She was ascending the stairs in Manatide’s Tower in the early hours of the morning. No one else was awake yet and Velaya felt herself drawn to get out of bed and go there. She wasn’t exactly sure where she was going, only that she needed to climb the tower. Something was waiting for her at the top. Something was calling to her.
She passed hundreds of doors and windows and still the tower rose higher and higher into the air, only the sound of her boots softly padding against the purple runner on the stairs echoed through the Tower.
She’d been walking for what felt like hours and she could feel her chest getting tighter with every step. The walls were suddenly more narrow but she knew she had to keep going. She was getting closer. There was a strange light up ahead coming through a door that was cracked open.
When she reached the landing with the door, she paused to catch her breath and to listen. She could hear voices coming from the other side of the door but couldn’t make out who it was. They sounded strange, distant, unworldly. It sounded like they were arguing over something.
Silently she crept forward and peered through the crack in the door.
It was a plain, small circular space. Barely bigger than her bedroom at the Mage’s dormitories. At the centre was a chair with someone sitting on it. Their back was to her. They were wearing the tides with the hood up, but they appeared dirty and ragged. The once brilliant violet cloak was torn and covered in a dark liquid. They were the only one in the room.
Velaya’s mana flared suddenly. Something wasn’t right. She had heard two voices but there was only one person in this room. She felt a sudden desire to turn and run but found herself frozen to the spot.
The person on the chair started to scream. A terrible, guttural sound that ran shivers down Velaya’s spine. She watched in horror as the person wailed in agony. They trashed around and eventually fell to the floor, rolling onto their side to face her. She cried out in horror as she stared into the green eyes of Athone.
“Velaya!” came a voice from far away.
She opened her eyes and was met by wide grey eyes. Her throat felt hoarse - she had been yelling. She blinked, and took a few deep breaths trying to right herself. She was back inside her room in the Mage’s dormitory. Standing above her with a deep frown was a beautiful elf with buzzed pink hair.
“It was just a dream,” Rose said as Velaya sat up. Her light grey nightgown was wet with sweat.
Judging by the soft pink light coming from her window, dawn was just around the corner.
“I’m sorry,” Velaya croaked. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Rose tilted her head, analysing her. “Do you have nightmares often?”
Velaya shook her head. “No. I don’t remember the last time I had a dream like that.”
When Rose didn’t respond, Velaya added, “Thank you for checking on me. Again, I’m sorry to have woken you.”
“You didn’t,” was all Rose offered before she turned and walked to the door. She seemed to hesitate at the threshold for a moment before she stepped out into the hall and closed the door softly behind her.
Velaya was wide awake now. The dream had unsettled her. It felt so real. She wondered if it was a result of the magic on the island. Was it her own mana evolving? Was it some sort of prophecy or had it just been a random nightmare spurred on by her conversations the other day. She found herself wanting to seek out Athone. To see with her own eyes that he was ok. The sight of him writhing around in agony seemed forged in her mind and her gown felt too tight around her neck.
Shaking her head, confident she wasn't going to be able to sleep again, she washed up and got ready for the day. Her clothes from yesterday, that she had left in the bottom of the wardrobe, had disappeared. A magical hamper of some sort. Normally she would have felt amused by this but she couldn’t shake the unease from the dream. She dressed and went downstairs.
The common room was empty but Velaya noticed ten leather satchels piled neatly on the table beside the class agenda. They were all identical and she opened the one closest to her. It was full of blank parchment, quills and ink, and a simple pocket watch. It was wide enough to hold a few books.
“Oh good, they’ve given us something to take notes with. I was beginning to worry I’d have to memorise everything,” Jessica said as she entered the room and stood next to Velaya to flip through the bags.
“They did say the school provides us with all we need,” Otto arrived a moment later, yawning and stretching his long arms over his head, his red hair tied neatly in one long piece down his back.
Emilie appeared behind Otto, gently nudging him out of the way as she approached the table. “Except for breakfast.”
“We’ll have to go to the Great Hall before class,” Jessica said as she pulled a satchel over her shoulder.
“Morning all,” the half elf, Zin, appeared from the staircase next. “How’d everyone sleep?”
The rest of Velaya’s classmates filed in after Zin and the general consensus was that everyone slept well enough. Most were excited about today and had tossed and turned a bit in the night. No one had said anything about nightmares and Velaya kept her mouth shut and avoided eye contact with Rose, who too remained quiet during the conversation.
