Chapter 9 - Official Rank 1 Mage

Inside the training facility I attempt to cast the flare spell for the first time, mentally calculating every individual equation I slowly formulate the external rune. When the rune is fully constructed, I push it to the palm of my hand before channelling mana into it. A small ball of condensed flame forms in my hand and once the spell is fully formed, I let it loose, the flame implodes before igniting in a burst of sizzling sparks that spread out in my close proximity before fading out.

The spell’s purpose is to fend off nearby attackers, it has a naturally short cast time, will deal considerable damage and stuns attackers by flicking small sparks into their eyes. A perfect addition due to my weak defence, though I’m sure it’s a rather common issue among new mages.

Walking back toward my dorm room, some students seem to briefly glance at me, others outright stare at me, and then there are a few who quietly murmur as if I can’t hear them, “Isn’t that her, the murderer?”

“That’s Agnes, right?”

“I heard she’s batshit crazy.”

I would’ve thought they’d be over it by now, it’s been a whole semester! But clearly, I underestimated teenagers and their desire for drama. It wouldn’t even be so bad as rumours are usually false, but the subject matter isn’t exactly something that can be written off, and even worse is that is it’s true…

But I’ve always considered myself rather stoic in the face of drama, so I won’t let it get to me, I will not let it get to me! Arriving back at my dorm room I shut the door with a little more force than I intended, shocking Aurelie alert from her meditation. She leans her head forward slightly as she squints at me, slowly saying, “Something wrong?... It’s bloody Leonore again isn’t it.”

I wave her off before jumping onto my bed, digging my face into my pillow to cool off. After a moment I feel my arm getting poked, I swing around and playfully kick Aurelie away, “You dare touch me with your peasant hands!”

She bows earnestly saying in faux worship, “My apologies magus Agnes, it won’t happen again.”

“Very good, as long as you know your place, in recompense you will be giving me a foot rub.” I say as I dangle my feet off the bed.

“With pleasure,” Aurelie says with a grin as she quickly kneels down at my feet. Snapping my legs back I shout, “Hey hey, I was joking, you disgust me sometimes, honestly!”

Smiling stupidly for a moment, she walks back over to her bed before asking, “How do you feel about the exam tomorrow?”

“Meh, fine I suppose.” I briefly reply.

Her face switches to an uncharacteristic sternness as she says, “Well, this exam is very important, it’s possible we could get moved to the S-class.”

I shrug, “I don’t really see the benefits; we haven’t exactly received all that much being in the A class.”

She stares at me in bemusement, before explaining, “Are you joking? The high grade cultivation potion is more than enough reason, not to mention what the S class gets.”

I nod half-heartedly before saying in disappointment, “I felt like the potion we had yesterday wasn’t as effective as the one last semester.”

I then jokingly ask, “Are we getting scammed?”

She falls back on her bed in uproarious laughter, finally speaking out between chuckles, “Haha, no, potions lose their effectiveness the more you use them, you either have to use potions of different ingredients or stronger ones.”

“Hm, I thought it was something like that.” I remark thoughtfully before perking up and happily saying, “Oh! I managed to cast flare just before.”

She smiles without yet looks unsurprised, still she congratulates me anyway, “Really? That’s great. But we still need to get you some new spells, particularly for your ice affinity. Your affinities and short casting speed are perfect for artillery mages. You can use your ice affinity to create a strong defence, then use your fire affinity to cast destructive spells with your high cast speed. You’ll be unstoppable!”

The end of year exams was a busy period. We first had our typical knowledge exam. A few days later we then had a revaluation, performing the same exam we did to enter the academy, right now we are performing our practical exam, and in three days’ time we have our official rank 1 exam.

Inside the exam room looking just it did last year, high mage Leon explains, “Students, today will be the practical examination. I will be grading you based on your performance with the two spells ‘lesser magic missile’ and ‘lesser magic shield’. Hugo you may begin, please step into the testing area, and perform both spells separately to the best of your ability.”

