Magus Allistair appeared in a doorway of the Tower’s rounded hall that moments ago did not exist. The door opened to the school’s southern grounds behind him, which was quite disorientating, when moments ago the first year students appeared to be in a room high within the clouds.
“Come along, I shall escort you to your dormitories,” the frail older looking Magus said.
The students clambered together behind him to file out into the late summer air. Velaya found herself next to Otto Carson, the red-haired Mage from a small town in the Trelladain Kingdom, as they all made their way across the grassy grounds towards the student’s quarters.
“Us first years all stay together, correct?” Otto asked her.
“Yes. The dormitories are separated into four sections; one for each year.”
“And within each of those sections we’re separated by our class then?”
“That’s correct. Mages, Druids, Paladins, Shamans and Sorcerers all have their own residences.
“So much for us all being equal then,” he murmured in playful sarcasm.
He had a point. At Manatide Tower most lessons were separated based on one’s magical class and their specific school of magic. Shamans would take separate lectures on how to control the Elements, while Druids would take specific lessons on Physical magic. Mages would spend time learning all four schools. Despite their abilities to draw from all forms of magic, they were often the masters of none. Where a Druid might be able to shapeshift into many various animal forms, a Mage would likely only be able to manage one form. There were other studies that all classes would mingle together in too, such as History and Theology, Archaeology, and Divination.
“It could be different this year,” Velaya said to Otto as the crowd of students neared the residences.
“How do you mean?” Otto asked.
“There’s so few of us this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have us Mages studying with the other classes,” she said.
Traditionally Mages would take their specific lessons separately from the others, but with only ten of them this year she didn’t know if that was going to be the case. Especially since Magus - now Archmagus Ena - used to be the head of the Mage Magi. With her moving into the post of Headmistress she wasn’t sure if the Mages had a separate instructor anymore. She looked around for Athone, assuming he would know, but couldn’t locate him amongst all the others. She could only distinguish Lime’s green head further up.
“Here we are,” Magus Allistair said, coming to a stop in front of six humble stone buildings.
Five of the buildings were two stories and spread out in a horseshoe shape around a larger single-story building in the middle.
“The Druid dormitory is the building to the left,” Magus Allistair said, indicating a medium sized building. “Next to that is where the Shamans will reside,” he pointed to a building of roughly the same size next to the Druid’s. “Mages, your building is between them and the Paladins,” he nodded in the direction of the smallest building located in the middle at what would be the top of the horseshoe and then the largest building of the group to the right of that. “And you Sorcerers are in the building to the far right here,” he waved his hand towards the second smallest building. “The communal area is the building before us,” he said of the large single-story building in the middle. “Please make yourselves at home. Dinner will be in the Great Hall at six’olcock.”
When he finished, the group of them hurried off towards their homes for the next few years. Velaya’s magic bubbled excitedly and she knew why. These buildings were all enchanted. Each one was sized to house the exact number of students from each class. It’s why the Mage’s quarters were so much smaller than the Paladin’s next door. Looking off to her right, she could see beyond her year’s campus towards the second year student’s area. Their buildings were far larger, each capable of holding hundreds. She could see them dashing back and forth across their grounds to greet one another, likely exchanging stories of their summer vacation.
“You coming, Velaya?” Otta called over his shoulder. Realising she was just standing there, she hurried to catch up.
Entering the building, she stood within a large sitting area with low ceilings. Small chandeliers with long wax candles were suspended from large wooden beams that ran the length of the rectangular space. To her right, a sizable stone fireplace was built into the wall and there were various couches, mismatched chairs and large violet pillows scattered in front of it, all sitting on top of an oversized burgundy woollen rug that spanned nearly the entire length of the space, covering the dark wooden floors. Bookcases and shelves full of tomes, orbs, clocks, jars and bottles of strange liquids lined nearly every wall surface. Across the room there was a large square wooden table with four benches running along each side, capable of seating all ten of them. It would serve as the perfect place to gather together to study or enjoy a nightcap. Behind the table was a wooden door that lay open and stairs beyond ascended towards the bedrooms above. Velaya inhaled deeply and the smell seemed to teleport her back to her family’s library as the scent of grass, along with a hint of vanilla and some underlying mustiness welcomed her.
