ou’re… Yuven”.
“It’s been a while, Theo”.
Theo and the girl at the top of the staircase, Yuven, began talking.
Lynn, witnessing the exchange between the two, realised that the girl wasn’t talking to Lynn, but to Theo.
She must be an acquaintance of Theo’s.
“Yuven, you surely weren’t trying to ambush me, waiting there for me like that, were you?”.
“Ambush?”. Yuven laughed mockingly at Theo.
Hearing Yuven’s cold laugh, Lynn swallowed nervously. It was a laugh one could only describe as scornful.
“Why would you jump to that conclusion? Isn’t it more likely that we just happened to cross paths by chance?”.
Hearing her explain this to Theo, Lynn didn’t let his guard down. Yuven’s voice was innocent enough, cute even, but there was something about it that bothered him, although he couldn’t quite place his finger on it.
Suddenly and without warning, Yuven shot a glance at Lynn.
“Umm, It’s nice to meet you. My name’s Lynn. I’m a friend of Theo’s…”.
“Theo, while you’ve been squandering your time in the factory, I’ve been hard at work studying magic”.
Yuven ignored Lynn and carried on talking to Theo, as if she didn’t care to spare consideration for anything or anyone else.
“Soon I’ll be able to take the exam to receive my secondary grade certificate. Amongst the sixty fourth generation of students, you and I were the only ones able to conjure the Raigis Sword. But then again it would appear that quite the gap has appeared between us since then”.
“…I’ll catch up in no time”.
“I wonder though. The academy’s classes are quite difficult. For a commoner like yourself, without even a proper master to guide you, can you really get much further?”.
While saying this, it appeared to Lynn that some part of Yuven was regarding Theo with caution. He deduced that the two must be rivals.
Huh? I could have sworn I also conjured something like the ‘Raigis Sword’ myself in the fight against the lion.
Lynn thought this, but chose to stay quiet. The air between Theo and Yuven was sparking with electricity- figuratively, of course- and so Lynn felt unable to speak up.
“You claim you’re an aristocrat, and that may be so, but your family is of low standing. In fact your social standing doesn’t differ much from any normal person”.
“I am different. Low standing or not, I’m from the aristocrat- my family is proper, and well respected. Listen Theo, if you go around saying funny things about my blood line, you’re dead”.
“I’m not much one for gossip anyway”.
“Good. As long as we understand each other”.
Just then a middle aged woman emerged from the entrance to the Academy and called over to Yuven, interrupting the conversation. She was dressed in a black robe.
“Are you ok Miss Yuventine? Your next class will be starting soon- material generation. The teacher is particular about punctuality… Chatting idly here won’t earn you credits”.
“I know, master. I was actually just about to go”.
Lynn narrowed his eyes as he observed the dynamic between Yuven and her master. It seemed that, in this case, the master was more of an attendant.
So that’s what it’s like for the aristocrat…
Lynn’s relationship with his master, Yuin, was nothing like what he was now witnessing.
“In any case, I just thought I’d let you know the score of things. Unlike yourself, I’m really quite busy. My regards”.
Without so much as uttering a word towards Lynn, Yuven swiftly descended the steps past the two boys, closely followed by her master.
“That girl just then, she’s from the aristocrat isn’t she?”.
“”Yeah, you saw those silver clasps right? The noble class always wear silver clasps like that. It’s not as if it’s some kind of tradition or rule, but they enjoy showing off like that”.
“I’m impressed though. I didn’t know you had an acquaintance like that”.
“It’s nothing, we just happen to be the same age and come from the same town”.
“A childhood friend?”.
“Not quite… She’s nothing but an unsavoury character”.
“She certainly seems like a difficult person”.
While reflecting on Yuven’s cold disposition, Lynn puzzled over just how he had managed to mistake her for Atorea..
She’s nothing like her. Why did I think she was Atorea? Her personality and appearance are completely different.
Lynn titled his head to one side in thought, then said “Let’s go. We’ll be late for the ceremony”.
~
“Those who understand the language of magic can understand any language on the continent of Letogia, and can also transmit their thoughts to the minds of others- regardless of what language they speak, or whether or not they can speak, read or write magic.
It is in this way that while the language of magic cannot be understood by those who have no affinity for magic, by infusing magic into one’s words one is able to influence any mind, so that even someone with no magic affinity can comprehend the information you want to convey.
