It was still early in the day as Nariah made her way to the academy, feeling as if she had just left only hours ago and the streets were busier than she preferred; normally she would leave early enough to avoid what she considered chaos and the occasional nefarious pickpocket. However most of the crowd this early were children of various age groups, many of them heading the academy, the priory, or the trade school. Any person that had an affinity for magic use was sent to the academy by law, the priory was for those children whose parents were able to afford higher education, these students usually became politicians, royal advisors, or priests, while those that went to the trade school learned a profession that would eventually become their job. This had become part of everyday society, normally the son or daughter of a skilled worker would learn their parent’s profession, however with some parents having their children attend the academy, other children becoming soldiers at the proper age, and many parents wanting to maintain prominence by paying for admission into the priory, the magistrate had a school built dedicated to children being trained various professions in order that they may become productive citizens. But, Nariah was a Caster; a magic-user, caster’s had the most restrictive rules of the three schools, although they had free range of the academy grounds, they were expected to stay within the walls of the academy until dusk. If they were caught outside having no evidence that they were running an errand for one of the masters, he or she would face severe punishment; not by the hands of the guards but by their own master. When you reached a certain age or skill proficiency, you were sent on a pilgrimage to find your place in the world that would suit your abilities, if you showed an affinity for greater magical knowledge and competence you could be sent to the monastery in the Shrouded Mountains, located far north of the city. Nariah often heard stories of talented casters not appearing at the monastery, masters were delighted to tell their students how treacherous the terrain was to travel and about the wild animals and other creatures that would appear along the way. They all said that traversing the untamed wilds and proving you had the will to survive was a requirement to gain entry into the monastery, but she knew how much the masters liked to embellish; she once asked her master about the monastery, his only reply was, death would be a kinder fate to you. As much as Nariah dreaded being at the academy she was always impressed by the architecture when she approached the entrance. She as well as the other students were taught that the structure had stood since the beginning of recorded time, even surviving the Collapse; a war that engulfed the entire world over three hundred years ago. It was her belief that this was merely taught just to instill a sense of pride or reverence, to keep her and others from focusing on the fact they had no choice but to attend the academy. Nariah has known this life since she was a child, she asked her master why she couldn’t attend one of the other schools his reply was simply because she was a caster and at the time she accepted it, as most children do. As she got older she began to realize that there was more to the answer she had been given as a child and it was even more apparent now due to the recent reports of attacks on caravans traveling to and from the city. On multiple occasions she heard travelers whispering about the unusual circumstances in which the people and debris were found at the site of the attacks, having been burned from explosions indicating a firebomb but no lingering fires or pieces of shrapnel from the exploding device and finding people completely burned to ash petrified. Reports like this led many to believe that casters were responsible, as a result, citizens began to treat the casters at the academy differently, eventually pressing the magistrate for security precautions against them. The masters, however, never talked about this with their students.

“Nariah!” a girl called, as she approached the enormous threshold, bowing in front of her. “I am glad to see you have returned.”

“Was I not supposed to?” Nariah asks curiously.

“I was curious myself when your master instructed me to watch for your return, I assumed he must have had some doubts, were you ill?” the girl asks emotionless, speaking almost monotone, was slightly taller than Nariah, her hair of orange and red hues sat just below shoulder length, complimenting her stone-grey eyes and pale skin; she was beautiful many would find her pleasing to look at.

“It doesn’t concern you, sentry.” Nariah snaps slightly, wondering why she was being detained by someone she didn’t know. “If you have a summons, deliver it and let me pass.”

“Cold tones and sarcasm are unnecessary, I was simply trying to show a general concern for your wellbeing. But as you have so requested, your master has summoned us to his study, and I suggest we make haste, I am aware how impatient he can be.”

“Indeed, lead the way sentry, or is it messenger?” Nariah replies, motioning for the girl to lead the way.

“It’s Viktoria.” the girl responses coldly.

“Apologies, please lead the way,” Nariah says with a small grin. 

They made their way through the tumultuous hallways and ascended several flights of steps until the came upon a large oak door emblazoned with decorative carvings. Viktoria knocked on the door three times.

“You may enter.” came a voice from the other side. Viktoria bowed as she opened the door allowing Nariah to pass through, then shut the door behind her.

“You sent for me master?” Nariah says bowing on one knee.

