Sunday,10:30am. Border of the Helio Empire
Zephyr Academy Auditorium, Orientation ceremony
"The old world's population was estimated to be around 8 billion. Humanity had made great strides in technology, different cultures integrated with each other at different locations all at the same time. In those times, the greatest threat to civilization was humanity itself, wars erupted over religion, race, resources. They were even on the verge of a third world war when calamity struck.
The time of the apocalypse which we refer to as the Doom Era marked a significant time in our history. The emergence of the great dungeons claimed the lives of over half the population of the old world while drastically effecting the landscape. What we've come to know as Atlas is an amalgamation of all seven continents of the old world…although there's still no record of how it happened, past scholars attribute it to the dungeons themselves.
We are only here today thanks to the might of five kings who you know first generation. They were the ones who went to the eternal library and learnt the arts of magic and sorcery. They would later go on to establish their own domains in different parts of the continent.
"Do any of you have a question?"
"Why are we learning about ancient history?", a voice shouted.
"Most of us already received basic knowledge from our families?", the voice which belonged to a blonde boy added.
"I'm sure those of you from noble and wealthy families received somewhat of an education but teaching our first-years about our history has been a tradition of Zephyr Academy since its inception", the professor responded.
"Here at Zephyr, historical knowledge is seen as one of the pillars of becoming a great mage. How can you possibly grasp the concept of the power you could wield without understanding it's origin?", the professor who was a woman in her late-twenties asked.
"Are you implying that knowledge about our ancestors who died eons ago, can affect our potential as mages?", another student from the crowd asked.
"I'm sure it seems a bit far fetched but believe me when I say knowledge is power", the professor replied.
"Year after year, you make your grand pitch to the first years about how knowledge is power. I see you're still trying to get more mages into the scholar class, Professor Camille", another voice interjected. It belonged to man in his mid-twenties, with messy dark hair styled in a peculiar way. He was an individual of an above average height and muscular build with dark-grey eyes.
"Well, we can't have a repeat of last year's event. Not all the students should be inclined to solving matters with brute strength, Professor Aiden", She responded.
"It would mean even less funding for your department", He said with a smile.
Just before she could retort, an elderly voice interrupted,
"As you new students can see, our professors are very passionate about their respective fields. No matter where you find yourselves, you'll always be in safe hands for the duration of your study here".
The two bickering professors as well as everyone else righted themselves. Those who sat lazily corrected their postures, the professors simply bowed respectfully and those whispering were swiftly hushed.
This behaviour of everyone present may have seemed a bit over the top but it was to be expected when in the presence of a Saint and a war hero no less.
While the time before the apocalypse intrigued many who followed the path of scholars, another point of history they aggressively pursued was the history of Atlas itself which was also fragmented.
As recorded in several historical archives, the previous era was dubbed as The Blood Era due to the frequent wars between different factions.
Saint Barroth Aurim founded Zephyr Academy after the last war as his contribution towards peace on the continent and has since served as it's Vice-Chancellor. He was also one of the most renowned figures on the continent.
"Welcome children, to Zephyr Academy", Vice Chancellor Aurim said.
"I'm sure a lot of you are excited. This is after all, the beginning of a new chapter in your lives, the start of your journey to your dreams.
Whether to make a name for yourselves and break away from the burdens of your bloodline, to elevate your name and attain great fame and wealth or to simply discover yourselves. Zephyr is where you can achieve those things through diligence, hard-work and intelligence".
The speech was nothing special. Many of the students in the audience either hailed from prestigious families who had raised them under strict guidance and rules or from less stable cities who survived in harsh environments. The short speech they had just listened to had little effect on them.
The blonde student who had asked a question earlier stood while raising his hand.
"Is that all?", He asked.
"Are you telling me all I need to reach a rank like yours is diligence and hard work?", his tone shifting from reverence to anger.
Before the professors could move to caution him, something happened…the elderly saint laughed. His laughter echoed throughout the auditorium, growing louder and louder until he stopped gasping for air.
Looking back at the student, he said, "No, of course not, these qualities I mentioned are very important but they fall short of what's really necessary…..Power".
The mood in the hall shifted as the saint rose from the podium into the air.
"Power is the key to attaining your desire, the key to your dreams. But without intelligence, without diligence and without control, power is useless. While it is necessary, you must never lose yourself to it. To lose yourself to your power is to become a slave to your desires and that my dear first-years, is height of lunacy".
"To answer your question, the journey to reaching a rank like mine is long and thorny, getting there depends on not just your strength but the strength of those you ally yourself with on your path and sometimes your luck as well. Are you up for the challenge, Arnold Riess?", he asked.
Before the blonde boy named Arnold could answer, another student, seated at the far end stood and asked, "You said it depends on our strength, the strength of our allies and luck. Is that not how you would describe life in some cases?…Sir?".
The saint and other professors studied the boy who had asked the question. He wore a simple shirt and black trousers that complemented his caramel tone, most of his black hair was tied in a small knot while his glasses highlighted his deep blue eyes.
The boy had a calculating gaze which did not go unnoticed by the professors. Just as they studied him, he also studied them.
"Yes, I believe that is true. The path of power and life are often interwoven", the saint replied.
