The Frivolous Prince

[8] Academy

“During the first year of the magic research team, we don’t actually have this huge place. We work with only our mind and our reos to make something out. But even with that, we are successful. We were able to discover lightning and shockwave magic. The King was overjoyed about our result since he’s very fond of lightning. He makes sure that we have everything we need to research other magic and that’s why we have this large building,” Gwen explained.

Lightning magic, huh? I’m really not that interested in that type of magic, it’s an S tier magic as it’s damage output is very high but the thing is it’s just straightforward and as long as you know that it’s coming, it’s easy to deflect it. A magic like Create Water that only uses 2 mana can be used as a shield if you cast it right on time.

“The researchers in this field have their own room inside the building, and everything that they need is provided to them such as food and clothing so they don’t need to leave the place,” Gwen said.

As we walk past every person in the building, they are greeting Gwen with very high respect. Maybe she’s in her twenty but she has higher authority than anyone here. I’m lucky that she’s kind.

“I hope you can understand everything that I’m saying. And here we are at the heart of this building. The Reosys Machine,” Gwen said.

“What’s that? Does it have something to do with reos?” I asked.

“Exactly, it’s the copy of the reo system that is needed to cast magic,” Gwen said.

As I observed the machine closely, I realized how large it is. I could see the partition of chambers and the center of it. There are large orbs that can be seen through transparent glass, I think that’s the imitation of reos.

“I understand that it should at least look like what the chambers are but why should it be this large,” I asked.

“That’s a good question, I actually, we are not really sure what the chambers really look like. But this is how most of us imagine it and maybe how you also imagine it. The reason for its size is because reos are very condensed and replicating something as small as a human heart is close to impossible. With a large machine, we are able to make big reos through storing mana in a form of magic. For example, those red orbs are composed of a lot of fire magic and it represents the red reos. We found out that by doing that, we can replicate everything including the opaque and the void reos,” Gwen explained.

“So it has a limit and has to be replaced after every usage?” I asked.

“Wait? How did you know that?” Gwen asked back.

“Cause if you’re going to use it’s power, of course you’re going to use something. In the case of humans, it’s the mana but since this is a replica, the magic stored in orbs will be the one to be depleted,” I replied.

“Woah! That’s incredible. It took us five months to notice that. At first we succeeded but just after a week, we failed on our experiment. We have to replace the whole setup just to proceed and only after five months are we able to realize that we only have to refill the orbs. You understand something like that just by me explaining things. You are a very smart kid, you should come here more often,” Gwen said.

I really don’t know that what I said is that amazing. It’s simple, everything you create needs something to be consumed or used. Are people here not that good at common sense or maybe that kind of thought is not common sense here in this world.

“So how will the magic be cast by using that thing, is there an output mechanism?” I asked.

“Yes, there is. Where we are right now is just to observe the machine itself, the output can be seen above the machine and we need to go to a certain room to view that. So let’s just go there and I’ll explain things there,” Gwen replied.

I look around as we go to that room. I need to also make something like this so I could do my own experiment. If that orb can store mana then I can do it whenever I have spare mana. Oh, I see what thing I can use that knowledge for.

“Hey Amaya and Zenith, let’s go inside already. The food is waiting,” Stella shouted as she saw them walking towards the house.

“Why are they together?” Alicia asked.

“He-he. It’s a wonder that only god would know,” Renver interjects.

“Hey, Renver. Remember what I told you?” Teth said.

“Yes, yes. It’s the second time that I’m being reminded about that. Sir Amaya just asked if he could talk to Zenith a little while ago,” Renver said.

“I see, so your son is making a move, Alicia. Let’s see if his first attempt on a girl would be fruitful,” Teth said.

“Hmm.. I always say that there’s  no girl that would not fall in love with my son only by his looks but since it’s Zenith, I couldn’t say that anymore, she possessed such beauty, kindness and innocence, I hope that my son would not do anything that would anger Zenith,” Alicia said.

“So you’re lowkey rooting for her, right?” Teth teased Alicia.

“Well, let’s leave things for themselves,” Alicia said.

As Zenith and Amaya came, Renver pulled Zeniths hand. 

Renver looks at Amaya. She said, “Your time is up. Bleh! I hope you’ve done your best.”

Amaya just smiled and stood confidently.

I see. So he really did, huh? Though I don’t think that Zenith responded to him. Anyway, it’s a good thing that someone’s brave enough to court my best friend. Renver thought to herself.

They gathered around a long table so everyone could eat their breakfast together. After Alicia led the prayer, they started eating. They talk to each other while eating. Amaya was bragging about the achievements that Zenith did for their company.

After resting, some members of the group set up a volleyball court on the beach.

“Wow! So one of the activities is beach volleyball,” Renver said.

“It’s a sport where two teams play against each other by not letting the ball fall on their side, right? Like not letting the balloon fall into the ground, but just extremely” Zenith said.

