Momadeg had finally arrived and with it there was at least one thing to be excited about. It was the first day of classes!
The school year at the college was broken up into quarters, the so called Fall semester was traditionally seen as the second quarter. But that was more of a suggestion, it technically didn’t even start till the middle of the fall and would extend to early Simiwesan, which was certainly winter not fall. They would hold graduation exams at the end of the so-called spring quarter, which also extended into summer, regardless. There also wasn't a set timetable you were expected to be finished. As Emilie had learned from Younehti, some students came and left in a year, others might spend nearly a decade, and others never left.
As it was, she had no idea how long she would be there, or for that matter what she would do after. It wasn’t exactly her plan to come here in the first place. Considering plans, she also had no idea what hers was even for just this semester. Unlike her schoolhouse, this college had multiple classes sometimes occurring at the same time. Then there were lectures, meetings, and other events, all of which could lead to her eventual graduation and then… what?
She technically didn’t even graduate from her schoolhouse.
In her old schoolhouse graduation was the day when your teacher handed you off to be an apprentice somewhere, or where they just got tired of trying to teach you. Would this college get you an apprenticeship when you were done? Even if the tuition, room and board were free, her parents were still spending coins to send her up here and supply her. She’d need to pay them back one day, even if they didn’t need or want it, she knew it was something she’d have to do for her own sake.
Looking out her warped bedroom window at the distorted horizon, she guessed it was a bit before 9. That one class she had would be starting in an hour, she had best be on her way if she wanted to get food and be on time.
It was the only class she knew was required of her was a more informal first attendance class, and required was a bit of a stretch. It didn’t seem like they kept tabs or cared if you showed up. Though, there had to be some kind of penalty. Surely, they wouldn't pay for her to stay here if she wasn't doing anything? It was all so different from her little schoolhouse, where even being a few minutes late would earn you demerits in the form of pages. What would even be demerits here?
Looking over her wardrobe, it wasn’t exactly a large selection and there was only item she could realistically choose, her dress, again. The rest of it was just too light, as she tried to wear some of it yesterday, only to turn around when she was outside. A part of her worried the other students might stare at her if she kept wearing the same thing. At least she’d have more to wear in the late spring and summer.
Making her was down to the cafeteria, she passed several faces she noticed. Emilie hadn’t had the chance to get their names, or anything really, but their sight was becoming a common occurrence. It felt like a few of them might have been staring at her. Probably just her imagination and nerves. It hadn’t even been a week yet, it seemed there was little chance she had made a name for herself yet. Right?
Down in the cafeteria most seats were taken, but she managed to find an opening to squeeze in and scarf down a squash cake. Each meal she ate made Younehti words become truer, already Emilie could have gone for some of her mother's bland winter porridge. They’d probably change up the menu later, at least, that’s what she hoped.
In between bites, the tickling of a few murmurs directed at her and a laugh or two began to make her feel unwelcome. Instead of listening to them, she tried to fixate her attention on the food. Trying to eat it as fast as possible, she coughed slightly as she took in a piece just a bit too big. Even if it was softer and moist it still didn’t want to go down without some help or smaller bites.
'How did that goblin scarf this down so quick?' she wondered while chugging some water.
"It's the goblin slayer." A halfling girl laughed in her direction. The same one she saw on her floor early.
As Emilie tried to finish her breakfast, she was so focused on her food that she didn’t see the seat next to her empty and quickly fill again, if she had, she might have just moved.
"So mage, what stories do you have for us today?" Filling that seat, was the dark skinned human looking boy with the cat like eyes, Eoltan.
"Want to regal us with any more exploits? May another story of a goblin hunt? Or dragons this time!" The laughter around her would hint at the unkind nature of his question.
Yet, the young mage was unaccustomed to serious teasing and bullying. Despite the mocking tone, it was hard for her to make out if the older boy was being serious or not.
Unfortunately for her, she took the bait. "I… did fight a dragon once."
"Oh, did you! Why not tell us?" Eoltan continued to mock at the laughs and expressions continued to grow against her.
"Yeah! Tell us the story of the great goblin slaying, no dragon slaying mage!" Somone else called out, she wasn't sure who.
The sounds of laughter around the cafeteria echoed. Even she could tell now that it wasn’t a pleasant laugh, rather full of insulting and mocking angst toward her.
