The princess Relestia remains unconscious, resting on Kairos’ chest. The two of them were so beautiful together they looked like they had stepped out of a painting.
Kairos had not revealed their age but the others made their assumption. He concluded that the portal had brought them here because they were summoning a male and female pair of the age sixteen. He is of the correct age, but Princess Relestia is barely fourteen and will raise unnecessary suspicions.
He do not know if they have any magic in this place that can detect lies but there are definitely spells at work in this place.
Everyone were flabbergasted by their titles. A princess and a young general in their midst was beyond their expectation.
Only the shamans felt unfazed. In fact, they were surprised that there are so few combatants. Moreover… a show fighter? Only the prisoners of war and those without appetite for real battle become Show Fighters - mere jesters for the court.
They passed it off as another quirk of this strange summoning spell and the mage with blonde hair took over shortly after Kairos’ introduction.
“Now that you know each other, you should’ve guessed that we have certain criteria in our summoning. You’re in pairs because it is most efficient that you have a partner that you can trust in a foreign land. We summoned a male and a female for each pair because different magical talents favour each gender. And, you are all sixteen because that is the perfect age for magic. You are wise enough to handle powers and young enough to learn its intricacies.”
The mage left out one thing unsaid: The spell is only capable to handle ten summoned heroes at most. Axis Mundi should not be able to support anything more than that yet here there is another pair.
She said, “Now, you must have a ton of questions. I’ll answer as much as I can.”
“Why are we here?” Lie Feng the sniper asked, ever primly.
“Our world, the Axis Mundi, is riddled with magical dungeons…”
“WHOOP! DUNGEONS!” George Luther the mixed martial artist pumped his fists in cheered. It was a dream come true for him.
The mage coughed politely at the interruption and continued, “These … catacombs… are filled to the brim with all kinds of monsters birthed by the excessive mana, and every day the tunnels are expanding. Whenever a dungeon reaches the surface, our towns will become overran and hundreds will die.”
“So our job is to exterminate them, and then we can go home?” Richard XVII the student asked.
The mage nodded and then shook her head, “It’s not that simple. They will never cease spawning.”
“Then, what in the blazes are we here for!” Richard screamed uncontrollably.
The knights by the edge of the hall stomped the ground with their weapons.
They did so quickly in perfect unison and everything fell silent again.
The Jarl lifted a hand lazily and said, “Continue explaining.”
Except for the twelve summoned heroes, everyone else turned to their lord and bowed deeply.
The mage straightened up a moment later, adjusting her hat and shooting Richard with a dirty glare as if saying she will prefer if he did not interrupt her again.
“The dungeons and monster hordes will continue appearing all over the Axis until the Dark Lord is killed.”
“Ah, a final boss… this is so cliché,” someone muttered softly.
The mage frowned slightly to display her displeasure at yet another interruption, then said, “There are three regions on the Axis. The human kingdoms, the Gnome-Dwarf alliance, and the elves.
The human kings believed that this crisis is due to a magic influx in this world, and its source is the elf king, Veritus. A fallen god. A demon king. Take him out and you saved the world.”
“The final boss is an Elf! No way!” Shinku the gamer muttered in excitement.
“Oh, yes way sis! Imagine bringing a few elves home!” Shira said.
“The Elf King is descendant of an ancient race of gods and is himself divine. Though he had lost most of his powers in the previous War of the Wicked Ones, his immortality remains. To kill him will be exceptionally difficult.”
Berengaria of New London asked, “What do we get in return for risking our lives?”
“Do this and you will get riches beyond anything you imagined. You can have any unwed prince or princess of the human kingdoms. You will be able to wield magic that you have only heard in legends. And, we will provide you a passage home anytime you so wished along with treasures you can carry and people who wants to go with you.”
Mary Waterhouse the Grimoire Researcher said with a frown, “What if we do not wish to participate?”
“A good question,” the mage nodded and proceeded to answer, “All of you come from different worlds, chosen for your unparalleled potential. We are the only ones where you came from and without our help, it is almost impossible to return.
If you still wish to leave, the Jarl has generously prepared money as much as a year’s honest wage.”
The summoned heroes started discussing amongst themselves. It was the deal of the century and few could resist. However, after much discussion, George Luther and his wife Rachel Luther Mandela decided it is time to leave.
