In Necra Mazoul there were academies that catered to nobility and common people alike, letting students brush shoulders with people regardless of their background. It is usually populated by humans, beastfolk, undead, vampiric nobility, and many other species. They studied arts and sciences ranging from alchemy to culinary arts.
One of the most prestigious places of learning available was Castlegrad Academy. The academy prides itself on it’s finest facilities and near one hundred percent graduation rate. Many who graduate here often attain positions of power and influence, enough to leave lasting marks in history for years to come.
It is an institution based on a merit system established by it’s creator and the empire’s ruler, emperor Den’nishash Gahlor. One must accrue a total of a few thousand points to be eligible for graduation. As such, most students stay for years in the hopes of honing their craft to perfection.
Carmilla Scarlette Starlight was a petite seventeen year-old orphan girl. She had long dark red hair tied up in a messy bun. She wore glasses that made her stand out. Her complexion was pale as porcelain and her frame was as thin as a stick. Her eyes were red like ruby gemstones with fire trapped inside them. She wore a simple shirt with a jacket and baggy pants with multiple pockets. The pockets were filled with little shiny rocks, flowers she picked on the way, and her mothers locket, a keepsake she treasures dearly.
She had a bag slung across her shoulder filled with jars of herbs, tinctures of various magical compounds, and some of her inventions. Pages and pages of writings and diagrams were stuffed into whatever space was available. And several extra compartments were sown as additions to the bag in an attempt to increase it’s dwindling storage space.
She was standing in the gate’s entrance, basking in its grandeur. She adjusted her name tag and smoothed out the wrinkles in her clothes.
“So first day in the academy” Carmilla slapped her cheeks to pump herself up and chase away her jitters.
She was now a student enrolled in the most prestigious academy in the world where people would claw tooth and nail just to enroll in. She’s going to be a mage just like her late mother.
Mom, I’ll make you proud
She was lucky that a passing batkin decided to mentor her and give her full scholarship in the academy after she participated in the inventions fare at her province.
“Meet me at the academy after the opening ceremony. Attached are all the documents and money needed for a whole year in the academy. If you reach the place, simply present this letter and tell them the name Wy-”
She honestly couldn’t believe her luck, so much so that she bolted out of the orphanage as soon as she could and boarded the fastest carriage that day. She didn’t even finish reading the letter and stuffed it in her bag.
She forgot what his name was again, Wya-wyett, something like that. She didn’t really get a good look at the man, only noting that he had cream colored fur and wore a cloak that covered his features.
Well she received a letter with an authentic seal on that day, urging her to come to the academy. It was a boarding school, so she put everything she owned in her luggage and bag. She was going to make a name for herself here.
She smiled and ran through the gates. She hopes she can get to the auditorium early and meet her benefactor.
“This is the start of your new life Carmilla!”
In her excitement she failed to see the man in front of her and knocked herself away. She hit a wall of muscle and bounced due to her petite frame.
Two muscular, toned arms caught her just as she was about to fall.
“Are you alright?”
Carmilla rubbed her eyes and saw the face of a man just about her age.
He had silver hair that glimmered in the sun. Two deep purple eyes, orbs that seemed like it would drown anyone who looked too long. A sharp and angular face with skin clear and fair. He had soft pink pouty lips that looked like flower petals. He wore clothes that denoted him to be royalty, a prince from a far off land perhaps.
He was regal and proud, but hid a sorrow behind his eyes.
He supported her with two strong arms that held her close that he was close to his face.
“Oh-um yes y-yeah I’m fine” She got up and dusted herself.
“Sorry for bumping into you um...sir Silverwing”
He gave a polite smile. “Please call me Arthur, were all equal in this academy”
“Oh haha that’s umm right” She rubbed the back of her head in an attempt to calm herself down.
The mans bracelet beeped a tune, alerting him of something.
“Pardon me miss... Carmilla, I have an appointment. I hope to see you again soon, farewell.” He nodded and disappeared just like the wind.
Carmilla was slightly baffled, then slapped herself again in an attempt to bring her to focus.
R-right, I still need to submit my letter in the building.
She ran towards the entrance only to be met by two huge guards wielding swords that thrummed with power.
“Letter”
One of them asked, referring to her.
She quickly opened her bag and opened every pocket to find her letter.
Several pieces of paper, rocks, burnt wood, and other knick knacks fell out to the floor, creating a veritable pile of litter.
“Sorry it’s here somewhere”
C’mon where could it be, did I drop it somewhere?
A finger tapped her shoulder.
