria Bridge. The time was nearing sunset, where the shadows of the red dusk played quietly before the nightfall. Nila bid him farewell as she crossed the bridge and walked towards the students' dormitory. Now, Ethan had nothing to do but remember the fencing lesson with Mr. Leona at dusk, with a group of students from the same field. But before that, there was something he had to do before heading to the fencing hall.
Ethan has long suffered from the unknown lineage of his blood and his inability to produce mana in intense bursts, which has led him to take doses and medications to maintain his mana production. The medication doses are always made from roots rich in natural mana elements, knowing that Ethan continues to produce mana in his body but in concerning bursts that threaten to render him completely incapacitated. Dr. Aurelia has supported Ethan since she learned of his extreme condition.
She was able – with the rich roots she gathered from the Blackwood Forest east of the lands of Arentia, the home of the ancient potion makers of the golden lands of Arentia – to reduce the effects of the poisoned blood in him, especially since she had helped many Azurian students with similar matters. Her role as a forensic doctor and her diligent work made her a person of significant rank in Azuria. Unlike her captivating beauty and the way her glasses rested on her gleaming dark skin, the infirmary room where Ethan was received was always filled with dread.
From the fluid containers and the animals preserved in a slimy green liquid, Mrs. Aurelia kept them as if displaying them proudly on shelves filled with various types and shapes of drugs. "You will feel some relief when it takes effect." When Mrs. Aurelia finished injecting Ethan with a glowing red drug into the vein of his pale wrist, he also felt the blood circulating in his body, and the mana coursing through his shallow body and essence.
Mrs. Aurelia warned Ethan when he stood up that he should be cautious of the hallucinations that might confront him as he continued his treatment. She confirmed whether he had seen any hallucinations recently, but Ethan replied in the negative, as he only felt the sweat in the late hours of the night, and it didn't bother him much. Ethan bid her farewell since he had nothing to say, and left her nursing room, which reminded him of the bitter tree roots in his yard when Henry was training him The smell of the roots is what made him remember.
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In the evening, inside the old duelist's hall, the scent of sweat and damp earth lingered, while Ms. Leona stood in the center delivering her speech in a deep, masculine voice. Her sword, sheathed in an oil-stained leather scabbard and gleaming steel, hung down. She recited her speech to the students specializing in fencing or those with dual disciplines, mostly boys with a few girls among them.
Today's lesson was just light warm-up exercises of running around the courtyard thirty-five times and forty push-ups of squats, while the exhausted students suppressed their fatigue and expressions of annoyance. Ms. Leona had promised them some time ago, at their request, that a duel would be held among them. She found no reason to refuse the offer, as it would boost the morale of her new students, as has been the custom throughout her years of experience here at the academy. They were supposed to draw lots to divide the competitors who would duel against each other. Instead, Ms. Leona divided them randomly, convinced of her decision, as she set the rules: win or lose.
Whoever drops their sword first loses the duel, and whoever steps out of the fighting arena marked by the chalk lines also loses the duel, and whoever surrenders likewise loses the duel.
The fight continues until the fencer loses or surrenders; even losing consciousness is considered a loss. Ms. Leona stated that if they truly want to be sword bearers, they must experience the pain and the feeling of vomit rising from their throats, for the sword does not distinguish between a noble's son and a commoner.
The rounds of combat began among the enthusiastic students, and many quickly fell, losing and becoming tainted by the moist soil of defeat, while others tasted the flavor of victory in their dry throats.
The duel event today was supposed to be a small gathering among the fencing students and Mr. Leona, but it seems to have attracted the attention of students from other disciplines as well, who stood at a distance cheering for their peers. Fencing has always been a form of entertainment coordinated at important events among noble families and festivals, especially in the lands of Olympus where the art of fencing was somewhat sacred. Ethan was able to spot Nila, the new student from earlier, standing in the stands like the other guests, where she greeted him from her position and smiled, and he reciprocated. Ethan had no friends throughout his time at the academy, which was nearing a week like the other students here, until Thalia Stromhaide brought him to the event in hopes that she could entertain herself.
Most of them ended up drinking from the shallow pool of defeat, while others enjoyed the thrill of victory. Although the duel was held at their request to Mr. Leona, they feared dueling a person known for his swordsmanship, as the members of House Versil were always rogues in the art of the sword. He stepped into the arena as his turn came, his golden hair preventing the simplicity of his leather belt, designed to hold the sword, from diminishing his elegant appearance. He stood waiting for his opponent. While the others were struck with awe; he was a descendant of House Versil, the symbol of the phoenix and the sword ، You should be careful with them in their field of specialization.
