Dean Marcus paced while his senior instructors sat quietly at the conference table. He was almost eighty years old. His thinning hair and gaunt frame might fool some, but his years of adventuring had honed his magic into a force that was rivaled by few. He had faced men and monster alike, but even he might not weather the storm that was coming. He hated the squabbling merchant families. Like the nobles of old, bickering and fighting as if they were destined for greatness. Liars and thieves the lot of them. And now he was stuck between them and a young orphan boy whom they would tear to shreds if given the opportunity.

He sighed, easing himself into his chair. The old leather had been padding the backsides of Deans for longer than he had been alive. His bright sapphire eyes looked over his instructors. Each and every one was a trusted and capable mage. Hopefully, they could protect to boy.

“The council has stated that the law is clear.” Dean Marcus said tiredly. “Dante will be treated and taught as an equal.” His tone was clear that this was not to be contested.

The instructors nodded in understanding. They had hoped to train him in private. The boy could be protected if secreted away. The council had denied them and he would be amongst his classmates, trained as any other student.

“This will be a trying time for the Academy. Every family of power will try to usurp the boy. Let’s go over our preparations.” Dean Marcus looked expectantly to Senior Instructor Williams. Williams was an old war dog of sorts. The man had been an Adventurer for thirty some odd years before finally settling down at the Academy. The pale scars left across his face were in stark contrast to his dark skin and while his hair was peppered with silver, he still had the build of an Adventurer.

Williams scratched his black and grey beard while he weighed several contingencies against each other. His steel colored eyes played through every strike and counter strike as he thought through the Academies defenses and the forces that would soon test them.

“We will need to strengthen our security and we will need council approved Intelligence Officers spread out in the sixteenth district. All teleport pads must be watched and a quick reaction team will be needed on standby.” Williams said easily.

Dean Marcus nodded and looked towards Senior Instructor Magnus. Ellian Magnus was a Life Mage with an incredible specialty. She could grow a plant named Essence’s Whisper. The flower looked unassuming at first glance but would allow Magnus to hear and see through any Essence Whisper within her range.

Magnus looked through her essence tablet, a six-inch by nine-inch crystal tablet that was edged in steel and gold. Enchantment runes covered the metal in fine detail. Pulling up a layout of the Academy, her topaz eyes flicked back and forth, scanning the Academies layout.

“I can’t cover the entirety of the outside wall; however, I can secure the perimeter of the boy’s dorm and his classes. We can have complete coverage of those areas but we risk having less time to react.” Magnus said.

“It will have to do.” Dean Marcus replied. “The rest of us will go about as usual. Keep tabs on any student or faculty that leaves campus unexpectedly.” He eyed the instructors and a smile touched his lips. “Now, who will train the boy?”

Dante slowly opened his eyes and was greeted with a dull ache coursing through his body. His jaw in particular was stiff and when he tried to speak, all that came out was a groan.

“I wouldn’t try to move yet if I were you.”

Miss Telis came into view as she stood beside his bed. Dante felt relief at seeing a familiar face.

“I will let the nurse know that you’re awake. You gave us quite a scare but the Dean assured us you were fine. Now don’t move, I will be right back.” Miss Telis said.

Dante felt a mixture of concern and relief from his teacher. Once she had left the room Dante studied his surroundings. The ceiling was white and… well that was all he could really see without moving. Without much else to do, Dante closed his eyes and thought back to what had happened.

He could remember the auditorium and placing his hand on the crystal. He could remember a great amount of pressure entering his body but nothing after. Dante opened his eyes as the door swung open.

A man’s face suddenly hovered above Dante. He was older than Miss Telis but not old per say. His dark brown hair was wild and unrestrained and his thick spectacles comically enlarged the two amber eyes that were staring down at him. He gently lifted Dante’s head up with one steady hand and held a vial to Dante’s lips.

“Here ya go son. Down the hatch.” The Alchemist said in a strange accent.

Dante slowly swallowed the red liquid and noticed the taste of cherries and mint. The dull ache receded and he slowly sat up with some assistance.

“There ya go son. Nice and easy.” The Alchemist said with a smile. “My name is Oliver Bramby but everyone just calls me Olley. The Life Mages fixed ya up real well and all and even saved the teeth you cracked through.”

Dante carefully checked his teeth with his tongue and all felt normal if not a little sore. Olley just laughed as he stared at Dante’s eyes. The glowing metallic silver irises stared back in confusion.

“I never thought I’d see the day when an Essence Mage would walk Kahlea once more.” Olley said brightly.

Dante eyes widened and he look to Miss Telis who just smiled somewhat sadly and nodded.

“So, what do I do now?” Dante asked. He felt a little overwhelmed.

The Alchemist replied with bewilderment. “What do ya mean?! Ya need to go out and change the world! Fight monsters and build towers or some such!” Olley exclaimed.

