Aeric and Amos were sitting at the staff table eating breakfast the next morning in their school uniforms. They had used the laundry service to get them cleaned up in preparation for the school's weekly assembly, which was one of the only times they were required to wear them.
It was almost time for the assembly to start. The two newest summons would be introduced to the school at large. The dining hall was packed fuller than Aeric had ever seen it. He estimated that there must be around two hundred students, not counting the teachers and other academy staff. The seats next to the two boys were still conspicuously empty.
You’re going to be late.
It's not my fault! Tailor Taylor's was closed yesterday and I didn't realize I'd need my school uniform for today. We're just lucky that Lyric knew her well enough that she opened up early for us.
Did you really need to get the uniforms modified? You could have waited until after this assembly.
Can't you feel how much more comfortable this is than before? I’d call this necessary.
I feel what you mean, but I just think a little better planning in the future would be expedient. Besides, shouldn't Lyric have seen this coming?
She did, but then she slept in.
At the table Aeric sighed loudly.
Amos glanced over at hearing the sigh and raised an eyebrow. He had been reading the daily newsletter while eating his bowl of oatmeal.
“Sorry,” Aeric muttered. “Just feeling annoyed that my sister is running so late.”
“I’m not annoyed by it,” Amos said. “It’s a competition, remember? Lyric is showing a lack of foresight, which is hilarious if you really think about it. There’s no way the headmaster won’t count this as something in our favor.”
Headmaster Frederick chose that moment to walk over to their table. “We need to start now if we want to finish in time for the first class,” he said. “Aeric, do you think if we started with other announcements your sister will be here within say, the next five minutes?”
Aeric looked through his twinborn sister’s eyes. He could see Eleanor’s gate visible in the distance. It wasn’t much farther from there to the castle.
You’ve got five minutes, sis.
I know! I can hear him just fine, thanks. Tell him I’ll be there.
“She’ll be here,” Aeric confirmed. Headmaster Frederick nodded and walked to the front and center of the staff seating area where a tall podium was situated at the top of a short three steps.
The headmaster raised his arms and the students grew quieter as they each noticed the assembly was starting. On the podium in front of him was a deep basin of water.
“Welcome. Welcome, everyone to the start of a new week,” the headmaster said. As he spoke the water in front of him vibrated. His voice came through clearly throughout the room as if there were loudspeakers set up. Aeric looked around for the speakers until he noticed similar basins of water. Their surfaces were also vibrating as sound emanated out of them.
Well that’s interesting. I wonder how that works?
Communication is one of the Firefin magic disciplines. I’m sure it’s something to do with that.
“This week our pledge will be led by Bernard Moreau, a Senior specializing in Bondmaking. Please join me in following his lead.” The headmaster stepped down from the podium and returned to his seat. An older boy, who Aeric assumed was Bernard, rose from a seat at a different staff table up on the stand. He had dark skin and darker hair, which worked very well with his neatly pressed school uniform.
Bernard walked over to the side of the stage opposite from where Aeric and Amos were sitting. He bowed to a flag resting in a pedestal and then lifted it up. He carried it to the midpoint on the stage between the flag’s pedestal and the podium. He turned towards the crowd, the flag fluttering as he moved it. Aeric caught a glimpse of a castle with a king’s crown above it. On either side were stylized flames reaching up towards the top of the insignia.
The students and staff all throughout the dining hall stood up and placed their hands over the center of their chests. Aeric was about to stand up when Amos stopped him.
“Not us,” he said quietly. “Summons don’t give the pledge until they’ve been accepted as full citizens.”
Aeric looked around the room and noticed a handful of other students still sitting down.
The dark haired boy on the stand raised the flag above his head and began to speak with a loud voice, just below a shout. Everyone else followed him with their words.
“I hereby and forever pledge my loyalty to the Kingdom of Astraeus and all those who rightfully inhabit its fair borders. I swear to obey the law and seek to always do what is right to my fellow man. I give honor to the Castle, Crown, and Flame with my works, and should the day come I willingly offer my life in their service, be it however they deem fit. May it be so with all glory to the Kingdom for all time and for all men.”
That’s… not creepy at all.
