"A place once my own, alluding me unlike it once was. Now worn and weary age has shown, I query does it still follow? These lands will they accept my command, my hand? Does this time call for me- Awaken once more, have I played into plans far from sight. Or by mere chance?"

...

Enveloped in mixtures of white, of varying hues the scenery laid beyond sight. Gaudy fog overgrew the surroundings masking all but a flickering light, like a beacon it beckoned eyes as if calm relief within haze's uncertainty. Freezing whispers of wind swept, carrying suspense and worry as four shadows walked, encompassing the stillness. Red bricks were their guide, the lantern moved not once from the path. This guide, the astral border, was a place not just for protection, more than just a shield. The atmosphere taps one's core, breaking down its barrier as time passes connection within unifies, strengthening the control between mind and body.

Tearing one's barrier, ought be taken with caution these astral borders once used as grounds to hone the mind. Though effective, its nature is volatile like a double edged sword one can easily perish inside the unpredictable surroundings. It too easy to lose sanity, yet knowing or not acolytes are destined to cross, unless they wish to forfeit the right to progress. Knowledge earned not given, in the world of magi results are paramount nothing less. Only by cunning and determination will one succeed, fledgling innocence will only give a few cubic feet of soil, at best a quick death.

Time passed but for how long remained mystery, within the walls of white nothing was discernible. All sensation of the outside had been carried off, peering into the enveloping abyss caused only confusion and doubt. Twisting figures, elusive mirages roamed from all corners of one's eye, tempting those weak of heart to step out into nothingness. Just beyond the lights embrace massive silhouettes manifested, edging closer a metal gate came into view. Extensive vines were rooted clutching the gate seemingly, as if it had been waiting decades for those along the path, so much that flakes of its coating had accumulated into small mounds.

Cracked and weathered much of its surrounding fence had since crumbled under the year's strenuous conditions. Junas eased up, seeing the decrepit gate "We're here." ... "The exit!??" Travis clamored as be begun to fondle the gate, "Do you have no shame?" Beth said watching in a warped grin pulling him by the collar, from the gate in distress. "I wouldn't be so fast on passing that gate." Ceron said "Isn't that right Junas?" Junas stopped for a moment, surprised at the words he just heard. "An astute observation acolyte... This gate isn't ordinary far from it." Junas continued as he approached its front, picking up a pebble from the decaying rubble.

"If you may, watch closely." Clearly holding the rock up in his hand Junas, then sent it bursting from his hands, in a flash the movements were blur. Immediately after it had left were his sides visible, though none had given him a glance- Behind Junas their attention drew, plumes of rock-dust slowly fell just beyond the other side. In an instant it had been reduced to a lowly powder. Beth gulped as its remains drifted, "The spiritual pressure on the gate is far more potent than what we're currently standing in." Stated Ceron apathetically... "That's correct. Since arriving here, slivers of our spirit energy have been taken and absorbed. Like many others residing within and over the gate, for what purpose?

The mind is often said to be the strongest weapon. The body, ones arts, or the dances of blades will never compare. Such an attempt would only be a fool's gambit. Pressure isn't the only obstacle or rather, it's only part of the problem... Common folk weren't born magi, nor we humans for that matter. An untrained mind cannot comprehend the complexities of the spirit. Right now you lot are no different than those sheep outside." Junas stated as if but fact, maybe it was.

"Ha! I'm nothing like those penny pinchers." Beth bellowed, with hands on her hip, "Nobility has no right to be compared to those "sheep" as you call it." Her tone grew piercing the ears till, perhaps just the feeling of bleeding Ceron knew not which. "We're sorry Ms. Nobility," Ceron slipped drawing Beth's conflicting Ire "AH? even you m-Asriel? you realize you're nobility too?" "..eh.. yes." ... "So you agree?" Beth jerked, "..." ... ".." "Yes..?" Ceron said with questionable accuracy as sweat rolled from his forehead.

Junas sighed, watching the fair sight. A contemptuous attitude, bearing the facade of a fair maiden's beauty. My condolences, to the nobility's betrothed if one... he thought daring not say it out-loud, not wishing to hear the repercussions. "Tell me my acolytes have either of thy, actually done magic hm..? "..Of course, I have meddled with potions." Beth gave, Travis nodded in agreement. A sharp tang rose from Junas as he raised his brow, "Alchemy may involve magic, but it's far from it... You've yet to tap into your spirit. Potioneering of your level using not of one's magic, only the ingredients used as it stands a mere child can mix substances without a lick of power."

"What shall we do?" Ceron asked, yet knowing what's to come. Perhaps ending in the same result, not all of the processes are universal. "He's not wrong my power.. Mphm, ..." Ceron lamented while awaiting the guides' next words. "You all have potential that's why you're here, whoever they may be deemed you have some latent ability. Before proceeding, we need to unlock that potential... Caring for efficiency my method is not the norm, you could die." Junas turned cold wearing a stoic expression, "Do you three have the resolve to risk your life? If not, this isn't the path for you."

