Chapter 94 - Cumulus, Gravitas, Regis

“Kass, how do you feel?”

His little sister’s skin had lost some color, but her aura was still surging with ripples of elemental essence flaring chaotically across her body. He could only breathe a sigh of relief when he noticed it was not outside essence causing the disturbance. Rather, it was Kassandra’s own body reacting to the violent overdrafting of elemental power that had caused her to waver momentarily. Even as he watched on, her veins began to glow brightly and surged with power once again. Her eyes told Skyle that the stubborn little empress was getting ready to get up and fight again.

“I’m fine. Stand aside, brother.”

Kassandra tried to push him aside, but Skyle stood firm.

“Be still, Kass. Let me take a good look at you. Are you hurt anywhere?”

Laying a hand on Kassandra’s forehead, he tried his best to look as worried for her as he could. It wasn’t very hard. Though he knew the older Aegis’sur would not truly harm Kassandra, and indeed she was still hale and ready to continue this fight, Skyle was deeply concerned for his little sister. With the amount of elemental essence Kassandra was drawing, he was more concerned about her hurting herself even worse after wielding power that she was still not used to. Only now did Skyle begin to better understand the wisdom of their parents. Perhaps some outside discipline and training would help Kassandra bring both her character and surging elemental powers under control.

These powers were far stronger than even Skyle had imagined. Perhaps on the outside, it might look as if Syrene had warded off the assault with ease. With his True Sight, Skyle knew the truth of the matter. He had witnessed not only the power infused into that third strike, but also its finesse. In other words, it wasn’t just a larger attack, it was also a far more skillful one. Its might had truly surprised Syrene, and only her frantic, last-minute efforts to reinforce the shield had prevented an even more serious injury from occurring.

Even now, Skyle could detect the odd swirling of the essence on Syrene’s palm. Though it was slowing down, the fact that Kassandra’s water spear had left such lasting effects on the much more experienced and powerful summoner was a sobering reminder of just how gifted and dangerous Kassandra was.

At least, Syrene seemed to have backed off, no longer taunting Kassandra with childish names. He could detect no ill will in her actions, as Skyle was familiar with such methods through his own experience with his father.

“ Some can only be inspired or challenged, right da?”

Skyle began to understand many of the subtleties of his father’s training methods, and how effective they had been at pushing him beyond his limits time and time again. Though he felt reluctant to allow Syrene to bully his baby sister in such a manner, he was also aware that Kassandra would need to learn some harsh lessons if she was to come into her powers and deal with the world beyond the confines of their home.

“Big bro, I won’t stand for this,” Reikard said next to him.

Skyle turned to look at his younger brother in surprise. The heat in his voice was even more surprising than Kassandra’s outburst, as Reikard rarely let anything perturb his calm demeanor.

“Reik, just breathe and calm down.”

Reikard threw a fierce look in Syrene’s direction, but stood his ground. His aura, however, was erupting with barely suppressed power. The summoner, if she detected any of this, did not seem overly concerned and met it with the same spirited smile. This provoked yet another outburst from Kassandra.

“Brother, I said I’m fine. Now move aside while I deal with that old cow.”

Skyle cupped her chin in his hand and turned it to face him instead. “Kass, look at me.”

Kassandra’s chest heaved but she slowly did as asked. When she met Skyle’s gaze, the ice in her eyes slowly thawed. He smiled at this, letting his appreciation and concern for her shine through. When he saw that he was finally reaching past her anger, he shook his head.

“This is not you, Kass. Don’t lose to her, baby girl. Not like this.”

Kassandra’s lips froze for a moment as she let the meaning of his words filter past her wounded pride. Once she could think clearly, it didn’t take her long, as she wasn’t called the genius of the family for nothing. Then her cheeks colored slightly as she looked up at Skyle from under lowered eyebrows.

“I will grow faster for you, brother.”

“Do I look like I need your protection so badly?”

A guilty flush spread across her face. “You know that’s not what I meant!”

Skyle flicked her nose with the back of his finger. “Oh, then what did you mean, exactly?.”

An even deeper shade of crimson turned her entire face beet red.

“I will.. You know, grow bigger.. There,” Kassandra said with difficulty, casting her eyes down. Then she rushed through the rest of the sentence. “I just need a little more time, then you’ll see!”

It was now time for both Skyle and Reikard to look dumbfounded as they followed Kassandra’s gaze down to her flat chest.

“Stop looking!” Kassandra cried out, pushing them away with her dainty little hands.

Skyle and Reikard exchanged a glance, then began to laugh out loud. This left Kassandra stamping her feet down, glaring at her would-be protectors for a moment before switching her gaze toward Syrene once again.

