27 What's it like, attending Aquila?
(3rd Person POV)
[These men are my bodyguards, their lives forfeit to the guarantee of my physical safety. Of their loyalty to me, there shall be no question nor doubt. I, and I alone, shall have the authority to stand in judgment over them. No other commander shall they have in battle nor in service. None shall bar them from me and none shall hamper or stall their mission. So it is decreed!]
- History of the Custodes; Emer Berginger, Master scribe
.
In the Emperor's training room, a group of Custodes were standing there with nothing but shorts. Neoth himself was standing in front of them and addressed them.
"I welcome you to our very first Haki training. As you already know, there are three types of Haki. Armament Haki, Observation Haki and the special third type, Conquerors Haki. I know for a fact that all Custodes have it. This is because you all have parts of my genome inside you. And I ... definitely have it.", Neoth says and looks at the 10 Custodes who are standing ready and listening attentively.
"Today's goal is simple. We will fight, we will bleed, break our bones and we will surpass our limits. Whenever you want to quit, don't. Push through and don't give up. We have all the time in the world.", he says and then everyone gets ready. The tension is high. To fight the Emperor himself is a high honour. They knew that everything they were, they had the Emperor to thank for that.
*BOOM*
Without warning everyone jumped into action. The Custodes were the most powerful humans on the planet right now, but the Emperor was a different human altogether. The first two Custodes attacked the Emperor at the same time. It was long known among the Adeptus that the Emperor was a different breed and that he was a genius in seemingly everything he touched. So for him to be able to fight two Custodes, was not that surprising. But it was still far from easy for him. He wanted to be pushed to the edge and push them to the edge as well.
This was training. They were all going to unlock Haki and fight until they had done that. Luckily ... everyone in the room, could fight for a long long time.
*BOOOM*
.
We change the scene and come to Aquila where the first year has officially finished and the second one has just started. The second batch of students aged 10 together with the second years, had just arrived with the yacht. The first years were led to the Wand Tower by Robert, while the second years made their way to the dining hall.
The same thing happened as it did last year, the first years were welcomed. The tour was organised after the lunch was over for the first years and the second years had their first lessons the next day. The amount of new students was rather small, but that made sense since Aquila only welcomed students from Cadia. There will be some exceptions to this rule. But very few times.
Just as it was said, the rooms of the second years, rose one floor higher to give room for the first years. After the first night of the new year, the second years finally had their first practical lessons in magic and they couldn't wait to start.
.
.
(Sandrine POV)
"Welcome back everyone. Welcome to the first lesson of Magical Combat. This is the first year in which you will use your want actively and use your magic, which has finally started the growth phase. Why you had to wait until you were 11 is now clear to all, since you learnt that last year.", Professor Qingolor said to us. I couldn't wait to finally put what I learnt to use. I studied hard last year and it has been a long holiday for me.
"Now, since this is our first lesson, I will show you what you can expect from this course. Come with me.", the Professor says and then walks through the door which leads to the training area. This training room has been magically crafted and enhanced by the Emperor himself. Professor Qingolor told us that it is called the 'Room of Infinity'. The reason it is called that, he didn't tell us, but I hope to find out why it is called that today.
"As you already know, this is the Room of Infinity. Created by the genius that is the Emperor. I can't explain to you how it works, as that surpasses my knowledge, but I can tell you what the room can do and why it is called that way.
This room was created specifically for our course. There are many more like this one, scattered throughout Aquila. It is the perfect way to learn and practice magic in my opinion. You see the room of Infinity, is called that way, because the potential and the things you can do here ... are infinite.
No matter what it is you want, as long as it is magically or technologically possible, it can be done here. Let me demonstrate. For today's lesson, we will practice 'Protego', 'Protego Recrepo', 'Protego Impervius' and even 'Protego Diabolica'. Not only that, but we will also practice the appropriate answers to these spells and charms.
This might appear as too much for your first lesson, but we are not in kindergarten. This is a magic school and we won't learn a new spell each lesson. We will take our time to make these spells our own truly. Now, everyone watches how this room works.", the Professor says and then closes his eyes. A second later a series of mannequins rise from the ground. And after a moment, they start to transform.
One of them transforms into a Hungarian Horntail who roars loudly, another one transforms into an Erumpent who exhales loudly and gets ready to attack, another one is Adeptus Magicae, Tranack and the last one is a normal human.
"As you can see, the room can create anything I imagine. Now observe and try to take as much from this as possible. But don't stress yourself, we have enough time.", Professor Qingolor says. I am both glad and surprised that the Professor is so patient with us.
.
