—IEROS—

Dressed in my personal robes, although I still felt somewhat uncomfortable in them, I took a breath before I finally went to the elevator. Azorin already had to go but I remained to take a few moments and to say goodbye to Zofiar and Atarum. The two joked as they always did but at the very least, their final words were somewhat serious, just telling me to embrace my power and not let anyone look down on me.

I assured them I wouldn’t but honestly, I didn’t really care if others did look down on me. Zofiar and Atarum both told me why I should, but it didn’t convince me. I mean, what does reputation have to do with magic? When I asked that, they said something about how it would help me when talking to others but I wasn’t really fond of doing that. I much preferred working by myself, trying to rely on others as least as possible.

Not that I hated people, it was just troublesome whenever I talked with someone, I couldn’t get across exactly what I want and most of the time, they don’t have the answers I need anyway, which ends up being a waste of time in general. So rather than waste valuable time that both of us need, I would rather do things by myself, and besides, talking to shadows is far easier. I don’t have to use a lot of words to get across what I want, or any words at all. It was just so much easier to deal with them.

But, it seems I will have to be dealing with a lot more people from now on, I was sort of excited, but not because I would talk to people but because I could finally step out of this Tower without a disguise. Perhaps I could fly without a care into the sky, as I often do in my dreams.

But for now, I turned my thoughts to the task ahead, making my first impression to the world. The elevator came to a halt and I sighed as I exited the Tower, for the longest time, I had wanted to know the world outside this place but now, I wasn’t so sure. But, even though I wasn’t sure, I decided to push forward, after all, out there was a whole new world of learning.

———

A figure clad in dark grey and white robes appeared from the Tower of Zofiar, joining up with a waiting Azorin who began to lead him to the Assembly Hall where Ieros would make his introduction to the world. As they walked, Azorin once more reminded Ieros of how he was to conduct himself in front of the large group, although Ieros was only half-listening, his mind preoccupied.

Azorin, noticing this, reprimanded Ieros who paid a bit more attention, although most of this he had been told before. He had to make a good impression, be formal, polite, do not do anything that would harm the reputation of the Tower and of Azorin. He was also expected to demonstrate his abilities, although that wouldn’t happen until a little later, he would be participating in the Magus Tournament which Ieros wasn’t entirely sure how to feel about.

He had fought duels before but it was always with one of his teachers and he never really tried to hurt them, nor did they try to hurt him. This would be his first proper mage fight and he wasn’t sure what to expect.

But, he had plenty of time to think about it later, for now, he had to deal with the situation ahead. Before entering, Azorin fussed slightly over Ieros’s appearance before they entered, Ieros silently accepting it, following Azorin inside once he was done. And, just like that day, seven years ago, silence filled the chamber as Ieros entered, everyone, turning their eyes on him. And just like before, he suddenly felt the pressure and gulped in nervousness.

But he did not freeze, nor did he hide. He stood straight as he followed Azorin to the center of the stage and stood by him as Azorin began to address the crowd.

“Now, I’m sure that many of you here have heard of the rumors that have been circling around these last few weeks, that I have this so-called ‘Secret Apprentice.’ I am here to confirm those rumors, I do have a secret apprentice and I was not his only teacher. The Seven Masters were also his teachers throughout the years and much to our delight, he has proven to be an excellent student. He, in only seven years, mastered each branch of Magic the Academy had to offer, although he has yet to learn all of their secrets.

I know some of you must be asking why I chose to hide the existence of such a student, why didn’t I celebrate his existence and bring pride to this Academy for being able to teach such a student?

When I brought him here to this Academy over seven years ago, he was but a child of the age of nine, not too different from the rest of you when you came here. However, there was one clear difference that he had aside from most of you, he was not of Atheran noble blood.

While it is not too unusual for non-nobles to possess enough mana to create a Spark, what they do have is usually not up to Academy Standard, most become minor mages who pursue the humbler arts and benefit villages which otherwise would not have access to magic. However, Ieros was found to possess the highest concentration of mana ever recorded.

