Session 2: A Word of Advice

Elric woke to the sound of a knock on his bedroom door.

“Elric, you gotta get up early, today is the big day,” Chloe said through the door.

            She went to finish preparing breakfast which consisted of a sandwich of cheese and slices of turkey, served with a glass of water. She wasn’t much of a cook, so it’d have to do, with the simple exception of a frosted pastry from down a few blocks. Chloe smiled as she pulled out a plate of her favorite dessert. Elric walked in, with fresh clean clothes, his eyes were wide awake and yet they showed very little life.

            “Good morning,” Chloe greeted.

“Morning,” Elric replied shortly, sat down, and began to eat.

            Chloe sighed inwardly. She had thought they would have grown closer in the time they lived together, but on the contrary Elric had closed himself off more and more. He rarely spoke, only to ask questions on magic, and the magical beast which had attacked his village. Chloe was reluctant to answer but nonetheless quelled his curiosity if it served to help him open up. Had she been like this when she was Elric’s age?

            “Once we finish eating we will head over to the royal academy. There we’ll get you signed up for the exam.” Chloe explained.

“Exam?”

“Yes, everyone who is entering the magic division of the academy has to take it. The exam is to gauge if someone has magical potential.”

“But, I thought I already did that when I awoke?”

            “You did, but now you have to prove it to the academy. Don’t worry about it, you’ll be fine.”

“...I see.” Elric spoke slowly.

The rest of the meal was mostly silent, it consisted of Chloe asking questions and Elric answering with one or two syllables. When they finished eating they began their journey to the academy. They could have ridden on Chloe’s horse, but Elric preferred to walk. It was the only time he came alive. Chloe supposed there was one other time Elric spoke, when they went out for walks around the city. Elric had questions about every single building, what they were for, who had built them, and who lived in them.

Chloe smiled, he really was a country bumpkin. Elric really reminded Chloe of her younger days. As she looked around and gazed at the tall marble buildings she supposed it really was a sight to behold, whether one was seeing it for the first time or the hundredth. When had she lost the amazement of such a wonderful city, the greatest of the twelve, in her opinion.

“And what’s that?” Elric pointed to a large building, with several smaller buildings attached. Dozens of chimneys rose from the roofs.

“That’s the artificer’s guild. It’s where mages and skilled craftsmen work together to create incredible tools and mechanical objects.”

            “Are they magical?”

“The artificers’ would say all of their work is magical.  Although they argue that engineering is magic.”

            “So, they’re not magic?”

“Some of it is I suppose. Although, most if not all are very useful to the continuation for the city of August.”

            “What’s the glass building over there?” Elric stared at the three-story building, that ran across the entire block. Glass stained windows covered the front.

“That is the military wing. One of the five wings of the academy in fact. I reckon you’ll have to take a class or two there. Every student is required to take basic combat no matter which division they study in.”

            Elric turned towards Chloe, “That’s the royal academy?”

“Nope,” she steered Elric further until they passed the block and pointed down the street, “That’s the royal academy.”

An enormous marble building sprawled over their view. It spanned at least fifteen floors, but it was the width of the building that was amazing. It had to span at least two blocks. Five large structures stood next to main building, connected by several corridors. A courtyard laid in front of the academy, but it was blocked by a high stone wall.

“It’s so big, I’ve never seen a building so large, not even in the city.” Elric gazed in wonderment.

            “It looks more amazing from the inside, come on.” Chloe pulled a wide eyed Elric towards the entrance.

Two guards stood at the front gate. They wore bright metal armor with the image of a sword lily, the city’s crest, engraved in the chest plate. Only knights were allowed to bear the crest of August on their armor. These were knights, the most courageous and skilled warriors in all the land.

Elric straightened his back and tried to look brave as he walked towards the warriors.

“What is the purpose of your visit lady magus,” the guard spoke as he noticed the yellow robes Chloe wore.

            The other knight peered through his visor at Elric, “And you are?”

“Um, hi?” Elric asked.

