Danuja Takezo, Takezo? The same name as the one from the orientation, Akari Takezo. Are Miss Akari and Danuja related? Well it can't be a coincidence. What's he doing in a class like this? He's a part of that five family thing right? This is a common course.
Well whatever, I'm not one to pry. There was a brief silence between us. A moment later I decided to ask a question.
"Why do you look so tired? You even took a nap."
He looked at me giving an awkward smile.
"I took sword lessons yesterday. I was so into it that I barely noticed it lasted into the night."
Sword lessons huh? Actually looking at his hands, they're quite callused. He must practice often. And if he does it often he is definitely good at it.
"So, you're a swordsman?"
"Yes, I was just training yesterday for most of the day. I try to train often to improve my techniques. I'd like to call it a hobby but I'm quite passionate about it. What about you, do your train with swords as well?"
"No, not swords. I practice the art of the spear."
Saying that I did an exaggerated motion with my hands as if I were spinning a real life spear.
"Wow, that's amazing, I don't think I ever really met too many spearmen."
He paused for a moment and smiled
"We should spar when we get the chance. I've never spared a spear wielder before. It'd be fun."
Sparing with him. That doesn't sound bad. I'm not accustomed to fighting swordsmen. Back when I was traveling in that group they had a swordsman with them. they would sometimes spar time with me.
I never won but it was a good experience. Just as this would be, and it should be a lot easier since he's around my age well, at the very least he shouldn't be around his level. I found myself smiling as well as I responded.
"That does sound fun, we could do it today. I heard that there is an arena around this area."
"You're right it is on the north side of the campus. I'll be there later so if you have time, meet me at the arena."
I nodded in agreement. Soon my first course came to an end and I went over to my next one. According to my schedule I have courses categorized with my common course being first with Instructor Kaiser.
Followed by a magic course and a historical course. Then there's the practical course. And lastly is the theoretical course.
Then there are also little clubs for gatherings for things like fencing, tea ceremony, chess, horse riding and hunting. This academy has a surprising amount of diversity with their clubs.
But it's all sponsored by rich families mainly for political factions and nobles to join and form cliques. Prism's main focus seems to be solely on magic.
After a bit of walking I found my magic course room, entered, took a seat and waited for class to begin. Not long after a woman entered. She walked to her and sat atop it. She looked youthful sporting a black robe over a simple yet lovely white dress. Her lustrous black hair which cascaded to her shoulder her accentuating beauty.
Getting comfortable she shifted one leg across the other crossing them. She sat rather leisurely and looked around before speaking.
"Good morning class. Welcome to my magic one course, I am Professor Siar."
…
"... At Prism over the span of many decades through the hard work of countless scholars, we've categorized as many aspects of magic as we could currently come to understand. Today we will be discussing some of the basics of these aspects."
"Throughout the week I will teach you four basic spells of fire, water, wind, earth magic, we'll start with fire. What I like to call the spark of life."
"The most prominent discoveries of man. The creation and construction of the spell fire replicates this."
As she spoke Professor Siar extended a hand where a small ball of flame ignited.
"Today we will be conducting a simple test. To start I would like everyone to extend their hand and attempt to construct a fire ball as I just have. We'll be breaking it into three steps"
Being prompted by her I along with the other student extended our hands. Professor Siar continued to speak.
"Now I want everyone to close their eyes. And try too, sense something within yourself. Think of it as energy or another form of blood that flows through your veins."
"I'm sure that you all know what I'm referring to. That is the essence, a somewhat foreign but also natural and innate presence in yourselves. It's what allows one to perform magic.
"Okay next try to move your essence. Just imagine it flowing into of your hands, then palms and finally your fingers"
"Now we will begin to chant so repeat after me just repeat after me"
While listening I follow the professors instructions. I did indeed sense a foreign force within me.
In the past I would at times feel a weird thing swirling inside me. Though I didn't like it, reason being it would freak me out. Not thanks to my sister who would tease me and say that there was a snake slithering around inside me.
Following Professor Siars instructions I tried to direct my essence into my hand and fingers. I could feel it get noticeably warmer. Then the professor began to chant.
"I invoke ███████, Construct, the primordial flame, the flame that graces the world, a light that burns away darkness."
Finishing her last sentence a perceptible shift accrued in the air. A force not visible to the naked eye was swirling. In the Professor's hand smoke started to form, followed by a spark, then a small flame ignited illuminating Professor Siar's hand.
Hearing her incantation, I quite literally felt a buzz in my head as she spoke and I partially repeated what she said both verbally and mentally.