“You win, Madam Aegis’sur - this time. I will not be so easily bested next time, however. I hope you do not disappoint me.”

Skyle couldn’t help but flash a grin at this. It looked as though not even Kassandra understood just how far from disappointed the Aegis summoner had been. If anything, Skyle was impressed that Syrene could hold up that same lighthearted smile while her aura was practically boiling over with excitement.

“Are we ready to depart then, children?” Even her voice sounded casual and carefree.

Kassandra opened her mouth, but Skyle forestalled her before things could escalate again.

“I’d rather hoped we could take the carriage this time, Madam Aegis’sur. Fear of heights, I’m afraid,” Skyle lied smoothly.

Syrene did not skip a beat as she clapped her hands. “Well then, nothing like a brisk morning ride through the countryside to lighten up the day. I will be imposing on your hospitality, Mister Vespermond.”

That last was accompanied by a nod to Talon, who swiftly returned it with a deep bow.

“It would be my utmost pleasure to escort the Madam Aegis’sur to the academy grounds.”

Talon hastily motioned one of the pages aside, holding the door open himself.

“After you, Madam Aegis’sur.”

“Thank you, Mister Vespermond. Here, why don’t you sit with me, Skyle?”

Syrene grinned cheekily at Skyle while tapping the seat next to hers.

“Ah, Madam Aegis’sur, I’m-”

“Please Skyle, Madam Aegis’sur sounds so trite and boring. Just call me by my name, Syrene.”

Skyle did his best not to choke, and he hastened to respond before he even felt Kassandra’s threatening fingers coiling by his ribs, ready to pass down heavenly punishment, should he misspeak.

“Uh, Madam Aegis’sur, I don’t think that would be proper.”

Shaking his head until he felt dizzy, Skyle was relieved to feel the looming fingers relaxing.

Syrene pursed her lips in thought, then nodded. “You’re right. After we’ve been so intimately acquainted, I believe you should call me Syree, like all my close friends do. Now, do be a dear and come sit next to me to keep me company, dear Skyle.”

To his credit, the sickly grin pasted on Skyle’s face didn’t so much as waver as he felt Kassandra pinching him with a bloody vengeance.

By the time they finally arrived at the academy, Skyle bounced out of the carriage with more than a few new welts on his skin. All of his protests had been soundly overruled and he had been forced to sit next to Syrene by the enthusiastic summoner’s demands. Of course, that meant Kassandra had immediately moved to sit on his other side.

Both Talon and Reikard could only watch on with commiserating looks on their faces as they witnessed Syrene take advantage of every minute bump and turn of the carriage to lean closer to Skyle. Each time, it was matched by a similar effort from Kassandra’s side, until Skyle looked like nothing more than a vaguely human-shaped paste crammed in between two towering boulders.

Skyle bent over with his hands on his knees as he panted, sweat rolling down his face. He felt a chill from his back, however. It was the only warning he got, as a mere instant later, he felt warm fingers cradling his face.

“Look at you, Skyle. Don’t be nervous. The tests are all fairly standard, and the results will be kept strictly confidential. Master Vespermond, you may leave the children in my custody from here on.”

“As you say, Madam Aegis’sur. I shall see to their accommodations then.”

Syrene waved her hand in his general direction, and Talon departed with the carriage.

Skyle looked up, and was surprised to see a large building that resembled nothing similar to the student dormitories in his memories. An imposing gate lay open, over which hung the three words that were the academy’s motto: Veritas, Fortitudo et Constantia.

“ Oh Goddess, grant me courage and perseverance, so the truth will come to light - I want nothing to do with this devilish woman!”

Recoiling from Syrene and craning his head to the side, he saw Kassandra hovering by his shoulder with a frosty look of indifference.

Skyle threw his sister a look that bespoke of his innocence, but this moment of distraction was enough for Syrene to link her arm around his and drag him stumbling forward. He heard a loud huff behind his back, but was led through the building’s entrance before he could explain himself.

“Now, how familiar are you with elemental talent testing, dear Skyle?”

Skyle barely held back the wince he felt at her tone, and could only shake his head. “I’m not very familiar with the process, Ma-”

Syrene paused then, arching an eyebrow in a smooth gesture that flashed the glittering rings of silver decorating it.

“Ah, L-Lady S-Syrene. I would appreciate an explanation, please.”

Another displeased sniff could be heard loudly from behind, but Syrene affected not to notice.

“You silly head, I asked you to just call me Syrene. Regardless, since you asked so nicely, how could I do otherwise?” Syrene flashed a brilliant smile as she continued to lead them down a long hallway.

