Chapter 47: Chapter 44: At sea III
[Sea]
("This could be it, my backup plan.") Mikoto grinned beneath his mask. ("I might be considered a novice to more experienced sorcerers, but with this blessing, only Lucinda could compare. I just need to see this Arcane Ascendance once, and like Agatha’s magic, I’ll make it my own.") Their short bout within the forest gave him all the information he needed. Seeing Agatha use Creation Magic just made it easier.
His eyes were special; he could discern and deconstruct magic with a glance and look into it with such extensive detail. It was how teleportation magic ca easily, and it was easy to see how Creation Magic functioned.
("It’s a simple process of envisioning what you want to recreate and having a blueprint in mind.") With that said, it was a hassle to use. ("But it holds more potential than any other type of magic. With enough mana and a clear picture, you could just create a Godly being. Agatha has so serious potential.") But back to the Ascendance.
("Reaching false Godhood would push my magic to greater heights no doubt. And then maybe I could do it. If all else fails, I need a backup plan to get back ho.")
"But we are getting off track." Mikoto’s train of thought was halted as Professor Eugene spoke up again. "The reason I ntioned Verdantis military might is because of how thinly spread the army is. Most are tasked with keeping the Astrothians at bay at various sections of the nation. Though Verdantis does not suffer from Astrothians alone."
"Cultists, correct?" Victoria spoke, drawing confused looks. "The Drah’lurahr Cult more specifically."
"The what now?" Mirabella could not help but blurt out upon hearing the tongue-twisting na. Much the sa were Mikoto and Agatha’s reactions.
"They’re heretics who worship dragons as their Gods," Professor Eugene explained.
"Dragons are long extinct," Agatha said, sowhat confused. "They worship a species that no longer walks amongst us?"
"It is said when Gods still walked amongst us, so dragons were their equal," Lucinda spoke up, providing so insight. "Though these are only historical records, but mayhap these cultists took them too literally. Of course there were the Greater Dragons."
"Whatever the case, their numbers have been growing as of late," Professor Eugene continued. "And Verdantis is spread thin, as I have stated. Seeing as Galadriel and Verdantis have the most stable relationship, the court mage Guinevere had sent word that Galadriel would lend support."
"That support being us. So this is the curriculum? Taking care of these cultists?" Mikoto questioned as Professor Eugene nodded. "I’m guessing these cultists are actual trouble."
"They are not to be taken lightly. I assu you are all familiar with the fourth tier of spell casting?" Professor Eugene asked as Mikoto nodded.
"Sure, Tier 4: Forbidden Spells: The tier spells are considered too dangerous to be used by any spellcaster and are often deed illegal or outlawed. Examples include spells that manipulate minor aspects of life and death, mind-control spells, and spells that summon or control dark creatures such as demons." Mikoto gave a textbook response as Professor Eugene nodded, impressed.
"aning the cultists will make use of spells like necromancy; this is no doubt how they boost their numbers," Fiona murmured.
"It is likely," Professor Eugene stated. "But to end off on just what we’ll be doing, well there is no defined why to be doing this. We must eliminate all cultists we co across, as well as the very source."
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[Luminare Academy]
William never felt this tired ever in his life. His bones were sore, his legs hurt, and his lungs burned. And he was rapidly inhaling and exhaling like so extrely tired animal. Luckily he was not alone. Or maybe that was not really ’lucky’ so to speak.
Running beside him in the forest was Ruby. Dressed in a similar outfit to him, their ’training’ outfit. It consisted of a simple white shirt along with baggy black pants and boots of the sa color. She did not seem as exhausted as him, surprising given how unathletic she seed.
"Do you know why we were even chosen?" The aqua-haired girl questioned leisurely.
"I’ve no clue." He answered back; he would have let out a sigh were he not so exhausted.
Ruby seed much of the sa mind. But it seed so God had rcy on his poor soul as their goal ca into view. Their professor Fergus stood, a an look still present on his aged but refined face. Though he was not alone, next to him was a fuzzy grey-haired girl with horns. Juliana was her na if he rembered correctly; she was dressed in a white shirt with black shorts. She was breathing softly yet rapidly as well.
Both Ruby and William ca to a skidding stop in front of the professor, William kneeling over and inhaling air like his lives depended on it. Well, it did.
"Bah! You brats are too slow!" Professor Fergus spat. "Even this scrawny one was here before you." He said, jabbing a finger Juliana’s way. The girl just gave a sheepish smile.
"Why must we even do physical exercise?" Ruby could not help but question. ("Things are so bleak without Mikoto.")
"Hah! Why the lass asks." Professor Fergus gave a laugh. "Oi! Scrawny brat, explain why you think we’re doing this training." He said, directing a gaze at Juliana, who imdiately just stuttered.
"W-well, I...I think...." She seed to struggle to co up with an answer, so William stepped in.
"Because our mana is not infinite." The boy stated. "If we burn through our mana reserves, it would be wise if we have sothing to fall back on. Like our physical attributes." He answered.
"Correct, brat." Professor Fergus stated, sowhat impressed. "But you’re one short." Professor narrowed an eye. "Where the hell is the other brat?" He asked as William gave a sheepish chuckle.
"Uhm...he said he wanted to enjoy so scenery." He answered, and Professor Fergus’s eye twitched. He seed easily annoyed by their fourth training companion for whatever reason.
"I’ll be back, brats." Professor Fergus gave a huff as he started moving. "Training will resu once I am back; don’t be loitering, you brats."
The three students rely watched as their professor walked off in search of the other student.
("I still don’t get it.") William could not help but think to himself. ("Adrian, , Ruby, and Juliana. Why is it that we were specifically chosen for this private training regi?")
"This is quite a bit tireso." Ruby murmured, and he could not help but agree. The aforentioned girl not having much to do let her eyes wander; the various trees were just boring to stare at, so naturally her eyes were fixated on the most interesting-looking thing. "Are you a demi-human?" She suddenly asked, the question obviously being directed towards Juliana, who just flushed at the unexpected question. William could not help but sigh.
("You are a good friend, Ruby. But you must learn tact.") He could not help but think.
"W-well, in a way." Juliana gave a curt answer while a thoughtful look adorned Ruby’s face. Ruby probably did not hail from any major city in Galadriel. That would explain why she was so clueless about so things.
Even so, Ruby was a curious girl, so she would continue prying Juliana for more information. And William understood Juliana’s situation very well, and to say the least, it was a very sensitive one.
("With Princess Mirabella gone, Juliana has no one to protect her.") William could not help but frown. He recalled how others would berate the girl, just for her existence. It made him sick to his stomach. He did not know how people could be so cruel for sothing like this. "Juliana."
The girl perked up as she heard her na. Turning to look at William, there was, of course, confusion present on her cute face.
"Say, would you like to join Ruby and
for lunch soon?" He asked, Juliana just looked at him in slight bewildernt.
"Y-you want
to join you?" She questioned, sowhat confused. William just smiled as he nodded his head.
"Yes, I suppose we could use a new friend while Mikoto is away." Ruby humd, liking the idea very much. "It could be fun; mayhap that Adrian will join us too."
"T-then yes, I would like to join you. O-only if it is alright." Juliana answered after so ti.
"Then it is settled." William spoke with a bright and warm smile directed at Juliana. The girl could not help but feel her cheeks warm up. No one besides Mirabella had ever given her such a warm smile.
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