The rest of the weekend went by quickly for the group. They explored the rest of the campus, taking note of the changes to security and the scars from the battle that remained.
They spent much of their time in the library, studying the basics of elemental magic and how to combine different elements into more powerful spells. If their foray into the training dungeon taught them one thing, it was how to think outside the box and become creative with even the simplest of magic spells.
"Hey everyone, look at this," Gavin suddenly called out to the others. They were spread out in different aisles of the library as he flipped through some news articles about alumni from the academy.
The others rushed over to see what he found. In Gavin's hands was an article about a pair of twins from maybe several decades ago. The date was faded from time, but Gavin recognized one of the people in the photo.
The article in his hands shook as Gavin saw the face of a tall man with blonde hair that stood up in spikes and was smiling at the camera. He had his arm draped around someone that was his identical twin except for he had long blonde hair down his back.
"It says the two men were with some female students when they were attacked by a gang of Shifters. The females eventually lost their lives due to injuries sustained by the Shifters during the robbery gone wrong," Erza read out. She noticed Gavin's physical reaction, but didn't understand what caused it. But, she had a suspicion about it.
Gavin growled low and deep in his throat; his hands visibly shook as they held the article. Helena let out a curse as she noticed who was in the photo.
"It's him, isn't it?" she asked Gavin as she turned to face him.
Gavin nodded. "This was the man that I fought against before my grandfather appeared," he informed Erza.
"So, after their females were killed in a robbery gone bad, they started killing Shifters?" Erza asked. She was confused and trying to understand what was going on.
Gavin shrugged as he set the article to the side. Disgust was on his features as he glanced at her. "I don't know. But this article is old. We know by his own rant during the fight that he killed my pack, my parents and that was eighteen years ago."
Helena spoke up. "If he is a Draconian, it would make sense the twin is one also. Demi human races do have naturally longer life spans than normal humans, so it makes sense that he hasn't aged that much in all this time."
Gavin nodded. "Yeah, that part of the puzzle at least makes sense, though it doesn't help much. At least we have their names from the article."
"Come on, we can forward this to your grandfather and continue for what we came for," Jackson said.
Gavin nodded as he went back to looking at the nearby volumes of texts that lined the shelves on a thousand different subjects. He had a bad feeling about this. He let out a deep sigh as he tried to move on to the next objective, studying as much magic as possible.
The books in the library contained vast amounts of magical knowledge. More than what they could comprehend at their current stage of experience. Books on combining elemental magics to produce greater and more powerful spells. Books and tomes that contain detailed instructions on powerful ritual magic that do all kinds of nasty things. Even forbidden, old dark types of magic like blood magic and necromancy.
Gavin raised an eyebrow when he stumbled upon a section of the necromancy spells. As he reached for one of the books Veronica chimed in.
There is nothing in those books that will help you in particular Gavin. The system will enable more skills with necromancy as you level up in the system and continue on your evolutionary path.
Gavin frowned. You mean, I can't learn any spells normal, like everyone else can?
That is not what I meant. Necromancy is a very dark and twisted branch of magic. The system already recognizes you on the path of learning it. So, as a safe guard to protect you and the rest of the world, it places safeties, blocks if you will. So that you can't access spells or power that you aren't mentally ready for, Veronica replied after a moment.
Consider this Gavin. Each soul that you eventually contain within the Soul Vault will not be there by choice. Depending on the strength of the soul, they might fight, scream, badger you mentally for release. Now, one or two at a time, sure that might be ignorable. You could block them out, she continued.
But, have dozens or more at the same time, screaming inside your mind? Most would go insane.
Veronica, what happens when a necromage isn't able to handle the souls they've trapped, or enthralled or whatever the term is? Gavin had a bad feeling about where her warning was going.
Those that couldn't handle the souls went insane. The souls took over the host body, used it for dark purposes. Think of all your magic, all your strength. If the souls inside took control, if you trapped too many before you were ready, she paused.
Yeah I get it. Total devastation. Point is, respect the magic, and don't push the necromancy spells before I'm strong enough to handle all the aspects of the magic? Gavin asked.