...

Silence met with resolved gazes, Junas huffed with a firm nod. "It seems' that I was wrong. These two aren't as meek as they appear... Though. Casting his view on Asriel Junas tightened. "This one, unlike the others I can't read him. It's like he's hiding something, though it's none of my concern. However the lad’ is too knowledgeable, someone well versed in the magical must be behind this." Junas contemplated, now facing a flashing smirk.. Ceron inwardly smiled...Mostly, watching Junas failed attempts on him, ..An attempt, but nonetheless futile. Masked under the cowl of Elrax, it may be only a fragment, not heed my call it still is a powerful remnant. It's power alone should disguise my own with confusing distortions, yet it's not like this guide will tell who I am regardless of it. Doubtful if many can recognize me, at-least not anyone born from this age.... Still secrecy in one's abilities is common sense if it's still a thing.

"Must be nice. Thinking the choice was up to you." Junas said, rising odd looks from Beth and Travis. "You've all signed the contract, from then on you were property of the academies. I may not have dragged you to stay, I care not what happens. But if you had deserted, it wouldn't be a sight I'd be willing to watch as ravens pluck your innards... This place isn't the most welcoming of establishments." Beth nudged Ceron, as if worried which he replied only with a small shrug and the safety of a smile.

Junas eyes' twitched, that arrogance, is he not worried at all? ... "Well eager are we, then let's commence unlocking that potential, unless... The air you carry is facade?" "Actions speak louder than words Junas." Ceron spoke in a snapping tone, not caring for the unnecessary lengthily of trivial details Junas tried to preach, maybe in order to rattle the supposed greenhorn. "Mph indeed. That is true," Junas reached out to his side clutching nothingness- Till there was a manifestation, seemingly appearing from nowhere a cloth bag came to be...

As if effortlessly, like breathing, no distress or strain indicated from the sight Junas performed. That's how it seemed, to be from Beth and Travis with the limited knowledge they possessed. Ceron stood idly, as he held his tongue, only spotting a glimpse of scarlet and shine. A ring that ever so slightly gleamed mysterious red, Spatial magic... How does a mere guide have such a rarity? Such magical apparel have to be forged by master class arcanists, not something a guardian to academy grounds should've acquired. Nothing like it would have sold even at that enchanting market, which despite its lavish appearance seemed to only sell the most basic of magical supplies for exorbitant prices.

Ceron's endless conjecture carried on, further as he watched every aspect of Junas. There are tells, tells that indicate the act of deception, be it the eyes or body language and sometimes by verbal ineptitude. Usually those accompanied with experiences of deception, in any shape can tell when they are being deceived or led from the truth. Ceron's first observations still lingered in his mind, the power displayed by this guide wasn't ordinary nor is the magic ring he holds and possibly more considering spatial magic.. "My suspicion has bore fruit, it truly seems that Junas is more than just a guide... And likely has already begun to consider my origin, being of high birth gives one certain leeway." Ceron devilishly pondered, keeping a keen eye.

It was no bigger than a palm, the brown bag was oddly small. Something that could've easily been hidden in pockets, looking sunken not much or anything at all resided inside. Junas plucked three sticks from the bag, each no more than a few inches and nearly thick as a nail. "You all will need one.." Junas spoke while distributing them to the trio, "What use do we need from sticks?" Travis said to himself in a fiery tone, inspected fragile things before him. A brief moment of hesitation rose on Ceron as he held the stick, followed with slight grimace and traces of a smile- looking upon the stick's white tips.

"The process of honing the mind, takes years or perhaps even life times till death. As you know we don't have such luxuries, you three or at least.. One of you is expected to be upon academy grounds in little as a few hours..." Junas gave a small crackle and casted his view to the stick Travis gripped, "It's an ordinary piece of wood just like you, unremarkable nor discernible from the mold in any way... The fragile nature of it represents your own soul, weak as it is without any foundation we must change that." The surroundings turned an ominous calm, as Junas explained the needings, of what had to be done. His face turned sharp, as he took a deep breath and his fingers snapped.

A haze of weight, shot from Junas' hand. A crackle, vibration emitted wildly within the sticks, a strange force pulled down. Splintering, shards of their tops blew upward and drifted to ruined cobble- The force grew far greater to triples of its original pull. In succession, Beth and Travis fell meeting face-down with the floor, trickles of exhaustion ran down Ceron's forehead. Only briefly breathing in, caused Ceron to fall on one knee.

Hovering between consciousness and the grips of darkness, Beth stared at Ceron pleading with her eyes for help, trying not to acknowledge the still body by her side.

