Chapter One: "A Seeker Steps Forward In Conflict"
"A quincentennial."
"Stuck in this prison. One of my creations! However, tides have changed now that someone has entered the trial. Now to greet the unlucky soul to enter-Hmm…?
The mysterious being disappeared as gusts of wind swept around them, consuming their bodies and vanishing them into a distance in the darkness above, leaving a minuscule figure. A child!
"Not a bold adventurer-or a zealous explorer, but a kid though? Hey. Hey kid! What's your name?"
A wide gash above the kit's brow stung as cold air infuriated the wound caused by slamming headfirst onto the carved stone ground. What was supposed to be a certain death from the ravine's height resulted in his appearance in a wide hall extending past the peripheral of view. Black marble pillars reached out toward a roof seeming to be concealed by the darkness as they spread wide and far out of view. The voice echoed in the hall but the source lingered above the child as a tall figure loomed over them with an inquisitive gaze.
"Are you going to answer?"
Looking up toward the voice the person was left unable to take a breath. An ant to a mountain. Man underneath the sky. The mage held a pensive expression. There was no threat or amusement as he probed for a response. His appearance was absurdly otherworldly with glass-like skin, illuminating long gale green-tipped black hair that reached his chest, and a robe resembling jade adorned with ornaments of various shapes and sizes. The mage's cold expression released a radiant aura that suppressed any thought of dissent. Placing a warmth-less hand on the face of the kit moving their hair covering their face to meet their eyes the young kit's light azure hair shifted out of the way exposing navy sapphire eyes as he shook from fear.
'It hurts. I want to throw up but I can't. I can't stop shaking. It's too much. Stop. Stop. Stop! I don't want to die. Is this an Emperalis mage? To move in the suppression of an Emperor Stage Mage you have to be Adjudicant anything below doesn't even allow you to move an inch.
'It's over. I'm dead.'
The expression of the mage seemed to shift slightly to disgust before dissipating as they examined the appearance of the child before withdrawing their hand.
"Neither a dragon nor a drake? That azure hair, though, must mean that man's descendant...? Hardly…"
Placing a hand against their chin in contemplation the young boy sat confused piecing together the muttering of the mage.
'My clan's history is monster hunters, but dragons..? Who is this person and what are they talking about..?'
"Time has diluted the dragon's blood making you as much a dragon as the regular wild lizard although… It seems that bastard's lineage has yet to die out. Tell me your name, and I'll tell you mine do we have a deal?"
Looking up with apprehension and confusion in their expression before sensing an opportunity to live the child cleared his throat silently before opening it introducing himself.
"My name is…"
Daelk Empire Sophis Academy.
"Riné? Riné! I wasn't done showing you around, you'll miss orientation!?"
Startled and out of breath the short statured ginger haired boy donning a jet-black uniform of the Sophis Academy with a patch marked 'III' could only adjust their oversized glasses as they looked around to no avail. They had failed to do their job of guiding around the prospective student and now they knew they were in trouble as loud fireworks exploded in the distance marking the beginning of the examination ceremony.
"Don't tell me he already went to the examination area-…"
"Bzt-WELCOME EXAMINEES TO SOPHIS ACADEMY!-"
Feedback screeched as a voice filled the building and its surroundings as examinees held their ears in pain from being right below the speakers.
"MY EARS THEY BURN!"
"It's starting already damn I can't stop shaking…"
"If I fail Pops is gonna send me to the manacoal mines…"
The voice was a woman's voice which exploded in volume as a large inflow of adolescents looked up in awe and tension. Up above a box where a team of students was moving around giving orders and a pink haired women with a cheery expression and a bright red pin in her long hair continued to speak into a microphone that held bright runes that allowed it to transmit her voice. Sophis Academy had it written in golden letters on a black signboard. The white marble exterior along with obsidian domes coated in golden calligraphy signature of the demon race showed a powerful image to the aspiring mages.
'This is a bastion of knowledge!'
Looking down from open windows several figures could be seen walking across pacing toward different destinations whether it be students aiming to find a seat to watch the tests or faculty members getting to designated spots the tension was palpable.
"You really expect anything to come out of this batch?"
