Invitation

The first light of dawn had just broken through the horizon, bringing a radiance that seemed to cast the darkness away. With the crisp air of winter fluttering through the breeze, the sounds of wisps continued to echo.

Covered in a dense sweat, Aurelia held her blade firmly. It had always been the first of daybreak that she felt the most alive, the most powerful, and the most comprehensive. It was as if she had been born anew with the coming of dawn.

"Good." Zariel, eyeing the little girl smiled, with promise, "Now, as you already know, I am a master at Enchanting and Hexing. It is my specialty. Are you sure you wish to learn Warding from me? I could always have someone from a higher plane teach you. Elemental Acana."

"I am," Aurelia answered brightly, fueled with the Power of dawn, casting her longsword down in an elegant but vicious manner, "Elemental Arcana, I feel I can learn by watching the skies, wind, and earth, but Warding seems different. It's almost like having an extra life."

"Warding is not just about defense. Attacking and reacting are some of the prime features it has. Although Warding does have great defense measures." Zariel carefully explained, understanding the allure of wards. "But what will be your second school of Arcana?"

"Necromancy, maybe. I already have the Eldrich staff."

"Pass on that," Zariel proposed, astonishing Aurelia significantly," the Eldrich staff will give that knowledge, and once it's yours, it will be yours forever. You will learn it in time; what you need to do is decide on your school of Arcana."

Halting her blade that had never stopped dancing through the breeze, Zariel noticed the tension within her brow and sighed, "I forgot you are still a bit young, and you don't have much experience. How about this, what is it you wish in a spell?"

Finding a smile, Aurelia sheath her blade by her waist, "Power, to destroy everything. Like the Demonic Lance."

"School of Destruction it is. See easy." Zariel carelessly finished with faint disinterest. "You are at the perfect age to become a First-tier Mage since you have Arcane Blood, and I have cleared your pathways long ago. With the Power of destruction at your fingertips, combined with enchanting magic and wards, your sword, in theory, will be as powerful as your strongest spell."

"Don't get the girl's hopes up, Duke Blackwater! Only the most skilled can hope to accomplish what you have said," Said a soft voice that carried a playful hint to it.

Hearing the faint sounds of ringing with each step, Zariel sighed, turning to the Red Preast, smiling with closed eyes. "You again. What is it you want? and How did you find us?"

The Red Priest smiled, shifting his gaze to Aurelia, who seemed to only stare with a vigilance he had not seen in her before, "I have come for her actually, and finding you all was quite simple. You two are on the highest watch list in the kingdom."

"For me?" said Aurelia turning to her mentor, who in turn shrugged.

"Well, a new dawn of peace and tranquility is here, and the two kingdoms of Bruma and Ferrum are now using my school as neutral ground to help further their hidden agendas for war."

"Wasnt there a treaty?"Aurelia claimed,

Zariel laughed aloud, rolling his eyes. "Treaties are meant to be broken. It's a way of fooling the stupid people of the world. Bruma and Ferrum are just biding their time, just in case of war truly does happen."

"Spot on. I would expect no less from you, Duke Blackwater, but the kingdoms are not really an issue. You see, our school stretches far and wide. There have powers that would slaughter Ferrum with a snap. And we wish for you Aurelia and your team to join."

"But Zireael said that school is for stupid people, still learning how to focus in life." Aurelia recounted the exact words of her mentor, not missing a single word.

Opening his mouth wide, the Red Priest became lost for words, "um-I guess that has some truth to it, but our school is a bit different. We have a connection from not just around Alos but from various other pocket dimensions connecting all around the Bed of Chaos.

"Come now, Zireael, are you just going to let your crew waste their potential? Let them battle with real geniuses. Let them experience school life, and have some fun."

"Sound overrated, but what is in it for me?"

Opening his eyes that sparkled like gems, the Red Priest smiled, "Aside from meeting a Salem Witch from Illuthat, you will also be given housing, resources for experimentation, and other privileges you can abuse for that little girl."

"You giving me permission to be corrupted?" Zariel asked, a little entertained by the idea. He had never been to school before and had always been against the idea, as he held almost endless knowledge gathered by his Order and Zero.

"As long as you spread your knowledge amongst the children and don't kill them, you may do as you please." The Red priest patiently explained, shutting his eyes once more, "The semester is starting in two months. A wyvern will be sent to the capital to deliver the first batch of children. I expect to see you. I will say it is more than worth it."

Teleporting away in a wisp of wind, Aurelia's eyes glowed with life, "I wanna go!"

"So the idea of this being a trap just past over your head, didn't it." Zariel ridiculed, "And I don't wanna teach. You can't teach stupid people. They are just going to forget everything right after the test. Did you not learn anything from TV!"

"Aurelia's wants to go! Plus you're going to be my teacher! And you can give me missions that have real treasure instead of spells like you have been giving us."

A little persuaded and offended, Zariel was about to speak when suddenly a magical, ethereal screen appeared, displaying a masked man with the character of Zero on its head. "I agree with that priest. Go. You are running out of resources, and with your declaration of war against well all of creation. You are going to need to get stronger quicker."