Much like last semester everyone casts their spells, no one notable except of course Aurelie and Leonore. Aurelie’s performance with magic missile remains exactly the same at 1.7 seconds and a 9.8 rating because it’s not like she practiced the spell. Her magic shield is at 3.2 seconds and a rating of 9.8 too, which is impressive if you look at the average of the class which is about 8 seconds. However, Leonore beat her yet again with her magic missile being cast at 1.4 seconds and with a 9.9 rating again, moreover her shield is cast at 2.9 seconds with 9.9 rating.

Finally my turn, while confidently walking forward I casually raise my hand and cast a missile in literally a split second. Looking back to my audience, some of the students silently gawk at me, some indifferent, and then Leonore looks even contemptuous. Fortunately, the teacher is beaming as he compliments, “Very good Agnes, a cast speed of 0.6 seconds and a perfection rating of 9.7. How you manage it is beyond me.”

I then perform magic shield, achieving a value of 1.9 seconds and a 9.4 rating. A little disappointed with the rating but I don’t practice this spell too often because I found it rather lacking against monsters.

Teacher Leon walks to the middle of the room, explaining to everyone, “Congratulations everyone for reaching this far, this is the last you will see of me this year. But don’t fret, I’ve already been assigned as the teacher for class A-2 of the second year, so unless some of you drop down a grade which I’m confident won’t be the case, I’ll see you all next year. Your final exam is in 3 days to become officially recognised rank 1 mages of the mages guild, this will be supervised by an authorised guild mage. Don’t worry too much about this exam, there are no grades, only a standard to pass and the knowledge we’ve taught you is far beyond this standard. The exam is a mere formality to academy students. So, enjoy your break and I hope to see you next year.”

The exam really was quite a breeze, it’s been a week since then, Aurelie and I are currently in our dorm room with our unopened report cards in hand. Aurelie solemnly stares down before twitching in impatience and suddenly tearing it open, I follow suite, finding three sheets of paper, the first is my semester’s report card.

Theory

Mathematics: A

Spell theory: B

Practical

Spell perfection: A+

Spell casting speed: S+

I managed to shoot my mathematics into an A due to my focused study on learning the flare spell. Unfortunately, I neglected spell theory for it, focusing more on just trying to cast the spell without actually understanding the underlying purposes of the runes. But spell theory is more important for spell construction and general research, mathematics is important as well, but it’s also necessary for even learning spells at all. If I had the choice, I’d skip spell theory completely and focus entirely on mathematics and practicals. Alas this school is designed to create researchers, maybe I could get a transfer to one of those battlemage academies. Breaking from my thoughts, I then look at the second piece of paper, it seems to be a certificate with a simple decorative border.

Certificate of achievement

The Mages Guild honours

Agnes

As a certified rank 1 mage

Guild mage

Magician Pascal Flagel

So I’m a true rank 1 mage now, that’s rather underwhelming, no celebration or anything? Moving on I flip onto the next sheet, this one will decide my class placement, it will also show how much I’ve improved in cultivation.

Name: Agnes

Age: 13

Mage rank: 1

Affinity: 3.0 ice, 3.7 fire

Mana: 46 standard units

Calculated talent: 7.2

Cultivation talent: 7.8 (156%)

Mana manipulation: 3.9 (Gilbert grading)

Will: 4 (Gilbert grading)

IQ: 123 (93.7 percentile)

Classroom: NA

Congratulations mage Agnes, you’ve been invited to S-class on a full scholarship. I also personally invite you to my office to have a conversation about your future here at the academy.

Headmaster Edgar

I made it into S-class! Moreover, my new stats are far higher than before, I mentally recall my old talent sheet.

