Chapter 3 — Sponsorships and Warnings

Ria’s heartbeat had returned somewhat normal, but her cheeks were still warm with embarrassment from having been the center of such a disturbance. Though a glance at the approaching inevitability of facing off with the stern counter-lady elicited enough of a fear response that she had to consciously suppress the desire to seize control of the energy present in the air. One more person to go.

“Next!” the stern woman called out, and Ria tried not to cringe at the glare as she approached. “Registration or something else?”

To her embarrassment, the sharp voice did make Ria flinch. “Registration, please.”

“Your letter,” the woman prompted, looking irritated.

“Ah-!” Ria quickly sent her mind and energy through the ‘rooms’ of the spatial storage pouch to access the inventory listing and activate the transfer magic.

The admissions letter appeared in Ria’s hand, and she immediately handed it over only to freeze in place at the appearance of a new line of alarmingly red text in the blank area near the bottom.

The woman snorted when her eyes passed over the text, but her expression didn’t change as she handed back the letter and motioned toward the side, briskly stating, “First door down the hallway to the left. Regional sponsorships are handled there. Next!”

“Umm, I also need to transfer my licenses,” Ria tried, but the woman waved her away and motioned the next student to step forward.

Ria resigned herself to asking at the next location and began for the indicated hallway with an annoyed sigh. She was almost afraid to check the mysterious new text on her admissions letter, but the woman at the counter hadn’t said anything. Maybe it wasn’t anything bad?

Ranger was keeping an eye out to prevent further accidents, so Ria risked glancing down at the letter while walking.

Used dangerous magic against a student.

That couldn’t be good…

She knew the letter was enchanted. And the gate guard had told her that she needed to keep it with her at all times until she received her academy insignia. Now she knew why.

“Ah, there she is.” A boisterous voice came from behind.

Ria didn’t think the boy was referring to her—at least, she hoped not—but a glance in the direction of the voice showed two upperclassmen walking toward her... looking directly at her, and the boisterous red-haired one was waving... After briefly considering escape, she noticed the symbols of the nine circles of magic on both of their robes and mantles.

Maybe they saw her robe and sought her out to introduce themselves? This might actually be an opportunity for her to find out about her Order without getting in any more trouble.

Though the redhead with an insignia marking him as a second-year reminded her of her brother Ben, who she didn’t get along well with…

And the other boy seemed like a noble from one of the Greater Houses, blond and beautiful just like Inquisitor Duelleres, even while wearing glasses… but was he a bit short for a third-year? Ria cocked her head as she studied his features. He was definitely shorter than Leon. Maybe even Daggens. His eyes were the same ice blue as Keira, but they were sharper in shape, and his flowing hair with one side braided back was paler than Keira’s—more like Duelleres’.

“Um... hello?” Ria tried, turning to greet her fellow Order members as they drew near.

“I’m Aldri Touften,” the red-headed boy clapped his chest with a thump and motioned to the blond glasses-wearing boy gliding gracefully alongside and looking at her with a calculating gaze. “This is Hulle Novidus.”

House Touften was a minor house, but House Novidus was arguably the most powerful of the Greater Houses. Feeling a little nervous, Ria bobbed a proper curtsy. “I am Ria of Shadewood. This is Ranger-”

“Woof!”

“-It is nice to make your acquaintance, young lords.”

“Shadewood, huh? Soo… what’re you holding there?” Aldri asked and leaned around to look at the admissions letter which she was still holding in front of her.

Ria hid the letter behind her before she remembered she could return it to her magic pouch.

When the letter disappeared, Aldri began chuckling. “Got an alert on your visitor pass, huh? Looks like you were right, Hulle.”

“I’m always right,” Hulle corrected.

“Yeah, yeah.” Aldri waved off his companion and turned back to Ria. “Anyway, you can thank us later, but we’ll come with you to help you out with that little problem there.”

Ria wasn’t really in a position to refuse their help, so she curtsied again. “I’ll be in your care, young lord Aldri.”

Aldri held up a hand to stop her. “Ah, you don’t do that here. It’s against the rules for students to use noble titles to address each other. Here...” He motioned grandly to the surroundings bustling with students and gave her a winsome smile. “...we have to earn our titles.”

“Oh.” Ria’s eyes widened. She had practiced so hard for the audience with the High Council and thought she would be prepared for the academy too, but no one had mentioned that the Grand Academy had a rule like that!

