As they entered the classroom, the desks were arranged in a circle and a stand in the middle. Kassius, Fenris and Gwin sat next to each other near the other end of the room while Hazel and Peony sat near a stack of books on another side.
“Welcome class, to Basic Magic 101.” said the person. He stood just a little taller than a normal first year student and he seemed old, evident by his gray hair and balding head. He wore purple robes, like a typical wizard, he seemed like the obvious choice for Basic Magic.
“My name is Nifly and I shall be your teacher for this class.” He said kindly and enthusiastically.
“You may address me as Sir or Teacher Nifly if you wish, I’m not really a big fan of titles.” Sir Nifly said. “Before we start, is there anyone here that has not performed any feat of magic.” Sir Nifly asked.
The class stayed silent for a moment, then Kassius, Peony, and two other people raised their hands. Kassius felt relieved that he wasn’t alone.
“Well that’s okay, there are many of us that have not had the chance to experience magic before now, don’t worry.” Sir Nifly said kindly.
“To start off, Magic is present in all beings. Therefore, it allows any being to perform magic like any other.” Sir Nifly said at the beginning of his lecture.
“Observe.” Sir Nifly finished as he demonstrated a spectacular visual feat of magic. He raised his hands, performed a circling motion with them, and the water from the buckets and cups around the room rose in the air and formed various shapes.
From dolphins to whales, to lions and dragons, Sir Nifly put on amazing demonstrations. When he had finished he lowered his hands and the water went back into their containers.
“That was simple water manipulation magic. With practice, you shall be able to perform this feat yourself and impress your friends.” Sir Nifly said winking, merriting laughter from the students.
“Remember, while all beings flow with magic, not all start on equal levels.” Sir Nifly explained. “Archainians, Farathore and The Fairies are the few races that have exceptional levels of natural magic power, while the rest of the Gaian races have an average amount of magic power.” Sir Nifly explained then paused for a moment.
“Sadly those of us from a human origin, while they are part of the Hekcim society, lost most of their magic as time passed.” The class atmosphere became silent and tense for a moment before sir Nifly started up the conversation again and proceeded with his lecture of the day.
Basic Magic 101 wasn’t as intimidating or embarrassing as Kassius thought it would. While they mostly talked about theories and hand movements at the time, he was glad that they didn’t have to perform anything yet. Hazel and Peony broke from the group after class as their schedule was different. Luckily, Kassius, Fenris, and Gwin’s schedule was almost similar. Introduction to Gaian History, while it seemed interesting, it wasn’t as eventful as Basic Magic. Their teacher, Sir Leoanrd, an old man with a lion’s mane, was less than eccentric. Most of the class including Kassius nearly slept through his lecture. If it weren’t for Gwin’s painful interference to his sleep, Kassius would have slept his day away in the classroom.
Thankfully, their break was next on their schedule, and Kassius, Fenris, and Gwin head to the cafeteria in a hurry as they were hungry from all the lectures. The three sat down on one of the many tables that filled the cafeteria.
“Ugh, I thought I’d die with boredom in those classes.” Fenris said, sighing loudly. “Even if it’s boring you’re gonna have to take it in, you might forget some of it.” Gwin said. Kassius never knew how studious and driven Gwin could be.
“Since it’s the first day you might want to take in as much as you can before it gets difficult.” Gwin said, seemingly scolding Fenris and Kassius. “Our next class is Combat. We might want to eat a lot.” Gwin said. Kassius stood up and looked around but saw no kitchen or counter.
“Where do we get our food?” Kassius asked, looking around for staff that might be getting orders, but he remembered that this wasn’t a restaurant. “Um….it’s right here, Kassius.” Gwin said, pointing eyes towards the table.
Kassius looked and saw a full breakfast meal prepared on the table. “Ho–” before Kassius could finish Gwin spoke. “They transport food and many other things like this. It’s convenient.” Gwin said. Kassius sat amazed by the feat, then they began to eat as much as they could.
After they finished their break, The three went straight towards the field and saw that the entire combat class was already there and waiting. Kassius wasn’t as anxious to be in this class as magic but he was expecting the teacher to be intimidating like the Sentinel man on his first day. To his surprise his teacher would be none other than Auralius.
“Good afternoon everyone.” he said. “Welcome to Beginner’s Combat. In this class I will teach you how to fight and how to defend yourselves, while this may seem like a purely physical class, you are still expected to use your head. Remember, Ignorance is your enemy, fail to remember that and you’re as good as gone.” Aurelius explained strictly and sternly.
Kassius already knew how authoritative he could be but he was surprised that he couldn’t see the relaxed and calm man he met in the park before. Abruptly, Aurelius shifted his tone and demeanor to be the calm and relaxed man that Kassius first met.
