Oh, my child of sorrow, taken too soon,
To the army of mages, another boon.
For our nation's wars, you were conscripted,
A fate so cruel, to which we're subjected.
In magic's embrace, the poison seeps,
As a mother's heart, mournful, weeps.
A nation's pride built on your pain,
In blood and sacrifice, your life shall wane.
Oh, the invaders, with their dark intent,
Bring forth the doom, the torment.
Yet our leaders, blind to our despair,
Send you to battle, uncaring, unfair.
Alas, my son, my heart aches for thee,
For in this world, the weak are never free.
In the shadows of power, the lowly reside,
And we must bear this burden, a mournful tide.
lamentations of a weeping mother
unknown
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4522 MA
City Outskirts, Rovos, Kartas
The Auberon Institute offered prospective students two paths of entry. The first, more traditional path required attendance at the esteemed Auberon Academy from a young age, where highly qualified instructors meticulously built strong prana channeling foundations or magical skills for each individual student. The second path to entry, arguably the more arduous of the two, was to pass the Auberon Trials. The former option provided a route for members of the privileged classes to enter the hallowed halls of the Institute, while the latter presented a grueling test that any young practitioner, regardless of their background or social standing, could attempt to gain admission.
Over the past century, the composition of Auberon's incoming classes had undergone significant changes. Once, the Institute's trials accounted for a mere fifth of each new cohort, but now they served as the entry point for nearly two-thirds of all initiates. A change reflecting the new status quo being found in the wake of the modern magical renaissance. The city of Rovos stood at the forefront of the tides of technology, its towering spires and bustling streets bearing witness to a remarkable transformation in the demographics of the Institution.
Although the Institute had always boasted larger classes of mages than cultivators, the rise of industry and the proliferation of magitech had prompted a sharp increase in the number of accepted mages. These changes had altered the status quo to the point where now, there were three mage initiates for every cultivator initiate. Despite the massive increase in available spots for mages though, the demand continued to outstrip supply. Competition to enter Auberon only grew fiercer with each passing year. Each iteration of the trials saw a massive increase in the number of hopeful candidates.
While some traditionalists expressed unease at the rapid shift in demographics, the Institute chose to embrace the change, recognizing that the world had been irreversibly altered since the Aeonshift. Historically, the trials had been a more subdued affair, consisting of an interview, a demonstration of abilities, and a written exam. The Auberon Institute was committed to testing each and every applicant, regardless of the increasing complexity this entailed. But their old format simply could not accommodate the rise of applicants.
To manage the new normal of massive numbers of applicants in each cycle, the trials had evolved into a grand spectacle. Elaborate courses were constructed to test the limits of applying cultivators, while vast swaths of land were terraformed into stages for assessing mages. The dramatic nature of the testing drew the interest of the public, and the Institute seized the opportunity to further its name and generate revenue by marketing the events far and wide. Each iteration of the trials ground the city to a halt, as citizens eagerly gathered to witness trialists displaying extraordinary abilities and accomplishing near-impossible feats before their very eyes.
Despite implementing a more efficient system of massive tests that expedited evaluations for each applicant, the Institute still struggled to accommodate the overwhelming number of mage applicants for the actual trials. The solution came in the form of a rigorous pre-selection process that applying mages had to pass to attend the main trials. This involved a preliminary round designed to eliminate large swathes of contenders, ensuring that only the veritable cream of the crop would advance to participate in the three main trials.
It was for this reason that Vyas found himself standing on an unkempt grassy field, situated a considerable distance from the Institute's actual grounds, as he prepared to undertake one of these preliminary magical examinations. The sun beat down mercilessly overhead, and Vyas, though fatigued from his efforts to navigate to this remote location, felt a renewed sense of excitement upon sighting a muscular man clad in the Institute's signature robes, wielding a staff with an air of quiet authority.
The man stood motionless, his eyes closed in silent contemplation, as the other applicants milled about uncertainly, too intimidated to ask when the examination might begin. Vyas joined their ranks, turning his gaze to analyze his competition.
His eyes were drawn to a young woman with light blonde hair, her posture radiating confidence. She appeared to be carefully reviewing a series of spells, her lips moving soundlessly as she committed each incantation to memory. Nearby, a tall, dark-skinned man with a chiseled jaw and piercing eyes carefully inspected his staff, scrutinizing every inch of the instrument to ensure it met his exacting standards. A third competitor, a lanky, bespectacled youth, sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes closed and his hands folded serenely in his lap as he sought calm and focus before the trials began.
Instructor Erland strode to the center of the field, his eyes sweeping over the gathered applicants before he spoke. "Each of you will be assigned a space within this field," he began, his voice firm but not unkind. "Your task is to manifest the four states of matter—Solid, Liquid, Gas, and Plasma—in their most common forms: earth, water, air, and fire. This is not a mere display of power, but a test of your ability to control and manipulate mana with precision and finesse."
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He raised his hands, a faint glimmer of energy swirling around his fingers as he continued, "Allow me to demonstrate."
With an elegant flick of his wrist, he drew a line in the air, and a small mound of earth rose instantaneously from the ground, obediently following the path his fingers traced. "First, we have earth," he said, his voice calm and steady.
Next, he swept his hand upward, and droplets of water gathered from the air, coalescing into a shimmering orb that floated serenely above his palm. "Water," he announced, as the orb gently rippled.