Name: Agnes

Age: 13

Mage rank: 1

Affinity: 3.0 ice, 3.7 fire

Mana: 38 standard units

Calculated Talent: 6.68

Cultivation talent: 6.7 (134%)

Mana manipulation: 3.8 (Gilbert grading)

Will: 3.5 (Gilbert grading)

IQ: 122 (92.9 percentile)

Classroom: A-2

My mana has actually increased a substantial amount if you consider the fact that I was studying, practicing spells and even went on an adventure. It’s the potions no doubt, I suppose it makes sense that we get them, to make up for time lost in our studies. My affinities are still the same but I’m not sure how they increase or if they even can. Importantly my cultivation talent has increased considerably from the hope flowers no doubt.

My mana manipulation barely increased, but that makes sense, the only times I manipulate mana is when I channel spells into external runic structures for my current spells, and they’re rather simple. Moreover, the difference between each whole number is meant to be a bottleneck. The last time I actually stressed my mana manipulation was when I constructed my first rune before I even knew they were called runes, my rank 1 internal runic structure.

My will has increased far beyond expectations, the thing is I’m not sure why, I even passed the bottleneck into 4 which is related to why I can cast so quickly. And obviously my intelligence is still the same, it increased slightly not because I’m smarter but because the test isn’t entirely accurate; it’s supposed to fluctuate slightly. Looking up at Aurelie who is widely grinning as she relaxes back in satisfaction. Noticing my gaze, she turns toward me asking in anticipation, “Well?”

Snorting slightly before remarking with a poker face, “Well I can already tell you’re in.”

“And you?” She asks with a sliver of concern as she leans toward me. I feel my lips twitch as I try to hold in a smirk, but my mouth uncontrollably draws into a grin before rhetorically asking, “What do you think?”

She jumps from her bed, running over to give me a hearty hug, as she excitedly shouts, “We did it, this is just the beginning Agnes, we’ll reach far I just know it.”

I push her away while agreeing with her, “I don’t doubt it. But I have a question.”

“Yes?”

“My will, why is it so high?” I inquire.

“Hm, give me a look at your report card first.” She requests while handing me hers, saying, “Here’s mine.”

Name: Aurelie L’Estocq

Age: 13

Mage rank: 1

Affinity: 3.3 shadow, 3.9 air

Mana: 41 standard units

Calculated Talent: 7.2

Cultivation talent: 9.9 (198%)

Mana manipulation: 3.2 (Gilbert grading)

Will: 1.9 (Gilbert grading)

IQ: 131 (98.1 percentile)

Classroom: NA

As I look through Aurelie’s talent sheet she comments, “Your cultivation really did increase quite a bit, and your will, although I suspected it was at 4 when you broke through a few months ago, actually seeing it, I’m impressed.”

“And? Why has my will increased so high?”

She playfully walks around the room as she explains, “It’s simple really; some people have a talent for will. Your will is closer to an ancient mage, but you’re certainly not special, many others are just as, if not more talented than you. Modern magic is much more streamlined than ancient magic, reducing the barrier for entry. Ancient mages had very basic mathematical theories, so they performed far more calculations to get the same result. This meant ancient mages needed a higher talent for will.”

I nod in understanding before I note, “So we’re offered a full scholarship, I suppose I don’t have to worry about money anymore.”

Her face flashes with slight distress before she suddenly beseeches me, “Whew, you just reminded me, please do not take the scholarship!”

“Why?” I ask feeling bemused. She laughs mockingly as she explains, “Hah, you think they’d pay for a talented student and not expect to get anything out of it. You’re unaffiliated with any powers so they will try to rope you in. Stick with the half scholarship; that way you remain unaligned with the academy.”

I nod seriously in agreement, that makes sense actually. Feeling hurried I make for the door while saying, “I think I’m going to visit the headmaster right away then; I want to get it out of the way so I can relax.”

“Fine, I’ll be doing the opposite and delaying as long as possible haha.” She says with a chuckle while briefly waving me goodbye.