Aeric noticed through Elsie’s eyes that she was stopped in the street, the academy in sight. He could feel her jaw hanging open at the sight they had just witnessed through Aeric’s eyes.
Soooo what kind of kingdom was this again? I think we might need to pay more attention to the history books you stole from me yesterday.
I didn’t steal them. Lyric just gave me a list of books to check out from the library. How was I supposed to know they would be the exact books Amos was about to recommend you check out?
Bernard carefully lowered the flag back to a more comfortable height, then slowly moved his left foot in, then his right. He turned on the spot and marched the flag back to the pedestal on the side of the stage. After he had placed it into the stand he bowed at the waist towards the flag, and then returned to his seat. The only sound was the scraping of chairs as students and staff returned to their seats.
Elsie… are we the baddies?
Quiet conversations resumed briefly as the headmaster stood up from his seat again and approached the podium. Amos looked over and chuckled at Aeric’s wide eyes.
“It’s all for show,” he said quietly. “The king isn’t ever going to show up and demand that everyone go die for him. It’s just something they say at the start of each week.”
“Right,” Aeric said. His tone sounded unsure.
The headmaster was speaking again, delivering announcements that sounded fairly irrelevant to Aeric. Amos leaned over again, still listening with half an ear. “If it makes you feel better you can choose to emigrate to a different kingdom fairly easily. Astraeus is the only one with summons, so you actually might find yourself with several offers of citizenship in other countries before you graduate. We’re pretty popular with people who like power after all.”
“Why would they offer that?” Aeric asked quietly. “They don’t even know who I am.”
“Our pure cores give us a higher potential than anyone else around us. You’ll see it firsthand soon, but on average any spell we cast is going to be stronger than if any of our classmates had cast that same spell. What country out there wouldn’t want to win us over?”
The headmaster paused and looked over to Aeric inquisitively. At first he thought they were in trouble for talking during the announcements, but the headmaster leaned away from the podium and said one word just loud enough for him to hear.
“Elsie?”
Aeric looked through her eyes and saw her sprinting up the academy steps. She just had to make it down the hallways after that. He nodded his head. “She’s here.”
The headmaster turned back to the water bowl microphone. “It is with great pleasure that I am able to present to you today our two newest students.” A murmur of conversation went up around the room. “Yes, what you’ve heard is true. It was a double summoning. I’d like to invite them to join me on the stand now.” He beckoned to Aeric.
Aeric stood up, and walked over. The headmaster called out his next words quite loud. “I present to you Aeric Stormrider, our academy’s first Nullifier in twenty-six years!”
There was a round of applause. Sir Alvin in particular gave a cheer as he thumped his large hands together. Aeric gave a smile that he hoped looked confident and waved at the crowd. “She’s about to come in,” he said quietly to the headmaster, who nodded.
“And his twin sister, Elsie Stormrider who I am extremely pleased to announce is the academy’s first Legendary rank Astral Manipulator in over a century!” He extended his arm towards the main double doors of the dining hall, which burst open at that exact moment.
Elsie stood there, chest heaving as she caught her breath after having run the last bit of her journey. She was greeted by the sound of applause, whistles, and cheers as the academy was caught up in the headmaster’s enthusiasm for her announced legendary class.
“Oh! Hi!” Elsie said breathlessly with a smile and a wave.
“Elsie! Are we late?” Lyric’s voice called from behind her as she ran to catch up. “What are they cheering--?”
She finally noticed that the doors were open with a crowd of people watching Elsie and now Lyric herself as she approached. Lyric tried to stop running and tripped over her own feet with a small “Oh!” She crashed into Elsie’s backside, bringing them both tumbling to the floor.
Laughter coursed through the crowd at the sight, and a few people stepped from their seats to try to help Elsie up.
“Thanks,” she said with a bright smile as she was pulled to her feet by a tall boy with dark purple hair. His face was too perfect, and Elsie immediately guessed he must be another summon.
The boy gave her a smile, and kissed the back of her hand politely. “You’re very welcome,” he said. Before he could say anything else the headmaster spoke again.
“Thank you everyone for your warm welcome of the two newest members of our establishment. Elsie will now join me on the stage, if you please.”
Elsie started walking towards the headmaster.
Help Lyric up first.
Oh! I didn’t realize she was still on the ground.