“I’m amazed how you compared volleyball to that thing. But, technically, you’re right. Though beach volleyball is a lot different than normal volleyball. Did you try the normal one?” Renver said.

“Nope, never touched a volleyball before,” Zenith replied.

“Thought so. So you’re not gonna play if they asked you to join?” Renver asked.

“No, I’ll play. I’ve watched a volleyball match before, maybe twice, so I think I can play it. How about you?,” Zenith said.

“I see a similar pattern, but for me, I’m good at volleyball, I won every match in our volleyball league before so I’m proud of my skills, maybe this is the thing that I could better you,” Renver said.

“Then I hope you could carry me in this game,” Zenith said.

“Yep, just watch me. I’m your senior here,” Renver said while laughing.

A girl from Denver’s family walks towards the volleyball court.

“All right everyone! I’m Kisses and I’ll be your announcer in this game!” Kisses shouted to get the attention of everyone.

Everyone gathered around the play area including the staff that looked like they were part of the family.

“Alright! Let’s start the match with an intense battle! Let me introduce you to the first team! The first member has been awarded three MVPs during her middle school and three MVPs during her highschool. A professional player and also an ex-team captain of the national volleyball team for almost five years! I am told not to say her age but she’s still young, a mother of two. Let’s cheer for Diana Denver!” Kisses announced.

“Do you have to mention that part!” Diana scolded Kisses.

Kisses just made a peace sign to Diana.

“Eek! Why is someone that is so important a member of their family,” Renver asked.

“Maybe their family is a volleyball pro,” Zenith said.

“For the second member, he’s currently the team captain of the national team with a total of 6 championship titles and 6 MVPs title during his school years. Let’s give it up for Dio Denver,” Kisses announced.

“I can’t believe that the current captain is even here,” Renver said.

“And for the last member, is a member of the national team which is the next in line team captain. Awarded with many trophies and medals. Give a round of applause to Dirk Denver,” Kisses announced.

“They put those three together as a team, who would even oppose them?” Renver asked.

“And for their opposing team, the first member is the undefeated monster, I mean man, in terms of all kinds of sports, defeating the opposing team on his own, let’s call for Amaya Denver,” Kisses said.

“For all kinds of sports? Are you kidding me? And even three team captains couldn’t beat him?” Renver said.

“For the second and third members, Amaya has all the right to select anyone. For the records, Amaya defeated Diana, Dio and me last year even though he selected two five years olds. So let’s see what teammate he wants now, will it be a newborn baby? Let’s find out! Amaya?” Kisses said.

“Then I would say that he’s really a monster,” Renver said.

Amaya points out the direction of Zenith and Renver.

“Oh, so Amaya selected two of his friends. Will they help him out or just become a hurdle to him. Let’s play, Denver Beach Volleyball,” Kisses announced to formally start the battle.

“Hey, Zenith. Let’s back out, there’s no way we could match against monsters,” Renver said.

“Well, don’t worry about me. Just stay out if you don’t want to,” Zenith said.

“Don’t worry. I got this, I also won some championships,” Renver said.

Amaya smiles at them. 

I know the fact that that guy is good at sports. I don’t know that he’s undefeated even with those kinds of opponents.  Zenith thought to herself.

“Okay, the referee will be Uncle Ben so it’s sure that no one could cheat. Let’s start now, we’ll start having the team captain’s team to serve,” Kisses said.

Dio goes beyond the line to serve.

“So the current team captain is the one who will start the match, does he have a serve that could make Amaya nervous? So, he’s backing up. Is this the jump serve that Dio has been practicing for a year now? Oh, it really is, he throws the ball very high, he’s now going to hit it but Amaya and his team is now in a good position to receive such serve. But no! In the middle of the jump, Dio changed it to a floater serve! What a tactic, he even does the serve that is considered the most difficult serve to return,” Kisses announced.

“Ehhh! How could we return that?!” Renver said while panicking.

“Let’s see, the serve was received perfectly, by none other than Jay- no it’s Zenith! What a big surprise!” Kisses announced.

Everyone was astounded by it. Renver couldn’t even react. Amaya moves to make a set for Zenith, as Zenith notices it, she runs to the net and spikes the ball down to the opposing team’s court.

“Wow! Amaya and Zenith did the impossible freak quick! Even the team captain’s team couldn’t even react to it! This is real, right? Everyone?” Kisses announced while also being astonished.

“Hey, Zenith. How did you do that? You’re also a monster!” Renver said.

“Well, I just did what I’ve watched twice,” Zenith said.

“Don’t tell me that the one you watch is not a real life match?” Renver said.

“Yup!” Zenith said while smiling.

The game continued and the other team became too exhausted.

“The team captain’s team surrendered! The game ended in three sets for the Amaya-Zenith team and zero for the team captain’s team. All set being 21-0!” Kisses announced.

“My name is not even in the team name, I am just a filler in this game,” Renver said.