Magus Ascendant (Warlock of the Magus World/The Gamer inspired quest)

A/N: this is turning out way longer than I anticipated so rather than waiting to post one mega chapter, I'm going to make it into a two or three parter.


Walking through the long hallway of the dirigible, you feel as overwhelmed as when you first stepped into Klaus' cabin. The inside of the craft is extravagant beyond belief. The walls and ceiling are fashioned of a rich, dark wood. The floor is covered with a lush, white carpeting. Various statuettes and ornaments of gold and silver decorate the walls of the wide hallways and spacious bedrooms that you walk past.

As the vessel beneath your feet slowly and smoothly lifts of, the whole lot of you are lead into an expansive hall. The room is far wider and taller than it has any right to be. It must certainly be taking up a good quarter of this whole craft. Round tables and chairs capable of seating four at a time fill the room, while a long table with close to twenty chairs stands on a raised platform to one end. A number of ornate chandeliers hang from the ceiling above, filling the room with a warm glow. Behind the platform, you spy a jewel embedded door with odd patterns carved into its surface. The various initiates around you whisper in wonder as you file into the room and around the tables. You hear a number of questioning comments about the jeweled door.

The room goes dead silent a moment later as robed figures make their way onto the platform, their steady footsteps the only sound that can be heard.

The first ones onto the platform are the Magi. Two figures garbed in resplendent, white robes and a third in robes of the darkest black. One of the white robed Magi is clearly Lucifer, the Dream of Gaia looking as calm and unconcerned as when you'd left his presence. The second white robe is a beautiful, young woman with silver locks pulled up into a bun and a stern expression on her face.


The dark robed Magus is a sickly looking man with crimson eyes. His features can only be described as skeletal, with the skin pulled tight over his bald skull and thin, spindly hands. His nose is a sunken wreck, the scars on his face hinting that the missing feature was clawed off by some manner of beast. Despite his frail appearance, his steps are steady and strong as he follows behind the two Light Magi.

Without even a glance to the crowd of silent initiates, the three Magi cross the platform and pass through the jeweled door at the back. You spy another hallway leading deeper into the vessel before the door closes with a resounding slam.

Following several meters behind the three Magi, twelve Acolytes also make their way onto the platform and through the door. You spot Klaus in the middle of the throng, your benefactor sharing a whispered conversation with the curvaceous, female Acolyte that is hanging off of his arm. As soon as the door closes behind the last Acolyte, fifteen of the black robed Knights make their way onto the platform. Rather than pass through the door, they instead line themselves up in front of the long table. The room remains silent as the grave as one of the Knights steps forward to speak.

You take a long look around at the crowd surrounding you. There are perhaps fifty of you Initiates here. No more than sixty at the most. This, as Leo mentioned before you lost him in the crowd, is because there are three academies worth of students on-board. Two other academies, Four Relics Melody and Damned Reef Temple, are to share the same vessel as your own Oakenbrook Academy.

You return to facing the front just as the Knight begins speaking. From him, you learn that only half of the entire dirigible is accessible to you initiates. Less than half actually, as a good deal of that space is taken up by personal sleeping quarters which you can't really trespass into. Everything that lies beyond the jeweled door at the back of the platform is considered forbidden. Just as he says this, the gems embedded in the door flash with a myriad of colors. Excited mutters rise up in the crowd as the patterns carved into the wood begin glowing with the same light but they are quickly cut off by a cough from the Knight.

Visible to your eyes alone, a label appears above the closed door and remains even as the glowing dies down.

...Probably best to stay far away from that door. You're not certain what exactly would happen if you try to pass through it but the words 'Spirit Flaying' do not lend themselves to positive results.

The second announcement the Knight makes, is to inform you all that you will be stuck on the dirigible for upwards to a month. It is an estimated two weeks to reach the coast of the South Continent, where the students of Damned Reef Temple are to disembark. Then it will take another week and a half to cross the lands of the Dark Magi and reach the mountains, where you are to drop off the students of Four Relics Melody. Finally, it will take a few days more to reach Oakenbrook. This, of course, causes another round of excited whispers.

A month to reach your academy somewhere near the center of the South Coast is simply ridiculous. You expected the dirigible to be fast but not that fast. A journey like this would take years by boat and carriage. Why don't more people travel by dirigible? Or maybe they do, how would you know really.

Once the room is returned to silence, the Knight moves on to his final task. Mainly, the assigning of rooms. Numbered keys are handed out in a flash. The group of Knights become literal blurs as they sweep through the crowd in an instant and drop the keys wherever they please. You pick the small, bronze key off the top of your head and notice the number 16 carved into the metal. Once they are finished, all fifteen Knights make their way out one of the side doors. Leaving you all to your own devices. Excited conversation and shouts pick up again once the chaperons are gone, a few of your fellow teens exclaiming in surprise and wonder at suddenly finding a key on their person. Even you are shocked at such a show of speed and ability, nothing like that had been displayed when they were fighting off monsters.

