Rise of Tyrus

The teleportation gate pulsed with vibrant energy. The circle in the center rippled, similar to how water looked like after a pebble was dropped in. Standing in front of the gate as a firm sentry was Warden Nathero, in all of his bald glory.

"I am surprised to see that all the first-year students have arrived on time. It is quite unusual for there not to be at least one or two of you missing. I must say, you all seem more promising than the previous group. What is even more astonishing is that there are no unwelcome individuals attempting to sneak into the academy. It makes me wonder: do young people these days consider adults to be fools? As if we wouldn't notice anything suspicious happening around us."

Warden Nathero observed the students lined up meticulously, akin to a general inspecting his troops. It was tough to focus on the man when he roamed around. The light from the gate would bounce off his head, creating a crazy glare that could blind a person if they looked for too long. A few nobles on the side thought the same as well and looked away the moment he passed them, their faces scrunched.

Tyrus stood at the back end of the row of first-years, holding a flat, square chest with a handle on top. There wasn't much luggage inside, just some garments and a few books Fiona allowed him to bring from the manor library. By his side was Ivy, who carried a similar box, and Igneal, who carried nothing of the sort. In reality, the ones that were fashionably dressed lacked luggage to bring, while those who dressed similarly to Tyrus carried them. Why was that so?

Ivy couldn't help but fidget with her fingers as she exclaimed, "Tyrus, can you believe how thrilling this is? We're just moments away from stepping through the teleportation gate and entering the academy! I've heard so many amazing things about it, like the state-of-the-art facilities and the abundance of space. I tried asking Mother for more information, but all she would say is that I have to wait and see it with my own eyes."

"Fiona was the same," Tyrus said. "Whenever I asked about the academy, she would snicker behind her hand repeatedly said: 'You'll see'. At this point, I'm a little worried. What do you think, Igneal?"

The Lockhart furrowed his brow and replied, "Does it really matter? We're just about to arrive there. The academy, although renowned as the finest institute, is likely situated in some remote castle. I wouldn't get your hopes up if I were you."

Tyrus and Ivy shared a glance and shrugged. It looked like Igneal was still in a foul mood from the entrance exam results. Ranking second must've really rubbed him the wrong way. Would Igneal really be mocked by the others just for being one rank lower than he? Tyrus doubted it when everyone around Igneal showed him their respect. Bad-mouthing a noble in front of their face, especially one as high-class as Igneal, would surely lead to harsh consequences.

"Everything seems to be in order," Warden Nathero announced. "All of you will enter the gate one by one. I will advise you that for first-timers, which I'm sure is most of you, will feel the effects immediately. Teleporting from one place to another almost instantaneously will rattle not only your brains, but your stomach as well. The headmaster and the instructors of the academy will be waiting for you on the other side. Now, begin the procession."

One by one, the first-years walked through the teleportation gate, their figures disappearing behind the shimmering veil. The warden nodded as each student went through. The line of students gradually thinned, and soon it was just Tyrus left to enter.

"I hope you are properly prepared for your time there, young man," the man said plainly.

Tyrus glanced over his shoulder, his gaze lingering on the warden, who failed to meet his gaze. Not wanting to waste another second, Tyrus turned and walked through the teleportation gate.

At first, there was nothing. Only a sense of floating. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was elsewhere. It was a similar feeling to when Zephyr transported the applicants in the guild. Since Tyrus was used to it, he didn't get that queasiness in his stomach or the need to throw up his breakfast.

Others weren't so fortunate, though, as many of them collapsed onto the stone-paved ground and heaved. One girl with orange curls, in particular, didn't fare well. Her legs wobbled like jelly, and she fell face-first on the ground. An older boy fell to one knee and gagged, his body shaking. Tyrus watched the unfortunate students struggle with their queasiness, and he looked around.

His hair ruffled slightly as a soft wind swept across what seemed to be a garden plaza. Everyone was on top of a closed-off platform with a metal railing wrapped around. Behind them, the teleportation gate was deactivated, no longer able to return anyone back.

Down a set of stone steps, a two-way path was there, with one leading toward a building as tall and grand as the imperial palace itself. White accents ran along the building's sky-blue walls, tracing intricate patterns across its arched windows and spires. Numerous windows as polished as mirrors glittered, and the sun reflected off them. Two banners bearing the symbol of a mighty tree, with wisps circling the trunk, billowed on either side of the largest door in the area.

The last path lead toward a walled gate, and beyond it were trees that led to a forest. At a quick glance, Tyrus knew the forest was vast. That begged the question: where exactly were they on the map?

"It is great to see that you have all made it safely, class nine-seven-three," a voice boomed. "Welcome to the prestigious, and illustrious, Valis Academy of Sorcery."

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice and caught the headmaster leaving the enormous building. "Allow me to reintroduce myself," the headmaster said, stopping in front of the group. "My name is Freschlain Olivar, and I am the headmaster of this academy. It is with great pleasure to congratulate you for making it here, the finest institute for training sorcerers. You are all part of a new generation. I am sure that all of you will be great contributors to the path of sorcery and the Lethos Empire itself. You did well to make it this far, but this is only the beginning."

