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29 – Insight

“Gulp”, “Gulp”, “Gulp”, sounds came up as I entered into the Magus Speculum. It was just as though I was swallowed by the mirror. For a moment, I was in a void. No time, no space, no location. My senses were perplexed. Next instant, I was thrown to a place which astonished me.

A small road was paved in front of me. It consisted of nothing but sand. On my right, flames were burning and reaching unbeliavable heights. My eyes couldn’t percieve how tall the flames were.

On my left, waves similar to ones which could be observed when tsunami’s occur were topping each other. The waves were no smaller in height in comparison to flames.

The road in front of me seemed to be the distinct border between them. At first sight, it reminded me the story of Moses. God orders and Nile parts into two making a way for Moses and Jews to go through.

I turned back to see the same thing. Turning another 180 degrees, I began to walk. Relentlessly for hours I walked but nothing came up. My heart was beginning to panic when I heard the voice.

“STOP!”, a loud and stalwart voice called out to me. I was frozen and stood still until the sound was diminished.

Flames of fire were replaced by flowing lavas in the blink of an eye. Likewise storm stilled to a murmur and the waves were hushed.

A red rock was lying on top of flowing lavas. Its size and exterior texture had mesmerized me. It looked like perfectly preserved animal fossil. Observing it for a moment more, I saw its tail. A long tail full of spikes. Its body was protected by layer over layer of hand sized overlapping ceramic textured skin.

I was amazed at sight in front of me. My jaw almost had dropped, seeing a creature of legends in front of me. It raised its wings and flapped them once. I backed for few steps, and a hot breeze hit my body. Its neck moved and I saw dragon’s face.

Until now, its face was on the other side of its body so I was not aware of what it was. However, after showing its face to me I recognized it for what it was. “Dragon”, I said in awe.

It opened its eyes. Blows of streaming smoke came out of its nostrils and “Zah’hak is my name...”, it whispered.

“And I’m Sobek!”, another voice came out from my left which startled me. I turned my face to see a giant alligator floating on air in a circular movement. It whistled for some reason and dived into water. After a second emerged from water and began to float on it.

“Amazing reserves of mana”, Sobek said. “Yes, almost on par with me”, Zah’hak added. “Isn’t it way too much for a human?”, Sobek questioned. “It seems someone has bestowed it upon him.”, Zah’hak replied.

They were talking to each other as if I was not there. “Human, you haven’t introduced yourself, yet!”, Sobek said to me. His voice was more elegant and approachable than Zah’hak’s. “I’m Kain. Its an honour to meet both of you”, I replied.

“Kain...Your mana capacity is big which helped you to be binded with both of us. Your character seems to have virtues that represent us too... But you lack... You lack”, Zah’hak was cut by Sobek, “Insight”.

“It’s been tens of thousands of years that we are stuck in spirit realm... Its soo boring here... We would love to see the mortal world again but there was none with potential to summon us... And here you are with capacity but no insight...”, Sobek spoke up.

“I don’t get it. What do you mean?”, I asked. “It means that if it continues like this you will never reach the level where you can summon us!”, Sobek replied.

I was speechless. The reason being I didn’t understand a single word that they were talking about. “Simply put, you have the power but you lack the means to utilize it”, Zoh’hak spoke again. “What I am going to do then? And why should I summon you?”, I asked. “Luckily, Mirror of Earth and Heaven brought us together... We will help you. Nevertheless, its up to you whether you want to reach the heavens or stay in the deep hole where you are now.”, Zoh’hak explained in an arrogant manner.

A royal blue colored light appeared in between Sobek’s eyes and a red one on Zah’hak’s. Both of those lights detached from them and flew towards me. They began to circle around each other in front of me. For a short while, they continued their circular motion which attracted me. Immediately they changed their direction and struck at me.

Both of them successfully entered my body. I could feel them inside me flowing with my blood through my body. One moment they were in my foot while next in my hands. Because of pain I couldn’t support my body and dropped to my knees. Forcing my arms to support me, I was breathing heavily.

