CHAPTER FOURTEEN
We passed one village before finally reaching the Red Tower. When we entered the massive gate, the guards carefully inspected our belongings. It felt as if they were saying we were trespassers, despite being students of the prestigious academy. But then I remembered—some students do not attend that academy and come directly to learn here at the Red Tower, as the archmages deem fit and deserving of the said privilege.
Along the Red Tower is the border wall that separates Caelithra and the Ruins Kingdom of Aetheria. From here on, from the metal gate of the tower, we can see the land, a barren land where any form of plants, even with the use of magic, is useless.
The hallway we walk through is actually built into the wall itself, a middle barrier designed to protect the village from the monsters that roam the Ruins of Aetheria. When we pass the gate, there's another big metal door that I think only the mages assigned here are allowed to open.
There's a special rune they recited. Some are in awe, and I find it amazing how big it is and how magical everything in this is.
"How about our carriages and horses?" I glance at our professor as he asks, but Rose doesn't answer Professor Silver right away, which makes me want to punch her. I don't hesitate to step closer to our professor.
"Seraphina," he calls when he notices me.
"Is there a problem, Professor?" I ask. He takes a deep breath before answering and gives a small nod. Rose, already with her back turned, talks to Zenin.
"They say we will be traveling on foot," he explains. "It will take three days and three nights. We will have no rest during that time, because the lands we pass through are known to be dangerous. Even seasoned adventurers hesitate to go there."
If not bringing horses or our carriages is for the best, and we only carry what we need for the three-day, three-night journey, then I don't see a problem. But if bringing horses would let us reach our destination in a single day, then that's a real problem. They'd be acting like complete assholes if that's the case.
"These academy students are always the problem, aren't they?" Another girl in a black robe nudges Rose when she sees me looking at them. Rose turns toward me and gives a smile, a sarcastic, teeth showing as if she's forcing herself to grin.
"They're apprentices of different masters… some even serve a grandmaster," Lira whispers beside me.
I shift my gaze back to the group. Four of them wear white robes, apprentices still at the earliest stage. Then there's Rose and Zenin in blue, already recognized as full mages.
If I were to place us, students of the academy, within the same hierarchy, we would still be nothing more than apprentices. The same level, yet shaped by different teachings, different masters, and ultimately, different outcomes.
Our professors stand far above us. They are Masters, marked by their purple robes, figures of authority, and refined skill.
There are five stages in total. Apprentices, who know little to nothing, wear white robes threaded with intricate gold runes, symbols of potential and a future yet to be earned through effort and discipline.
Next are the full-fledged mages, clad in blue. Beyond them are the Masters, and then the Archmages, those who wear crimson robes and embody immense power and mastery.
At the very peak stand the Grandmasters, draped in black, adorned with intricate gold, rare and almost mythical figures whose knowledge borders on the absolute.
If I am to dream of becoming a full-fledged mage one day, then finding a Master willing to take me in as an apprentice is the best path. I look at these apprentices, they feel mighty and above us who are still at the academy, because once we graduate, it is not a guarantee that we can become a full-fledged mage.
It still depends on the Grandmasters of the tower. They deliberate whether you pass or not. All you can do is pass the trial they set to become a mage. Becoming a direct apprentice has its own advantages.
And I don't have a care in the world about what those advantages are.
Later that night, after being assigned our rooms, we were put into a room with five other people.
We were informed that the four apprentices would be with us on our journey, along with the other two mages. Rose and Zenin are already A-class mages, which means they are close to becoming Masters.
I hear a lot of complaints from some of my classmates about the food served by Red Tower. The villagers are the ones who prepare it, so you can see the disappointment, and even a hint of resentment, in their eyes as they hear these nobles' complaints.
"Have you heard the news?" Tovan asked, holding his tray. He put it down too quickly, spilling a little of his soup. We all looked at him, and then Soren sat down beside Tovan.
"The news about what?" Lira asked.
"We're going through the outpost."
He leans forward as if this is a secret, although I have a guts that it's what the team leader and squad leader are discussing together with the two professors we were with on this journey, Professor Silver and Professor Zayden.
"We're going through the outpost," Tovan repeated, a hint of excitement in his voice.
"Is it dangerous?" one of the apprentices asked quietly.
Tovan shrugged. "Depends on what you mean by dangerous. Bandits, wild beasts… nothing we can't handle if we stick together."
I can't help but feel a spark of anticipation. The outpost might be a small place, but it's the first real step outside the safety of the tower, a test of more than just magic, a test of courage.
Soren leans back, smirking. "Well, it won't be boring, that's for sure."
An outpost is a small settlement, station, or base located away from the main area, often at the edge of a territory. It is usually established for military, trade, or strategic purposes. Beyond that outpost lies a mysterious forest, which for most is a safer route than going straight across to the other side.
If I'm not mistaken, there is another possible path—the long river on the far side of the territory. It is farther from the Tower, but it is considered the best and safest of the three routes.
"Outpost, huh?"
"Why? Are. You. Afraid?" I glance at Rose as she suddenly plops down beside me. She gets under my skin without even doing anything, or sometimes just by existing. I hate her guts. That's as obvious as the sun.
"Don't you know basic speaking skills?" I snap, mocking the way she drags out every word like it's a sentence on trial. I can feel my jaw tightening from the sight of her.
"You didn't answer me. You're avoiding the—" I feel my jaw tighten as I catch her smirk while she speaks.
"It didn't occur to you that I don't like talking to you?" I raise an eyebrow at her, daring her to continue.
"I'm just curious… how amnesia works on a bum like you," she sneers, leaning a little closer.
"Must feel nice, forgetting all the things you've done. How lucky for you… I just hope your pillow isn't cold on both sides, or maybe it matches your heart."
I didn't understand what she meant by that. Maybe she knows me? She didn't linger, though, she immediately stood from her seat.
"Just a piece of advice, as your senior, don't sleep with your eyes closed." She again looks at me, and I am not sure how to read her expression—I hate her. "People are good at keeping their resentment in their hearts… until their last generation."
As she was leaving, she ran into Craige, who had just come from their meeting. He looked Rose up and down, silently judging her.
"One more thing, Seraphina…" she said, glancing over her shoulder. "Be careful who you trust."
"That's a basic skill you need, discernment," I said casually, lowering my gaze to my plate and stabbing a cherry tomato with my fork.
"Don't worry, Miss Rose. Just because I have amnesia doesn't mean I've lost my brain entirely," I add, a hint of defiance in my tone. She has a point in all that she said, but I wonder what she really means by everything.
"Don't mind her. She's probably a bully who enjoys picking on the weak…" I glanced at Craige as he spoke. I stabbed the cherry tomato one more time, ensuring the fork made a sharp, metallic clink against the plate.
"You're saying I'm weak?" I raised the fork as if I were about to attack him. He flinched at the sight, pulling his hand back as if surrendering.
"Relax. I'm on your side here."