"The entrance ceremony will now begin. First, we will give you a tour of the main facilities and amenities that this academy offers. After that, you will receive your uniforms and be led to the dormitories. Once all of that is done, a large feast will be held in the dining hall. I am sure you are all quite famished from your trip here."

Headmaster Freshclain turned toward the northern path, moving at a quick pace for his age. The other students glanced at each other and followed the old man's stride. With one arm, the headmaster opened the shiny door, revealing the interior of the building.

The halls of the academy were as magnificent as Tyrus imagined, almost rivaling the corridors in the imperial palace. A floor was so polished, one could see their reflection in it. Scones strapped onto the walls held balls of melted gold, allowing light to shine even in the darkest of corners. Stairwells to the second floor and third floors were connected with marble railings held up with a row of small columns, each equally spaced out and detailed.

According to the headmaster, the place they were at currently was the main academy building. The ground floor consisted of classrooms for general courses and such while the second floor belonged to laboratories and advanced studies, places reserved for the more challenging courses. Lastly, the third floor belonged to the headmaster's office and a few other rooms that were off-limits to students. Only those given permission were they allowed to enter.

Afterward, everyone was led outdoors again, revealing a beautiful courtyard that served as a garden as well. All sorts of prospering flowers and plants filled the area, and a large fountain sat right in the center, a sculpture of a woman holding a staff that sprouted water from the tip. It was a flashy yet pleasing sight to the eyes. Benches lined the path's sides, which were currently empty.

"As you may know already, we are the only ones in the academy at present," Headmaster Freschlain said happily. "The other students are to arrive in droves later in the day. I did not wish to overwhelm you all on your first day here. But enough of that, we must continue. I am sure you all are eagerly awaiting to see your living quarters."

The tour carried on as the headmaster led the way, taking a left path towards the training grounds. Rows of round buildings came into view, each containing an arena for dueling and offering swordsmanship courses. While students were allowed to practice, the instructors strongly advised that duels were to be supervised. This precautionary measure aimed to minimize injuries, as accidents were prone to occur when students were not cautious.

The training grounds were highly favored by students, as each building housed a state-of-the-art Power Reflector Dummy. These dummies had even more features than the one in Selena's manor. As a result, not only the combat department but also students from the theory department frequented the place.

Headmaster Freschlain passed by the training grounds and headed north, just stopping shy of a building even bigger than the main one. "And here is where the commons lie. Students gather here to relax and converse during free time or breaks. An infirmary is also here, taken care of by one of the academies' finest healers. Of course, those are not the only facilities present, and I implore you to explore to your heart's content. To help you do so, the school map has been provided alongside your uniform, which you will receive now."

In a snap of his fingers, the doors of the commons burst open, and out came two young men—wearing white silk shirts and black trousers—all carrying trolleys with folded uniforms. On top of each pile of garments were a tag with the student's name and a map too big to fit into any pockets. Few had a silver pin of the schools insignia.

Headmaster Freshclain cleared his throat. "These here are your uniforms, crafted by dressmaker and Conjuration Sorcerer Vivian Falleon. It has been enchanted to fit its users' size, no matter how big or small. This uniform has also been imbued with a defensive rune, capable of taking a few hits before the wearer receives an injury. Because we are sorcerers, safety is our priority, so you will find the uniform to be very useful. Please come up when you hear your name."

Each name was called, and the students were handed their uniform. Some were happy, others indifferent. The ones that looked at the uniform unfondly were mostly the nobles. It didn't take a genius to know that they probably despised the appearance, but no one dared to say anything aloud.

Tyrus didn't care all that much about the uniform's appearance. From the sound of it, the uniform worked exactly like his enchanted coat. They were probably made of the same materials, meaning what the others held in their hands was a pseudo-artifact. Fiona mentioned that his coat would probably sell for two-fifty minimum. And by how many uniforms were in front of him, if Tyrus were to grab it all and sell it, he'd be set for life!

"The uniforms look cute," Ivy said. "I'm interested in what other functions the uniforms may have. Doesn't it sound similar coat?"

Tyrus nodded. "I was thinking the same thing. The academy must be really rich if they produce so many uniforms. What happens if one of them gets torn up? I would imagine these things are expensive to fix."

"Oh, don't worry about that," the headmaster chuckled. "Vivian is quite the dressmaker, and has made sure the uniforms are quite durable. I have faith that the garments will not easily rip or tear unless stricken by a very powerful attack."

A couple of students let out a few 'oohs' once the headmaster finished his explanation. The rest just remained silent, looking at their uniform with greater interest. Tyrus kept track of the students that walked up to receive their uniforms, just to keep a mental picture of who'd he have to watch out for.

A boy up front looked to be the meanest and biggest; his angular face was put into a permanent scowl and his black hair cut short. He was a good one head taller than the rest of the first-years and skin of reddish-brown. A marking of the sun with flared edges was seen on his neck. If Tyrus had to describe him, he looked like a shrunken man—minus the hairy chin—who worked in the fields for years. He did not carry the appearance of a regular eleven-year-old in the slightest. Apparently, the boy's name was Aeithen, thanks to his name being called.