Tears emerged out of my eyes. My hands were forcefully grasping sand below them because of pain. Saliva was pouring out of my mouth.

Next moment, I felt both of those lights in my heart. I clenched my teeth together, so as not to cry. “Bam”, both of those particles of light clashed together. They disappeared and as a result I sensed unexpected feeling of relief and ecstasy.

I was still breathing heavily, although it was not because of pain but of exhaustion. I moved my head up to see both of them. “We will depart now! Don’t tell to anyone about us!”, Zah’hak said and disappeared. Flames began to fire in the place where Zah’hak was lying.

I turned to see high waves overlapping each other in the place where Sobek was swimming. “And for fuck’s sake, honor me when you use water or wind affiliated magic... what the heck is falcon’s beak?”, Sobek’s voice echoed.

“An alligator who thinks her reputation is blown because I have named attack’s name after a falcon”, passed my mind. I laughed. I laughed to my heart’s content. Tears flowed out of my eyes, “what an irony”, I thought.

Raising both my hands upwards to my eyes, I cleaned them from leftover tears using my palms. In the process, few of the eyelashes were stuck to my palms which I blew to get rid of.

Not far from me, a door appeared out of nowhere. A light was being emitted from behind the door. I walked up to door and opened it. A very bright light almost blinded me, which I protected my eyes by covering them with my left arm.

My eyes closed, I stepped into the light through the door. I was blind as my eyes were still closed. I breathed in. Air that flowed through my nose felt different than usual. Even though my eyes were closed, I didn’t feel the bright light anymore. So I opened my eyes to see that I am back.

Everything felt different. I could sense the flow of air around me as if it was part of me. I felt it. I felt the flux of mana in it. “Is this what they were talking about? Is this insight?”, I murmured.

It was some kind of profound knowledge that was bestowed upon me by Sobek and Zah’hak. As it was not something that I worked to acquire I didn’t know what exactly it is.

This new ‘sense’ that I have obtained was part of me like my arms, legs, head or nose. It was not something that I had to activate or deactivate.

Turning around to face the people, I saw the Magus Speculum. I passed by it. Students who had passed, Monarch Academy staff who were overseeing the test and present students were watching at me with dull eyes.

When I entered the mirror, there were lots of people who came to watch and enjoy their time but right now there were few left. Sun was setting down from west and sky was changing its color to light dark. “How many hours has it been?”, I said to myself.

“Congratulations Kain!”, Mrs Alberda said and yawned. “I though you had gone crazy when you stopped and laughed... Walking for hours within darkness just on a straight path...Low of the low... Nevertheless, congratulations!”, she added which puzzled me.

I looked around but saw only dull and angry eyes staring at me except one. A woman who seemed to be very old, was watching me with keen eyes.

Her face, hands and any other visible skin were covered in wrinkles. Her body was bent down from waist being supported by both hands which were grabbing onto a hand-stick. Her clothes were worn and dirty. Her hair was filled with dust and dirt. Except the eyes.

Sharp eyes that vibrated with life. Our eyes met each other and she smiled.

I was asked to join the group of students who had passed the examination. Old students went ahead into the academy. Mrs Alberda moved over to stand in front of our group.

“Congrats again to all of you! Right now we will be heading over to palaces where as first year students you will reside during the next two semesters of study. ”, she said.

“Did she said palaces?”, I said out loud. “Yes”, a male voice confirmed.

Right now I was standing at the last row of the group where there was only one more guy and me. He had short red hair, long nose, small mouth and big ears. I haven’t seen ears as big as his in both of my lives. They looked like radio transmitters that sent message to other parts of galaxy. I mean that big.

“I’m Kain”, I said and raised my hand. He shook it and replied “Arman Crux”. “Nice to meet you”, I stated. “Same bro! As we will be lodging together I’ll call you bro from now on!”, he added mischievously.

“Why together? What about palaces?”, I asked Arman. “She will tell”, Arman pointed at Mrs Alberda.

