Chapter 26: Admissions Exam

Landar

The world was on the edge of ending. I felt it bone deep, my soul wilted, my courage fled. And for the first time since Sigvold tried his little magical chloroform karate chop, I was wide awake.

Pressure was all around me. It was wildly intense, and I ended up stumbling to my knees. I’d felt this before. The certainty of death. Knowing both I, and everyone I cared about was going to die.

It was a feeling I had become intimately familiar with in Afghanistan. This was just more concentrated, and somehow being magically telegraphed directly into my mind. Just like what had happened in the throne room when I had been magically suppressed by Ezekial and that terrifying lady.

The girl in front of me, Sakura, the Chinese woman stood for a few seconds longer than me before collapsing to her knees as well. She gritted her teeth, and tears silently and freely streamed down her face. She said something that I couldn’t quite make out through the rush of blood in my ears.

Magical shields snapped into place all around the city. Massive domes reaching into the sky in a rainbow of colors. Over individual houses, tenements, markets, and more. The tower itself had a shield that snapped into place behind us, and the school buildings in front of us saw one spring from the central building.

Screw this, I thought. The school is closer. I forced my aura around me like I had instinctively done before against Sakura’s mother. I pushed mana out of myself infusing it with my will and defiance and the pressure eased slightly.

I pushed up with my legs and I felt like I was carrying a full rucksack after a ten mile hike. My legs shook, my knees ached instantly, but I could move. Tears streamed from my eyes from the exertion and I had to blink furiously to clear my vision. I came up next to Sakura and pushed my will just a little bit further out to envelop her as much as I could, then looked her in the eyes.

She was panicking, her breathing was coming in short gasps, and her stare was far away.

“Shit, Sakura, you're having a panic attack. We need to get you shielded from whatever this bullshit is.” I had seen panic attacks before. Hell, I’d had them. It was not an uncommon thing to experience in your first midnight mortar attack back in the sand box. The real test was if you could master it, learn from it. Or if you let it break you.

I looked ahead and I found Mother Margaret and Sigvold maintaining the shield around the campus together. They looked strained, and focused. “Okay, help is not coming, Sakura. We have to go to it.”

I bent down slightly, grabbed her arm, and pulled her to her feet in a side carry. “Okay, you’re heavy. I could use some help Sakura. Use those iron like legs of yours. Come on.”

Her eyes looked at me for a moment, they were still distant, but she was fighting through whatever she was feeling. I walked, one step after another. Each one feeling like my legs were about to snap like twigs tasked with upholding a mountain. I took it slow and steady, as I tried not to shatter my teeth through the exertion and pain.

I was strong now. Far stronger than I had ever been back on Earth. Even still, I wasn’t sure if i’d be strong enough to overcome this. I shunted as much magic as i could into my limbs and still I had to strain just to move. I looked back to Sakura, hoping she’d come around. Her breaths were shallow and short. Sweat covered her face and was starting to soak her clothes. But it was clear she was starting to come out of the shock and pure panic.

“What?” she asked quietly, the words were airy, barely a whisper. They were difficult for her to get out with how little air she was getting into her lounges. “We’re all going to die.”

“That’s what the bastards want us to think.” I said as I pushed forward one leg in front of the next. The campus was closer than the tower's shield, but we still had a good thirty feet of real estate to cover. And I wasn’t entirely sure if I could keep this up long enough to get there.

My legs wobbled, my vision blurred, and for a moment I knew I was going to fall.

Another aura sprang up around me. Thick and powerful, at least twice as strong as my own. My knees gave out and I found myself being lifted up by a strong pair of arms that had wrapped around my torso.

“Come on American. Let's get to safety.” Sakura said, her eyes were focused now. Her legs had taken not only her weight, but my own. I was taller than her by a head, maybe more. But she kept me on my feet.

It felt like it took hours, but eventually we got to the edge of the shield. She pushed me through first, and instantly the pressure from whatever was happening disappeared. My legs were still exhausted, but my strength was back.

Sakura collapsed back to her knees just on the far side. I reached through, grabbed her arm and pulled her to safety and fell backwards to the ground. We both stayed there for a moment, catching our breath, facing the sky.

“That . . . that was exhausting.” I wiped my face, clearing away the fine sheet of sweat that I had earned.

“Yes.” We sat in silence for a moment. “Thank you. Landar.”

Stolen story; please report.

“Hey, you saved my ass too. I think we’re even.”

“That might be true. But -”

A woman I had never seen before scowled down at us. “Lady Sakura, are you and your. Friend. Alright? I only just arrived.”

I sat up, and Sakura did likewise.

“I am hale. Exhausted, but nothing broken or damaged.” Sakura said as she got to her feet and bowed towards the woman. “May I ask your name, mistress?”

I stood much slower, my knees and lower back were screaming at me. But I felt this was not a person I wanted thinking poorly of me.

“Yes. My name is Countess Miera, Vice Principle of the Silver Tower Academy. The principal is currently away with the ArchDuke on a tower climb. I will be administering your . . .” She looked me up and down. My clothes were clean save for the sweat, but clearly of a lesser quality than anyone else in sight. My knees were bleeding, my legs were shaking, and I was still coated in sweat. “And your companions entrance exams.”

“He is not my -”

“I’m not her -”

“Surely we can do away with the exam?” Sigvold asked as he came up next to the countess. “They have both shown their strength of will.” He glanced uneasily at the two clashing auroras of light in the sky. “Just by getting through that.” He gestured out towards the stone yard between the towers shield and the schools. I could sense mana leaving him, and streaming into the shield above. It was a lot of mana.

“Hmm.” The Countess examined us more closely. Her frown deepened as I felt her awareness wash over mine.

