During the second semester at Helmhold Academy, Sophia, and Mike eagerly embraced new magical classes and the vibrant atmosphere of campus life. Sophia's mastery of magic and Mike's swordsmanship allowed them to fully immerse themselves in the opportunities that lay before them.
In their Beast Taming class, they experienced the exhilaration of riding on the backs of majestic griffins. They learned how to handle these magnificent creatures and were taught to be cautious of dangerous creatures like Basilisks, which had a petrifying gaze. Altheack, with her deep connection to nature magic, shared her wisdom and guidance, enhancing their learning experience.
Magical Combat class became a thrilling playground for Sophia's spellcasting finesse and Mike's swordplay. They perfected their skills by using hand signs to enhance their spells' speed and reduce their mana consumption. The air crackled with energy as they engaged in friendly duels with their classmates, their spells and blades colliding in a dazzling display of skill. Mike's quick wit and strategic thinking added an extra layer of excitement to their magical battles.
In the Elemental classes held within the mystical towers of Helmhold Academy, Sophia forged a deep connection with the forces of nature. Her mastery of Frost magic blossomed, surpassing the mere conjuration of swords. With a simple flick of her wrist, freezing winds howled, and powerful icy projectiles soared through the air. The blue fireballs she conjured burned with greater intensity, similar to Blue Dawn, showcasing her heightened abilities. Sophia's mana manipulation became more refined, enabling her to summon a sentient ice golem that acted independently, drawing mana from the air to sustain itself when her reserves waned. The growth of her magical abilities brought both excitement and a profound sense of responsibility.
However, life at Helmhold Academy wasn't solely focused on rigorous studies and magical pursuits. Valicar's friendship with Altheack flourished, marked by playful banter and good-natured teasing. They challenged each other, offered support, and celebrated victories together, finding solace in their shared experiences.
Meanwhile, Mike found solace in non-magical combat-focused classes. These classes allowed him to further refine his physical prowess, transforming him into an even more formidable swordsman. His unwavering determination and indomitable spirit shone brightest during the dueling classes, where he felt truly alive and energized, fully embracing his passion for combat.
As the second semester neared its end, Mike and Easton found themselves in the training yards, engaged in a duel while Sophia's consciousness remained asleep. Their swords clashed with lightning speed, in a fierce display of combat prowess.
"Have you formed a pact yet?" Easton asked, catching Mike off guard as their swords clashed.
"No, I haven't found myself desperate enough to invoke the curse incantation again," Mike replied, his tone tinged with caution.
"Good, you should explore the school's knowledge of demonology further. If you must go through with it you should know how to get the best deal with a devil," Easton advised.
The next semester arrived, and with it came the magical games, albeit on a smaller scale. While Valicar didn't need to enroll, Mike couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. However, as they entered their third semester, a world of more advanced classes opened up before them. Among them was a particular class that caught their attention—the study of the arcane and the dangers of dark arts, taught by an enigmatic and ancient man known as Professor Mortimus Darkthorne.
"That's quite a creepy name... Maybe we'll find something worthwhile," Sophia remarked to Mike. Intrigued by the potential of uncovering leads on necromancy, a possible solution to their unique soul predicament, the twins eagerly enrolled in the class. They hoped that within the depths of this study, they would discover the knowledge they sought.
Amidst their studies, Sophia and Mike were introduced to the captivating realm of Biomancy—a discipline that delved into the art of permanent body alteration through magic. The possibilities of self-transformation ignited a spark of curiosity within Sophia, leading her to wonder if Biomancy held the key to resolving their unique situation.
As they delved deeper into the subject, Sophia contemplated the potential of creating a new body for Mike—one that would allow him to exist independently of their shared consciousness. She delved into the intricate techniques of reshaping flesh and bone, exploring the nuances of tissue manipulation and cellular restructuring.
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However, as the semesters progressed, they realized that their quest for answers extended beyond the boundaries of Biomancy. Their true solution appeared to lie within the realm of necromancy—a forbidden and perilous path dealing with the manipulation of souls and the forces of life and death.