Standing high above the examination area in the metallic spectator seats reserved for students sat in a corner two figures. A taller ash grey short-haired older student with black eyes and a grin that resembled a sleazy conman. While his height was noticeable there was a lack of defining muscle mass that made him look undiscerning. Next to him was a shorter figure with longer neon green hair that reached their lower back with dark black eyes with a glint of dark green. Their beauty was remarkable as their softer features made them a first-rate in appearance even among supermodels on earth and made them stand apart from the person they stood next to. On both of their uniforms there was the patch 'IV' along with a white patch on the ash haired students left lapel.
"Although Sophis Academy isn't going to attract combat talent at par with Aletheia it's pretty interesting to see what kind of people are attending and be there firsthand with the student body…"
"So you just want to leave a good impression to get votes from the freshmen."
Shaking his head not even making much of a refute with a grin the ash-haired student took in a view of the examination area with an anticipating grin their eyes wandered the field below them.
As the examinees waited anxiously in a waiting room that held a couple of metal benches, it was clearly a gym lockeroom being used as a waiting room for them. Outside the room were wide halls empty except for the occasional passerby as a red-haired child looked around anxiously tears welling up in their eyes.
"Mama..?"
As they rubbed their eyes walking forward they bumped into an obstacle and fell on the ground scraping their palms. The obstacle was a student's leg as the student looked down a bottle hit the ground spilling a brown drink, and they clicked their tongue before adjusting their comb-over hairstyle before glaring harshly at the child who fell.
"Look the hell where you're going damn brat!"
Overwhelmed by being lost, scraping their hands, and being reprimanded they began to hiccup an apology.
"S-S-Sorr-"
"A simple sorry isn't gonna suffice kid look what you did to my uniform."
As they pointed to their white and black student uniform the sigil of a unicorn badge stood out showing their status as an Aletheia student. A brown stain was seen on their lower chest from where the drink splashed as it fell. The child kept apologizing as the delinquent took joy in this as he looked around before throwing his fist down at the kid's head. The child unable to react instinctively, held their arms up to defend as they closed their eyes to a beating that never came.
The student president in the stands chucked.
"Besides you never know when fortune strikes."
"What the hell..!"
The delinquent was angered as his fist was caught by a black-haired figure. Using only their hand the stranger looked at the delinquent with disdain before turning toward the kid placing their other hand on their head ruffling their hair, and giving a bright smile. The stranger's hair covered their face from the side as the delinquent was unable to wear their face.
"You alright there?"
The kid burst into tears as they rubbed their eyes.
"My mama- I want to go back to her…"
"Don't worry."
A vein almost burst as the delinquent clenched his fist. He had never been disrespected like this as a child with a golden spoon growing up everyone saw to their whims. With anger, they took a step back as they threw a punch toward the stranger's face with the uncaught hand.
"Hey bastard who do you think you are- "
Taking a step forward the stranger kicked their legs out from underneath them as the delinquent was thrown upside down the caught hand was used as an axel dislocating the socket from the fist being held still in the stranger's hand. The child watched with awe as their tears stopped. The delinquent writhed on the ground as he yelled obscenities and threats the child looked up toward the stranger who pointed them toward a help desk to wait for their parent.
"I'm sure we'll find her."
"Wh-Who are you?"
Awe filled the child's eyes along with admiration. The stranger simply gave a light smile their eyes filled with a slight appreciation.
"Someone not important."
Walking away the child called out to him waving.
"How can I see you again Mr Stranger?!"
Giving a light chuckle turning around they simply responded.
"Keep an eye on the Entrance Exam."
Sophis Spectation Area
In the examination area, all the spectators were waiting in anticipation for a barren pitch of light brown first and patches of dirt being scarce as students were filed shoulder to shoulder.
"Separate yourselves into groups of four to five!"
Wearing a green suit along with a beret stood an older man with greying streaks across his brown hair and aged wrinkles he curled his brow as he barked orders. Paying great attention to the students the older man had great experience as an instructor and warrior as he didn't buckle under the gazes of the faculty and spectators watching in anticipation.
'Thirty years. Ever since I came into this school with nothing but a sword and my experiences in the Expeditionary's I managed to claw my way to become an elite instructor. Now it's time to begin the ceremony.'
"Those of you here this is your time!"
Gazing at the students in an attempt to psyche them into attention and awareness with a strong authoritative voice that reached the stands.