“You know, for how often I get told it's rude to examine someone without their permission. You nobles seem to do it an awful lot without asking.” I couldn't help it. I was tired, angry, exhausted, and not looking forward to whatever test this woman wanted me to undergo. “Particularly with what feels like the apocalypse happening just up there.”

The countess’s expression darkened, and even Sigvold looked concerned for a moment. Then as if she had come to some conclusion a wicked grin crossed her face and was gone as soon as it had appeared. Replaced with a stony expression.

“You are going to be a problem.”

“I . . . am sorry?”

“It's not your fault. You have accumulated a lot of power with no proper training. We are going to have to beat the bad habits out of you. But . . . If you can stow that barbed tongue long enough to learn, you will grow quickly. Very quickly. And you,” She turned her gaze to Sakura. “You have learned much. But I sense you have not yet found a path unique to your soul. Your companions have provided you with a lot of options. Yet you have not leaned into any of them yet. We will correct this mistake. Even if your ‘path’ is broad, you can only walk in one direction at a time.”

She said the word path almost dismissively.

“Don’t worry. Our counselors are very good at their jobs. You will find your niche soon enough.”

“Does that mean you accept them?” Sigvold asked, hope in his voice.

“Yes. They walked almost a hundred feet in the united aura of two level thirty or higher warriors in the midst of combat. Even if it was weakened by the city's passive wards, that is an impressive feat for anyone short of level ten.” An explosion lit the sky far above us, like a comet hitting the atmosphere and exploding on impact.

It was distracting.

“Or, in your ranking system child, anyone short of Jade should not have been able to do that without serious aid, or without sustaining damage. I am . . . slightly impressed. We do not need to do the practical exam. Though we will need to evaluate them on that level later to gauge their skill level. But they will need to sit for the written exam. Now.”

“Weren’t we invited by the ArchDuke?” I asked. “Isn’t he, well, in charge?” Again, I couldn’t help it. I was spent. And I get snarky when I get tired.

“Duke Mortimer has the right to extend an invitation. But I am the mistress of novices.” Her words were punctuated by another apocalyptic explosion that was visible in high atmosphere despite the bright sun. “I alone determine if invitees are worthy of entry into the school. And if my cousin wishes to dispute that, he can come here and do so himself. Oh wait, he’s too busy raiding the damn tower.” She glared at Sigvold, who only sighed and shrugged. “I promise not to hold his invitation against either of you. As Sigvold and Mother Margaret have both vouched for your candor. Now come. The exam is fifty questions, short form answers. I have been lead to beleive you both know how to read and write?”

I nearly groaned. It was a task of herculean strength to keep myself from complaining. Instead I nodded along with Sakura.

“The exam will determine your level of knowledge around basic mage craft, and physical reinforcement skills and techniques, and will allow us to assess where in the school's curriculum you will be best placed. As neither of you have formal western education, simply do your best. I will evaluate them with a . . . discerning eye. Do not be afraid to use eastern jargon Lady Sakura. I am versed enough in the theory to understand your responses.”

When she turned her back on us and began walking away, we followed. But I clearly saw Sakura’s shoulders slump. And for a moment, I was glad I was not the only one about to endure pure misery.

***

Two hours and several small earthquakes later, I exited the small exam hall and stretched towards the sky. It had been a very, very long day. And I was on my last legs.

“Mr. Landar.” I nearly jumped out of my skin as Countess Miera appeared at my elbow. She was a short woman, and wore a brown but very well made mage robe that was so ornate in its cut it reminded me of a dress.

I turned and bowed to her. “Countess. I wanted to apologize for the way I spoke to you earlier. I was exhausted and I hope that my first impression of me does not color your opinion too much.”

The Countess’s frown quirked up into a slight, almost imperceptible smile. “Yes, well. Allowances can be made. You at least know how to show respect, that is good. Come the morning, Duke Mortimer will be here, along with your family. I take it the Duke has already discussed the nature of the conversation he wishes to have with all of you?”

I nodded. “Yes ma’am. I mean mistress.”

“Ma’am is fine. You do not walk around calling every lord in the city Master, do you?” I shook my head slightly. “Then do not overburden yourself with too much formality. Sir, and Ma’am are fine honorifics for the faculty and staff of this institution. As is professor. Even for the extraordinarily few common born among our student body. Now, I will not keep a tired student from his sleep for longer than necessary. But I did wish to touch base with you before that meeting tomorrow.”

“Yes ma’am. I understand you’re the duke's cousin? Am I remembering that right?”

“You are correct Mr. Landar. And soon, if things go the way they should tomorrow. You will be my . . . what? Second, third cousin? Regardless. I wanted you to know that I will not be playing favorites among students here. Weather they are adopted family, or not. Do I make myself clear?”

I sighed deeply, and nodded. “Yes ma’am. Its understood.”

“Good. Now. In honor of your potentially new rank . . . You should know. Students at this academy are allowed staff. Guards, servants, tutors, and the like. People you can trust, and on whom you can rely upon. Is there anyone you can think of you would like me to send for?”

I wasn't’ exactly sure what all of that meant. And my head was foggy from just how tired I was. “Do I have to make that decision right now?”

“Of course not. But the new semester begins in a week. If there are those who are far away from here, we will need to give them time to make arrangements for travel. Know as well, that you will need to pay for anything beyond their basic needs. The school provides a student's retinue with food, and access to basic crafting facilities and materials. But beyond that, you will be on the hook for meeting their needs.”

“I see.” A list of names, people I had interacted with as a child, and later as a teen and adult came to mind. But none of them seemed like the type of people that the countess was talking about. I didn’t have any guards. Or servants. Not really. Until a name came to mind.

“Do they have to be . . . human?” I asked.

The countess smiled genuinely then. “No. Not at all. Only loyal to you, and friendly to the kingdom.”

“Then I do have a name or two that come to mind . . .”