Chapter 6: Elements, Faith, and Steel, Part 2

Crossing the gate from the Common to Noble District was a magical journey I never thought I'd experience in my entire life. It was like entering an entirely different world, even though I have never experienced how that felt.

No simple townhouses could be seen standing here. There were only mansions — mansions that were twice — no — thrice as much taller and bigger than those in the Common District. These were exquisitely built and constructed with the finest pieces of lumber paired with sturdy bricks or magnificent stone. Their colorful gardens with freshly bloomed flowers and professionally cut topiaries also decorated the front of these extravagant homes. Even the environment was better due to all the trees that made the ambiance comfortable and relaxing.

But what truly captured my attention were the three tallest towers that stood impressively in the middle of the District — towers so tall that they almost touched the clouds. Below these three towers laid beautiful structures that looked like small castles enclosed by a tall perimeter of walls that surrounded them. 

Theresa, noticing my wonderstruck face, asked, "Everything fine?"

"Yes, yes!" 

"You'll get used to it," she flashed a wide smile.

I nodded before asking, "Is that Arcanus and how are those towers not seen outside?"

"Yes, that is Arcanus, and you couldn't see it from the outside because it is protected by a powerful artifact. The artifact acts as a barrier that makes those towers invisible to a person standing outside the Noble District. It can do many other things but only the Academy Principal can use it to its full extent."

An artifact that could shield an entire area, make its towers invisible, and many other kinds of stuff, "ISN'T THAT ARTIFACT TOO POWERFUL?!" I said shockingly.

She just answered me with a smile before asking, "By the way, how did you manage to become a mage, Lady Fairchild?" 

I felt like she gave me that answer on purpose, which left me wondering for a while. Nevertheless, I summarized my entire childhood to her while she led me towards Arcanus. While I was talking, I noticed how most of the nobles were riding on carriages and donning such magnificent clothes, hats, and dresses even if there wasn't any event or festival going on. 

Some of them were also whispering and giggling at each other with their eyes leering at us — the same thing I experienced back in the Common District but felt different. I couldn't help wondering so I cut my story in the middle and asked Theresa. 

"Is something wrong? Why are they staring at us like that?" 

"Ignore them. These nobles are pathetic individuals who can't see past a person's race, appearance, and status," she said with fiery eyes. "Only the Human and Elven nobles get along with each other, while they despise us Sirens and Human commoners like you. You best be careful if you pass and become a student."

"I-I see, thanks."

So that was why the commoners that have witnessed the commotion a while ago didn't treat Theresa the same way they treated those guards. It looked like there were two unofficial factions here in Magna City. What I didn't get is why did they have to do that? 

Can't we all just be nice to each other? I thought.

I continued telling my story to her until we reached Arcanus' grand gate. On top of it was a beautiful stone arch with the words 'Arcanus, the Grand Academy of Mages' engraved on it. Seeing this has made me emotional, tears of joy fell from my eyes.

"Are you alright, Lady Fairchild? The Entrance Examinations will be starting at any moment," Theresa said as she turned back to call my attention.

"Oh sorry, my eyes caught dust..." I wiped my tears off before saying, "Coming!"

***

The academy grounds were much bigger than how it appeared outside, and I also found out that the artifact not only hid the three tall towers — it also hid the people inside its area of protection!

I literally almost stumbled when a large group of people popped out of nowhere as I stepped inside the gate, and when I saw them I realized one thing: this place was truly an academy for mages.

The people inside were all wearing elegant clothing that matched their hair color. These colors were brown, white, blue, purple, and gold. I also noticed that they weren't all humans. Sirens were easier to spot because of their visible features, and dwarves were shorter than everyone else. Elves were hard to distinguish, though, as their only defining physical feature was their pointy ears.

I easily understood that the browned hair individuals were earth mages. Most of them were even wearing light armor that covered important parts of the body such as the chest, stomach, or head. 

The wind mages — people with white hair — wore a lighter set of clothes. Some of them even have sleeveless robes or plain cloth armor. They must have chosen this kind of attire to increase their mobility and speed.

The blue-haired individuals, naturally, were water mages like me. However, there were only a few of them that I saw and they hadn't formed groups at all. These people donned large robes and mage hats which fit them perfectly.

If I told anyone from Pago about what I was seeing right now, no one would probably believe me. It was just my wish back when I was a child to meet a mage, and now, I'd also have the chance to befriend a lot of them — provided that I pass the examinations, of course.

