Due to Teran’s unfamiliarity with the forest, it took him many hours to navigate it. It was only until dawn he was able to stumble out of the forest and reach the stone walls of Fenral. The wall extended in a circular shape around the city, which was situated along the coast of the Agarian Sea. Teran stopped to catch his breath, the sweat from his jet-black hair trickled down to his face. His legs were aching, and the joints of his bones were groaning in agony. He inspected his ragged clothes. His shirt and pants were torn and dirtied from yesterday’s escapades. Teran struggled to keep his eyes open, he had expended a lot of arcana for that mist trick. Moreover, he hadn’t slept for a whole day. Once he found the entrance into the city, he wandered aimlessly in what seemed to be the market district. Teran approached a merchant that was setting up his stall for the day.

“Hello good sir, do you know where I might find the Arcanum Academy, the school of warlocks and spirit users?” He asked. The merchant glanced at Teran’s ragged clothes and eyed him like he was a thief. Nonetheless, the merchant answered him.

“Keep walking down this path and you’ll eventually reach it.”

Teran thanked him and followed the path. His fatigue was making him slip in and out of consciousness. The citizens of Fenral took a glimpse at the stumbling boy. Some eyed him with disgust, others with pity. Teran did not have the luxury to care and kept on dragging himself towards the academy.

After what felt like a lifetime to Teran, he spotted four circular towers in the four corners of the academy. A large green dome seemed to be at the center of the academy, yet the view was mostly blocked by the front wall. Teran had finally reached the academy. Now the only obstacle was the shining metal door before him.

You’ve got to be kidding me

The last ounce of strength escaped Teran and he collapsed on the sandy ground.

Teran opened his eyes. His body felt heavy and his stomach rumbled. He was still at the entrance to the academy. No one had moved him.

“What a surprise! You’re awake at last, you’ve slept for a whole day you know, I thought you might have died.”

Teran looked up to find another boy not much older than him. Fair-skinned and blonde-haired, the boy was most likely Sindelan. He wore a white robe with golden silk laced around the edges.

Maybe a student?

“Your orange eyes and tanned skin mark you as a Pashani, you are a long way from home.” The Sindelan remarked.

“I was expecting to wake up in a bed in the academy by now, I guess you don’t take strays in huh?” Teran croaked. His throat was dry from thirst.

The Sindelan laughed. “If we did, the academy would be filled to the brim. My teacher has tasked me to test your aptitude for spirits. We think you have potential. But first, there’s a meal and waterskin behind. Regain your strength and we can begin.”

Teran turned to look and found a bowl filled with soup. Teran hesitated before reaching out. He shook his head. If they wanted to kill me, they would have done it already. He grabbed the bowl and proceeded to gulp large mouthfuls of the soup. Although it was cold, the soup did not taste too bad. After Teran finished his meal and drunk from his waterskin, he turned back to the young Sindelan leaning against the massive door of the academy.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Thanks for the food, I’m Teran Savorr by the way.”

“Elan Flores, nice to meet you, Teran, now let us get down to business,” Elan said.

Teran nodded.

“Why are you here?” Elan asked bluntly.

“I seek refuge within the walls of the academy from Geffar Bluesteel,” Teran answered. Eventually, he will not be able to hide this fact, so Teran spoke the truth.

“Geffar Bluesteel! That’s quite an enemy to have – I’m sure there’s a story behind that. If you pass this test, you have to tell me all about it.” Elan smiled.

“Fine, but what’s this test you keep babbling about?”. Teran was getting impatient, wondering if the bounty hunter was close by.

“All you have to do to enter the academy is get past me and touch the door behind me.”

With that challenge, Elan raised his arms as a translucent eagle appeared from nothing, circling the warlock’s head.

He has a familiar.

From the rising gusts of wind converging around Elan, Teran guessed that the eagle was a wind spirit bound to the warlock. The winds suddenly became more intense until a whirlwind formed around Elan reaching the height of the massive door behind him. Teran stood up and walked closer to the whirlwind, testing how close he could get without being sucked in and hurled by the tornado. The wind was gathering the sand and dust, making it hard for Teran to spot the Sindelan.

I don’t have anywhere near that much spiritual power. So, this is the difference between a warlock with and without a familiar.

Teran stepped back and looked for any weakness in the tornado’s defense. His blazing orange eyes darted around searching for a way to counter this seemingly impossible obstacle. He caught a glimpse through the swirling tempest of Elan. He was sitting on the ground, cross-legged, with an arrogant grin on his face. A sudden urge to punch the man overcame Teran for an instant. He pushed the feeling away and focused on the ground below the Sindelan’s whirlwind. A plan began to form.

Teran expanded his arcane sense downwards, as far as he could go. He was searching for earth spirits closest to the lava and magma of the world. It was only a matter of time before Elan realized his scheme.

Found you!

Teran contracted the spirit as fast as he could, yet earth spirits were notoriously stubborn. His uncle had said, ‘you are only a medium, let the arcana flow and your only job is to direct it’. Teran relaxed and let the earth spirit probe his arcana. Sweat started to trickle down his face. “Come on reishi.” Teran pleaded.

After what seemed like an eternity to Teran, the earth spirit allowed itself to be contracted. Teran did not waste time and triggered the lava. Teran had no experience nor ability to control this type of element, but in this circumstance, his lack of control was his best weapon. The ground beneath Elan bubbled and melted into magma. Elan immediately stood up, but it was too late. The lava erupted from under his feet. Elan leaped in the air, propelled by his wind magic, and narrowly avoided being burned.

Teran wasted no time as he watched the invincible whirlwind disappear. He sprinted to the door and touched it. Teran was delighted to see a mildly annoyed Elan floating towards him.

“That was a dirty trick you pulled off, but I admit my defeat.” Elan conceded with a sarcastic smirk.

“It was the only way I could win against you.”, Teran replied while catching his breath. That ‘dirty trick’ took all of his stamina to cast, he still had a long way to go.

The towering door rumbled and began to open, allowing for a full view of the central structure of the academy. The main building was tall enough to be considered about 4 stories high. The translucent green dome was at the top center of the building and almost seemed to shimmer as the sunlight struck it. Teran was surprised to see how…bustling the academy was, warlock students and teachers were scrambling in all directions, some more hurriedly others. Bluesteel was going to have a difficult time stabbing him if he was behind these walls.

“Let me be the first to welcome you to the Arcanum Academy,” Elan said with a grin.

This might not be so bad after all.