Elsie turned back around and crouched down next to Lyric. “Are you okay?” She reached out a hand.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. Go enjoy your first big moment in the spotlight.” She gave a sad smile, but took her hand regardless.
Elsie pulled her up and then continued to hold her hand, leading Lyric towards the front of the dining hall with her. Amos waved Lyric over to their table as they approached. Elsie stood up beside her Twinborn brother and smiled again across the crowd.
-
Stolen story; please report.
Thomas Swiftblade sat back in his chair, watching the new girl and her roommate walk up to the front of the dining hall. He brushed his fingers through his dark purple hair, pushing his lengthy bangs out of his eyes. At his side, a shorter, wider boy leaned over to talk.
“What do you think?” The short, brown haired boy said in a whisper.
“She’s gorgeous, of course,” Thomas said quietly, knowing exactly what his friend was asking. “But she’s a summon, so just remember that everything about her was a choice she made for herself.”
“Does that really matter? You chose how you would look too, didn’t you?”
The headmaster was expressing how happy he was to have the two students, encouraging everyone to treat them with dignity and kindness.
“Of course I chose how I look. All summons do, Hector” Thomas said to his friend. “That’s why it’s all the more important to be aware of someone who makes themselves look over-the-top like this girl. The same goes for her brother. Their personalities will be more important to me than their looks.”
The headmaster had just asked the twins to step up and introduce themselves. The boy with dark blue hair who had been introduced as a Nullifier stood up first. He stared at the basin of water in front of him, then tapped it with a finger. A loud bloop sound echoed through the dining hall, getting a few chuckles from some of the students.
“S-sorry about that,” Aeric said. He leaned his face over the bowl, speaking directly into the water. “Uh-hm hi. My name is Aeric Stormrider. But you already knew that. I mean the Headmaster already knew that. And then he told you. So now you know it too. And I’m a Nullifier, but I’m still learning what that means. All I’ve done with my powers so far is trip a minorat, but I didn’t know that would happen when I tried to nullify it. And I also used it to-- well actually nevermind.”
“A bit odd, isn’t he?” Hector said quietly.
“He’s just nervous,” Thomas replied.
“Annnnd something about me from Earth is that I like math. I was learning the inverses of trigonometric functions and then I was summoned here. And I wanted lightning powers but couldn’t figure out how to get them during the class trial.”
A few people chuckled, but most people sat quietly as he spoke. The headmaster started clapping, and a polite applause followed. The blue haired boy took the opportunity to step down from the podium.
“Hopefully his sister is more impressive than he is,” Hector said.
“I wouldn’t be too hasty to dismiss Aeric just yet,” Thomas said.
The red haired beauty stood up at the podium. “Hiiii, everyone!” She said with a bright smile. “I’m Elsie Stormrider. Aeric and I are fraternal twins, so yes, believe it or not we have the same parents.” A few laughs.
“I hope she’s in some of our electives,” Hector said.
“There’s a chance. Definitely not the lecture courses, but maybe some of the combat classes,” Thomas replied.
“I had no idea that Astral Manipulator was going to be such an exciting class when I received it, but I have to say all the reactions I’ve had in response to it have been extremely reassuring. So, thank you! Like Aeric said, we were in math class of all things when we suddenly found ourselves summoned here. I was drawing. Oh, I love to draw by the way. I’m not very good at it yet though, so don’t judge me for any flaws you see.”
“What flaws?” Hector said quietly to his friend.
“Have you listened to anything I said? Of course her body will be flawless: the only physical flaws she’d have are the ones she herself chose to have. Don’t judge a book by its cover though: no matter how beautiful the cover is. We should get to know her first.”
The new student finished up her introduction. “So anyway! I can’t wait to meet all of you! You all seem like such wonderful people. Thank you for giving me the chance to live such an exciting new life!” The applause started once again as she stepped back down from the podium. Headmaster Frederick took her place, then dismissed the two summons back to their seats.
The eyes of hundreds of people continued to follow the twin summons back to their seats. Thomas absentmindedly raised hand to push a strand of his purple hair out of his eyes, contemplating the newest additions to the school.
-
Great job on your introduction, Elsie!
Thanks! I think we both did well.
Did you hear their applause? They clearly liked you better than me.
