Asva shimmied in her bed, unwilling to leave the toasty warmth. She tipped a toe out like an antenna, sensing for potential danger, which she found in form of a cold and solid rock. Rocky ground and walls that surrounded her, hard and cold like a corpse, unlike her wooden cabin flying on the waves. One moment, you are flying with your eyes closed, next you are shackled to a small blanket by the curse of earth and ice.
[Blasted frigid balls!]
Yet, one had to go. It wouldn't do to keep her new minions waiting, only on the second day too. These Verms were just like their land too - frigid and stuck up, no sense of adventure at all, as if time didn't wait for them. They didn't like waiting either. She would train them eventually, slowly, gently, in waves, delaying one breath after another.
However, it was the second day so she couldn't dally anymore. With a quick curse, she tossed the blanket and catapaulted out of the room, straight to the bath. Like the wind she swayed, chewing the miswak while water poured on her. Storm queen had blessed her with her wind, yet the ocean held back it's water. No worries, she open those floodgates eventually, as that calculating practicum guide had foretold.
Braiding her blue hair, she said her thanks to the three dieties - [O Sto-rm queen, quick and spry, thy wind be gentle, whispering sly. O Lune & Sol, the twins of fate, I thank thy call, may our spirits sate. O Water's dream, deep and dark, we beg for mercy, deter thy arc.]
A knock on the door. Dalda's team had arrived, the two brothers, and a basket of toasty steaming bread.
[Hey Angry! Hey Baldy!]
[Hey hey pirate king. Gifts we bring.]
[Blasphemy! My good name is Commerick von-]
[Shush. Roomie's still sleeping. Go sit on the couch, I'll get her.]
Then, in a whirlwind, Asva disappeared indoors.
Dalda woke up groaning, twisting to go back into the cover but a quick blast of wind up her tunic did the trick. She trudged her way to the bathroom albeit with much grumbling.
That girl was too cool to be so morose all the time. Atleast she ate well. Asva could work with that. She was humming as she split the bread and lathered the slices with a cheesy spread and crumbs of dried fig.
The two brothers had been served their breakfast already - slices staggered like fallen dominos, alternating fruit flavors that they tried out with oomphs and aahs while they bickered.
"Brother, you will kill it as a wizard."
"Little brother. It is you who shall be a great wizard. Why not swap?"
"No no. I'm but a thug."
"Lest one forget that it is a heir's prerogative to carry the martial burdens of his noble lineage."
"No way. Brother got me to lift the vat of combat."
"Little brother, I cannot in good con..." Comm continued.
Dalda appeared, going straight for the breakfast table as well. Baldy turned and asked.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
[Girls, what's your specialization?]
[Huh?]
In response, he pointed to his wrist, where the sigil lay.
Asva focused, channeling her mana within her. Still, a light breeze rustled her hair. Old habits.
---
Asva Nasi Wybol Decat has been offered the Mana Research and Development specialization. Report to F105 tomorrow.
---
[What's Mana Research and Development?]
[See Brother, you've got company. I'm so jealous.]
[Heavens forsake me. My days are but numbered.]
[Mine says Anomaly Exploration] Dalda added.
[Intriguing. I didn't peg you as an adventurer, Ms Dreamspire.]
[Hey Baldy, explain it to me.] Asva demanded, bringing over more food and dropping into the last chair.
[You see, the Academy assigns consignments - wizards, thugs, tourists, clerks. More classes and pesky matters. Brother knows better.]
With the attention upon him, Commerick preened and started with a deep thrumming voice, readying for a big speech.
[Simple, Comm.]
He deflated a bit.
[Certainly, Ms Dreamspire. As little brother put it succinctly - one of the four roles are assigned to each cadet. New cadets shall learn basics of each role - mana research, combat, exploration, as well as recordkeeping and management - all necessary for a future leader. However, you must specialize in one of the four roles. Or more. There's rumored to be hidden roles, though we know not who or what decides those.]
[I got a hidden role? Awesome.] Asva grinned.
[As if. You are a wizard, like me. Mana R&D means working in a lab, or a cave, to improve spells by 0.01% and fighting with your words against other geeks.]
[Ain't so bad. My brother jests, he just detests tests, and a wizard must study hard.]
[And hence, little brother, we can swap. I'll attend to the Combat & Strategy, you be a geek. I'll even shave my hair, none shall know one from the other.]
[They'll know.] Asva quipped.
[How about me?] Dalda asked.
[Tourist. Adventurer. Finder keeper. You venture into the mists and the wilder mirrors.]
[Yes, the role focuses on exploring and dissecting magical anomalies - traversing ruins or newly appeared regions, fighting monsters, surviving in harsh conditions. It can be quite rewarding if you seek novelty and lack political quotient. A bit unsuited to a great house like yours.]
[Why? Traveling and seeing cool stuff, that sounds like fun.]
[Really? Living in a tent or cave, not even a bath.]
[And eating hard bread or rat beasts.]
[You would not be seeing your bed for months at a time.]
[What? No!! Baldy, swap with me. I'll shave my head.]