Memories, like grave yard mist drifted into her mind, memories of people screaming and dying, the smell of smoke, ash and burn flesh began to make her stomach turn. The look of that terrifying lizard intent on ending her life filled her mind as she felt its deathly stare from the crypt of her memories. Her hands started to shake, she didn't want to remember it, that nice couple who burned alive. Reese nearly meeting the same fate. It was too much to remember.
"I… actually don't want to talk about it." Her stomach suddenly felt numb, as if fullness didn’t matter anymore. She stopped eating.
Eoltan’s hand grabbed her shoulder and shook her ever so slightly. "Oh, come now don't be shy. Please oh great mage, regal us with your story of dragon fighting. How many was it, a dozen, a hundred?"
"Three…” The remaining squash cake no longer looked appetizing as she put her fork down. “Three dragons attacked my village. They killed people I knew. I only fought one of them, and I didn't kill it, the soldiers did. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go to class."
Ignoring the words and whispers next to her, she stood up. Snatching the plate from in front of her she attempted to quickly make her way to the drop off station. Only, something was wrong, she couldn’t walk. No, rather her feet weren’t making traction with the ground she stood on. The sudden loss of friction left Emile unable to stay up-right, as her feet slide out from under her. If there was one bit of silver lining, the remnants of the squash cake landed next to her, instead of on top of her.
The laughter was deafening and hurt worse than the fall. Why were they doing this to her, what did she do to them?
From back in the kitchen area, someone yelled at the ruckus. “Oi! No rough-housing in the cafeteria. I see any of you making a mess out there, I’m giving you ten demerits.”
The cafeteria went quite at that threat.
Eoltan stood up from his seat, smiling down at her in a wicked grin. “Oh. You should watch your step ‘mage’. The floor can get quite slippery. Shame you don’t know how to dispel spells. I guess maybe you're not much of a mage?”
"I never said I was." The whisper was more to herself than anyone else. Her hand moved over the stone floor, it felt solid, not slippery, or cold. Her mind began to wander for a second, how did they do that, more than who did it.
It didn’t matter, she needed to get to class. Picking up the remnants of the plate and cake added insult to her injury. Quickly she tried to drop the now trash off at the drop off point, only to be stopped by that same kitchen hand who yelled earlier. “Kid, don’t let them bully you like that. They’ll see you as a target and won’t let up. I see it all the time.”
If the words were meant to make her feel better they had the opposite effect. Forcing a smile and word of thanks she hurried off to her class, trying to leave the accursed cafeteria as quickly as she could.
The class was simply called “Your first class at Yoth”, and was to be held in one of the rooms in the library. One of the more northern groups spaces. Inside she recognized several faces, the other three who came with her Lenadir, Culushus, and unfortunately Eoltan who smiled as she entered. There were several other students who she didn’t recognize and also that halfling girl from a few minutes ago who didn’t seem to want to make eye contact, in all there were eleven of them. Including herself.
The room was a fairly unremarkable classroom, it was a space about the same size as her schoolhouse, maybe a touch bigger. There were more chairs and desks in it, probably 50 in all. Chalkboards covered the walls where there weren’t shelves. At the front of the space was a fairly large flat desk. It reminded her of that workbench Reese used to use, but larger. Underneath were clearly some magical implements, very few of which she couldn’t recognize. Perhaps the only thing unexpected was the lack of windows, save for two tall and very narrow ones in the very back and front of the room.
As excited as she should have felt, it was different from the first time she attended that small schoolhouse. Something felt like it was missing here. Maybe it was just the bullying from earlier.
"Well, good morning to you all, I am Kraodher!" A loud voice boomed from the doorway, and man who could only be described as a mage entered. He's was an older man, with almost pure white hair down to his back. His steel blue eyes emanated a sense of power and wisdom. Yet, his subtle smile softened his outward deminer.
Beckoning the class to sit down, he himself moved to the front of the room. "Well, I presume you are all new students, and this is your first class. I'm sure you have many questions. This introductory class is set to help you navigate our college." The man paused and pulled out a medium sized ledger, and quickly made some notes. "Let me just take down your names…"
As they gave their names, he seemed to be recording significantly more than just that.
"First, a question for all of you, how many of you have graduated from any other institution. Can be anything, an academy, a schoolhouse…"
Only five hands went up, sadly, Emilie couldn't lift her own. She left without ever officially graduating, but it didn't seem to matter to the college at least, she hopped it didn't.