"I invoke ███████, Construct, the primordial flame, the flame that graces the world, a light that burns away darkness."
I, along with the other students in class repeated Professor Siar's incantation. Then that same feeling of a shift in the air happened. Not long after one after another small balls of flames were conjured by the students.
Not all students like me had a successful first attempt so some time was spent guiding every to successfully conjure a flame. Soon almost everyone had managed to conjure a ball of fire, the room's temperature notably grew, and smoke started to gather.
However, to my disappointment, I wasn't among that group of people. With a clap Professor Siar spoke, drawing everyone from their excitement and awe.
"Alright congrats, you've just successfully constructed a ball of fire. In order to put this flame out simply stop sustaining essence into it."
Following her instructions students focused on attempting to stop essence from pooling into their hands. Once everyone's magic was dispersed professor Siar continued to speak.
"Now I'm sure some of you are disappointed that you hadn't successfully conjured your spell. Fret not, this is normal and a common occurrence."
Looking around I noticed some disappointed and dejected looks in students, it seems I wasn't the only one incapable of conjuring a flame. Thinking that gave me some comfort that I wasn't the only failure in class.
But still, this is magic. Thinking back I felt a mix of excitement, anticipation and worry. Excitement at the prospect of using magic, anticipation of succeeding and worry of failing.
Unfortunately I did fail but this is the closest I've come into contact with magic and performing it. Professor Siar also said not to worry about failing. Does that mean that there are other methods I could use to perform magic? Curious, I looked towards Professor Siar.
"There are certain instruments that one can use to perform magic if they can't naturally conjure it on their own. Instruments such as wands and staffs are intended not only for looks, or to amply attack. They can also allow aspiring mages to use spells."
"In addition there have been cases in the past of people recorded to not have the ability to perform magic on their own, to suddenly and miraculously being able to do so later on in life. So this isn't a career ending issue."
"Tomorrow we will conduct a test for those who failed to make sure that you can't use magic on your own then we'll move on from there. For now you can still follow along the lessons and take notes as practical and theoretical theories don't require you to use magic at all. Just a desire to learn will due."
Professor Siar looked at the wall and continued speaking.
"We have some time left so let's continue our lesson"
…
"Wow, that was a lot to absorb. Or maybe not since I couldn't actually implement what I learned."
Walking I thought back to Professor Siar's course. Just the first day was packed with information. We learned how to construct three other spells consisting of earth, wind and water. We also learned a few basic ways to invoke magic.
There are various ways to invoke the same spell to get different results. After invoking the spell the other incantations are used to describe the spell. In the fire spell that Professor Siar demonstrated, she explicitly tied it with fire by starting off with.
"The primordial flame.", then she followed up with "The flame that graces the world." and ended the incantation with "A light that burns away darkness." After the incantation was cast, a fire ball not too hot and quite bright was conjured.
Professor Siar's lesson explained that through different incantation methods a spell can have various effects. Simply replacing "A" with "The" can have varying good or bad effect on a spell depending on what one wants."
While walking I digested everything I learned. My next course was history but I was considering skipping it. I was too hung up on Professor Siar's lesson and I was starting to feel hunger sink in which distracted me from my thoughts.
There are a lot of things I would like to look into on my own time so I'll have to find a library or or books story and study.
Making a decision, I fished through my pockets for my unfolded up schedule. Flipping it I glanced at the map of the school and navigated towards Prism's canteen.
Walking to my destination, I familiarized myself with more of the maze-like halls. Soon I walked up to two large doors about the size of the one at the assembly hall.
I walked into the cafeteria where many students were eating and chatting. My inn back home had a small canteen as well, but this was more luxurious and sophisticated.
Taking in the aroma of the decadent meals, I walked further in to check out what was available. There was a line and I took my place in it. Not having to wait long I stood in front of someone serving food. Trays stood on a counter with a small heat source. Some trays were partially empty while others still had a decent portion of food in them.
There was a selection of salad, with various toppings like tomatoes, mushrooms, and olives. Cheeses which I couldn't differentiate, and various dressings.
There was a tray with fish, another filled with quill, one with a mix of vegetables, some with fruits, others with potatoes or rice with unknown sauces, and small sandwiches.
There was a wide variety of choices with a large amount of interchangeability. They all looked delicious and I could feel my mouth salivating, saliva gathering like a waterfall. Under the trays there were mini signs displaying their name and price.
The alluring smell of the food, some of which I hadn't ever seen, convinced me to get a plate of food and feast. After making my selection the total came up to one bronze Tyro and one Pyni but thankfully I got a free glass of water.
