In the Academy there were several restricted areas. Some were intended for use under the guidance of the teachers, while others existed for the use of teachers and researchers only. There were even rumors that there were locations of the academy that were so secretive only a few people knew about it. Orchid felt that some of the rumored locations could be true, but the rumors were interspersed with a lot of unbelievable information like the Underground Progenitor of the academy, the legacy of the Veil Master, blood of the Gods, blade of the Everlasting and so on. The tales were endless. A place as old as the Academy was sure to build up mysteries and stories just by existing, and the Academy certainly wasn’t open about their actions in the first place.

One of the not so secret but restricted locations was the Awakening Chamber. Housed in a nondescript brick building near the center of the Academy, to anyone with a strong enough gift of magic or magical sight, it would be a blinding radiance of power that evoked feelings of veneration and awe. Standing in front of that brick structure the class was subdued. Even Vale was just quietly waiting for the Instructors to arrive.

This is terrifying. I don’t know why they don’t just start straight away. The wait is killing all of us.

Orchids friends had all gathered near Rock, his stalwart presence always had a calming effect on them so whenever there was uncertainty they all tended to gather around him. Living next to him for so long, Orchid had always considered the gentle giant a fixture of his life, someone he could always rely on. That’s why he was the most in favor of getting Rock and Liz together out of everyone. The Rock had helped him through bad times in his life and he would make sure his friend was happy.

“Relax.” Rock said.

Everyone took a deep breath and the Rat gazed up at him and clenched her fist in determination.

“Thank you, Eizen.” She whispered, eyes glowing as she stared at him. He looked down at her and softly smiled, his normally bland expression transforming into something truly childlike. Despite his desire for them to get together, he’d rather they not flirt in front of him. Elbowing the Rock to get his attention he gestured to their surroundings.

“You shouldn’t flirt so much in a public place.”

The almost-couple both blushed and looked away avoiding eye contact with anyone.

Good, at least these two respond properly to my teasing.

A swift slap from Ilse to the back of his head wiped the grin from his face and he turned to glare at her.

“What was that for?”

“You know exactly why I hit you, and why you deserved it.” Her glare had almost become a feature of her expression.

“Then you go flirt with your precious crybaby instead of smacking me. The fact that you aren’t is proof that you guys don’t get along that well.” Orchids mumbling was almost incoherent but it was very quickly apparent that Ilse had heard. Face turning bright red she smacked him again and trudged towards Justain with an intense death glare pinning the prince in fright.

Justain watched in horror and bewilderment as she forced a rictus of a smile and hugged his arm. Looking at her in confusion and embarrassment he leaned closer to whisper. Orchid was instantly art and slowly eked a few drops of mana to Manipulate the wind to carry the sound to him. He had to be very careful and not let anyone sense it or else Ilse’s next rebuke would extend beyond a mere slap.

“What are you doing?” Justain’s confusion was leaking into his words.

“Nothing dear. I’m just enjoying your company. It’s what all lovers would do.” She hissed in reply.

Why he’s so fascinated with you I’ll never understand. You’re absolutely terrifying Ilse.

“You’ve never done that before though?” Justain was determined to find out why Ilse was acting so out of character.

“Why can’t I be near you my dear?” The vein throbbing in her forehead didn’t match her words.

“Ow! Ilse you’re crushing my arm.” Quietly whining, he tried to extricate himself from her death grip.

“Nothing of the sort dear. I’m only giving you some extra affection.” The forced smile was slowly turning into something real.

Does she enjoy causing pain, or just making Justain suffer? Either way that’s not really a good attitude for a healer.

“Alright lovebirds, pay attention now. I have some important information for all of you.” Geneson snickered as he came out of the Awakening Chamber, the two Majors flanking him to either side. Ilse just bared her teeth at him but refused to release her grip on Justain.

“Have it your way.” Geneson shrugged.

“This chamber is located in one of the locations in Eich that naturally gathers mana, so the concentration of mana inside is something that you will rarely experience. In addition, a series of special treasures and relics that concentrate mana have been placed inside to further aggregate the density. This chamber is the most powerful in all of Eich and will give you the best chance at reaching a successful Awakening. The Awakening Ceremony is a ritual as old as time itself. All of you will head into the chamber and enter the ritual grounds where you will be faced with your own fate. The actual process varies for each individual but it will be the crystallization of the beliefs and abilities that you have acquired in the last 15 years of your life. Whether you condense one or a dozen Sigils, the number will not matter, as they are aspects of yourself. How you increase your understanding of your own Sigils will determine what powers you will wield and eventually as you increase your knowledge of the world you may condense even more Sigils.” Geneson was smiling at them as if he was observing tasty delicacies and Orchid felt cold as he looked at the Colonel.

Geneson continued, becoming solemn. “Today you have all come for the first major change in your lives as Mages and Knights. Wherever you go from now on and whatever you may do, today’s Awakening will affect the rest of your lives. There’s nothing you can do to change the events that will take place, but remember that you will gain power that most people can’t even imagine, and from tomorrow you will be giants among men, your every step shaking the earth.”

