Chapter 107 - The Legendary Genius

After washing up and putting on a new uniform, Skyle hesitated for a moment before passing over Kassandra’s room. After yesterday’s ordeal, he wouldn’t begrudge her the extra sleep. He asked Jameson to look after his siblings and headed toward the Warrior School with a purposeful stride.

Thankfully, he remembered where the arena was, so he didn’t need to ask for directions. By the time he arrived at the grassy slopes of the Warrior training grounds, a surprising number of students had gathered in the area. Given that he hadn’t spotted all that many early risers on his way over, it was impressive. Maybe warrior students were more disciplined than their mage counterparts.

Only then did Skyle realize that most of the students he saw did not belong to the Warrior School. The silver badges gleaming upon their chests loudly proclaimed their identity as mage students. What were so many of them doing here?

Skyle siddled over to a young boy about his same age. Though he was slightly taller than Skyle, he was currently standing on tiptoes, craning his head up to gaze over the shoulders of a small crowd that had congregated in front of one particular building.

“Hi there,” Skyle said.

The other boy didn’t even turn his head around, shooing him away. “Forget it, this is my spot. I’ve been guarding it for an hour already.”

Skyle’s eyebrows shot up. Glancing at the student badge on the boy’s chest, Skyle saw that he was a freshman at the Mage School. In fact, most of the students gathered here seemed to belong to either the freshman or sophomore mage class.

“I’m not trying to take your spot. Just trying to be a little friendly, that’s all.”

“Yeah right, that’s what the last guy said before taking my friend’s spot. Well, I ain’t budging from here. Get lost.”

Skyle spread his hands as he quirked an eyebrow in the boy’s direction.

“Can you at least tell me what all the commotion is about.”

“You don’t know?” The boy snorted through his nose as he sneered. “What are you doing here then?”

“I’m a new student at the Warrior School. It’s my first day, and I’m supposed to be enrolling right now.”

The boy threw him a pitying look. Spotting Skyle’s confused expression, he jerked his head toward the tight press of bodies gathered before them.

“You sure know how to pick the day, huh? That building over there is where new warrior students enroll. Good luck getting through all the people, though. Be as likely to tear you to pieces as give in a single inch. There’s plenty of people who have been camping it out since before dawn.”

Scratching his head, Skyle frowned as he wondered if he should just return later. Just what was going on?

“Is it normal for the building to be this busy?”

“Of course not, you idiot. Haven’t you heard what’s happened here at the Warrior School over the past couple days?”

Skyle’s expression was completely blank. The boy sighed through his nose, muttering something about clueless newbies. It was almost as though he weren’t a freshman himself.

“Well, I suppose your luck is not all bad. You entered the academy at the perfect time to witness history in the making.” The boy straightened his back and crossed his arms over his chest as his voice took on a condescending tone. “You know about the Farrow twins, right?”

“Oh crap, don’t tell me..”

If he noticed Skyle flinching, the other boy didn’t seem to care. He pressed on with his explanation, his voice growing more excited and high-pitched with every word.

“Well, it seems like the real talent in the family’s always been the eldest brother, Skyle Farrow. He’s been training in seclusion all this time, but a couple days ago he finally unleashed his true power. He smashed a team of champions of the arena in a two-on-one fight. His opponents were cousins, but they were both injured so badly that they’re still convalescing from their injuries. Amazing, right?”

“Oh. Yeah, sure.”

The boy seemed to take Skyle’s half-frozen rictus as astonishment. His gaze grew heated as he clenched his fists.

“That’s not all. One of them was in the Senior Adept class. That’s the graduating class! There must be at least 4 years of difference between them, maybe even more! Skyle Farrow still smashed him to pieces! I heard the whole arena was soaked in blood and they had to close down the circle for an entire day because it had been wrecked so badly by the release of his powers.”

“Uh-huh,” Skyle said, his face growing hot.

That was not how he recalled events. He had barely managed to scrape a win against that murderous mage student by gambling with his life. Thinking back on it, Skyle felt so ashamed he couldn’t even hold his head up. It had all been luck that had seen him pull through in one piece. His clever strategies could have all come crashing down upon his head with one tiny mistake.

“Hey, that’s old news. Didn’t you hear about what happened at the testing chambers yesterday?”

The new voice barged into the conversation with just as much enthusiasm, leaving Skyle at a loss for words.

“Oh no, anything but that.”