It’s not a competition.
Technically the headmaster did say we’ll be in competition with each other.
Yeah but not as a popularity contest.
“Well done, Elsie,” Lyric said with a smile as her roommate sat down next to her at the table.
The headmaster cleared his throat to speak. “Now, as some of you may have heard, I have some rather unfortunate news that I must share with you. You may have noticed that we have restricted movement outside of the protective walls around Brightglen. I’d like to explain this to you today.”
The air went still as conversations stopped.
“We have, for the first time in many years, discovered Enthralled just a few miles from the academy.”
Conversations exploded around the room. Headmaster Frederick raised a hand for attention once again.
“A group of students on a hunt discovered that the creatures they had been sent to clear out were, in fact, enthralled. This change must have occurred between when the hunt was issued and when their party arrived at the scene. I'm pleased to say that the students survived their encounter, and our dear Professor Nidus was able to eradicate all of the Enthralled in that area.”
The Firefin professor waved from his spot at the staff table. The twins noted that he didn’t wear clothing on land either.
“As many of you know, at least if you’ve been paying attention in lectures, when one group of Enthralled appears, it is extremely likely that more will show up in the surrounding area afterwards. We consider this threat to be extremely dangerous, and are taking steps to ensure the safety of our students.”
Murmurs buzzed throughout the room as people whispered about the Enthralled with their friends.
“I will now invite Sir Alvin to explain some restrictions we are going to put in place. I know that many of you will not like what he has to say, so I’d like to reassure you that these restrictions are only temporary. When the Enthralled threat has moved on we will be relaxing them once again.”
The headmaster returned to his seat and Sir Alvin stepped up to the podium.
“As captain of the Astral Knights I take the academy's security and every student's safety very seriously. I consider it a personal failing on my part every time one of the academy’s students is injured or killed.”
How often do students die that he needs to include mentioning it like that?
I’m kind of scared to ask.
“While your skills are no doubt far above what any of us can expect, it still remains on me, as head of security in this area, to do my part to help you remain safe as well. As such the following restrictions are in place effective immediately until further notice.”
He pulled a paper out of his pocket and unfolded it to read. There was a collective breath as everyone waited to hear the news.
“All red hunt orders have been canceled.”
Audible shouts of “No!” were heard from somewhere in the dining hall as students complained.
Sir Alvin continued over the noise. “All yellow hunt orders now require a minimum party size of ten individuals as well as an escort of Knights, the number of which shall depend on the monster or monsters being fought. All green hunt orders similarly require a minimum party size of five with at least one accompanying Knight.”
Groans and brief shouts of protest burst out, but were quickly silenced as Alvin gave a stern look across the crowd.
“Until further notice, students are not permitted to leave the fourth defensive wall of the academy without first seeking permission from the security office. Additionally, a curfew is being put in place. Students are to return to their living areas at nightfall and shall not leave until sunrise.”
“The travel restrictions we already knew about, at least,” Elsie said.
“For those of you rooming within the academy dormitories, the castle itself is sufficiently qualified as your living area for the purpose of this restriction. Those of you living in Brightglen should consider the home, inn, or other building where your bed is located as your living area. Anyone who typically resides outside of the city is required to come to the security office sometime today to make proper arrangements.”
“Hey, maybe we can get permission from the security office to go use the meadow?” Elsie asked Lyric. Amos leaned over and joined their conversation.
“Aw, has the poor fortune teller finally been put on the same level as the rest of us mortals?” Amos said.
Elsie leaned over, getting in his personal space with an expression that silenced him immediately. “Be nice. Imagine if they had just announced a ban on using any ranged mastery skills.”
Amos folded his arms and scoffed. “Then I would focus my training time on other forms of combat. Besides, they're only temporary restrictions. How long could they really keep these in place anyway?”
Aeric winced. “You just had to say it didn’t you.”
---
The assembly ended soon afterwards. A few students lingered around to try to talk to the new summons, including the boy with dark purple hair that had helped Elsie to her feet.
“What do you want, Thomas?” Amos said as he was getting ready to leave. The twins were surprised by how annoyed he seemed just by the other boy's presence.
“Good to see you too, Amos,” the purple haired boy said. “I was hoping to meet your roommate and his sister.” He held out his hand towards Aeric.
