Another night had passed, the same dream was repeated, and a new morning welcomed.
Florian sat on the bed and gawked at nowhere, paying no attention to the dark nymph rubbing her cheek against his arm and the other four nature spirits hovering in the air. His room was dimly lit, as no servant had opened the curtains yet, but there were some gaps where the sunlight could slide in.
“Your Highness, are you awake?” was a voice coming from outside the door, then followed by a knocking sound.
He told Shaun not to enter his room without permission. Because, first, he could wake up early without being woken up; the habit he had for living under Rivka’s house for twelve years. And second, he wanted to sleep without under magic suppressing his ears and tail.
How would Shaun react once he saw Florian’s tail which always swayed around when he woke up in the morning?
“Yes, you can come in.”
Florian did not forget to put his palm on his chest, at the pendant of his necklace, and in a blink, his faerie’s tail and pointed ears were gone.
Shaun shoved into the room with another two maids: one opened all the curtains, and the other one went to the bathroom to prepare his bath. While Shaun darted towards his bed. He looked as immaculate as the other servant, but his face changed when he noticed Florian’s features.
He still looks so sweaty despite how cold the temperature of his room is. Is Varaklich colder than Arcsvere? Shaun truly wondered. And concerned too.
“His Majesty requests your presence to have breakfast together since today is your first day in the academy. And do you perhaps have any specific request for your breakfast or anything, Your Highness?”
Florian squinted as the room brightened, then rose to his feet, still gathering his soul as usual and not really picking what Shaun had said except for the word ‘breakfast.’
“I want sandwiches with extra cheese and ham.” Yawning, he ambled toward the bathroom.
“Very well, Your Highness.”
***
Finished with his fresh bath, Florian faced his own reflection in the standing mirror, wearing the academy uniform: a long sleeve white shirt, grey waistcoat, dark jacket, a long dark cloak with a capelet as outer, dark trousers, dark-brown leather boots, and a red tie binding his neck loosely. The red tie indicated that he was still in the first year.
“Not bad,” he mumbled to himself, smirking. I was born handsome, anyway.
Lastly, he had to wear the silver badge pin of Mugler III rank: a Mane-stage magic circle with three stars at the bottom. He stared at the pin a bit longer with mixed feelings, thinking that being a Mugler III rank would not be that bad. As long as he could still level up and become stronger, what else did matter?
I guess defeating someone while being labeled a weak sorcerer would be more exciting.
Are you in denial, Florian?
Maybe, I am.
“Your Highness, His Majesty is waiting for your presence at breakfast in the garden pavilion.”
And Shaun chose to break his wild musing.
----------------------------------------
All four princes went to the same academy but departed in different carriages. Cyrus and Liam were in the Chivalry Division, and Florian would definitely be in the same division as Charles and Lucas in the Sorcery Division.
Oh, to think he would be in the same division as the two menaces already made his head mingle with ache.
They won’t bully me or something, right? Florian shuddered at that thought but quickly moved on and continued reading brief information about the Groundlush Academy through a brochure, with Cyrus holding lots of trophies on the cover. Classic. And not surprising at all, he commented on the brochure cover.
The Groundlush Academy was located in the southwest region of Sverale's capital and only took around fifteen minutes by motor carriage from the royal palace. It wasn’t the only academy in Sverale but the only official academy that combines Sorcerers, Knights, and even Mundane. Usually, the academy for mundane, knights, and sorcerers was separated, but not in this academy—which was what made this academy famous even overseas. Therefore, this academy had a very adequate dormitory, which was mainly for students from outside Sverale and international students.
Florian was asked by Dain whether he wanted to be in the dormitory, but he refused and followed his brothers not to stay in the dorm.
Well, he actually chose not to stay in the dorm after Lucas told him about how strict the rules were to live in the dorm.
***
“Why do I smell something fishy?” Florian subconsciously said the question in his head aloud as soon as he descended from the carriage.
‘I smell so many strong people!’
‘For revolution and destruction! Let’s find some foes for fighting!’
‘Let’s make many friends! Better be a faerie!