Skyle was treading across thin ice as it was. He might have gotten away lightly with a probation, but he was already dealing with the taint and trying to hide it from the world. Adding a 450,000 gold debt hanging over his head like the proverbial sword was almost more than his ragged nerves could take.

“Yeah, I heard a friend talking about it,” the boy replied.

“Well, you’re lucky because I was blessed to be among the crowd that witnessed it all.”

“Seriously? That’s amazing! I heard Skyle Farrow set all-time high records across the board.”

“That’s an understatement if I ever heard one. He shattered the cumulus crystal, but not before it reached the orange spectrum.”

“Orange? No way, that’s the master level spectrum. Are you saying he’s a master? That’s impossible!”

“I know what I saw, alright? But wait, that’s not even half of it. He also smashed the gravitas golem apart with one blow!”

“What? I thought those things were supposed to be indestructible!”

“If only they really were unbreakable,” Skyle lamented in his head, “more brittle than glass, them puppets.”

“Yeah, only a true genius like Skyle Farrow could achieve such a feat. It’s practically unheard of. But stop interrupting me. The best part were the results of the regis test.”

“I heard he set several new records, right?”

Somewhere along the way, the boy whom Skyle had initially addressed had become so excited that he was gripping Skyle’s hand in a feverish grip. Skyle tugged at it a couple times, but he was held fast.

“He absolutely shattered all the records. Kassandra Farrow held the top spot with a Regis score of 220. Can you guess what Skyle Farrow’s score was?”

“What was it? Don’t string me out like this!”

“Please do. Just shut up and leave me be.” Skyle wished he could just curl up and go die in a corner. Dim as they were, Skyle had still held a glimmer of hope that he might be able to lead a quiet, low-key life at the academy. Now that the news were spreading across the entire student body like a wildfire, his hopes were dashed to pieces.

“393 Regis!”

“What? Impossible!”

“That’s not all, either.” The speaker’s voice positively dripped with puffed-up vanity, as though he were bragging about his own scores.

“What do you mean?”

“He achieved a high elemental affinity with all four elements. His proficiency rating was A+!”

“F-Four elements? That’s impossible! I’ve only ever heard of dual element geniuses!”

“That’s why everyone’s here, hoping to see the genius who will rise to become a legend with their own eyes. Mark my words, one day we’ll be able to tell our grandchildren that we saw Skyle Farrow with our very own eyes on the day he first enrolled into the academy’s Warrior School.”

“Wait, why is he enrolling at the Warrior School? Isn’t it such a waste of his elemental talent?”

“I heard others talking about it. It is the widely held opinion that Skyle Farrow wishes to smash all the records at the Warrior School first, before ascending to the Mage School. Then he can finish things off at the Summoner School!”

The boy who held Skyle’s hand had a dazed look upon his face as he turned his glassy-eyed stare toward the Warrior School. As for Skyle, he didn’t know whether he should be laughing or crying. When had he become a school smasher?

“True geniuses sure are different. I’d give my left arm just to hold a single record under my name.”

Scoffs could be heard from all around them.

“Yeah right. Dream on.”

“Idiot, keep talking like that and you might find Skyle Farrow himself paying you a little visit.”

“Really? I think it’d be worth it to get my ass kicked, if I could stand upon the same arena as a legendary genius.”

“You’re crushing the hand of that same genius right now,” Skyle moaned to himself.

“See? That’s why I said you’re lucky to be here today,” the boy said, finally turning his attention back to Skyle. “Who knows, one day you might even get to witness Skyle Farrow smashing all the warrior records.”

“Wait, is that why all the warrior students look so pissed off?” Skyle said, suddenly aware of the stormy brows and fierce scowls of all the biggest, meanest looking students spread around the crowd.

“Yep. After all, we all know Skyle Farrow won’t waste much time at a trashy place like the Warrior School. He’ll transfer to the Mage School as soon as he’s done shattering all their records and embarrassing all those brain-dead gorillas.”

“Who did you call a brain-dead gorilla? I dare you to say that to my face, you midget.”

A tall shadow loomed over the mage student. The first thing Skyle saw when he turned around was the warrior badge resting almost eye-level to him. Tilting his head back, Skyle’s mouth hung open as he saw one of the biggest, meanest looking youths he had ever faced. The behemoth easily stood out even among the intimidating crowd that was the Warrior School.