“Hi,” Aeric said, taking his hand.
“Hello, my name is Thomas Swiftblade.” He reached over and shook Elsie's hand too, giving her a smile.
“Elise,” she said. “Thanks for helping me up off the floor earlier.”
“Of course. Anyone would have done it, I was just lucky enough to be the closest.”
“And I'm Hector,” the shorter heavyset boy next to Thomas said. Aeric reached out to shake his hand, but the boy seemed oblivious to it and took Elsie's hand directly without her even offering. He stood there holding her hand, staring up at her eyes.
“You'll have to excuse Hector,” Thomas said as he reached over and separated his hand from Elsie's. “Most Astraeans aren't used to Earth customs.”
“It's nice to meet you Hector,” Elsie said with a polite smile.
“Do you want to eat lunch with me today?” Hector immediately asked. “Or dinner. Or go out for tea? I’m not picky. Or I can help you with all your homework?”
Thomas facepalmed at his friend’s bombardment of questions.
“Oh! Umm,” Elsie said. She did not have to finish her sentence as Amos jumped in.
“Really Hector? Are you done? Don’t you two need to go hit each other with sticks or whatever it is your spear class does?” Amos interrupted.
“Master of Polearms,” Thomas corrected. “It's only a rare rank class, but it's incredibly versatile. I've really enjoyed having it.”
Professor Ashdowne arrived at that moment, holding a few papers in her hand. She waved a hand at the other students in a dismissive gesture.
“Off to your classes, please,” she said, shooing away Thomas and Hector.
“We can talk again later,” Thomas said to Elsie with a casual smile. He led Hector away: the shorter boy looking back over his shoulder as they left.
“Good riddance,” Amos said.
The professor pursed her lips but said nothing else on the matter. She held out papers for the twins.
“These are your class schedules. We’ve tried to place you in Amos and Lyric’s classes for now. We can switch you to different electives later if there is something you’d rather try instead.”
The twins looked through their class list.
“Lyric, as we mentioned before we moved some of your classes to match with Amos so that the twins can be together when possible. I trust this is acceptable?”
“Of course, Lady Ashdowne,” Lyric said. She took her paper and read it over while the twins did the same. Their schedule was set up to have two classes per day: a combat class in the morning and lectures in the afternoon. All of the lecture classes matched each other, but they saw that they had some differences in the combat courses they’d be taking in the mornings.
“Your first class will be Combat Fundamentals with Professor Cypren,” Professor Ashdowne said. “If you have any questions please seek me out, or go to the academy’s administration office if you need any help.” She looked between the students to see if they understood.
“Won’t it be weird to join in the middle of the class?” Elsie asked. “Back on Earth we were getting pretty close to the end of the school year.”
“We’re used to summons arriving at random throughout the year,” the professor replied. “If you need additional tutoring we can provide it, but usually newly summoned students are able to get up to speed fairly quickly. As far as timing, our school year runs from the start of Spring to the end of Fall, so we only just started last month.”
“That’s not so bad then,” Aeric said.
“We can handle it,” Elsie agreed.
“Good,” Professor Ashdowne said. “Amos and Lyric, we’ll be counting on you to see that they become well integrated into our academy.”
“I won’t let you down, professor,” Amos said. “I’ll make sure Aeric is the second best student in class.”
Lyric looked like she was going to say something, but just stared off across the dining hall instead.
Professor Ashdowne smiled politely at his comment. She turned to the twins again. “Good luck, you two. I look forward to seeing you in my class this afternoon.”
The twins looked down at their schedules to see that they’d be taking Natural Sciences from her after lunch today.
“We’ll see you then, professor,” Elsie said with a smile.
The professor left and Elsie grabbed the last slice of bacon from Aeric’s breakfast tray.
“Hey!” He said. “I was going to eat that.”
“I missed breakfast and the buffet is already closed. You wouldn’t want me to go to class on an empty stomach now would you?”
“Let’s just go,” Amos said. “Professor Cypren is the kind of man you don’t want to make angry by showing up late. He’ll give you laps around the training grounds.”
“I’m going to class on an empty stomach,” Lyric mumbled to nobody in particular as the group made their way out of the dining hall.