Journey Of The Battle Mage

I am no Saint.

Nor am I a Devil actually.

Mortal? Yes, quite accurate.

I'm a Mage.

But I'm not one of those scholars who locks themselves up all day long for research or whatever.

It doesn't mean I couldn't, it means I don't want it. Yes, I know, you will surely tell me that yes, no doubt, magic is a science, we have to use it to advance humanity and all, peace, blablabla. You, very calmly, I tell you, you are a fucker. War is everywhere and those who seek peace prepare for war, yes it isn't a pink world. But I quite like it. After all, I'm a Battle Mage.

On the path of those who refuse to die, those who are ready to do anything needed just to survive, there are many kinds, warriors, mercenary, soldiers, archer, mage. All of these are but normal bloody jobs here. Killing? Taboo? Let me tell you, none escape the palm of death, since the beginning we are nothing, we live for nothing. What will you change? A nation? What is a nation in the whole creation? The answer is as cold as the iron hammer of truth striking destiny itself : Nothing.

Obviously, there, indeed, are those who just want to have a beautiful wife, care for their children, see them grow and all these things. It wouldn't be too bad of a life. However, I, Revastro Orvicar have engraved this vow onto my heart and into my very soul, I shall never stop my path, I will go to the very end and be as free as I could, no, even more free than free itself!

Today, I walk the stone pavement. Today, my black leather boots are producing a crisp sound as I advance, my eyes gazing toward a small bird flying high in the sky. I smile. I am a simple man, no, I mean really, even though I promised myself to be unfathomable, it doesn't mean I cannot appreciate the small, gentle details of life.

Well, I might as well introduce myself now, my name is Revastro Orvicar, I'm right now walking up the stairs of The Academy, the greatest magic association to have ever existed, indeed, the whole stairs is made of white, pure marble. Fourteen steps to ascend to enter the hall where stand the magic circle which opens only every six hours, it teleport people to The Academy. You know, the one standing on the floating island right in the sky. It's shadow cover the whole hall but it doesn't matter as the torch, emitting their yellow, orange flames.

The reason why I'm here, standing on these steps never tainted by blood, it is because I will now be working here, if we do call that a job, normal people would rather call it military, I will be the new commander of the 7th Battle Mage Squad, yes, being only 17 maybe some veterans will say I'm unworthy of this post or whatever bullshit. But I don't care. Why? I shall never stop, if I cannot even make my man respect me, what right does I have to pretend to the throne? None.

Which throne? The only one worthy of mentioning obviously, the one made from one's enemy's blood and bones as well as the sweat of hard work. The one which no one has ever accessed to. The one throne which made my adoptive father's dream. The throne he desired, and so, I shall carry on, even through a black parade as I, Revastro Orvicar, will achieve my only father, Urelbt Orvicar's will, to ascend the throne of the world!

He walked on the steps, and like a cursed man, the steps tarnished marble, like they will tarnish innocent's life in the future if they stand in his way.

At noon, in the training fields of the academy a loud voice echoed and made all but one tremble in awe.

"This young man is Revastro Orvicar, as you see, he is young, but you'd rather not underestimate him."

The forty six men all answered in unison :

"Yes, Major! We shall vow upon the archmages' names not to mistreat the new blood of our regiment!"

It was the official greeting of the battle mages when they saluted a new recruit for the first time.

The imposing major chuckled lightly :

"He will be your new commander from now on."

Silence.

Not a word to answer.

One brave man started to take a step forward but was immediately met with a cold dissuading gaze from the major. The man was not stupid and instantly retracted his foot. All of this happened quickly in merely a second but Revastro saw it all.

The man who wanted to take a step forward didn't know but the major was this cold not because he accepted this decision of putting a teenager as a commander of a battle mage squad, but still, he knew one thing from his superiors, do not become enemy with Revastro. That was the only order, or more likely and advice, that he was given. He found it stupid, but orders are orders after all.

I lightly smiled when I saw the man wanting to take a step forward and the gaze the major sent him.

He, they, will soon come to know me.

I took a step forward :

"Hello everyone, my name is Revastro Orvicar, your new commander, I hope you will quickly accept me and so will we reach new heights."

Simple, whatever I might say now, they wouldn't believe it, so why would I give damn.

My plan for the time being was simple, step one, get powerful connections in the merchant world, money is everything. Magic? Blades? How do I build an empire with just that? What's important is dividing the power so that all fight against each other and are unable to make an alliance against you while you rule the kingdom, get he money redistribute it, expand your faction, hide your true strength and assassinate your enemies or allies if they ever have the potential to become a threat. Power is but a doubled edged blade as a sword controlled by a master is cutting through enemies like butter, your flesh becomes the target if you are too inexperienced.

Second, become a respected figure inside the heart of the regiment.

Third, have some influence in the Academy.

The major turned his back toward the soldiers and left.

With this authoritative figure away, the soldiers immediately became restless as they endlessly whispered among themselves about the failure of a commander they just got.

I maintained my amiable calm and confident smile and walked toward the sub-commander of the regiment. His badge was shining brightly on his light leather armor.

Do you know how to tame a dog?

Stick and sugar.

So what if they are human beings, under my command and in my presence they are soldiers, no more no less.

He looked at me in the eyes with a look of contempt, ridicule, I thought, I am 1,82 meters tall while he his 1,70 meters at most, the scene seemed quite comic. But I didn't laugh.

"What's your name?" I said in a cold, emotionless voice.

"What does it matter for?"

"Insolence toward one's direct superior is a grave crime in military, but you do know that so I shouldn't waste more time talking to a filthy dog like you."

This is the last word he heard before my right hand fell right on his jaw's nerve, making him fall KO in one hit.

Blood dyed the soil as it oozed from it's mouth and opened lip.

"You." I pointed at the sole woman in the regiment.

"Y-Yes."

I threw her the sub-commander badge and said :

"You know what you have to do. Rest well all of you, tomorrow when the sun start to appear in the morning's sky I want you all hear for your first training under my command, those who are late will regret it."

With these words I left as the still dazed soldiers gazed at their comrade lying in his blood and some of his friends gazed at me with hatred in their eyes. As I walked away, I couldn't help but think I had gone too easy on him.