As minutes pass, the crowd begins breaking up into various sized groups. Having lost sight of Leo and the others in the crowd of initiates while boarding, and having no want to seek them out, you decide to just retire to your room for a few hours.

You certainly need some time alone to think.

-x-

Leo finds you a couple hours later. You are in your assigned room, just laying on the bed, thinking, when the other teen knocks on your door.

A flash of relief crosses his face when you open the door. Apparently, he visited every room before yours in search of you. He chuckles sheepishly when you just give him an incredulous stare.

"Heh, never mind that miss Cat. The others and I are gathering together in the lounge, would you like to join us?" He asks, friendly grin on his face.

[O] Socialize.

You consider the proposal for a few seconds before nodding. You have nothing better to do after all. Leo steps aside so you can exit the room and close the door behind you. Even though you have nothing of value in the room, having finally placed you pack into your Stash-

[Item Gained: Small Travel Pack (Full)]

- you sill lock the door and tuck the key into a secure pocket. That done, you follow behind Leo as he leads you down the hallway. Rather than heading towards the hall with all the tables and chairs, he's leading you in the opposite direction. Back towards the craft's exit.

"Where are we going?" You ask, frowning. "This is the way to the exit isn't it?"

Leo spins around so he is walking backwards while talking to you.

"Oh, you didn't do any exploring? That was the very first thing I did." He replies with a laugh. You just shake your head and motion for him to continue. "Anyways, this ship is way bigger than you'd expect. This part here has all of the bedrooms, the public washrooms and baths, and that huge cafeteria we were in -oh, that's where you have to go for meals by the way, but there's a stairway just up ahead that leads to a whole other floor."

You look up at the already high ceiling in astonishment. How can there possibly be another floor? Regardless of your disbelief, there is indeed a stairway that leads up onto a second floor of the craft. You must have passed by it without noticing earlier. As you follow Leo up the stairs, you begin hearing the buzz of conversation and activity.

The stairway leads right into the center of a cozy room just as wide as the cafeteria, if not as tall. Two entire walls of the room are simply made of glass. Wide, clear windows that allow you to see just how far down the ground really is. You quickly look away from those and take in the rest of the room. All around the room are a number of couches and large cushions with various initiates seated in them and socializing. Along one wooden wall are a number of shelves full of books and boxes. Seated on a couch beside a closed set of doors at the far end of the room is one of the Knights, the black robed woman is sitting comfortably with her legs crossed and her attention on the book in her hands.

"This is the lounge. There's snacks and drinks in that closet there, and some games and activities with the books on those shelves." Leo explains, pointing towards the closed doorway and the full shelves in turn. "Come on, we have a seat saved over here."

Following behind him, you're led to a cluster of couches and chairs where Kulwin and Glen are seated with a pair of other Initiates. A girl and a boy of the same age as the rest of you. Both are level three Initiates, though the boy is also a Preparatory Knight. The girl is incredibly petite with bright red hair and green eyes. Coupled with her pale, porcelain skin, she looks like a life sized doll of exotic make. There is a snobbish look on her face as she listens to something Kulwin is saying, the brash teen excitedly chatting while gesturing with his hands. The boy is dark skinned with short black hair and dark eyes. He is sitting on one of the larger cushions and from his expression, is completely disinterested and bored with the current topic of conversation. Luckily for him, Kulwin stops talking as they all notice the two of you approaching.

"Hello everyone!" Leo greets, voice loud and clear. "Sorry it took so long. I had to check all of the rooms until I found hers."

He steps to the side so they can see you better and you give the group a wave. Kulwin and Glen return it after a moment but the girl just frowns while the boy looks you up and down before sighing.

"Miss Cat, these two here are Rachel Adderstein and Jacob Senok. They are the grade four initiates of our neighboring Academy, Four Relics Melody." Leo introduces, holding a hand out to the girl first, then the boy. "Lady Adderstein, Jacob. This is my friend that I told you about, Cat. She is the grade five genius of our year."

You nod to the two in greeting and offer a polite smile, but inwardly you are frowning. Friend… you are certainly friendly with Leo but you wouldn't go so far as to call him a friend. Not after only knowing him for less than a day. Under any other circumstance, you might dismiss it as him being overly friendly and optimistic but not after that sort of introduction. You're not so dumb as to miss what's going on here. No, you know when someone is trying to use you.