“Arman Crux, Sofia Lim and Kain head over to admission’s building and wait for me at my office, rest of you follow me”, Mrs Alberda shouted.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

At admission’s building we were told that as the new students with the least magical potential we would be living together in the same house. The only way to change the accommodation to one of the grand palaces and have servants is through improving our results at the end of the year tournament.

I reckon Zah’hak and Sobek had made sure that no one could see them through the Magus Speculum. Everyone had seen only the path that I walked on, so the waves and flames had to be part of Zah’hak and Sobek which were obstructed from their vision.

I stood silently watching Arman speaking non-stop to chubby Sofia. Their faces reflected mixed emotions. First one was the happiness of being enrolled in to Monarch Academy. Second one was misery and unsecure looks about being the ones with the worst potential. They may have been son and daughter of some influential family back in their city or region but in here it meant nothing.

First time in their lives they were on their own. Although Arman was trying hard to talk and forget the position he was in. However Sofia was stressful and she was clutching her hands together and pressing her fingers hard on one other. Skin on her hands had turned red.

Mrs Alberda entered the room after few hours. We followed her out of the admission’s building. “You all should feel honored to be accepted into Monarch and work hard to improve your place in academy rankings”, was the only thing she said to us until we reached the house.

We were standing in front of one story house.

Our lodge was located at the backside of the Monarch Academy, far away from everything. To reach the closest building we would be walking for half-an-hour or so.

It was late night and mushroom like clouds were on the way of lights reflected from both moons. As a result, outer design of the house was not properly visible. Mrs Alberda left after showing us to door.

We entered and lighted candles to check out the house.

The house was breaking apart. Doors, ceiling, walls of the house were rusty and every step taken would arise a creepy sound. Surprisingly Sofia was not afraid but I felt the dread and fear in Arman’s voice. There were three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a guestroom with kitchen.

I went to sleep.

I woke up about sunrise. Stayed in bed for few minutes and later woke up to do few exercises to stretch my muscles. I changed my clothes and departed my room to see Sofia and Arman’s coming out of their rooms.

For a small and chubby girl, Sofia had a very attractive face. Black long hair and black eyebrows were distinctive part of her charm. Sofia smiled as she saw me.

Arman was still yawning. Dark circles under his eyes and swollen eyelids were clearly visible on his face. “And my parents are proud that their son is a student of Monarch!”, he said in irony. “Thank God they haven’t seen me in this state!”, he added.

We walked almost for an hour to reach cafeteria. Except new students everyone wore uniforms. Supposedly today after the orientation we would be given our uniform’s too.

As soon as we entered the cafeteria, eyes gathered on us. “They are looking down at us”, Arman whispered. Sofia’s face had mixed features of confusion, anger and pity. “Who cares man”, I said out loud to ease them up.

Orientation was not much important because in the introduction we were told that we will be walking around the academy all day long to get know the place. I swayed from the group and asked a student whereabouts of library.

There were no classes until 9th of september so most of the students were hanging around, playing and chatting. I passed by girls who were giggling and most probably talking about their first love or maybe first kiss experience. Close to library I met a group of tough looking male students who were arguing loudly about magic spells.

The library was gigantic. It was constructed similar to the one which I been into in Metropolis. Although size-wise it was totally different from the guild library in Metropolis.

Doors opened to the sides automatically as I closed upon them. A wooden desk was located few meters away from entrance. “Assistance”, was written on top of it. I walked to the desk but there was no-one on sight. There was a bell on desk which I touched but no voice came up. I violently shook it and a girl jumped up.

“Stop it, will you!”

“How are you Elle”, I said.

“Kain, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in orientation?”

“I passed... gotta learn you know! By the way, were you sleeping?”

She giggled. “nobody comes over and I was a bit sleepy... Let’s call it power nap!”, she said smiling. “Yea, I’m here to borrow books”, I told her. “You will be issued with student cards after lunch so, I can’t let you borrow books.. But it should be alright if you read them here..”, she explained. “Alright, thanks Elle”, I said and turned to go to search for book but was cut by Elle.

