“Welcome to your first lesson on Sigils.” The teacher looked nothing like expected.

When the Major’s had informed them that they would be getting an expert researcher on Sigils as their teacher, most of the students had conjured up images of a dry, dusty bespectacled old man. The short powerfully built man that stalked the lectern was as from their image as could be.

Only Leon had been foolish enough to call the teacher a fraud due to his appearance, which as usual resulted in a punishment. As punishments went for Leon it was short and sweet. Being tossed out of the third floor of the Researchers building might have concerned regular people, but certainly not the Star of the West. Coming back to the class covered in grass and mud, but no injuries, he sat down quietly under the glare of the teacher.

“I am Senior Research Scholar Lindenberg, attached to the Central Research Division of the military here at the Academy. You may refer to me as Instructor or scholar Lindenberg. I have been assigned to assist you in studying your Sigils for the next two weeks after which I will be on hand to answer any questions you have.” Reaching up to the blackboard he wrote the word Sigil in bold font.

“You cadets condensed your Sigils yesterday. It’s an achievement to be proud of.” Lindenberg nodded at the class to show his appreciation. Everyone looked at him, brimming with confidence and they glowed with power as they called on their Sigils. Showing off the power of their Sigils had been a new amusement that the entire class had discovered in the morning. It was almost impossible to determine what a Sigil was when it was called upon, but the power it exuded could be sensed by those nearby.

Competing with their Sigils had Leon chasing after Orchid constantly, trying to force him to compare their power. Deflecting him onto Justain, he’d spent the morning trying to contemplate his discoveries inside the world of the Ceremony.

Even though he tried to concentrate, the feeling of power from his Sigils beckoned him. Every moment he wanted to drown in their power.  The more he felt this way, the greater his worries became about the entire process. What good was power if it controlled him and not the other way around. The other Cadets just reveled in their power, but Orchid would always remember the havoc cause by the Ripper of Jinna.

The air shook and fire streaked across the sky in waves.

It was a sea of flame and death. Even though he was small he could clearly sense the power that raged throughout the town behind them.

Held in his father’s arms as they joined the exodus out of town, he could only stare in wonder at the sight of dozens of mages flying overhead towards the source of the flames.

A gigantic flaming figure of a man roared with laughter and sent massive bursts of fire against the mages battling him.

The magical forces were so potent they outshone the sun in their intensity, and each wave of flame was accompanied by the death of a mage or destruction of a sector of the city.

Reflected in the eyes of a young boy were the images of his home burning to the ground and his grandparents charging to their deaths to protect him.

The Rippers loss of control and subsequent slaughter of the towns across the west had been the reason his parents had been forced to emigrate to the capital, and why he had only one remaining Grandparent. They eventually brought down the Ripper after the Western command could redirect enough of its forces to the area, but his actions had shocked the nation.

While no cases existed of someone succumbing to the power of their Sigils, Orchid wasn’t one to take chances. The Professor had dismissed his concerns, citing many historical texts showing without a doubt that Sigils were an integral part of one’s own understanding and could not overcome a person. The reason for that was simple, how could you lose to yourself? The words reminded Orchid of the twin figure of his in the Ceremony. He had felt that there was a deeper meaning in the concept of self with regard to Sigils, but had no ideas on how to even approach the topic.

“While you may be proud of your Sigils, you almost certainly don’t know what to do with them except show off your powers as you currently are.” The Scholar berated the class, breaking Orchid out of his reverie. The powers leaking from the Cadets vanished as they released their Sigils embarrassed at the rebuke.

“Sigils are a way of drawing specialized mana. Mana as we all know is an energy that’s pervasive throughout our world and exists in everything. In its raw form, it acts as pure energy and can be used in any manner that just uses that energy as is. For more specialized tasks we convert the mana by using Spells or formations into a form of mana that has specific characteristics such as Spiritual and Elemental mana.”

The class nodded as he recited some basic magical theory. He paused and surveyed them to make sure they understood before continuing.

“Sigils are essentially connections to vast pools of specialized Mana. The type of mana is so specialized that each Sigil draws from a unique source. Now that may not make sense to you immediately, but consider this. Two mages condense Sigils of fire, however their understanding of fire is naturally different, if they draw fire mana then they both should be drawing exactly the same type of mana, but, research has proven that the mana they draw from their Sigils have differences. What those differences are is still being studied to this day and even the greatest mages in history only have conjectures and supposition.”

Taking a sip of water from his lectern the Scholar was warming to his subject and speaking faster in excitement.

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“Our current consensus is that the mana is being drawn from multiple sources and fused together based on the Sigils concept. What that means is that if we take our previous example, one of the mages may have understood fire as a destructive force, so his Sigil would draw mana that mixed fire and destructive concepts like Chaos or Destruction itself. This variation of mana is the reason that the utilization of Sigils is a process of self-discovery, no one can tell you how your Sigil works because it is your own understanding that created it. Even more importantly, as you grow and experience new aspects of the laws related to your Sigil, it will slowly change the mana you draw and what you can do with it.”

Studying the class and confirming there were no questions, he went to the center of the lectern and continued his explanation.