Eventually they all donned their bags and made their way towards the Great Hall.
Compared to the previous evening, the dining space felt fairly empty. Most of the first-years had arrived and a few of the other year’s students were scattered about here and there. The tables were already full of breakfast offerings including eggs, bacon, sausages, rolls, pastries, porridges and juices.
As the Mages made their way towards an unoccupied table, Velaya caught sight of Athone sitting with Max and a few other Paladins at a table near the windows.
She found herself rooted to the spot as she roamed her eyes over him, desperate to assure herself that what she had seen in her dream was nothing more. He looked as handsome as ever, the orange morning light illuminated his hair, making it appear a golden brown. His full lips were turned up in a friendly smile, listening politely to his classmates.
“Oof,” Lilian said, having walked right into Velaya’s back when she’d stopped suddenly.
It was at that same moment that Athone’s gaze met Velaya’s, a quizzical expression on his face.
“Sorry Lilian,” Velaya said quickly, feeling a flush creeping up her neck.
Lilian’s sparklingly green eyes followed to where Velaya had been looking and turned back to her with a knowing smile that only inflamed her cheeks more.
“You two are obviously well acquainted,” she said quietly enough to ensure no one else would hear as the two of them took a seat at the end of the table with their classmates.
“Yes, Athone and I have known each other for years. Our families are close,” she said quietly, busying herself with loading her plate up, trying desperately to avoid Lilian’s amused eyes.
“Well he certainly is handsome. The two of you make a good match,” Lilian said. “And a powerful one too, seeing as you’re both heirs to your Kingdoms. Why, if the two of you were to unite, you could take over all of Aesor!”
Velaya tried to suppress a groan. “Our relationship isn’t like that. He’s more of a brother,” she said, perhaps a bit too quickly.
“I’m only teasing you Velaya,” Lilian said, her dark brows softening.
“You’d get along well with our mothers then,” Velaya said, the corner of her lips twitching upwards.
Lilian laughed, her long silver hair loose at her sides, flowing over her rolling shoulders.
“You’ll have to introduce me to him then,” she said with a wink a minute later, having poured herself some orange juice.
Velaya couldn’t help but smile. The thought of Athone courting with anyone was laughable. He’d long maintained he had little interest in relationships and said they would only serve to distract himself from his Kingdom and duty. Then again, that was the previous time she had seen him. Perhaps his stance on things had changed in the last two years. Not that it mattered. It wasn’t something she was concerned with. Not in the slightest.
She cast her eyes back towards him. He was currently engaged in conversation with Max, but she could have sworn a moment ago his gaze had been in their direction. Relieved that he seemed perfectly fine, the weight of the dream that had been hovering over her lifted as she watched him laugh at something Max had said.
“Velaya? The bacon?” Otto said from a few seats down, trying to get her attention for what was clearly more than the first time.
Determinedly keeping her eyes on the tray of bacon she passed it to Otto. She could practically feel Lilian’s smile and murmur of the word ‘brother’ and decided to eat the rest of her breakfast without speaking or looking up again.
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~~~
After breakfast Velaya and the rest of the first-years set off for the Tower for their first lessons. It was a united lesson, where all five classes would attend together.
They wound their way up the grand staircase, following directions left with their agendas, to a rounded amphitheatre classroom a few stories up. Rows of desks faced towards a staged area with a large chalkboard covering the entire wall behind it. The first-year students spread out to claim seats.
Velaya found herself sitting between Otto and Ingrid in the second last row, with the Druids, Lime and Cerwan seated behind them. Thankfully Lilian was seated further down the row beside the twins to Otto’s right. Zin, Rose, Jessica and Emilie sat in the row in front of them.
Glancing around the room, Velaya noticed most of the different classes sat with or near one another. The Druids, Shamans and Mages sat closely together while the Paladins and Sorcerers sat on opposite sides of the room. Even within the Mage group, they sat with those from their same Kingdom.
“Good morning!” came a voice from the front of the room, startling most of the students.
A human male of medium build with short caramel brown hair, a crooked nose, and a pleasantly kind face with deep wrinkles had appeared out of nowhere.
“I am Magus Erich. Welcome to Mana and Magic of Aesor!” he said. His voice was loud and clear, echoing through the room. “As the Archmagus had alluded to earlier, there are those of you here who are well practised using the magical arts whereas some of you here have little or no experience. It is my task to ensure you all have the same understanding of how magic and mana works so that everyone here is on the same page as you progress through your studies. Druids may not be able to harness the power of the Elements, but that does not mean they should not understand how Shamanist magic works. Not all Sorcerer’s curses are sinister in their nature, just as not all Paladin’s Light is just. Understanding what makes each school unique is vital to your futures long outside of this Tower. For you never know when a time may come when you seek the aid of a Druid for healing or a Shaman for heat.”