His words made the class gaze at him with fire and passion burning in their eyes, backs straight and their presences skyrocketing. The entire group looked forward with such avarice and desire that Major Sea shifted slightly in surprise, her military demeanor slipping slightly as she watched this group of children in front of her whose fighting spirit was rising.

Geneson nodded his head in approval.

“Good! Excellent! This is why you are Cadets at the Academy. Never forget. Others may have talent or dedication but you are all a blend of the two that we know will carry this great country forwards.”

Geneson’s face was flushed and he saluted.

“Strength for the Homeland!” He roared.

“Strength for the Homeland!” The excited class cheered. Almost dizzy with excitement, Orchid could almost feel the energy coming off his classmates and he looked at his friends.

Anna stood calmly, her dress fluttering in the wind eyes afire with passion and flashing red with the color of blood.

Vale was ramrod straight, swaying with the wind and flowers were blooming around him.

Ilse had released Justains arm and a soft smile lit her face with an almost holy radiance.

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Justain was like an unsheathed sword, his presence slashing outwards.

The Rats aura was sharp, shadows swirling around her.

The Professor’s already knowledgeable impression deepened further and among the passion and fire of his fellows he was the calm at the eye of the storm.

Rock, his dearest friend, was as immovable as a mountain. A towering presence that evoked a sense of safety and reality.

They all filed into the chamber and gazed at the innumerable glyphs and formations littered throughout the room. In the center of the room a brilliant white hemisphere pulsed and swirled surrounded by flickering Elements of mana.

No one said anything, but all of a sudden Leon laughed and started to walk towards the sphere. Everyone followed his lead and moved alongside him.

It was difficult to tell who increased the speed first but Orchid eventually found himself sprinting towards the light. Laughter cascaded through the air as they crashed into the sphere with a flare of searing light and massive burst of mana.

 *  *  *  *  *  *

Floating in a featureless void, Orchids ardor slowly dimmed as he stared at the emptiness around him. Calling it a true void would be exaggeration but there was only a dull grey fog throughout this place. Walking in the air he found no purchase so he tried to swim, but that didn’t make any difference either. Eventually willing himself to move, he felt as if his location had shifted, but the features around him remained the same, making him unsure of his progress. Fed up with his new featureless existence Orchid spoke his thoughts out loud.

“Since this is meant to be based on my knowledge, does that mean I know nothing?”

His words caused change.

The grey fog rippled and he felt himself being pulled in the direction of his feet. His speed increased until he was moving with blistering speed.

Bursting out of the fog he saw a white field of snow below him, snowflakes accompanying him on his way down from what he was now sure were clouds and not fog as he’d presumed. Slowing as he reached the white surface he slowly stepped out of the air, his feet sinking slightly into the ground below him. Seeing a speck of color on the horizon he started to walk towards it observing his surroundings at each step.

He didn’t feel cold.

The snowflakes didn’t melt when they touched him.

As he moved, the ground he had trod on would return to the same even level.

As he neared, he could see the speck seemed to be 6 massive glass towers, various colors shimmering across their surfaces.

So much walking. There has to be a faster way to get there.

This is inside my mind, right?

That means I should have some control over how things work.

He resolved himself and took another step, but imagined himself stepping across the land to the towers. With a blur of motion, he lurched forwards until he was within arm’s length of the nearest tower. Head spinning at the sudden move he sat down heavily to relieve himself of the nausea he was experiencing. Having settled his stomach, Orchid gazed at the various towers.

They were arranged with a larger central tower surrounded by the remaining five, drawing out a large pentagon. The towers hummed with energy and power, radiating an intense might. Converted mana gushed out in waves and Orchid tried to draw it into him, but discovered that he wasn’t able to even affect a single drop of mana in this place. Like glass giants that pierced the heavens, the towers had an untold majesty and an ancient profundity. For the first time in his life Orchid felt insignificant in the face of the eternal power he was faced with.

Filled with the desire to see how high the towers were, he looked up. Gazing to the clouds above him he could sense that they represented the veil somehow, blocking his senses from reaching into it. Willing himself, he started to fly up. Struggling to rise from the ground initially, he slowly sped up as his confidence grew. A pressure developed around him as he neared the clouds and he could see that the towers pierced through them and continued further upwards. The closer he got, the greater the pressure was, until he couldn’t approach any further. Resigned after multiple attempts to get closer, he flew back down to the ground and continued his observation of the towers.

Each tower seemed to hold some intent and called to him. The calls of the towers were like the most beautiful song he had ever heard, their sight the greatest piece of art he would ever experience and his eyes filled with tears knowing that after today he would never see them like this again. Watching the writhing lightning, Glyphs and energies from the towers for a while, Orchid stood up and considered what was before him instead of just losing himself in the enjoyment of their existence.

“Are these my Sigils?” He muttered after a while.

