Chapter 6: Abyssal Bone Forest Academy

Leylin stood before a tent constructed from countless white bones. Above the entrance, sinister words formed a message:

"The Abyssal Bone Forest Academy welcomes you!"

The letters dripped red, resembling fresh blood. Some nearby acolytes hesitated, whispering in fear, but Leylin stepped forward without hesitation.

Inside, the ground was uneven, littered with dried bones. A chilling voice echoed.

"He he he… after waiting so long, finally, one comes!"

Leylin inclined his head respectfully. "Greetings, Master Magus."

A skeletal figure began to assemble from scattered limbs, forming a humanoid shape. Faint, withered skin clung to its bones, and eerie green flames flickered in its eye sockets.

The creature's teeth clattered, producing a voice. "I am Dorotte, professor of Shadow and Dark elements. You wish to enter our academy?"

"Yes, sir. I offer this as payment." Leylin presented the Magus ring hanging from his neck.

Dorotte's flames flared as he examined the artifact. "Hmm… A low-grade magic item from our academy, inscribed with a hastening formation… though damaged. Worth fifteen magic crystals."

Dorotte's skeletal fingers traced glowing runes in the air. "Sign the contract if you accept."

Leylin nodded. "I accept."

A pulse of energy surged as Dorotte finalized the agreement. "Done! Now, let me see… Soul affinity.. Hmmm.. Quite rare? Shadow and Dark as well? No wonder you came to us. You'll fit right in."

The skeletal professor conjured a small, metal card. "Your entry is secured. No need for a test. Rest for now—tomorrow, we depart for the academy."

Leylin accepted the card and left. The number '9' was etched onto it.

Beyond the recruitment area, wooden huts stood in neat rows. Youths moved between them, engaged in quiet conversation. As Leylin approached a hut numbered '6', the door creaked open.

A red-haired acolyte with striking blue eyes grinned. "Hey! New here?"

Leylin nodded. "I'm Leylin."

"Ha! I'm Beirut. Family background doesn't matter much on another continent." Beirut gestured towards the other huts. "Come, meet the others."

A small group gathered as Beirut introduced them.

"Kaliweir, from the Lance Empire. Fourth-grade acolyte." A young man with an air of leadership spoke first. He scrutinized Leylin. "You're late."

"Great Plains of Death," Leylin answered just the name and they understood.

"Understandable," Kaliweir nodded, before introducing the others.

"This is Hancock, third grade," he gestured to a burly youth with a sheepish smile.

"Raynor, fourth grade." A thin boy with sharp eyes nodded curtly.

"Guricha, second grade. And over there—Nyssa and Dodoria, first grade." His tone subtly betrayed disdain for the lower-ranked acolytes.

Leylin looked at Nyssa for a second longer, a girl who would suffer a tragic fate but also reach great heights, changing her life.

If you take Leylin out of then occasion, then in this group she's the one with highest achievement in the future. That really says how unpredictable the path of Magi can be.

When Leylin looked at them, Guricha forced a weak smile, while the two young girls glanced downward.

Leylin noticed another presence—a lone figure, dressed in black, standing apart from the group. His pale face held an arrogant expression.

'Born to be a Magus but died as a mere acolyte, fate is unpredictable indeed.' Leylin thought.

Meeting both Nyssa and Jayden, thinking how the twist of fate played with them, a mere trash would become the future principal of Abyssal Bone Forest and a future prospect Magi would died without a corpse, it only made him a bit fearful and cautious.

'Great powers doesn't guarantee I can achieve great things, at the end of the day I have only one life.' Leylin thought about his Soulbound Devourer and A. I. Chip, these two were the key to his future but he needs to exercise great caution.

"That's Jayden," Kaliweir muttered. "A fifth-grade acolyte. He's already got one foot in the world of Magi."

Leylin didn't register any expression. Although a fifth-grade aptitude meant a 90% chance of becoming a full-fledged Magus, nothing was guaranteed.

Jayden snorted in disdain before disappearing into his hut—larger and more decorated than the others.

"As expected," Kaliweir sighed. "Someone like him will have professors vying for him soon."

'Yeah, I guess Dorotte would make him an apprentice soon.' Leylin thought.

The group was divided—third and fourth-grade acolytes held some status but were beneath Jayden, while the lower-grade acolytes clung together.

Leylin introduced himself. "I'm Leylin… fourth grade."

Kaliweir's expression tensed, while the lower-ranked acolytes seemed to shrink further into themselves.

"Welcome," Kaliweir said, offering a small smile.

Leylin nodded. The real journey had just begun.

....

Many students from faraway lands, after the enrollment in their respective academies were astonished to learn that the land they had traveled for months was merely an island, known as the Chernobyl Islands or the Barren Islands by outsiders.