Since Frenith Farsil had waited long in the center of the arena, Mr. Leona called out to Ethan to stand against Frenith, who had a confident stance and tired, weary eyes. Ethan stepped forward, holding his wooden sword made from hard oak, just like the others, and now he was facing his opponent. Everyone present knew and trusted that Ethan would lose the duel in the next two minutes. Frenith was known for his talent against other peers; he had fought against older students and won, gaining strength from his house brothers. A foe like Ethan was not and could never be a match for him.
At Mr. Leona's signal to have them fight each other, Frenith jumped two steps, feeling the wind rush past him, and collided with Ethan, who blocked the blows one after another. Meanwhile, the shouts of excitement rose around the small fighting ring, its boundaries drawn with chalk. Frenith was harsh with his blows, which faltered before Ethan, who merely focused on defense, retreating like a lamb towards the deep cliff. Frenith found in Ethan an unbreakable wall, only retreating backward despite his attempts to land blows from different angles with his sword that shattered the wind's illusions. It was only Ethan who blocked him, content with defense, leaving the spectators astonished at how Ethan managed to stand against the cub of the Farsil family.
They did not know what Ethan had seen in his family's house during training. His house, which primarily relied on selling high-quality oak wood, also took care of making the empty Vermouth knights. Men built by the fire of wood and iron, Henry who was not merciful in training his younger brother Ethan. He always had to break his spirit and teach him that Vermouth does not fall easily until he sees how tough his opponent is. This was their motto that never bent. Frenith gasped as he writhed from exhaustion in front of the unyielding Vermouth son, who stood without bending. The students were shocked, most of them, especially Mr. Leona, as if she were looking at Ethan as a younger version of Henry. Frenith forced himself to make the mana flow through his body, and his wooden sword became harder, and now he was faster.
However, he was unable to keep up with the cunning Ethan. In turn, with a little mana, he solidified his sword and began to resist Frenith, who was also intensifying. He remembered how many times Eldric had broken his sword while training with him in the Knights' Whisper.
The blows and maneuvers intensified from Ethan's direction, who was deeply engrossed. Although Mana Frenith was purer and denser, Ethan broke Frenith's sword from its weak links, shattering the oak wood into splinters, followed by the handle falling from Frenith's shocked hand, and the gathered students. Ethan won the sword's base, and blood dripped from his forehead like a stream of hot water on his skin.
Frenith stood in shock as Leona announced after a long silence, "Ethan is the victor." Ethan saluted Frenith with a post-duel salute, and he did so with obvious hesitation. The dueling event of the day was concluded by Mr. Leona, and the students were allowed to return to their respective dormitories after the conclusion. Apparently, everyone forgot that Ethan belonged to the Oak family. Their blue emblem was always printed on their special flags in blue against a backdrop of a leafless oak tree with many branches.
The duel event today ended with a short speech from Mr. Leona before the students dispersed to their dormitories, as the curfew hours approached. Ethan remained alone after bidding farewell to Frenith following their duel, as did Neela, who had crossed his path. He took a hot shower and disinfected the small wound on his forehead, then concluded his day in his room. His room was like the other noble children's rooms here in Azoria: spacious with enough room to breathe and walk. He lay on his hard bed, looking at the ceiling of his room, restless with an unstable breath. He remembered his rivalry against the son of Farsil
Ethan knew that Frenith was a person of inevitable talent; if he continued on the same path, in the future, he would not be able to confront him on the dueling ground. After the duel, when Frenith shook his hand, he seemed to want to engage in a discussion with him, but he withdrew into silence and left Ethan. Sweat began to prevent Ethan from sleeping as every night, as he contemplated the stars from the window of his room on the second floor. After leaving his bed, he looked at the crimson moon, which was about to complete its 130th cycle since the founding of the Azoria Academy, "The Lantern of the North."
His vision faded into the sparkle of the night sky as he longed for his home in the south. He is now certain that Eldric is outside training the knights in the courtyard, and that his sister is in the office doing her paperwork, as has been the custom in his home since Henry left for the city and took up the esteemed position of a knight in the royal court.
He didn't feel drowsy because of the sweat that came from taking his medication. Therefore, he couldn't tell if what he was seeing was an illusion or not. A woman who looked more like a girl floating in the sky with a pale face accompanied by enchanting beauty, a blood-red dress hanging down, and white hair that seemed transparent. He couldn't distinguish if this was a hallucination from Mr. Aurelia's medicine, but what seemed real to him was the image of the girl approaching him and floating on this cold evening.