“By the way we would be having our class evaluation this Friday,” I said avoiding the precedent topic. Johann tilted his head slightly to the left and looked at me curiously. He then placed his hands in his pants pocket and leaned in the wall.
“I heard you met with Lalia?” he asked. I suddenly felt tension in my body.“Yes, how do you know her by the way?” “She’s an acquaintance. You should learn from her. She’s quite well-versed in wind mahò. She can probably help you refine your spells.” He explained, although I agree with what Johann said after experiencing Lalia the wind mage’s might I still felt uneasy by the thought of her. Maybe it was because of the bad first impression.“Are you the one who told her about me?” I asked wondering how Lalia knew me because it was my first time seeing her.“No, she saw you, if I was in control I would not let you meet her.” A lump formed in my throat. I awkwardly laughed and asked him why would he do that but he brushed my question off and told me he would be away for a while.“Where—“ I cut myself off and told him to take care instead“ I would be going to the Crooked Forest,” he said looking straight into my eyes. I was quite taken aback by the words he suddenly blurted out.“It’s okay to ask me this things Moria, don’t hold back.” He said gently which made me smile. He ruffled my hair and motioned me to move forward.“Let me escort you to your room so you could rest. I’ll ask Lalia to come train you so you could perform well in the evaluation.” As we walked back to the dorm my unsettling feelings were already gone. My attention was now focused in the evaluation. This would be the second tie I have to prove myself after the entrance exam.“This far should be enough,” I told Johann when we arrived in front of the building.“Take care in you mission,” I added while tiptoeing and kissed his cheeks. He nodded and slowly walked away. I watched his back move farther away when he stopped and looked back.“I’ll give you something when I get back, so do well in your evaluation class.” I nodded again and Johann slowly turned, now walking away.Entering the dorm I was greeted by my roommate’s teasing faces. And I could only shrug my shoulders.**********
I felt eyes looking at me and I felt shivers in my body. I opened my eyes and saw the white ceiling of our dorm. The feeling of being stared at was still there, I surveyed the room in attempt to find the suspect but could not find anyone, perhaps I was mistaken? Suddenly the windows opened letting a strong gush of wind entered the room. I hugged myself and stood up to close the window but when I was about to shut it I was pulled by a greater force and I found myself falling down fast. “You’re late Listarte!” shouted Lalia as she was twirling her wand. I heaved a deep breath and closed my eyes while biting the insides of my cheeks. I’m glad I quickly realized the situation and successfully floated. Her ways of meeting up are always so unique. I’m speechless.The sun has not yet peeked in the horizon and the luminescent moon was reflected in the lake. After falling from the dorm building I was led towards here by the wind and found a grinning Lalia sitting in the gazebo. The blue moonlight flowers around the gazebo glittered elegantly like expensive jewels. A few translucent butterflies were also hovering around. The night was magical except for the malicious smile in Lalia’s face.“You should be happy for seeing your master Listarte,” she said insinuating I greet her and I nonchalantly abided. “Now now, the lessons will officially begin,” she announced.During this time I still see her as a noisy weird mage, but never did I thought that after three days my impression of her would completely change. As the deadly training begins I realized I was not as strong as I thought compared to mage like her. She was an S class, a level I could not fathom. when the day of the evaluation arrived, I became the Exuberant Mage’s apprentice in body and mind.**********Year 1028 A.G Day of the Class EvaluationThe training hall was packed with mahò users. The senior were also looking forward to this day as all the freshmen are trembling with nervousness. Although there are some who are quite confident, quite conceited, and quite careless, almost the rest were tensed and I was one of them. I was confident that I’d do well after the trainings with Lalia, but the feeling won’t go away.
“How were your trainings?” asked Nellie beside me. These past few days, we did not have the time to talk leisurely. Upon returning to the dorm I was already beat up and would go straight to bed. Early in the morning I would already be outside with Lalia.“I think it went well.” I said“Whew! How strong did you even become? You were already powerful before now you should be ridiculously strong!” Nellie said excitedly.“Don’t flatter me too much, I just refined my spells and done mock battles with Lalia, how about you? How did your training go? I heard you were with your brother?” I asked“Don’t even mention it, that freak is always so proud, always telling me how he is older when it was only a matter of seconds,” I chuckled because of her annoyance. This twin always banter but it was obvious that they always think of each other.“By the way, Euna, Kimi, and Joanna are already in the prep room right?” I asked Nellie.“Yes, they will go first so we will get to see them. I heard the top three would be last so that would be you, me and Luther.” Antonella replied.We surveyed the hall for any sign of Luther and successfully found him in a corner clad once again in a full black outfit. Antonella grabbed my hand and gestured me to go towards Luther.“Hey Luther, how are you?” Luther just stared at Nellie and nodded then fixed his gaze in the dais again. Nellie pouted and crossed her arms but didn’t bother Luther again.“Are the first years ready?” A good looking man with jet black hair stood in the dais. The hall erupted into shouts of cheers.