Standing in the middle of the crowd was the girl who helped Tyrus a couple of days ago, Kylis. Just one look at her told Tyrus everything he needed to know. She radiated an atmosphere that would steer any regular person away. At a glance, she looked as delicate as a snowflake, yet her eyes told a different story.

As if she could feel someone staring at her, Kylis glanced over her shoulder. Their eyes met, and the girl nodded at him. Her reaction startled Tyrus, who quickly looked away and feigned interest at the other students. Ivy raised a brow at his odd behavior and flashed a look over at Kylis.

"Have you met Kylis Aduna before?" Ivy whispered.

Tyrus stared. "Kylis Aduna? She's part of the Great Lineages as well?"

Ivy nodded in agreement and added, "She happens to be the youngest member of the influential Aduna family. They hold the reins of power over the Northern Mountains, overseeing the lucrative mining operations and other ventures. As a result, they have amassed great wealth and are considered one of the wealthiest families in Dharmere. In fact, their fortunes rival even those of the imperial family. Their main business revolves around the exquisite trade of jewelry and gemstones, attracting a wide array of women, both young and old, who are captivated by the beauty of their creations."

Igneal, who had been lingering around them, snorted. "Those walking specters aren't as impressive as you think. While their wealth may rival even the imperial family, their strength is miniscule compared to the Lockhart family. Their family only consists of one Advanced Sorcerer—that being the family head—while my family has three. Surely I don't have to explain why that matters?"

When his boasting ended, his name was called up front. Igneal straightened his back and walked up while Ivy and Tyrus' was called a moment after. They were the last ones to receive their uniforms, and they quickly returned to their spots.

"The academy's dormitories are situated to the east. When you reach the gate, you'll find a notice board displaying the names of students and their respective hall and room numbers. There are three separate halls: Lavarun, Teit, and Barachus. Inside your rooms, you will find a few essential forms, including dormitory and academy rules. Please take the time to go through them. Do you have any questions?"

One of the nobles raised their hand, a girl with golden locks braided at the side. "When will our servants be arriving? I can't walk around on my own without one by my side."

Headmaster Freschlain stroked his chin, chuckling. "Servants? Your servants will not be arriving. Employees are only to service the top performers of the academy. You will learn more about the academy rules once you reach your rooms."

A collective groan erupted from the nobles, who glared at the headmaster with a mixture of anger and disdain. That didn't bother the old man in the slightest. In fact, his warm smile morphed into that of a sneer. "Of course, if that is a problem, you nobles are welcome to leave the academy. Run back to your manors while you're still wet behind the ears. Valis Academy of Sorcery is an institute that cultivates saplings so that they grow into mighty oaks capable of surviving storms. We have no interest in a sapling that cannot withstand a simple breeze."

The students' faces paled. No one said another word after the headmaster's statement. Tyrus had to cover his mouth to hide a wide grin that would surely warrant their anger. Underneath all that politeness and charm, the old man was a harsh man. It was a surprising but welcome change. That meant no matter who you were, noble or commoner, you would treat the same as any other.

The headmaster gestured towards the east. "Now, if there are no more questions, you may all go. Once you have settled in, I expect everyone to gather in the commons and proceed to the dining hall for the conclusion of the entrance ceremony."

Not wanting to stick around a moment longer, the students scurried to their feet and made a beeline toward the dormitories.

***

During his time at the academy, Tyrus frequently drew comparisons between the institution and the imperial palace. This was because he found no other suitable comparison that could do justice to the academy's excellence.

Lavarun Hall's luxurious exterior seemed to sparkle underneath the afternoon sun. The windows were polished, the walls were cleaned, and the wooden frames were freshly painted. A row of hedges lined the front, leading up to the stairs of grand double-doors made of an expensive-looking wood.

When Tyrus entered the majestic building, his eyes widened at the sight of the spacious foyer. A chandelier, decorated with dozens of gems, hung overhead and shone brightly. A circular rug laid out the middle of the room, and an assortment of cushioned chairs surrounded it. Paintings of breathtaking sceneries hung on the walls.

In the corner, a fireplace was lit, crackling and warming up the space. The heat it gave off was welcoming. It reminded Tyrus of the manor, where the fireplace would always be lit during winter. If this was the first floor of Lavarun Hall, then what would his room look like?

Tyrus eyes wandered, and he noticed a few employees sweeping the halls and wiping dust off the furniture. They wore uniforms similar to the ones the two young wore earlier. Their appearances were rather plain, with brown hair and eyes.

One of them, a young woman with her hair tied, looked up from her duties and smiled. "You four must be among the first-year students. Welcome to Lavarun Hall. My name is Natala, and I am one of the few employees that takes care of the building. I am at your service."

Tyrus heard a few others approaching from outside. With a cheerful expression on her face, Ivy scanned the place while Igneal nodded in approval. Kylis, on the other hand, did not show any impression, simply looking around as if she had already seen the place many times before.

Natala walked up to the group and bowed. "I will lead you to your rooms once I hear your names."