[Scene Loading…]
[Location: Leoncrest Castle - Dormitory]
[Date: August 8, y. 485 of the Fourth Age]
Zeke spent the rest of that night in his bedroom, mostly just getting things unpacked and ready. As he lay down and tried to sleep, he thought he heard something in the hallway, a low rumbling of stone and deep, heavy footsteps upon the carpet. He wasn't at all sure what it was, and he had no intentions of poking his head out to find out. Some mysteries were better left unsolved, especially on your first night in a magical academy.
The next morning, he rose with the sun, stretched until his joints popped, then changed into fresh robes. His stomach growled loudly, reminding him he hadn't eaten since yesterday's journey. There had to be a dining hall somewhere in this massive place. He slipped out into the hall, decided to follow his nose, and soon found himself descending the vast spiral staircase that dominated the central tower.
When he reached the bottom, it wasn't hard to follow the flow of students heading in the same direction. They moved like a river toward what turned out to be a large, surprisingly simple hall. No stained glass here, just tall windows letting in the morning light. Long wooden tables filled the space, with a massive buffet spread across one end.
"Now we're talking," Zeke muttered, eyeing the feast as he joined the line.
Platters overflowed with fresh fruits, nuts, pastries, sausages, and bacon. The smell alone was enough to make his mouth water. He helped himself to a healthy portion of everything, balancing his overloaded plate carefully as he searched for a place to sit.
Most tables were already filling up, students clustered in tight-knit groups. Every so often, someone would glance his way, whisper something to their companions, and they'd all turn to stare. Zeke pretended not to notice, choosing an empty spot near the center of the room.
"Let them stare," he thought, taking a big bite of apple. It was perfectly crisp and sweet.
He understood their reaction, really. If some random guy had shown up at his home, claiming he was going to accomplish what even the most elite knights would hesitate to attempt, he'd probably have been skeptical too. Still, the constant attention made the apple lose some of its flavor.
"Hey. Mind if I sit here?"
Zeke looked up to see a girl approaching from across the table. She wore simple brown robes, threadbare but clean. Her hands bore callouses that no noble would ever sport, and her face had the sun-kissed look of someone who spent time working outdoors.
"Be my guest," Zeke said, gesturing to the empty bench.
She set down a plate loaded with sausage and bacon, then settled onto the seat. "So you're the newbie everyone's talking about?" she asked with a small smile.
"That'd be me." Zeke nodded. "Zeke de'Godfrey."
"Elise Arvand." She answered. "No 'de' for me."
Zeke tilted his head. "So you're a commoner?"
"Yeah." She shrugged without a hint of embarrassment. "Arvand is the name of the province where I come from. It's way out west, almost into Davenia. Actually, it's been claimed by Davenia several times. We just sort of ride along with whatever country happens to conquer us most recently."
Zeke laughed. "That's one way to handle politics. You're a warrior?"
"I'm in the mage course." She plucked a piece of bacon from her plate. "Well, sort of. I only started in the Summer Term, so I don't really have much experience yet. I'm still working to levitate things, let alone do all the really cool stuff."
"You'll get there," Zeke said with certainty. "Say, think you could show me around this place? I'm still trying to wrap my head around the sheer scale of it all."
"Sure thing," Elise nodded, her eyes brightening. "As soon as we're done with breakfast, we'll be off."
They ate quickly, though Zeke couldn't help noticing the dirty looks shot their way. Some students didn't even try to hide their disdain, openly scowling at him from across the hall. Strangely, rather than discouraging him, it only strengthened his resolve.
No one wanted him there. No one thought he could do it.
Perfect. All the more satisfying when he proved them wrong.
When they finished eating, they rose and left the dining hall together. Elise pointed him down a large hallway that led deeper into the castle.
"I know it feels like you must be halfway through the place by now, but you're actually still at the very front," she explained, her footsteps echoing against the stone floor. "Your classes will all be back this way. The library is here too - biggest in all of Athia. You're going to love it, if you're into reading."
Zeke nodded, then asked, "So if you're a commoner, how did you end up at Leoncrest? I thought this place was mainly for nobles."
"Oh, there are a few ways in for people like me," Elise said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "My parents noticed early on that I had an aptitude for magic. I'd do random things around the house that shouldn't have been possible. When I started helping my mother tend the garden, I could make the plants grow faster just by wanting them to."
She continued as they walked, "Word got out when someone from the village saw me do it, and one thing led to another. As soon as I was old enough, the governor of the territory himself vouched for me and helped me get in."
"That's amazing," Zeke murmured, genuinely impressed.
