Morgan finished eating and rubbed his painful stomach and began explaining what he knew about the first treaty.

“So the First treaty as you might know predates not only the Ilian Empire but even the Free State.” Marith looked rather surprised at this but Louie just nodded. “As far as we can tell it dates back to the War of the Fallen and is to this day signed by the leader of all nations irrelevant of how small the nation might be. The treaty itself is said to consist of only two pages.” He raised two fingers. “The first page prohibits any large scale felling of trees from the endless forest and dictates that any tree taken from the forest must be replaced twofold. It also bans the use and development of what we now call ‘brimstone’, ‘thunder powder’ and ‘firewater’. In addition it also stipulates the responsibilities of the signatories to uphold and enforces the treaty.” Drinking some water he continued. “The second paper is revealed only to the signatories but is said to describe the bans and supposedly even reveals the origin of the treaty.” There was a moment of silence before Marith asked suspiciously.

“What do you mean by ‘what we call brimstone’?”

“Brimstone, thunder powder and firewater were once called something else but it is said that even their name was removed and only a description of them remain.”

“I have heard that too, but what is the point of taking away the name?” Louie interjected. “It’s not like it those things are demons that gain power from people knowing their names… from what I gather they are things that are found in nature and are not in the least alive.”

“Well, I think the point is to simply limit the information about them as much as possible. From our point of view it might seem excessive. But if the treaty dates back to the war of the fallen then it would make sense.” He paused and added gravely. “Do keep in mind that the War of the Fallen was so terrible that it even shattered the broken continent.” He offered a prayer to the Earth Mother before continuing. “Even Earth Mother was wounded so deeply that she remains in a deep slumber to this day and since it is not very hard to conclude that these three things were closely tied to the war. It makes sense to limit the knowledge passed down through the generations while still giving warning to prevent the tragedy from repeating itself. Because like you said Louie these things exist and could be sought if enough information was spread about them.” Morgan was silent after speaking. Louie nodded in agreement while Marith did not look fully convinced.

“If you say so…” He said reluctantly” But what has this got to do with the broken fleet being stronger than the Ilian fleet?” Marith asked after shaking his head.

“That’s not that hard to figure out really.” Louie said sounding a bit exasperated and when Marith showed no sign of coming up with the answer he spoke in a tired voice. “It is because we don’t have enough trees.” At this Marith blinked and looked at Louie like he was an idiot. This caused Louie to raise his eyebrow angrily and Marith only then remembered the first point of the treaty.

“Ahha!” He exclaimed as he got it. “It’s because you can’t just willy-nilly cut down the trees of the endless forest…” He nodded.

“Yes, and most of the smaller forests in the Empire are either far inland or their trees are simply not suitable for ships.” Morgan said with a smile that was both happy that Marith had not only listened but understood and sad because this had for a long time been a thorn in the side of the empire. “Thus the Broken Empire with the Red Forest and the Blackwood has far better resources for building ships.”

“Sounds like a pain in the ass.” Marith snorted.

Marith made it sound like it was not his problem which when Morgan considered, he had to admit it really was not. Marith was not from the empire and his family’s trade was spice that was mostly trade over land from Vilious to the Ilian Empire. The three sat in the cafeteria for a rather long time chatting and did not leave until it was time for evening class and Louie split off from the other two. His last words were complaints about how unreasonable Elionora was and that he would have like to swap to the Rising Moon style as well.

By the time Marith and Morgan reached Alina’s classroom the door was already open and several of the students were standing on their logs. This sight was not very unusual but to see that class had started early and not late was a first. Much to Morgan’s surprise Mary-Ann was talking to a smiling Alina and the Twins were almost perfectly still on their logs. The twins both had their eyes closed and wore expressions that were of extreme focus that almost looked angry. With their expressions almost identical the two did indeed looked very much alike.

Seeing all this, Marith hurriedly took a long and started balancing. Morgan was left behind and was not sure if he should take a log or go to Alina.

“Ah, Morgan I would like you to show me your progress before I give you your next task.” Alina made Morgan’s decision for him as she glanced over at him with a charming smile before nodding at the logs.

Morgan nodded and took a log and as he stepped up on the log he felt something pushed on him, yet he could somehow feel that it was not really pushing on him but on his mind and his sense of balance. So he simply did not move. Standing still on the log he had an idea and imagined pushing back on the force in his mind. He found that it was similar to moving what little mana he had while practising control. Or rather that was precisely what it was. He pushed back the mana that tried making him loss balance and suddenly it felt no different from standing on a normal log.

“That’s cheating Morgan.” Alina said sounding exasperated and made all of the students that were not fully devoted to their task to look at Morgan. “If you fight the enchantment magically it can’t help you achieve the goal.” She shook her head. “Well since you cleared it already I guess it's fine.” She sighed before looking over at Rina and Ross, her smile widening.

Looking over Morgan saw that the twins both wore slightly more relaxed expressions and their hands that had been stretched out to balance themselves were now hanging relaxed by their bodies. Smiling Alina turned back to Morgan.