            “I am magus Chloe and this is my ward Elric. We are here for the entrance exam. I wish to enroll Elric into the academy. Now if you’d be so kind as to open the gates before I file a complaint to captain Clifton.” Chloe said with a smile.

            “Yes, of course lady magus. No need for any complaints.” The knights quickly moved aside and opened the gates.

Elric looked at Chloe in surprise, normally she was so nice, but now and again she’d reveal a more serious if not slightly dangerous side. She had just commanded knights as if it were the same as ordering a meal at a restaurant.

            Elric’s attention was quickly drawn to the fountain that stood in the middle of the courtyard. Or more precisely the statue on the fountain. The sculpture depicted an armored warrior his sword held in mid swing, facing off against a crouched creature. It seemed like a human but its facial features were disfigured, it had sunken eyes, sharpened teeth, and an elongated jaw line. It seemed to be laughing menacingly. The creature’s hand was raised towards the armored warrior, a bolt of lightning wrapping around the monster ready to strike at the knight. The whole sculpture was finished by stone flames wrapping around the two.

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            Elric gazed at the beautiful yet terrifying piece of art, it’s beautiful.

“There are several statues like this all around the campus grounds. You can see them later. Let’s go before we get late to the exam.” Chloe pulled Elric along.

            “Who are they?” Elric looked back at the statue as they walked.

“The man with the sword is Primus. The statue is a depiction of the legendary battle between Primus and the maestro Nex. Walk faster we’re almost there.”

            They entered through a side door of the main building. A long-decorated hallway greeted them, a stylish desk and clerk sat at the end, with two doors behind him. The clerk looked up from his paperwork as the two walked in.

Elric looked around, I was expecting a bit more. He looked at the clerk, this could have been my job. Was this the kind of place you worked, father?

The clerk smiled, “Good morning, lady magus, what may I help you with today?”

            “I’m here to apply my ward, Elric Insomnium, to the magic division.” Chloe presented Elric.

            The clerk nodded, “I see, you’re early. Most potentials don’t come for at least an hour more.”

            Elric glanced at Chloe in slight irritation, she didn’t even bother to look back.

 “Well, no matter,” the clerk continued, “there is some paperwork that needs to be filled out and of course the matter of tuition but we can talk about that once he passes the exam.”

            “I can fill out the paperwork. Can Elric take the exam meanwhile?” Chloe asked.

The clerk glanced at the both of them, “If that is your wish lady magus.”

            “It is.”

The clerk pointed to the left door behind him, “Go through there and then through the blue door.”       

            Elric went to the door and looked back uncertainly. Chloe caught his glance and smiled encouragingly. Elric took a deep breath and opened the door. In front of him were three doors. A blue, red, and yellow. He opened the blue door and was greeted with a small room. An old woman wearing green robes, sat next to a simple wooden table.

            “Take a seat,” The woman gestured.

Elric took the seat across from her.

            “Name.” Woman didn’t ask but stated.

He cleared his throat, “Elric Insomnium.”

            The woman weighed Elric in her eyes, by the look of disinterest it seemed as if she had deemed him not worthy of her attention. Even so she looked him straight in the eyes and spoke with a strict tone. “I am the test administrator for the admissions exam at the royal academy of August. You may call me, lady magus. You are expected to stay silent unless asked. Nod if you understand.”

            Elric, was already disliking the woman, but he wasn’t about to be disrespectful now. Not when he was about to enter the academy. He wouldn’t fail, not now, nor ever again. He nodded.

            “Good. There are two exams, an oral and a practical. We will begin with the oral, but first a few basic questions. How old are you?”

“I am fifteen this year.”

“But you still look like a child, where are you from?”

“The borderlands.”

            “Not surprising. Why are you here?”

Something was wrong, Elric felt it.

“To learn how to become a mage.”

            “Really? I wouldn’t have guessed. What’s your real reason? Do you even have one?”

Elric stopped himself from lashing back, he was angry, but he tried to ignore her jabs and think of an appropriate response. “I wish to keep the borderlands safe from harm.”