“I see you were able to make it back to the dormitories, I’m surprised to see you were able to make it back inside the walls of this ancient institution.” his tone was cold without a hint of enthusiasm or emotion; if he were surprised Nariah could not tell. “For a moment I was doubtful that you would return after the state in which you left last night, or even survive for that matter.”

“So your intention was in fact to kill me?” Nariah accused without thinking, and with an effortless wave of her master’s hand, she was forced violently to the ground by an enormous unseen pressure. Pain erupted over her entire body as she felt like she was being pushed through the stone floor into the room beneath it. “If I wished you dead child it would only take a single manifested thought,” he says without a single change in his demeanor.

“Forgive me master.” she barely struggles out. Satisfied with her apology he releases her.

“However since you have returned and seem to be in good spirits,” he pauses in order to let Nariah reflect on his sarcasm, to let her know he was not only unhappy about her interruption but for her carelessness from the previous night. “I’ve decided to change your study regimen, effective tomorrow.”

“I apologize master, but I don’t understand,” she replies hesitantly.

“I wouldn’t expect you to. It’s very apparent that your studies with me are no longer effective, in most cases I would simply inflict large amounts of pain on a student until he or she was able to focus. However, as much as pain is a motivator for you, I’m afraid you would eventually break or give up, allowing yourself to be killed.” Nariah saw a subtle soften in his expression before continuing. “casters are scarce in this world, there was a time when our numbers were just as many as the average human, but times have changed. It’s important that we prepare you for the realities that exist outside these walls, even if it means modifying the way we train our students.” He suddenly regained his composer. “You’ll be happy to know that our encounters will be few, with this new regimen, but I will still be monitoring your progress. That being said you are dismissed, feel free to take the rest of the day to do as you wish.”

“Thank you, master,” Nariah said standing then turning to the door. “Master, if I may?”

“Yes.”

“Had I not returned today what would have happened?”

“A group of soldiers would have been sent to your room, if you were not there recovering and instead, trying to leave the city, you would have been slain on sight.”

         “What I know is that only the strong survive and the masters cast aside the weak” Nariah thought to herself.

         “Was there anything else?”

         “No master, I will take my leave,” Nariah bows again then exits. She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly an instant after closing the door. That was new, whispers to herself, that was the first time she saw her master use that ability, and it was also the first time catching a glimpse of softened emotion from him as well, maybe Tristen was right. Nariah didn’t allow herself to dwell on what she was to encounter in the days to come, especially when given the opportunity by a master to do whatever she liked for the rest of the day, unfortunately, she knew this didn’t mean she could leave the campus grounds. She took another deep breath and exhaled with a sigh of relief, then walked casually into the sunlit courtyard. There were always students in the courtyard all of whom Nariah chose to ignore; except for a large crowd of students that were yelling and cheering. Viktoria spotted Nariah from within the crowd of students and immediately made her way over to her.

         “I’m glad to see everything went well,” Viktoria says after greeting Nariah with a bow.

         “What makes you think everything went well.”

         “You’re standing in front of me; alive and well I might add. If things had gone badly I’m sure that soldiers may have been involved, you would not be standing here and I would have been assigned to another.” Viktoria replies matter of factly.

         “What do you mean assigned to another?”

         “When certain students advance in their academics and show they have a higher aptitude for the magical arts and leadership, they are sometimes paired with a younger student, that also demonstrate that they are of a higher caliber.” Viktoria pauses for a moment studying the confused expression on Nariah’s face. “It’s truly an honor Nariah.” for a moment Nariah thought she might have seen a shred of excitement from Viktoria but it was hard to tell, her tone still very plain and her face emotionless. “Come, I will explain more to you.” Viktoria grabs Nariah by the hand and leads her through the crowd of students until the reached the innermost ring of students. Once there Nariah saw two students in the center of the crowd fighting one another.

         “Why are they fighting?” Nariah asks

         “They’re dueling, and honestly I have no idea why. Why do most people fight? Some fight for glory, some for honor, others for respect, but there are some who just want to prove they are the most powerful, I’ve even known a masochist or two.”

         “Shouldn’t the masters be putting stop this?” Nariah presses, as she spots several master watching from a distance.

         “Why should they?”

         “It’s ridiculous and someone can get seriously injured.”