The nine other Mages slowly walked through the space and past the large table heading towards the stairwell beyond and Velaya followed them up.
At the top of the stairs they were greeted by a long wood panelled hallway with five doors on either side. At the far end of the hall was an ornate mirror and a wooden bench with a dark purple cushion. As they walked down the hall they discovered that each door had a small golden plaque with their names engraved on them. One by one they broke apart to explore their rooms.
Velaya found her door at the end of the row on the southern side of the building, directly across from the door with Rhosylynn Rallothyra’s name. The elf with short pink hair shot Velaya a cold look through her grey eyes before stepping into her room and closing the door with a snap. Sighing, Velaya opened her bedroom door.
Unlike her quarters at Rosemore Castle, which was an entire wing of the keep and had individual rooms for dressing, bathing, lounging, studying, and sleeping - her room here at Manatide Tower consisted of a one bedroom space with a small bathing room off to the side. A single-bed was pushed up against the corner, a nightstand next to it, and beside that was a desk and chair situated below an arched window overlooking the Navalonge Sea. Opposite the bed was a wardrobe. Similar to downstairs, the walls were covered in bookshelves, though currently they sat empty.
There was nothing at all unique about the space and yet it tickled something deep inside her. She couldn’t help but smile.
“Looks like they’re all the same then,” Otto had popped his head into the door. “I’m guessing this is a bit different than you’re used to, huh?”
“Yes, you could say that,” she laughed as she spun around, taking in the space.
“Back home, I have to share a room with my little brother that’s even smaller than this,” he said, joining her in the room and peering out the window.
“She won't be able to relate to that,” Rhosylynn was standing in the hall, having just emerged from her room.
The smile faded from Velaya’s face and she could feel heat creeping up her neck. Otto turned from the window to glare at the elf.
“You’re right, I cannot relate,” Velaya said before Otto could say anything, determined to keep her voice level, “I grew up in a castle in one of the greatest cities in all of Aesor. I had maids, housekeepers, and stewards that tended to my every whim. My parents invested a lot of gold in some of the best magical tutors the Kingdom had to offer. I’ve travelled across oceans and have dined with Kings and Queens. I have been afforded every opportunity to live a rich and full life. And yet I am here. Wearing the same clothes as you, with no title, and no belongings. This room may be smaller than what I have grown accustomed to but when I tell you that I have never felt more at home than I do at this moment, know that I speak only the truth.”
Rhosylynn took two long strides into the room and stood before Velaya and Otto. A tense moment passed before a look akin to respect briefly crossed her face as she extended her hand. “Call me Rose.”
Velaya took it.“It’s nice to meet you, Rose.”
“Right, well now that’s taken care of,” Otto said, clapping his hands together, relief washing over his features, “I thought I heard Jessica saying they were going downstairs to snoop about. Come on.”
“I’ll be right behind you,” Velaya said as Rose followed Otto out of the room.
She exhaled, long and slow. She had convinced herself beforehand that her focus would be entirely on her magical studies, but she couldn’t deny that she still wanted to fit in. She didn’t want to be fawned over any more than she wanted others to resent her. She just wanted to be inconsequential in a sea of people who studied magic. Her momentary discord with Rose settled, at least temporarily, she couldn’t help but wonder how many more similar interactions she would have to endure. Was Athone experiencing the same?
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
She walked over to the nightstand and opened the small drawer. It was empty of course. Velaya reached into her pocket and pulled out the small package that housekeeper Nora had given her. She didn’t know when she would meet her granddaughter so she figured it was best to store it away until she did. She placed it within the nightstand and closed the drawer, before leaving her room to go join the others downstairs.
Otto, Rose and the other classmates were standing around the table pouring over a document that was sprawled across it.