"Instructor Kenn's starting already?!"
Large chatter arose as students filed into the stands finding seats as above the spectator stands reserved only to students lie the premium suites and viewing stands that were a notch above in quality and space for each person. It was the faculty and premium lounge for government officials as a handful of figures watched.
"Where's the Council President?"
An elderly woman addressed a younger attendant as she sat in a light brown cocobolo elvish wood chair engraved with runic letters. Wrinkles on her face and sagging face showed her long lifetime lived and a magenta robe that displayed shifting stars and constellations as she exuded wisdom and knowledge toward those who gazed upon her visage.
"Chairwomen He's sitting in the stands most likely to appeal to the students by acting meager."
The younger attendant wore a white blindfold and had chestnut hair with a well-built stature as he wore a black suit and red tie and black gloves as he bowed down while addressing his master with a hint of distain mentioning the council president.
"Very well send a message to the staff to begin the screening and send all the information to the proctors and admission officers. Allow the practical exam to begin."
"Sky Magic: Clear Horizon"
Raising a hand forward to the bright clear blue sky the clouds shifted allowing the sun to beam down onto the field.
"It still awes me with your magic every time I see it."
The servant grinned as he clapped his hands. Nearby faculty were confused, however.
'Isn't he blind..?'
Examination Field.
"You should know Sophis Technical and Logic Academy was created by the Second Daemon of Advancement for the sole purpose of making a difference! You have already done your Academic Examination now for some of you this Practical will decide whether or not you are Sophis material. Are you ready?!"
The students each finding themselves matched up in ragtag teams each froze and with an open hand on their chest yelled.
"Yes Sir!"
Instructor Kenn grinned as he clapped. The surroundings changed as twenty groups found themselves divided by large walls of earth rising up from the ground. In one dividend there was a group of four.
'Calm down Kairi you got this just slow breaths..! This is your final test and if I do well I can get opportunities and make a living for myself and my family away from the countryside. Not as a clergy member but a mage!'
A dark brown short shaggy-haired youth with a medium stature and about seventeen years in age stood tall as he took deep breaths relaxing himself. Looking around at his group mates he looked them down examining their looks.
'Three guys which means we'll be one member short of the max but that means one thing. More opportunities for me to put myself forward!'
Of the group of four, the first he saw was inconspicuous. A plain, meagerly dressed boy even compared to him in his shabby clothes that were the fanciest clothes his father lent him he had lower attire.
'I'll call him plain since the guy doesn't stick out as anything more than a cityboy.'
The second stood out more as he looked foreign compared to the others with him being more rotund with a bit of fat on his face and body that wasn't morbid but eye-catching especially with his single chrome earring that contrasted his purple hair.
'This guy must be a noble or from a well-off family since he must be eating well and showing off jewelry. If his hair color is naturally like that then that means he must have talent thats not good… I'll call him Rich then.'
Turning around to view the last member there was an audible slap noise.
'Woah what happened-'
As Kairi's eyes shifted to the final member he couldn't help but lose his breath. His heart began to beat out of his chest as a complex array of emotions rose. The feeling of nostalgia, reverence, and presque vu for a person he had never seen or known but wanted to. The figure was tall and donned in grey active wear similar to an adventurer or mercenary as they held a sheathe on their side. Their light black hair flowed out to the front and was tied into a ponytail at the back as an azure streak ran through to the front in a tuft of hair and it blended into the black at sections creating a seamless mix at their intersections. Wearing a solemn gaze with bright azure eyes looking forward only enhanced their expression as their most outstanding feature was in full effect. With a glass-like appearance that seemed like they would shatter with a tap, they would shatter, which made their softer face stand out making them a first rate in appearance. Kairi and the others couldn't help but tell that this wasn't a Daelk citizen but Kairi felt confused about why such a person was here.
'Whoa. He's a guy…? I'll call him erm.. not Pretty thats kind of weird.. How about bla- nope. I'll just call him Azure like his eyes! That'll work.'
Standing by himself the black-haired examinee had slapped his own face lightly as he took a deep breath before looking forward. If not for the fact that they were wearing garbs that allowed them to move actively in all black Kairi wouldn't have thought them to be attempting to become a Sophis student but rather a Aletheia student or Selene if they were a girl. After all Sophis Academy is a male-only institution. His concerns on the test only intensified as he suddenly felt the urge not to make a fool of himself as he cleared his throat with a nervous tone.
