Azura sat back in the nice and cozy cabin, just waiting for any hint at what to do next. Thankfully the return trip was much less difficult than the entry. It seems most of the traps were set to ignore someone with the crown, figuring out which tunnel led to the exit had been a little rough, but compared to having to deal with a dragonkin and a true dragon in one day it was a very minor inconvenience.
“1 year to make 5 pieces of equal quality to my bow.” He groaned, putting his face in his hands. Maybe he would get lucky and die in the trials, otherwise he would die very painfully when he failed to live up to his side of the blood oath next year. He was finally going to be free of his father, and it wasn’t even going to matter. If it was just the enchantments he could probably manage, but his bow was made of extremely expensive materials, getting enough to make 5 magic items in so short a time was almost impossible on its own.
He idly wondered how long he would have to wait in the cabin. Technically they were given 24 hours to complete the trial, and it had only been 7 maybe 8. He really hoped he wouldn’t have to sit here for the rest of the allotted time. He was startled out of his thoughts by the floor beginning to glow in a familiar pattern. A similar portal to the one that brought him here appearing in the center of the room.
Nothing else happened, so after a few minutes he decided to just suck it up and go through it. It was a little better this time, he didn’t immediately pass out on the other side, but an intense vertigo assaulted him and it took him a few minutes to steady himself. He was back in his room at the academy, and a familiar letter rested on his bed. He rolled his eyes, they had said the trials take place over several days, and they hadn’t technically lied but it had already been almost 2 weeks and they were only halfway through. Sighing he grabbed the letter to find out what came next.
“Dear taker of the trials
Congratulations on passing the fourth trial, as you no doubt experienced this is where the trials take and fatalities become much more likely. The next 3 will all have you risk life and limb, however I imagine the faint of heart have already been weeded out by now. Less than 200 hundred people usually make it through the fourth trial each year, so even if you decide to stop here, feel proud for making it this far. The fifth trial is going to be a series of 1v1 combat scenarios. We the staff will be deciding who fights who and who passes and who fails. Winning a fight doesn’t mean you pass, and losing doesn’t mean you fail. You might have many fights, you might just have one, but know that we will be watching intently to judge your worthiness to continue. Everyone left here are amazing mages for their age, the best. The next three trials will allow us to find the best of the best. Don’t hold back. Once again you have 2 days to prepare after this one, use your time wisely.
Sincerely the headmistress of G.F.A.”
Azura smiled. One v ones, that was his bread and butter. He was ecstatic, finally he wouldn’t have to fight some crazy monster or someone with 20 years more training than him. Just another student hopeful, this was going to be his favorite trial, he already knew. He frowned, he would probably have to tell the headmistress about the true dragon though. He went to his door, and was surprised when right after opening it he was greeted by the attendant who had led him to the headmistress before.
The second his eyes met the blindfold, the man turned around. “Follow me.” He wanted to sigh, this was déjà vu, and not in a good way. He followed the man, already knowing why she was requesting a meeting. They no doubt knew the attendant was dead, since he obviously couldn’t have reported back. He was not looking forward to this conversation.
***
“It seems interesting events seem to be attracted to you in particular.” The headmistress’s piercing gaze went through him. He had hoped he would be used to it by now, but he was starting to think that was an impossible prospect. “Do you know anything about the death of Arron? Your proctor was an excellent mage, so his death is concerning.”
This was a conversation he really didn’t want to have. Blood oaths were a big deal, and true dragons just plopping down and claiming an area were an even bigger one. Unfortunately he didn’t really have much in the way of options right now. “It seems a true dragon decided he liked the artifact you left there and claimed the territory as his own. The mage was dead when I got there, all that was left was a pile of bones.”