Ignoring the chatting of the spirits, Florian shifted his gaze toward the huge gate, with two towering columns at the entrance, connecting the board in the middle. It was silver but with a bit of touch of gold around the edge and with words engraved upon it:
The Groundlush Academy,
Every student by name and need
Hooked on learning
Dwell to develop
Leave with victory
Then he straightened his posture and fixed his nervous breath before entering the academy. Be cool, he said inwardly. But soon after, excitement etched across his features; he was back to looking like a kid seeing an arcade for the first time.
There were so many exciting views and new atmospheres to enjoy, but his attention was easily drawn to some students who each carried a magical beast—from reptiles, furry, birds, and other beasts he had never seen before. Even a few students arrived using Devaux and one rich-looking student with his Griffin, an extremely rare and expensive high-level magical beast.
This academy and the students were truly—
Extraordinary. How about I ask Father to buy me a griffin too?
With his exciting plan going on, Florian followed the direction of the students in red ties, then the student councils took the lead on where the first year should gather. And, of course, he slid into the flow of Sorcery Division students; the students with dark robes.
Of the three divisions in the academy, the students of the General Division had the biggest numbers in the school. The second was the Chivalry Division, and the last, of course, the student of the Sorcery Division.
“I guess Professor Silkwood will be late as usual,” suspired the amber-haired boy who stood next to Florian. “My brother said he’s always late when to begin the orientation ceremony for the first year.”
The first years of Sorcery Division numbered less than thirty, lined up in the green field, and divided into three rows. The first years of the General and Chivalry Division were there too, but they lined up a little further. The student councils had announced that the Headmistress of the Groundlush Academy could not attend due to some circumstances. Therefore, the ceremony would be led by each division head, but only the head of the Sorcery Division had yet to arrive to guide the first-year sorceries.
Florian glanced at that cocky-looking boy, unsure whether he was talking to himself or trying to begin a conversation with Florian.
“Why should being late be a habit?” Florian chimed in the complaint, but the boy didn’t turn to him yet.
“Right? I thought the sa—” Then the boy halted, his jaw fell, perhaps shocked when he turned and noticed Florian. “Oh, so it is true the rumor: the fifth prince is entering the academy this year,” he remarked in a low, surprised voice, then quickly shifted his expression with a smile on his face. “Nice to meet you, Your Highness. I’m Vxon Malcolm, from House Malcolm in Klerton.” He drew out a hand to shake, his grey eyes glittering in excitement.
Florian held his usual wicked smile to form because he had to make an appropriate first impression.
Find a worthy friend.
Either good or bad, it didn’t matter. Just the worthy ones.
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
Smiling gently this time, Florian received the handshake and heard himself seamlessly saying, “Pleasure. But I prefer to be called by my name at school, so just drop the honorifics.”
The other students automatically turned their heads toward them, whispering how one of the most influential noble families in Klerton, House Malcolm, was having a conversation with the current hot topic: the fifth prince.
“It is Frankland, then?” Vxon raised a brow, a friendly smile still occupying his face.
“Call me by my front name, Florian.” So said, Florian released his hand and glanced at the other students giving him curious stares and whispers.
Vxon’s face brightened. “It’s such an honor”—he leaned a little closer towards Florian—"ought to get used to such looks if you be friends with me because my family is very well known in Klerton.”
Florian raised a brow, wondering if Vxon was sort of a spoiled young master like Felix—using his family status and wealth to be easily accepted and respected by everyone.
“Cool,” he returned, faking a smile.
Vxon stretched his lips into a wider smile, rather looking like a naïve kid who had finally found a friend. “I see, so what the Daily Dispatch said is true—you are at Mugler III rank,” he began again as his gaze somehow fell on Florian’s pin. “My rank is Mugler II. Well, I was supposed to attend the academy last year, but due to unavoidable circumstances, I couldn’t attend the academy last year. But I’m glad I can attend the academy this year.” He ended his words with a nervous cough, still smiling.
“Really? Then I think we have a similar case. I hope we can be friends,” responded Florian in a pleased tone that his old friend, Felix, would know how fake it sounds, and then looked away for a second to roll his eyes, wondering what that newspaper could say about him. Why did that newspaper even bother spreading words about my personal stuff?
Moving on, Florian ventured to glance at Vxon’s stats.