Exactly. I don't know why everyone calls you a dumb wolf. You can be taught after all.
Gavin ignored those words as he moved on through the rest of the books. But one lingering question still nawed at him.
At one point in time, Gavin had walked over to the librarian, a sweet old woman with long gray hair and soft brown eyes. "If these topics are forbidden, why are there books about them in the library for studying?" He asked her quietly as he approached.
She smiled sweetly at him, as if she was used to answering this question a thousand times. "Because of many reasons' child. Certain magics are a gateway to catastrophic classes of powers. Abilities that are so strong they could topple nations and wreak untold devastation upon the world. Instead of someone just learning about them through other methods, this way we can teach and instruct the history of those that have sought that kind of power and the horrible mistakes they have caused throughout history." She replied with an easy-going smile on her face as she explained the reasoning behind their restriction.
Gavin thanked her and went back to studying other topics for the time being with the others. Erza was a big help finding the right books on beginner topics that Gavin would need to get started before he tried to learn more advanced techniques.
Late Sunday night they had all received their class schedules for the upcoming semester.
As they sat in their first class bright and early Monday morning, Gavin couldn't help but stifle a yawn that tried to force its way out. Professor Okeeba Okinawa stood at his desk in front of the room.
"Welcome to your home room class. Take a look around you. Everyone in this room is both your ally and a rival. Everyone here will be expected to support one another during the various tournaments, competitions, and other events hosted throughout the year. Everyone will be expected to push beyond your limits and help one another grow." Professor Okeeba's deep baritone voice captured everyone's immediate attention.
"I will push you every step of the way, as hard as I can. I expect to see you all fall flat on your face, crash and burn at some point over the next few weeks. I will not coddle you. Once you fall, I expect you to dust yourself off, and get back to studying and training," Professor Okeeba said. His face held a deep scowl as he glanced at everyone in the room.
"First thing you must ask yourselves is this. Why? Why do you all seek to learn the ways of the Magi? Is it simply for strength? For fame? How about for wealth and status? You all have your own reasons for learning the ways of the Magi, and I hate to break this to you, but at least a quarter of you will flunk out before the end of the first semester." He stood stoic as he took note of the faces containing anxiety, fear and concern among his students.
Gavin swore he could hear a collective gasp from all the surrounding students. No one expected their homeroom teacher to be this harsh, draconian, and unforgiving to first-year students. It was like he was deliberately trying to discourage them from staying with the program.
That's it, Gavin thought to himself. He's trying to weed out the ones that aren't determined and dedicated to going through the program. The ones that might break under the strain and stress of pushing past their limits.
Gavin glanced around at Erza and noticed the bored expression on her face as she listened to Professor Okeeba's speech. "I won't tell you which reasons for learning the ways of Magi are right or wrong. That will prove evident before long. Steel yourselves for the long haul is my greatest advice," Professor Okeeba said.
This group had a few promising individuals, Professor Okeeba thought to himself as he glanced towards one black, curly-haired student sitting towards the back. That one in particular, kept surprising him at every turn.
A blonde haired girl raised her hand. Gavin was surprised to see scales that covered her arms. Some type of reptile Shifter. "Sir, what is the point? Of any of this? I mean what if that group comes back to attack this academy? So many people died, and for what?" Tears and anger filled her voice as it shook.
Professor O'keeba's expression softened. "What you first year students went through was a nightmare. A blight upon this insitution that has never happened before. I won't cheapen the loss of life by false promises of security and words of comfort."
He stood up straighter and fixed her with an honest stare. "I will say this. Measures have been taken to increase security around the campus. Every step to protect the life of the students here has been improved on to the limits of what the city council will allow. If you don't want to become a victim like that ever again, heed my words."
He swept his gaze over the entire classroom and took note of the students that were anxious and avoiding his eyes. "If you wish to never be a victim again, then learn. Grow. Become as strong as humanly possible so that no one can take advantage of you. Rely on nobodies strength but your own."