Epilogue

A young woman climbed out of the carriage, taking in the sight of the Imperial Academy. The lush green lawns, the neat and orderly paved paths, the beautiful façade of the main building. Everywhere she looked, she could see people hurrying about for the first day of classes.

Brushing her long, black hair out of her face, she looked up at the Night sky, where the White Moon hovered protectively, driving back the darkness with its soft, pale light. Staring at the celestial object, she felt her resolve strengthen. Nodding her head, she closed the carriage door, waving goodbye to the driver.

Hefting her bag of holding, she placed the strap across her shoulder, careful to not crease her new uniform. A black coat, with white stitching and embroidery, complemented her white skirt perfectly. Walking swiftly down the path, she tried to avoid bumping into the other students, all heading in the same direction.

Pieces of conversation reached her ears, and she couldn’t help but be interested in what they were saying.

“Do you like it? It’s from Lund! I got it when I visited Aachen this summer with my parents. They have everything there!” A girl was saying, a second year, showing off a jade hairpin that shone brightly in her brown hair. Her friends were gathered around her, talking about their summer vacations.

The young woman smiled as she heard what they were discussing. Although she was born in Lund, Aachen was her home, and she was always proud when people praised it.

Another bit of news caught her interest.

“The goblins in the east are growing bold. I heard they are even attacking trade caravans during the day! The Adventurer Guild are recruiting students from the upper classes to hunt them.” A young man said, a cluster of other youths gathered around him. He was gesturing with his arms, demonstrating how he would fight them if given a chance.

The Adventurer Guild had only opened branches in Illyria a few years ago, but they were already so successful that the Empire had put an end to the Auxiliaries, instead contracting out Quests to the Guild. She remembered her father talking about his time as an adventurer, bedtime stories told to her when she was a little girl.

‘I should look into joining the Guild, maybe they will accept first years.’ She thought, curious about questing. She was Rank 5, one of the strongest of the new class to arrive at the Academy. Not only that, but she had also been mentored since she was young by one of the greatest mages in Lund. She shouldn’t have a problem impressing the recruiters.

She winced at the thought of her mother learning of her plans to join the Guild. She had been overprotective recently, to the point where she didn’t want to send her to the academy at all. It was only when her father mentioned his desire for her to study there, that she had been allowed to go.

She let the noise wash over her, moving quickly so that she wouldn’t be late for her first class. Weaving around the crowds, she entered the main building, clutching the bag of holding closely. It had been a gift from her uncle, their house symbol etched prominently on the front. He had told her that he had once given her father a similar item, instantly making it one of her most cherished possessions.

The main building was an open hall, filled with students coming and going. Signs had been posted, indicating where classes were being held, which direction the library and cafeteria could be found. There were even banners advertising after school activities. In the middle a large poster showed the Adventurer Guild, a team of men and women illustrated in the center, fighting against a large Orc.

Pulling out a slip of paper where her class schedule was written, she read the room number.

“3A, East Wing.” She whispered, looking at the signs. Spotting the stairwell, she rushed up the steps, taking two at a time. Panting a little at the exertion, she reached the third floor. Turning right, she entered the East Wing where dozens of classrooms lined the two walls.

Finding ‘A’, the first one on the right, she walked into the room. It was laid out in an amphitheatre style, with rows of desks on ascending platforms, a podium stood in the front of the room. Walking to the first row, she sat in the middle desk, placing her bag of holding on the tabletop and pulling out a sheet of parchment, and a textbook.

There were already about a dozen students in the classroom, all wearing similar uniforms, each around her age. After a quick glance to confirm she didn’t know anyone here, she flipped open the textbook, hoping to review the first chapter before the Magus arrived.

Other students filed in while she read, slowly filling up the classroom. Soft white moonlight filtered into the room from the large windows, while magical orbs in wall sconces lit the classroom to a noonday brightness.

Keeping one on the door, she subtly watched her classmates as they entered. None really stood out, aside from a handsome young man, with platinum blond hair and an arrogant expression on his face. If his nose was any further in the air, he would likely stumble on steps walking to his desk.

Laughing silently at the image of him falling, she watched him take a seat in the back. Turning back to the door, another student caught her attention. It was a red-haired girl, her skin so pale it practically glowed in the light. She was higher rank than most of the other people here, a Rank 3, but it was her hands that caught her attention.

They were scarred, silvery lines crisscrossed her hands, wrists, and arm. She recognized them immediately. They came from training with a sword, her mother had similar scars on her arms, and a much larger one on her chest, over her heart.

Shuddering, the girl turned away, not liking the evidence of violence on display. Unlike her mother, she preferred to study and learn. She wanted the excitement of adventuring, discovering new things and uncovering lost secrets, but she could do without the killing and constant fighting.

Turning back to her book, she was interrupted in her reading by the sharp clacking of heels on the wooden flooring. A women entered the room, in her mid to late thirties, wearing silver mage robes. She was much higher ranked the young woman, easily over Rank 10. She could feel the magic around her, a shimmering haze that smelled of ozone.

The woman walked to the Podium, depositing a stack of books onto the table beside her and turning to the class. She didn’t need to make her presence known to the students, the simple feeling of her intense mana was enough to silence the room.

“Good morning.” The Magus stated, waiting for the rest of the class to respond. There was a smattering of ‘good mornings’ in reply. If the mage took offence to their lackadaisical response, she didn’t show it, merely observing the students, taking a headcount to ensure they were all there.

“I am April Fairfax, Magus of the Empire, and your instructor for this course. You will refer to me as Magus April, or simply Magus. I trust you all have your supplies, your textbook will be essential for your course and I expect each and every one of you to be prepared and well versed on the material in your books before you attend my class. Is that understood?” April said, her voice stern.