“Since I have shown you the very basics you can go get a stick and get back on the log.” She turned back to Mary-Ann and showed her the basic steps that made it seem like she was floating more than taking a step.

Morgan gapped at Alina in shock, he had felt a sneaking suspicion that the training would inevitably lead to this but not in his wildest dreams did he imagine it would happen so soon. Nor that Alina would give the task so nonchalantly. Still after taking a few moments to collect himself Morgan walked over and took one of the unnaturally heavy sticks. As he was about to step back on his log Alina spoke.

“And no cheating Morgan, you are not here to train as a mage but as a swordsman. And a swordsman only uses mana to improve themselves, not to cut corners.” Having given her warning she called over Rina and Ross and had them observe Mary-Ann as she practiced the basic steps. Morgan stepped up on the log and after relaxing he put the stick in the palm of his hand. The stick immediately started tilting to the side and as he tried correcting for it he suddenly had to catch himself from falling on his back. Blinking, he looked down at the log.

“Quite difficult isn’t it?” Alina said with a mischievous smirk. “You three may join him once you have memorised the steps, and remember to practice them every morning and night.” Saying this to the three she assumed her usual spot and opened another book.

It was indeed difficult and as the class was drawing near to its end the four and Marith who had joined them after some time with a triumphant look now all wore frustrated expressions. They were utterly unable to keep their balance on the log while at the same time balancing the stick for more than a few moments at the time. Before they inevitably either lost control of the stick or fell off the log altogether. Not since the first days had they landed on their hands and knees as well as their behinds as much as they had today. And it was at this time that there was a light knock on the door and the door opened to reveal a woman who was strikingly similar to Alina.

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- “Alina dear, I have a gift for you.” The woman spoke in a melodically voice that made it difficult to judge her age. The woman waved an envelope with an intricate seal in the air as she smiled happily.

- “Mother your back?” Alina looked far less delighted than her mother, she even sounded somewhat suspicious. “I believe you told me that you would be away for at least another week…” Alina trailed as she looked over from her book. Jumping down from her perch Alina walked over as she intently eyed the envelope.

- “Oh when mother is serious the senate has little choice but to fold.” She said with a laugh.

When Alina reached out to take the envelope her mother pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead. The class was stunned by such a public show of intimacy since such displays were rare in the Empire even between close family members.

What made it even more eye-catching was that the two were both stunningly beautiful. Alina had her mother’s deep blue eyes and facial structure but where Alina’s body was slim and had an almost feline grace her mother was very voluptuous.

Unlike her daughter’s casual clothing the older woman wore a formal deep blue robe with golden embroidery in the Imperial style with a yellow sash. This marked her as a senator of the highest rank and in the Academy also made her the headmistress. Despite wearing more cloth than her daughter it almost looked more revealing.

Squirming free of her mother’s embrace with a glare and a slight blush Alina snatched the envelope out of her mother’s hand and tore it open while muttering.

“You said you wouldn’t do that in front of my students.” She sounded pouty.

“But dear, class should have ended half an hour ago.” The headmistress said cheerfully as she fussed over her daughter’s tousled hair. “It is your own fault that you didn’t end on time.” She chuckled as Alina nimbly evaded her. “Also I missed you, you’re not going to deny your own mother her simple pleasures are you?” She said with mock hurt. “Besides, I think that my gift should be more than sufficient as an apology.” She smiled.

Alina could only nod at this and hugged her mother causing the latter to giggle and squeeze back. As the two parted Alina looked delightedly at the paper she had retrieved from the envelope and her mother observing the class that suddenly found themselves frozen. As the headmistress eyes swept over the students they all felt both nervous and the urge to stand up straighter.

“There are surprisingly many this year.” The head mistress said, sounding amused before she abruptly fixed posture and was she suddenly completely dominating the room. “As you know I am Vivian Emreth, Imperial senator and headmistress of the Imperial Academy. I am also the proud mother of Alina.” She smiled and the students relax feeling the pressure from the Headmistress abate.

They had all seen the headmistress before but only from afar at the entrance ceremony and such. That was however rather different from actually coming face to face with the headmistress who is the highest authority in the Academy as they had now.

It was also a rather surreal experience for those who had met grand senators before as they tended to be grey or even white haired and bearded men. Vivian in contrast did not look very old, besides some tasteful silver streaks in her platinum blond hair and some wrinkles around her eyes her age was impossible to guess at.

“I know that my daughter’s class might seem nonsensical at first, but it is the real deal and is together with her astounding talent and devotion…”

“Mother!” Alina snapped clearly embarrassed about having her mother sing her praises in front of her students.

“Fine.” The Headmistress said with a pout. “It is part of the training that has granted her the opportunity to take part in the Imperial tournament despite her almost unprecedented youth!” Vivian smiled widely and nodded happily at the smattering of amazed applauds from the students. Alina’s face however was steadily changing colour as if to match her red shirt. The significance of Vivian’s statement was not lost on the students, well the Imperial born students understood. As the students started whispering to one another excitedly Vivian turned to her daughter with oddly sparkling eyes.

“I heard that the Archmage is back.” She smiled as she spoke.

