Chapter 19 - Proclamation (1/2)

Chapter 19: Proclamation

Xyrus Academy, an Academy hailed as the most exalted Sanctuary for any of the would-be-mages privileged enough to have both the background and talent to enter. There are a couple more academies scattered throughout the Kingdom of Sapin, but needless to say, the level between those second-rate schools and Xyrus is insurmountable.

That was the kind of t.i.tan Xyrus Academy was. Those who qualify to graduate from this academy were guaranteed a prosperous future and life. It was rumored that the top graduates can even become honored guards, instructors or military leaders for the Royal Family, for the King of the entire race of humans on this continent. Of course, some chose to go the more humble route and may focus on research by joining one of the mage guilds. However, it is an understatement to say that students of Xyrus Academy are hailed as the true elites, even among n.o.bles.

Now, here I am, standing in front of said Academy’s Director. Normally, any eight-year-old, h.e.l.l, any person would be ecstatic to be in the presence of someone so affluent, but I just scratch my head in annoyance at the unexpected guest.

She was a very tall lady, standing around 1.7 meters, well above the average for the females here. She held herself in a very upright, n.o.ble manner. She wore a simple, yet elegant robe that was navy blue, laced with gold threading. She sported a conjurer’s hat, an accessory that looked like an over-sized witch hat that amplified the absorption rate of the surrounding mana but oftentimes came with other functions. Strapped to the side of her robe was a wand that was a crystalline white color with a fluorescent gem attached. Even my ignorant eyes could tell that this wand was extremely valuable. Surprisingly, her face had very soft features that reminded me more of a friendly grandmother next door than an all-important figure of power but the aura she had around her made her seem fairy-like. Her wrinkles couldn’t mask the attractive face that she had. The crow’s feet etched on the outer ends of her brown eyes actually amplified the attractiveness of her smile when she introduced herself.

“Nice to finally meet you Arthur.” She said, with her hand held out.

What was I supposed to do in this situation? Do I just shake it or is someone of power like her expecting me to kiss her hand or something?

I just go with the safe route and shake it.

“Err… Nice to meet you too Director.”

The Director seemed a little surprised at my introduction.

“Arthur! You’re being rude! I’m so sorry for my son Director Goodsky. He just returned home and is ignorant about formal customs.” My mother pushes my head down with her hand while bowing herself, getting on one knee.

Apparently, when meeting someone of high standing, it is customary to get on one knee and shake the hand, while bowing.

How stupid.

“Kukuku, no it is quite all right. No offense taken at all. And please, Arthur, call me Cynthia.” She just laughs with her free hand covering her mouth.

“I’m sorry to intrude on you at such a late time but unfortunately, the only free time I could make was after my meeting tonight. I hope you don’t mind.” She said, looking at my parents.

“Nonono~ we’re thankful that you’d be willing to take the time out just to visit our son.” My father is the one to speak this time.

By the amount of complimenting I start wondering if this granny can compare to Grandpa Virion.

Director Cynthia nods at this. “True, it isn’t very often that I take a house trip to visit a potential student. Otherwise, even with a hundred bodies, I wouldn’t be able to fit the time hoho.”

“However, Vincent is a good friend and a very reliable business partner that I couldn’t refuse when he excitedly came up to me about a prodigy that is living in his home. I must say that my curiosity got the best of me. Do you mind leading me to an open s.p.a.ce so I can see a demonstration?” She continues on, her gaze fixed at me in an a.s.sessing manner.

“Can I at least eat din…Ouch!” My mother slaps me in the b.u.t.t before I could finish my sentence.

“Of course! Please follow us Director Cynthia.” My mother ushers me, leading Director Cynthia while the rest followed.

My dinner…

Sylvie, who was hiding underneath the dinner table from the unfamiliar human, trots behind me causing Director Cynthia to raise an eyebrow.

“Oh my… What a lovely mana beast. I a.s.sume it is your contracted beast right Arthur?” She asks me inquisitively while kneeling down to get a closer view at Sylvie.

“Yeah, she hatched a couple of months ago. Her name is Sylvie.” I just respond, with my mother’s hand still grabbing onto the back of my shirt to keep me from escaping.

“I have to say, while it is common for n.o.bles to buy beasts to contract, I have never seen a mana beast like yours.”

Shrugging my shoulders, I just respond, “I’m not exactly sure what she is either. Her mother seemed to be some sort of scaled wolf like creature. She was already gravely wounded when I stumbled into her nest. She was protecting her egg.”

She reaches to pet Sylvie but she scampers away and climbs unto the top of my head.

“Sorry, she’s a bit shy around strangers.”

“I see. Well enough about her. Let us see if what Vincent wasn’t just exaggeration. He didn’t tell me much except that you’re an Augmenter, saying it was a surprise.” She just shakes her head.

We arrived at the backyard and everyone was seated a couple meters away, Sylvie struggling to escape the grasp of my little sister, whom I entrusted her with.

“You’re not going to use your wand?” I start stretching.

“It isn’t very fair of me to be using a weapon when you yourself are empty handed as well, right?” She gives me a wink.

I guess she’s right.

I stomp my right foot into the ground and a piece of the ground, the size of my body thrusts up. My hands are lazily in my pocket so I kick the rock at Director Cynthia’s direction.

A wind wall that appeared instantly in front of her knocked up the rock I just kicked.

*Whistle* Oh. Insta-casting.

I guess she’s not the Director for nothing.

I see her face visibly shocked by the sudden attack I threw at her. She wasn’t expecting an elemental attack from a child, even if she knew was an Augmenter.

I wonder who’s better at controlling wind.

I will a gust of wind underneath my feet and propel myself to her.

“D-dual Elemental…” Before she even had the chance to finish her sentence, I jump up three meters into the air with the help of my wind attribute skill and focus a condensed whirlwind into my right fist that starts glowing a faint silver color. Using the piece of earth that was knocked up by the Director, I use it as a foothold to lunge myself into her.

*FWISH*

The collision of her wind wall and my whirlwind fist creates chaotic streams of wind that forces the audience to cover their faces.

The collision blows me back as she also takes a few steps to steady herself. Before I get the chance to balance myself, I see four twisters the size of small trees form around her and she wills it towards my direction.

I gather the wind element around my body as well, making a small cyclone form around me spinning the opposite direction of Director Goodsky’s. Using the centrifugal force generated by my cyclone, I start spinning along with it, using my hands to create blades of wind.

The clash between the four twisters and my cyclone creates a small crater but otherwise doesn’t do me any harm besides me being a bit dizzy.

*PANG*

Instantly I’m knocked back, my ears ringing and my vision unsteady.

A Sound user! She was a deviant!

I steady myself, taking a glance at my opponent and she’s staring at me with an awestruck face that makes her seem like a tacky tourist in a foreign country, her right arm still raised from the last attack.

I sit back down. d.a.m.n. Couldn’t win.