“Now the most important part of all of this for you cadets. Your Sigil is at the end of the day just a source of mana, it can do nothing by itself and does not enhance your capabilities, except in your ability to utilize your specialized mana to power Spells without converting the mana in the air. Take the fire mage from before. If he wants to cast a large wall of fire, he has to cast the Spell to convert mana into specialized fire mana and then shape it into the wall. Using his Sigil, he could cast the Spell while bypassing the time-consuming process of converting the mana. Questions?”

Several cadets raised their hands including Orchid.

“Small braided hair girl.” The Scholar indicated for Gertrude to ask her question.

“Gertrude von Liebowitz.” She said as she stood up. “If the mana the fire mage is using is not pure, how does the Spell work?”

“Good question.” The Scholar gestured for her to sit as he explained. “The Spell only draws the mana that is applicable for its use, the remaining mana that is drawn from the Sigil tends to just dissipate, turning back into raw mana. Now, you may say that’s wasteful and you would be correct. However, the Sigil provides an almost limitless source of mana so the loss in efficiency is easily compensated. Care should be taken though. If you use mana that only has a fraction of the type you require you will need vast amounts of power from your Sigil to cast your Spell. I suggest you all read Elemental Archmage Gondars treatise on instability in converted mana. Next.”

Hands went up again and after some deliberation the Scholar pointed to Orchid.

“You, the short purple haired boy.”

“Orchid Kale. I’ve read in some books by Saverus that there are specialized abilities that one can activate using their Sigils. Is that true and if so how is it done?” Orchid was curious about this topic since it resembled the Manipulations he relied on so much.

“It’s good that you’re studying boy. While that’s an advanced topic we’ll cover later, it’s not a secret so I’ll provide an overview right now. At a certain level of understanding of your Sigil and its powers, you can directly use the converted mana to influence the world around you in certain ways. You may be able to use your fire to melt steel just by willing it, or fly with just a thought. It depends on your Sigil and your knowledge thereof. Next.”

So, it is like an advanced manipulation. There’s lots of gaps in all this knowledge though. I’m not sure if it’s being withheld or it’s just unknown, I’ll have to do some digging later.

The question and answer session continued for a while before the Scholar called a halt to the lesson for the day. As everyone filed out, Orchid stayed behind and approached the Scholar’s lectern.

“How can I help you purple hair?” The Scholar asked as Orchid reached him.

“Orchid Kale, Scholar. I have a question.” Orchid hesitated.

“Out with it boy, I don’t have much time.”

Swallowing through a dry throat, Orchid discussed his fears and the feeling of intoxication he had whenever he used his Sigils. By the end of the explanation the Scholar was tapping a finger against the lectern while lost in thought.

“I am aware of your issue, boy.” He said after a while. “It’s not something unique and everyone gets over it eventually, but I wasn’t joking. Sigils are a process of self-discovery. No one can take that from you, and you must resolve these issues yourself.” The Scholar sighed heavily seeing Orchids dejected expression and added. “However, I may guide you to a certain extent. I will just ask you this. The Sigils were condensed from your knowledge and desires, they have never been something coming from outside, they are your own power and they won’t go away. They are a part of you. So, why do you fear yourself?” Leaving Orchid lost in thought at his words, the Scholar left the classroom.

*  *  *  *  *  *

Leaving the Research building, he ran into Vale and The Professor who were loitering in front of the gate apparently waiting for him.

“What took you so long Orchid?” Vale asked, his excitement visible in his every move.

“Just wanted to clarify some thoughts on the lesson Vale.” Orchid replied and shook his head at the Professors quizzical expression.

“Alright. Let’s go get something to eat, I want to show off my Sigils to that girl from the magic branch.” Vale was almost shaking with pent up energy as he stared at Orchid.

Walking towards the cafeteria Orchid was contemplating his Sigils while Vale chattered alongside him. Eventually even he could sense the mood and they plodded along in silence until Orchid suddenly spoke.

“What was your Awakening like?” He asked them.

Both of his friends seemed to look off into the distance, faint smiles on their faces as they recollected.

“I was in the greatest Library I had ever seen. It was filled with so much information you wouldn’t be able to believe. I spent an eternity looking for the books that held my knowledge. I really felt like I would never find it. Time ends us all my little purple friend.” Gazing at the setting sun the Professor was grave as he discussed time, but switched to a reverent expression as he finished his recounting of the memory. “That library was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. I wish I could stay there forever.”

“I was on a field.” Vale spoke seriously once the Professor was done. His normal exuberance nowhere in sight. “There were so many sprouts of plants that I had to grow. I kept growing and growing them until they towered far into the sky. Once the field was ready I had to repeat that many times, growing dozens of fields until I could condense my Sigils from the fields that grew best. What about you Orchid?”

Recounting his own experiences Orchid considered what he’d just learnt.

They both had so many choices I think. That’s why their worlds were filled with variety so that they could choose what they wanted. Does that mean even before the ceremony I had already decided my Sigils. That would explain why I only had six towers. I better check with the others before I finalize anything.

Trudging through the chill autumn breeze, all three of them were lost in remembrance of their Awakenings.

Even though I’ve Awakened, I still have no idea what that means. Now I’m not sure anyone really does.