“With that you guys should have fun with this class.” he said kindly. “To start off our class, let’s start with a little icebreaker shall we?” he said grinning.
“I want you to pick a weapon from that rack over there, and line up. You will fight me one on one.” He explained. The class grew silent, not even a whisper could be heard. Everyone stood intimidated.
“Don’t worry your little heads about it. I will go easy on you, and those weapons are practice weapons, none of you will get hurt.” Auralius said, keeping his devious grin. Slowly, the class picked their weapons of choice. Kassius picked up a pair of daggers, feeling that the normal practice swords were too heavy for him, and got back to the group.
“I see that some of you didn’t pick up one of the practice weapons, I’ll assume that you will use magic then.” Aurelius said. “Without further ado, the first person in front of the line steps forward.” The group quickly formed a line and the student that ended up in the front stepped forward.
“What’s your name?” Aurelius asked. The group quickly formed a line and the student that ended up in the front stepped forward. “What’s your name?” Aurelius asked. "Z-Zeke Abert." the student says. "Don't be afraid, Zeke. Give me everything you got and don't hold back." Auralius said kindly and gently.
Zeke took up his sword in the best stance that he could manage and lunged at Auralius. Auralius dodged it easily, and Zeke nearly stumbled over with his attempt. Zeke was able to balance himself but Auralius swiftly approached from behind and, before he could react, Auralius seeped his feet and knocked him down.
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"Admirable attempt, Zeke, but you have much to learn." Auralius said, extending a hand to help Zeke up to his feet.
After Zeke, many of the students attempted to try and defeat Auralius, to no avail. Many failed spectacularly, most as quickly as Zeke. Even some of the students that used magic were defeated by Auralius, as he was able to predict the spell and where it was targeted. Fenris definitely had a hard time pinning him down. Kassius even saw Adonis swiftly get obliterated by Auralius, much to Kassius' delight. Gwin had a better chance than Fenris or Adonis but even she was defeated. Auralius praised her quick and effective use of quick magic traps. Then, it was only one more student before it was Kassius' turn. He was so amazed and in awe at Auralius' skills and quick victories that he didn't notice that the person in front of him was the beautiful fairy that he saw on the ship.
"Next." Auralius yelled. The girl stepped forward gracefully with her bow. "What's your name?" Auralius asked again. "Evaline Celestia Lavellyn '' the girl said with grace and pride.
"One of the royal family? Well then, this should be interesting. So impress me." Auralius said, readying his stance. Evaline stood still and pulled an arrow out of her quiver aiming at Auralius.
Before any of them acted, roots sprouted from the ground tying Auralius' legs to the ground, then Evaline released her arrow. It looked like Auralius was about to be defeated but he used his sword to deflect the arrow. Kassius realized that all the students before Evaline were never able to make Auralius use his weapon, Evaline was the first.
"I'm impressed." Auralius said, still rooted to the ground. "Your magic is powerful but I doubt your aim is better." Auralius said as he cut the roots and began to move.
Evaline let loose many arrows but all missed, proving Auralius' theory. Just as Auralius closed in for his attack, Ealing cocooned herself in leaves and she disappeared as Auralius attacked the cocoon. Auralius stood motionless for a moment and quickly directed the front of his body towards the forest and deflected another arrow coming towards him. He sheathed his sword and stood motionless again. An arrow didn't come for the forest a second time. Suddenly, a cloud of leaves came from behind Auralius dispersing to reveal Evaline ready to strike from behind but Auralius quicker than the eyes could register, stood behind her before she knew and grabbed the color of her uniform. "Nice try." Auralius said, commending Evaline for her effort. He put her down and she walked away but before she did, Auralius whispered something to her.
As he finished, there was a look of shock in her face, a surprising change from her composed and smiling expression that she put on a daily basis. No one seemed to notice, but Kassius wondered what could have made her so shocked.
"Next." Auralius said. Kassius took a deep breath and stepped forward slowly. "and what's your name?" Auralius said for the sake of routine.
"Kassius." Kassius responded. "A little small isn't it Kassius?" Auralius said, looking at the daggers on each of Kassius' hands.
"I'm okay with it." Kassius said with faint confidence as he heard whispers behind him from the rest of the class. "Alright then, give it everything you got." Auralius said, giving Kassius a wink. Kassius thought that he had faith in him, and so Kassius took up his stance and readied for a fight.
Kassius and Auralius stood facing each other silently. A tense air filled area, as Kassius heard the whispers die down from the class, and he looked around to see a few wandering students watching the class. Kassius wondered if he needed to make the first move but he had a feeling that that would be a mistake, so he stood.
