72 Magical Princess
1597 Words
"As I said, you're all welcome to stay in the village. We've had plenty of food and lodging space for you. In return, we only ask for advice on dealing with our issues with magical creatures and forces that our experts can't quite comprehend. Lady Haruna has been helping us a lot lately, and she's been a great asset to us. But this is a large territory, and we could always use some help." Yvaine said.
"That's great." Said Cornelia. "I've spotted a lot of arcane surges on the journey alone. Some were even within the gates. Aiden here has a few theories which I'm sure you'd want to know."
"Ahh yes. About that. I've read records from Mistress Milchausen about so-called arcane hotspots. This what they call areas that constantly pulse with arcane energies from the ground. Exposure to these energies can be dangerous. Wild creatures can turn into savage beasts when exposed for long durations. I found a few possible spots in the village, this may be the cause as to why this territory was mostly unoccupied before now."
"I must say." Lysie stepped in. "I'm impressed that you've managed to keep these creatures at bay. You've amassed both a mercenary group and an army to protect your borders and interiors with all of these dangers lurking around."
"Well, it wasn't exactly easy," Janus said. "In between flash storms and rampaging Necromancers, we've had a lot of challenges in the past. I hope you can help us with while you're here."
"And while we're on the topic. How long do you think you'd like to stay?" Yvaine asked. "I've been led to believe that studies in the College of Whisperwind on the top-level take up to fifty years. Switching between training sessions and commissioned work. Our brother Marcus still is on the same program even in the summer. Aren't you guys supposed to be there too?"
The four mages looked at each other with understanding, without uttering a single word. Looks like they really are good friends.
"Let's just say we're not that into school anymore." Cornelia said.
"Speak for yourself, Nelia." Haruna said.
"Okay, maybe not for you. With a thick wall blocking your progress, but for us it's pretty much run its course."
All three nodded. Haruna sighed.
Janus and Yvaine looked puzzled.
"Well, let me explain. Where do I start..." Cornelia said.
"Aiden here was caught multiple times sneaking into the College Library that's restricted for Masters studies. He has been caught too many times and was tagged as a delinquent by the Arcanum, and thus has difficulty in going through the ranks any further."
Aiden shuffled his feet and blushed.
"That's true, but I've since realized how it's all a sham. It turns out that the Masters section isn't really what its all said to be. The same material can be easily acquired elsewhere with proper research. The Colleges are just leveraging their programs to get more money from Noble houses, who eat up all of their lies just to get their Nobleborn students to keep paying. No offense Haruna." He said.
"None taken." She replied.
Cornelia nodded. "And Lysie here is on her rebellion phase, said she's learned enough from the magic that testing out her martial skills excites her more."
Lysie smiled. "I've been developing a technique that mixes my fencing skills with arcane spells to see if I can blend both. I hope you don't mind me looking around at your forces. I've heard you have a troop of knights and squires already training there."
"Yes, you'll find Sir Arthan to be a formidable sparring partner. I'd also like to direct you to Jundra and the Merrimen, although they have a tendency to be rough around the edges, they're just a group of hardened individuals who like to push themselves. After a few pints of ale or so, you'll see their soft side." Yvaine said.
"What about you Cornelia? I've heard you're the most talented of the group, why not continue on with your studies?" Janus asked.
Cornelia just smirked. She might be the shortest of them all, around a head shorter than Janus. But everyone on the table paid full attention when she spoke.
"Let's just say I'm just a girl from a rural town who made it to the ranks with sheer luck. A girl of no noble birth will find it hard to get through the ranks without a kingdom to back them."
"It doesn't help that you've burned down a few dormitories in the past..." Haruna added.
"Why my dear friend, if a College of magicians couldn't put out a few fires on their own then I dare say they should not have enough merit in the first place. No, the Arcanum is holding me back. They took Marcus Blackfield in instead of me. They chose that white-haired weasel of a hack and completely ignored their most talented prospect. No offense to you both." She said.