Dante looked as if he was going to pass out and Alchemist just burst into laughter.

“I’m just boilin ya over son!” Which Dante assumed meant that he was just joking… hopefully.

“All ya gots to do is learn and take care of yerself. Ya hear me?” Olley said cheerfully.

Dante dumbly nodded.

Olley gave another laugh at patted the boy on his arm.

“Ya free to go. Miss Telis here said she would take ya to the dorms.”

Olley stood, pocketing the vial and strode out the room humming an odd tune. Miss Telis just shook her head in amusement.

“Alchemist, one and all are a strange bunch.” She whispered to Dante. He just nodded in agreement.

“Now your uniform is right here.” She said pointing to the chair next to the bed. “I will be waiting outside the door.” She turned and again left Dante alone.

He looked around the room. It was small, white and smelled of ammonia. “Must be a hospital.” Dante thought to himself. “Why would the Academy need a hospital?” Shaking his head, he quickly changed into his uniform.

Miss Telis guided him through the stark white hallways, his shoes constantly squeaking against the floor. They had passed many Life mages and Alchemists before exiting the building. Once outside and walking mostly alone, Miss Telis finally spoke.

“Dante, you have been unconscious for two days.” She said with concern.

Dante looked at her in shock. “Two days?! What about-”

Miss Telis just signaled Dante to listen and he quickly quieted down.

“Your classmates are fine. Though Kelsi and Ferris kept asking to see you. Bit of a headache, those two”

Dante smiled thinking of the concern his friends had shown.

“I have your schedule for your classes as well. Along with your Magic Instructor schedule.” Miss Telis added.

Dante had forgotten about that. Who could possibly train an Essence Mage if they were not an Essence Mage themselves? Miss Telis noticed the look that crossed Dante’s face and could follow his train of thought.

“You will be taught by Head Historian Alexandra Louis. She doesn’t normally teach students but the Senior Instructors felt that this was the best option. She can be a bit… odd though.” Miss Telis said.

Dante just snorted. “Miss Telis, everyone I have met here so far seems odd.”

Miss Telis laughed. “True enough. The Academy brings many eccentric minds into the fold. But Historian Louis is exceptional in this case.”

That could not bode well for him.

“Dante. You need to understand your situation.” Miss Telis said seriously.

“What situation?” Dante asked confused.

Miss Telis sighed. “Dante, I don’t know how you did it but you are an Essence Mage now. People are going try to gain your favor. They will spend an amazing amount of resources trying to claim you for their family. And if that doesn’t work, they will resort to other methods.”

Dante looked a little worried. “But I’m just an orphan. Why would anyone want me?”

The pained look that came across Miss Telis’s face immediately told Dante that he had said something wrong.

“Dante, do not disrespect what you don’t know. You think your parents wanted to die and leave you behind? Do you think that people would not beg, pay or steal to have the power that you represent?”

Dante gulped under Miss Telis’s stare. Her eyes had flashed bright with anger. She quickly settled herself and kneeled down to look Dante in the eyes.

“I know that you don’t understand Dante and I know that it’s not fair, but I need you to grow up quickly. You're smart and willful. You will need both and more if you wish to survive. There are good and bad people who live in this tower. Many can help you, but others would rather kill you than see you side with someone that opposes them. You need to watch everyone. Read them. Find their intentions. You cannot trust blindly anymore.” Miss Telis said quietly.

Dante felt scared. It was too much and it was happening too fast. Ashamed of his doubt, he grimaced and gave her a determined nod. Miss Telis smiled and led him to his dorm.

Luckily, Dante had found Kelsi and Ferris sitting under a tree in front of the dorm. They rushed him and before he knew it, he was tackled to the ground by an over emotional Kelsi while Ferris tried to pry his eyes open to get a better look.

“Dammit Ferris, stop that!” Dante yelled.

Kelsi laughed as she sat up wiping tears from her eyes while Ferris grinned.

“Dante, it is almost lunch. Ferris can show you to your room after. Your classes will start tomorrow.” Miss Telis turned quickly, leaving her students behind. She didn’t want them to see the tears that came to her eyes.

Dante’s stomach growled loudly. Apparently that particular pain was not from the affinity test.

Kelsi pulled Dante to his feet and his friends led him to the mess hall.

The mess hall was large, with several levels. Ferris explained that each level was for a specific year and the food got better the higher up you went. Dante was thankful it was mostly empty. They found a secluded corner and sat down with their trays piled high.

“So, who’s going to be your trainer?” Ferris asked.

“Head Historian Louis. Miss Telis told me when we left the hospital.” Dante replied between bites of an odd sweet roll filled with spiced meat.

“That makes sense.” Kelsi said. “The Head Historian will most likely know details of the previous Essence Mages and can work around that.”

