Into The Unknown World

Chapter 21. Journey to the academy | Part II

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A few hours have passed, but it was like days when I travelled with Professor Strauss on our way to the academy. He's been wondering how I've acquired my magic powers, and what are the things I can do apart from the barrier, and questions like how many simple spells I can use are never-ending. I mean, I may sound evasive to his questioning, but I'm still not comfortable answering questions that might lead to more imminent questions. Besides, he enjoys telling me the things I'm going to expect when we get there. So, I've let him talk all day.

"The academy is located in the town of Palio and we will arrive in a little more hours. In an hour we should be coming to the only town in the West, the Town of Frillport."

After he had taken an old parchment out of his satchel, he let out a heavy sigh and pointed to the western part of the Kingdom where the marker was drawn.

"This is our final destination. Putting it in the centre of the four great nations of this world, where magicians hone their skills in wizardry."

He told me that the four great Kingdoms shared the same academy centuries before the war began to build young sorcerers to develop their magic. Even the Archmage of the newly developed Kingdom of Corithia was a wizard at the Darathos Academy for Knights and Mages.

The only kingdom separated by land is Lunaria, and the kingdoms of Ardun, Darathos, Meda, are the four great nations that have flourished on the continent. Peace and order were maintained by the Rule of the Great Kingdoms until the Second Prince of Ardun found the desolate and remote land in the South, divided by the Blue Mountain.

"... the second prince and his followers moved south to create a new kingdom, now called the Corithia Empire, to honour and respect his dying wife, who was accidentally struck by the magical surge of Ardun's crown prince.

"Is that how the war began between the two kingdoms?" I decided to ask.

"The four kingdoms, young warlock. Princess Corithia was the third daughter of King Darathos. Certainly, this kingdom will support the quest of another prince, avenging the death of his daughter. King Ardun, who died a year later, crowned Prince Arnaud, the new king of his people, announcing a war against his brother. Allegations are spreading like wildfire that both princes have had the same princess's love contributing to the origin of this conflict."

"Lunaria and Meda are the northern realms... ah, how did they start to behave on the declaration of the new King?"

"You see, boy. Lunaria is the Realm of Fairies aiding and abetting the three kingdoms in practising wizardry. That's why the first academy is situated in the middle of the four realms. It's stupid to take up a battle with the Elves, Dwarves and Holy Sprites who reside on the vast island, deeming it invulnerable to attacks. By calling for and supporting an alliance, King Arnaud pursued his quest. Yet, because she did not want to interfere with the clash, the Queen of Lunaria refused. The rest of the kingdoms shut off a large portion of their borders."

"The Kingdom has been left alone, huh."

"That's true. Maybe the King thought he was being pressured by them, making him search for other opportunities and invading the neighbouring small kingdom of Arcana, now the centre of his Academy of Fine Soldiers and Mages. Now, boy. After the collapse of the Kingdom, the Empire of Ardun marched its soldier across the tumultuous seas of the South and found the Island of Dragons and Demons."

"Fascinating. That's a lovely tale, master. I would like to visit that Kingdom soon." 

Sprigg who said nothing after we left my home town spoke really enthusiastically. This is expected since it's all about fairies. I didn't mind her, though, I just continued talking to Professor Strauss.

"You mean the beasts from the books?"

"You read the Book of Crusaders, then?"

"Ooooh! I also want to read the tale of the heroes, Master!?"

"I... I think so, yes."

I shifted my sight and saw the wooden carriage pulled by the beast in the window. I can say with confidence that this town is significantly larger than ours. I suppose this is what Professor Strauss, called the City of Frillport, is all about. He stopped talking to me and handed me a book. It looked like a manuscript that Sir Lyol had let me borrow before, but the pages were older and wrinkled like a completely dried human skin.

"This is one of the old books I've successfully gotten somehow from the auction. It's worth a lot of gold coins. I feel very fortunate to let you lend this, young warlock."

"Master!"

Immediately, I flipped the pages open and examined its content. However, it's totally different from what I've read before. Although, I know he's helping me to attend this academy. I mean, just by going this far is absurd. I, for one, have no noble blood.

"Why?" I flinched.

"Knowledge is awareness, boy. You know, this is not just an ordinary book. It includes the vulnerability of the beasts all those past heroes have destroyed. Also, my lesson is all about learning to fight against these creatures."

"...I see."

"It's almost dark and gloomy. We'll talk about this later."

After a long trip, we managed to get to this place, this is about twice the size of our town. The coachman then went to "Heks" the beast. It's a four-legged furry beast. It was a beast. These coachmen like to call themselves beast tamers which were hired from an independent organization called "The Guild," and dubbed "The Renegades" by Knights such as Sir Rad and the others.

Originally, the renegades were a group of retired, if not physically incapable, are veteran and older knights forming a brotherhood. They were knights that found a way to earn for a living by rendering their service to the people in the kingdom. Sometimes they hunt monsters who went astray, rumbled outside a city, or hired to guard merchants or noble guests.

Now, even capable Knights are joining the brotherhood. That's the reason why Knights like Sir Rad and the others detest these groups of people. Although, they are participating in the war. They are rising in numbers, while the Knights are shrinking.

"Leave your things. We 're just going to eat here and start our trip to the academy right after."

The coachmen hurled themselves before a four-story tavern. We had a tavern in my hometown before, but the previous Lord did not want to make stupid people waste his hard-earned money. He said we must learn how our money should be saved. People didn't fight and listened to him instead. In comparison to the tavern that stood before me as if a colossal manor were made of wood and boards and not stones but on the second floor upward.

"Understood."

Sprigg returned to being silent now, who distracted me when all the conversations were regarding fairies. Yeah, she assured me that everything she considered necessary would help me improve my magical capacity. Otherwise, I'm alone. How ridiculous it is. While I know she's just floating around me. I can't help but realize that I'm abandoned since I have temporarily constrained our whole thought communication.

After a bit, we went into the tavern and searched for a place to wait for our meal, and the coachmen went to the stables and checked for their beasts and wooden carriages. Overlapping chatters were heard throughout, as though there was a huge feast honouring an incredible accomplishment. Cheers and ales and songs are heard within, where citizens sang the glory of a great hunt.

"Do you recognize this song, child? You seem to enjoy this somehow?"

"Ah... huh? No, the melody is just fun and interesting."

"This is the song of the heroes' great hunt. When we get to the academy, be sure to read it. So, you'll enjoy it more." 

I agreed, staring at the men shouting praises. I held my eyes wandering to the people within the pub, and the ladies served almost full ales to the next floor. They were gorgeous young, grown-up ladies with black hairs. 

"One more thing, child. Since you're in charge of protecting Bradrick 's daughter, I'm going to tell you her assigned class. Don't worry, all classes will start a week later. So, you still have a lot of time to get to know her."

"That sounds all right."

... and after that, the food is served. Along with the harmony which people sing, I enjoyed the warmth of the soup and bread. Then people started to stand up and perform inside the circle and dance the night away with their ales and wines. I spent the night with one goal in my mind, to look for my siblings and to start another life after the loss of 20 Luner. Although this is only once in a while, I get to enjoy the warmth of my heart when people meet to celebrate. I will relax because I won't know what to expect when we enter the academy. 

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