“I know they’re not.” A voice came from among the towers and Orchid stared in amazement as what appeared to be a twin of himself leisurely walked out towards him. The twin seemed identical to him in every respect, even the clothes he was wearing were the same. As the twin got closer, Orchid finally realized that there was a difference between them. The twins’ eyes were filled with wisdom and an ancient intent that spoke of eons and eras of time long forgotten.

“Who are you?” Orchid said in a hush, awed by this figure.

“Me? I’m you. Or I should say, I’m myself.” The twin said cheerfully.

“That doesn’t make any sense.” Orchid stated still wary of this being.

“This is my mind. Who can I be except myself? Who else can come inside my mind?” The twin queried him, the nonsensical questions hinting at the truth.

If this is my mind and no one can come inside, then that would make this person….

“I’m talking to myself?” Orchid was stunned.

“I always do. Out there we aren’t as distinct, but in here we take separate forms. Like I said, I am you and you are me, who else can we be?” Laughing at his rhyme, the twin stood at Orchids side and looked at the towers with him.

“If these aren’t my Sigils, then what are they?” Orchid asked as they contemplated the towers.

“I already know.” The twin said smugly.

“Do I always sound so pretentious when I know something?” Orchid felt bitter as he looked at the aspect of himself that stood there.

“Yes, I do! I should really know better one would think, but it feels so good.”

“I think I hate myself.” Orchid claimed confidently and the twin nodded. Continuing his study of the towers, he considered his twins’ words.

“If you know, then I know.” He said confidently.

“Like I said, I already know.” The twin was looking at him as if his head wasn’t functioning.

“If that’s the case then these are the crystallization of my understanding of the aspects of magic. More than that I even know what they will become when I condense them.”

“Sigil of Purple Lightning.” Orchid stated quietly pointing at the first tower.

“I’ve always liked Lights. The shows put on by mages in the capital fascinated me from the first time I saw them.

I survived being hit by lightning strikes from the heavens when I was seven.

Rather than fear it, I coveted its power.

Plus, purple is my color however I may deny it.”

The twin matched Orchids tone, and as he spoke images of his past were projected against the clouds.

“Sigil of Martial Skill” Orchid continued.

“I hate fighting, always have and always will I guess.

I learnt how to fight from my mother.

It’s something we always shared and I will never let go of the connection.

I love her.

I needed strength and she gave it to me while I struggled with my health.”

The voice of his twin seemed to merge with his, and radiate power towards the towers.

“Sigil of Knowledge” Pointing at the third tower Orchid smiled.

“My father taught me to love knowledge as much I did him.

I absorb it.

I live it.

It led to my passion in formations and crafting.

It gave me my friendship with Derek.”

The towers hummed in response to their words.

“Sigil of Space.” The fourth tower seemed to warp and bend light around it.

“Rend the world.

The words of an obscure mage in a random treatise.

They made me want to be able to do that.”

A wind howled around the towers and carried their words into the air.

“Sigil of the Trickster” Orchid grinned and pointed at the fifth tower.

“There’s a reason I’m the Lord of Pranks.

Brains over brawn.

Since I don’t have much brawn.

Minimum effort for maximum result.”

The towers hummed, lighting up.

The wind howled faster than ever.

Gazing at the tower in the center Orchid was lost in thought for a while before he spoke with a touch of reverence in his voice.

“Sigil of the Defender.”

“No one will harm us!” The twin roared, the howling of the wind rising to accompany his shout.

Staring at the now blazing towers Orchid calmly spoke.

“How do I condense the Sigils?” Orchid asked, already knowing the answer.

“I’ve always liked drama. Best to do things with style.” The twin laughed uproariously.

Blushing a little in embarrassment, Orchid calmed himself and raised his hands, standing in what he considered was a heroic pose.

The twins’ laughter soared to the heavens as he burst into a mist that swirled around Orchid as he spoke.

“I Orchid Kale. Descendant of the Lords of Lightning do hereby reclaim my heritage.” He called out to the towers. The tower of lightning burst into shards, leaving behind only a thin thread in its place. The shards formed into a writhing symbol above his head, arcs of lightning howling around it.

“Let my skills burn the heavens.” Another tower exploded and the shards formed the Sigil of Martial Skill above the previous Sigil with the sound of a howling fist strike.

“Never lacking the knowledge for victory.” The Sigil of Knowledge formed, echoing the sounds of thousands of pages being turned.

“Let my will rend the heavens.” The air warped as the Sigil of Space was condensed.

“No enemy will fathom my mind.” Laughter spread through the air and the condensed sigil was difficult to make out, constantly changing in design and color.

Raising his fists to the sky Orchid smiled at the last tower.

“No one will harm us!” He roared in perfect imitation of his twin.

The final symbol condensed among the shards of the last tower, flaring with huge amounts of power and light. The swirling mist around him dispersed as the laughter of his twin echoed throughout the world of his mind. The world started to shatter like glass and Orchid swelled with pride as he felt the power coursing through him.

He closed his eyes as his consciousness slowly faded alongside the world itself.