The warrior student stood at least two feet taller than Skyle, a true behemoth around seven feet tall. Bulging muscles that looked more like boulders rested upon shoulders set so wide that not even two Skyles would have been able to put their arms around them. His lips were set in a grim line as a craggy fist reached out to snatch the mage student off the ground. The giant didn’t even look as though he felt the strain.

“H-Hey, what are you doing? V-Violence is not allowed within academy grounds!” If the mage student’s voice was squeaky thin, no one could blame him.

“Those are the rules for you wimps at ladies’ school. This here is where the lions among men gather, and you look like prey. Now, I dare you to call me a gorilla just one more time.”

All the blood drained from the poor mage student’s face. He was trying to babble a response, but only incoherent sounds escaped past his trembling lips.

“Here now, I don’t think he meant any harm. I’m sure he’d be willing to apologize for any slight you might have felt.”

Skyle placed a placating hand over the brawny student’s arm, trying his best to appear as non-confrontational as he dared. Just as a precaution though, he used the Far Sight. After all, he was so badly outmassed that the giant would barely need to sneeze to knock him flying away.

“Mind your own business,” the warrior student growled, casually flicking him away without turning to look.

Having seen the move coming, Skyle leaned back and let the ponderous arm sweep by barely an inch away from his face. The giant had not expected that his hand would fail to connect, and nearly lost his balance. For the first time, he swiveled his head to take a good look at Skyle. The instant that he did, his features froze and his pupils flew wide.

“I-It’s you! You really came!”

Skyle frantically shook his head, waving his hands back and forth in denial.

It was no use. The giant gingerly set down the terrified mage student and took a careful step back, not taking his eyes off Skyle for even a single moment, as though he were expecting to be attacked at any moment.

“Skyle Farrow, I spectated your fight upon the arena. I’d recognize your blood-thirsty face anywhere! Can’t you be content to have broken the all-time records at the academy testing grounds? Must you also come to tear down the pride of the Warrior School?”

Gasps rang out all across the crowd as every set of eyes turned to stare at Skyle. The ensuing silence seemed to stretch endlessly as every breathless spectator watched the confrontation unfold between the legendary genius and the stalwart defender of the Warrior School’s honor.

The mage student lay sprawled upon the ground, staring at Skyle with blood-shot eyes. The shame in his face at failing to recognize Skyle warred with the hero-worshipping elation spilling over from his sparkling gaze.

Skyle was struck speechless by the sudden turn of events. Ignoring the mage student for now, he began to fumble inside his pockets for the acceptance letter he had received from Syrene. It was still not too late to explain the true reason he was here. Surely, the honorable warrior student would listen to reason. Hell, they would soon be classmates, of a sort.

The warrior student instantly backed away a couple steps while his hand reached down to rest nervously upon the hilt of a massive mace he held strapped by his waist.

“So, straight to business, is it? Well, I’m always ready to throw down! You’ll sully the honor of our school over my dead body, Skyle Farrow!”

“Wait, that’s not what I-” Skyle began, when a young girl walked up behind the giant and unceremoniously slapped him in the back of the head with a solic whack.

The giant hardly seemed to have felt the blow, not having budged an inch. When he turned around to confront his attacker, however, all the belligerence fled from his face.

“Elena? What are you doing here?”

Skyle tried not to stare, and failed miserably. The fierce giant who had been ready to lay his life on the line in order to defend his honor now pressed his lips together as he sulked and shifted his feet uncomfortably under the scrutiny of the newly arrived girl.

“What do you think, Durnik, you big fool. I’m doing my job and saving your hide while at it.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Elena flicked her head in Skyle’s direction. “This one's my responsibility. Get back to your training before you hurt yourself, alright? Unless you want to explain to Master Fallon why his orders weren’t carried out.”

All the reluctance swiftly fled from his expression the moment the name was mentioned. Durnik didn’t even bother saying anything else. He just turned around and left with hardly a care, all the while mopping at the dampness on his forehead.

Next, Elena turned her attention on Skyle. “As for you, you must be Skyle, right?”

Drawing his gaping jaw closed, Skyle nodded stiffly.

“Good, then follow me. I’ll get you settled.”

Skyle finally breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe sanity still prevailed in some parts of the world, after all.

“Thank you. I’d been meaning to..”

Skyle trailed off when he found himself speaking to the girl’s retreating back as she made her way through the crowd. The gathered students opened a path before her without a word, and Skyle quickly followed.