Assuming the headmaster is in the main building I head there. The academy grounds are mostly empty with only a few students relaxing or chatting with friends, fewer still are studying textbooks. At the main building I find a teacher who directs me to the Headmaster’s office which is on the third floor, although I haven’t even been on the second. I come across the broad wooden staircase located at the centre of the main building.

Ascending up two flights, I come to this quiet floor. Long empty hallways uncannily stretch out to my right and left, my thoughts drift as I curiously explore down the right hallway. The place gives off an odd sense of stiltedness that’s disorientating to walk through. A dreadfully loud whisper talks into my ear, reactively I jump against the wall, looking back, it’s just a blank wallpapered wall. I look around urgently, looking for the trickster yet finding nothing. The absence of anything is less than comforting. I cautiously trudge forward eventually reaching the end of the hallway. I hear muffled voices that echo out, a strange fluctuation that contrasts with the stillness of the hallway, breaking me from my dreamlike state. What the hell just happened? With my senses fully in my control I notice that I’m shivering.

As I near the door I stop hesitantly, not wanting to disturb the conversation, but suddenly the door swings open, I notice small tendrils of mana grasped around the knob, mana can be used like that? Headmaster Edgar is seated behind his desk, looking just the same from when I saw him earlier in the year. He smiles at me before gesturing me to enter while jovially saying, “Ah mage Agnes, come in come in, don’t mind us, we’ll be done in a moment, take a seat wherever you wish.”

I take a careful seat on a lounge couch. The other mage in the room looks scholarly with long tied back hair and a pair of glasses, he says, “I’ll finish up quickly then Edgar. I really do implore you to send at least a small expedition force to the Viranchi gulch, the mana there has been going off the charts and I believe it’s related to the 2% increase in mana density.”

The headmaster sighs as a frowns draws on his face, “Again with the mana density, I don’t need you to tell me that it’s been causing peculiar phenomena, mages have spent the last decade telling me. Look Daniel, the academy is already strained, we’ve been having these magical anomalies every other month, we’ve even got the adventurers guild involved. I’ll have to put the gulch off for the near future, I know you have vested interests in the Viranchi county, but I can’t help you with what I don’t have.”

Daniel’s face grows dark before he performs a quick bow while saying, “I understand, thank you for your time, Edgar.”

“Until next time old friend.” Edgar says eliciting Daniel to give a curt nod back before leaving. Edgar then turns to me, gesturing towards the free seat facing his desk. I take a seat, letting loose the words on the tip of my tongue, “On my way here, I had a horrifying experience. I think the building may be haunted!”

He smirks in amusement before explaining, “Ah yes, centuries ago, during a research experiment there was a magical accident. It warped time space, splicing a little of some other dimension with ours. Many mages my better have tried to fix it, all have failed.”

I feel a sliver of terror before dismally asking, “Why wasn’t I told?”

With a look of quizzical wonder he says, “What do you mean? It only causes minor distortions and slight disorientation, nothing too noteworthy.”

I feel baffled, ‘minor’ he says, was I just going crazy? Maybe it really was nothing. Trying to ignore it, I change the subject by saying, “Well ok then, and uh, forgive me for being blunt, but I wasn’t aware we did any research here.”

He nods with a slight smile, “Indeed, we don’t, this academy used to be a university before the mages guild changed their policy and decided to centralise research at the headquarters, supposedly it improves magical research, but I wouldn’t be surprised if those old bags had ulterior motives.”

I look him over, noting his severely wrinkled face, who’s he calling old bag? His small frame leans forward slightly as he asks, “Mage Agnes, have you decided to accept the full scholarship?”

I shake my head, politely declining, “No sorry, I have not headmaster.”

He looks at me intensely as he sternly states, “You are aware that the price of the S class is 200 gold, yes? Even with your half scholarship you will still be paying 100 gold.”

I feel my eyebrows furrow slightly as I honestly reply, “I wasn’t actually aware of that, but I stand by my decision.”