Beside Velaya, Ingrid was taking notes. She was not alone, many others in the classroom were as well.
“Where are my Mages?” Magus Erich said, casting his gaze throughout the room.
Velaya and her nine companions raised their hands.
“Ah there you are,” Magus Erich said, his eyes lingering on Velaya for a heartbeat. “You are quite unique. You have the ability to draw on all forms of magic but you will have your work cut out for you. Mastering one school of magic is difficult enough, but to harness the power of all four is quite the task. Due to the size of your year, we believe it is best for you to work with the other classes during their studies.”
Otto gently elbowed Velaya and whispered quietly, “You were right.”
“But I digress,” Magus Erich continued. “Let’s get to the basics”.
For the next couple of hours, Magus Erich spent the time teaching them about how mana and magic within the world works. Born inside each spellcaster was a pool of mana to draw from. This resource of power could then be spent on one of the four schools of magic; Light, Dark, Physical or Elemental. The more powerful a spell someone cast, the more mana it would require. Mana spent would eventually replenish itself over time, though there were potions that they could take to help boost this process. These mana potions were developed at Manatide Tower and were circulated throughout the Kingdoms. They were very expensive so relying on them to fill their reservoirs was not ideal. Instead, learning to control and use your mana wisely was considered a best practice. A fully depleted mana pool may take days to replenish depending on how deep it was.
There wasn’t anything new for Velaya to learn, but beside her, Ingrid had filled up many pieces of parchment with notes, her scarred hands full of black ink. Her face was pale.
After their brief conversation yesterday, Velaya had suspected that Ingrid’s magic had manifested itself as a result of some traumatic event. To draw on one’s mana pool requires an inner focus, and if someone lived a life secluded from magic, it wasn’t that uncommon for them to not realise they’d been born with it. Parents with any sort of wealth would often take their young children for testing to see if they were born with mana. For those of less privilege, often mana pools went undetected and only a strong emotional outburst could draw it out. Not unsimilar to what had happened yesterday when Velaya had summoned the ice wall.
When the Magus had dismissed them, Velaya helped Ingrid collect her notes.
“Thank you, your grace,” Ingrid said quietly, taking the scrolls and putting them in her satchel.
“Please Ingrid, just Velaya.”
Ingrid’s pale cheeks flushed, she looked flustered. “Yes, I’m sorry. I’m just a bit overwhelmed. Forgive me.”
Velaya reached out and gently grabbed her hand, her skin felt taut and rough from scarring. “If you want any additional help, you need only ask. I’m no Magus but I do have quite a bit of experience with all this.”
“Thank you, your g-... Velaya,” Ingrid said and offered Velaya a small smile.
In front of them, Rose had already finished packing up her bag, but she seemed to linger a moment, busying herself with the satchel’s straps.
“I think we have Theology next,” Ingrid said, pulling her bag across her chest. “At least I know about that.”
“Where in Bellaurose are you from?” Velaya asked as the two of them shuffled down the row towards the exit.
“Jade Hill, near the border of Elyzeme. My parents were priests there,” she said, as they entered the hallway.
Velaya’s and Ingrid’s eyes met, a sudden wave of understanding passing between them.
Velaya could feel the colour draining from her face. Jade Hill was a small, secluded village in the south of Bellaurose, surrounded by mountains. It had been ravaged by Corruption. The town had burned to the ground by the time the Kingdom’s guards were able to arrive and put a stop to it.
“So Theology is a class I think I’ll like,” Ingrid said. There was a finality to her tone and Velaya understood that specific door of conversation was closed.
Velaya tried to smile. “Then perhaps you’ll be able to teach me a thing or two.”
Ingrid returned the smile but neither said anything more as they followed the other first-years to their next lecture.
~~~
Theology was taught by an ancient looking woman, whose spine had her hunched over. Her short white hair was long, but the subtle point of her ears wasn’t missed. A half elf that looked as old as she did had to have quite the lifetime of experience under her belt. She was leaning against a large desk at the front of a long hall, and other individual desks were scattered throughout the room.
“Come, grab a seat,” the Magus said. Her voice was soft, and frail.