Aldri chuckled at her. “Besides, you’re joining the Sages of the Nine Circles, right?”

Ria nodded.

“In that case, we have our own titles based on how many circles of magic you’ve become licensed in. You start out as an Apprentice of the First Circle. Upon gaining your first license, you become an Initiate of the First Circle. When you get your second, you become an Initiate of the Second Circle. And so on. When you get your Master’s license in three circles and craft a worthy new spell, you become a Sage. Understand?”

Ria nodded again. That meant that Luventi was licensed in all nine circles of magic and a master in at least three.

“She can learn about those things later,” Hulle reminded. “Finishing up quickly means less chance of missing another possible recruit with adequate potential.”

“He means continue on to where you were going, and we’ll follow,” Aldri translated.

“I was told that it’s the door over here.” Ria motioned, and as she approached the open doorway, she noted to herself the contents of the room’s bronze placard. “Special Student Services Administrative Office.”

“At least we know she can read,” Aldri teased.

Of course, she could read!

Ria’s cheeks grew hot with embarrassment, and she shot him her strongest annoyed face.

The sight of his playful grin defused her indignation some but didn’t stop her from grumbling. Her brother used to do the same thing! Teasing her in front of Danny, Jeni, or her parents. Ben didn’t bother her as much when Kurt was around because Kurt would start reminding Ben of all the times he did or said embarrassing things. Shaking off the coming melancholy at the thought, she sent Hemse a silent prayer for her brothers and Danny to still be okay.

Other students were sitting on fancy couches on the near side of the room when Ria entered: a dark-haired boy in a dusky grey adorned with a purple and silver mantle from that same noble-only Order as the rude boy from earlier; a nondescript brown-haired girl with a Sky Robe in a deeper blue and with darker, more foreboding clouds than the one Ria owned chatting with a girl with curly strawberry blond hair in a wispy pink robe; a sturdy boy in black robes with silver trim; and a dark-haired girl off by herself wearing a pale gray-ish blue with silver trim—all having robes of colors differing from the ordinary elemental colors Ria observed on her way to the room.

The conversation had gone silent, and the other students had turned to stare at her as she evaluated them. Or maybe it was the Novidus third-year that followed her inside the room? She doubted it was because of Ranger, but none of the others appeared to have a familiar.

A woman wearing the school colors rose from a desk where she was busy working and approached the counter dividing the room.

“Aldri Touften,” the woman greeted neutrally, her eyes drifting to Ria and Hulle in turn. “Are more of your Order seeking restricted licenses?”

“Ah, no, Administrator Charise.” Aldri immediately waved denial, then reconsidered. “Er... not that I’m aware of. From what I understand, this girl needs to complete her enrollment. Hulle and I are just here to assist with her joining our Order.”

Administrator Charise turned her attention to Ria. “Your admissions letter.”

Ria tried not to cringe too obviously as she made the letter reappear and handed it over.

The administrator’s eyebrows rose, and her mouth pressed into a stern line. “Already engaged in a magical assault of a student before even completing your enrollment? Unless you can adequately explain this, I’m of a mind to suspend your enrollment until your behavior is reviewed by your sponsor.”

A sense of panic welled up and stole Ria’s voice. Would she really lose her sponsorship so easily after all the hard work and Vorshan’s Hills almost falling to barbarians?!

“It was a proper duel, Administrator Charise,” Aldri quickly spoke up in her defense. “Hulle and I personally witnessed the event. She accidentally bumped into a Stormbringer second-year, and he demanded a duel even after she apologized.”

Administrator Charise rolled her eyes at the mention of Stormbringers. “Was there a healer present and a staff member to officiate?”

“I can heal…,” Ria lamely offered, beginning to suspect the duel wasn’t as official as it seemed and she had been tricked into making a terrible mistake.

Administrator Charise scoffed, “The Stormbringer’s brand of lightning magic isn’t particularly forgiving. Who would heal you if you were unconscious or gravely injured?”

The woman was right, and Ria could only hang her head in shame at her overconfidence. The lightning from her opponent had been even more dangerous than what she had faced during the siege of Vorshan’s Hills, and she knew well the danger of those attacks from having healed the guardsmen and militiamen lucky enough not to die from what magical bombardment managed to pass through Master Rigure’s barrier around the village. It was why she had developed that shadow magic to absorb the attacks and send them back at the enemy.