[Special Identification lv.1]
Name
Vxon Malcolm
Race
Human
Rank
Mugler II
HP
2300
MP
1900
Heh. Florian held back a snort, but a corner of his lips twitched.
But then, at that very moment, a loud squeak of an eagle distracted everyone’s attention. Florian followed the sound that invited all the students to turn skyward, then captured the sight of an eagle lunging downwards from the sky, howling the wind, and falling into the open hall but leaving behind a smoky mist. Eventually, a fine-looking man in his simple dark robe appeared, with pointed ears pierced with some unique earrings, gold and silver, and out of his light, hazel hair, there stuck two horns, one on each side of his forehead.
“Apologize for my delay,” echoed Professor Silkwood, his orotund voice elegantly soothing the ears. “My name is Giffrey Silkwood, the vice headmaster of the Groundlush Academy and the head division of the Sorcery Division—end of the introduction, thank you for your attention.”
He took another step forward as the mist had gone entirely, and the eagle stood on his left shoulder.
“Any question about my introduction?”
All the first years seemed to have a hard time comprehending the dashing sight of Professor Silkwood. Some of them had heard that the vice headmaster was a two hundreds-year-old quarter-faerie but never expected his look and atmosphere around him would feel so different than any humans—in a good and natural way, obviously.
Seeing almost all of them had shocked and marveled sort of expressions was nothing new for Professor Silkwood. But it was the first time in a while he had sensed an individual similar to himself, so he rested his attention on the striking red-haired boy, who was the tallest among the crowd.
“It is an honour to have another prince this year.” He sketched a tiny nod as a greeting.
‘Oh, he could not control the Nature Elementals either, but he has five nature spirits around him!’
‘He seems so strong!’
‘I want to fucking see the great wood spirit!’
‘I sense his powerful nature elements are strengthened by his mana! So cool! Let’s be friends with him, Florian!’
Thanks for the information. Florian thanked the nature spirits in his mind before he answered the greeting from the powerful quarter-faerie sorcerer. “Thank you very much, Professor,” Florian said with his honeyed voice, which was followed by a polite nod.
Their greetings brought the rest of the students back to their senses. Then Silkwood drew out his arms forward and casually said, “There’s a bit of miscommunication, so the orientation ceremony will be in our building. Stay close in the row, and I will bring all of you together.”
The students automatically got close to each other. No questions were needed. And before they even realized it, a Grandis-stage magic circle appeared beneath them – with such a speed, runes spells inscribed on it – in less than fifteen seconds, the magic circle shone and sizzled – the air and the atmosphere tightened – and the force of the magic circle bound everything.
*SIZZLE*
All the students could not see the field anymore, but a dark dimension where the glowing runes danced in the air, circling them. Neither said anything nor even gasped. Only eyes filled with astonishment. Pounding hearts. And silent breathing. Florian and Vxon even had their arms pressed against each other, and none of them complained either.
After the long six seconds of the unexplainable view, all the first years found themselves in Trigon Hall, with the rest of Sorcery students, second to seventh-year students. They were all lined up, from the first year on the left and the seventh year on the right.
The Trigon Hall was bigger than the throne hall, triangle in shape, with glass raindrops floating across the ceiling, reflecting each other’s light from the glass roof. It was the hall of the Sorcery Division. Majestic and magical. And there was also a podium where the teachers lined up sideways on the left side—all in their unique robes and a few with their magical beasts around them.
Hundreds of voices reverberated the hall, mostly from the second to seventh-year students, with their magical beasts (pets) flying and running and bouncing around, and laughter, whispers, and even bullying here and there. All of them make noises, except for the first-years, who were still dazed because of the grand-scale teleportation magic.
“That was really an amazing teleportation magic, wasn’t it?” Vxon muttered, his face stiff.
“Truly astonishing,” added Florian, as stiff as Vxon.
“Teleportation is one of high-level magic. You could lose some part of your body during teleporting if you mistake one single rune.” Vxon’s voice was strained.
Florian lowered his gaze, inspecting his body. “I’m glad nothing happens to me.”
Then—
*BARF*
One girl from the first year just threw up her breakfast. Luckily, she was standing quite far from Florian and Vxon.