"Once again, I welcome you all to the academy. Your journey will be hard, so hard that you'd wish you never started…you might think of giving up, if you desire you may do so. But I assure you, if you never give up, if you persevere till the end….your power would shake the very foundations of our world", the saint vanished as he spoke the last words leaving behind a round of applause from the audience.
He was followed by the heads of departments who left the hall for a private meeting in his office. To call it an office was quite demeaning, considering it encompassed the entire top floor of the building it was in. It served as both his office and resting chambers.
The professors entered the chamber to see the vice chancellor already seated behind his desk.
"You'd think a speech like that would scare them a little but no, they clap and get excited instead", he said with a smirk.
"What do you expect of children raised by the generation of war?", a professor asked rhetorically.
"It seems the academy is about to get rowdy. I look forward to it", another said.
"Forget the troublesome students, I've not seen a particularly stubborn professor as well".
"His last message came a week ago, it said something about him studying an interesting prospect", Professor Aiden responded.
"That means trouble", Professor Camille sighed.
"Leave Cain to his vices. To gain his interest is no easy feat", the Vice Chancellor said.
"Now, let us focus on the main point of discussion. I'm issuing a discreet lockdown on the academy for the next six months."
"Does it have to do with those rumors?", Professor Camille asked.
"What rumors?," Aiden asked.
"Don't tell me you didn't hear about them, Aiden?", She asked.
"He's been holed up in the training arena for the last few months, don't expect him to have any understanding of current affairs of the continent, Camille". The one who answered was the head of the administration of the academy, a slender woman in her forties. She wore a white business suit that highlighted her honey skin tone.
"There's been a rumor going around cities, apparently a team of inquisitors were ambushed and killed alongside an archbishop of the church of Twilight," She said.
"It has to be a false rumor right? A team of inquisitors, I get. But an archbishop? Those guys are almost on par with some saints, I can't imagine them dying just like that," Aiden said.
"I'm afraid the rumors are true, Aiden. A message delivered through a method only accessible to saints. It was only meant to be used as a means to keep tabs on each other and circulate accurate information amongst major powers."
"The message was a warning….Be careful," Saint Aurim said.
What kind threat is lurking to warn saints to be careful? this ran through the minds of all the professors.
"The lurking danger changes nothing. It only threatens the head of the academy and not the academy itself, therefore the events scheduled for the year will progress as planned."
"Sir, with the lockdown in place, we won't be able to hold this year's combat games."
Saint Aurim remained silent, although this was not the first time the academy had initiated its lockdown protocols, it was however the first time it involved saint level threats. This complicated many extracurricular activities planned.
"Let us re-open the arena under the academy"
"Are you certain, Sir?", Administrator Diane asked.
"What is this arena you're talking about?", Professor Aiden having never heard of it raised the question.
"I believe you started working here sometime after we shut it down"
"The arena was the original ground for the competition but it was shut down after an unforeseen…incident".
"How long would it take to get the virtual arena functional?", the saint asked.
"Give or take about two and a half months, if engineers hurry", Diane responded.
"Hmm…then I'll leave you to it and in the mean time, classes and other events will proceed as usual.
Aiden, you'll be the acting head of the warrior department for the time being", Saint Aurim instructed.
"Until Cain returns, I presume", Aiden said, slightly disappointed as he left the office with the professors. Diane however, stayed behind.
"It's quite unusual for you to openly give out Cain's position to anyone. What's the matter?", She asked. "....So you could see right through me.
Cain confirmed the news about the church as well as the involvement of Saint Maria. As he tries to avoid her detection due to their history, he won't be around until the end of the month.".
"Leave it to him to wander into trouble. What was he even doing there?", Diane asked.
"Apparently, taking on a dungeon and an apprentice, it seems.
"Wait, you mean to tell me that Cain, the same person who refused the proposal to train an heir to the council of lords, as well as an heir to the Riess royal family, took on an apprentice!! Who is this person?", she asked curious about the who could interest that whimsical idiot.
"He refused to tell me when I asked but I have an idea", Aurim said.
"According to the message addressed to us Saints, the inquisitors were dispatched from Ankewelt and there are only three cities in that area with guilds and frequent dungeon raids.
The assault had to have happen at a place where reinforcements wouldn't be able to arrive on time. That leaves out two of the three cities, the only one left is basically an adventurer's paradise…Nova City".
"Nova City?", Diane asked a bit of surprise displayed on her face.
"That's the most likely location, why?"
"Well, my house recently received news of unusual movement of a war bishop from House Dacre in that very city", She said.
"House Dacre", Saint Aurim sighed as he closed his eyes, unpleasant memories filled his mind about his last encounter with a member of that family.
"Sir!", Diane said apprehensively.
Aurim opened his eyes to see Diane with her eyes narrowed, staring suspiciously at the edge of his desk. He turned to find a white envelope resting there. It had appeared out of thin air!
Upon carefully opening the letter and perusing its contents, he smirked and ignited the letter.
"What did it say?", Diane asked.
"Nothing of worth, you may leave", his tone flat.
Noticing this change, Diane complied. Once she left, Saint Aurim laughed dryly and said,
"You never seize to amaze me, old timer".
The letter wrote:
"It seems your brain still works after our last encounter….good for you.
Do not interfere.
*Patriarch of House Dacre, Zaheer Dacre*