The MMA Fighter actually wanted to stay but his wife was adamant. They had no other family back home and Axis Mundi sounded like a place forged by combat. If they are truly summoned because of their combat talent then it is likely they will do well here at their own pace instead of risking their lives under someone else’s orders.
Whatever adventures and new friends they will make will be up to them and not that snobbish Jarl in control of this place.
After all, as guests in the house, the Jarl could’ve been more cordial instead of letting a mage do all the talking.
The mage nodded at their decision and handed them each a small big of coins. An Aura Knight approached to lead them out, “We will be pleased to offer you a meal before you leave, milady. Milord.”
“Oh, I’ll be looking forward to that!” George exclaimed excitedly as he walked out with Rachel in hand.
After the two had left, the mage clapped twice and six soldiers carried a gigantic crystal ball to the middle of the hall.
“This is the affinity stone to see what kind of magical talents you have. Heroes, you may proceed.”
Pair by pair they went forward and placed their palms on the ball.
The first couple was Richard and Berengaria. The young lady put her hands on it first and three large magic circles with many smaller ones appeared in the glass. The bigger circles are magic talent in Water, Curse, and Protection.
“Incredible! The lady makes a great combat shaman. Such a rare combination, I have not seen anything like it in the history records,” She exclaimed.
Then realising that they could not understand her, she explained, “The large magic circles are your primary talent. Most mages have only one of those. The smaller spell circles are magic you can dabble in but they are less effective than your primary. Of course, the more of them you have the more potent you are as a spellcaster.
Like Lady Berengaria, only the other heroes are the only mages in the human kingdoms that could match the elves.”
Richard stepped forward next and displayed four primary aptitudes: Fire, Lightning, Enchantment, and Poison.
The mage was visibly impressed while the Aura Knights started whispering excitedly. Even the Jarl straightened his back and leaned forward to look more closely.
“Sir Richard, please excuse our impoliteness. You see, it is exceptionally rare to have two primaries and heroes are expected to have only three. Only one hero in history ever had four. Moreover, your talents make you the perfect Knight Lord. If things proceed as we planned, the future of the human race on Axis may fall into your hands and you will likely be the leader of the heroes,” the mage said while bowing lowly. The knights also bowed as much as their armours allowed. Even the Jarl lowered his head for a moment.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Richard smiled as if it was the most natural thing. He had left out many things unsaid about himself and Berengaria. They are not only students but direct decedents of the greatest king of their country. He was trained since youth to take over the throne one day, and therefore he did not lie when he said he is a student.
The mage straightened up and gestured the next pair to be tested.
Shira and Shinku stepped forward.
Shira placed his hands first and like Berengaria he had three primaries: Fire, Light, and Lightning. The crowd once again whispered for his talents were the same as the previous Hero King that were summoned a thousand years ago.
There was great cheer. The Jarl kept whispering, “The hero of light has returned.”
The Aura Knights followed and soon there was a chant, “The hero of light!”
“Hurry Lady Shinku, perhaps you are the reincarnated maiden of light!” someone suddenly shouted and the whole hall quietened down with anticipation.
The mage nodded at Shinku and the girl placed both her hands on the glass.
Holy, Life, and Nature.
It was the exact talents that the maiden of light portrayed. The legendary hero of light had a sister that was given the title the maiden of light. She was perhaps even more beloved than her brother and any other heroes for she had great strength of heart and a kindness to match.
Her healing spells saved thousands, her holy magic vanquished evils, and her nature magic commanded great floods and terrible wind that decimated armies.
However, it was her final sacrifice by giving her life to save her brother – the hero of light – that eventually brought peace back on Axis Mundi.
The hall trembled with roars of jubilee.
“The maiden has returned! Shinku, the maiden reborn!”
The Jarl stood up, his massive body seemed to loom above everyone, but he went down his throne with surprisingly springy steps and came before Shinku.
He took her hand and said, “Blessed am I and the human kingdoms, oh Lady of Light, for you have come back to us.”
The knights lifted their weapons and roared once again then the Jarl returned to his seat but not before requesting two seats for the new hero and maiden of light.
Richard’s face darkened but he quickly convinced himself that they were only three primaries.
The third pair to come is Lie Feng and Wen Wen.
The hacker placed her hands first but only two primary aptitudes appeared, Dispel and Arcane.
Wen Wen’s face fell. It appears that not all heroes will have three primaries. The four who had been tested looked at her with scoffing and mockery in their eyes until the mage laughed aloud.