'Friend that I told you about', 'grade five genius'. Those were the words Leo had used. It stands to reason then, that not only were they talking about you before the other teen set out to fetch you but that Leo, and perhaps Kulwin and Glen as well, had been using your high aptitude in order to brag. For what reason, you do not know but you can certainly guess. You've seen these sorts of small power plays happen on the streets, one gang using the reputation of one of their members to scare off enemies. Certainly, this is the first time you can say anyone has tried to use your reputation in such a manner. First time for everything you suppose.

That said, you're not sure how exactly you feel about Leo or the other two going around and using their minor connection to you as bragging material. It's certainly flattering to be on this side of the line for once but you also remember what happened to Two Step Tony. Letting others use your reputation as they please can turn… messy.

What will you do?
[][rep] Ignore it. A fearsome reputation can be quite beneficial if properly utilized. You certainly dont have one, yet, but such a thing is inevitable. Allowing your probable friends to use you in their bragging could have positive effects in the future.

[][rep] Put a stop to it. You don't want the attention and trouble of having a reputation. It might be inevitable but you can blunt the damage if you put a stop to this right now. Telling Leo and the others to cut it out will ensure they don't use you to brag to others in the future.

[][rep] Write in.

Saying nothing for the moment, you take an offered seat on a single-seater lounge chair that allows you to clearly see everyone. A few moments pass in silence before Rachel speaks up.

"So… Cat, Leonard here claims you are a grade five talent. That must have been quite the joyous discovery." She comments with a frown. You simply shrug, unsure what to say really.

Everyone has been going on and on about your talent but you still have no idea what it means really. Highest chance to advance to official Magus they said. What does that even mean? What separates a Magus from an Acolyte? Is it just a matter of power and levels like your ability has shown or is there more to it? Why is it difficult for some and easier for others? You have so many questions. How can you be joyous of something you don't even understand the meaning of?

You're pulled from your troubled thoughts when, all of a sudden, Rachel's expression does a complete flip from disgruntled snob to excited, blushing maiden. The girl leaps forward out of her seat, the abrupt movement startling you and causing you to press back into your own seat as she leans much too far into your comfort zone.

"Oh! Oh! I bet Lord Lucifer has already taken you as an apprentice!" She exclaims, cheeks rosy and eyes wide with excitement. "You simply must tell me what he is like in private."

Your eyes dart around the circle formed of your chairs, seeking help from any of the others. Unfortunately, Kulwin and Leo are far too amused with the situation. Both boys seem to be on the verge of laughter, barely managing to hold it back as they take in your pleading look. Glen and Jacob on the other hand, seem to be far too interested in your answer to interfere. The latter has even sat up from his reclined position. No longer does he look disinterested.

Seeing no help coming from the useless boys, you can only turn back to Rachel's burning stare and offer a response.

"Uh, he offered but I turned him down?" You manage to say. She goes still. Completely and utterly still. A glance at the others shows that they are all giving you incredulous looks.

"You what?" Rachel hisses, stumbling away as if dazed. She is staring at you with wide eyes, as if unable to believe the words you just uttered.

Having your personal space returned to you, you simply shrug. The stares continue for several awkward seconds. Seeing as no one is going to say anything, you decide to elaborate.

"Well.."

And so the story spills forth. It's not a long one really. You make a quick mention of Lucifer's offer, then a word by word recounting of your response and his cryptic final words. Once you finish the short tale, you finally get a response from the five…

"You. What!?" Rachel again. This time, it's a screech full of equal parts disbelief and rage. Rachel, and the other four, are staring at you with wide eyes and dropped jaws. That feeling of trepidation you felt when leaving the recruitment tent returns.

"Um... I sai-" You begin, only to be cut off by the other girl.

"I heard what you said you... you… arrrgh!" With that final exclamation, she turns and stomps away. Jacob snickers, shooting you a final look full of amusement, before standing to follow.

The two make their way to the stairs and descend. A few eyes follow them before darting back to your group once they're out of sight. Seconds pass in silence before, seeing that there is going to be no more disruptive drama from the four of you, the various initiates resume their conversations. You dont think the black robe even looked away from her book through it all

"Cat." Leo says with a gulp. You turn to him and only now do you note his pale complexion. The other two are the same, pale and wide eyed. "How are you still alive?"

Any other time, you would give him a sarcastic deadpan stare for that but given how serious they all look, you decide not to. You make a noise of confusion instead.

"Seriously, how did you manage to say something like that to a Lord Magus and avoid him killing you?" Glen cuts in. He has a shrewd look on his face, as if seeing you in a new light.

"What do you mean? Whats wrong with what I said?" You ask, feeling more and more irritated. "It's true isn't it? I don't know a lot about this whole Magus thing but I don't think I want to do anything with illusions and that other stuff."

All three share a look but it's Leo that replies.