By this means, after the development of magic as a language, we became able to communicate with anyone on the continent. That is why everyone who is present here today can understand and communicate freely with each other, despite the fact that you are all different races, come from different areas of the globe, and speak different languages.
This great language of magic is the result of the work of the great wizard Gaerias. His achievements don’t end there either. Gaerias realized something important… He realized that humans, and also beings and objects that aren’t considered forms of life, emit- however faint- their own kind of language. And so Gaerias cut these emanations, which come from all things, into the language of magic itself.
Having established this new language, Gaerias was able to converse with not only humans, but also animals, magical beasts, fire and ice spirits, all objects that are derived from mass, natural phenomena, and even the law of nature itself.
Using this connection that Gaelias established, it is possible for wizards to command, negotiate, and manipulate these things at will to create supernatural phenomena. It was also Gaelias who created what we today call the foundation of magic theory, which of course refers in broad to magical phenomena and its workings.
This academy was founded by Gaelias himself, in order to both preserve his great exploits, and for subsequent generations of wizards to develop and push the boundaries further.
In passing the entrance exam and being present here today, you are officially joining the ranks of the wizards of this tower, who all strive to continue the great work of Gaerias.
However, this is nothing more than a beginning. From this point onward, you must foster a mentality of diligence and industry by overcoming all kinds of temptations, and reach the summit of the thousandth floor to become a dweller of the sky. You must work vigorously toward this goal-”.
The entrance ceremony was taking place in an assembly hall. The new first year students were all sat on chairs, listening to the head of the Academy deliver a speech.
Lynn was only half paying attention to what was being said. He understood that he should be paying attention at a time like this, but for now he wasn’t able to muster the concentration, and the reason for that was the girl he and Theo crossed paths with just a little while ago. The things Yuven said still rattled around his head.
‘You’re not of noble lineage, and you haven’t even got a proper master. I really do wonder just how you expect to get very far at all”.
What on earth did she mean by that?
Try as he might to make sense of Yuven’s comments, Lynn couldn’t quite wrap his head around them.
While the ceremony was taking place, Lynn couldn’t eject Yuven and her words from his head. His thoughts kept going round and round.
“This will be all from me. I wish you all the very best”.
He’s finally finished.
Lynn felt relieved that the tedious speech had finally come to an end.
“Next, Manuenne Sensei has a few things to say”.
There’s more?
Lynn felt the proverbial life force drain out of him at the thought of another long speech, but the second he saw Manuenne Sensei step up on to the stage, he at once felt the boredom dissipate, and he directed every sense he had at his disposal towards the stage.
Manuenne Sensei was a beautiful, voluptuous woman with good lips. She wore red lipstick.
“Good afternoon everybody. My name is Manuenne, and I’ll introduce a few little things to you. Firstly, I’d like to say that there was a time when I first came here to take part in my entrance ceremony, just like you. I remember it like yesterday…
I won’t bore you with the details, but instead I’ll get straight to a few important things, such as the basic rules of this Academy and how it’s structured”.
Lynn had the feeling that she was a friendly person.
With a bright smile and a voice that carried clearly around the hall, Manuenne Sensei began explaining the rules and structure of the Wizard Academy.
“I’m sure you’re already aware that entrance to each floor of the Tower is restricted depending on your level or ranking as a wizard. You will all be permitted, or restricted, to access different floors of the tower by the elevators, the colour of your robe, and of course the magical ID on the back of your hand.
If you were to break the rules of movement inside the Tower, that is to say if you were to trespass and enter a floor that you aren’t permitted to be on- well I don’t think anyone of you would do such a thing to begin with, but if you did- the Academy wouldn’t be able to guarantee your physical safety… Or your life, in fact. Also you’d be punished by the Wizard Association. So please heed this warning, don’t trespass on floors that you don’t have access to”.
Smiling, Manuenne Sensei went on.
“As of now, you are all students of the Wizard Academy, and so will be granted access to the Wizard Academy city of Allfrid, which spans from the fiftieth floor to the ninety ninth. Of course you will still be able to freely move throughout floors one to fifty, just as you have until today, without a problem.