Ceron too soon wavered, an sensation of dread came over him feeling as if his own body had been dismantled. Just a lapse of concentration had brought distress, "T-hose sticks... The magi must be in dire need of acolytes, Chaining an unprotected spirit to but a twig.." Ceron wearily glanced his surroundings and rested upon Beth's reaching gaze. Not a word was uttered barely enough to glance around let alone speak, but lasting mere moments their contact caused small relief in Beth's mind making a weak smile. However strained Ceron's composure fared better a fate than those around him, the others having not experienced the pressure of the spirit being altered.

Ceron took a long breath, knowing of what to come. Such alterations of the spirit weren't any small venture, it was nearly suicidal... Maybe not the exact specificalities of this occurrence, but it surely hasn't changed the mortality rate of it' Ceron pondered with a grumble. If the academy was so, keen on fresh meat to toy with... I shouldn't have come, my body isn't to be used by others. But-t at the moment, difficult to change. Ceron shot a glare to Junas, "Holding on till the last, that's a remarkable will you possess most fall victim and blackout. But not you Asriel and looking now it seems your breathing is becoming stable."

Junas spoke with a surprised look, "Why is that?"

...

The sensation, immeasurable skin turned coarse and red. Beth gasped, reaching for her own neck. "BB-URNING.. What did yo-u do.. to me?" Beth finished with numerous hackles, blood-shot eyes. "Stop resisting, you don't want to become a statistic. Breath deeply relax yourself." Ceron walked over to Beth, placing his hand over her forehead, "Let it be, resistance will cause rejection and death." Beth responded with a weary nod before tapering off into unconsciousness. Her face laid still, just like Travis to the side almost appearing cooked with discolored skin. Ceron sighed, as he saw Junas bearing an inquisitive and questionable look... Taunting with a smirk, a perceived notion of having finally figured it out.

"That obvious?" Letting out a chuckle Ceron slightly bowed, reached for Beth's satchel. "It wasn't as if you were hiding it all that much, who are you?" Wisps of wind past Junas as he asked, the mysterious lad seemingly too knowledgeable about the magi. At first glance the boy didn't seem remarkable, no its best to say he was average at best but something wasn't average. A confidence like a veteran could be just tacked off as arrogance, but not the knowledge. "As you said, it's no secret suppose I'll come loose." Ceron paused momentarily before continuing, "Son of a King's knight comes with privileges, you are aware. The magi world isn't only secluded in the academies, but all over past and present. An aid to my father, a low class magician told me ways of sorcery... Maybe I have been flaunting to much, obviously the low magician hasn't taught me all."

Words since past, Junas tempered a grin "A low magician, serving a king's knight... That's somewhat unusual but still it does give reason for this Asriel's actions. There are more strange occurrences in this world, this boy isn't the first with magi backing.- A low thud intervened upon Junas stopping his contemplation, "It seems... My subject, that I Inquire isn't so sturdy after all." Barely restraining himself from laughter, Junas moved Asriel and the accompany in proper lying positions. The body is a fragile thing, so is the mind sometimes even more brittle than the former. The process of altering the spirit causes massive strain on both, it being more common than not those who undergo it pass out. As there are limits, the mind and body need to rest and adapt something sheer willpower usually cannot overcome.

...

Darkness enveloping, shadowing all seen a somber calm came once more, encompassing my being. The feeling welcoming yet- A sense of dreadful familiarity towards ensealment, just like the chains that bound me, that kept me in eternal strangle. This fleeting life, human and mortal twists and withers in a blink. Like a shallow flame ready to be swept to nothingness with mere gusts of careless wind. The landscape, forever changing and those that inhabit its soil too becoming fertilizer for the next who wander upon it. All the shine and gleam, it still does not cover the finer similarities, the worlds facade has changed but all remains stagnant, still the same as if centuries ago. Desire runs, controlling behind the curtain, fate of all man and godly alike ruled by it. Just. like. Me...

This world passes, with or without me. Almost insignificant as a speck of dirt easily forgotten and too dismissed. Once I came, and once I failed have the experiences caused me to learn, from what had been done? ... Well intentions not, the past remains in stone it defines the future, though I can change it. I'm not so easily swept by the passage of time...

Ceron delved, a deep waking sleep took settlement, his mind and body began to morph, into something else. Moments were like days, a lowly hum invaded his ears, he was in the inner mind.