"Cat. A Magus like Lord Lucifer, despite his appearance, must be at least a hundred years old or close to it. To be a department head, he must also be a Grandmaster in his craft and pretty close in his other specialties." Leo explains, staring at you with pity. You don't like that look. "In that one sentence, not only did you refuse his generous offer but you also indirectly insulted his ability as an educator and mentor. You basically implied that he can't even judge the capabilities of a student and how best to teach them. I've seen people, high nobility even, die for less in the royal court Cat. The fact that you made it out of that tent alive is a miracle."

You blanch and sink bonelessly into the chair. Even now you are not afraid but you're certainly wary. You've borne witness to what happens to commoners that even slightly upset the nobility. It is not pretty. Releasing a deep breath, you look up at the three nervous boys.

"How do I apologize then?" You ask. Because that's what it's going to take isn't it? Well, it's not like you're averse to groveling and begging. Things like pride have no place on the streets.

Rather than the response you're looking for however, the three recoil back looking even more shocked.

"Geez, you really are a commoner aren't you." Glen says snidely, even snickering at the end.

"Cat…" Leo begins, shooting the other boy a warning look. "This isn't something you can just apologize for and hope it's forgiven. Most nobles, let alone Magi, don't work like that. Unless you can offer up something incredibly valuable or a few thousand Magic Crystals, your best bet it to completely avoid him and hope he forgets about you. Seriously, how did you survive this?"

You sigh, partially relieved that you won't have to prostrate yourself at Lucifer's feet but also a bit concerned that it would take something of that magnitude to be forgiven. You weren't even trying to insult the guy! Geez.

"Hey, wait a second. You're a commoner?" Kulwin asks, having been noticeably quiet this whole time. This question, you feel, is completely deserving of your deadpan stare. "Oi, don't give me that look. I'm just asking cause you got into the academy and all. Glen and I had to pay ten Magic Crystals each to get in. Where'd you get the crystals?"

"That's… actually a good point." Glen adds. He frowns for a moment and turns to Leo. "Our families lost almost five hundred men hunting down enough beasts to sell for those Crystals. I assume it was the same for you?"

Leo frowns and nods.

"We lost over a thousand men and five Grand Knights hunting a Desert Wyrm for its rare Heartstone. Even then, the stone only sold for thirteen Magic Crystals." Leo replies, fixing you with a questioning look.

"That's what I'm saying." Kulwin continues, giving you the same look. "How did you even get into the Academy? No way Master Lucifer would have just let you in after saying something like that."

You consider the matter for a moment before deciding you have no reason not to tell them of your sponsorship. Magritte pretty much mentioned it at the fire last night anyways.

"Well.."

Once again, you regale them with a tale. The tale of how you somehow drew Klaus' attention. Of his offer to sponsor you to any academy of your choice. Of the crystals you were loaned and the eventual repayment that is expected. The more you talk, the more the boys seem to calm down. By the end of your tale, all three appear relieved. Leo is even sporting his familiar grin.

"Wow Cat, what a tale. It makes sense though. A talent like yours is probably easy for even an Acolyte to sense." He comments with a chuckle. "It explains how you're still alive too."

Now it's your turn to look quizzical. What does that have to do with anything?

It's Glen that provides an explanation.

"You probably don't know it but the Neilis family are sort of a big deal on our Gelenos continent, and they're supposed to be even more important on the South Coast. The founder and head of the family is said to have been born on Gelenos and even now, a branch of the family controls the Mansatine Isles to the distant east." He explains, getting more and more excited as he speaks. "More than that, the Lord Neilis is a Rank Three Magus!"

Seeing you look of incomprehension, he sighs and explains.

"With the disappearance of the Rank Four Monarch centuries ago, Rank Three Magi are considered to be the most powerful existences in the entire South Coast. There are only ten Rank Three Magi on the entire continent. Four lead the Light Magi, four lead the Dark Magi and two are considered neutral. Lord Gunther Neilis is one of those neutral rulers." He finishes. You 'ahh' in understanding, now knowing why Klaus seemed so proud when he stated this.

Leo nods and gives you a thumbs up.

"That should settle your fears Cat. As long as you have such a powerful family backing you, Lord Lucifer won't dare to act against you." The teen says and you actually sigh in relief. "Still, you should be careful that you don't make more enemies like this in the future."

[O] Work on picking up expected manners and basic culture from them.

The words spark something in you and you frown. You really are starting to hate how woefully unprepared you are for all of this. Clearly your fellow Initiates were actually taught how to survive in this world. Lacking their claim to nobility, you really had no one that could teach you all the do's and don'ts for dealing with prickly nobles and Magi. Maybe... well, you don't like the thought of asking any one for help but if they're going to claim to be your friend and use you to brag... what do you have to lose?

"C-can you teach me about all this?" You ask, fixing each boy with a stern glare. You dare them to refuse. "I don't want to make another mistake like with Lord Lucifer."

You reply is three groans of despair.