"No, not at all." Yvaine said.
"Yep, that's Marcus alright." Janus added. "How about you Lady Haruna? You've been here for quite a while now and I've been meaning to ask you the same question. Although Gaddi is headed by a minor house, you are still considered a noble by all measurements. Is anything holding you back?"
Haruna sighed. Her friends looked at her with concern.
"Arcane block, that's that they're called. My Wellspring hasn't grown in power in two years, which happens on rare occasions. I can't continue on with my studies while it still lingers." She said.
There was a silence that ensued.
Yvaine looked at Janus. Then she laughed.
The guests were startled, but Janus caught a hint of why her sister was laughing and he laughed along.
"Forgive me." She said. "But hearing your stories brought me back to my days living in Galedon. I sure do not miss the politics and backstabbing that me and my brother had to go through."
"That's right. We're practically all madmen and exiles here. Shunned by society for being different. We have plenty of dealings with magical creatures inside and outside our walls, not to mention all of the overgrowing vegetables and undead elementals. You'll have a lot to discover here. I hope I do not offend in saying that you'll fit right in."
#
And fit in they did. On the first week alone, Aiden was able to fill his notebook with sketches of magical insects in the rivers and in the trees. He found a variety of fireflies that stored and emitted arcane magic. He found watergeists that would create little whirlpools on the surface,scaring all of the fish in the surrounding area, something that the I'reen had continued trouble with in the past.
Lysie was almost immediately embraced by the Mystic Flames and the Merrimen. She went on a three day expedition in her second night, and they hunted a Wraith on the north side of the border. Something that had been scratching up the walls and destroying the watchtower during the night. The Merrimen had caught sight of it once, but normal weapons would only pass through the creature. Lysie was said to have killed it with a spark of lightning that flung from a flicker of her rapier, making the Wraith fizzle before it could even run away.
The creature left behind a crystal ore that could be used as a catalyst for staffs and scepters. Something that they could sell to other countries. Aiden took this in for inspection.
Cornelia's time wasn't as eventful as the others. She elected to live and sleep on a small canvas tent that was facing the lake. She had her own fire and cookpot. On the afternoons she would stare at the water and in the evenings she would do her meditations. When Janus asked her about it, her excitement was palpable.
"There's a large Well of arcane in the bottom of the Lake that's expanding ever so slowly. I feel like if we could study it, we can take care of Haruna's block." She ran away and got back to Aiden to verify her observations.
They worked together while Lysie stayed in the barracks and in the Adventurer's outpost. They were deeply engrossed between finding a solution for Haruna's limitations, recording the behavior of the arcane Well and seeing how it affects the creatures in the area.
The next week they came to Janus' library with an observation.
"One week of meditation was all it took. Haruna's Wellspring grew by a half milimeter. Just by meditating all night near Lakeside's arcane Well." Aiden said.
"I knew there was something in that lake. As soon as I passed it by I could feel its hum deep beneath the ground. I'm surprised you were never able to find it Haruna." Cornelia said.
"Oh don't single me out. Not even Lysie or Aiden noticed it."
"That's amazing. It's little progress, but it's better than having nothing for two years isn't it?" Janus said.
Haruna eyed Janus sharply. He was about to apologize when Cornelia shut him off.
"That's not all of it." She said.
"What do you mean?" Janus asked.
"Tell him Aiden."
"There is enough evidence to suggest that this phenomenon isn't applicable to only Haruna. All creatures that live here are influenced by the energies just the same. Be it from the vegetables to all the dangerous creatures and occurrences."
"Isn't that a bit too concerning?" Janus said. "I don't want anybody here to get sick."
"Yes that could be true, but on the other hand." Cornelia added. "This place is a perfect ground for developing mages. A few more tests are needed, but we are led to believe that living here can increase anyone's Wellspring power. Provided they have affinity in the first place."
Janus's mind raced as he heads the news. Filling it with endless possibilities.
- Writer