"Not as cool as your story," Elise countered, her eyes lighting up. "Taking up your brother's sword after his aura was broken fighting Socrax! That's the stuff of legends." She suddenly turned and gestured at an elaborate doorway. "And here's the library."
They stepped through the archway, and Zeke's jaw dropped. The room was almost as large as the entry hall, but filled with countless books. Shelves rose dozens of feet into the air throughout the middle of the room, with far taller ones lining the walls all the way to the vaulted ceiling. The smell of parchment, leather, and ink filled the air.
「?????????????????? ??????????????」
【The largest collection of knowledge in the kingdom】
【Home to over one million tomes】
【Special collections require authorization】
While Zeke was still gaping in amazement, an elderly man with a beard that fell to his waist shuffled forward from between the stacks.
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"Welcome, welcome!" he called in a surprisingly strong voice.
Zeke nodded and held out his hand. The old man shook it with a grip firmer than his appearance suggested, then turned to Elise with a grandfatherly smile.
"Well, any friend of Elise is a friend of mine, so I imagine you will be quite welcome in this place." His eyes narrowed slightly as he examined Zeke. "I don't recognize you, and I know everyone here, which means you must be new. Let me see. Let me look at your eyes," His own eyes widened in recognition. "Zeke de'Godfrey?"
"Does everyone here know who I am?" Zeke asked, trying not to sound annoyed.
"I'm afraid so, yes." The old man sighed sympathetically. "My name is Adrian Levayne. I serve as the caretaker of the library. I'll admit, when I heard you were coming, I was pleasantly surprised. I have somewhat of a larger interest in your arrival than most."
"Really?" Zeke frowned.
"Indeed. I was good friends with your grandfather when he came through Leoncrest." Adrian smiled warmly, his eyes distant with memory. "I didn't have much chance to interact with your brother. He was in a tight spot and was pushed to complete the trials as fast as possible. I don't think he had a lot of choice." He shook his head. "Well, all of that can come later. I'm very glad that you've arrived."
Footsteps echoed on the floor behind them, and Zeke turned to see an elderly woman approaching. She wore the elaborate robes of a professor, and her stern face was lined with age.
"Elise! There you are," she called. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Did you forget that we had a training session this morning?"
Elise sighed and rolled her eyes. "Sorry, Madam Thompson. I forgot."
"Then it's a good thing I found you! Come along, come along." The professor beckoned impatiently.
Elise shrugged apologetically at Zeke. "Duty calls. I'll see you around!" She waved as she was led away.
Zeke waved back, then turned to Adrian, who was studying him intently.
"Just look at you," the old librarian said, shaking his head in wonder. "You're every inch your grandfather, I hope you know that."
"I don't," Zeke admitted. "I never knew him. Don't know much of anything, really."
"Well, then I'll do what I can to get you caught up." Adrian patted his shoulder. "My office is always open to you. House Levayne and House Godfrey have always been allies, and right now, I fear the safety of the whole realm may hinge on your standing here. Yeah." He paused, then sighed. "No, that can come later, too."
"There seems to be a lot happening that nobody wants to tell me about," Zeke observed. "My brother was the same way at first."
"This sort of situation has never happened before, at least according to the history books," Adrian explained. "It has people feeling quite tense, and I can't say I blame them. Strange circumstances breed strange consequences."
Zeke frowned, trying to process this cryptic information. Suddenly, footsteps echoed from between the stacks, and two young women emerged from the rows of books.
The first had brilliant red hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. Her robes, dyed in deep crimson and gold, were bound elegantly around her slender frame, and a thin rapier hung at her side. She carried herself with the unmistakable air of nobility - head high, shoulders back, every movement precise and deliberate.
Beside her walked a taller, more muscular woman with short black hair. Unlike her companion, she wore a set of lightweight training armor rather than robes. The sword at her hip was larger, its hilt set with glittering gemstones. Her gray eyes were sharp and assessing, taking in everything around her with military precision.
Both women cast appraising glances at Zeke as they passed. Neither looked particularly impressed by what they saw, though the red-haired one raised an eyebrow briefly before they continued on their way.
Adrian waited until they were gone before speaking. "Victoria Reinfir and Ingrid Stormhall. They've been here for a few years now and are the best of friends."
"You know them?" Zeke asked.
"I told you, I know everyone," Adrian smiled, tapping his temple. "I watch, and I learn. Those two room together, and they're not to be trifled with. Female students tend to have a harder time at the academy, but they bonded early and have stood against everything thrown at them."
He lowered his voice slightly. "Not that I intend to gossip, but I personally think that some of their 'stands' have been a bit over the top. All I mean to say is that you don't want to get on their bad sides. Do that, and you won't know what hit you."