         “You can get hurt walking in the streets at night, and there won’t be anyone there to save you. You of all people should understand how cruel the world is, you’re an orphan left on the steps of the academy, and your master is the most brutal of all the other masters combined. Life outside the walls of the city can be harsh, it’s better they test their strength here against one another in a supervised environment than be caught off guard in the real world.”

“I guess,” Nariah says, unable to deny Viktoria’s logic.

“It is the master’s belief that every time you engage in combat you learn something new about yourself, that you didn’t know before, and with each battle, a caster becomes stronger whether physically, intellectually or emotionally.” the crowd erupts into a loud cheer as one of the students in knocked to the ground unconscious and the other student begins provoking the crowd for another victim.

“It has been my experience that if the masters believe something, then it is probably not true.”

“There’s only one way to find out,” Viktoria says taking a step behind Nariah. “As your mentor, it is my responsibility to capitalize on any and all opportunities that can further your training.”

“What are you talking about?” before Nariah had a chance to turn around she was shoved forward; stumbling into the center of the crowd toward the victor of the previous bout, the force of the push sending her to her hands and knees.

“Well, well, who do we have here?” he says placing a foot on Nariah’s shoulder and pushing backward.

“I see you still like beating up on the younger students, Edwin,” Nariah says as she stands up brushing herself off. “And girls.” He pauses for a moment to glare at him, “I bet nothing else makes you feel so powerful does it?”

“Do you seriously think any of that matter within these walls? If you haven’t noticed, the masters only care about the strong.” The crowd became quiet as he spoke, in part because they all knew what he said was true, in part he was putting on an act.

“Come now Edwin,” Viktoria called out. “Everyone here has come to see a performance, you don’t plan to disappoint the spectating masters do you?”

“I’ve asked you not to call me that!” Edwin shouts. “My name is Kane, you should do well to remember that, cousin.”

“Only the greatest casters that have gone on to become masters and legends, have had the honor to change their name so that history might remember them, what great feats have you accomplished or devastating effects have you left behind in your life to merit people calling you by a name you have not earned? Why should anyone call you Kane.” Nariah stood shocked, as she listened to Viktoria provoked Edwin-Kane. He looked around, while a murmur passed over all that were in attendance. He could feel the gazes of the masters that were looking down on the commotion, and could equally feel the pressure that came from them.

“Here’s my example.” He says, in a low tone through gritted teeth. With two long strides, he closed the distance to Nariah striking her before she could react. The unexpected force of the blow sent Nariah to the ground dazed, he doesn’t hesitate to follow up with a kick to her ribs, then plays to the crowd as they explode into cheers. Kane turns around to find Nariah back on her feet and immediately continues his assault with a series of punches and kicks that she frantically tries to block. She manages to sidestep the first two attempts but misses a swift spinning back kick that catches her in the gut, knocking the air out of her.

“You can’t be serious with this display Edwin.” Viktoria badgers. “Bare-knuckle fighting and martial arts are for the military, surely you can display what it takes to become a master.”

“Keep calling me Edwin and you’ll be next Viktoria!” He shouts.

“It’s not me you have to impress, it’s the masters remember.” She replies with a sly grin.

“Alright, fine!” Kane says, his jaw tighten worse than before. “I’ll give you a show.” He says as he slips a pair of gloves onto his hands; a gem cresting the tops of each. Kane looks to his own master, who was watching the duel, as to gain his permission to continue on with what was an obvious enchanted item, his master nods in approval. Nariah is suddenly hit with a bolt of magical energy, which forces her back several feet and there were more cheers from the crowd of students as more erupted from Kane’s hands toward their intended target. She quickly erected a shield of magic energy hoping to deflect the incoming barrage, her heart racing from the sudden change of pace in her opponent’s attacks. Seeing Nariah’s shield, Kane begins casting a more elaborate spell, chanting while he moves his body methodically in series of distinct motions. Approaching the climax of the spell he swings his arms out wide then quickly brings his hands together as he emphasizes the last word and a massive beam of magic energy speeds towards Nariah tearing up the ground in its path before breaking through her shield and crashing into her chest. With enough force to send her through the air, through a pillar, and into the stone wall that was several yards behind her.

Thanks for reading this to the end, hopefully, you enjoyed the next part of the story.