“Do you know how to use Dex?”, she asked. “You mean the aquarium?”, I replied with a question. “That’s called dex, aquarium is glass-sided tank where fish or other marine animals are kept”, she answered with her nose up in air with pinocchio’s arrogance. “All same to me!”, I said and went over to dex.

“Fire magic spell”, I said looking at water within the dex. Only one result came up which shocked me, as I was told all the fire related magic information could be found in here. Library seemed to have no end but there was only one result displayed. Nevertheless, I used gondola to reach the place where the book was.

It was a small book of 40 pages. I skimmed through most of it, as there was nothing but general information about fire magic and how dangerous it was. Fortunately, chant of a single spell was recorded at the last page of the book.

“Fire Breathing Spell”, was written on top of the page. I went through the content and it really was a proper spell. I read it for a few times and began to memorize the chanting. I left the book in its place and used gondola to get back to entrance after I knew the wording of the spell by heart.

There was another female student who was changing her place with Elle.

Elle offered me to go to cafeteria with her to eat lunch and join the orientation group as I will be issued a school identification card and few pairs of school uniforms. I nodded in agreement and we left.

Luckily, new students just had arrived to cafeteria as Elle and I reached it. I joined Sofia and Arman who were bored to death after sightseeing the buildings. “You made a great choice, mate”, Arman said and Sofia nodded in agreement.

We ate and left with the group to the admission’s office. All of us were given a small ring which was core of a low level wild husky. It could store up to 8 items. Likewise it acted as our student identification within the academy.

I saw Klytea hanging out with female students. Our gazes met and I made a hand sign to say hello. She stuck out her tongue as if she was a five year old.

Later on we were given 4 student uniforms and we were let free for the rest of the day. Tomorrow, we had to come to admission’s office to apply for our courses.

Everyone scattered in groups to enjoy themselves, while Sofia, Arman and I were left alone after everyone scattered around. “Are we being alienated?”, I said looking at Sofia. “It seems so”, Arman said. I sighed and left them to go back to our house.

House was at border with the forest. There was a small pond close by. The wood that was used to build the house had changed its color to dark grey with some black parts on it. From a distance it looked like a ghost house.

I went into my room and extracted uniforms and shoes from sack ring. Placing them in the dresser, I went to the back of the house.

I was sitting at the back of the house facing the thick forest. Half-closing my eyes I began to meditate. For some time I lost the track of time and was consumed by meditation.

“Fire in the air, fire in the ground. I use the fire that can not be found, It comes out of my mouth in a blow......my fire will show”, I chanted the long spell out of my memory and took a deep breathe in. As I exhaled from my mouth, instead of air, fire came out.

It was a few centimeters long flame but nevertheless I had succeeded at first try. I chanted again and bound it to name “Dragon’s Wrath”.

Sun was setting down. Not wanting to lose time anymore, I stood up and said “Dragon’s Wrath”. My lungs were filled with air. I felt the warmness raising up from my waist. I exhaled and a large flame topping almost 6 meters long and 10 meters wide was blown.

The insight what I was bestowed upon was helping me out. During few tries the best that I accomplished was few centimeters long flames, but without thinking much I did understand that it was not about how hard I try to inhale and exhale. It was all about my concentration. Actually, having my lungs filled with air and breathing normally had very small effect in spell’s power and size.

I was so much into the newly acquired fire spell that I had forgotten to go to eat and sun had already set. Feeling tired, I lay on grassy ground for a while. Breeze was caressing my face and I felt asleep.

P.S: Last chapter, I told there going to be some fight scenes, but unfortunately this chapter took longer than I thought it would so I'll skip the fighting part to the next chapter..

P.P.S: I'm open and welcome all kinds of review, suggestions, criticisms and so on... But it doesn't mean that you can write "This is shit, and you are blablabla"... so please whenever you want to express yourself try to stay in between civil line..