As I was looking at the journal at my desk I started to once more overthink what happened to me. To find logic in my situation I must reflect upon my experiences. My memories are that of two lives. One sad, past life, that seems so distant now and one of the here and now. My former life was really too sad for words. However, my guess is that it's a former life. The memories are so hazy that it feels like it's been ages ago.

Thing started to change for me when I was five years old. My nights suddenly became filled with these nightmares.

Strange buildings, moving vehicles, a father that hit me and a mother on drugs. Every morning I woke up with sweat dripping from my brows. Only after months, I could somehow feel the connection to these nightmares, as I could remember the scenes more vividly I started to remember more and more. I have solemnly sworn to leave behind these nightmares.

After that somehow the nightmares stopped, I could recall them if I wanted to but I deeply suppressed the memories. However, I did start writing a journal from that moment on. I wrote down all of my 'former' self as if I could lock it away in the journal. After skipping a few pages I started my first entry on this 'new' life. I can tell these events changed. The jokes of my brother sound more silly, the people feel more distant, I feel more disconnected with my surroundings.

My father, however, has been greatly supportive of my apparent changes, says that I grow up quicker than the rest. As a result, I started getting private education from teachers together with my brother. My brother, however, was 4 years older than me at the time. Mr Rudolf educated us on math, philosophy, geography and history. Ms Hoff taught etiquette and horseriding whilst captain Hirsch taught us warfare tactics as well as how to wield the bow, spear, sword and shield.

It was an all-round education that ingrained us the values of nobility and military. Our family was promoted to a baron house after our great-elders performed well in the two great wars. The lands around Erlon had since belonged to us.

My father was proud to raise two wonderful sons. My brother performed well in physical subjects, he was practically strong as a bull. However, my father was stunned to learn that I quickly overtook my brother in all other studies. Mathematics came as easy to me as counting.

Because of this instead of sending my brother to the Royal Academy he had chosen me to represent the Easton family at the academy. It had been custom to send the heir to the Academy for as much as a century; however, becoming an arcane mage meant having great intellect and talent, therefore my father pinned his hope on me. Even though I'm just eleven now I can see how important this is for the family. Ever since my great great great father became an Archmage of the 6th circle and performed well in the military our family had been in steady decline.

Because of the decline father had many worries; our lands were rather rich and bountiful. Our forefathers always had been ruling fair, trying to improve life for their subjects as best as they can. However, with no Arcane Masters in the family, our political situation was far from good. Other barons around were eager to take a piece of the cake that was the Easton family. In order to turn the table father had been selling many heirlooms in order to raise his standing army. He even used his old military contacts to strengthen his foothold; eventually, our family gathered enough forces to keep a steady standing. For now.

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Currently, I'm lodging in an inn at Craven town, about 7 days travel away from the capital. From the moment my father told me he had enrolled me in the Royal Academy I had tried as much as I could to prepare. My guts tell me that even though father thinks I'll do fine I should be far behind from the top students. I couldn't help but feel the urge to learn more, and quicker. As I think about this, this might be my former life's pride to at least be considered smart. A small smile cracked through my cramped up face. I know I worry too much, but I can't let this feeling go.

My father had given me various books to prepare me for my stay at the Royal Academy. He specifically recommended to read up on the prestigious history of the Royal Academy. Afterwards, he gave me a list of students that were enrolling this year; among the list were various prestigious families and even Prince Charles the 2nd would be attending in the same year as me. After Ms Hoff learnt that I would be attending the Royal Academy her teachings became even harsher than before... Ms Hoff was a kind but strict teacher, she would scold me if I goofed off but she would also encourage me if I was interested in a topic. She taught me the family crests of many prestigious households, their emblems, their history and in particular she stipulated the etiquette when interacting with either the prince or one of the 4 greater Duke's sons.

It seemed that my years class would be attended by all kinds of hotshots. Ms Hoffs told me that the greater Dukes would always try and have children in the same age as the princes, this would increase their chances of making better connections or even marrying into the royal family. Next to the various important nobles attending the Royal Academy she also told me about a few very influential merchant families that had an heir walking into my 1st years class.

Even though the Royal Academy was founded by the king in order to gain more influence over the various ruling nobles after the alumni contributed greatly to the 2nd war it became a very well respected institution that via their alumni became a very reputable force. Because of the close ties with the king, the king could sit a little more comfortable in his seat as the nobles understood how important it was to have a good relationship with the academy.

Not everyone attending the Royal Academy would become an Arcane Archmage or even close to it, however, their studies were profound in many fields. Even if you were rejected for their arcane studies you could still become a scholar and even an influential political figure. Therefore the boon was simply too big for the nobles to resist. It also became a very important way to determine the future power balance between the greater families, as their heirs would all compete in the Academy.

All of this information that had been drilled into my brains passed through my mind as I sat quietly in my hotel room, both excited by the future as well as curious and nervous whether I would be accepted for the Arcane Studies. Regardless of whether I would be picked, the competition would be fierce. I sighed as the thought crossed my mind that at this point I couldn't influence the results anymore... All I could do was to be well rested and await the 'glorious' day that I would enter the academy. I decided to get a good rest as I would continue my journey to the capital tomorrow again.