Before he knew it, Auralius burst into action lunging at Kassius with tremendous force and speed. Kassius was only barely able to duck to the left before he felt the strong wind from the motion of Auralius on his face, which unsettled Kassius, but he tried to keep himself composed. Auralius lunged a second time, just as powerful and quick as the last and Kassius was able to dodge by a few inches. After Auralius lunged for a third time, Kassius was able to nick his leg with his daggers which made Auralius stumble and recoil a bit.
"Not bad." Auralius commended Kassius. For a moment, Kassius felt proud but his pride was swiftly replaced with fear as he saw Auralius draw his sword. Auralius lunged at him again sword in hand, Kassius could only react by defending with his daggers but he was knocked back a few feet behind him by the force of the attack.
On his knees, Kassius tried to take a breath after the overwhelming attack. With all his effort he stood back up, and readied his stance for another attack. Auralius lunged again but as Kassius prepared to dodge in anticipation of the attack, Auralius followed a kick with the attack, successfully hitting Kassius. He heard the gasps of the crowd near him, as he took each hit but he was too preoccupied by the sheer force of Auralius' attacks.
"Your resilience is impressive or is it ignorance towards the strength of your opponent?" Auralius said as he walked closer to Kassius. Kassius felt overwhelming emotion fill him, he didn't whether it was fear or anger.
Whatever it was, it allowed him to stand up again, and attempt an attack. However, all of his attempts were blocked and dodged by Auralius. Auralius kicked Kassius again, knocking him back away from the crowd.
"Ignorance boy, fail to realize it, you will keep failing." Auralius said, his voice becoming more stern and serious. Kassius felt boiling emotions rising, and boiling his blood. "Stay ignorant and you will never be worth anything." Auralius whispered.
This was the catalyst for Kassius' anger to be let loose. Before he knew it, Kassius clenched his daggers and stood up. He swiftly attacked Auralius' legs first, causing him to kneel down. Auralius grabbed one hand with his free hand but Kassius quickly hit his face with the hilt of his other dagger, causing Auralius to let go of his hand. Following the attack, Kassius kept attacking Auralius with blind fury, and power that he didn't know he had.
It was knocking Auralius down and keeping him from standing up or regrouping. After Kassius' barrage of attacks, Kassius stepped back to build the final blow and kicked Auralius to the ground, in doing so, defeating him, leaving him unable to stand up immediately.
The crowd stood silent at what they had just witnessed. Kassius took a few deep breaths and realized what had just happened. He saw Auralius on the ground trying to get up, and looked up at the class, shocked by what had just happened. He walked over to Auralius to see if he was alright.
"Auralius, are you okay?" Kassius asked with concern in his voice. "I'm alright, don't worry. You did well, boy." Auralius said as calm and relaxed as he usually was. He eventually got up after a few breaths and he put his hand on Kassius' shoulder.
"That was an exemplary performance, boy. Use that strength but don't let it use you." Auralius said kindly, Kassius didn't know what he meant so he just nodded. Auralius then turned to the class.
"That will be it for this session, you should be getting to your next class, thank you." Auralius said bowing, and waving.
The class said goodbye, put back the weapons and proceeded to their next classes. Kassius put back his daggers and as he did, he caught a lot of students staring at me, a few of them were from amazement, most were from fear and uncertain curiosity. Even evaline was staring at him curiously, Kassius didn't know whether she was afraid or amazed, he then felt an arm go around him, and saw Fenris and Gwin.
“How the hell did you do that?” Fenris said with more enthusiasm than he ever had before. Kassius shrugged not knowing what to say.
“What do you mean you don’t know, you were amazing.” Fenris said in amazement. “Are you ok?” Gwin asked. “You took more of a beating than the rest of us.” she said with overwhelming concern.
“It definitely hurt a lot but I don’t think I broke anything.” Kassius said as he tried to feel his body to check if anything was broken.
“Why was he so hard on you of all people? It seemed like you made him angry.” Gwin asked. “Yeah for most of us it was just one knockdown and he let us go.” Fenris said, joining Gwin.
“I don’t know, he just told me something then I felt afraid….. And angry.” Kassius said contemplating.
“I knew what was happening but, at the same time, I didn’t know what I was doing. Fenris and Gwin looked at each other confused at what Kassius said. Kassius couldn’t understand what happened to him, but he knew he felt this way before.
They chose not to talk about it for the rest of the day and focus on getting through classes, but it was hard since a lot of the students saw what happened in the field. This kept Kassius wondering what had happened to him, and why was Auralius trying to make it happen.