She turned around and saw a man wearing a wizardry robe, embellished with gold filigree and protective spell runes markings. The forest green of the robe complemented the cloak the young man had. He was dressed in lavish jewelry, rings that glimmered in the sunlight and amulets of gold and silver. He smelled like he came from old money.
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The man was had tawny skin and brown wavy hair. He had emerald eyes that showed curiosity, as if expecting everything and nothing to anyone he meets. There was a danger in those eyes, something that could swallow her whole.
He was shorter than most people, but just a tad taller in height as she was. He had a goofy grin on his face innocently but it had a slight mischievous air around it. It was as if the man was laying down a trap she could not fully perceive, and in letting herself follow the whims of such and would be tantamount to giving her his freewill. He felt like a fox draped in sheep skin.
“You dropped this” The man said in a musical, airy voice.
He held out a slightly crinkled letter, her admission letter given by the batkin. Briefly she saw his name, it was John Deerail. The heir to the Deerail Magic Heavy Industries, one of the wealthiest and most talented company of inventors around. She heard stories of them buying entire towns before, and if they were any richer they could become one of the seven great merchant lords.
“Th-thank you sir” She bowed her head, slightly intimidated by the presence of someone like him. She grabbed the letter and bowed again.
“Hehe, I wouldn’t lose that if i were you.” He waved her off and entered the building like he owned the place.
So intimidating
She asked the guards to point her to the nearest map and she ran as fast as she could towards it.
When she reached it, she took out a large piece of paper and began scribbling down patterns using a charcoal pencil. She was immersed in the activity. Many students passed by and admired her prowess, some teachers, and other staff too.
Then a bell rung, clanging the sound through the hallways. It bounced the corridors until it finally reached her and snapped her out of her focus.
She looked up from her piece of paper only to see that no one else was in the hallway. She panicked, wondering if they all followed the bell. Was it a signal for the start of the opening ceremony?
Crap! She can’t miss the opening ceremony, her benefactor said he’ll met her there!
She rolled up her handmade map and shoved every other thing she could down in her bag.
“Y-your drawings are nice”
A soft voice echoed in her ear. Someone was whispering just behind her.
She turned around and saw a man with long golden locks covering his upper face. Two bright blue eyes were peaking below it, as if the one who had it found it hard to muster the confidence to talk to the one in front of him. He had broad shoulders, a frame of a man who familiar with hard labor. He had freckles that covered his rosy cheeks. He smiled ever so slightly with a toothy grin, a single tooth taken out behind his incisors, emphasizing his boyish charm. He looked like a farmboy from the provinces stuffed in a very utilitarian uniform of suspenders and straps. He had soot marks in the leather gloves covering his big hands.
Despite being larger than her, he sunk into himself as if desperately trying to make himself look smaller.
Carmilla smiled at the complement.
“Thanks umm...”
She looked at his nametag
Loni Cadmon
“Cadmon? Like Cadmon armories?!” Her eyes grew wide as dinner plates. Her father was once a member of the place. They were the biggest donors to the orphanage. She still remembered playing with a kid there once, one of her fathers friend’s kids.
“Don’t mention it miss...Starlight? Wait, Carmilla it’s me!” His smile grew bigger. He pointed to himself. “It’s me Carmilla, remember your dad and mine were friends. We used to play together.”
She looked at the man and squinted in suspicion. Then she remembered a particularly scrawny kid she used to play with. Then she visibly jabbed her fingers to the mans large chest.
She remembered a particular name that fit the boy.
“Lonely Loni!”
“Umm it’s just Loni actually” The man put a finger up.
She grabbed his head and pulled it, giving him a nuggie. She used to tease the kid when they were younger. She made a genuine laugh.
“Small world huh. I used to kick your ass when we were younger. Now look at you, I’m sure you could punt me easily across the hallway now.” She grinned at Loni.
Loni smiled, slightly blushing.
The bell rung louder this time, as if to beckon all the students who haven’t arrived in the auditorium yet.
“Crap lets run loni”
She grabbed his hand, pulling him through the winding hallways.
He followed her, his cheeks reddened as he felt her fingers upon his. He stared at her back, remembering the moments from his childhood. He smiled, eyes still covered by his hair.
I hope you never change Carmilla
They reached the auditorium and saw the whole place packed with students from all the corners of the world. Some beastmen, elves, dwarves, humans, and many others. It was a cavalcade of voices mumbling in anticipation. Literal millions of people all gathered to witness the start of the rest of their lives.
It was chaotic, it was wild, it was beautiful. Carmilla breathed in the air. She tasted the tension and drank in the sights. Everyone was tense and excited.