“Very well then, I’m not one to be overbearing, you’re free to change your mind whenever you wish. I’ll have your class details delivered to you soon. That’ll be all.” He says before flicking his hand forward, causing the door to creak open behind me. Great now I’ve got to return back through that hallway.

A few days later, Aurelie and I peacefully meditating. We hear loud raps on our door, Aurelie performs a spell and dashes in front of it, saving me the trouble. When Aurelie opens the door the tall form of Rachel is revealed, her stern face assessing us before finally saying, “I don’t know how you two did it. Getting into the S-class after only a year.”

“We’re geniuses, I thought that was already obvious.” Aurelie states confidently as she straightens her back. Rachel’s face remains unchanging, clearly unimpressed as she blandly says, “Right… Well, even though you both have a poor record, you two being S-class mages allowed me to get you guys into an expedition team.”

Aurelie’s eyebrows shoot up, “An expedition team? For the adventurers guild I’m guessing.”

She shakes her head causing her long ponytail to whip about before elaborating, “No, it’s organised by the mages guild this time, I don’t know the full details yet, it’s dungeon related, an ancient mage’s abode I believe, but even they’re not sure. The expedition will be headed by a rank 3 high mage, so you two won’t be integral, but it’ll be good experience, after all it’s rare to be placed on an expedition as a rank 1 mage.”

“When do we leave?” I ask.

“Two days.” She promptly replies.

Two days later as we walk towards to meeting spot, outside the city walls, I ask a question I’ve always had on my mind, “I’ve always wondered, why is the club called the duelling club?”

She smirks slightly, explaining, “Everyone asks it eventually. Well, decades ago our club used to be focused solely on duelling. Many of the mages that did well in combat ended up questing for the adventurers guild after graduating. These alumni thought they would’ve performed better if they started practical work early, so they decided to get their friends still in school some adventuring work. This soon became an official channel for mages to get practical experience and earn money.”

I nod, but point out the glaring issue, “Hm ok, then why hasn’t anyone changed the name?”

Shrugging uncaringly, she answers half-heartedly, “I don’t know, tradition I imagine. Or maybe so that the story behind the club’s origins keeps getting told. It’s just a name in the end.”

We pass through the crowded streets, walking towards the outer wall whose tip can always be slightly glimpsed due to the shortness of the structures in Feiroy. Leaving the city, just beside the entrance and alongside the wall, a gathering of people, horses and carriages can be seen. Nearing the group, I take notice of the wide variety of people here. Armoured warriors, light armoured rangers and robed scholarly mages contrasted with robed battle hardened mages. There are also a few out of place individuals in white robes with a religious symbol imprinted on it, why on earth are priests coming with us? I spot Leonore while she peeks at us, her gaze uncharacteristically averts elsewhere as soon as I look, hm, odd.

A notable mage among the crowd in a particularly flamboyant robe approaches us. Her robe is green and red striped and looks rather cool, like a hipster mage. I lightly chuckle to myself inciting Aurelie and Rachel to look at me weirdly. The flamboyantly dressed mage is an attractive middle aged woman with free flowing brown hair and an inviting smile. She says, “Ah, mage Rachel, are these the ones?”

She nods simply, “They are high mage Viera, I’ll be off if you have nothing else; I have errands to run.”

“Of course, mage Rachel, and tell your mother I said hi.” High mage Viera jovially says. Rachel nods at her before walking off with even a goodbye to us. High mage Viera then turns to us, introducing herself, “I am high mage Viera, the leader of this expedition, as long as you obey my orders or the orders of your superiors, you’ll be fine.”

She then points over to a mage in bland dark blue robes, “That mage will be in charge of you two, just tell him I sent you. We’re still waiting on a few people, but we’ll be off soon and since I have some work to do, you little mages can sort yourselves out I’m sure.”

She then returns to a group of more important looking people in their higher quality clothing. Aurelie and I glance at each other before making our way over to the blue robed mage.