“The standardized elemental talent test is divided into three portions, each revealing a specific aspect of an individual’s elemental powers. The first is elemental cumulus, which has to do with the total volume of elemental essence a person may wield. Think of it as the number of times a man may lift a specific weight. Elemental essence is similar, in that each individual may only wield a finite amount of essence before injury or death follows.”

Skyle nodded as he recalled Leon’s overdrafting, when the young fire summoner had greatly exceeded his elemetal capacity - or cumulus, as he finally learned its formal term.

“The second is elemental gravitas, which equates to the density of elemental essence a person may harness. Returning to my earlier example, this time consider the heaviest weight that a person may lift under optimal conditions. Gravitas is the final measure of applied elemental might a person can bring to bear at their utmost limit.”

Skyle confused frown eased away at this comparison, and he nodded his understanding.

“Finally, the third aspect is elemental regia. It qualifies the elemental affinity and proficiency of the wielder. For you see, Skyle, the elements favor each person in different ways and measures. For instance, your sister has high regia with both water and wind. This means that her ability to attune her senses and wield the power of water or wind comes naturally to her, and in turn, her efforts are rewarded far more richly than for other people.”

Skyle’s eyes flashed at this revelation.

“You mentioned both affinity and proficiency. Are they considered separate fields?”

Syrene nodded appreciatively to the young boy.

“Indeed, they are. Affinity is a talent you are born with, and is extremely difficult to increase through artificial means. Proficiency, on the other hand, is much as its name implies. It is a craft which you are not born with, but rather nurtured through painstaking effort and hard work. Though affinity helps in such endeavors, ultimately skill is largely up to the individual’s tenacity and perseverance.”

The Aegis’sur did not miss the fire that lit up Skyle’s gaze at her words, and she continued with a smile.

“In fact, this is the reason the academies were created in the first place. Elemental regis is the cornerstone that will allow a person to achieve higher levels in their cumulus or gravitas. As such, regis is the focus of most of the academy’s efforts in educating its students. Also remember, affinity is only part of the all-important regis. Skill is the greatest asset which will see a person wallow in the depths of mediocrity, or rise to the peaks of greatness.”

Skyle clenched his fists as he nodded, his pulse beating fast as he realized that even with his crippled veins, with enough skill he might be able to bridge the gap between himself and gifted elementalists. After all, didn’t the Desolate Star Technique already provide him incredible advantages that even summoners like Leon could only envy?

A fierce competitive spirit burned in his chest as he regarded the halls before him. The results of the tests in his case might be disappointing to others, but he was a different person now. He knew the path that he would walk, and this regis would just be one more cornerstone of his foundations.

“We’re here. Come along, now. And remember, testing is only about numbers and figures. Only you can decide where they will take you. Whether it is to the bottom of a pit of despair, or the summit of excellence, it is all in your own hands, Skyle.”

Skyle smiled at this, and nodded firmly to Syrene. The summoner seemed greatly pleased at his reaction. She returned his nod with a brilliant smile of her own and led him through the archway beyond.

They walked into a wide hall nearly two hundred feet wide. Huge everlight globes hung from tall, domed ceilings which reflected their intense glow. In the middle of the room stood a great crystal that was as tall as a man. It lay perched upon a pedestal that was inscribed with magical sigils. They flickered with intense light as a young boy, perhaps Skyle’s age, lay his hands upon a handle that protruded from the mounting structure.

Gradually, the crystal began to vibrate as essence rippled through its surface. Its color began to shift from crystal clear to a light green hue. This change in color began from its core and slowly spread outward until it finally encompassed the whole crystal. At this point, a low, buzzing hum could be heard reverberating from the walls of the room.

A dozen children could be seen standing at a distance, watching with rapt fascination. Three older men dressed in the robes of academy teachers stood by the crystal, keeping a watchful eye over the entire process.

The young man infusing elemental essence into the crystal began to shake as copious beads of sweat rolled down his face. His eyes did not even blink as they stared at the crystal with red-eyed vehemence. As veins began to bulge out of his neck and his lips let a forceful grunt escape past them, the center of the crystal began to shift from a pale green to a deeper shade.

The student opened his lips in a snarl as he forcefully leaned upon the bars he was hanging onto with all his weight. His entire body was trembling under the strain, but he only had eyes for the glowing crystal, where a stronger green hue steadily crept closer to its edges. Finally, the entire crystal took on a deep green color, and the crystal hummed once again.

The sound rippled through the entire room as the young man finally collapsed. and excited gasps could be heard.

“Orwen made it to the peak of the 2nd green spectrum!”

“He’s progressed so quickly. Last semester he could barely reach the middle of the 2nd green spectrum.”

“That’s only to be expected. Orwen has always been hard-working, and I heard his elemental affinity is in the mid-60s.”