After what seemed like weeks, a vast ocean came, Ceron had experienced this before as the formation of a core. Representing who he is, what he can become... It stretched in all directions, an almost endless ocean for what could be seen. The sky remained a constant purple, with only a circle floating overhead. Strange still somehow, Ceron knew it, he had seen the circle yet he hadn't. Shifting... Twisting.. Rotating.. Turning. Peering into the unknown, but known the circle moved in indiscernible ways, as if it was already to where it had gone, yet still to where it had been. A sinister visage appeared from inside the instability, two green dots glowed, directly at Ceron... The ocean turned frigid, the surroundings became blur till all but the seething glare. misgiving, its gaze cold and unforgiving, as if piercing Ceron's chest a shallow pain surged, unmoving the devourer of souls, stood speechless, stared back with creeping anxiety.

...

Pulling his hair back Junas watched those he had guarded in silence. Truth was, the alteration process wasn't quite what he wanted or wished to do but it was necessity for all in times of preparation. The latest arrivals were a curious lot, far more so than whom he had escorted prior and for once Junas didn't understand. An odd bunch of misfits, especially one that eluded his inquiries. "Interesting... Asriel Elrad, what will you do?" Junas said to himself as curiosity overcame and suspicious intent lowered, after all he was just a child.

The sticks served more than to break the barrier, Junas looked at each. All three had not crumbled, cracked or withered away but turned to stone. Clear indication that the efforts weren't for waste, and that Asriel, Travis and Beth had passed. Still linked to the trio, that itself being great risk and unneeded danger Junas grabbed the stones, with a silent spell disenchanted them. A mist of white shot out from the sticks, all entering or escaping to the resting. Parts of their spirit came back, so no longer bound by an object their expressions looked relieved, though not conscious to perceive the happenings. It must be an odd reflex Junas thought as he walked to the nearest ample, and fallen pillar now serving as a rough chair.

Junas kept a keen eye, regardless of the present tranquility. Unpredictable, just like life but more so, unusually so, the restless departed nearly always attempt to snatch those who venture here. Just as before, it may happen again. Beyond the gate yielded more than a higher pressure, such details kept any guardian alive the area ahead wasn't to walk on. The density attracts bigger lost souls, and at a higher rate, making the before seem but a walk in the park... Junas reached into his black shirt, grabbing a booklet, ragged it had seen much use.

Worn its seams were failing, discolored binding coming loose. Hanging on till the last it yet hadn't, taking rejoice in that as if it was set in stone, Junas opened the cover without the faintest of delicacy. It was a log book, one to count the passing failures. Junas turned each page, numbering from one to three hundred and two, more than fifty percent had failed or died so far. Which, that was unprecedentedly high, still Junas couldn't smile as dozens he had taken, perished under his guidance. Ninety-eight, Ninety-nine, Hundred and One, marked his latest success. Junas felt he should feel more than he did, not even an inkling of joy surfaced. "Perhaps the sight of constant death has grown me cold and uncaring." ... As Junas held those thoughts, a rumble past the gate creeped.

In rhythm it became distinct, the sound of hooves running on ruined cobble filled the eerie silence Junas had reflected in. Soon after four sets of patter took stage, a carriage was nearing. Bright, welcoming light cleared the walls of white, akin to warmth of summer, fog being winter multiple meters of it receded. As if melting the foreboding uncertainty a healthy glow filled the surroundings, making it inconceivable that they were encased in miles thick fog. So fast, that Junas spotted faces of terror, anguish reeling back in droves at the newfound sun. "It's about time, sitting in this wasteland any longer would perhaps drive me insane, I'd rather like to keep my insanity the way it is..." Looking to Beth, the parting ghouls with luscious eyes, seething at the lying Beth. Just past the light Junas huffed, "And glad I didn't get the pleasure of witnessing, that again..."

Born from clay, the four sets of hooves came into view. Gray and gaudy, the horses lacked emotion, unguided and alone no coachman sat. The carriage too, held only vacant seats and a weathered frame creaking with each step and turn of its wheels. Yet seemingly alive the carriage doors opened, awaiting and beckoning the party to rest inside. Not in the least surprised, the same as it ever was, Junas put back his log and walked towards the carriage, a tiny bit of relief swelled in his chest as he got closer- And nearly resting again Junas looked around, inside the welcoming carriage. He could taste the future, the brimming cup of ale that awaited, the delicious and flavorful aroma- Looking outside Junas saw the three he had guided, "Ahhh, mm." Glancing around, even though he was alone, sweat filled his back. ...

Stepping, outside of the tender embrace of ragged leather among hard lime and rock. Junas peaked at the motionless clay horses, swearing of spotting a glimmer of laughter and pity if but for a moment in their dull eyes. Though impossible, from a summon of its nature, Junas moved to the three. Hoisting them over his shoulder, hefting them to the carriage seats one by one. With the lump still stuck in his throat Junas coughed a tad bit suspiciously, thankful that no one was around to see his near blunder. So, Junas mused what just transpired should be kept from the record, he needed his southern parts intact. And telling a soul, especially the candidates almost left for dead would jeopardize his manhood.

...