She couldn't blame them though. She was also in the same boat.
“Look” Loni pointed at the stage built with stone and woven wood. A familiar individual was seen. They arrived just in time to see a cream colored batkin fly down to the podium.
He was dressed in a regal robe of red trimmed with silver. His eyes were red and piercing.
Then it hit her, this was her benefactor.
Carmilla saw this and squinted. She saw the same man who gave her the letter standing up in the stage.
She remembered the name Wyattezvahan, THE Wyattezvahan.
Her head was spinning. How the hell did she get a letter from one of the founders of the empire?!
“That’s my cue, gotta go Carmilla, see you around.”
Loni then ran past the crowds and left her there with her mouth agape. She was utterly dumbfounded
Wyattezvahan spoke.
“It is unfortunate that the emperor could not make it to this day, for he has grave matters he has to attend to. I was informed of his sudden departure to several classified areas just three weeks ago, and as such I humbly ask for your forgiveness.”
Still, it brings me great pride and joy to be here today as a representative for our emperor and this academy’s founder. If he was here in my place right now, I am sure he would feel the same joy and bear the same expectations for you all.”
You are all in the cusp of a great change, a start of something different. I see children here from all walks of life, from very different backgrounds, and have different dreams that they aspire to achieve.
Here in this academy, you are all equal. And your only task is to prove your merit and sharpen your skills with experience and study.”
We will spare no resources to hone such skills, for we believe you are all worth the tedium.”
So don’t waste this opportunity and dream. Dream and fight for what you believe in. Work toward a life you can be proud of.”
I expect great things from all of you.”
With this, I am proud to welcome all of you to Castlegrad Academy. May you build your future and prosper.”
He rose a hand up in the air and shot a wordless spell, an advanced form of magic that very few in the world are capable of accomplishing. A single spark shone from the tip of his fingers, a light so bright that it engulfed the whole area. The light did not hurt the eyes, despite flooding everything, it felt like a warm glow that felt like a warm hug from a mother.
Then it burst, showering the area with sparks that danced like fireflies.
She heard cheers from all of the crowd. Fanfare and jubilation that encompassed the area.
She saw the batkin rest his eyes on her and smirked. She instantly knew without a doubt that this was her hooded benefactor. The batkin smiled, meeting her gaze and winking, as if they were in on a joke they only knew.
The man spoke again.
“I would like to announce that have picked four apprentices who will inherit my craft.”
Gasps and murmurs filled the air at the shocking news. This was a big deal since the man, a living legend in his own right, has never passed the torch to anyone before. And four apprentices no less.
“I would like to present my apprentices. Please come to the stage when your name is called.”
“Arthur Lycannus Silverwing”
A silverhaired man strode up to the stage. He carried himself with pride, walking with steps that showed no hesitation. He reached the stage and stood next to the batkin, straight and unwavering, like a mountain given form.
“John Elizer Deerail”
A familiar green robed man walked from one of the seats and into the stage. He exuded an air of curiosity and carefree candor as he merrily strode past the crowd and into the stage. He stood next to the other man and stood with relaxed shoulders.
“Loni Alexander Cadmon”
Her friend was called next. He still wore his clothes from before, but this time his expression was hardened and serious. A side that Carmilla hasn’t ever seen from the man. He walked up to the stage with measured steps and stood like a wall, stable and resolute.
The batkin then pointed her out of the crowd. His fingers directly aligning with her.
“And finally
Carmilla Scarlette Starlight”
.....
What?!
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Wyatt was giddy. He never had apprentices before.
When he heard that Judith found one, everyone else tried to find their very own. All of them spread out to different areas in hopes of finding a few who were willing. Wyatt scoured the empire for almost a month to find really good ones he could teach.
He though that he might be busy on sometimes so he decided to give the kids he napped a scholarship to the academy they all built a long time ago.
It’s a shame that Dennis went to find a dragon bone and some angel feather for some reason, he could have taken anyone he wanted from the empire.
Speaking of Dennis.
He’s been avoiding Wyatt for a while now. Whenever they talk, he insists that they do so via telepathy. And whenever Wyatt tries to meet up with him, he always has some far off place he needs to go. Dennis was always sweating and shaking every time his personal guards assist him, or the many construction workers fixing up his exploded lab.
Dennis began developing the habit of groaning and twitching whenever he stays in the bathroom. He hopes it’s not some indigestion or bad food. Heck Dennis was still doing it even when he tried reviving a few times. Wyatt could’ve sworn fully reviving would heal almost all injuries.
Wyatt sighs.
He hopes he’s just being paranoid.