Now that I thought about it, my wish did get fulfilled a little earlier than I expected when I met Sir Ignis. He may have a grumpy attitude but he was a strong mage, and the only one of his kind, too. He was the only fire mage in the entire Paradis, and I'm the only one who knew that fact. If he didn't mind the people knowing about his identity, I would've bragged to everyone that I was once friends with him.

Don't get cocky, you're the only one who thinks you're friends, said a little voice inside my head.

Yeah, that might be true but I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I tell everyone about that. However, that would only be possible if we meet again. I tried persuading him to let me join that night but he didn't allow it.

I couldn't really say anything to stop him when he left that night. After all, we only had just met and he also taught me an important lesson that I would never forget in my entire life. I wasn't sure if I was just making a big deal about it, but to teach another mage with a different element to cast her spells; I didn't think anyone could do that until that night.

The way he explained it was really weird, though. He said some words that I haven't heard of such as molecules, hydrogen, and atons — or atoms — I really couldn't remember. Nevertheless, with these unfamiliar words, he explained that icebolt could be created with mana properly if I imagined water on a cold winter night.

He explained that water behaved differently as the temperature changed. If I used mana to create water and then decreased its temperature as low as I could, its atoms would eventually form and bond much faster than they would break, ultimately forming ice. 

The last part was truly the one which I didn't understand at all but I just imagined the temperature getting lower and lower, and like a miracle, the water spear eventually turned to ice! If I had known about that earlier, I wouldn't have wasted my time back at home imagining ice suddenly appearing in front of my palm.

"Are you sure you're okay, Lady Mariana?" It was Theresa. She must've noticed that I was lost in thoughts once again. I just told her I'm fine and didn't show her my heavy sigh. 

She finally led me inside the building below the middle tower. As I approached the entrance, I saw a large banner hanging proudly beside the double doors with the three symbol elements drawn on it. There was also something written below the symbols that said, 'Tower of Elements'.

"Wait, I thought the towers represented the three elements. If not, then what are two other towers for?" I asked Theresa, who was busy greeting a passing group of Sirens. They all shared similar body features which made them look like siblings.

"Good question. These towers represent the three main forces of Magna City's military. The tower on our right is the Tower of Steel. They teach students there to fight and defend using swords, shields, blades, and other crafted weapons. On our left is the Tower of Faith. Two groups of students could be found there: the students who wished to be priests or priestesses pray to Invidia to strengthen their holy magic. The other group masters the ways of taming and training demons to become powerful demonologists," she said, ending her explanation.

I finally understood what Grandma meant when she said that there were two other ways to become a mage and why she didn't want it. Priestesses were said to be prohibited to marry and I'm entirely sure she didn't want me to be summoning demons. Also, those fully armored individuals must be the ones interested in studying close combat fighting, and here I thought they were just patrolling guards.

"I did not mean to offend you, future warriors..." I whispered a silent apology for them.

"Who are you apologizing to?" Theresa asked.

"A-ah, n-nothing!" I said. To think that she heard that, Sirens must have had excellent hearing.

Sigh.

I followed Theresa to the second floor of the building and there she led me to a large room that was filled with seats already occupied by examinees. 

As soon as I entered, their eyes immediately fixed towards me, and their faces portrayed mixed emotions. Some were confused, surprised, while others are filled with contempt. I even heard soft murmurs such as "Why is a commoner here?" or "Please don't sit next to me."

"Ignore them... Ignore them..." I whispered to myself. It wouldn't help me if I lose focus right now.

I quickly squeezed myself towards an empty marble desk and occupied it quietly. Even at that point, the murmurs and stares never stopped and only grew until Theresa slammed the board in front of the room with her palms. The chatters immediately halted and everyone focused their attention on the stunning Siren in front.

"Those who still wish to say something may leave now," she gave everyone (including me) a murderous stare. When everyone seemed to be paying attention she spoke once again.

"I will now proceed to explain the instructions on what you SHOULD be doing..."

Her explanation was simple: all of us would be answering a hundred-item test for an hour and to pass, we need to have at least seventy correct answers. We would be using a quill that could be found in our table to write our answers. If none of us had questions, then we may proceed to answer the test.

Everyone seemed to have understood her explanation so we decided to start answering immediately, however, she added one final detail which confused everyone.

"By the way, cheating in any shape or form is allowed but be sure that you're ready to accept the consequences you might receive once you're caught," she said with a devious smile.

Everyone started looking at each other with puzzled expressions. But before another commotion could start, Theresa said, "If you have no questions then you may start."

Thus, armed with the knowledge I spent accumulating all these years, I proceeded to tackle the challenge ahead.