Though it seemed vast, it was insignificant in comparison to the mainland. The region lacked the necessary resources for Magi, making it an unsuitable place for magical advancement. Apart from a few acolytes and reclusive Magi, there were no significant traces of magical society.

Beyond the sea lay a massive continent, rich in magical materials, ancient ruins, and academies where Magi were not just myths but a known presence. Unlike the isolated Chernobyl Islands, the mainland was home to organizations that traded and exchanged magical knowledge. Even common people could encounter Magi there. However, the continent was so vast that it had no unified name.

Their destination was the southern coastal regions, an area already several times larger than the Chernobyl Islands. The realization of the world's enormity would leave anyone deep in thought processing this new understanding.

....

Next morning

*Ding* *Ding*

Leylin awoke to the sound of an alarm signaling the start of the day. The acolytes, mostly of noble birth, were struggling with the harsh conditions, complaining about fleas and fungi in their blankets.

The camp was bustling as people dismantled tents and prepared for departure. Leylin reflected on how every year, new acolytes risked their lives to pursue the path of a Magus, and for him, this was just the beginning.

A gathering was called, and students were instructed to assemble by academy. While some student initially assumed they would leave by ship, Leylin knew that surrounding Death Seas were too dangerous, with monstrous sea creatures that could easily destroy vessels.

Instead, their transport arrived from the sky—three massive dirigibles, white in color, descending like floating fortresses. The sight left many in awe. These Magus airships, reminiscent of blimps, had large aerostat gasbags, though their exact mechanics remained unknown.

As the dirigibles landed, white-robed Magi emerged, meeting with the older figures from the camp. The students were instructed to gather their belongings and board their designated airships.

The Abyssal Bone Forest Academy acolytes, including Leylin, were assigned to the dirigible numbered 455. Under the watch of Professor Dorotte, who had eerie green flames in his eye sockets, the acolytes boarded the massive airship. As Leylin looked around, he saw familiar faces from his travels, exchanging smiles and words of excitement. However, he knew that from this moment on, each acolyte would follow their own path, shaping their fate in the world of Magi.

'I need to grow strong and that too quickly, unfortunately I don't have much time for leisure and to enjoy the countless mysterious of this world. Dark times are coming to southern continent, a time of death and opportunity.'

...

A month or so passed in a blink of an eye, nothing significant happened except for two events, first is a physical confrontation between Kaliweir and Jayden.

Kaliweir is a fourth-grade talent from Golden Lion family, a powerful Knight family and also a full fledged Knight himself while Jayden is a fifth-grade genius. Everyone thought that although Jayden is a greater genius but the edge of strength tipped in Kaliweir favour, but Jayden proved them wrong!

No body knows when but Jayden was officially accepted as an apprentice by their academy guide, Professor Dorotte.

Magus Dorotte then taught Jayden the basic elemental meditation techniques, normally students would only get the meditation techniques suited for acolytes from their respective teachers in the academy but Jayden was lucky.

Practicing it Jayden was promoted to Acolyte Level 1, which isn't a significant power level in itself against a Knight, because Level 1 still can't use spells, but they have enough spiritual force to use magical artifact.

Magical artifacts are special items used by magus or acolytes, they have different types each with different abilities. Jayden had a summoning artifact with which he can call upon the powers of a wood elemental beast, powerful enough to toy around with a Knight.

Obviously this magical artifact was gifted to him by his mentor Dorotte as well.

Just as Jayden was about to brutally punish Kaliweir, the dirigible was attacked by a giant storm sprite.

As the matured giant storm sprite attacked, causing panic among the acolytes. The defense spell formation was activated, shielding the vessel as the sprite's oppressive presence made breathing difficult. Captain Kirkwul attempted diplomacy with a letter of agreement, but the rogue sprite dismissed it, summoning a powerful storm.

With no choice, the Magi launched a coordinated attack, clashing against the sprite's lightning. The dirigible rocked violently until a final blast forced the creature to retreat. The Magi, unfazed, remarked on its limited strength, bringing relief to the acolytes, who erupted in cheers.

The time slowly passed, and the dirigible finally reached another continent.

In addition to the incident with the giant storm sprite, the dirigible had several encounters with other flying creatures.

Fortunately, Kirkwul's diplomacy was effective in front of the various different large creatures and no conflicts were started.

During this period, the dirigible alighted several times and sent several Professors and acolytes off. The dirigible slowly became more vacant.

Another dozen days passed unknowingly.

* Bang! * The dirigible landed and the whole interior shuddered.

"We have arrived at the Abyssal Bone Moor! Attention to all acolytes of the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy! Please bring your belongings and leave the dirigible in an orderly fashion!" A voice rang through the cabins.