Ferris nodded along with Kelsi’s reasoning. “They put Kelsi with one of the Life Mages who works at the hospital and I am training with Instructor Lightfoot. He trains most first year Wind Mages.”

Ferris and Kelsi’s company had been a welcome comfort after all that had happened. They were both as excited and nervous as Dante and apparently the others who witnessed Dante’s incident had started spreading ridiculous rumors. One boy even claiming that Dante had taken some illegal potion to get the Essence affinity. Surprisingly, Dante found out that it was Jasmi that had confronted the boy. He needed a broken arm mended when he ‘accidently’ fell down the dorm steps. Luckily, it was only a few feet high.

“Any interesting affinities from our class?” Dante asked.

“Ellis is a Beast Mage and Jasmi is a Death Mage.” Ferris exclaimed with unabated excitement. Kelsi grimaced at the last part. Dante was surprised about Jasmi’s affinity.

“Really?” Dante asked. “I never would have taken her for the type.”

“I know.” Kelsi agreed. “She always seems so sure of herself. I thought she would be an Earth or Fire Mage for sure.”

Once they had made a considerable dent into their food, Dante told the others what Miss Telis had warned him about. Kelsi was steaming when she heard but Ferris actually didn’t seem surprised at all.

“It’s true with every story involving the Mages of old. Power begets power. Who do you think opposed all of the great Mages of the past? Other Mages.” Ferris explained.

“That’s stupid!” Kelsi said hotly. “Why would people fight for that? Isn’t there enough trouble in the world?”

Ferris was quick to reply. “Hey, I never said it was smart. Besides, we can take care of each other. We just need to train hard, find our next two teammates and prepare for whatever comes at us.”

Dante and Kelsi stared in shock at Ferris. He had never acted so confident before.

“…but we will most likely die.” Ferris added.

There was a brief silence before they all burst into laughter.

Once finished. Ferris and Kelsi showed Dante the dorm. Each floor consisted of a girl’s wing and a boy’s wing, with a large common room separating the two. Dante was surprised to find out that everyone had their own room and bathroom. They were all housed on the fourth floor so Dante would have to grow accustomed to climbing stairs.

Dante opened his door to find a comfortable bed, a writing desk under the window and a small closet. His uniforms and field training outfits were already hanging in the closet and a number of papers lay on the desk along with a small Essence tablet and pocket watch. He grabbed his schedule and headed to the common room to compare with Kelsi and Ferris.

Every morning they had field training after breakfast. Then Math and Geography. After lunch, they all had their own training until dinner. Dante was surprised to find that most classes would hold up to forty students each.

“Just how many first years are there?” Dante asked.

“Over one hundred and twenty so far.” Kelsi answered.

“So far?” Dante asked.

Kelsi leaned in. “The upper tier students will be arriving today.”

A look of concern crossed Dante’s face as he thought of Miss Telis’ warning but Ferris just patted him on the back.

“We got your back. Plus, anyone who starts anything will have Jasmi to deal with.” Ferris stated with a grin.

Dante really needed to thank Jasmi. As much as she confused Dante, it felt good to have someone stand up for him.

Ferris was busy explaining to Dante about the viewing crystal in the common room, a large flat essence crystal that was set into the wall. Apparently, these devices could send images and sounds. Ferris was especially excited about something called Dungeon Arena, where dungeon teams would fight various monster in competition with other teams. Sudden yelling from the stairwell had brought the conversation to a halt.

“I swear if he’s dead, I will kill him.”

“You can’t kill him if he’s dead, Jasmi.”

“I’m sure I will find a way.”

Jasmi entered the fourth-floor common rooms while Gretta quickly followed behind.

When Jasmi saw the trio, she immediately froze with a mixture of surprise and embarrassment.

Dante froze as well as he watched Jasmi suddenly turn and walk straight towards him. She stopped at the table putting her hands on her hips. Her amethyst eyes were glowing which made Dante worry that she might push him down some steps.

“Do you have any idea how much trouble you have caused?!” Jasmi tried to restrain her volume but was not being very successful.

Dante just looked dumbly. “Me?”

Jasmi looked as if she was about to clock him in the face but Gretta saved him.

“Jasmi, sit!” Gretta said, firmly looking up at her friend with bright violet eyes.

Jasmi scowled but reluctantly sat down next to Kelsi with Gretta joining.

“I’m sorry for Jasmi’s behavior Dante but there is an urgent matter be discussed.” Gretta explained. She looked around the room making sure they were alone and turned back to the group, nodding to Jasmi.

Jasmi continued with more self-control.

“Did you know you were going to be an Essence Mage?” Jasmi asked. Her tone stated that she was dead serious.

Dante shook his head but then Kelsi spoke up.

“What about the dreams Dante?” Kelsi asked, raising her eye brows.

Dante winced. “I…uhh… have been having weird dreams about Essence for the past few months but I didn’t know I was actually going to become an Essence Mage.”