“Ugh, I think I want to vomit too,” moaned the boy in front of Florian and Vxon, covering his mouth with his palm.
“Don’t!” chorused Florian and Vxon, glaring at the boy. The blond-haired boy groaned quietly, with a pale face, lips curling down, and eyes watering.
“Don’t even think to do it right here,” threatened Florian. “Go to the front row if you really want to vomit.”
Vxon’s expression changed for a reason. “Wa-wait—that is your suggestion?” He frowned at Florian.
“As if you have a better suggestion?” Florian countered quickly.
Between the conversation, the blond-haired boy named Thomas could not help but feel intimidated. So he nervously turned forward and stared at the floor instead. He was aware of his small posture, but somehow felt even smaller to be standing close among Florian and Vxon.
But the noises from the crowd quickly grew silent as Professor Silkwood clapped his hand once against the single wooded counter—it wasn’t a loud tap, but the air delivered some kind of magic to every student that made them silent.
“Attention everyone,” Silkwood echoed, the amplify tool on the counter doing its job, “today is your first day of the new school year — so welcome to the academy, first years, and welcome back for the rest."
“Should have added—glad you didn’t die this winter, imps,” someone resumed, and everyone in the Trigon Hall could hear it, and they even followed it with suppressed giggles.
All the students of the Sorcery Division—from the first year to the seventh year—numbered no more than three hundred, so everyone could easily hear that student’s voice.
But Giffrey Silkwood paid no attention to imps—he always called naughty students imps—since he could deal with them later, after all.
“I know this could be the first time in a while that the orientation begins with the first years, who are supposed to have their own orientation ceremony with the other first years. But anyhow, I will make it quick and do the ceremony here because first...I shall inform you,”—Giffrey Silkwood raised his chin and looked at all the students, and a faint smile slowly spread across his face— “our division will be the host of the next Primfaclum in summer this year.”
His clear and crisp announcement roused all the students—especially the sixth and seventh years—with loud cheers and shouts and screams reverberating through Trigon Hall, making the raindrop crystal chandeliers vibrate. Even the ground trembled because of their loud cheering.
----------------------------------------
Fact Corner:
What is Primfaclum?
Primfaclum was a game played by 2 or 3 teams (3 teams only for the international tournament) in a Magical Maze with a huge magical crystal in the middle.
Each team consisted of 7 players: 1 as the Ceberum, 4 as Occisor, and 2 as Eversor.
The game's goal was to destroy the Crystal Core in the middle of the Maze. The only weapon that could destroy the Crystal Core was the crystal ball that Eversor carried.
Each team would have two crystal balls, which they also needed to protect from the enemy team’s Occisor.
The Occisor was also known as the soldier, the fighter. This role was the most popular one — as who wouldn’t want to show off their strength by fighting against the enemy’s Occisor? It would be their chance to show off their combat skill by being either the Occisor or even the Eversor. This role also had an unwritten task, namely to steal the enemy’s crystal ball, which would be a wicked way to prevent the enemy from breaking the Crystal Core first.
The Eversor was the destroyer of the crystal, where the team usually tricked the enemy team by hiding the Eversor and pretending to be Occisor by hiding their charm given before the game: a temporary tattoo. The charm had a connection to the crystal ball and the crystal core. Therefore, only Eversor could destroy the Crystal Core.
The Ceberum (team observer and guide) was the team's brain. The role was usually played by the smartest one on the team, who was spirited in leadership and quick-witted. Their task was to guide the team to get through the maze that kept changing direction and to spot the enemy location from a determined place. Ceberum did not play in the maze.
The players mainly were Sorcerers and Warriors (averagely mid to high-leveled knights). And when it was an international tournament, sometimes the other races, either faeries, Darklanders, or even Miradians, joined the game.
The upcoming tournament was a national level tournament, where players would be anyone from the Arcsvere, aged sixteen to eighteen.
By hosting the game meant the Sorcery Division was free to set up the maze however they liked—usually, the host would show off their wits and creativity here, which would benefit those who knew and vice versa for those who didn’t.
The host itself would get big praise for the creativity and fun they put into their maze.