However, as new students of the Academy, you will only be able to take beginner classes for now. In order to take intermediate or advanced classes, you’re required to have enough credits from the beginner classes. If you were to attend an intermediate class now without special permission, you’d be charged an entrance fee, so please bear that mind”.
So in other words, it’s possible to take intermediate classes straight away if you have special permission.
Lynn thought about this with unusual clarity.
“Finally, if you lose your papers that prove you are students of the Academy, you’ll be banned from entering Allfrid again. In such a case, after being escorted to Renryll, you wouldn’t be able to go above the forty ninth flour ever again, so please keep your papers safe”.
“Ok, so next we’ll hear a few words from the top student of the advanced classes, Teedro Sanches”.
Just then appeared a boy with red hair and a confident, fearless expression. Taking one look at his face, Lynn knew he was a person with power and influence. He had the kind of air about him that told you he was a cut above the rest. He had a calm, dignified and composed demeanor. Lynn got the impression that he might even be an even more skilled wizard than the head of the Academy.
“Hello, new students. Congratulations on your entrance to the Academy. It’s a pleasure to welcome you all to walk this path with me, the path of the wizard. I’m always pleased to see our ranks increase. Your reasons for entering the Academy will of course differ individual by individual. There will be those who have their sights set on ascending to the highest floor of the Tower as they possibly can. Others will want to be appointed to their birthplace or some other region to be of use there, and perhaps there are some who still haven’t decided on a path of progression. To be honest, there will be some of you who don’t quite know why you’re trying to become wizards in the first place, and perhaps lack much motivation. However…”.
For a few long moments Teedro let his words trail off, and he looked around the assembly hall. The students, exposed to his penetrating gaze, felt a sudden rush of nervousness run through them. Without knowing it, Lynn unconsciously straightened his back so that he was sitting up straight.
“I don’t have any advice for anyone who’s motivation is half-baked, but the students with ambition should begin their studies in earnest straight away, in order to become a high ranking wizard. Competition is fierce in our world”.
The hall was silent, save for Teedro’s voice. You could hear a pin drop. Teedro, seeing he had the attention of everyone present, smiled and continued.
“I suppose it’s really no use in me worrying about the students who won’t accept that being a high ranking wizard requires constant study and hard work, which will never stop. You are all at the beginning of your first year. But to think you can afford to coast along just because you’re in your first year would be a mistake.
“Among the beginner classes that you’ll be able to take, some will be conducted alongside intermediate and advanced classes. I especially implore you all to take interest in and strive to become part of the hunting team that explores the Hedin Forest, where all manner of magical beasts dwell.
“Primarily only apprentices of the advanced classes may join the ranks of the hunting team, but students with a high score at the end of the term will be granted special permission to enlist. This is about the only opportunity you first year students will get to come into contact with magical beasts and spirits.
“The guild I belong to, ‘Magulheim’, is always recruiting new students who have ambition. This year too, we intend to scout those we deem have potential to join our guild.
“If anyone thinks they have what it takes, then by all means, prove it to us. There would also be other opportunities to mix with wizards who belong to higher floors than yourselves. I think that participating in this would serve as good inspiration for your own development.
“In any case, if you want a chance to stand out from your peers, then being proactive is criticall. Show me your worth, show me your potential. That is all from me”.
Teedro bows before leaving the stage. A loud applause welled up inside the assembly hall. Without a doubt, Teedro’s speech held the attention of the students better than either the head of the academy or Manuenne Sensei.
I suppose it makes sense that the top student is so amazing.
While feeling a little overwhelmed by all the information, Lynn listened as closely as possible. He felt uncertain and impatient at the same time, especially because of what Teedro had said about some students aiming to become wizards half heartedly- wasn’t Lynn also one of those students?
On the other hand, he now felt a new exciting ambition burn inside him.
He didn’t understand all the details of what Teedro said, but he did understand that, somehow or other, by getting a favourable mark in the end of term exam he would be able to pull ahead of his peers by getting a chance to meet high ranking wizards.
The Hedin Forest Hunting Team… If I was able to enlist, perhaps I’d be able to meet Atorea.
The head of the Academy directed the students to move to a different area.
“Well then, next we will brief you on how you will select your classes. This will be done in a separate room, please take a look at the documents you have at hand, and move accordingly”.
Next time… Chapter 13, ‘Someone to Pick You Up’.
ou’re… Yuven”.