Seeing Ria’s honest contriteness, the administrator’s expression softened. “I guess dealing with hotheaded upperclassmen on your first day is lesson enough. But I’m issuing you an official warning for unauthorized dueling. You get two strikes. On the third, you will be automatically recommended for discipline. Understand?”

Ria vigorously nodded, her eyes wide in surprise at thankfully escaping immediate consequences. Having a negative mark in her record on the first day was still going to get her in big trouble with Jarrel... and maybe Lord Vorshan, too, but at least it was better than not being allowed to enroll!

“Good.” Administrator Charise took out a form and a first-year insignia and placed both on the counter. Even Ria could tell at a glance that the insignia’s gold border marked it as different from what the other first-year students were wearing. “Now, sign this then insert your magic into the insignia’s gem.”

Ria glanced over the enrollment form, noting the agreement to abide by the academy’s policies and rules and to promptly arrange payment for fees incurred. There didn’t seem to be anything particularly worrying, and it wasn’t a magically binding document as far as she could tell.

After signing with the provided quill and inkwell, Ria took the insignia in hand and carefully eased a small portion of her energy into the green gem—emerald being the color that identified her as a first-year; blue sapphire was for second-years; golden-yellow topaz for third-years; scarlet-red ruby for fourth-years; and royal purple amethyst for fifth-year and above.

The gem glowed briefly before fading back to normal, and Ria felt a connection form between her and the enchanted insignia. She would have to probe it in more detail later but for now pinned it to her mantle.

“Welcome to the Crysellian Grand Academy of Magical Studies. Congratulations on your enrollment, Ria of Shadewood.” Administrator Charise gave her a pleasant smile.

“Thank you,” Ria breathed out, feeling her excitement about studying at the best academy in the country returning full force, even after being chastened for earlier stupidities on her part.

“You may choose your Order at this time if you like,” Administrator Charise offered, and Aldri unrolled on the counter a new member registration form with Hulle’s immaculate signature already in place as the sponsoring upperclassman alongside the signature of the ‘Acting Student Tower Leader’ Welkin Summergold. Acting? Was that because the previous leader graduated and the members hadn’t selected a new leader yet?

“All you have to do is sign,” Aldri prompted with a wink.

Setting aside her curiosity about the Order’s student leadership, Ria grinned and signed her name with a flourish. She really was joining the same Order as Luventi!

“Congratulations on becoming the newest Apprentice of the Nine Circles,” Aldri apprised her with a matching grin.

Ria glanced back at Hulle to also share the moment with her sponsor. He was still standing nearby but seemed to have taken an interest in the dark-haired girl sitting by herself. The girl had returned to reading her book and was trying to look inconspicuous.

Being a Grand Academy student and member of a famous Order was probably something a third-year had long since become used to… or so Ria rationalized, trying not to feel miffed at the older boy’s indifference to her exciting moment.

“According to the letter your tuition is being covered by Lord Vorshan,” Administrator Charise informed Ria then continued with a cautioning tone, “Be advised, certain classes have additional costs that might or might not be covered by your scholarship support. You will be responsible for such fees and expenses. Please take a seat, and a counsellor will be with you shortly to advise on your licensing goals and course selection.”

Ria spoke up as the woman motioned toward the couches. “Um... Administrator Charise... can I also get my temporary licenses done here?”

Administrator Charise raised an accusing eyebrow in Aldri’s direction.

Aldri innocently shrugged with an apologetic gesture. “I didn’t have anything to do with it, honest!”

With a put-upon sigh, the administrator turned back to Ria. “Issuing of temporary licenses for study of restricted magics usually requires a clean disciplinary record, completion of licensing in a non-restricted circle, and a recommendation by a respected master mage in good standing—preferably the head of an Order responsible for teaching the restricted courses.”

Gah! Thanks to the warning she no longer had a clean record!

“What licenses are you seeking?” Administrator Charise wearily prompted.

“I have a temporary shamanic license to practice in Vorshan’s Hills,” Ria nervously admitted as she placed the letters from Lord Vorshan on the counter, followed by recommendation letters from Master Marlow and Master Rigure, her commendation letter from the High Council for her actions during the siege, the High Council’s order conferring honorary military rank in the Crysellian military, Enchanters Guild membership card which she paid the painful 5 gold to upgrade from ‘provisional’. “…I was also forbidden from performing the familiar binding ritual while in Vorshan’s Hills…”

“Woof…”

The administrator’s eyes went to Ranger.