“It’s our class schedule. Looks like we’ve got Mana and Magic of Aesor up first tomorrow,” a brunette haired woman with large round glasses said, tracing a finger across the words on the scroll.
“Whatever that is,” Otto said.
“It’s an introduction,” Velaya said as all eyes in the room turned to her in surprise. She wasn’t sure if she had caught them off guard by joining them late or from what she had said. She hesitated as they continued to peer at her expectantly.
“So, it’s a history lesson?” Rose asked Velaya, her voice was as sharp as before but her eyes seemed more forgiving.
“Not exactly. It’s meant to introduce us to the fundamentals of how magic within Aesor works. It’s to teach us the basics of how we draw upon our mana pools to influence it.”
“But we already know how to do that,” Rose waved her hand impatiently.
“Not all of us,” came a timid voice from beside Otto. It belonged to a shorter woman. Her face was half hidden by a wave of long brown hair. From what Velaya could make of the visible side, her pale skin was marred with angry white and pink flesh that ran across her cheek and nose before disappearing behind her hair to the other side of her face. Old burn marks. Her hands were buried deep in her pant pockets under her cloak and her gaze appeared locked on the table.
An awkward silence descended in the room, only the sounds of other students talking and laughing out on the lawn filtered in through the open door.
“Well, that’s why you’re here,” Velaya said softly. “You heard the Archmagus. We may come from different backgrounds but they saw something in you - in all of us - that they deem worthy of growing.”
The woman with the scars looked up at Velaya, the half of her visible face was apprehensive. “I didn’t even know I could draw on magic until a Magus showed up to recruit me.”
“What? Really?” Otto said.
“How’s that even possible?” the woman in the round glasses said.
A man with slightly pointed ears, a very young looking face and blonde spiky hair who was standing next to Rose, turned to face Velaya directly and asked, “How would the Magi have even found her if she didn’t draw on her mana?”
Once again everyone’s attention landed on Velaya. She caught the woman’s eye and an odd self-reproaching look passed across her scarred face. She was staring back at Velaya in silent challenge, determination set in her hazel eye.
“Aesor’s veins,” Velaya said, turning her attention away from the woman and addressing everyone else. “The magical ley lines under the earth. The Magi here can tune into them. They must have sensed her -” she paused and looked back at the woman, “I’m sorry but I don’t know your name.”
“Ingrid. Ingrid Lancaster,” the woman said appreciatively in Velaya’s direction.
“There’s a fine idea! Why don’t we finish introducing ourselves? We are going to get pretty cozy over the next few years,” Otto said, rounding on the others. This earned him a few chuckles. “I’m Otto Carson and I hail from the Trelladain Kingdom.”
“I’m Jessica Flaurence of Ayradora,” said the brunette woman with glasses who had been reading their class schedule.
“Rhosylynn Rallothyra of Elyzeme,” Rose said quickly.
“Those of us close to her call her Rose,” Otta said sweetly, winking at her. Rose scowled at him but Velaya caught the way her lip twitched upward.
“Name’s Zin Hischer. I’m also from Elyzeme,” said the spikey blond half-elf, taking a moment to shake everyone’s hand. When he reached Rose, their handshake held a fraction longer than it did with anyone else.
“I’m Victor Maellstorm. I come from Trelladain and up until recently was working for the King’s guard in Goldwell,” said a large muscular man with a shiny, bronze, bald head.
Next to him, a petite woman with long silver hair but dark black eyebrows, shook her head in surprise. She had a plain looking face but her eyes were a twinkling forest green that were quite captivating. “King Robert let you leave the guard to come here?”
“Even Kings can’t turn down Manatide recruitment,” said the man standing next to Victor, slapping him on the shoulder, “Isn’t that right, brother?”
It was no wonder their features were so similar. He too was quite large and sported a bald scalp, but where Victor’s face was notched with a few smaller scars and a wickedly crooked nose, this man’s golden brown face was blemish free, with a perfectly straight nose.
“Indeed it is, Devon,” said Victor.
“Twins?” the woman with the dark brows raised them towards the pair.