"Hmm, less than I expected. Ok, you how did you graduate and what did you receive from it?"
Culushus, the black panther stood up. "I turned 14 and my schoolhouse teacher said he had nothing left to teach me. I got a sealed letter with my teacher's signature saying I graduated. But it was enough for me to get the attention of the examiner who was passing through and, here I am."
"So a piece of paper. Next, how about you?"
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Lenadir, the rather plan monk looking boy stood up next. "My tutor graduated me this past summer. I performed my studies adequately, and she signed a paper similar to Culushus'. Sealed as well. My final assignment was on agriculture, I completed a history of the potato crop we grow. I gave several projections, estimates for future growth and cost evaluations. I also compiled a list of various possible spells and magics that could further enhance outputs by-"
"Thank you Lenadir, very insightful. Again, paper. Let's stop there, anyone offered an apprenticeship?"
Only one hand went up the halfling girl’s, it was hard to tell if she stood up or not. "I was offered two apprenticeships. The mayor of my village wanted me for actuary work, I was one of the few who knew math and could read. Also, the local blacksmith was interested in my ability to cast spells, said I'd be good with enchanting."
"Very good. The point I'm making, graduation is nothing special. A piece of paper or an apprenticeship, a job. Of course, our college offers similar items for those who graduated. But that shouldn't be your focus while you're here. For one, only about a quarter of you will graduate and that's intentional. For that paper to mean something, it has to come from the best of best. The rest, I promise you, if you study well and improve your craft there will be no end of opportunities even if you don’t graduate.
If you seek power, any city or even kingdom will seek your services, as an advisor behind the power. Those who want coin and gold, those same rulers will pay your weight in coins."
His attention seemed to drift in her direction, it was as if he smiled slightly as well. "Lastly, for those like me, the scholars among you. You will have an understanding of the world and magic that few could imagine. And access to one of the largest libraries in the world. Whether you graduate or not, your knowledge will give you access to other colleges around our great country. Even beyond it.
Some of you are paying to attend or your families are. I would recommend you don't waste that investment. Which means going to class."
Again, his attention drifted to her, "Young lady, I assume you went to a schoolhouse, what would happen if you missed class?"
Emile stood, and thought for a minute, "I'd face demerits, and my teacher would have me copy pages from our texts."
The old man nodded, as Emilie sat back down. "Very good. I imagine it was similar for most of you. You will not receive demerits for missing class here. In fact, you will choose what classes you want to attend and when. This particular class is meant to help guide your first steps. I will be available after it's over to help you navigate your first year. With that out of the way, let's go over the minor details of being a student here…"
For the next hour or so Kraodher explained the intricacies of the college. He continued his discussion of classes; a list of available classes was posted in the library. Seating was always on a first come basis, but a faculty member could maybe be convinced to hold a seat for a dedicated student. There was no checked homework in general, but problems were assigned at the end of each class. At the end of the semester each student would make a presentation on what they learned to a randomly assigned faculty member or two.
There were no grades, just satisfactory performance or not. Failure to preform for several semester could lead to you being asked to leave, certainly it would result in the loss of your scholarship if you had one.
There was also the end of semester 'magic games.' Every semester the arena would be used, and students could face off in mock challenges and games of a sort. It was a chance to prove your casting and other skills. It could also make up for unsatisfactory performance in the semester. Beyond that it was a chance for the college to make some coins as well, as spectators were charged quite a bit to view.
In the spring a special set of games would be held over two days. These were always the same, a ranked tournament, the first day being pure magic casting, and the second day being a tool assisted one, where staffs, wands and other magic items could be used. The students would engage in mock battles with each other and the best would be ranked.
Emilie's hands shook with excitement as she hurriedly took notes. Never before had she used even a wand, let alone a staff. The excitement of using her skills in the arena could not be denied as her imagination ran wild with a few short day-dreams between her note taking.
You could graduate from the college by combat alone if you ranked in the top 25% of the rankings for each day. It was part of a larger agreement the college had with the kingdom of Yoth to help produce battle mages.
There were two other ways to graduate too. You could get five faculty to agree with your progress and bring it to the archmage, who would then sign the official documentation. Usually, a student would produce something beforehand, like the thesis Younehti was working on. If the archmage refused, there was a final way. The majority of the faculty could agree to graduate you, overriding the archmage. But that was a long shot that never happened in practice.