Was it wrong that he took an unhealthy amount of joy in the shock that was clearly written on her face before she composed herself. “That is most unfortunate, we will have to close off that training area if a true dragon lurks there.” Somehow her gaze managed to become even more intense, it made even him a little uncomfortable, and he had plenty of practice with intense stare downs with his father. “How could you have possibly retrieved the artifact then? Your grimoire is powerful without question, but not that powerful. At best I would say there was a slim possibility of you escaping with your life nevermind the artifact.”
Nail on the head unfortunately, she was absolutely right. He winced. “The dragon liked my bow, and made me take a blood oath to supply him 5 pieces of at least equal quality within one years time.”
She looked down. “May I see the bow? It must be quite the masterpiece if the dragon let you take everything with you, just for treasure he won’t have for a year.”
Reluctantly he unclipped the bow and handed it to her. “Just be careful with it, it’s not fragile, but some of its decorations are.”
She seemed to understand and held it very carefully. Her eyes glowed as she examined it. Her face grew grave. “That won’t be easy, and it certainly won’t be cheap. Artificers could make something like this, but the materials alone will be costly even if you yourself do the enchantment.”
As if he didn’t already know that, frankly he only had two options, improve at enchantment enough to offset the physical value with magical value or ask his father for money to get materials. Since he would die before going with option two that only really left option 1. “I doubt I’ll be able to get my hands on necessary materials, but I have some ideas on how to at least start preparations now.”
“This is our fault, we should have kept better surveillance of the area. Unfortunately the school doesn’t have the necessary funds to cover something like this.” She sighed and pulled out a slip of paper and began writing on it. She handed it to him almost immediately after she started writing across it. “That is a pass, it will allow you into the academy's forge, and library even though you haven’t officially been admitted yet. It’s not much for the dire circumstances you have been placed under, but hopefully it will at least help with your preparations.”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
It was honestly more than he was expecting. He managed to keep his face neutral, but this was actually a pretty major boon. The forge was actually occupied, by professional artificers he could get tips from, and hopefully the novelty of a student actually trying to make their own stuff instead of order it would stop them from looking too deeply into why he was allowed in when he wasn’t even technically a student. He imagined the library exception wasn’t anywhere near as uncommon. “While that is certainly appreciated, I can’t help but feel that it is woefully inadequate compensation for being forced to deal with a dragon. A powerful one at that.” Noble mode or not he really did feel like he deserved more.
“Of course you’re right, but unfortunately there isn’t much more we can really offer. Any funds we could spare would be a drop in the ocean compared to the debt the dragon asks of you, and while full on students are granted the chance to have magic equipment forged for them under certain circumstances, we simply don’t have the resources to expend that on someone who is not a student yet. Perhaps if you succeed through all 7 trials there might be a few more things we can offer to ease your burden.”
That was pretty much what he was hoping for, the promise of more later. He could work with that. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t pleased with that result. She had tried to indebt him to her, but instead it ended up the other way around. He could certainly work with that. He did his best to look dissatisfied. “Very well, if that’s all you can offer then I shall accept it.” He looked at the door. “Will that be all, or is there more you need from me?”
She looked a little older than she had the other times he had seen her, tired in a way she hadn’t been before. “Yes of course, you may go.” Excellent, he had a forge and library to explore.
***
He had been in the school's libraries for hours, and he was thoroughly enjoying his time. There was so much here, theoretical and practical magic, hundreds of interesting spells, excerpts from famous mages about how they got where they had. Books on monsters, and what uses their parts had for alchemy. Even better, there were hundreds of private rooms spread on the outskirts of the absolutely massive library. He had rented a room, and he and his 4 copies had been studying non-stop. One of his copies going out to replace the read books with new ones every so often.
The private room was relatively simple, just a plush booth in a U shape around a nice table. But the room being soundproof and magically locked was a godsend. He was able to study to his heart's content, and with all this stuff on magic he imagined he could be thoroughly entertained for the rest of his life in here. He of course knew he couldn’t do that, but that didn’t stop him from being tempted.