“It’s been a while, Theo”.
Theo and the girl at the top of the staircase, Yuven, began talking.
Lynn, witnessing the exchange between the two, realised that the girl wasn’t talking to Lynn, but to Theo.
She must be an acquaintance of Theo’s.
“Yuven, you surely weren’t trying to ambush me, waiting there for me like that, were you?”.
“Ambush?”. Yuven laughed mockingly at Theo.
Hearing Yuven’s cold laugh, Lynn swallowed nervously. It was a laugh one could only describe as scornful.
“Why would you jump to that conclusion? Isn’t it more likely that we just happened to cross paths by chance?”.
Hearing her explain this to Theo, Lynn didn’t let his guard down. Yuven’s voice was innocent enough, cute even, but there was something about it that bothered him, although he couldn’t quite place his finger on it.
Suddenly and without warning, Yuven shot a glance at Lynn.
“Umm, It’s nice to meet you. My name’s Lynn. I’m a friend of Theo’s…”.
“Theo, while you’ve been squandering your time in the factory, I’ve been hard at work studying magic”.
Yuven ignored Lynn and carried on talking to Theo, as if she didn’t care to spare consideration for anything or anyone else.
“Soon I’ll be able to take the exam to receive my secondary grade certificate. Amongst the sixty fourth generation of students, you and I were the only ones able to conjure the Raigis Sword. But then again it would appear that quite the gap has appeared between us since then”.
“…I’ll catch up in no time”.
“I wonder though. The academy’s classes are quite difficult. For a commoner like yourself, without even a proper master to guide you, can you really get much further?”.
While saying this, it appeared to Lynn that some part of Yuven was regarding Theo with caution. He deduced that the two must be rivals.
Huh? I could have sworn I also conjured something like the ‘Raigis Sword’ myself in the fight against the lion.
Lynn thought this, but chose to stay quiet. The air between Theo and Yuven was sparking with electricity- figuratively, of course- and so Lynn felt unable to speak up.
“You claim you’re an aristocrat, and that may be so, but your family is of low standing. In fact your social standing doesn’t differ much from any normal person”.
“I am different. Low standing or not, I’m from the aristocrat- my family is proper, and well respected. Listen Theo, if you go around saying funny things about my blood line, you’re dead”.
“I’m not much one for gossip anyway”.
“Good. As long as we understand each other”.
Just then a middle aged woman emerged from the entrance to the Academy and called over to Yuven, interrupting the conversation. She was dressed in a black robe.
“Are you ok Miss Yuventine? Your next class will be starting soon- material generation. The teacher is particular about punctuality… Chatting idly here won’t earn you credits”.
“I know, master. I was actually just about to go”.
Lynn narrowed his eyes as he observed the dynamic between Yuven and her master. It seemed that, in this case, the master was more of an attendant.
So that’s what it’s like for the aristocrat…
Lynn’s relationship with his master, Yuin, was nothing like what he was now witnessing.
“In any case, I just thought I’d let you know the score of things. Unlike yourself, I’m really quite busy. My regards”.
Without so much as uttering a word towards Lynn, Yuven swiftly descended the steps past the two boys, closely followed by her master.
“That girl just then, she’s from the aristocrat isn’t she?”.
“”Yeah, you saw those silver clasps right? The noble class always wear silver clasps like that. It’s not as if it’s some kind of tradition or rule, but they enjoy showing off like that”.
“I’m impressed though. I didn’t know you had an acquaintance like that”.
“It’s nothing, we just happen to be the same age and come from the same town”.
“A childhood friend?”.
“Not quite… She’s nothing but an unsavoury character”.
“She certainly seems like a difficult person”.
While reflecting on Yuven’s cold disposition, Lynn puzzled over just how he had managed to mistake her for Atorea..
She’s nothing like her. Why did I think she was Atorea? Her personality and appearance are completely different.
Lynn titled his head to one side in thought, then said “Let’s go. We’ll be late for the ceremony”.
~
“Those who understand the language of magic can understand any language on the continent of Letogia, and can also transmit their thoughts to the minds of others- regardless of what language they speak, or whether or not they can speak, read or write magic.
It is in this way that while the language of magic cannot be understood by those who have no affinity for magic, by infusing magic into one’s words one is able to influence any mind, so that even someone with no magic affinity can comprehend the information you want to convey.