"Um- Good luck..?"
As the words flew out of his mouth the three looked at him with apprehension before the purple-haired 'Richie' chuckled as he made a wide grin.
"Yeah, same for y'all!"
Seeing the reaction of Richie the other two Azure and Plain had differing reactions. Plain had an annoyed expression most likely because this was a serious test and it meant the difference between poverty and opportunity while Azure loosened up a little smiling awkwardly with a slight thumbs up.
"Yeah.. You too?!"
Feeling slight embarrassment but relieving his nerves a bit Kairi nodded toward Azure before realizing he should have begun by asking for names first but at least the tension in the room cleared up and he seemed friendly.
'Hopefully this test isn't pitting each other in a fight or else I'm at a real disadvantage with my low offensive practice with my Mana Control.
"Is this a joke to you?"
Making a loud click with his tongue and folding his arms Plain looked at the group with an irritated gaze.
"I worked my ass off to get to this point and you're saying good luck?"
Feeling a bit targeted Kairi raised his hands to disarm the situation. Keeping his voice steady he responded.
"I'm not trying to I just wanted to break the silence and raise the mood. Besides this is important for me y'know. I have a family I need to support as well."
Unknowingly this response from Kairi pitted him in the eyes of Plain as his enemy while the other two kept quiet ruining the atmosphere in the group before the mana intercom began playing a tune as a familiar female announcer began speaking over to the crowd of spectating students and faculty.
'Today marks the beginning of the Practical Exam now put away your talismans of luck as this test won't test luck but rather teamwork!'
With a high-energy voice, the announcer began speaking into the scrambling of the test takers below
"Guys I don't have a Phenomagic yet!"
"I'm a Comis Stage Mage with Earth Magic capable thats achieved second circle!"
"Quick everyone state your stage and magic!"
As the fifteen groups scrambled Kairi's group looked at each other in silence.
'Is no one going to say anything? God my chances are over… I'll speak u-'
"The first challenge is battle!"
The ground began to shake as the walls began to liquify, and a number appeared engraved into the brown walls with ninety-nine.
Students from each section divided by the earthen walls could only worry from anticipation. A combat-centered test from the looks of it in a technical academy.
"Survival..? Are they gonna test our ability against monsters?"
"No-Not even Aletheia or the military school near the Oeste make examinees battle barbarically.. I'd hope?"
Watching the spectating students also seemed confused as the faculty above seemed to glisten in anticipation. One man in particular with bags under his eyes along with shaggy crimson red hair strode next to the chairwoman and the blindfolded attendant holding a steel-bottled flask as it swished with what could only be assumed to be not water.
"I had to pull two all-nighters for this logistic nightmare but…- If things go well and grace by the gods I didn't fudge a circuit in my sleep-deprived stupor this might be the future of examinations with built-in diagnostic screening and in-depth testing of capabilities for students."
Hearing this the Chairwoman chuckled slightly while keeping her gaze on the field as she only responded simply-
"I expected nothing but brilliance."
The red-haired professor sighed. He would have blushed from the praise before but now he was so exhausted he was more preoccupied with the whole exam wouldn't blow up a student's limbs.
"Should I explain it or-"
Feedback burst through the examination area as the speakers began to play, and a familiar female presenter's voice began to hum.
"Now everybody brace your eyes on the marvel… the innovation… the Tactics, Aptitude, Diagnostic the..~ TAD! This new examination from our very renowned Professor Platt right there standing next to your beloved Chairwoman!"
The turning of heads turned to cheers from the excited spectators and students as they gazed at the higher stands.
"It's Dr. Platt. I got a doctorate I've told her that but does she listen…"
Grumbling before forcing a smile and waving the female presenter continued..
"The theme of this examination is warfare so with that why not have some fun!"
"Warfare..? Are they making us fight each other?"
"Heh i have this in the bag, Father made me do chess since I was seven this should be practically the same!"
"While current developments and progress are important what we want to judge at Sophis is not how well you've been fostered but- how well you CAN be fostered!"