"Damn it, I really hate etiquette lessons." Kulwin whines, slumping in his chair. Both Leo and Glen nod in agreement.

You don't let up your glare until they're squirming in their seats.

"Fine, fine, I'll help. Just stop glaring like that." Leo begs with a joking grin. "Still, there's no way I can fit years of etiquette lessons into the one month we have on the ship. Not even two straight months of lessons will be enough to cover it all."

You frown but he continues before you can speak up.

"Don't worry, we can at least cover all the important stuff you need to know about Magi. The rest you'll have to learn on your own from the books or something." He says, looking to Kulwin and Glen. The two spend a few seconds considering it before nodding.

You consider it as well before also agreeing. It's better than nothing.

"Good, we can start tomorrow. For now, let's just relax." He proposes and the three of you nod.

The rest of the day is wasted on meaningless but enjoyable conversation and the odd game.

-x-

Voting is Closed.

[O] Gain Knowledge.

Hours later, once you'd all eaten and retired for the night, you stand from your bed and creep out of your room. The hall is silent and dark, everyone having gone to bed over an hour ago.

Having no desire to just sleep the night away, you've decided to spend your time doing something productive. Namely, learning more about this world you are to enter. The etiquette lessons with Leo and the others will certainly help in this regard but as the boy himself said, you will have to pick up quite a lot of this on your own. Which is what you've decided to do. Earlier in the afternoon, when fetching a board game from one of the shelves, you'd spied some interesting titles among the many books on the shelves. You didn't really have the time, or inclination, to read while the others were there to distract you but now that everyone has gone to sleep, you can spend your time perusing those books.

Making your way down the dimly lit hall and up the stairs, you return to the lounge area of the dirigible. The night sky can be seen out the wide viewing windows, the stars and moon above being clearly reflected off the waters far below. What few clouds there are stream past as your vessel whizzes by at incredible, yet undetectable, speeds. Turning from the mesmerizing view, you take in the rest of the lounge area. Much of the room is still brightly lit, allowing you to easily spot the two figures already here. One is a black robed Knight, a young man this time rather than the woman from earlier in the day. He is sitting on one of the couches near the center of the room, eyes skimming over a thin book in one hand while a cup of some steaming liquid is held in the other. He seems completely ignorant of your presence, simply reading the book in his hand while taking a sip of the hot beverage.


The other figure is one quite familiar to you. Flesha is comfortably curled up in one of the couches to the far end of the room. As usual, her face is buried in a thick tome but you can see a content smile on her face as her eyes dart over the page. Knowing her, any offer of greetings or questioning will be seen as nothing more than an annoyance. You will have to seek her out during the day, perhaps at meal time when she is not busy reading. Still.. you wonder..

'Observe.'

Your friend is an initiate, a commoner raised one the same as you. She has never shown the ability to detect your power and not enough has changed to make you suspect that she might be able to now. With no Acolytes or Magi present, you do not feel at risk using your ability for the first time in several months. The presence of the black robed Knight would have given you pause before but you have since learned that these Knights lack the acute senses for the arcane that Acolytes and above seem to posses. You wouldn't risk using it on the Knight directly but on an unaware subject in the same room? No problem.

Not much different from the last time you Observed her. Except for that annotation at the bottom. Damned Reef Temple… that's one of the dark academies. Which puts her on the side of the Dark Magi... A future enemy should you both continue along your current paths. The thought fills you with sadness. Sighing quietly, you make your way over to the shelves and begin looking through the various books.

Not as varied as it turns out.

Of the numerous books on the shelf, there are perhaps a total of six different tomes. There are several copies of each text, a good idea considering the number of students on-board, but only six actual types of books from what you can see. Luckily, these seem to contain exactly what you are looking for. These books seem to have been placed here not to entertain the bored initiates, but to educate them of the world they are entering. To a degree at least. The books range from a summarized history of the South Coast and the Culture of the Magi there, to a number of brochures and texts regarding the three academies aboard the vessel. The odd one out is a translation book for something called the 'Byron Language'.

"Another one huh?" A voice suddenly says from right behind you. "Don't you brats know what time it is?"

You jump in surprise and spin around, eyes wide with fright. Your heart hammers in your chest for a few seconds before your power kicks in and enforces Calm. Standing just a few feet behind you is Artus, the black robed Knight. You didn't even hear him get up and approach. More than that, he's not even looking at you. His face remains fixed on the book in his hand as his eyes dart over its pages.

A moment passes in silence. He flips the page. Just as you are about to speak up, either to apologize or ask if there is a curfew, he cuts you off.

"You can read whatever you want, whenever you want brat." He says, eyes still fixed on the page. "Just don't try to take the books from this room. If you see anything you want to keep, you can buy it for a Magic Crystal."