“Regretfully,” Devon smiled as Victor took his turn to return a light punch to his brother’s arm.
“What’s your name?” Jessica asked the silver haired woman.
“Lilian Trarora,” she bowed, holding her violet cap out behind her. “I’m from Trelladain too.”
“And I’m Emilie Quinn. From Moongate here in Ayradora,” said the last Mage of the group, a curvy, strawberry blonde haired woman. When she lifted her hand in a quick wave to everyone, the sleeve of her shirt rolled down her wrist to reveal a few horizontal burn marks on her forearm.
“Quinn?” Velaya suddenly said. “Your family runs the bakery on High Street in Moongate City?”
Emilie blinked in surprise then offered a charmingly wide smile. “Yes, M’lady. It’s where I was before the Tower.”
“You make the best tarts in all of Aesor!” Velaya said excitedly, remembering the breakfast she’d had earlier. The Valreale’s often purchased and shipped Quinn’s Bakery goods to Velaya’s family during the holidays.
“You flatter me,” Emilie beamed, her full cheeks flushing. “I’ll have to see if Ma can send some over.”
“Great! Well I know I won't retain any of this,” Otto said, shaking his head, and they all laughed again.
“And who are you?” the silver haired woman, Lilian, said to Velaya.
Velaya was a little taken back. It wasn’t very often she went unrecognised. Then again, she was usually wearing fancy dresses and travelling with her family and their court, making her hard to mistake.
“Velaya, from Bellaurose,” she said a touch guardedly.
“Lady Velaya Rosemore?!” Zin cried out.
“The Princess of Ballaurose!” Jessica said, her brown eyes appearing even wider due to her glasses.
“Your grace-,” Victor started; his brother began to bow his head.
“Please!” Velaya held her hands up quickly before anyone else could speak. “There’s no need for any of that. Please, just call me Velaya.”
Jessica, Zin, Victor, Devon and Lilian all shared incredulous glances with one another, while Otto chuckled. Emilie offered Velaya a kind smile.
“Looks like something’s going on out here,” Rose called out. She had moved away from the table towards the open door. Beyond her, a number of students from the other classes were gathering around their year’s communal building.
“Better go check it out,” Zin said as he and the others began to follow Rose out of the Mage’s dormitory.
Velaya made to follow them when someone gently grabbed the sleeve of her blouse, holding her back. She turned around to face Ingrid, whose head was downcast, staring at a spot on the rug. Velaya waited for her to say something and it wasn’t until the others had gone outside before she did.
“Thank you,” she said so quietly that Velaya had to take a step closer.
Velaya watched her. From up close she could see the rest of her face through her hair. Her entire right side was covered in vicious burn marks that ran from just above where her eyebrow would have been to her jaw. Her lips were crooked, and her right nostril was sunken in. Her left eye was a hazel colour but her right eye was milky white.
“I’m not sure what you’re thanking me for,” Velaya said slowly.
“You lied for me,” she looked up, her good eye piercing Velaya’s bright blues. “That whole bit about Aesor’s veins detecting my magic.”
Velaya didn’t respond. She knew she hadn’t been entirely truthful. Ingrid shook her head, dropping her gaze again.
“I recognized you as our Princess as soon as I saw you on the pier in Moongate.”
“You're from Bellaurose?”
Ingrid nodded. “Yes and I know full well that you’re aware Aesor’s veins have nothing to do with it. Aside from the Magi, there’s likely very few here who would know as much about Manatide Tower as you.”
Velaya felt a sudden urge to argue against that, especially seeing as she hadn’t known about Archmagus Ena as Headmistress, but she knew there was more Ingrid wasn’t saying.
“I didn’t get the impression you wanted to discuss it,” she said.
“No, I didn’t.”
‘I understand,” Velaya said as kindly as possible. When Ingrid just nodded again but made no attempt to leave, she added, “If you ever wish to talk about it, I’d be willing to listen without judgement.”
Ingrid looked up again and was about to say something when suddenly a loud crash and a blinding flash of darkness erupted from outside.