She is without a shred of the previous reservations. After so many surprises few can continue remain unfettered.
“The Anti-Spell! Such an incredible find! Our lady Wen Wen is the Anti-Spell!” she declared with exultation.
The respect shown to one with affinity with Dispel matches someone with four primaries like Richard.
The existence of a Dispel aptitude is rare by itself. Most mages destroy magic by weaving a counter spell but those with the Dispel affinity can extinguish magic by directly erasing the circle.
“Look!” An Aura Knight said, “Lady Wen Wen has the Arcane affinity as well.”
“I’ve never heard of Dispel mages that has any secondaries, much less primaries.”
“The concept of anti-spell is the destruction of all magic. To have any other aptitude should be impossible. Our lady is a miracle.”
“What is the Arcane affinity? I’ve heard of Arcane spells, but never its affinity before.”
The Jarl was visibly intrigued as well and he ordered, “Court Mage, explain.”
The mage nodded her head, her flowing blonde hair sparkling in the hall’s fire torches.
“The Arcane is considered by most Grand Mages to be the source of all magic. It is mana in its unaltered form, chaotic and destructive. Although any mage can use this branch of magic, the spells weaved from the Arcane are usually weaker. Its specialty is to perform many different properties like ‘homing’ that the other affinities cannot. However, those with affinity not only can cast Arcane Spells just as strong as any other element, but they can also access Arcane Spells that none other could.”
“A good offensive and defensive aptitude then,” the Jarl said to the agreement of the mage.
“An Anti-Spell that is also an Arcane Mage. Treat the Lady Wen Wen with the highest regard. She will be instrumental to the quest.”
“Yes, my Jarl!”
“Sir Lie Feng, would you please?”
Lie Feng went forward and placed his hands on the glass as well, and like the ones before, there was a great shining light and several large magic circles surrounded by countless smaller ones appeared within.
He also have three primaries, Magic Enhancement, Physical Enhancement, and Item Enhancement.
There was visible confusion for the Court Mage, Aura Knights and the Jarl.
This is again a very rare set of primaries, but this time there was a complete harsh.
“Is my aptitude good?” Lie Feng asked, looking quite unnerved.
If he is revealed to have garbage talents, he didn’t dare to think what will happen to himself. Will they still be willing to open a passage to send him back home? If summoning heroes is that easy, there wouldn’t be only six pairs here.
Moreover, enhancements does not sound all that… magical.
“It depends,” the mage said after a while, “Enhancement magic is both very potent and very weak. It is highly reliant on the user’s skill. The crystal does not tell how talented you are with each type because magic is according to one’s mental capacity.”
Kairos nodded without unconsciously. He had learnt the fundamental knowledge of magic from Aisa and already formed a mana core in his head, the crystallised essence of magic.
“Sir Lie Feng, because you only have enhancement-type magic and nothing else to fall back on, you either be extremely powerful or terribly weak. I recommend that you spend more time on the art, and spend any excess effort on studying secondaries.”
“What is enhancement-type magic?” someone asked.
“Alas, I forget you are summoned from another world. My apologies. Enhancement magic improve things. Sir Lie Feng can enhance his body, the things he touches, and any magic he wields. Although he will only be able to use secondary magic, he can enhance them beyond understanding if used well.”
“What about enchantment magic?” Richard asked.
“Sir Richard, your enchantment magic is entirely another circle. It imbues different effects upon things. You have a very potent aptitude.”
The boy grinned proudly, his newfound powers are much better than expected. However, each and every person tested thus far have indeed formidable potential. Somehow, he is starting to feel excited to gain their loyalty and conquer this world like his ancestor did.
The next pair went forward just as excitedly. Seems like everyone have incredible talents, then they would have nothing to fear either.
Andrew placed his hands on the crystal first. As a descendent of a family with magical lineage, his aptitude shouldn’t be bad right?
As expected, three primaries surfaced, Blood, Shadow, and Death.
The frowns in the room quickly created an immense pressure on him and he turned pale at once.
“Lady Mary, would you give it a try as well?”
The unbearable silence that followed moved her feet forward. She placed her hands on the crystal and it shone brightly but there wasn’t a magic circle but a strange symbol.
It wasn’t a rune either, but a strange emblem.
“The sign of Nyx! She is a champion of the night!”
“As expected, Sir Andrew is the prophesised dark hero, and Lady Mary the Night Champion.”