Aldri laughed. “You really are the rumored Witch of Vorshan’s Hills, aren’t you?”

There was a derisive snort from one side of the room and, from the other side, the sound of flapping pages and a soft thud.

When Ria looked up at Aldri in shock, she noticed some kind of tattoo on the dark-haired girl’s hand as she retrieved her book from the floor. “They are really calling me that? Here, in the capital?”

“Even Hulle has heard it,” Aldri noted, motioning in the third-year’s direction.

“I have,” Hulle confirmed, not seeming particularly interested.

Amilee calling her a witch in front of the other students was bad enough, but for there to be a rumor that reached even to the capital… then again, if Aldri and Tulle’s reactions were any indication, maybe it wasn’t as much of a problem in the capital…?

While turning back to the administrator, Ria noticed the dark-haired girl duck her gaze back to her book, pretending to not have been looking. Hmm…

Administrator Charise was looking through the letters. “With the recommendation from Master Rigure and your existing membership in the Enchanters Guild, a temporary license for enchanting might be doable. I’m less optimistic about transferring your temporary license for shamanic magic or getting a temporary Spirit Magic license approved. The commendation from the High Council and your honorary military rank do weigh in your favor, even if it further indicates that you should have known better than to involve yourself in an unsanctioned duel…” The woman gave her a critical eyeing. “…A positive determination will depend on permission from the Dean of New Students and whether or not a relevant instructor is willing to take on a first-year student. You would be required to take the classes if such can be arranged.”

Ria nodded that she understood since that seemed to be what Administrator Charise wanted.

At Ria’s confirmation, Administrator Charise gathered up Ria’s letters and guild membership card. “Go ahead and wait for your name to be called. Maybe you’ll get lucky; the instructor for shamanic magic belongs to your Order.”

“Thank you, Administrator Charise.” Ria made an apologetic gesture at the extra work she had just caused.

“So much for finishing quickly,” Hulle resignedly stated.

Aldri cocked his head in confusion. “Ria should be okay now. Isn’t it fine to go back to scouting out the new students?”

“I want to hear more about her strengths and weaknesses. She will need help planning her class sequencing to achieve her desired licenses in a reasonable timeframe.” Hulle looked directly at her and discreetly motioned with his head toward the dark-haired girl.

Ah! The dark-haired girl didn’t have a mantle indicating her Order. Hulle likely wanted her to help with recruiting the girl!

“Thank you, Hulle. I would appreciate the assistance.” Ria gave a discreet thumbs-up of her own. She was quite curious about the girl herself, and approaching a girl that at least pretended to like reading seemed easier than trying to sit with the intimidating elites on the other side of the room, considering everyone there had the same gold border around their student insignia.

“Yentis Oakshield,” called a middle-aged mage from a doorway and the stocky boy in silver-trimmed black robes stood. The other three students mostly ignored him, just like they were ignoring the well-tanned boy in rusty-red trimmed grey robes who must have just finished his class selection and was calmly walking past, toward the room’s exit.

The new boy’s eyes widened in surprise upon noticing Hulle, but maybe because of the mantle the boy was wearing, Hulle seemed completely disinterested. Ria tried to give a friendly smile, but only received a slight nod in return as the boy turned and escaped out the door while trying to not look like he was hurrying…

She would have to try again later when Hulle wasn’t around. For now, she needed to put her improved social skills to the test against a noble girl instead of the local girls of Vorshan’s Hills. Maybe if it went well, she would be able to make a new friend?

“There’s more room on that side.” Hulle dismissively waved toward the set of facing couches where the dark-haired girl was sitting.

Ria did her best to seem casual as she approached the dark-haired girl’s couch. Aldri flopped down on the opposite couch and lazily propped his feet up on the low table between, earning a disdainful eyeroll from Hulle as the third-year took his seat in a more refined manner. The girl’s grip on the open book propped-up on her lap tightened.

Curious about the tattoo on the back of the girl’s hand which was facing toward the wall and away from everyone else in the room, Ria decided to use Aldri’s method from earlier, and putting on her best smile she leaned over as if trying to see the book title. “What’cha reading?”

The girl jolted and jerked her tattooed hand back from the book but not before Ria saw the mark!

A mind mage branding!