Not seeing any complaints, she nodded, before gesturing with her hand. Blazing runes filled the air, coalescing into the image of the triumvirate. The Twin Suns, blue and gold, ringing a white disk in the center. The room filled with the smell of magic.

“Welcome to the fundamentals of magic. I suspect that for most of you, this will be old information, something that you learned from tutors or self learning years ago. But it’s important that you understand the basis of magic before you proceed to the more advanced levels.”

“We will be going over the basic spell matrices from each of the schools of magic, as well as the various Celestial objects and earthly phenomenon that affect magic.” April said, filling the air above her podium with more symbols and images. Not just the moon and suns, but the stars and their constellations, the ocean, even a large mountain were recreated by the Magus.

The young woman watched the images with interest. She recognized most, although she had no idea what the mountain, or the large wolf-like creature, were.

“But first, we’ll do introductions. Going around the room, tell me your name, your rank, and what your background is. For some of you who have not been exposed to this information before, I will be available for tutoring, as well as providing guidance for texts that you should read.” April said, implying that some of the students from poorer, or less educated backgrounds, should avail themselves to her help.

The Academy let people in from all walks of life, as long as they possessed mana, or the ability to use magic. But for many of the students, they came from homes without expensive tutors, or with uneducated parents. For some, this would have been the first time they had ever been taught in a classroom.

Pointing to the first person, April waited patiently while the students introduced themselves. Some were children of nobles, or mages. Several were either sons or daughters of adventurers, or being actively recruited by the guild, like the young woman with the sword scars. They were here to round out their education before officially joining.

After a dozen or so people, it was the young woman’s turn. Standing, she was aware of the room’s attention being on her. Several young men were watching her intently. She was beautiful, with long black hair and bright blue eyes. Several were already thinking of approaching her after class.

“My name is Serena Brookmoor.” The young woman said. To her surprise, the magus started slightly at the last name, narrowing her eyes, and studying her carefully.

“Brookmoor? Would your father be the Earl, Markus Brookmoor? I wasn’t aware his daughter was old enough to attend the Academy.” April asked, probing for more information. She could feel the mana the young woman held, a Rank 5 was beyond impressive for her age. The Earl’s children were only young, could this be…

“No, he’s my uncle.” Serena said simply.

“Uncle…” April trailed off, becoming slightly uncomfortable. Shaking off her thoughts, she smiled at the young woman.

“I knew your father.” The magus said, nodding at the girl and indicating that she could sit down. Moving on, the class finished introductions. During the rest of the lecture, Serena caught the Magus sneaking glances at her. When class was over, while she was gathering her things, April approached her.

“Serena.” She said, getting her attention. “I’m sorry if I made things awkward for you. It just…your father and I were close. I wasn’t even aware he had a daughter. If you don’t mind me asking, who is your mother?” April asked, waiting for the rest of the classroom to empty before speaking her question.

“My mother’s name is Mara. Do you know her as well?” Serena asked, curious. April shook her head, not knowing the woman.

“No, Wil and I attended the Academy together. After he left, I only saw him once, briefly, before the moon shattered. Is he well?” April asked, still concerned for Wil even after all these years.

“Father is…busy. I live with Mother in Aachen, and he visits when he gets the chance.” Serena replied, not at all concerned by the Magus’ questions. Her father warned her that people would be curious about her once they learned she was his daughter.

“Busy? Is he still adventuring?” April asked.

“You could say that.” Serena said, smiling.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

High above the earth, floating in the darkness of Night, the White Moon shone brightly. On its surface, a white palace rose from the soil. Glimmering with magic, it was the focal point of the moon’s mana. Deep inside, a large hall dominated the space, in the center of which was the throne of a god.

Wil leaned back in his chair, the Gluttonous Blade leaning against the arm of his white throne. Through his senses he watched the world below, as well as the sky above, looking for anything that would threaten humanity.

With a grin, he watched his daughter enter the academy. He had pushed for her to attend, wanting her to experience life to it fullest. With Amara training her, as well as Mara and Astrid, she had a wealth of tutors and knowledge, but Wil felt that the Academy would give her a chance to truly shine.

“April.” Wil whispered, surprised that the feelings that he once felt for her had faded. He was glad she was happy, and not at all surprised she was a Magus. Turning his attention away from the Academy, he took a moment to look in on Mara, Astrid, and Quentin.

Mara was spending time with Bell, the old man visited her more frequently, now that he retired to Aachen. They were joined by Mara’s parents, and Wil could only watch for a moment before his vision was pulled away.

Astrid was currently in the Wilds, leading an adventuring party deep into the wilderness, in search of the mythical secret at the center. He had been keeping an eye on her, concerned that she would be over her head. But so far, things had been going surprisingly smooth for her.

Tearing his senses away, he quickly saw to Quentin, eagerly counting her profits, practically giggling as she stacked gold coins. Shaking his head at her, he leaned back in his throne. In the distance, he could feel the other gods, their arguments and banter washing over him.

Ignoring them, he looked to the stars. The longer he spent as the White Moon, the closer they felt, and the more removed the world below seemed to be. Sometimes, he worried he was losing his humanity, that when he created the Gluttonous Blade, he hadn’t truly removed its taint. It was a kernel of fear, lodged deep in his heart.

He could hear the stars calling to him, urging him to explore their secrets. Someday, he would answer that call, leaving this world behind.

Wil opened his eyes, turning away from the heavens and focusing the earth. Someday, but for now, he was humanity’s guardian against the Night, and the things that lurked in the Aether.