I took an available seat and looked at my food. I chose fish, along with soup, with a small bowl of salad and fruit. I started off with the salad, dressed it with a dressing called salted vinegar, and lemon.
Taking a bite I felt my jaw clenched shut. There was this tangy and sour taste in my mouth. It was a very, electrifying taste. The residuals still tingled when I took a bite of the fish. Along with the fish I would sip some soup.
Wishing I had gotten bread to go with it I took a bite of the salad again. Then I tried the fruit bowl. A mix of berries was in it and it tasted quite sweet with a bit of tartness.
I continued eating, taking a bit of one thing and eating it with another until I was finished with my meal. I was drinking my glass of water until I heard a loud commotion. I looked at the source of it as well as heard some people talking.
There was a woman who seemed like an attendant walking a step behind another woman, her doll-like face framed by long blond hair and eyes of yellowed hazel. She wore elegance without extravagance—a crimson ribbon at her throat, a white blouse with puffed sleeves, and a black high-waisted skirt subtly embroidered with roses beneath a burgundy waistcoat.
White vine-patterned stockings and polished shoes with silver buckles completed her look, a red beret resting on her neat hair. She was quite a beautiful woman, stunning, making me question just how far one's beauty can reach with natural looks and good taste in clothing.
She walked into the hall skipping the line entirely. Her attendant grabbed a tray to pick out an assortment of foods.
I heard the gossip of the students around me as I peaked. Still downing my water.
"No way, is that her?"
I could practically feel her excitement and zeal from where I was sitting. A woman was talking to her group of friends with utmost yet still restrained excitement. Another spoke after her, confirming her statement.
"Yes, she's real. That's Miss Bella from the house of Zephyr. She's the younger sister of Sir Kenny Zephyr. From what I heard this will be her first year attending Prism."
"So we'll be attending our first year with her. I never thought I would have the honor of seeing her with my own two eyes."
Another Zephyr. She's related to Kenny from the orientation the other day. I didn't see her on stage so she must not be on the committee. Or a lower ranked member. Soon her attendant finished dressing some dishes and placed them on a tray.
They then followed Bella out the cafeteria to an unknown destination. There were other students near me talking about similar things as that group of girls but I paid them no mind. I finished my glass of water and placed it on my tray.
I put the tray in a designated waste bin and left the cafeteria. I wanted to check out a library but remembering that Danuja might be at the arena I decided to go there instead. I left Prism Academy's main building and walked towards the arena as designated by my map.
It didn't take long for me to find the arena. It was large and spacious. As well as being nothing like the coliseums I've read about. There was a sizable number of students here, some using magic. A surprising amount of them were getting physical with things like swords, fist and such.
There were too many people for me to immediately find Danuja so I had to look around for a bit.
As I walked I felt a strong gust of wind brushing against me. It was windy earlier in the day but now it was really picking up.
Soon I found Danuja, he was by himself performing practice swings up and down. Getting closer I noticed he was riddled with sweat.
His attire had changed, now sporting a white button up partially unbuttoned, the collar had a ruffle design reaching down his chest. With the sleeves rolled up. His black shorts and shoes contrasted well with the white shirt.
He noticed my presence while I walked to him and smiled.
"You're here glad you could make it."
I nodded at him and looked around.
"Do you know where I can find a weapon?"
He answered me without delay as if he was waiting for the question.
"Down there, that's where I got this sword. There should be some spears down there as well."
I thanked him and walked towards the weapons. In the area there was a stand with various weapons. Swords, bows and arrows with false tips, short swords, maces, spears and some staff.
I took a spear to test it out a bit. It was a little light for my liking but it wasn't unusable. I twirled it to my side then spun it on my right shoulder walking back to where Danuja was. He continued swinging his sword until I walked back.
Curious, I took a look at Danuja's weapon. It was a single edge sword that had a noticeable curve to it. The hilt was circular resting just above Danuja's hands, guarding them against attacks.
We both took combative positions, reading ourselves for our spar. Nothing serious just a friendly match. After getting into position Danuja spoke.
"Alright, are you ready?"
Thinking about it I shook my head no. Deciding that before sparing stretching to be at my best condition would do me good.
I placed the wooden spear down and did some basic stretches. Flexing and straining my neck, arms, legs, knees, and even my ankles.
I tried to stretch as much of my body as humanly possible. I cracked my knuckles and grabbed the spear once more, rising to my full height, then I announced.
"Let's begin."