By this means, after the development of magic as a language, we became able to communicate with anyone on the continent. That is why everyone who is present here today can understand and communicate freely with each other, despite the fact that you are all different races, come from different areas of the globe, and speak different languages.
This great language of magic is the result of the work of the great wizard Gaerias. His achievements don’t end there either. Gaerias realized something important… He realized that humans, and also beings and objects that aren’t considered forms of life, emit- however faint- their own kind of language. And so Gaerias cut these emanations, which come from all things, into the language of magic itself.
Having established this new language, Gaerias was able to converse with not only humans, but also animals, magical beasts, fire and ice spirits, all objects that are derived from mass, natural phenomena, and even the law of nature itself.
Using this connection that Gaelias established, it is possible for wizards to command, negotiate, and manipulate these things at will to create supernatural phenomena. It was also Gaelias who created what we today call the foundation of magic theory, which of course refers in broad to magical phenomena and its workings.
This academy was founded by Gaelias himself, in order to both preserve his great exploits, and for subsequent generations of wizards to develop and push the boundaries further.
In passing the entrance exam and being present here today, you are officially joining the ranks of the wizards of this tower, who all strive to continue the great work of Gaerias.
However, this is nothing more than a beginning. From this point onward, you must foster a mentality of diligence and industry by overcoming all kinds of temptations, and reach the summit of the thousandth floor to become a dweller of the sky. You must work vigorously toward this goal-”.
The entrance ceremony was taking place in an assembly hall. The new first year students were all sat on chairs, listening to the head of the Academy deliver a speech.
Lynn was only half paying attention to what was being said. He understood that he should be paying attention at a time like this, but for now he wasn’t able to muster the concentration, and the reason for that was the girl he and Theo crossed paths with just a little while ago. The things Yuven said still rattled around his head.
‘You’re not of noble lineage, and you haven’t even got a proper master. I really do wonder just how you expect to get very far at all”.
What on earth did she mean by that?
Try as he might to make sense of Yuven’s comments, Lynn couldn’t quite wrap his head around them.
While the ceremony was taking place, Lynn couldn’t eject Yuven and her words from his head. His thoughts kept going round and round.
“This will be all from me. I wish you all the very best”.
He’s finally finished.
Lynn felt relieved that the tedious speech had finally come to an end.
“Next, Manuenne Sensei has a few things to say”.
There’s more?
Lynn felt the proverbial life force drain out of him at the thought of another long speech, but the second he saw Manuenne Sensei step up on to the stage, he at once felt the boredom dissipate, and he directed every sense he had at his disposal towards the stage.
Manuenne Sensei was a beautiful, voluptuous woman with good lips. She wore red lipstick.
“Good afternoon everybody. My name is Manuenne, and I’ll introduce a few little things to you. Firstly, I’d like to say that there was a time when I first came here to take part in my entrance ceremony, just like you. I remember it like yesterday…
I won’t bore you with the details, but instead I’ll get straight to a few important things, such as the basic rules of this Academy and how it’s structured”.
Lynn had the feeling that she was a friendly person.
With a bright smile and a voice that carried clearly around the hall, Manuenne Sensei began explaining the rules and structure of the Wizard Academy.
“I’m sure you’re already aware that entrance to each floor of the Tower is restricted depending on your level or ranking as a wizard. You will all be permitted, or restricted, to access different floors of the tower by the elevators, the colour of your robe, and of course the magical ID on the back of your hand.
If you were to break the rules of movement inside the Tower, that is to say if you were to trespass and enter a floor that you aren’t permitted to be on- well I don’t think anyone of you would do such a thing to begin with, but if you did- the Academy wouldn’t be able to guarantee your physical safety… Or your life, in fact. Also you’d be punished by the Wizard Association. So please heed this warning, don’t trespass on floors that you don’t have access to”.
Smiling, Manuenne Sensei went on.
“As of now, you are all students of the Wizard Academy, and so will be granted access to the Wizard Academy city of Allfrid, which spans from the fiftieth floor to the ninety ninth. Of course you will still be able to freely move throughout floors one to fifty, just as you have until today, without a problem.