Andrew asked with a frown, “What is this matter?”
There were hushed whispers all around and then the mage stepped forward and explained in a tired voice, “Sir, you do not know, besides the normal magic, there are several dark arts, including, Curses, Voodo, Blood, Shadow, Demonlogy, Blight, and Fel.
There is a prophecy that one day a hero will appear with all Dark Art primaries, and on his side will be the champion of the night. He will one day unify Axis Mundi and be the king of all races.”
“What is this symbol of Nyx?” Mary Waterhouse asked.
“It is the mark of the night goddess. As her champion you will be able to use divine magic.”
“That should be a good thing. Why are they murmuring?” Mary said, obviously displeased.
The Jarl stood up and thundered, “Totally unacceptable. Apologise to Lady Mary at once!”
The Aura Knights bowed and shouted, “Forgive us, Lady Mary.”
“Slap yourselves ten times and I’ll forgive you.”
The knights looked up with surprise. The Jarl gave them a subtle nod and the knights started removing their gauntlets.
“Leave them on,” Mary said.
The Jarl nodded again much to the knights’ chagrin. Soon there were the sounds of metal striking flesh.
After ten slaps, the knight faces were all red and swollen.
They looked at Mary with seething hatred but the lady is the champion of the night, wielder of divine magic. This vengeance is fated to be unmet.
The group looked at the last pair to be tested.
The Lady Relestia remains unstirring but Sir Kairos carried her in his arms and walked towards the crystal ball. No one had to part the milling crowd for him. He placed a solitary palm on the glass and waited.
There was respectful silence in the hall.
So far no one was mediocre and for someone who can become a general this young, his talent is the most anticipated in the group. Even Kairos himself is curious.
The glass shone brightly, perhaps more than it did for anyone present.
After the glow diminished, a single giant circle was left. Its size was humongous in the centre of the glass but there wasn’t any other circles, not even a single secondary.
“Was there a mistake? How can there only be one circle?” Berengaria said.
Wen Wen also spoke up for Kairos, “There must be something wrong. Maybe the circle is so huge and so it blocked out the rest?”
Mary nodded, “Perhaps he is also a champion like me?”
“I recognise it. It is the Life Circle that appeared for me,” Shinku said shyly.
Everyone was shocked. Of course the shamans and knights already realised and had been looking at Kairos without understanding.
The mage sighed, “This sometimes happens which is why each time we will summon ten… I mean, twelve heroes. There are past cases where only one primary aptitude appears but there wasn’t anybody without even a single secondary.
However, Sir Kairos do not worry. To be chosen by the spell as heroes, each of you are exceptionally gifted. Heroes with less magical talents usually have other traits that compensate.”
Kairos merely returned to his position without a word. He knows that Life magic isn’t his only aptitude, otherwise Aisa wouldn’t have picked him to learn Holy spells that vanquish the devils.
No one noticed that the giant crystal ball is filled with tiny shimmers, each a magic circle yet none of them are secondaries. The glass measures primary and secondary magic aptitude according to how much of each type of magic conduit is present within a person.
The more channels exists of a certain type of magic, the bigger its spell circle is portrayed. At the same time, the other spell circles that have less channels will look smaller to give way.
“What a shame. Such a dashing and young general, but talentless,” Mary scoffed.
“You girls all spoke up for him because he’s dashing?” Andrew complained.
Berengaria shrugged, “At least he is ten times better looking than you.”
“Berengaria, watch yourself,” Richard said sternly, “A weakling have no right to talk with us.”
“What about the girl? How is she going to test?” Shira said, his eyes never leaving Relestia since he saw her. This princess is more ravishing than any he had seen. Even the so-called greatest beauty of the century back home cannot hold a candle to her.
Little did he know, he isn’t the only one here with sights on Relestia.
The Jarl said, “Let the Princess rest. She will conduct her test when she is feeling better. I will have our best healers to see to her. Meanwhile, we will host a grand feast tonight and tomorrow, we will be testing you for your aura aptitude.”
The knights and shamans bowed to their lord, and the heroes followed.
When they had left, the Jarl called for his confidante.
“Later on, place Princess Relestia and General Kairos in adjoining rooms near my chambers.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Tomorrow, when the General is away for training, we will do a binding charm spell on her.”
The confidante thumped his chest, bowed, then left. If anyone deserves a woman of such great beauty, it is definitely his lord and not some talentless brat with only brute strength.