“Mother!” Alina erupted scandalized. “He is old enough to be your father!” This implication caused many of the students to gape openly at the implication.

“Dear.” She said with a sigh and a dismissive wave of the hand. “He is far older than that.” She gave her daughter a knowing look. “Besides I’m not sure what you are implying.” She glanced over at the students and walked over towards the Archmage’s office.

“Well you heard wrong, he is not here!” Alina shouted.

“Is that so?” Vivian sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “Pity, but I did what I came for.” She turned to her daughter. “I’ll just come back another time, don’t keep the children for too long and I will see you at dinner.” She gave a slight wave and left.

All in all it was a rather eventful evening class and even tired as they were the students still gossiped as Alina more or less drove the them from the classroom. I did not take long before Marith patience ran out and he spoke in a rather annoyed voice.

“What is so special about the Imperial tournament?” His question elicited a snort from Rina and a shake of the head from many of the others.

“Um, it is a tournament held biannually and only those with an Imperial invitation may attend.” Morgan said rubbing his sore arms.

“More importantly if you make it to the final day you will be granted the title ‘Master’ if you don’t have it already.” Rina added. “And that would make Alina the youngest Master in the empire!” She added proudly as if it was her own achievement.

“Youngest current Master.” Ross clarified receiving a glare from Rina which he ignored with practised ease. “Since the only way to become a Master normally in the empire is to be recognized as such by either a majority of the twenty-one or by the emperor himself. Thus the tournament is considered the easiest way to become an Imperial Master.” He laughed a bit.

“However since the Imperial Tournament is only held biannually and the emperor only writes twenty invitations to each tournament there can be only two new masters per year.” Rina said before chuckling and adding. “However since so many masters enter the tournament it is rare to see more than one non Master reach the final day, if any.”

“I heard that Imperial masters are treasured warriors of the Empire, why would they enter a tournament?” Marith asked as he remembered the rather bloody tournaments of his home.

“They are.” Mary-Ann said joining the conversation. “But the reward is just that enticing. Also, it is perfectly safe.” She added the last part like it was an afterthought and the others nodded in consent.

“How could a martial tournament be safe? Even more so if Imperial masters that are monstrously strong take part…” Marith looked taken aback remembering a particularly blood battle in the kings arena in Vilious.

“The entire colosseum is enchanted.” Ross said with a proud expression. “There has been no serious injury during the tournament in almost a hundred years and even when masters go all out, there is almost no risk of permanent damage.”

“But you just said that someone was injured less than a hundred years ago.” Marith said with a frown.

“Well.” Ross looked at the others for help.

“Those two were referred to as ascendants.” Morgan said, causing the group to look at him questioningly. “I only heard the term recently but from what I understand an ascendant is a man or woman who steps beyond the limitations of the human body. Like Kazik Zuhl the giant slayer.”

“Who” Marith asked and only Mary-Ann seemed to know who he was talking about.

“You know the hero of the north?” Morgan said flustered after finding out that his friends had never heard of Kazik who was such a famous figure back home.

“Morgan…” Mary-Ann patted him on the shoulder. “Kazik was a name that echoed through the empire once, but Morgan.” She gave Morgan a half amused half pitying look. “That was over twenty years ago. No one has heard from him since he ventured into the impassable mountain range well over a decade ago.” She gave Morgan an apologetic smile. “I only know about him because grandfather once told me a story about him.”

“I-I see…” Morgan said dropping his shoulders and looking down causing the others to laugh good naturedly.

“He is like a little puppy.” Rina’s words went unheard due to the laughter and no one seemed to notice her warm smiling.

Reaching the cafeteria and Marith shouted something incomprehensible and ran the last bit up to the empty serving station. His actions soon became apparent as the group saw the sign listing the food ‘Giant boar roast’. This caused split reactions from the group. Morgan smiled clenching his fist, his previous failed attempt at explaining ascendants completely forgotten. Rina and Ross were similarly pleased but Louie and Mary-Ann looked rather unhappy. Giant boar had a rather strong gamey taste and tended to divide people like this. Morgan for his part had always enjoyed Giant boar and was extra happy when he got an extra-large piece of meat from the same plumb serving lady that usually gave him a larger serving. He gave her a bob of the head and a smile as thanks making the serving lady cackle merrily.

When Morgan sat down at the table Marith was already half through his plate and Morgan could only stare at how he devoured the food. Morgan shook himself and did his best to ignore what must have been some kind of record breaking speed eating. Taking the first bite he found that he was very hungry himself. That evening the students from Alina’s class ate in silence as they were all significantly more hungry and tired than any of them had realized. It was a fatigue that went beyond simple muscle soreness. It was as if they had been working out not only their bodies but their very senses.

Morgan rubbed his eyes tiredly when he had finished his meal and wanted to go asleep right here and now. He stood and saw that even the ever energetic Marith looked bone tired. Taking his tray in a firm grip Morgan bad the others a good night and half stumbled to his room. “This is becoming a really bad habit.” He thought idly as he passed out in bed only halfway out of his clothes.