“That’s our professor. Joseph Jiseo Debra,” I nodded at Nellie’s explanation. I wonder why all our professors so far are all good looking even Lalia is so elegant. Well, being surrounded by beautiful pieces of art has its perks too.“Then let us begin the class evaluation of the first year mahò users, let us call on aboard Kimi Karina Hallivil,” Kimi emerged from the prep room and the professor stepped out from the dais. When Kimi settled in the middle a huge barrier formed around the audience benches. The scale of magic then appeared in front of her. The huge transparent crystal ball would show numbers after a colored smoke that represents the strength of ones mana or aura fills the crystal ball.Kimi moved farther away from the crystal ball, I guess she is a mana user. She closed her eyes and conjured her staff. The staff has an emerald gem circled with corral like holder, she began to hum and a green and white smoke manifested inside the crystal ball. The melody she emitted was soothing and calming that everyone in the hall fell silent watching her. A siren, so her origin was siren. Her mana was manifested through her song it was a beautiful attribute. A few seconds passed when numbers appeared in the crystal ball, two and four.“Let us clap our hands for Lady Hallivil. Attribute: Soothing Melody from the Sub Element category, Class D Level 4” Professor Joseph announced. Together with him stepping in the dais the barrier around the crowd disappeared and applauses can be heard all over. The Professor approached Kimi and patted her shoulders saying his congratulations. “As Lady Hallivil prepares for the second test let us call on our next mahò user,” Three mahò users was evaluated before it was Euna’s turn. Euna entered confidently on stage, I guess she came prepared, immediately as the banner was erected she summoned her staff that resembles a tree branch styled artistically with little red gems on the handle. Euna raised her staff and chirping began to noise in the hall. As she used her mana birds started to flock the hall hovering around the barriers, the crystal ball was filled with brown smoke and number started to appear, two and seven, a Class D level 7 mahò user with the attribute animal calling belonging in the Natural category.It was Joanna’s turn when we started to head to the prep room. I was eventually beginning to get nervous, I chose to do the third test for my beginning performance. That would be showing my strongest spell, as per Lalia’s influence this would be the best test to show my prowess. In order for people to look forward to my performances I need to bait them with my strongest and most stunning spell, sometimes the people’s influence really helps, so if the crowd loves you it would be better according to Lalia. Although I am not sure if she is serious or just blabbering, nevertheless there’s no harm in trying.Joanna’s test ended. She was an aberrant and a rare one at that. When her exams finished she was approached by one of the teachers.“That was a seer from the tower, and our one of our professors. I think Joanna has been scouted. She’s amazing after one test she already showed her worth, we ought to do our best too then,” Nellie said in a little voice. Joanna’s attribute was foresight belonging to the aberrant category. She was Class D level 5. It was indeed amazing, when her test was in progress the crystal ball turned pitch black and thunder started to form inside. Joanna who was pouring mana into the ball was stunned for a moment, her eyes glowed light brown and after a second the crystal ball turned transparent again, that when the numbers appeared but it was weird how the teacher hurriedly went to Joanna, well maybe she was really good. Afterwards, the rest of the first years performed the tests some even did the second test and the third test as their beginning performance. The spectacular color changing of the scale of magic was fascinating to watch but it did not ease my nervousness. Tomorrow will be the day that Johann comes back, if I do well here he would be happy. Also after the evaluation the lectures will follow the normal time already because it would not be self- practice anymore but it would be the beginning of the real competition to the top with the guidance of the professors hence I convinced myself that I would be fine after all there are myriad things at sake. I remembered all the things the monks and Lalia thought me, the spell I will perform today is my original spell, or is it? I often see this in my dreams, an abstract configuration which I surprisingly understand. I have researched this for a long time but I haven’t found book about it, when Lalia was teaching me I eventually found the answer. I pray for the success of this spell. May the blessing of Gaearandys be with me.I stepped into the dais and the barriers protected the audiences, I closed my eyes and pictured my core slowly meditating and spreading my mana all through -out my body, sending my mana energy into my wand, I flicked my hand and performed my quirk. A magic circle appeared hovered in the air and glowed, a soft breeze passed by every person in the hall, I started to whisper my chant, and performed a wind spell that will leave everyone in awe.A gale of wind surrounded my body as I performed my quirk. A quick movement of my wand from left to right and twirling it after a strong flick, the drawing in the air was a round emblem filled tangled and elaborate symbols. I felt the tingling sensation the wind leaves as it tickles my body. Remembering the days I was scolded for not being able to feel the wind perfectly, I called and whispered to the invisible lad my desire and my will. “Gentle oh you are wind of the celestialHear my plea and grant us theeShow thy might and thy beautyOh wash away all the sorrow thy see”Above my head formed a whirling wind it was moving fast that it could cut all objects it shall pass, the gale of wind around me lifted me up and the whirl filled the room. It was a relief that the audience are safe from it because of the barrier I would not need to worry about anyone facing danger from the spell. From the front desk of the dais I saw a few people jotting down notes, dome
