PROCLAMATION

XYRUS ACADEMY WAS HAILED as the most exalted sanctuary for any of the would-be mages privileged enough to have both the background and talent to enter. There were several other academies scattered throughout the kingdom of Sapin, but the gap between those second-rate schools and Xyrus was insurmountable.

Xyrus Academy was a titan. Those who graduated from this academy were guaranteed a prosperous future and life. It was rumored that the top graduates could even become respected guards, instructors, or military leaders for the king himself.

Of course, some chose the humbler route and focused on research, joining one of the mage guilds. However, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that students of Xyrus Academy were hailed as the true elites, even among nobles.

Now, here I was, standing in front of the academy’s director. Normally, any eight-year-old—hell, anyone—would be ecstatic to be in the presence of someone so influential, but I couldn’t hold back my expression of annoyance at the unexpected guest.

She was a very tall woman, and she held herself in an upright, poised manner that made her seem even taller. She wore a simple yet elegant robe of navy blue, laced with gold threading, and a pointed conjurer’s hat—an accessory that amplified the absorption rate of the surrounding mana and, at times, provided additional benefits.

Strapped to the side of her robe was a crystalline ite wand with a fluorescent gem attached. Even my ignorant eyes could see that this wand was extremely valuable. Her aura lent her a fey quality; her facial features were very soft, reminding me more of a friendly grandmother next door than an all-important figure of power.

The crow’s feet etched on the outer corners of her brown eyes only served to amplify the attractiveness of her smile when she introduced herself.

She stood there, hand extended, waiting for my response.

What was I supposed to do in this situation? Was I supposed to shake her hand, or would someone of her rank expect me to kiss it?

I took the safe route and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you too, Director.” The director seemed taken aback.

“Arthur! You’re being rude. I’m so sorry for my son, Director Goodsky. He has just returned home and hasn’t learned about formal customs.” My mother pushed my head down with her hand, lowered herself to one knee, and bowed as she shook the director’s hand. I mimicked her actions, which appeared to be the customary greeting for someone of high standing.

How stupid

.

“No, it is quite all right.” The director gave a polite laugh, covering her mouth with her free hand. “No offense taken at all. And please, Arthur, call me Cynthia. I’m sorry to intrude on you at such a late hour,” she explained, looking at my parents, “but unfortunately, the only free time I could find was after my meeting tonight. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, no, of course not—we’re thankful that you’d be willing to take the time to visit our son.” My father was the one to speak this time.

Given the formality the adults were displaying, I was beginning to wonder if this granny was someone like Grandpa Virion.

The director—Cynthia—nodded at this. “True. It isn’t often that I make a home visit for a potential student. Even if I had a hundred bodies, I wouldn’t be able to find the time. However,” she continued, “Vincent is a good friend and has contributed greatly to Xyrus Academy. So when he told me about a prodigy living in his home, I became excited as well.

I must say that my curiosity got the best of me. Do you mind leading me to an open space so I can see a demonstration?” Her gaze was fixed on me, assessing me as she spoke.

“Can I at least eat din—ow!” My mother had slapped me in the butt before I could finish my sentence.

“Of course! Please follow us, Director Cynthia.” My mother ushered me to the patio, leading Director Cynthia, and the others followed behind us.

My dinner…

Sylvie, who had been hiding from the unfamiliar human underneath the dinner table, trotted behind me. Director Cynthia raised an eyebrow when she spotted her.

“Oh my… What a lovely mana beast. I assume it is your contracted beast, Arthur?” she asked inquisitively, kneeling down to get a closer view of Sylvie.

“Yeah, she hatched a few months ago. Her name is Sylvie,” I responded simply. My mother’s hand still gripped the back of my shirt to keep me from escaping.

“I must say, it is common for nobles to buy beasts to contract, but I have never seen a mana beast like yours.” Shrugging my shoulders, I said, “I’m not exactly sure what she is either.

Her mother was some sort of scaly wolf-like creature. She was already gravely wounded when I stumbled into her nest. She was protecting her egg.” She stretched out a hand, but Sylvie scampered away and climbed on top of my head before Cynthia could pet her.

“Sorry, she’s a bit shy around strangers.” “I see. Well, enough about her. Let us see if Vincent wasn’t just exaggerating. He didn’t tell me much except that you’re an augmenter, saying the rest would be a surprise.” She gave a wry smile, making Vincent blush.

In the backyard everyone took their seats, leaving us plenty of space. Sylvie struggled to escape the grasp of my little sister, to whom I had entrusted her.

“You’re not going to use your wand?” I asked as I started stretching.

“It wouldn’t be fair of me to use a weapon when you yourself are emptyhanded, would it?” She had a point.