"Now how you may ask? Well, cooperation will be key between different roles and groups! Now you may have noticed there are different divisions between each group and some left empty well that was done on purpose! You will fill the roles of the different sections of the army through command, directing, and engaging!
Finishing her brief explanation a rumbling could be heard within each section of students as from the ground cracks began to appear along with it a great shaking that threatened the balance of many weaker students causing half a dozen to tip over holding onto the ground. From the ground arose a smooth stone tablet waist high and implanted in it a banner stood high. The banner clad in red and yellow with the crest of a horned dragon with a crown was the pride and joy banner of the Daelk Empire in full display.
"The test comprises three different roles. Commander, Logistics, and Vanguard!" [Commanders]will manage and guide troops and the Vanguard to defeat the enemy we dubbed Notus! [Logistics] will act as managers that will solve 'logistic problems' as R and D while acting as messengers between the commanders and vanguard being middlemen and key to upgrades and maintenance of the army! Now the last and arguably most important piece the [Vanguard]… This role will act front and center as special soldiers that pave the way forward and hold the line in the field as brave men! In your pedestal you will find that there are different wristbands that coordinate your role depending on which you pick that will determine your role in this exam. Pick carefully and discuss among your team as the Notus aren't easy opponents and lacking in one area could spell doom!"
Kairi turned to his teammates after processing the information for a short while in his head opening his mouth to give his thoughts. He had always been a quick thinker back in the countryside of Daelk where he had to take care of his eleven other siblings while managing the farm, and finding the time to practice his mana control he had to be not just quick on his feet but versatile which certainly helped in this case.
"It's obvious that magicians are gonna be key in logistics, Seekers in command, and Sentinels as [Vanguard]here."
Kairi was a bit iffy on the Seeker part as a magician being in the [Commander] role was also viable due to increased processing ability. The fundamental difference between each of the roles gave certain undeniable advantages that took innate development to be a match for the other. A widely spread phrase popped up in his head.
'Magicians mind, Sentinels embody, Seekers seek.'
Its meaning stood in the fact Magicians form their mage center in their brain where they develop their cerebral processing ability and capability to control mana, Sentinels place their mage center in their heart to increase mana circulation in their body and steel bones and cells, while Seekers place their center in their chest symbolizing the soul as they circulate mana from focal points across the body to refine the soul increasing mana supply and stimulating both mind and body through the cultivation of soul as they gain new experiences and foundation to further themselves.
"Since I'm a second circle mage with Water Magic I'll join [Logistic]. Figure I'll place myself in a role to assist."
The other members nodded in agreement as they each began to state their roles. Richie sighed as he relented.
"I'll be the first to admit this but I'm low-key kinda new with magic so I haven't even gotten a path for my magic yet so I'll go with [Commander] as a Seeker myself."
The others looked at him hardly understanding his way of speech finding it odd and filled with slang they've never heard.
'What the hell is he even saying..? Are those words from this planet even…"
"Alright, that'll be good for now…"
The next person to choose was Plainie as he raised his voice.
"Vanguard. I got Dash Magic."
The others simply moved on. His pick made sense as he could be of some help as a scout or distraction since he would probably have little offense at this level.
Quickly Kairi turned his head with anticipation gazing at Azure deeply curious to learn more about them.
'This guy is special, he has to be some sort of noble or something… if I can ride on his coattails I can probably pass assuming I play my cards right Kufufu…'
Kairi's internal monologue leaked out slightly as the others gave them a side eye before Azure spoke up with a blank expression.
"As a Seeker I'll be [Vanguard]."
The others were left baffled. Thats it? No explanation or self-description it was concise.
'So he's a silent brooding type huh thats kinda interesting…'
After selecting their roles the pedestal gave a bright glow as each gained a tablet with their role's information. Commanders were given a table screen on marble with runic blue symbols that changed to give information. Fifty clockwork soldiers in bright tally marks. The logistics tablet was blank presumably to be filled with logic puzzles, mana equations, and questions once the test began. Vanguards however were given a simple order on the tablet.
"Wait for orders."
