Chapter 653: Trip in a Box
Hey, make some room, a plump apprentice said to Dallion.
Judging by his appearance, magic or not, Dallion could take him out with one punch. When it came to the Academy, though, the man was still considered a superior. Since he was in his twenties, it was likely that the man would never move beyond the apprentice level. As Nil suggested, either the apprentices magic limit was lazy, his magic limit was low, or he had lost enough duels to keep him at this level.Cheêck out latest novels at novelhall.com
Sure. Dallion moved further in.
As it turned out, the way to the Academy was via carriage, but not the sort Dallion had seen before. A wooden box would suit the contraption a lot better. There were no windows, no comfort, not even horses to pull it, just two seats on the inside and one outside. From what Nil had explained, the carriage was used to transport mages from poor sections of society to the Academy. The common explanation was that it was to keep all unbecoming away from the gaze of the inhabitants of the imperial capital. In reality, it was merely a security measure. No one simply went to the capital without an invitation or permit. Awakened with the magic trait were the only exceptions, though there were a few conditions attacked. This was one of them.
You dont get seasick, right? The apprentice glared at Dallion.
Not particularly.
Better not puke on me.
Dallion considered making a snarky comment about him flying more than the apprentice ever would. It would certainly put the man in his place. Then again, creating a bad impression early on was sure to make his life a lot more complicated. Hed already done a good job of insulting several nobles. Keeping cool was the best strategy for the moment. At least until he rose to a high enough mage rank.
Ill do my best.
A few minutes later, the only door of the carriage was closed. Light was provided by a single white light crystal crudely put on the ceiling. It was bright enough for a person to read, which was what the apprentice immediately started doing.
Using a few instances, Dallion glances at the contents of the scroll, hoping it would be a spell manual or some kind. To his disappointment, it turned out to be an adventure story of questionable literary quality. Sometimes having high scholarly skills was also a curse. For one thing, finding a palpable work of fiction was more difficult than finding adequate food.
The carriage rocketed, reminding Dallion of the sensation he felt while cocooned in his armadil shield.
Well be flying, he whispered.
No, the apprentice corrected. The box will be flying. Well just be in it.
A typical pedantic answer of someone who wasnt good in magic.
How long will it take to get there?
A day, give or take. Ive brought some more scrolls if you want to pass the time.
Thanks, but I think Ill take a nap.
Suit yourself.
There was no point in trying to spark a conversation, so Dallion didnt even try. Instead, he concentrated on his magic vision. The color of magic had progressively faded since first acquiring it. From what Nil had explained, that was normal for late bloomers. Initially, his senses had been on overdrive, but after his body had gotten used to the experience, his magic sense had faded to its current level. Hed still be able to see what non-mages couldnt, but never as bright as before, unless he increased his trait level.
What happens to those who cant become mages? Dallion asked.
You have nothing to worry about, dear boy. As long as you dont engage in reckless duels, you have a very good chance of becoming one in a few years.
Im asking in general.
Okay, were here, the apprentice said all of a sudden. Magic flowed through his clothes, straightening them to perfection.
I dont hear anything.
Precisely. When the ride calms down, it means were near. No one wants to be seen bringing a shaky box to the Academy.
Dallion looked at his own clothes, then went into the realm of each to fix them as much as possible. The result wasnt bad, although it couldnt compare to what had been achieved through magic. There could be no denying that magic made things appear flashier, even when they werent.
The landing was so soft that Dallion didnt even feel it. It was the apprentice who opened the door and went outside. Grabbing his gear, Dallion followed.
Welcome to the Academy, Nil said.
Up till now, Dallion had caught a few glimpses of the Academy from the perspective of the rogue mage hed faced. Seeing it in person was a hundred times more breathtaking. If there was such a thing as a cyber university campus in which every building was built in baroque fashion, this was it. Millions of glowing decorations of magic covered otherwise flawlessly constructed buildings. Dallion even looked up, expecting to find flying cards and spaceships; though the only thing he saw were a handful of mages flying about.
A large palace-like structure composed of multiple towers stood a few hundred feet away, surrounded by a moat of sapphire water. Figures made entirely of water move about, performing a theatrical play throughout the moat. The performance was at least as good as what Dallion had seen in Nerosal. By the looks of it, though, he was the only one impressed by it. Everyone else walked about, focusing on their own problems. Even Dallions arrival barely earned a few glances.
Different to what youre used to, isnt it? Nil asked in a smug voice.
Come along. We need to get you officially registered. The apprentice went towards the main entrance of the palace.
Thats the Academy?
Thats the Study Hall. Youll spend a few years there before you can go about the Academy proper.
Just how big is the Academy, anyway?
Its much bigger on the inside. The apprentice chuckled. See that there? He pointed in the distance. Thats where the White Eye faction lives. Theyre the ones to keep an eye on while youre here.
Oh?
They watch over everything happening here.
In other words, the mage guard, Dallion thought.
Their faction isnt anything much, but until you become a mid-level apprentice, pretend it is, the man whispered.
Got you. Dallion nodded. Anything else I should know?
Lots, but youll find out.
The inside of the Study Hall was almost a city in itself. From what Nil had said, there were several dozen thousand mages within the world, most of them at the Academy. Corridors the size of streets went on and on, surrounded by walls of buildings on either side.
Dallion followed the apprentice several hundred feet to the only blue building in sight. Three large runes shined in purple just above the entrance.
Administration, the apprentice said. Your new home away from home. Remember it. Youll be going there a lot.