I stomped my right foot into the ground, raising a stone the size of my body. I stood nonchalantly, both hands in my pockets, and kicked the rock in Director Cynthia’s direction.

A wind wall appeared instantly in front of her, knocking the boulder high into the air.

I let out a sharp whistle, impressed by the speed of her casting. The fact that she didn’t have to rely on verbal aid to manifest such a spell showed her level as a mage.

She clearly wasn’t the type of director who just sat in front of her desk, signing papers.

Her brows were raised in surprise at the sudden attack I had thrown at her, but she maintained her composure. Still, I could tell she hadn’t been expecting an elemental attack from me, especially since she knew I was an augmenter.

I willed a gust of wind underneath my feet and propelled myself to her.

Her expression grew even more surprised when I easily jumped ten feet into the air, with the help of my wind attribute skill, as a swirling whirlwind enveloped my right fist. I pushed off the deflected boulder just as it began to fall back to the ground, hoping to gain enough momentum to break through her barrier.

Our spells collided, creating an erratic wind current and forcing our audience to shield their faces.

The collision blew me back, but Director Cynthia remained steady on her feet.

Before I could regain my composure, the director had already made her next move; gusts of wind swirled around her, shaping themselves into four twisters, each the size of a small tree. With no visible command from her, the twisters shot toward me.

Gathering wind-attribute mana, I willed a small tornado to form around me, spinning in the opposite direction of Director Goodsky’s spell. Using the centrifugal force generated by my cyclone, I began spinning along with it, creating blades of wind with my hands.

The clash between the four twisters and my cyclone created a small crater, but otherwise didn’t do me any harm.

“Impressive. Vincent, it seems, did not exaggerate.” Instantly I was knocked back, my ears ringing and my vision unsteady. She was a deviant—a sound mage at that.

I steadied myself, glancing at my opponent, who stared back at me with a mildly impressed expression.

My head began spinning, trying to think of different possible moves I could use to win, but seeing the raging sphere of wind gathering around her hand, I knew she had me in a checkmate. Suppressing my pride and stubbornness, I took a seat on the ground, admitting defeat.

“That should be enough for a demonstration, right, Director?” I rubbed my temples.

“Yes,” she murmured, “that is quite sufficient.” There was a long pause as she studied me with newfound interest.

She seemed to come to a decision, and was making her way toward me when I heard my father’s voice.

“Arthur, you can use earth and wind attribute spells too?”

“What do you mean, ‘too’?” Director Cynthia interrupted, her composed look giving way to one of confusion.

My mother continued for my baffled father. “He—our son—we thought he was a fire elemental. He’s a deviant as well—he can use lightning magic.” I could hear Director Cynthia’s breath catch, and for the first time, her expression was one of someone truly in shock.

“Surely you jest. You mean to say he is capable of controlling three elements?” “Four, actually. I can control all four,” I cut in. Everyone was going to find out anyway. This wasn’t something that I could hide—nor did I want to.

“Earth and wind are my weakest elements. I’m a lot more adept at controlling fire and water. I also happen to be deviant in both of those elements, but I’ve just begun training in them.”

No one responded to my announcement; the only sound was the clichéd chirp of crickets. It was understandable that they’d be this surprised, but I was getting tired of all the shocked expressions.

I got to my feet, shaking off the dizziness from her previous attack. I hadn’t been expecting a sound-user so I hadn’t bothered enhancing my ears.

Thankfully, the spell seemed to have targeted only me, but the director was quite cruel, I thought. If I hadn’t already gone through assimilation, my hearing could have been badly damaged.

Now this noble figure, the woman who controlled the most prominent school on the continent, stumbled forward, barely making it to a chair. Then,

unexpectedly, she began laughing. It started out as a low chuckle, but soon escalated into a wild laugh of what sounded to me like sheer joy.

Finally, turning back to me as she composed herself, she said, “Arthur, at the risk of repeating you—you are a quadra-elemental, capable of controlling two higher elements. Is that correct?” I’m also a dragon tamer, but that’s about it, I thought, and wondered how they would react if I told them that. But I resisted the temptation.

“Correct,” I answered, not bothering to elaborate.

“Please demonstrate.” Director Cynthia’s eyes grew menacing and the once friendly-looking grandmother now had the air of a veteran killer as she raised her hand, the mana around her fluctuating.

A vacuum of wind began sucking me toward her, and a visible sphere of wind formed in her other palm.

This woman…

I willed water into my right palm and a condensed ball of fire in my left. She wants to see so badly; I’ll just have to show her.

Combining the opposing magics, I created a massive cloud of steam, completely enshrouding the two of us from everyone else’s sight.