Jasmi sighed. “Do you have any idea how serious this is? You are in real danger once this gets out.”

Dante thought for a moment, and looked towards Kelsi who gave him a nod. Ferris simply shrugged and then suddenly winced when Kelsi kicked him under the table.

Dante wasn’t sure if he should tell the two girls what Miss Telis had told him. Before he could deny anything however, he felt genuine worry radiating from Jasmi. He couldn’t explain it, but ever since he had woken up, Dante could feel what others were feeling. Could this, ‘intuition’, be part of his new magic? He couldn’t be sure but with a sigh, Dante told them both what Miss Telis had explained to him.

After his explanation, Jasmi looked like she was going over some inner argument. When she finally looked over to Gretta, Gretta just smiled wide and nodded her head.

Jasmi blew out a deep breath. “I am…or was, from the upper tiers.”

Kelsi, Ferris and Dante just stared at her in absolute shock. Even Ferris couldn’t find something to say which didn’t happen often.

Jasmi looked at them seriously. “This is a secret and it stays a secret. Do you understand?”

The group nodded.

After another deep breath, Jasmi continued. “I was from house Castellas. They are a prominent merchant family based in the nineteenth district. I am very familiar with the politics and power struggles that occur in the tower. I was being groomed to take over for the family, learning politics and economics. Studying various house alliances and potential enemies. Those plans were shattered when my parents-” Jasmi choked back a few tears. “When my parents died. They…they didn’t die in a dungeon.”

Kelsi asked the question they were all thinking.

“What do you mean they didn’t die in a dungeon? Did they die outside the tower?”

Jasmi shook her head, she was on the verge of tears and Gretta quickly grabbed her hand, helping her calm down.

The silence that followed was heavy. Dante could almost see the emotion wreaking havoc inside Jasmi. He wanted to hear more but was afraid it would be too hard on her. Apparently, Gretta also felt the same way.

“We can discuss that at a later time.” Gretta said soothingly to her friend. “The important thing is that you understand the dangers you have been dropped into. Jasmi has given me her confidence and we believe that we can trust you all as well.”

“What do you mean?” Dante asked, a sense of dread was building up in his gut.

“It means we team up!” Gretta said happily.

Dante's eyes widened and started to panic. Kelsi just raised her brow but Ferris wore a not so subtle grin.

“This is going to be so fun.” Ferris said while looking towards Dante.

Dante just gulped.

After Gretta accompanied Jasmi back to her room, the group just sat in silence. After a little time had passed, Dante looked at Kelsi.

“So, what do you think?”

Kelsi was the leader of their team and sooner or later, they were going to need a full group.

Kelsi leaned back in her chair staring at the ceiling before answering.

“Setting aside that we don’t know our specialties, I think that we would be a strong team.”

Dante shook his head. “Okay, what exactly do you mean by specialties. I know that Mages have certain strengths but how does that affect a Life Mage or Wind Mage?”

Ferris cleared his throat, clearly considering himself an expert.

“Life Mages are known for ‘growing.’ Any organic material can grow and, in a sense, every Life Mage can affect growth with varying degrees. What really makes a difference however is their specialty. Say that two Life Mages are growing a tree from a seed. The first Life Mage has a specialty with plants so the first tree will grow faster and stronger than the second tree.

“Now let’s say that the same two Life Mages are healing a broken bone by setting it manually and then growing the connection between the two bones until it is solid. The second Life Mage’s specialty is in human anatomy so they will be able to connect that bone quicker and it will be stronger than the first Life Mage’s attempt.

“This only touches lightly on specialties.” Ferris continued. “Some Life Mages have the ability to grow and use certain plants that others will never be able to despite being a Life Mage. There is a Life Mage in the Tower of Tel that can grow and control huge vines that will sprout from the ground. There is also a Life Mage in our very own Tower of Metris that can heal and repair damage from an abnormal distance. Most Life Mages have to be somewhat close or even physically touching the person they are healing, so being able to do so at a safe distance is very helpful in a dungeon team.”

Dante listened carefully and could see how specialties could extremely change the dynamics of a dungeon team. That still left Dante wondering where he would fit in. How would his Essence affinity work in a dungeon team?

Kelsi perked up, looking towards the stairs nervously.

“What is it?” Dante asked.

“Well, it sounds like the rest of our class from the orphanage is heading up.” Kelsi said apologetically.

Dante started to get up to retreat to the safety of his room but Kelsi stopped him.

“Listen, you can’t dodge them all year. Besides, think of this as a practice run. Lots of people are going to be asking questions and gawking at you. Just be yourself and remember what Miss Telis said.” Kelsi said quickly.

“Also, try not to faint or throw up on anyone.” Ferris added with a grin.

Dante just scowled at Ferris before he was bombarded by his old classmates.