As he did so, he could hear the murmurs of the crowd around him.

“That’s him? He doesn’t look as blood-thirsty as I’d heard.”

“Of course, that’s the mark of a true killer. They shake your hand with the right hand while their left stabs you straight in the gut.”

“Shh, he may hear you.”

“I heard there wasn’t a single unbroken bone in any of poor Dalian’s limbs.”

“That’s what he gets for offending a genius.”

Skyle did his best to drown it all out, hurrying to catch up with the girl. She led them away from the crowd, inside another building with a wide gate. Thankfully, the other students were held up by the attendants standing by the entrance.

Peering around at the brightly lit hallways, Skyle frowned at the how devoid of people they were.

“Is this the way to the enrollment office?”

“No, that’s all been taken care of by the admin staff.”

“Then where are you taking me?”

“I’m in charge of your preliminary assessment.”

“I’m not familiar with the process. What’s the assessment about?”

“We’re at the Warrior School of Aegis Academy. Take a wild guess.”

Skyle frowned at the girl’s impatient tone, but decided to let it pass. At least they had finally gotten away from the crowds.

“I’m not sure how the system works, but I had nothing to do with those silly rumors. I just want a quiet seat at a class where I can mind my own business and study.”

The girl finally paused at his words. She turned around and Skyle had a good look at her for the first time.

She was the same height as him, and likely of a similar age. The calm expression on her face drew a sharp contrast with her fiery red hair and bright hazel eyes. She wore a short-sleeve top that revealed the fair skin of her arms and the many recent scratches and bruises that marred it. Her tight-fitting leggings hugged the slim curves of her legs, where Skyle could easily see the outlines of well-trained muscles.

“Is that what you told Dalian and Calvin Hawthorn before you beat them unconscious?”

Skyle couldn’t help the frown that emerged on his face at her words. He opened his mouth to explain himself, but as he thought back at the ghastly wounds he had inflicted upon his opponents on that day, he found that he couldn’t find anything to say.

“I didn’t enjoy what happened on the arena anymore than they did.”

“Easy words to say when you’re the one walking away.”

“Actually, I was blown away by the older Hawthorn’s fire spell. They had to carry me home unconscious.”

“I know, I was among the spectators. Yet here you are, glory piled high upon your lap while your enemies lie vanquished and exiled.”

Skyle blinked at her words. “Is that what happened to them?”

“At least Dalian is, since you took his badge. As for Senior Calvin, he hasn’t been seen since the incident. You didn’t know?”

Shaking his head, Skyle let out a sigh. “Maybe it is for the best. I really don’t want any trouble.”

“Then I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. You’re burning far too bright already. They say the brighter the light, the thicker the shadow. Already, there are plenty of fools looking to challenge you and make a name for themselves. Instant fame and glory make for a very tempting combination.”

“They’re welcome to it, for all I care.”

The girl seemed surprised at his reaction. “Are you really Skyle Farrow?”

The question finally snapped Skyle out of his reverie. “Yeah, that’s me.”

“You’re different from how I imagined.”

“How so?”

She tilted her head sideways, gazing at Skyle with a thoughtful look to her face.

“You sound tired and afraid.”

“That’s because I am,” Skyle confessed with a heavy sigh.

She shook her head from side to side, never taking her eyes off him.

“That’s not what I mean. Master Fallon says that courage, true courage, is forged in the crucible of fear. Without such fear, there is no true valor. For only those who have smelled their fear, tasted it upon their lips, can rise against it and overcome it.”

Skyle calmly met her gaze. Shadows of the harrowing struggles he had overcome flashed by just under the surface of his eyes. He wasn’t sure if she saw it, but after a moment the girl nodded to him.

“Maybe this won’t be a waste of my time, after all.” A tight smile spread across her face. “Well met, Skyle Farrow. I’m Elena Windgate, and I will be carrying out your placement evaluation.”

“What kind of evaluation?”

Elena’s smile grew wider as she pushed open the doors behind her back. She opened her hand in a beckoning motion.

“Trial by combat, of course. What else? We are a bunch of brainless gorillas, after all.” Her words reached Skyle’s ears just as the boy took in the spacious hall spread out before him.

Eyeing the numerous racks upon racks of weapons of every type that lay within, Skyle suddenly found that the smile on Elena’s face was rather contagious.