As you might imagine, such a discovery was groundbreaking. The Noble Families would’ve torn him apart in their efforts to monopolize his blood and perhaps even kill him to deny other Families the chance of taking him which is why I and the Council agreed to hide his existence.

I would’ve liked to keep his existence hidden for a little longer, but it is a great fortune that the rumors have started now rather than earlier, for Ieros is now capable of defending himself.

He is the Future of not only this Academy but the Future of all Magekind. And I know that some of you shall find this difficult to believe so a week from now, this Academy shall be hosting the Magus Tournament early, which Ieros shall be competing in. Feel free to try and take away his title for yourself, but I doubt that you will.

Azorin continued, “If you have any questions, I will now be taking them.”

A myriad of hands raised and out of interest, Ieros used augury to study the ones that did, most of them were of what appeared to be average mana concentration but there were a few whose mana shone brighter than others. Azorin then made a selection and Ieros noticed that it was one of those few, Ieros blinking and turning off augury so he could actually see the person’s appearance.

As the brightness of mana faded, he saw a girl standing there, dressed in a regal uniform which made her stand out amongst the others even without augury, he had noticed her a bit during his brief scan of the crowd but only a bit. But now that she had been chosen by Azorin, Ieros decided that he should at least make note of her. And so, he stared at her, memorizing her appearance.

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She had red hair, amber eyes, and was rather tall which made her easy to pick out amongst the crowd. She wore form-fitting clothing which Ieros thought was rather tight but that was a minor detail, he noticed that it was gilded with gold and bore a sigil. And when she spoke, it was with power, grace, and command, she too was imbuing mana into her voice.

“Lord Headmaster, do you seriously expect me to believe that boy over there is all that you say? All I see is some foreigner who other than his strange face is not all that special. If he really was your apprentice, would he not be dressed more appropriately?”

Ieros blinked, she was a rather bold one wasn’t she, Ieros would never have imagined speaking thus to any elder, it just wasn’t how he was raised. He figured that truly, nobles were different from others.

Meanwhile, Azorin said, “Lady Alvira, with all due respect, do not speak of things of which you know nothing about. Areviar himself has confirmed Ieros’s mana concentration with his sight, if you doubt me, you are doubting not only Areviar but the entirety of the Seven Masters.”

Alvira seemed taken aback at Azorin’s immediate rebuke and she almost stepped back down, but Ieros saw her eyes harden as she stood her ground.

“Lord Headmaster, then I would at least like a demonstration of his abilities right now, since I don’t have Sight as Areviar does.”

Azorin mulled it over, finally looking to Ieros and asking, “Well Ieros, what do you want to do?”

Ieros blinked and bent his head in thought, what would he do? He could refuse, but her comment from earlier still somewhat stung, even though he had told himself earlier that he wouldn’t care what others thought. It seems that to make thought into reality was still a difficult matter, even if he was the most powerful of all mages.

And although Ieros could do a myriad of spells, each as amazing as the last, he wasn’t sure what to do. There were so many choices and each with their own benefits and disadvantages. Fire would be a magnificent sight but doing it in an enclosed space could have dire consequences, water was similarly effective but if he made one mistake, he may end up ruining many audience members’ attire, and he couldn’t really do something with earth as that would ruin the floor. Air was hard to see and would undoubtedly ruffle some noble feathers.

And it was then that Ieros remembered one of the reasons he had agreed to leave the Tower, to fly once more into the sky.

He then looked up and faced Azorin, saying, “I would like to fly once more but if I cannot, then I will be alright with another spell. However, since I do not know which would be most appropriate, I have to ask you to guide me.”

Ieros’s voice, although quiet, was not meek, nor was it full of authority. It was calm, collected, and yet the slightest bit wistful as if Ieros really wanted something but held himself back. Azorin looked at him and then back at the audience.

He sighed, saying, “Unfortunately, I think flight is too much for now, however, I do have an idea.”

Ieros was somewhat disappointed, but he listened, and he agreed to Azorin’s suggestion, after all, he would be able to fly later. With Ieros’s agreement, Azorin returned his attention to Alvira and invited her onto the stage.