His piece said, he turns and begins walking away. You watch him go, unsure what to say. Once he has returned to the couch, you turn back to perusing the shelf.

"Oh, by the way-"

You release something between a squeak and a screech as you spin back around. Absently, you note that Flesha has shushed you from across the room but you're more focused on Artus, who is STANDING JUST A FEW FEET AWAY! How he managed to sneak up on you again, just instants after you turned away from watching him sit down, you do not know.

"-don't damage any of the books if you cant pay for them." The Knight continues, completely ignoring the glare you are shooting him. "You'll regret it."

Then he turns and stalks off back to his couch.

You glare for several seconds, daring him to try that again, before turning back to the shelf. Seconds pass, then a full minute. You reach for the shelf… when no voice speaks up to surprise you, you pull one of the history texts off the shelf and quickly walk away. Artus is still seated when you look, eyes fixed on his own book. Flesha is the same, smiling to herself as she traces a finger along the page.

Choosing a seat far from the Knight that can quite clearly kill you in the blink of an eye and the girl that will actually try to kill you should you bother her, you sit back and flip the book open.

Surprising as it might seem to some, given that you are a commoner born street urchin that can actually read, you've never been a fan of books and reading. Those few weeks after you gained your power, where you had to learn how to read in order to understand what the strange boxes and labels said, were some of the most tortuous times of your life. Not even the free food Old Jorin provided, in an attempt to encourage your new habit, was worth the bother.

Books. They were a means to an end at that time but you dont share Flesha's love of them. They contain information, sure, but never anything that could help you to survive on the streets. You were glad to bid them good riddance once you'd learned everything you needed. Knowing that, it can be understood why your shoulders slump and your eyes begin to tear up once you open the first page of the history book and see the lines and lines of tiny lettering. It would take an age just to read this entire text.

Thankfully, you know how to navigate a Table of Contents and each section is helpfully titled. Simple titles too instead of that poetic nonsense with subtle meanings. You shudder and begin flipping through the book.

[O] Learn about Knight and Magus power systems.

While the book seems to be filled with mountains of information, a lot of it seems to be based on the Ancient Magi that once ruled the whole world... and many others if you are reading this correctly. You skim though most of the history and cultural information, planning to come back to it all once you see when Leo and the others can teach you. Instead, your search brings you to the final few chapters of the book. These chapters cover the recent history of the South Coast and the culture that rose following something simply called 'The Great War'.

Reading through those few chapter and what they have to say regarding the Magi and Knights, even someone like you can clearly see that a vast amount of information is being omitted. What you learn is incredibly unhelpful and a lot of the information seems to have been censored in a manner that simply raises more questions than it answers. Even going back to the shelf to check with some of the other history tomes doesn't help, the same information is being hidden in all of those books.

Still, your persistence allows you to piece together some information that can be considered as useful.

In regards to the Magi, apparently those few with the talent -one in ten thousand individuals you learn, can use some sort of special meditation technique to strengthen their Spiritual Force. Using this meditation, those individuals can progress up the rank of Acolytes until they are ready to become official Magi. The books mention 'bottlenecks' and 'breakthroughs' but there is absolutely no explanation of what is required to go from a Rank Three Acolyte to a Rank One Magus. None at all.

You do finally learn of the differences in power though.

You learn of how a properly trained Acolyte is comparable to a squad of armored soldiers. Of how Magi in turn are so high above Acolytes, that even a full army of Acolytes can only hope for a swift death when facing a Magus of any rank. Of how each rank of Magus is so much more powerful than those below them that it is staggering. Of how impossibly powerful the mythical Rank Four and higher Magi are said to be. Of how any Magi that could reach the pinnacle and achieve the fabled Rank Nine may as well be considered a god.

You learn so much that you have to set the book down and just breath for several minutes.

The world of Magi, the world you are entering. It is simply insane.

Your sole dream in this world is to gain power. To not only survive the dangers that abound but to thrive and stand so high that none can ever hope of looking down on you again. Right now, you've learned just how far you have to go to even hope of grasping the fringes of your dream. It is daunting.

You will do it, make no mistake. You simply have… perspective now. Smiling thinly to yourself, you dive back into the books. Maybe this whole reading thing isn't as bad as you made it out to be.

Compared to the information on the Magi, the knowledge of Knights and how they operate isn't as heavily censored. Not as helpful as you'd like but definitely more informative. Just like Magi, Knights practice a special meditation technique that allows them to grow more powerful than their fellows. By 'stimulating their Life Energy', a Knight is able to become physically stronger, faster and healthier than the norm. They are considered no match for a trained Acolyte, let alone a full Magus, but a fully trained Knight can face off against fearsome beasts capable of slaying armies of mundane soldiers and come out victorious.