The human runs towards Professor Qingolor and tries to punch him. The professor has his wand out and says the spell out loud for us. This is a demonstration and not a test of his skills.
"Protego"
The punch lands on the spell and nothing happens. No matter how many times he hits, he can't get through. After that, the man walks back and Adeptus Magicae, Tranack walks forward and fires a spell at Professor Qingolor.
"Bombarda."
"Protego"
*BOOM*
The spell impacts the shield charm but does nothing. More spells are fired but they all hit the Professor's shields. Next comes the Erumpent. The magical beast starts to run towards the Professor and this time, he uses another variation of the Protego charm.
"Protego Recrepo"
*BOOOM*
"ROOAR!"
When the Erumpent hits the shield, the force is returned to him and it shoots the magical creature back. The normal Protego already has a reflective property but not against physical attacks. Finally, it is the Hungarian Horntail's turn to attack. He opens his mouth and fires a powerful blast of fire at the Professor.
"Protego!", the Professor shouts and the shield charm activates. But the strong stream of fire doesn't stop, and cracks are suddenly heard and seen in the shield. Just before the shield is destroyed, the Professor uses another spell.
"Protego Impervius"
*BOOM*
He uses the more powerful and magically draining Protego spell and manages to protect himself from the powerful fire. Now, the fire can't do anything against the Professor and the Horntail has to stop his attack. Then the Professor turns to us and explains what just happened.
"As you can see, whatever I imagine and wish for, can be created using the magic of the room. It is a marvel using both magic and technology and it is marvellous. They are both alive and not. They only exist due to the magic and while some magicians can be created this way, to practice fighting them, only that which is known about the person can be replicated.
We will practise Magical combat this way for the entire rest of your school time. We will learn how to use each spell without wand movement, then silently, then wandless and finally we will combine multiple things together and create various 'basic' spell chains. Any questions?"
"..."
"No? Good. Then let's begin."
.
After Magical Combat, I had Magical Nature. And this was one of my favourites. Why? Well, let me show you.
"Welcome back everyone. Today starts your practical lessons about Magical Nature. What this means is simple. You will follow a cycle, together with your year. Every 12 weeks, we will go on a 3-week excursion deep into the Aquila wilderness and explore the magical nature. It will be survival training for all of you. You will have to learn how to handle yourself, should you ever come into a situation where you are alone. Any questions?", Professor Zugan asked.
"Will we also go into the cities and learn things there?"
"Yes, but that is not a very big part of your curriculum. There aren't that many big cities that influence magical nature very much. In the future, this will become a problem and then the curriculum will change. Any other questions?"
"..."
"Good. Now, since this is your first lesson, we are going to do something special. Today, you are granted the privilege to choose or get chosen by a magical creature. This magical creature will become your companion for the remainder of your time here at Aquila School of Magic. Should your companion die ... you will be punished. Those who don't look after their companions and he or she dies due to your negligence will be expelled. Is that understood?"
"Yes Professor.", we say. I can't believe it. I will get to take care of a magical creature.
"Professor?"
"Yes?"
"What magical creatures are we allowed to choose?"
"There is no requirement. You are completely free to choose anyone. But to help you, we have a set of creatures ready for you to choose. If none of them are willing to follow you, you will have to find another one."
.
We followed Professor Zugan and he presented us with many different creatures who were rather friendly and not dangerous. But there were others like Ashwinders who were dangerous. I went around and looked for one magical creature that spoke to me. We even saw a small herd of Unicorns. I felt a connection to them and their newborn might have been willing, but I somehow felt that it wasn't the correct one either.
I was impressed by some of the companions my friends got. A Knarl, Murtlap and even Glumbumbles. It was funny to see honestly. I could only imagine what the night with the Glumbumbles would be like. One of my classmates even bonded with a small Thunderbird egg. That would be amazing to see when it grows up. And yet, I was one of the last to find my companion. But I did find it eventually.
I found him in a small cave filled with gold and jewellery ... my Niffler. He was a tiny black and white one and I instantly fell in love with him. But I knew that from that day forth, I would have a big problem keeping track of him. I had to hide my valuables and the valuables of everyone around me from my baby 'Gold Play'. That's his name now.
"Good. Congratulations on successfully acquiring your companion. Taking care of them is now your responsibility. Some of you will have easier times, than others. If your companion damages or hurts someone, it will be your fault. I am looking at you, Mr. Brendsten. Take care of your Ashwinder. And you, Miss Chastain ... I don't think I have to tell you what a pain a Niffler can be."
No, my 'Gold Play' wouldn't do that ...