However, as new students of the Academy, you will only be able to take beginner classes for now. In order to take intermediate or advanced classes, you’re required to have enough credits from the beginner classes. If you were to attend an intermediate class now without special permission, you’d be charged an entrance fee, so please bear that mind”.
So in other words, it’s possible to take intermediate classes straight away if you have special permission.
Lynn thought about this with unusual clarity.
“Finally, if you lose your papers that prove you are students of the Academy, you’ll be banned from entering Allfrid again. In such a case, after being escorted to Renryll, you wouldn’t be able to go above the forty ninth flour ever again, so please keep your papers safe”.
“Ok, so next we’ll hear a few words from the top student of the advanced classes, Teedro Sanches”.
Just then appeared a boy with red hair and a confident, fearless expression. Taking one look at his face, Lynn knew he was a person with power and influence. He had the kind of air about him that told you he was a cut above the rest. He had a calm, dignified and composed demeanor. Lynn got the impression that he might even be an even more skilled wizard than the head of the Academy.
“Hello, new students. Congratulations on your entrance to the Academy. It’s a pleasure to welcome you all to walk this path with me, the path of the wizard. I’m always pleased to see our ranks increase. Your reasons for entering the Academy will of course differ individual by individual. There will be those who have their sights set on ascending to the highest floor of the Tower as they possibly can. Others will want to be appointed to their birthplace or some other region to be of use there, and perhaps there are some who still haven’t decided on a path of progression. To be honest, there will be some of you who don’t quite know why you’re trying to become wizards in the first place, and perhaps lack much motivation. However…”.
For a few long moments Teedro let his words trail off, and he looked around the assembly hall. The students, exposed to his penetrating gaze, felt a sudden rush of nervousness run through them. Without knowing it, Lynn unconsciously straightened his back so that he was sitting up straight.
“I don’t have any advice for anyone who’s motivation is half-baked, but the students with ambition should begin their studies in earnest straight away, in order to become a high ranking wizard. Competition is fierce in our world”.
The hall was silent, save for Teedro’s voice. You could hear a pin drop. Teedro, seeing he had the attention of everyone present, smiled and continued.
“I suppose it’s really no use in me worrying about the students who won’t accept that being a high ranking wizard requires constant study and hard work, which will never stop. You are all at the beginning of your first year. But to think you can afford to coast along just because you’re in your first year would be a mistake.
“Among the beginner classes that you’ll be able to take, some will be conducted alongside intermediate and advanced classes. I especially implore you all to take interest in and strive to become part of the hunting team that explores the Hedin Forest, where all manner of magical beasts dwell.
“Primarily only apprentices of the advanced classes may join the ranks of the hunting team, but students with a high score at the end of the term will be granted special permission to enlist. This is about the only opportunity you first year students will get to come into contact with magical beasts and spirits.
“The guild I belong to, ‘Magulheim’, is always recruiting new students who have ambition. This year too, we intend to scout those we deem have potential to join our guild.
“If anyone thinks they have what it takes, then by all means, prove it to us. There would also be other opportunities to mix with wizards who belong to higher floors than yourselves. I think that participating in this would serve as good inspiration for your own development.
“In any case, if you want a chance to stand out from your peers, then being proactive is criticall. Show me your worth, show me your potential. That is all from me”.
Teedro bows before leaving the stage. A loud applause welled up inside the assembly hall. Without a doubt, Teedro’s speech held the attention of the students better than either the head of the academy or Manuenne Sensei.
I suppose it makes sense that the top student is so amazing.
While feeling a little overwhelmed by all the information, Lynn listened as closely as possible. He felt uncertain and impatient at the same time, especially because of what Teedro had said about some students aiming to become wizards half heartedly- wasn’t Lynn also one of those students?
On the other hand, he now felt a new exciting ambition burn inside him.
He didn’t understand all the details of what Teedro said, but he did understand that, somehow or other, by getting a favourable mark in the end of term exam he would be able to pull ahead of his peers by getting a chance to meet high ranking wizards.
The Hedin Forest Hunting Team… If I was able to enlist, perhaps I’d be able to meet Atorea.
The head of the Academy directed the students to move to a different area.
“Well then, next we will brief you on how you will select your classes. This will be done in a separate room, please take a look at the documents you have at hand, and move accordingly”.
Next time… Chapter 13, ‘Someone to Pick You Up’.