The cloud of steam didn’t last long against her, but it did give me enough time to create a spear of ice. I threw the spear just as the steam dissipated,

then quickly repositioned myself.

As I expected, the director easily blocked my ice spear just as I came in range to strike, my fist encased in lightning.

But before I could, I was blown away once more by a powerful sound wave.

Fortunately, I had reinforced mana over my ears, but there was no way for me to get near her.

“Whew! I must say, I am thoroughly convinced! You pass, Arthur Leywin.” She clapped her hands, the sharp sound of which was dulled as it washed up against my protected ears.

Getting back up, I dusted myself off. This demonstration had left me with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I was frustrated that there were combatants I couldn’t even touch, let alone defeat.

However, for the first time, I began seriously considering the potential value of learning at Xyrus. If I could have a professor whose strength was even close to Director Goodsky’s level, my magic would grow by leaps and bounds.

“I’m sorry for hiding this from you,” I said, turning to my parents. I was a bit worried that they might be angry with me for keeping this from them, but fortunately, my father took it pretty well.

“My son is the first ever quadra-elemental!” He scooped me up by the armpits and swung me around like he had done when I was an infant.

Traumatic memories began popping up.

“Please, Art, no more secrets,” my mother said with a wry smile, concern still etched on her face.

I couldn’t promise her that. I tried to convince myself it was for her protection, not for my convenience.

“Forget a quadra-elemental—on this continent, there aren’t even any trielementals other than you, Art,” Tabitha chimed in, her voice trailing off into a sigh.

“Is my brother strong?” my sister chimed in, still clutching Sylvie.

Patting her on the head, the director nodded. “Your brother has the ability to become very strong indeed, little one.” Ellie giggled, a proud look on her face, as if she were the one being complimented.

Vincent’s face was a picture of disbelief. He was still processing everything.

Lilia waved her hand in front of his face, making sure her father was all right before shooting a quick glance in my direction. Her face bore a mixture of astonishment and a little fear.

I didn’t blame her.

When my father set me down I turned to Director Cynthia, giving her a stern gaze, a gaze that I knew didn’t belong on an eight-year-old’s face.

“Director Goodsky, there’s a reason I didn’t hide my capabilities today.” Picking up on the seriousness in my voice, she nodded in understanding.

“I had a hunch you weren’t just brazenly showing off, Arthur. You seem too sharp for that.” I nodded in agreement and continued.

“There are only a few benefits I can reap from attending your school. One is learning how to utilize my lightning and ice elements. However, that is something I can learn on my own in due time. The main reason I would attend your academy, if I choose to do so at all, is for protection. Right now, I’m not strong enough to protect everyone.

However, you hold a position of power and influence that can provide safety for my family and me, at least until I develop the strength to protect them myself.”

“Arthur! You’re being rude to Director Goodsky! How can you—”

“No, it’s fine, Alice.” The director mumbled a soft chant before speaking again. “Arthur, I believe you hold the ability to make incredible changes in this world. For that reason, if you’re willing to attend Xyrus Academy,

become a rightful citizen, and pledge to protect this land, then I will abide by any criteria you set.”

Director Goodsky’s voice was clear and determined, but I noticed confused looks on the faces all around us, and although I could see my parents’ mouths moving, I couldn’t hear their voices. I could only assume that Director Goodsky had created a bubble of silence around us.

Turning back to her, I met her gaze solemnly. “Very well. I will study what I feel is valuable from the classes your school offers and will train my own powers. As long as you give me the tools and freedom to do so, and keep my loved ones safe, I will consider you an important benefactor,” I promised.

Director Goodsky’s lips curved up into a smile, and we shook hands. I was suddenly able to hear everyone else’s voices again. When I looked at the director, she gave me a wink.

Clarifying for the others, I said loudly, “I will abide by our agreement—when I enroll in your academy.”

“Oh? Were you not planning on enrolling anytime soon?” The director had a puzzled look on her face, as did the other adults.

“I don’t plan to enroll in Xyrus Academy until I reach the age at which normal students attend. I’ve decided to enter your academy on my twelfth birthday—a very average age for one to begin. I assume that will not be a problem?” I tilted my head.

“Goodness! That’s a little more than three years. Arthur, what do you plan to do in the meantime?” I had figured Director Goodsky wouldn’t be accepting of my desire to postpone my education for so long.

I turned to face my parents again, since it would be up to them to allow me or not.

I looked up at the night sky, at the stars shining brightly. It was so unlike my old world. The lack of bright lights here made the star-glittered night truly beautiful. Turning my gaze back to my family, I answered.

“I’d like to become an adventurer.”

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