Part of him knew he should probably leave and see how many of the others had completed their fourth trial, but he kept getting locked in the infinite cycle of ‘one more book.’ He was jolted out of his current book by a loud ding. Has it really been 5 hours already? He supposed he had gotten a little carried away. He allowed his copies to disperse, and began collecting the books currently inside to return them to their proper place.
He left the private room, and was only slightly surprised to find the lanky man who had allowed him access just outside his room. He had short cropped brown hair and glasses, that were almost comically large for his gaunt face. “Oh good you came out on your own. Most non-students given the special privilege to enter this library, try to stay until they are actively kicked out.” He had a stern look like he was trying to look menacing, but his thin frame made that a difficult proposition.
“Of course. I can’t say I blame them, if I wasn’t allowed to come back tomorrow and so forth I might very well do the same thing. There is so much knowledge here, that I could spend my whole life here and still be learning new things at the end of it.” He tried to stop himself from looking too giddy, but the man's small smirk and raised eyebrow told him he wasn’t succeeding. “Anyhow I shall return these to their proper place and then be on my way until tomorrow.
“I shall return them for you.” The man quickly grabbed the pile of books he was holding. He couldn’t help but be a little surprised at how quickly the man grabbed the books and vanished down the seemingly endless shelves of books.
Well that was a little rude, but he didn’t really mind. He navigated his way to the closest of the 5 exits. He checked the time, it was into the evening for sure, but he still had time to see if the rest of his group had passed their trials. The day didn’t officially end until midnight, so they still had 5 hours left if they hadn’t. He was a little worried about Luna, her luck seemed to be even worse than his.
***
Lily was the first person in their recently formed group that Azura found. They were chatting amicably about how their fourth trial had been. “I can’t believe you got to be on a tropical island. That is absurdly unfair.” He knew that the others were going to have it better than him, but that was just ridiculous.
“Yeah I would say the proctor was at least pretty tough, but he was no true dragon that's for sure.” She gave him an appraising look, he assumed she was checking for injuries. All the superficial injuries from the frost drake had already healed though.
“Thankfully I didn’t have to fight it, but I do have a blood oath hanging over my head now, so there is that.” He had considered keeping that bit secret, but he didn’t fancy having to make excuses every single time he was going to have to turn down doing something with someone or with the group.
“I mean technically if you give up that bow then you only have to make four.” She wasn’t wrong and that was of course a last resort.
“That’s my backup, but I’d still have to make 5 because I need a proper range weapon to focus my magic.” His bow was actually his most powerful weapon, which is precisely why he hadn’t used it yet.
“Yeah I guess that’s fair.” She shook her head. “So what’s your plan? I’m no expert, but that bow doesn’t exactly look cheap, and I get the feeling you and your family aren’t on the best of terms.” He hadn’t explicitly said anything about his father, but he didn’t do anything to hide his disdain when he was mentioned either.
“The dragon seemed interested in the magic part more than the physical part, so I’m hoping improving my enchantments can offset the cheaper materials.” It was a gamble, as long as he felt their value was equal the blood oath wouldn’t turn him into a husk, but if the dragon wasn’t happy he was dead meat anyway.
Lily was about to speak, but was cut off by the appearance and swift telepathy of a rushing Cynthia. “I need you guys to come with me now.” She ran off going far faster than was normally advised in small public hallways, but he and Lily matched her pace without hesitation. Cynthia didn’t seem the type to exaggerate urgency. “Roran is getting the others, but Luna really needs help.”
Part of him had always wanted someone to share his suffering regarding luck, but now that he had one he would rather just take all the bad luck himself. “Why are you grabbing us, shouldn’t she be going to a doctor? I mean we would still go see her of course, but I’m not a healer.” He hoped she wasn’t hurt too badly, her naivety was cute. She didn’t really seem to know how dark and dangerous the world was, and despite her luck seemed to always have an instinctive optimsm.
Cynthia’s response filled him with dread. “We don’t know where the curse breakers are stationed.”