Drexalis Year 1

  *Emma walks out and looks at the Winter wasteland. A gust of arctic wind chills her down to her core as she steps out of the Carriage. The Guards traveling alongside them laugh and speak too quickly for Emma to understand. *

  Valorie: Don’t worry about the cold. It warms up once we go through the barrier, but we need to go through the side entrance to avoid bringing attention to you.

  *Emma blinks in confusion before going invisible. The group gasps as they step back, the guards grip their weapons tightly, but keep them sheathed.*

  Valorie: Emma? Where did you go?

  Emma: *Reappears* Right here.

  *One of the guards yells something about Demons before Valorie dents his helmet by bonking him over the head.*

  Valorie: *Human*She’s made it this far, why would she ruin her chances of entering undetected right now? *Gets in Emma’s face and speaks elven* But how would a slave know a class ‘H’ spell? And not have a tag? The highest they’ve been able to control has been ‘X’.

  Emma: That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you this entire trip! I don’t even understand most of the Humans. From where I’m from, they’re all vile creatures… *Glares*

  Valorie: Having an extreme hate for humans is a common trait for Demons and brainwashed slaves.

  *Valorie scratches her head as she thinks.*

  Valorie: Wait! How old, that doesn’t matter, you could pass for thirty, no problem.

  Emma: What’re you talking about?

  *Valorie speaks to some of the guards before sending them off.*

  Valorie: Well, I can’t take the risk of you being a spy of some sort. And as the Elf of this fort, I get to pick three potential top-class students. Even if you can’t place in the top, I can still see about getting you in with some negotiating.

  Emma: Student? Wait. I’m not a scholar.

  Valorie: Good. It’s not that kind of academy. You speak near-perfect Elf, which is also surprising. But not unheard of for those in the Academy. Worst case, you’ll at least get to take some reading and literature classes.

  Emma(TL):*Annoyed* I don’t think she’s listened to a word I’ve ever said…

  Lily: Yeah, but at this point, we know nothing. Sure, it’ll be slow, but Kimmy’s not gonna age anymore. Well, that we know of.

  Emma(TL): True. But the academy? That’ll take years!

  Valorie: *Claps* Okay. Orientation is in one week. So we’ll get you ready with the basics.

  Lily: I mean, they also think we’re a spy. Maybe play along for now.

  Emma: *Sighs* Okay. I’ll go.

  *The day of orientation, Emma hears them call her name, and she walks out to an empty arena, a halfelf stands holding a clipboard.*

  Elf: Okay, state your name and. Oh, you’re one of Valorie’s. The only note says to speak Elven. Okay, well, your objective is to take down as many enemies as you can.

  *Emma nods. And waits as the Instructor steps down and a pack of smoke wolves appears. Emma raises her hand toward the Wolves with her sword in her other hand.*

  Emma thinking: What was it they called it? Whatever. *Scoffs*

  Emma: Weapon enhancement. Wind.

  Lily: I thought we were gonna take them out from afar?

  Emma(TL): From what we know, it doesn’t matter as long as we cause them to disperse.

  *Emma charges toward the wolves at incredible speed, leaping over head before swiping her blade toward them to unleash a crushing gust of wind. All but one of the wolves vanish, and a whistle blows. The final wolf vanishes, and Emma turns toward the Elf.*

  Elf: Under the list of spells, it was left blank. Why?

  Emma: Valorie.

  Elf: Madam, Valorie.

  Emma: Sorry, yes. Madam Valorie. I was told by her that I could fill it out as time went on.

  *The elf rubs their forehead in annoyance.*

  Elf: She meant before Orientation, I’m sure. It’s fine. I’ll put enhancement spells for now. Head the Mana capacity testing. The Human running it can’t speak a lick of Elven. I can send my assistant if you need a translator.

  *Emma looks as the Elf gestures to a younger female half-elf.*

  Elf: Stephanie. Can you take her to see Louis? Just hurry back, I have more elves this year for somereason.

