In the wake of the story of the Kobolds past and the loss of their once purpose, the hatchlings took little time to return to their usual chaotic selves, as is the way of children and especially of Kobold hatchlings, and often Kobolds in general, time passes and the end of their third year approaches, the hatchlings will soon take their first steps into life in Clan Emberscale, they will soon become Younglings and be taken as apprentices amongst the many trades and tasks of the clan, and most importantly to many, they will soon unveil they status and begin their life within the system.
Korse remains quite pleased, at least with this particular clutch, not a single loss to the culling over the last 12 months, while the third year is generally the safest, it is not uncommon to lose one or two to the adventurous spirits of the young, many a promising Kobold has been lost at the cusp of their fourth year. For 32 to remain of the initial 63 is an astounding year, but most definitely an anomaly as the other hatcheries are reporting more typical numbers, nearly 2 in 3 young lost to the Culling.
Even the most recent clutch in this very hatchery having lost nearly that in just their first year, the minders and even Elder Korse's skills doing nothing to halt a sickness tearing through and the young having to be quarantined, locked in with their minders and the entrance sealed aside from providing food, supplies, and fresh water runes as needed, the minders themselves were not immune to the illness, though not struck nearly as hard a blow by it. The 28 remaining of the 57 in the clutch now moved to their brood chamber early and Elder Ylst herself being called in to cleanse the nursery in fire before the newly laid eggs began arriving.
While most shied away from the event, a certain inquisitive soon to be youngling was enraptured by the expression of magic, having seen little more than the activation of runes to move the air or conjure the water. The sight of true magic wielded by the most accomplished practitioner in the entire clan, an Evolved class having risen to Arcanist at the third tier and perhaps even beyond as not all Kobolds record their Ascensions, only when their classes nature changes upon Evolution every third tier, was something she could not miss out on.
While she was cautioned to keep her distance, none moved to impede her view, they knew that if denied she would simply try to find another means of watching, perhaps one involving more risk. And who could deny such a sight? Even the adults having few chances to observe Ylst exercising her magical prowess were excited to observe.
Looking to the Novice Mage present with her, "Are you ready to begin Kore?" Ylst receives a nod in response, the look of concentration on the young mans face, barely out of his own apprenticeship and into his first class by a year.
Ylst returns her attention to the chamber and prepares herself. "[Incinerate]!" Echoing out as the spectacle begins, Kore standing at the reaches of the doorway invoking his magics next, a rare affinity for spells of wind and air, "[Gust]!" Channeling the ash and smoke through the ventilation shafts and away from the surroundings, though struggling to hold back the heat of the flames. Ylst standing amongst her own magic seemingly unbothered by the heat of it.
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Flames lick out from Ylst's forward thrust palms and coat the walls, rising to the ceilings, surfaces blacken as soot coats stone. She slowly waves the flames over the room in a methodic path, using the soot to mark her work as completed. Kore panting as the heat and effort slowly wear him down, as Ylst finishes her work he nearly collapses but manages to hold his [Gust] steady until nearly the last, as it fails and he falls to his knees, some ash and smoke begins leaking into the halls.
"You've done well Kore!" Korse clapping him upon the shoulder with a beaming grin, "Just a year into your class and you're keeping up with Ylst, at least a little, you should be proud of yourself." Clearly please with the young Kobold, one he raised from an egg himself, his choice of that particular clutch.
"Yes, he is handling himself well, he has a long way to go but we should be able to get him to his second Ascension before his 9th year ends. If he works incredibly hard, he may even reach his first Evolution within a decade or so." A kobold reaching the first Evolution before their twentieth year would be a significant accomplishment, the words likely said in encouragement, not expectation.
Ylst, also a proud smile upon her face, praises the young man, knowing that equal parts praise and guidance where due will help raise a mage upon the right path. "He may even catch up to me some day, though no time soon. I'm only 32, and on the cusp of the fourth tier, hopefully soon, maybe in 3 or 4 years if I'm lucky. Or if I hog all the decent work for myself, but I can't do that now can I?" she says with a broad mischievous grin, implying she may do just that.
Ylst herself considered a prodigy, the youngest of all the elders as despite the name the position is one of merit, not age. The highest-level member of the clan appropriate for the job is given the title when the previous departs, usually succumbing to age, but the occasional retirement, or removal for egregious reasons.
"That's the place cleansed, I'd give it a few hours to cool then toss a bunch of cave slimes in and block the door again, lazy buggers won't do the ceiling if they can wander elsewhere for an easier meal. It should only take them a few days to gobble up all that soot." Ylst knuckles her scutes and gives out a groan, "I'm gonna need a good meal and some rest after nearly bottoming my mana, I'm surprised Kore there hasn't passed out yet, you hit bottom, even after I warned you, didn't you?"
Kore gives a slight nod, even that threatening his balance even though he was already on his knees, bottoming out Mana was never a pleasant experience.
"Korse, can you put him up in one of the minders dens for now? He'll be fine in a couple hours but otherwise we're carrying him back to his residence." Ylst, shaking her head, though a slight chuckle in her voice, knowing how Kore was feeling all too well.
"Of course, it'll give me a chance to catch up with him," he eyes Kore's state, "after he rests that is."