After the performances of the top three examinees the other mahò users who have already done their first test immediately performed the remaining tests. When the class evaluation ended the first years went to the dining hall to relax and fill our empty stomachs. All the nervousness was gone now and chatters of excitement was filling the dining hall. The girls, Luther, and I found ourselves seated in our usual spot in the hall.“But why is this man here?” asked Nellie a little agitated while referring to Mayo who was also seated with us in the first year table.“Well, I wanted to eat that’s why I’m here.” Mayo replied, his tone saying ‘obviously’“Well, senior for your information this is a freshman table,” Nellie rebutted.“Well, there isn’t a rule saying I cannot sit here right?” Mayo said while looking at me. Antonella also gave me the
“Here is enough, you should go back and get some more rest, don’t act rashly, alright?” I reminded Johann as he delivered me to my doorsteps. He kissed my cheeks, smiled and walked towards the Aces office. The dorm is totally the opposite way, I sighed. He will really over work himself at this rate.I remember what Johann told me earlier, that he wants to give me something so I should make some time for him tomorrow. I wonder what it is. as I pushed the door open I was surprised when the girls were leaning on it resulting to their fall when I entered.“Sorry for that, but what are you lot doing there?” I apologized immediately and wondered why they were there.Everyone then started to spread around pretending to do their own things, Antonella even attempted to clean the ceiling. Ah, I think I know now, they were once again prying; I laughed at my conclusion and entered our room. I sat on my bed and thought of what has transpired today. A goofy grin escaped my lips
“But you know you can’t let others know that it’s a dragon right?” Johann asked.“And whose fault is it if someone ever finds out?” I fired at him. He shrugged and gazed at me.“Of course it would be yours right? After all it’s yours now,” he said grinning.“Just who on their right mind would give a dragon as a gift, so how would I present Quinn to others?” I asked. Johann face turned sour at the mention of the dragon’s name. But he answered anyway.“It would be better to disguise him as baby wyvern that should explain his wings and horns. It’s a relief the other two wings hasn’t sprouted yet.” He explained.“And what should we do when he sprouts the other two wings?”“That should be a problem for the future,” he said and looking at me consciously but still has an impending smile in his face. I clicked my
The surroundings were eerily quiet. As I observe up in the air I saw the devastating aftermath of the battle. I am sure that if ever word comes out to the mahò users the school would be in total panic. And if word comes out to the town it might even bring problems to the whole Island. Just who was that woman? Was she connected to the reason why Monk Amon is currently teaching in the Academe?From the far left side of the forest Mayo suddenly emerged. He ran towards his teammates and checked their bodies for injuries. In a minute he was already transforming into his child form. I decided to go back to the main hall and reserve my questions for later. I mounted my broom and headed towards the others. But as I was above ground I saw something moving in the trees below. Quickly I lowered my altitude and traced the onlooker; he was running to the same direction I was headed to. Strange enough his back was oddly familiar.‘Ma!’
“I ask who you are,” the voice was calm but the danger was evident. Slowly I faced the man and found myself looking yet again at one of the Aces. Seriously, what is with these Aces that I always get involved with them?The eerie silence between the two of us prolonged for us long as I could think of, it was like he was thinking how he should kill me. His dark eyes were not even looking at me but I was feeling the sinister being emitted from his body. He was just standing there, after seeing my face he fell into deep thought. Just then he raised his head and casted me a look.“You may go,” he abruptly said which left me wide-eyed.Without hesitation I trotted to room 92 heaving loudly as I successfully escaped that predicament. I could not find it in my head, the reason he let me go so easily. Maybe he realized I was just a simple student about to register her pet.Distracted because
Shards of glass went flying in the air. Monk Aiwa was crouched in the ground trembling from the almost death experience, Monk Liya on the other hand was standing with her hand dripping of blood. It was the result of the impact she received from making the glass barrier to protect themselves from the fireball that was plunging towards them. The usual light atmosphere from Monk Liya was gone, she was surrounded by a dark atmosphere, and it was a scene one could behold. The most compassionate and calm monk was angry for the second time of her life.“Oh? I did not expect you to survive that, Amon’s monks are more durable than I thought,” the man in the black cape tauntingly said. He was still floating above ground looking down on the monks.Monk Liya gritted her teeth while clenching her hand so hard that it almost made her palm bleed. The man was emitting mana that is overwhelmingly powerful; she knew that if she fought her defeat wou
“Something is going on in the Lake of Masks, the Empousai’s are acting weird,” reported Huly to the Aces weekly meeting.“But aren’t they always weird?” voiced Gale in an idiotic way. Huly ignored him and continued to report the sightings mainly addressing to the captain.“The incidents of their attacks are increasing and deaths have been reported. This is beginning to alarm those in the nearby villages for they cannot pass by the Lake of Masks now without being caught up with the Empousais.” Narrated Huly, he concluded his report and closed the documents in his hands and finally felt relief when he went back to his seat.Everyone waited for the captain to speak, the silence beginning to feel more awkward. Nobody dared to break this silence, not even the comical Gale for everyone knows that the moment you break the captain’s concentration you will feel the wrath you’ll never want