"Good to know," Zeke said, filing away this information. "What about Diocletian de'Minziar? The guy who confronted me yesterday."
"Harmless," Adrian shrugged, "at least in all the important ways. He comes from an insignificant branch of a major house known for aggression. Few of his own relatives take him seriously, so he does what he can to ensure everyone else does. He's annoying, but he won't do you any real harm beyond perhaps a beating in the training yard now and then."
"Could be worse," Zeke nodded, considering. "And my roommate? Ralph de'Arnette?"
"Ah! Now there's a heart of gold," Adrian's face brightened. "If you scored him as a roommate, your stay will be much pleasanter. He's a good student, if somewhat lax about studying. You'll get along well with him." He clapped his hands together. "Now, why don't I show you around?"
For the next several hours, Adrian gave Zeke a comprehensive tour. They explored much of the library, including several hidden study alcoves that were nearly impossible to find without guidance. Outside the library, Adrian showed him the locations of all the major towers and how to reach his most important classes. By the time they finished, Zeke felt he had a much better understanding of the academy and its workings.
"The main thing is to stay focused," Adrian summarized as they concluded their tour back in the library. "Keep your wits about you, and don't hesitate to ask for help." He paused, his expression growing serious. "And don't venture outside the Academy walls unless required for a class. The Leoncrest Estate is enormous, and students are technically allowed to explore it at their discretion, but it can be perilous. If you get lost and miss class, you'll be expelled, and, well, there are many dangers lurking in those woods."
"I'll keep that in mind," Zeke promised. "Thank you, again, for everything."
With that, he started back through the castle, taking his time to peek into open rooms and halls as he passed. He wondered what his time here would be like. Would he make friends and forge alliances? Or would he end up as a lone wolf, standing against seemingly impossible odds? There was no way to know yet - all he could do was press forward.
When he arrived back at his room in the late afternoon, his stomach was growling. He'd missed lunch during the tour, but hunger was quickly forgotten when he noticed his door was slightly ajar. Curious, he pushed it open to find another student already inside.
The boy spun around at the sound. "Who's there?"
"Just me," Zeke said, holding up a hand in greeting. "Ralph de'Arnette?"
"That's me!" The other boy's frown vanished, replaced by an enthusiastic smile. "Oh! And you'd be Zeke! You have no idea how much I've heard about you!"
Zeke stepped inside and offered his hand. Ralph shook it vigorously. He wore robes of sapphire and black - House Arnette's colors. Taller than Zeke by a few inches and considerably more heavyset, he had the look of someone who enjoyed the finer things in life. Despite this, his handshake was firm and his eyes sharp. A mop of curly red hair framed his round face, and he flopped back onto his bed as Zeke closed the door.
"Oh, this is going to be fun!" Ralph declared, stretching out comfortably. "Everyone already thinks I'm weird, so now that you're here, they'll really think I've lost my marbles. But that'll just play perfectly into my plans."
"Which are?" Zeke asked, settling onto his own bed.
"Oh, you know. Preparing for life after the Academy," Ralph replied casually. He pulled a small throwing star from his pocket and tossed it up at the ceiling. To Zeke's amazement, it stuck firmly in the wooden beams overhead. "Forging weapons and all the other cool stuff that House Arnette does."
He sat up suddenly, eyes bright with recognition. "Hey, your brother had a sword from our forge, I think! Yeah, he did! I remember because I was shocked when I heard it shattered. Had to have been a nasty dragon indeed to break House Arnette steel."
Zeke nodded, impressed despite himself. House Arnette's weapons were legendary.
Ralph continued without pausing for breath. "Anyway, here's what I'm thinking. We go into this as a team, and I claim to be your squire. That'll really throw people for a loop! Half of them think you're nothing more than a ragdoll, and the other half suspect you've been secretly training from birth."
He gestured dramatically, nearly falling off the bed in his enthusiasm. "If I say I'm your squire, they'll assume you must be epic, which makes me epic by association! If we go the other way, with you as my squire? No one would blink twice."
The throwing star dropped from the ceiling and landed with a thunk in the bed, barely missing Ralph's leg. He didn't even flinch.
"And then we come to the girls," he continued, wiggling his eyebrows. "Here's my plan for that situation."
As Ralph rambled on, laying out increasingly elaborate schemes for their time at the academy, Zeke couldn't help but smile. His new roommate clearly had energy to spare and seemed to know every corner of academy life. Whatever challenges lay ahead, having an ally like Ralph would make them easier to face - and probably a lot more entertaining too.
[Scene Close]
[Earned Emblems:]
- Heart of the Warrior
[Active Quests:]
[Training Montage: Train to begin 34 Trials]
[First Day: Attend your first class]