They all took seats and like before, had grouped themselves up based on their classes.
“I am Magus Rufina and I shall be teaching you about the Gods, for there are some of you in this room today who will live a life long after here dedicated to the magic of the religions of this world.”
Ingrid sat a few rows in front of Velaya. She seemed to sit up straighter.
“As many of you know, Aesor is the Goddess of Love and Creation. She is responsible for everything around us, from the stars and oceans to the lands and the magical ley lines that twist and wind below the earth,” Magus Rufina said. “The very mana that runs through your bodies is a direct tie to Aesor’s own blood.
But with everything in nature, there must be balance. That is where her brother, Saeligos, the God of Hatred and Destruction comes into the story. For it is his purpose to destroy all that is created. Both brother and sister have been locked in a timeless battle of creation and destruction for eternity. The effects of which can be felt today.
With every world that Aesor created, Saeligos was quick to destroy it. Over time, our divine Goddess grew wise to Saeligos’ efforts to undermine her and in an ultimate act of sacrifice, it is believed that Aesor imbued her own soul into our world.
As a result, Saeligos could not outright destroy her new world and for many thousands of years, our world has existed in a state of peace, free of his destruction.
But Saeligos would not relent to his sister. Unable to act directly against her, Saeligos instead recognized that to destroy her world, our world, it would have to come from within. To do so, he uses his influence of hatred to Corrupt the creatures on this planet. The more intelligent the creature the harder it is, and the longer it takes for the hatred to seep in and be influenced. It is that evil and hatred that we must rally against, to understand and conquer.”
When the Magus paused, the classroom seemed to buzz. Velaya knew of the Gods, as everyone did, but hearing Magus Rufina speak of the Corruption as though it was directly from Saeligos himself was new. From what most people understood, the Gods were omnipresent and simply represented a window into the afterworld. Those who lived good lives would end up with Aesor in a heavenly state, where those who did not would find themselves in a hellish landscape with Saeilgos.
What Magus Rufina was speaking of sounded like something far greater than what the priests of cathedrals would preach about on Sundays. Was an evil God the source of the Corruption? Velaya wasn’t certain if that made her feel better or worse. Having an answer to what may be causing the Corruption only led to more questions on how to combat it - assuming that was even possible.
“What’s there to understand?” a voice boomed from the left side of the room. Maxwell Cobb, the walnut haired Paladin who she’d escorted to the infirmary was slouched back in his chair, a sneer on his face as he turned to look at Zyler Vance, the Sorcerer on the opposite side of the room from him. “Just get rid of all the Sorcerers and their Dark magic. They’re nothing more than Saeligos’ spawns.”
A blanket of tension covered the room. Zyler and the rest of the Sorcerers seated near him looked as though they wanted to either lunge across the room or disappear into their seats.
Looking back at the Paladins, Velaya saw some of them nodding their heads in agreement, while others seemed uncomfortable. She couldn’t help but feel relieved to see Athone watching Max with reproach, his body stiff.
The unease was broken only by a soft, frail laugh coming from Magus Rufina.
“It is a good thing that you are here Mister Cobb,” she said after a rather tense minute. “For you have much to learn about the ways of the Gods and the magic of Aesor’s world.
The four schools of magic act in harmony with one another. Your precious Light would not be complete without a Sorcerer’s Dark. To have one exist above the other would throw the balance of the world into chaos, and tip the scales in Saeligos’ favour.
In fact, those of us who study the deities believe that Aesor had once created a world full of only those capable of drawing on the magic of Light. It did not take Saeligos long to destroy it. Their pride and arrogance was their own undoing.”
Velaya caught a glimpse of Zyler’s triumphant, albeit inappropriate gesture towards Max.
“Speaking of such, I think it’s important we begin our studies with understanding the worlds of Aesor’s past creations,” Magus Rufina said.
She waved her hand in the air, a blue light began to glow from her fingers and a moment later soft plunking sounds rang through the room as books appeared in midair above the student’s desks and toppled onto them.
They spent the rest of the morning learning about various worlds that Aesor had created and the means with which Saeligos had gone to destroy them.
By the time they broke for lunch, Velaya’s head was swimming. She had never really concerned herself with the affairs of the Gods before. Being heir to her Kingdom she felt she had other, more tangible matters, to deal with.
Velaya noticed that Ingrid seemed to have more spring in her step as they made their way to the Great Hall. Perhaps they would have to lean on each other more than she thought.