To your annoyance, there is absolutely no information on just how one goes about stimulating their Life Energy to become a Knight. The book mentions that there are hundreds of different paths you can take to become a Knight, each with its own unique techniques and methods, but that very few are able to take the user all the way to the apex rank of Grand Knight. Unfortunately, many of these training methods are the secrets of noble families or only passed down from master to student.

Trying to figure it out on your own might be an option but if it was that easy, others would be doing it all the time. No. To learn how one becomes a Knight, you can only hope to come across an unowned instruction manual, seek out a master to train you or buy the knowledge from someone that already has it.

You look over at Artus for a moment, considering, before shaking your head and returning to the book. Still, your mind is on other matters rather than the text in your hand.

Leo and a few others on board are Preparatory Knights, that means that they have the basic knowledge of their training technique at the least. Depending on the level of their Knight technique, training in it could take them all the way to the final stage of Grand Knight. You don't feel that the three boys are friendly enough to share what is essentially a family secret with you though. Not unless you can offer something in return.

Deciding to set the matter aside for now, you return the various history and cultural texts to the shelf. The sky outside is growing lighter by this time. You've been reading for so long that even Flesha has already retired to her room. You must have been too distracted to notice her leaving. Artus is still in his seat, fully awake and nose still buried in his almost completed book. You have only a little time left before you'll need to return to you room and at least fake at sleeping.

[O] What the academy will be like; what classes are offered; the paths Life mages can take there; how one goes about getting a greenhouse.

Well, you suppose you should study up on what is to be your new home.

Grabbing one of the Oakenbrook brochures and a thin text regarding the school, you return to your seat and begin reading. Minutes pass as you learn more about the school, it's history and specialties. You learn that the current Headmaster of the academy is Julianos Gulliver, a Rank Two Magus of great renown -though there is no mention of just what exactly he did to gain that renown. That the city surrounding the academy was actually created by the academy founder for the sole purpose of serving the needs of the academy and those within. That Oakenbrook is one of the top providers of plant based magical resources to the rest of the South Coast. Only matched by their rival academy, the Melodious Serenity of the Nurturing Mother. All that and more you glean from the two items.

Of the topics you are most interested in however -namely what the classes will be like, what you can do with Life element based magic and whatever Lucifer meant about a personal greenhouse, you find little to nothing. It is actually quite frustrating how little information the book provides regarding the academy itself.

Regarding the classes, the book lists that 'Oakenbrook provides at a least a minimum level of teaching in all magical subjects' and that 'Each department of the academy is headed by a grandmaster of the field capable of addressing all student concerns'. It makes absolutely no mention what exactly these subjects or departments are. You know Illusion is one, headed by Lord Lucifer, but that is all. Either this is more of that censorship at work or the writers expect readers to already know these things.

As for the life element, there is mention that the academy is always welcoming of those with an affinity for Life, Nature or Earth. No mention of why that is or how you can learn to utilize this power though. At this point you're not even surprised.

It's the subject of the greenhouses that gives you the most information actually. As a supplier of magical plants and such, Oakenbrook has a vast number of greenhouses where they grow these items from seed form. Students that manage to distinguish themselves, or are willing to pay a monthly fee, can actually gain access to a greenhouse for their personal use. This allows those students to grow their own plants, either to use as resources in their various experiments or to sell through the academy as a source of income. Lucifer was being quite generous with his offer it turns out.

Frowning, you return the almost useless books to the shelf. Now would be the best time to return to your room but something causes you to pause. Your eyes land on one of the translation texts and you frown in thought. A language book seems really out of place here, nothing you've seen so far has hinted at the South Coast using a separate language from Gelenos Island. So what exactly is this Byron Language and why would it be included with the rest of these educational books.

Reaching out, you grab the book and flip it open.

Would you like to learn the skill [Byron Language Comprehension]!?
[][skill] Yes.
[][skill] No.

...What?

-x-

Laying on your bed sometime later, you stare up at the ceiling while deep in though.

In one day, you've managed to learn quite a great deal about this new world. More than in your entire year traveling with the caravan. The worrying thought, if you decide to consider it, is all of the censored knowledge you came across. You try not to focus on that though. Not until you get to the academy and see what can be learned there at least. Maybe the books are censored simply because both factions share this vessel. It would make some amount of sense.

Right now, your main concern is the information you gained regarding Magi and Knights.

[O] Train with your power.

Rising up from your relaxed position, you sit cross-legged with your hands on your knees and close your eyes. Meditation… you know what that is but that can't be all there is to this right? Old Jorin liked to meditate from time to time in order to calm his nerves and relax but he certainly wasn't a Magus. But the books were clear on this at least, Magi and Knights train their abilities by meditating.

You frown as you try to remember what the old man said the one time you'd been interested enough to ask him about it.