  Stephanie: That’s due to the coming of age.

  Elf: I thought that wasn’t for another three years?

  Stephanie: *Shakes head* Nope. *Approaches Emma.* My name is Stephanie, and I’m a 2nd year at the Academy.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Emma: Emma, Nice to meet you.

  Stephanie: *Smiles* That was my mother's name. Anyway. Let's get Louis out of the way for you. He can be a real pain in the you know what. If you know what I mean.

  *The two walk into a large Gym. The floors and walls are made of magic-infused metal plates. A door on the two far ends appears to be the only way in.*

  Stephanie: And this is our Gymnasium.

  *Emma looks at the large open space before hearing a voice call out. Stephanie walks Emma through the other door and placed on top of a stone plate with runes around the edge. Large glass vials with a couple filled with a blue liquid that shimmers like starlight.*

  Stephanie: This is a Charger plate. Your objective is to pour as much of your Mana into the plate to fill the Batteries.

  Emma: So, focus my mana or release it?

  Stephanie: Focus on it. Have you done it before?

  Emma: Only through my hands, but this should be fine.

  *Stephanie looks at Emma, confused. Emma’s eyes flash shades of green and purple as the first partially filled vial bubbles. Emma takes a deep breath in and holds it before a voice comes from a box in the corner of the room. *She closes her eyes and focuses. She feels her connection to Lily and Exhales. The pipes connecting the vials rattle before liquid mana leaks out, filling first one then another. One vial after another fills while the pipes struggle to contain the pressure. The voice calls out again, sounding panicked. *

  Stephanie: Emma. Louis said it’s too much! You need to slow it down.

  *Filling a total of twenty-four vials, Stephanie looks in disbelief, and Louis, an ancient-looking man, floats out on a cushion. He yells at them both, but Emma can’t understand any of it.*

  Stephanie: *Panicked* So. He says in all his years of instructing students, he’s never known an individual to fill more than 15 in one sitting. He says he wants to know who taught you Mana control?

  Emma: Would you believe me if I said a Devil? *Laughs*

  *Stephanie looks lost, but Louis looks as though he’s seen a ghost. But when Stephanie asks him, he declines to say.*

  Stephanie: He asked if you still know them?

  Emma: *Scoffs* I don’t think I’d ever say know. More like he pops in and watches me struggle.

  *The next day, Emma is brought back to the Academy, woken up to an escort in front of Valorie’s Manor. Stephanie waves excitedly to Emma as she approaches them. Stephanie throws confetti in the air and cheers.*

  Stephanie: Congratulations on making it in the B class.

  Emma: ‘B’?

  Stephanie: It’s mostly due to the language barrier and some other things they want to confirm. Normally, we only collect the top students, but they want to meet you before classes tomorrow.

  *Stephanie and the guards bring Emma to the gym, with a group of Humans and half-elves sitting at the table. The one in the center is an older male Human; he does most of the speaking, with the others chiming in on occasion. Occasionally, they whisper to the Man who speaks out their requests.*

  Man: I’m the Headmaster here at the White Swan Academy. You may call me Headmaster Joseph. We’re meeting with those with known or possibly hidden talents. We already have for raccomendation from Valorie, but it was left mostly blank. All it said was you were a slave before this, but the test results say otherwise. So, to get started, what is your age?

  Emma: I turn 31 in the summer.

  Joseph: Okay. And what’s the strongest spell you can cast? So far, we have enhancements.

  Emma: I’m not sure, but I find screaming spells in combat too difficult, so I stick to the more personal spells. I’m also still learning how the ranking system works.

  Joseph: Z-H are ranked on their difficulty to cast successfully. Fireball, Wind cutter and such are Z since they just take a catalyst and chanting.

  Emma thinking: Valorie made it very clear that if I cast my stronger spells, I may get in trouble. She only convinced her soldiers because they respected her. *Looks at Group* I get the impression that if I even cast anything without words, I’ll be thrown into a cell.