Driven by their insatiable desire to understand their interconnected existence, Sophia and Mike embarked on a relentless search for knowledge and guidance in the forbidden arts of necromancy. Yet, their efforts proved to be in vain. Centuries ago, all traces of necromantic wisdom were eradicated after the rise of failed immortals. The devastating war that James had once spoken of turned out to be the very catalyst for the prohibition of necromancy.
It was a time when a group of powerful necromancers, aided by a dragon, had managed to steal the souls of an entire country, their dark magic wreaking havoc across the northern continent. It took a combined force of every nation to stand against them. The empire, still in its early stages, led the charge with their holy templars and the backing of the gods themselves. Even the demons, denied the souls they were promised through their pacts, joined the fight. The failed immortals were seen as a dangerous threat, their attempts at attaining divinity through stolen souls deemed abominable.
The horrors of that war led to the strict regulation and banishment of necromancy. The world couldn't risk another mad mage ascending to power by stealing souls and becoming a lich. The Empire, with its holy templars and religious zeal, stood as the greatest enemy of necromancy, considering it an affront to their faith and a threat to the natural order.
Sophia and Mike realized that finding answers within the realm of necromancy would be a nearly impossible task. The knowledge they sought had been eradicated, buried deep within the annals of history and what books did remain were guarded in the heart of the empire by the watchful eyes of the holy templars. Their pursuit of understanding would require them to tread carefully and seek alternative paths if they didn't want to break into the Northern Pillar's home.
As the fourth semester unfolded, Sophia and Mike faced the disappointing reality of their search for necromantic knowledge within Helmhold Academy. It appeared that any trace of such forbidden arts had been painstakingly purged from the records. Despite their mounting frustration, they refused to succumb to despair and instead redirected their focus toward other areas of magical study.
One class that particularly captured their attention was weather control, taught by the esteemed instructor, Orgoth the Green. Immersed in this class, they delved into the intricate art of manipulating the elements. Altheack, with her innate connection to nature magic, joined them on their quest for mastery over the weather. Together, they honed their skills in channeling mana and performed complex movements, harmonizing with the natural forces to influence wind and rain patterns through a mesmerizing dance. While Altheack's prowess already allowed her to summon thunderstorms, Sophia and Mike tirelessly practiced, gradually expanding their control over the weather. Although their thunderstorms had a shorter duration compared to Altheack's, their progress served as a testament to their determination and growing magical prowess.
Meanwhile, with Easton's departure on the horizon, they made arrangements for communication through magical arrays and expedited his journey back to the central continent. Having paid a considerable sum to the school, they secured the teleportation spell to transport Easton halfway, effectively cutting his travel time in half. This financial investment ensured both the safety of their friend and the ability to maintain communication with him during their ongoing pursuit of knowledge.
"Remember kid, while it's uncertain if we will open the vault, it's essential to form connections and gather allies," Easton reminded them before boarding his ship. "The Bag and armor are as safe here in Helmhold as anywhere, but in case of dire circumstances, we need true friends and allies to rely on. Wealth alone cannot buy an army large enough to challenge the might of the Church and the empire." The mages from the school continued chanting their teleportation spell.
"That friend of yours has a special lineage," Easton continued, revealing the intriguing details. "She is a half-blood born in the eastern continent, where a human kingdom and elvish borders meet. She is the daughter of an elvish chieftain and a noble lord—a love child whose birth gives her a claim to both lands. If we can help her resolve her issues, she would be a powerful ally."
Sophia's expression turned contemplative. "That seems rather manipulative. I had no idea she held such political importance."
Easton nodded, "Many of the students here are from powerful families from all over the world, and the empire isn't very popular."
Mike nodded in agreement, recalling Altheack's outspoken views on the empire. "She's definitely not a fan of the empire, that's for sure."
"Be safe, kid. I'll see you in a few years. By then, I hope to have found more leads to the keys, maybe even gather a few myself. But I'm afraid I owe a service to the empire. They leave me alone for the most part, but I am still part of the Navy, and I have been away for too long. Goodbye, Valicar," Easton said, uttering their name for the first time in years since becoming a mentor to Lady Norail, the great-niece of his deceased friend Valicar. Hoping that she would master the magics that eluded her great-uncle and uncover the elusive keys, he bid them farewell, his voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation. The mages completed the incantation and in a flash the Stormbreaker was gone.