Get into a comfortable position and close your eyes... already done. Slow and control your breathing… easy enough. Now… you need to clear your mind and focus inward… not as easy. The old man did say that the hardest parts of this is thinking of nothing while trying not to fall asleep. Well, sleep is optional for you so that's easy enough but thinking of nothing… not so easy.

You try to clear your thoughts but it's easier said than done. Thoughts and worries keep flitting through your mind. You concerns about this new world that you're entering. You worries about your strange power and what might happen if it is discovered by the Magi. Your thoughts on the censored knowledge, the things you still need to learn and your etiquette lessons that are set to begin in just a few hours. Your mind is a buzz of activity despite your best effort.

Minutes pass. Then an hour. Your efforts are... better. You're not sure whether it counts as clearing your mind, but you manage to focus on the blackness of your minds eye. Focusing on that single image of blackness helps keep other thoughts at bay. You're not sure how long you do this for but eventually, you hear the 'bloop' sound of your power creating a box. You open your eyes to read the bo-

Where... where are you?

Instead of your room aboard the dirigible, you find yourself sitting in the middle of a dark void. The ground beneath you is clear and hard, as if made of thick glass, but all you can see is an endless depth of bright green mist. The mist also covers a few feet of the ground, surrounding you and stretching out in all directions. Clouds of the green mist hover around far above you, somehow floating about despite the lack of wind.

This place… what is it? How did you get here? How do you get bac-

Just like that, you're back in you room aboard the dirigible. You startle and jump from the bed, head darting about in slight panic. This is your room on the ship. Where did you go though? Was that all just illusion? You're supposed to be immune to those. A dream? You don't remember falling asleep though. That's not something that happens to you.

You look around the room in worry until your eyes land on the blue square hovering a few inches away. Frowning, you read the words on the screen and begin to understand.

A new skill has been gained!

Meditation (Active) | Lv: 1 / 50.
A clear mind can do wonders for the soul. A skill that assists magic regeneration and allows access to the the Sea of Consciousness.

The sea of consciousness? Is that what that… place was? You recall reading those words in one of the books earlier but there was no explanation regarding it. Again, as if the writer expected you to have prior knowledge. That aside, this skill certainly doesn't seem to be what you're looking for. Maybe if you… retaking your seat, you will the skill active and fall into a meditative state. It comes far easier this time and In what feels like the blink of an eye, you're back inside that mist filled void that is apparently your own mind.

Nothing has changed within the void but now that you know where you are, you are able to more calmly take in your surroundings. You notice how the mist within a few meters seems to be drawn to you. It swirls towards you, as if being drawn in by an invisible force. When it touches you. the mist seems to be absorbed into your body. You don't feel or sense anything happening however.

[O] Try to feel Life and Soul particles and make them come to your faster.
[O] Experiment with moving them around you, condensing them, dispersing them. Try to get a good feel for them.
[O] See what happens when you condense Life as tightly as possible.

You try to feel the mist, to sense it in some manner but there's nothing. No sixth sense, no strange feeling within your head. You feel the same as normal. Still, you give an attempt at controlling the mist. This whole place is supposed to be your mind or soul right? Then you should be able to control what happens here.

Easier said than done.

Trying to will it does nothing. Gestures, commands both mental and verbal, nothing works. Nothing happens. Nothing changes. No matter what you try, the mist seems to be entirely unaffected. It simply continues floating about the void, slowly trickling into your body where it touches you.

Nothing you can think to do has any effect on the mist or the rest of your Sea of Consciousness.

As you thought, it's simply not that simple. Whatever it is that Knights and Magi do to train their abilities, it goes far beyond simple meditation. Sighing, you leave the void and reappear back in your room. Just in time it seems as someone begins knocking on your door. The sun has long risen by this point and light now fills the room from the round porthole window.

Time to start another day it seems.

-x-

Buying Books!
You have the option to purchase a book from the dirigible to permanently own. Each book costs (1) Magic Crystal. Skill books are denoted by a ! mark.

[][books] History and culture of the Ancient Magus World.
[][books] History and culture of the South Coast.
[][books] Brochure and supplementary text on the Oakenbrook Academy.
[][books] Brochure and supplementary text on Four Relics Melody.
[][books] Brochure and supplementary text on Damned Reef Temple.
[][books] !Primer on the Byron Language.
[][books] All of the Above.
[][books] Buy none.

Knight Training!
Thanks to your research, you now have the opportunity to obtain information regarding Knights and their physique developing training. (Select one option to attempt for week 1)

[][knight] Buy It.

[][knight] Ask someone for it.

[][knight] Write in.

Week 2!
What will you do for your second week? (Choose up to 2)

[Locked in] Socialize.

[][week 2] Socialize.

[][week 2] Try to train your power.
[][week 2] Gain Knowledge.

[][week 2] Write in.

-x-
Voting is Closed.