            “Heard of the Greenstead massacre, like everyone else eh? Fancy you can become a hero, protect the lands, the shiny white knight? Oh, wait no, this isn’t the knight entrance exam, is it? Or are you here because your scared of the massacre, hoping to get away from the borderlands. Are you a coward Elric Insomnium?” The woman asked with a smirk.

            Elric paled at the mention of his village’s name. People had been talking about it? He hadn’t known. But, of course it made sense. Elric felt a shiver down his spine. But the words that the woman had spoken after, brought an anger simmering just under the surface.

            “A coward? The only coward I see is you. Where were you or all the other mages when Greenstead was attacked!? Two! Two mages came by happenstance upon Greenstead after it was destroyed. It was by chance. You people didn’t send any. And where were the oh-so-shiny white knights? Not a single damn knight came to help. It was nearby village folk that helped clean up the bodies and wreckage. The count and his knights didn’t go check on his own damn village until a week later! Where were you?”

            “This test is about you, Elric, not me.” The magus said calmly.

Elric ignored her, “Where were you when Greenstead was destroyed and its people torn apart by a monster. Nowhere. So, yeah, I did come here to become a mage. So I can do what none of you could, I’ll kill whatever monsters lie past the wall, and if it keeps the borderlands safe, all the better!”

            The magus raised an eyebrow, “So your reason for coming here is revenge?”

Something was off. Her reaction was wrong. The instantaneous hostility towards him, and now her cool behavior. But it was her words that got him. Elric’s anger quelled, as the sickening realization dawned on him. Elric sunk into his chair, “This is a test.”

            The old woman smiled mischievously, “You’re quick.”

“And I just failed.” Elric said in horror.

            “You did lash out quicker than most, you really are quick,” she laughed. “But I wouldn’t call it a failure yet. You have an anger based on actual reasons, not petty motives, like most.”

Elric was stunned, he didn’t know what to say.

            “I didn’t know there were any survivors.” The magus said quietly.

“How did you know?” Elric asked before he could stop himself.

            The woman smirked, “Come now, what teenager would know the exact details of the massacre. The event may be a hot topic, but it is hardly a well-known one. Not to mention very few people, if any, are so passionate about that village as you.” She looked pointedly at his necklace.

Elric was gripping it, he hadn’t noticed. He slowly let go. “It’s a luck charm,” he mumbled.

“I know what it is boy,” she snapped, “I’m not an idiot. Though anyone who believes in luck certainly is.”

            Elric looked questioningly at the woman, “Is this still part of the test?”

“Nope.” The magus pulled out a small glass orb the size of a fist, it was filled with some clear liquid. She placed it on the table. “Pick it up and don’t drop it.”

            Elric looked at the strange woman questioningly but eventually leaned over and picked up the ball. He studied it, small flakes of metal floated within the sphere. After a few seconds, the flakes began to glow brighter and brighter, until the glass orb shined brightly. It felt warm to hold. It was incredible, Elric smiled in amazement, he was holding magic in his hands.

“Life magic, and a strong one at that, how poetic. A mageling chasing revenge and gifted with the least offensive magic.”

            “Wait, what?”

“We’re done here,” The woman plucked the orb from Elric’s hands. “You pass. You may leave through the door behind me.”

            “Ah, uh, thank you,” Elric sighed in relief.

“Now.”

            Elric quickly got up and went to the door.

“A word of advice, Elric Insomnium,” the woman stood up. “The want for revenge can take you far if you know how to focus it. Lose control and you risk destroying yourself. No matter what happens to you at this academy remember your focus, always.”

            Elric nodded, “Thank you ver-”

The woman slammed the door shut. She heard a small shout of pain and a curse. She smiled and prepared for the next potential.

Elric rubbed his head as he walked away from the strange encounter. “Damn crone,” he muttered.

            “How did it go?” Chloe asked, she had been waiting.

“I passed.” Elric said. He glanced at his necklace. She had been right, he needed to remember his goal and focus no matter what came ahead. Focus, huh?