Demerits were the next point he covered, which could be picked up for a whole list of infractions even just for making a faculty member angry. Removing Demerits could be done in any number of activities, from working in the kitchen or on the grounds, assisting with a faculty member, or performing administrative work. Kraodher stressed that everyone would earn some demerits, it’s just the nature of the system, and not to worry too much about one or two.
If you accumulated 30 or more, there would be an issue as you only had 30 days to remove a demerit before it became something more severe.
Finally, Kraodher ended the class with a very long and detailed fifteen-hundred history of the library keep, and its walls. The keep was older than the college, far older, in fact they didn't seem to know exactly how old it really was. A group of researchers setup in what were ruins at the time to study the nearby Ice Dragon population. Eventually the old dead city to the north came back to life as the college started to form, making coin off of both the college, and the abundance of quality lumber in the area. It seemed like there was lot being left out of history, but there was only so much you could cover in an hour.
"Oh, one last thing. If you don't know any light spells, please see the librarian before you leave. She has several for check out and you’ll need them for the light stones in the library and your dorm room."
With that her first class was over. Kraodher continued to stand at the front of the room much like Fense had done, while everyone else left. Well, everyone but one person.
"Emilie. How can I help you child?"
She looked over her notes, and mountains of questions she had built up. The professor mage was willing to stay around and answer questions, but she didn't want to monopolize the man's time. "I'm just, unsure what I'm supposed to do? I'm happy to be at this college, but I never… I just wasn't told what was expected of me. I know the college is paying for me to be here…"
The old man smiled again, like a grandfather might. "Emilie, I know you're quite young, did you want to come to college?"
Panic began to set in as she tried to craft a response, something that wouldn't get her kicked out on her first day. Thankfully though, she didn't have too.
"My beautiful wife was a prodigy like yourself, she was sent away to an academy when she about your age. Unlike us, she was skilled with the sword, not magic. The way she could swing that blade was like magic though. Oh, I would love to tell you our story, but I do know it's hard. My advice, start with something you're interested in. What do you like to do?"
Emilie thought for a moment, the answer was simple, "Cast and learn spells, I guess. It's what got me in trouble when I was younger but, seeing that flame coming from my hand, or the torrent of water from my will. I can't get enough of it." A bitter smile crossed her lips as she thought about.
"Ah, so pure magics. In that case, I'd recommend 'Elemental Theory', 'History of Elemental Magics' and maybe… your magic skills tend towards destructive magics? Like Fire Bolt, and maybe Lighting Bolt?"
"I also know Ice bolt, but I tired learning some healing spells, I’m not good at them."
"So, no defensive spells. Ok, then I'd also recommend 'Defensive Magics', the faculty member who teaches it is, abrasive, but knowledgeable. I think that will be a good foundation for you, and the course will continue through the next few semesters. After that, pick one or two more classes that sound interesting. They don't even have to be magic related, there are some fine history courses here. Also, I'd recommend learning High Elven and Auslang if you don't know it. There are courses every other semester for them. Next semester, there will be some healing courses you may like as well.
As for the college paying for you, I assume you mean a scholarship. Don’t worry about that too much. The best way to pay that back, is to succeed and give something back at later date. Several of the books in the library are in fact the works of our advanced students. Even when they left the college, many will find ways to bring back something back later."
A few notes in her book. At least now she had a bit of direction, even if it wasn't a perfect one. Looking over her notes one last time, there were many more questions, but they probably weren't ones the old mage could answer.
"Anything else?"
With a subtle smile, she closed her notebook. "No. Thank you Kraodher. I at least know what direction to go, even if I don't know where I'm going."
"One more word of advice from an old man, no one ever truly knows where they're going. Be sure to enjoy your journey, young one. I don't know anyone who got a second one."
Out in the library, not far from the center desk, was the paper Kraodher mentioned.
'Basic Elemental Theory. Momadeg, Vobeesdeg and Practicum Setnesdeg at Noon in the Ampatheator. Mage Bragmond'
It meets on the weekends too. What were Practicums? She wrote down the information in her notebook.