Richie looked around quickly scanning the field and looking at the tall earth walls before asking
"So when do we see our units I need to see what comp we have-"
Before his sentence could finish the group began to rumble as the pedestal rose higher to the height of six feet as the sounds of gears could be heard a opening was seen as a door opened from the side of the pedestal where stop watches fell out. The stop watches piled on top of each other as fifty created a wide stack. The click of the watches with each second created a resonance as once a minute passed the clocks stopped ticking, and the hours from the watch vanished flying out as mechanical legs sprouted from the watches as they began to form ranks similar to spiders creating five rows of ten. The legs began to grow larger and larger as the stop watches became a fear chest the clock soldier became more humanoid as the back legs no longer were needed to stand they became arms, the heart the hour hand of the clock, and the head the minute hand.
"Now I understand why they're called clockwork soldiers they're actually watches made into soldiers but this technology is insane..!"
Onlookers and spectators marveled in shock. The light from box cameras' flashbulbs that would be considered antique in our time captured the scene as journalists captured the soldiers in undeveloped photos. The teachers in the stands admired Mr. Platt for his ingenuity as he explained.
"The Clockwork soldiers are using the same principle of newer engines in the emerging automobiles with a manastone core that allows for the gears to create movement which creates a cycle of perpetual movement as the other mana circuits activate forming soldiers capable of receiving and moving to the leader's will."
"Also a buddy of mine had a bunch of unused stopwatches I purchased for a steal."
The others could tell he was insanely oversimplifying the structures behind the soldiers yet they clapped for it if they asked further they'd hear a tirade.
"At this level, it is only able to receive basic instructions and impractical on the field but it'll do for now."
Unbeknownst to the examinees from above the spectators watched as in the separate areas blocked off by the earth walls also had clockwork soldiers some in lesser quantities and some with more and even some with u unique soldiers as many realized there were some figures down that weren't clockwork soldiers.
"Those are the instructors! They really are gonna be on the field that makes sense why they were missing!"
"Is that Instructor Kenn down there-yeah it is!"
The student council president in the stands turned to Gizelle with a smirk.
"This should be interesting."
Gizelle placed their fist against their cheek as they took a seat next to them their expression amused.
"The test is ingenious. It really examines several factors not just ability but also personality. Someone unable to keep their cool or too focused on standing out will quickly run out of troops and face more burden to themselves and their team which will weed out weaker examinees not fit for the academy. Of course, the exam is most likely not too easy or difficult to accurately surmise potential."
"I just remember beating up an instructor for my test heh-"
Gizelle chuckled reminiscing over old school memories before placing an eye on the group of four.
Richie meanwhile had a perverted expression looking at the tablet.
"Jeezus this really does remind me of a familiar game back home luckily I was a no life!"
Kairi was more concerned about the difficulty of the logistic role as the announcer cut in.
"Your allies and enemies are spread throughout different areas and once a wall falls you'll have to prepare to team up with others and persevere against the Notus! Ready! Begin!"
The examinees tensed up as they took as each group had a single side of the earth wall collapsed as the group of four saw a group of similar clockwork soldiers however each carrying a red hue. At their flank stood a hooded soldier and one wielding a war helmet and spear. One step. Two. Until eventually the enemy group of around thirty approached the examinee group's army.
Each of the tablets began to glow as Kairi saw the first puzzle.
An intermediate formula meant for mana division, approaching a limit I see. This isn't difficult rather time-consuming.'
The others however were given simpler orders as Richie wrote orders.
"Logistics solve as much as you can from a small distance from the back line while keeping an eye on the field you never know when you're going to get attacked. Vanguard keeps in front of the units you will act as a hold while the basic soldiers ponder from the side to surround them keeping minimal losses. The second a special unit moves meet them head-on."
Richie began to trace on the tablet giving a command to the units. As the other three took up their positions. Plain looked nervous while the stranger looked ready with a determined expression reading the order before whispering.
"Forward."
Striding forward in an instant a saber materialized in his hand as wild mana flew out. Unsheathing the saber wielding it one handedly lightning burst out as it coated the curved blade before Riné arrived in front of the enemy clockwork soldiers as dozens raised an hour hand jumping forward to strike down Riné.
The edge of the saber seemed to disappear as it cleaved horizontally through the clockwork soldiers leaving a wide gash. The clockwork soldiers were unable to move at first as sparks arose from the wound before exploding in a storm of thunder.
In a single strike half of the soldiers were eviscerated as Riné took a deep breathe sheathing the saber.
"A Seeker steps forward in conflict."