I wonder what the best paintings during the Age of Wonder were like. Adion thought to himself as he was sitting on the carpet in Quahim’s studio, reading one of the books Quahim had lent him. It was a book about art, and Adion was just getting to a part of paintings from long ago.

It was almost summer, and Adion had read through a bunch of books during the last months. Quahim had lent him a few books about Quemer to sate his curiosity, and Adion found himself enjoying reading a lot. He used to read back at the Remori manor, but he hadn’t really had the time or opportunity ever since he ended up on the other side of the continent.

“Are there any paintings remaining from the Age of Wonder?” Adion asked Quahim.

Quahim turned from his painting to look at Adion, “I don’t know. I haven’t heard of any. It’s a shame; I would have loved to see what the painters back then were capable of. There are records of old paintings, though. Some are brought in the book you’re holding. Have you got to that point?”

“I was just about to begin reading about it,” Adion answered.

“Mm,” Quahim nodded, “Tell me when you’ve finished; we can discuss it over lunch.”

“Alright,” Adion said, turning his attention to the book in his hands again. The book was called ‘Art through the Ages,’ and Quahim had told him that the author was a scholar who had earned the title of Sage after publishing the book.

Adion soon got to the part where the author discussed paintings during the Age of Wonder. Apparently, Shiora was known for having more shadow mages back then. Something Adion was shocked to read about in a book.

Is this hinting at the Celestial Phoenix Sect? They seem to have had shadow mages in their clan. But is the existence of that place something known? Based on what Sell told me about her family’s goal for coming to Shiora, it shouldn't be. Maybe there were a lot of shadow mages outside of the sect.

Adion continued reading the book: ‘Through the gracefulness of the Hoemri family, I was let in on an old book discussing the existence of a famous painting on Shiora during the Age of Wonder. The painter was a shadow mage by the name of Yohi Yoseta, and his most famous painting was said to be able to temper the Will of even the most powerful mages. It had people sailing for Shiora from all over the world just to see it. Simple words can’t do it justice, obviously, and it was just mentioned in passing in the old book the Hoemri family let me study. But from what I can gather, the painting was black.

‘People reading this might think this not being anything extraordinary. But realizing a painting that can only be described as entirely black was enough to temper the Will of powerful mages certainly gives us an understanding of just how high great art can reach. I have had the chance to see truly great paintings during my time, depicting scenes that are able to move me more than if I were to experience the scene myself. But no painting has ever come close to actually tempering my Will.

‘The painting in question was named ‘Atao’ by its creator, meaning ‘lack of everything’ in a literal sense. Perhaps ‘Nothing’ or ‘Void’ is a more apt translation. I have to admit that just imagining it gives me the chill, perhaps rightly so, as weaker mages were known to lose consciousness looking at it.

‘I believe that discovering art of the past like this gives us a glimpse of just how amazing the world used to be, and how wondrous it can become once again. By continuing our strive to improve, we won’t just have mages that can punch harder; every aspect of our society will take leaps that seem hard to imagine. Art just being one of them.’

Incredible. I wonder if I could ever paint something like that.

Adion continued to read the book, greedily absorbing the knowledge contained within the pages.

“Alright, let’s get something to eat,” Quahim said after a while.

“Right,” Adion nodded. He noticed he was sweating and realized he had to dress more lightly going forward.

These windows let too much sunlight in. Just how hot will it get in here when summer really hits?

“Doesn’t the heat bother you?” Adion asked as he stood up and stretched his body.

“Not really,” Quahim answered.

“You should hire an ice mage to cool the place down or something. Rather than paying a Gold mage to stand in the shop all day, doing nothing,” Adion said.

“Having Demoth guard the store gives me peace of mind to paint,” Quahim answered, “That’s worth a lot more than having the perfect temperature.”

“Aren’t there runes for these things? Like a cooling rune?” Adion asked.

“There are,” Quahim nodded, “The heat never really bothered me enough to get one. You are free to do so if you want, however.”

I might look into it. If it’s not too much money, it will definitely be worth it.

Just as Quahim and Adion were about to head down to get something to eat, they noticed Ferrith coming up the stairs.

“A human gentleman is here looking for you, Adion,” Ferrith said.

“What? Who?” Adion asked.

“He introduced himself as Termon Delhelm,” Ferrith answered.

“Termon is here?” Adion asked.

“Someone you know?” Quahim asked.

“He is the one I gifted your painting to,” Adion said, “He helped my friends and me a lot.”

“You should go talk to him then,” Quahim said, “I’ll wait here and paint some more.”

“Oh, right,” Adion nodded.

Adion followed Ferrith down the stairs and noticed Termon standing behind the counter as he came down.

“Termon,” Adion said, “It’s nice to see you. What are you doing here?”

“I’m making my way back to Ellia and thought I’d stop by to say hello in case you were still here,” Termon said with a smile.

“You’re heading back to Ellia? I thought you would stay in Cyalis?” Adion asked.

“I was planning on staying for a few years,” Termon nodded, “But the situation in the Empire seems to have calmed down somewhat.”

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“Really?” Adion asked.

“Well, the Empire is still split in two,” Termon said, “But an all-out war seems unlikely.”

“That’s good,” Adion said.

“Besides,” Termon said, “I got bored in Cyalis. I thought the tournament would take place in the Public Plaza, but it seems to be held in the Academy Proper, so I won’t get to see how Prago performs.”

“I see,” Adion nodded. The Public Plaza was part of the Academy in a way. It was where admissions, among other things, took place. It was open for everyone to visit, but the actual Academy was walled off, and no one but students and the mages working there could enter.

“Why don’t we take a walk?” Adion suggested, “It’s a nice day, and I want to hear about your trip.”