  Joseph: Enhancements are ‘Z’ rank as well. You managed to cast it without any issue, but we’d like to know where you stand on the ranking system.

  Emma: I know the basics, but I don’t know anything beyond ‘Y’.

  *The group looks at her, as though they don’t believe her. *

  Joseph: If you need this much help, then you’ll need to take some preclasses. *Emma looks confused.* They’re for those with potential, but who didn’t have guidance.

  *Outside the room, multiple voices can be heard, distracting Joseph from speaking. A guard walks into the room and runs over to the group, whispering to them.*

  Joseph: Sorry for this, we’ll send all the information, if you accept, arrive in exactly one week from tomorrow.

  *As the group rushes out, they have Emma move into the hall, where Valorie awaits Joseph and the others to discuss plans. They speak in common for a bit, and Valorie calls for Emma to join them. The two follow at a distance as Valorie explains to Emma the situation.*

  Valorie: There’s a small army of Demons moving this direction. Prove to them you’re on ourside and you can get the help you keep asking for.

  Lily: Does this mean we need to scream those stupid spells?

  Emma: Can I do it my way?

  Valorie: *Long breath* I’ll leave that up to you, but I can’t defend you if it goes wrong. I still have a position equal to nobility around here.

  Emma: I can work with that. *Smiles*

  *Reaching outside the city, the arctic wind beats down on them. Emma heats herself using Magic, creating a mist by melting the snow around her. She walks out in front of the soldiers. A human calls out, Emma doesn’t need a translation to make out that he’s demanding that she come back. A couple of knights step forward before being knocked down. Emma turns around and smiles.*

  Emma: I just want to ask them some questions.

  Voice: If you get yourself injured, don’t blame us for attempting to protect you.

  Joseph: Emma. If you don’t return here at once, you can forget about coming to class!

  *Emma vanishes, and the knights look around in confusion. After a moment, she reappears in the center of the two armies. A giant, deep red-skinned humanoid with four arms, the bottom two resting crossed, steps forward, stopping just before her.*

  Emma: What do you know about a race called devils?

  *The Demon laughs, and his skintone lightens a little.*

  Demon: What is an elf doing with that kind of knowledge?

  Emma: *Unamused* I know about the prophecies.

  Demon: Then you’ve met them. Where?

  Emma: He comes to me on occasion. He taught me Mana control.

  Demon: *Rubs his chin with his upper left hand.* I was under the standing that the Devils and elves no longer spoke. And for them to come to you. *Evil grin* Then he wouldn’t want his project to get injured!

  *The demon slams one of his hands into the ground, and as the dust settles, he turns to see Emma standing just off to the left.*

  Emma: Would you like me to show you what I learned before him? *Smiles*

  *The demon quickly fires off fireballs from his lower, smaller arms. Exploding on contact, the fire settles, leaving a scorch mark.*

  Demon: Come now. You had me going for a moment, but it appears you’re all talk.

  Emma:*Behind the Demon* Are you done yet?

  Valorie: Catch!

  *Emma turns to a sword being thrown her way. She catches the large blade, slams the tip into the ground, and sends the Demon flying back with a solid kick to the chest. The Demon laughs as he stands. Emma weilds the two-handed blade, to which she points it toward the Demon, who unsheathes a sword and shield. Emma struggles to keep her balance, but manages to block the Demon’s attacks. Judging by his speed, it’s almost as though he’s toying with her. Emma grits her teeth, stabbing the earth beneath her. She kicks the blade to fling dirt at the Demon, then uses the momentum to smack the shield from his hand. He leaps back as he wipes the dust from his eyes. He smiles as his vision returns, and he once again locks in on Emma.*

  Demon: Now we’re getting somewhere. *Laughs* Come Devilspawn! Show me the power taught to you by our once great rulers!