Echoes of Magic

Marked by Power

Elias tightened his grip on the leather straps of his satchel as he navigated the labyrinthine corridors of the Academy. The building radiated granduer, its towering marble columns and intricate carvings severed as a reminder of the Academy's storied history. Arcanin- a words coined by the Academy's alumni as it is the house of the arcane and metal works. To Elias, it was a stark contrast to the simple life he had left behind in the village. Whispers, muffled laughter and icy glares followed him wherever he went, nobles and commoners alike. Though the school advocates for equality and no nobility has the right of authority over the commoners, the divide between them was as clear as the gold-gilded trim on the uniforms of the noble students. The noble born students carried themselves with an air of superiority, their linage a badge of honour that commands respect even if not used.To them , Elias was an anomaly- a commoner trash like the rest who had dared to walk in the same halls as them than among his fellow commoners.

Elias' first class, 'Introduction to Combat Theory', was held in a large training hall. The room buzzed with energy as the students filter in, commoners and nobles alike, their voices mingling with the hum of magical auras. Elias found a seat at the edge of sitting area in the hall, hoping to avoid attention but it wasn't long before his classmate took notice. Whispers flew amongst the nobles, "Is that not him?"

"The one who made it through the exam without a scholarship.", another said.

"Probably a fluke." somebody replied. "I heard the headmistress was so impressed by him that she personally cleared him to enter Arcanin.", another voiced. "He'll wash out by the end of the month."

These comments were followed by laughing and inaudible whispering from the commoners. Elias ignored of them, focusing on the instructor who just entered. Professor Orin, a stern man with a commanding presence, a warrior ranked at gold-knight and one of the strongest warriors in the academy city.

"Welcome to the combat wing and to today's lecture." Orin began, pacing the room. "Here, you will learn everything from advance sword techniques to aura wielding as an extension of you body and will. This class is important for both mages and warriors alike so don't even think of skipping." His eyes falls on a commoner who had had the highest magic amplitude since the first Magnus that created the academy. He continued, "For the nobles of the 12 families, this would also include a rudimentary understanding of your linage magic and how to apply it in battle, so would those of you with the blessed body. For the rest of you without such privileges..." His eyes flicked to Elias. "You'd have to learn regular aura training and rely on your skill and determination alone to keep you afloat in this class." Elias bristled at the remark but kept his expression neutral.

The class progressed swiftly and after some basic explanations and theory, the sparring session began. The students were paired of for mock duels. For the first match, Elias was paired with Darien Gravemont, a descendant of the Gravemont family, a noble family among the 12 ruling families. The Gravemonts are known for their speciality in Gravity magic. The founder of the family, Deluka Gravemont was a wizard that was given this power by the Primordial wellspring. He and 11 others that were granted unique and otherworldly magic were known as PRIMORDIAL MAGI. Gravity magic control and manipulates the gravity field around the user, around 2000 kilometres in radius from the user. This power was inherited by the descendants but due to his powerful nature it was placed under binds and forcefully nerfed down, as were the other primordial magics.

Darien Gravemont was tall and broad shouldered with an arrogant smirk the made Elias' blood boil.

"This should be quick." Darien said, drawing his training sword- made of mystic redwood, the only weapon that doesn't shatter when he swings or infuses it with magic. Elias didn't reply. He simply picked up a training sword from the rack and stands across from Darien. Darien settles into a basic stance, sword infront, legs well balanced, making both offense and defense abilities balanced. He looked like a mountain with his build and stance. Elias settles into a low stance, legs bent, coiling up the the leg muscles to their max, poised like a cobra ready to strike.

"This duel is to see how far your understanding of stances and muscle reading of today's lecture is. There are no winners or losers only students who are willing to learn. Now, begin!"

Elias lunged at Darien like a cobra, fast and precise, landing a strike on him before he could even react. The strike knocked Darien off balance and Elias attacks again before he could recover. Darien barely blocked the attack and swings blindly. Elias evaded the swing and put some space between them. He felt a slight pain in his hand and thought,"That guy's raw strength is insane."

Darien, already in fear of what Elias could do, used his linage magic, Gravity Field. In this field, the user can freely manipulate the gravity of himself and anything within 13 feet of him, up to twice their body weight. He lightened himself and doubled Elias' weight. He lunged at Elias with a s***h and Elias barely parried . Even the parry knocked Elias a few feet back. The nobles in his entourage and a few other low ranking nobles cheered . Elias swung the in diagonal directions to get the weight of the sword. He inhales deeply and exhales. His breath like stem from a coal powered train. He settles into a stance and stares at Darien, his gaze sharp and unwavering. Unbeknownst to him, he had released his aura. A pure white aura with buzzing of crimson black energy. The hall goes quiet as everyone was waiting in anticipation. Darien with an arrogant smirk on his face said,

"That's more like it."