Erland then made a slow, sweeping gesture, summoning a gentle breeze that swirled around him, rustling his clothes and lifting strands of his hair. "Air," he concluded, as the breeze died down, leaving all in hushed silence.
Finally, with a quick snap of his fingers, a tiny flame ignited at the tip of his thumb. He carefully fed the fire with his energy, and it grew into a small, contained blaze, casting flickering shadows across his face. "And fire," he intoned, his eyes locked on the dancing flames.
As Erland lowered his hands, the elements he had summoned dissipated, returning to their natural state. The applicants watched with rapt attention, understanding the task set before them. He then explained that each applicant would receive a space on the field.
Vyas, one of the applicants, carefully observed the others as they prepared for the task. He could sense the mana pulsing within them, some burning brightly like a bonfire, while others flickered weakly like a candle in the wind.
The field hummed with anticipation as the trial commenced. Each applicant took their position, preparing to demonstrate their mastery of the elements. Vyas closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to ground himself amidst the nervous energy that surrounded him.
As Vyas began to manifest the elements, he couldn't help but notice the actions of some of the other trialists. Though most apprentice mages had trouble with manifesting all four different forms of matter, having much more control and experience with only one or two, this was the Auberon Institute. All of the mages attempting the trials knew that this was the minimum of what was expected of them. They all knew how to create the different forms of matter; it was more a question of just how close they could get in showcasing a level of mastery in all four.
To his left, the young woman with light blonde hair used a small, delicate wand to effortlessly shape a summoned flame that flickered in the air. On the opposite side of the field, the lanky boy with a crystal orb in hand manipulated the wind with ease, creating delicate whirlwinds that lifted small objects into the air before gently setting them back down.
These displays of precision filled Vyas with envy, as he knew that he couldn't replicate that level of control with any element. Nevertheless, he felt compelled to showcase his own strengths in response. With determination gleaming in his eyes, he focused on harnessing the raw power of the mana as he channeled it through him.
Vyas began by channeling his mana into the ground, causing the earth to rumble and shake beneath his feet. Suddenly, a towering pillar of stone erupted from the ground, its immense size and strength casting a shadow on another trialist much further away.
Next, he summoned a vortex of searing flames, the air around him crackling with energy as the blazing inferno radiated heat, making the onlookers take a step back in disbelief. Turning his attention to water, Vyas drew it from the very air around him, creating a small downpour on the ground in front of him.
Finally, Vyas called upon the wind, creating a tempest that tore through the field with gale-force intensity. The storm flattened the grass beneath his feet, leaving no doubt as to the strength of his abilities.
As the trial drew to a close, Vyas released his hold on the elements, allowing them to dissipate and return to their natural state.
Though Vyas had managed to maintain control over the immense power he had unleashed, he couldn't ignore the strain it had placed upon him. His body ached, and he felt as if taking even a single step forward might exhaust him. Yet to onlookers, his calm and composed expression gave the impression that this moment was merely an ordinary feat for him.
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Vyas was consumed by fatigue. Under normal circumstances, he would have eagerly engaged in conversation with a mage of Instructor Erland's caliber, especially given how impressed the man seemed to be with his performance. However, he could only manage a few terse words before making his escape.
He had let his guard down, not paying enough attention to his limits. He hadn't intended to exert himself so brazenly, but once he started casting, the desire to assert himself overtook him. He wanted to stand out, to demonstrate to everyone that he, Vyas, was a force to be reckoned with. This led him to draw upon more mana than he should have.
His hands shook, and his heartbeat thundered in his ears. He needed Maya.
Somehow, he managed to maintain his composure just long enough to reach their rooms. Exhausted, he stumbled against Maya's door, not bothering to knock. The door swung open, revealing Maya's concerned expression. Her eyes widened as she took in Vyas's pale, trembling form, and without a word, she reached out to help him inside.
"What were you thinking?" Maya chastised as she settled him into a chair, her voice a blend of anger and worry. She immediately recognized the cause of his current state. "You know better than to push yourself like this!"
Gritting his teeth, Vyas felt frustration with himself for not pacing himself properly and acknowledging the signs. "I know, I know. It's just... my pride got the better of me. I wanted to show off, to prove myself."
Maya shook her head, her expression softening slightly. "Vyas, you don't have to prove yourself to anyone. We both know what you're capable of."
She took his hand and channeled prana through her meridians and into his, connecting with his soul and providing the healing he desperately needed. She could feel her own energy depleting as she transferred her life force to him.
Tension grew between them as the prana transfusion continued. Maya's anger simmered beneath the surface, her eyes flashing with irritation. "You really should have asked for some prana earlier if you were running low."
Vyas bristled at her words, his own anger flaring up. "I didn't want to weaken you right before your trial. I just... I wanted to see if I could stop being a burden."
Maya huffed, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Vyas, you're not a burden. We're a team, remember? The trials are important, yes, but you're far more important. If something were to happen to you, I would never forgive you."
The two of them continued to argue, their voices rising in volume as they each stubbornly held their ground. The conversation became a swirling maelstrom of frustration, embarrassment, and concern, further intensified by their youthful naivete and inexperience.
Finally, as the prana transfusion neared its end, Maya sighed and shook her head. "Fine. Let's just finish this and then we can get back to discussing your foolishness later when you're feeling better."
Vyas nodded, his expression still tense but grateful for the temporary reprieve. His body, better but still exhausted, succumbed to sleep.