50 Alyx

It was a group of at least twenty people, all of them came in looking at me, each with a fierce look on their face. None had any weapons which for me would normally be a good thing, but here it is definitely not and I could see higher year students in the group which meant I would be getting offensive spells chucked at me.

A let a sigh as I began to regret leaving my sword back at the house I was using. As I looked through them, I noticed not all seemed like mages, some seemed more like warriors which would ruin my chances at rushing in and engaging them in a melee as they would tie me down as the others got to a safe distance.

Looking at the man I was talking to, I now registered even more that I had not asked for his name. "You better go, there problem is with me, not you."

He just looked at me and then laughed. "I will not be leaving you that quickly, they came at you with me here. They can forget about leaving that easily."

As he turned and looked at them, all of my senses screamed to get away from him, it was as if a monster had awoken right next me. I couldn't help but be stunned. How could someone be able to release such an aura. I know he is the brother of a knight but this is not something I think Ajax could even release.

The massive gang of people, for the first time since they came in, focused on the person next to me. Upon seeing his face, all of them had an expression of horror plastered over their faces. They all began to step back, most tripping over each other. At how they were reacting, I looked in surprise at the man next to me.

Waiting until they had all gone I asked, "Who exactly are you?"

He just looked at me and smiled, "I already said I am Ajax's little brother. I am known as Alyx. Similar to my bro's name. Anyway would you like to go in, I don't like being desturbed that much."

We both walked into the main library together, we got a few glances, but not much attention was paid to us. Alyx walked off to a section on alchemy. I after looking around for a bit decided to walk to the section dedicated to the world itself and the various nations in it.

The first book I picked up was titled, 'A Quick Guide To The Empire'. It was a relatively new book, or at least it looked new to me. Finding a seat in an area secluded from the rest of the library, I opened up the book.

'The Empire as it is commonly known or The Empire of Monica, occupies the majority of the southern territories of the old Imperium, as well as a lot of newer terriers which is where the empire comes from. It is made up of twelve Arch Dukes, each who is sworn to serve the Emperor. Under each Arch Duke are a number of Grand Dukes, under them are the normal Dukes…..The Empire in recent times has been in a bloody civil war deciding who will succeed the throne. This is due to the Emperor of the last dynasty dying and there being no heirs to the throne, effectively causing the main line of the imperial family to extinct.'

The book, although called a simple guide, went into a great deal about the Imperial family as well as the various Arch Duke's families. Covering their territories and connections to the throne and it gave a rough guide to their total strength. By the time I had finished the book, I was amazed at this Empire as it was known. Though I was worried at the same time, this is due to once the Empire's war for its throne is over, the kingdom as well as the surroundings kingdoms will likely be invaded as the Empire wants to expand its own land, especially to the old lands of the Imperium as they connect a lot of relics and secrets which could lead them to the power of the Imperium.

As I was about to pick up another book, Alyx came round the corner with Lars each of them talking quite joyfully. Upon seeing me they both smiled. Alyx said, "Come on Adoh, lets go get some food. It is nearly past the time for the evening meal already."

Looking at the time, I realised it was. Hurriedly getting to my feet I moved over to them and the three of us walked to the dinner hall. Inside as it was nearly the end of the time of which everyone could come and get dinner, there was nearly no one inside at all.

It didn't take as long to get some food, and then find a table to sit down together. Unlike my breakfast, this meal was so much more fun, mainly because I had people that I could talk to. Most of it though was them asking me about how the army was. I described to them some of the fights and the battle's I had been in. Then went on to talk about some of the things I had seen, though I never mentioned anything at all about the shadows.

Once we all had finished they both took me to a place they called the meditation hall. Like the library and the hall of elements it was another one of the massive halls that had seen when I first arrived here.

It was like the other halls, as we got closer I looked up to the tower. It looked so magnificent. The other two, seeing my gaze, smiled to themselves.

"You know Adoh, if you do well in the tournament at the end of this month, you will be let into the tower and will be able to use what is inside to help you." Alyx said.

I looked at him oddly. "What do you mean let in? I thought that the tower would be open all the time."

Hearing my reply the both chuckled to themselves for a minute. "Adoh, though they are called the mage towers, in fact they are far older than us and they are more like a special training ground. At least after the fourth floor that is. The floors up to that are as you say, open all the time, but know one will be able to get any real benefit from being there." This time it was Lars who replied to me.

As we were talking, we quickly arrived at the hall. Going inside what I found was a massive open area, dotted with small bridges and rivers as well as a couple of waterfalls and lakes. The whole area just made me much more relaxed and more focused. It didn't take me long to think of why this place was called the meditation hall, it was in fact a perfect place to meditate.

I left the two of them and found my own spot. Sitting down I began to focus on the mana around me. This time though instead of looking at the mana in general, I tried to see the darkness and fire attributed mana.

After focusing and finding them, my vision was all black and red. I started to feel really cold and yet I was hot at the same time. The fire mana was beautiful to look at though as it circled around the blackness which was the darkness type.

My focus was sent away when I felt a hand slap my shoulder.