He lightened himself again and increased the weight of the sword to his own original weight. He moved like the wind in his attack but even with the upgrade, Elias blocked, parried and countered everyone of his strikes and knocked him back with a well places kick. Orin kept scribbling on a book as he watched. With a roar, Darien unleashed waves of gravitational force. Elias braced him self, focusing on his swordsmanship and aura. They both darted forward towards the other. Elias slipped past Darien's defences and lands a decisive strike, send the noble and his weapon to the ground. The hall was quiet, all the students shocked at the result of the duel. Elias offered Darien a hand but he slapped it away with a glare,

"Don't get cocky", he said, his pride clearly wounded.

He stood up, spat out some blood, picked up his sword and went back to his seat. As he walked back, he said,"Elias right?"

"Yes." Elias answered.

"You are now my rival. Don't let anyone defeat you before i do."

Elias said nothing but the faintest hint of smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Very good you two. It seems you both perfectly understand the lecture. Elias.. maybe there is hope for you yet.", Orin said.

"Thank you sir", Elias replied excited.

"Like your peer said, don't get cocky. Devote your self to more training and you would surpass your limit. Dismissed."

Elias gives a nod and leaves as the next group was called to the middle. After the class, Elias was approached by a beautiful girl, she was slightly taller than him, brown flowing hair with green streaks, cute clear face and emerald green eyes gleaming with intelligence. She was Lysandra Sylvaris, daughter of Regan Sylvaris. The Sylvaris family like every other member of the 12 ruling families posses primordial magic. Theirs is to control Nature, the very essence of the world. Elaine Sylvaris, the founder, used her powers to destroy the plains where their current dukedom is during the war against the tribes of old.

"You're impressive with the sword.", she said, her tone neutral

"Thanks" Elias replied, dabbing off the worked up sweat.

"Beating Darien is no easy feat but those skills alone can't ensure your survival here at Arcanin." She said.

"I think i'll manage just fine on my own, thank you." Elias said, turning away from her.

She quickly darts in front of him, placing a finger on his chest, she said calmly,"Nobles here at Arcanin are despicable and meticulous, I inclusive. If you get on their bad side, it would come back to haunt you. I know you might be very skilled but your skills alone won't be enough to fight against the nobles."

"What am i supposed to do?" Elias asked

"There would be a tournament soon and in this event, you need not just skill but strategy and cunning.. That's where i come in. Understanding your opponent is just as important as honing your fighting skills." Lysandra answered.

Elias still wary raised an eyebrow and asked "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I hate nobles and most importantly, i despise those like Darien even more than your commoner status" she replied with a smirk.

"And i saw something in you. So if you want to survive this academy, go on your own, but if you want to thrive, you need an edge.. I can give you that edge."

Elias hesitated, unsure if he could trust her but the offer was too valuable to pass up.

"Give me some time to think about it." Elias said, walking away to his next class.

"Sure, take all the time you need. I always get what i want." Lysandra muttered with a smirk on her face as she watched him leave.

Three days later, after Professor Orin's lecture, he gathered the students to announce the upcoming Tournament.

"This event take place at the town colosseum. There, you'd get to show all of your abilities you've honed over the next three months in the academy before Nobles and officials alike. This is your coming of age ceremony as warriors and mages, do prepare utmostly. For some of you, this tournament is a stepping stone to greatness, for others.. it would be a harsh reminder of your limitations. But bear one thing in mind, do your best till your sword drop, till you can't muster any mana, for there is a lesson to be learnt even in defeat."

After his speech, he dismissed them. Elias' resolve hardened. The tournament was his chance to prove himself not just to the academy but to the world. He approached Lysandra with a resolved look. She knew from his eyes what his answer was but she wanted to hear it from him.

"I am in. I want you to give me the edge you talked about." Elias said.

With a knowing smirk on her face, Lysandra replied,"With pleasure."

That night, letters appeared in the rooms of certain students. Elias returned to his room after his usual night jog and found a black envelope sealed with an unfamiliar emblem. He broke the seal, unfolded the envelope and it read,

"You have drawn the eye of those who hold the fabric of fate. WATCH YOUR STEPS."

The words sent a chill down his spine. Unlike the others who got a letter of recognition from the Mage Council, Elias' was foreboding.

In the days that followed, the students became more busy as everyone was preparing for the tournament. Elias after classes each day, goes to the academy library to be taught warfare and strategies by Lysandra. The teaching mostly include psychological attacks, tricks, taunts, e.t.c. After some weeks, Lysandra decided to teach him something new. She took him to a forested academy training ground that had been abandoned. There she began teaching him on anticipation and exploitation of enemy weaknesses.

"You are good with the sword," She said, packing her hair in a bun in preparation for a fight. "But you pay little attention to detail.Your opponent's breathing, the lapses in their form when they attack. Knowing all this would prove vital to you

in this tournament."

Elias swings at her but she easily evaded in a swift motion, grapples and slams him down. On top of him she said, "This tournament will test not just your skills but your willpower, ability to process and adapt to information. If you falter, you lose."

Elias nods and she gets off him. Lysandra look at the sky and decided to call it a day.