'History of Elemental Magics. Vobeesdeg, Dunladeg at 2PM in auxiliary classroom 3. Mage Kraodher'
Kraodher was teaching that class. He seemed like a nice man, maybe it would be a 'gentle' class. At the very least, it sounded interesting.
'Defensive Magics. Tivisadeg, Dunladeg, and Practicum Setnesdeg, at 10AM. Keep Class Room 2-1. Mage Tallin.'
That last class seemed to fit the suggestion of Kraodher, she wrote that one down too.
There weren't any language courses listed, at least none she could see. Maybe she could do something else, another history course? There was a course on enchanting, Reese would have liked that. But, that was his thing, maybe she’d consider it in another semester, if there was nothing else to choose. There were lots of classes, but which ones did she really want to take?
"Hey." A voice interrupted her thought process.
It was unusual for Emilie to be eye level with anyone. The halfling girl was the rare exception. There weren’t many halflings in the college, or at least Emilie hadn’t seen that many yet. The twin tail hair style combined with her auburn hair made this particular halfling easy to identify out of that small group. She was the same girl who smirked when she walked down the hall and laughed at her in the cafeteria. The girl was also apparently starting the college at the same time as her, given the class they both just left.
Regardless, Emilie didn't really want to deal with someone who was just there to bother her. "What, do you want to laugh at me again?"
The halfling's brown eyes drifted away, like there was a slight feign of remorse. "Look, I just wanted to say I'm sorry about this morning. I'm not sure who cast that spell in the cafeteria, but it could have been bad, and you could have been hurt. That was too far."
“Thank you for apologizing."
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be your friend. I get it, you're a kid and think stories will make people like you, but they won't. Not here."
"They're not stories, they happened. I saw people die, I almost died!" Emilie had all she could do not to yell. As it was, her voice caught the gaze of the librarian from yesterday who glared at them.
"Emilie, I'm going to give you some advice. Most of the people here are young, they've been in this college for a while. They're capable mages already, when someone new, a kid no less, comes in and tries to show them up… it can lead to jealousy and anger. Strong people don't take well to the weak." The halfling sighed and rubbed at the back of her head. "Did you really attack a dragon?"
"It wasn't like I had a choice. It was going to kill me and the people around me, and like I said, I didn't even kill it."
The halfling’s face sunk a little as if remembering something. "I come from a smaller village to the north. It was attacked by an Ice dragon six years ago. A lot of people died. I've seen those things up close. If you did face one down, even just a fire dragon you're either an incredible mage already or just a fool."
A smile crossed Emilie's face. For a moment, she could imagine Reese's quick sarcasm responding to that comment, "Maybe I'm both." This was something she needed to get better at, getting close to people, and being herself or rather who she wanted to be.
The Halfling shook her head and laughed, before walking away. "Ok. Well foolish mage, you probably want to take 'Basic Elemental Theory'. That's going to be a busy class, you should hurry before it fills up. You can follow me if you don't know where it is, it's one of the classes I'm taking."
Emilie followed the halfling, passed the gaze of the perturbed librarian, and out the front doors.
"By the way, not sure if you were paying attention or not, but I'm Morgan."
She was, but it was a nice gesture. "And I'm Emilie!" It wasn't the same feeling as when she met Reese, but still, it was nice.
Outside, in the large grass area known as 'The Yard', was the stone amphitheater she passed on her way in. All around were several dozen students waiting for the class to begin. Emilie could only guess, but the area probably seated about 80 comfortably. In theory that would have been the cap on the class size.
Some of the students present pointed in her direction and snickered. She recognized Eoltan in particular who seemed to be driving at least a part of it.
"It's the goblin slayer." One of them whispered.
"I thought it was dragon slayer?" Another spoke much louder and clearer.
"Just ignore them." Morgan shook her head and glared back at Emilie. "They'll stop in a week or two if you don't feed them attention. I know…" In the glint of the now afternoon sun, it almost looked like she was about to cry. Almost.
It didn’t take long for the mage in charge of the class to show up, and as if on cue, the noon bell began to ring.
"Good afternoon class. I'm mage Bragmond. I'm here to teach you the basic theory and implementation of Element magics." He was a moderate height deep tan skinned man, with the start of salt and pepper hair. His earthen brown eyes gazed across the large number of students. "Since there are so many of you, I won't record your attendance. If you want favorable words spoken of you at the end of the semester, you'll need to impress me enough to care."