“Lady Alvira, if you so wish, you may come up onto the stage so that you yourself may confirm that it is Ieros doing the magic.”

Although it was phrased as a choice, Alvira knew very well there was none for her. So she ascended onto the stage, the crowd making way for her. Finally, she stood before Ieros, unsure of where to look, met her amber eyes with his grey ones, blinking as he found that her glare was a bit much. He looked to Azorin for confirmation that he was doing what they had agreed on and once he received it, he prepared himself.

His worries and the pressure of attention all faded as he held his left hand in front of him, facing the palm towards the ceiling. Forming a cup with his left hand, he began to exert mana from his palm, but instead of letting it dissipate, he collected it at one singular point. It continued to collect, eventually condensing into liquid mana, a practice often used by alchemy-mages to enhance their potions and alchemic reactions. It often required nothing more than a drop, but even that drop could prove to be extremely taxing.

Alvira wasn’t impressed, the spell itself wasn’t anything impressive although it was useful if one wanted to understand the limits of one’s mana, since creating condensed mana is not an easy thing to do. The average mage can create enough to just barely fit comfortably in the palm of his or her hand by expending all of their mana. But Ieros had already made enough which threatened to spill out, which was why he immediately placed his right hand over his left, further condensing the liquid mana.

It was at this point that Alvira’s eyes widened with shock as she beheld crystal mana beginning to form, the gem slowly rising from its liquid counterpart. The reason for her shock was that the conversion of liquid mana to crystal was far more difficult, while most mages could liquify their mana, there were none who could actually solidify it further, that required the help of a magic circle and multiple mages.

Alvira quickly checked to see if anyone else was using mana, but no one else's eyes were glowing, a tell-tale sign of mana use. For when mana was activated, it gave off light and since blood flowed in the eyes, the blood there would glow as well, giving primarily the irises a shining effect. But Alvira’s eyes could not see anyone else’s eyes glowing except Ieros and so she was forced to accept that this was all his doing.

Eventually, the glow faded as Ieros began to run out of mana, letting out a sigh as he stared almost lovingly at his mana crystal, a faint smile on his lips. He looked up and blinked as he found that Alvira was rather too close for comfort, unconsciously taking a step back. Then, realizing her rudeness, she too took a step back and bowed her head, apologizing.

“Forgive me, I have been rude to you.”

Ieros was unsure of how to respond, finally opting to remain silent and just bowing his head in return.

Azorin came to Ieros’s rescue, saying, “Lady Alvira, I hope you are satisfied that I have not lied.”

She bowed to Azorin.

“I am, Lord Headmaster. My apologies for doubting your words.”

Azorin waved it off, saying, “I too would’ve been doubtful if I was in your position.”

Azorin then turned to the crowd and asked, “Now, are there any more questions?”

There were more of course, and Azorin answered them all to the best of his ability until the time came for them to leave. So, as Azorin adjourned the assembly, Ieros sighed with relief as he prepared to leave himself, he much preferred the Tower to this. As they were making their way back to the Tower, Ieros sighed again, much more audibly now that he was away from curious eyes, massaging the back of his neck and rolling it around to relax the muscles.

Noticing this, Azorin asked, “Tiresome, isn’t it?”

Ieros nodded and Azorin continued, “Unfortunately, this is something you cannot avoid. I had wished to keep you a secret for a little longer but the rumors wouldn’t allow it. But things being that they are, I will begin your lessons on proper manners.”

Ieros asked, “Why would I need proper manners?”

Azorin said, “Today it is understandable that you did not speak at all since it was mostly my duty to address the rumors. However, next time—and the many more to follow—you will have to speak as well. However, speaking informally will lower your reputation and make things unnecessarily difficult in the long run. While it won’t permanently harm you down the line, sometimes it’s just better to avoid trouble.”

Ieros nodded, not that he was agreeing because he understood the wisdom but because he knew Azorin was rarely wrong about things. That and all the times Azorin would ramble about the foolishness of Nobles provided enough context as to why Azorin thought as such. But for now, he didn’t let such thoughts plague his mind as he wanted to hurry back to the safety of the Tower.