21 Journey to the academy | Part II (1/2)
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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 saddle, 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 says 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 have seen 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 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 books I obtained from an auction. It's worth a lot of gold coins. I 'm planning to let you borrow 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, has no noble blood.