One of the teachers suddenly seemed to notice the new arrivals in the room. Turning his head, his eyes flew wide as he immediately stepped forward to offer a deep bow.

“Magister Syrene, you honor us with your presence. I am Master Thaddeus, of the fire school of magic.”

The words took the entire room by storm, as every set of eyes turned in their direction as one. The other two masters hurriedly stepped forward to offer their own greetings.

“Magister Syrene, we are humbled by such an unexpected pleasure. I’m Master Kolhus, from the earth school of magic.”

“Magister Syrene, I’m Master Reifus of the fire school of magic. It is truly a delightful surprise to meet you here.”

Syrene nodded with an impatient air as the students all began to crowd behind their masters, craning their heads to look at the famous Aegis’sur. Most females looked nearly as surprised as Skyle had been at the summoner’s exotic appearance. The males, in the other hand, gazed in rapt fascination, looking as though their souls had already been lost between each sinuous wave of Syrene’s bountiful breasts.

“A pleasure, I’m sure,” Syrene said, just barely dipping her head in return. The academy masters did not seem to take any offense at this. If anything, the smiles on their faces grew even more enthusiastic.

These quickly stiffened, then withered away at Syrene’s next words and the slight crease upon her forehead which accompanied them.

“I believe I had reserved use of this cumulus testing crystal for this morning. Perhaps I have made a mistake, academy masters?”

Color swiftly fled from the men’s faces. One of them stepped forward and offered an even more obsequious bow.

“Magister Syrene, this is rather awkward. Please, allow me to explain, as I hope that you will-”

“Do explain,” Syrene said, tilting her head sideways while her eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

Master Thaddeus mopped at the sudden sweat beading his forehead as he flashed his teeth in an uncomfortable smile. “Thank you, Magister Syrene. You see, we have been waiting for an opportunity to assess the progress of these students of ours for the past month. We managed to schedule a time slot with much difficulty, but then found that it had been indefinitely postponed by a clear oversight-”

“No oversight, I assure you. It was I who ordered the morning’s previous schedule to be cleared for my own personal use. Unless you believe otherwise, Master..?”

“Thaddeus, Magister.”

“Master Thaddeus. Rest assured, I shall remember the name.”

The slightest twist of her lips, though barely discernible, set Master Thaddeus’ hands shaking so badly that he had to clutch at his academy robes in order to get them to stop.

“Magister Syrene, please allow me correct myself. I believe I misspoke earlier. We had inadvertently-”

Another slight hitch of the Aegis’sur’s eyebrows was enough to stop the master’s speech on its tracks. He licked his lips and tried again.

“I mean, we foolishly and presumptuously decided to avail ourselves of these facilities without knowing that it was you, Magister Syrene, who had rightfully reserved the day’s slot.”

“Hmm.”

The indifferent noise was all the acknowledgement the poor man received for his efforts. It did not cease to fascinate Skyle that this strange woman could so easily bring a master level elementalist down to his knees in such a fashion.

Master Thaddeus seemed at a loss for words, and it was up to Master Kolhus to step forward this time. His hands were also clutching at his own robes, however.

“Magister Syrene, please accept our humblest apologies for the intrusion. We will, of course, vacate the premises immediately.”

Skyle finally could not take this pathetic groveling any longer, and stepped forward in spite of himself.

“Madam Aegis’sur, I don’t believe it will take long to test one person, and I feel it unfair that so many others should have to suffer because of it.”

For the first time, every eye in the room seemed to notice the children accompanying Syrene. They gazed upon Skyle with uncomprehending stares. Skyle could almost read the expressions on each of their faces. Who was this uncouth boy dressed like a farmboy speaking to the exalted summoner with such brazen audacity?

A full-fledged frown finally creased the Aegis’sur’s forehead as she stared disapprovingly at Skyle. An ominous silence filled the room as every soul hung upon Syrene’s next words. However, only Skyle knew with bone deep certainty, that the summoner herself was waiting on his next words.

Glancing helplessly toward his back, where he could feel Kassandra’s hostile aura as she hovered menacingly just outside of his vision, Skyle suppressed an inward groan and a roll of his eyes as he forced himself to speak the next words.

“Syrene, everyone can share, right?”

Shocked gasps shattered the silence like thunder, leaving every person in the room gazing speechlessly at Skyle.

Only the Aegis’sur was all smiles as she nodded to Skyle and pulled him closer, squeezing his cheeks between her hands.

“How could I resist when you ask me so nicely, dear Skyle?”

Skyle couldn’t decide which was worse: the fact that he had just called the dreadful woman by her name, the horrified gazes of every student and master in the room, or the ominous death aura emanating from his baby sister at his back.