“That sounds nice,” Termon nodded.

Adion and Termon headed outside, and Adion started asking a few questions about his teammates. He had thought about them a lot during the past months, wondering where they were at the moment.

“We left them in Dormia, where they would stay for a few days before heading to Benji’s family manor,” Termon said, “I think they should be well on their way to the Kuwa mountains now.”

“I hope they’ll be careful,” Adion said, a little worried about them.

“Benji doesn’t strike me as a reckless person,” Termon said.

“I guess you’re right,” Adion nodded.

“After that, it was a pretty boring journey with Prago scribbling runes the entire way,” Termon said, “He managed to impress the elders enough to make it into the silver class, though. I’m just afraid he’ll be pushed down to bronze class after the tournament. He’s not much of a fighter.”

During admissions, everyone interested in entering the Academy had to show their skills in front of a group of elders. If you were accepted, you would be placed in a class with people of similar skills. The top class being diamond and the bottom stone, named after the stages of advancement.

Everything couldn’t be tested, though, so there was a tournament for first-years where they would be ranked according to results. Only the top 100 out of around 4000 students can get a spot in the diamond class. The tournament was also a chance for the different Houses to scout new members. If you performed well enough, you could enter one of the top Houses straight away.

“I’ll make sure he gets his fighting abilities up to par when I get there,” Adion said.

“Hehe,” Termon chuckled, “I’ll leave it to you then. I’m sure you won’t have much trouble getting into the gold or perhaps even diamond class with your strength.”

Adion realized he was showing middle Bronze strength through his aura. It must have been quite a surprise for Termon.

I guess Termon already saw my strength as a low Bronze mage when we first met. So he has always known I’m quite talented.

“Yeah,” Adion nodded, “My advancement speed has been a pleasant surprise. I’ll be aiming to enter the diamond class. I’ll be sure to use my status to order around Prago so he doesn’t slack off.”

“Thank you,” Termon smiled, “And I have to thank you again for the painting you gifted me. I have only grown more fond of it as time has passed. I have found myself taking it out to admire many times during the journey.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Adion said. He already knew Termon appreciated the gift, as he had expressed great joy when Adion gifted it to him. Termon had sat looking at it during their last night in Rethi, ignoring everything happening around him.

“I was hoping to meet the painter when I came by, actually, but I assume he must be busy,” Termon said.

“Oh? He’s not that busy,” Adion said, “I can introduce you later.”

“Hehe,” Termon chuckled, “I appreciate it. Have the two of you been getting along?”

“I would say so,” Adion nodded.

“And how is your shadow magic going? I believe it was the reason you stayed, right?” Termon asked.

“It’s been going alright,” Adion said, “But it’s difficult. You have to grasp a lot of concepts to make much use of it. I find myself spending a lot of time reading and painting, hoping to gain some inspiration.”

“So you’re a painter now?” Termon asked, pleasantly surprised, “I would love to see one of your paintings.”

“I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself a painter just yet,” Adion said with an awkward smile, “I’m still not very good.”

“Well, it takes a lot of practice,” Termon said, “You’re still young. Keep at it, and I’m sure your name will be known all over the continent in time.”

“I don’t know about that,” Adion said, “Anyway, how long will you be staying in Rethi?”

“Just for the day,” Termon answered, “There is an auction in Hemdia that I don’t want to miss.”

“There’s an auction when there is a civil war going on?” Adion asked.

“People have to carry on with their lives at some point, and Hemdia is far from any area of contention,” Termon said, “Besides, it’s the Horrof family holding the auction. People don’t mess with them lightly.”

“Oh? Why?” Adion asked.

“The dean of Cyalis Academy is of the Horrof family. Even if I’ve heard he isn’t really involved in his family matters, the title of dean of Cyalis Academy carries a lot of weight.” Termon answered.

“I see,” Adion nodded, “Seems fun. Are there any auction houses in Cyalis?”

“Plenty,” Termon nodded, “It’s by far the largest city on the continent, after all.”

“I might look into that when I get there. I guess I would need a lot of money if I want to do anything besides looking, though.”

“That might be difficult in the near future,” Termon said, “The things auctioned off there are only for the top powers. But I think just getting a seat and having a look at the objects auctioned would be a fascinating experience.”

“I guess,” Adion nodded, “Anyway. Do you want to head back? I’ll introduce you to my teacher. I’m sure he hasn’t eaten anything yet, so we can go do that together.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Termon nodded.

Adion and Termon headed back to Hevima, and like Adion had guessed, Quahim hadn’t eaten by himself. Adion introduced the two, and they headed for a restaurant to have lunch together.

“What a lovely little place,” Termon said as they took their seats at the restaurant, “Do you come here often?”

“We end up coming here most days,” Adion nodded.

“They always have freshly caught fish,” Quahim said, “I would recommend trying the perch.”

“I will do so then,” Termon nodded with a smile, “So how is Adion as a student?”

Quahim turned to look at Adion for a moment.

“What are you thinking about?” Adion asked with narrowed eyes, “This is where you say I’m an excellent student. If nothing else, just to be polite.”

“I guess he’s alright,” Quahim answered.

“Whatever,” Adion muttered.

“Hehe,” Termon chuckled, “He’s a good kid, though he can be a little reckless.”

“That he is,” Quahim nodded in agreement.

What’s going on? Since when have I been reckless?

The three continued their lunch, soon shifting the topic of discussion from Adion to paintings. Adion enjoyed listening in and absorbing some of the knowledge the two had.

When they had finished their lunch, Adion bid farewell to Termon, letting the old man go back to rest a little before he would continue his journey.

My Will has recovered from this morning. Adion thought as he walked back to Hevima next to Quahim. I guess I’ll practice conjuring some shadow before continuing my painting.