Chapter 2 Choosing an Academy
With smiles on their faces, they looked at one another before they introduced themselves.
A man bearing a large and strong stature and bare chest and brown leather clothing, carrying an even larger sword on his back. " Young man, I am Bane. I am a warrior. If you join my academy, along with your element, your combat prowess would be second to none once you grow stronger."
A woman this time walked up. She seems to be an elf given her pale white skin and pointed ears. She was wearing light blue dress with a blue garment snorted, " Hmph, second to none? You overestimate yourself and your academy." She looked at me and said, " Young man, you possess a rare and unique element. It will be difficult to nurture without the right teachings and resources. My academy is full of mages and warriors. We nurture young talents in a safe but competitive nature. Come to my academy and you will surely make a name for yourself."
A person of shorter stature from the two walked forwards. From first look, Aaron assumed that this person was a dwarf given the strong and robust, but small stature. He was carrying a heavy axe. " Young man, your element can help you create artifacts like no other. If you join my academy, you would become one of the wealthiest there is in this world."
Seeing the teachers in front of me, I thought long and hard of which choice of school to pick. All three choices were pretty good to choose from Aaron's perspective. From their words spoken, Aaron had a choice in mind but chose to not decide yet without weighing the pros and cons of each of the academy.
Aaron bowed his head and apologized, " Sorry teachers, right now it's a little hard to choose. Please give me time to talk with my parents and get more information from your academy's."
Hearing his words, each of the teachers were a little disappointed, but ultimately nodded as his choice would be important as he as to choose an academy that will allow him to use his potential to the highest. They leapt off from the stage and back to their respective seats."
"ahem" The high priest cleared his throat as he directed me back to my seat.
Jax smiled as he patted Aaron's shoulders as he sat down, " Congratulations man. Don't forget about me once you make it big someday."
Shaking his head Aaron replied with a smile, " You mean once we make it big. Although you didn't awaken an element, with your powerful mana, you should be able to become a strong warrior yourself. I believe in you buddy."
and continued to call names. Soon hours passed as he called the last name, " Aisi Frost"
As soon as her name was called, everyone saw a beautiful girl dressed a cold blue clothing. Her face looked delicate and beautiful as she possessed a young and slim figure. Everyone was surprised by how she looked as no one has seen anyone like her in the entire city. Aaron was one of the ones who also thought that she was one of the most beautiful girls he has ever seen.
Everyone watched as she put her hand on the crystal ball and focused on the type of element she will awaken. Within a few seconds, everyone saw the crystal ball immediately turn into a light blue color, and then the crystal ball started to have frost covering the ball. Then the crystal ball turned into a ball of ice, signifying her great talent and mana.
Everyone, even the strong professors from above watched speechlessly. Silence continued among the whole interior of the cathedral.
It wasn't until she lifted her hand off the crystal ball which turned back to normal, that everyone was brought out of their silence and once again the high priest cleared his throat, embarrassed and excited that their city was able to awaken two people with rare elements.
He said in a loud voice, " Aisi Frost, congratulations on awakening the ice element. Your talent in mana is also high. The highest that I have seen yet, despite all my years doing this."
Everyone started to talk amongst themselves immediately at the news that the high priest said. This time only two of the teachers seated above jumped down, the warrior and the elf. It seems like the dwarf wanted this new talent, but she was not suitable for his academy.
Just as the two were going to introduce themselves once again, Aisi Frost stopped them and looked at the elf. " I would like to come to your academy."
The two showed opposite reactions as Aisi gave her answer. The human warrior could only be disappointed as the Elf showed a happy expression.
She looked towards Aisi and said, " Hello Aisi Frost. I am the vice-principal Aria Fold of the Green Forest Academy. You won't regret your choice."
Still smiling, several of the middle-age men and women sitting from the seats came down next to her, lining up in an orderly manner. There were about 5 of these figures, all exhibiting powerful auras.
Aria smiled as she looked towards the group of new mages and warriors. " Everyone, congratulations on awakening your elements and mana. Besides two of the new awakeners here, everyone here will send out invitations to each one of you. Think long and hard about the choices you will make. In a month's time, we will open up our doors and have you guys take the entrance exam to our academies. Prepare hard as it will not be so easy. That is all."
As those words ended, all the figures left the stage and exited the Cathedrals. Once they left, everyone started to leave the cathedral too while talking amongst themselves, mainly talking about the Aaron and Aisi who awakened rare elements.
Once Aaron left the cathedral with Jax, the two were greeted by their families who showed smiles as the watched from their guest seat.
Aaron's mother Sarah walked towards them and said, " Congratulations Aaron, Jax. Now you guys can join an academy and continue to grow stronger."
The two smiled in response as they thanked her.
Jax's mother Bella hugged Jax and continued, " Congratulations my son. Although you didn't get an element that you wanted, you can still grow strong like your father. Don't be too sad about it."
Jax smiled not embarrassed at the slightest being hugged by his mother and nodded his head while embraced.
After a few pleasantries were made between the two families, the two families went their separate ways, going back home.
After going back home, Aaron and his family ate and talked excited about what the future would bring. Both of Aaron's parents awakened an element so Tim and Anna were excited and counting down the days and years before they also awaken an element and their mana core.
After a happy dinner, they each left for their respective rooms.
Aaron sat in bed after thinking about this eventful day and began to reflect and choose what to do. He took out 6 blue stones out from his pocket and laid it out in front of him. These stones were given to him from the 6 teachers that were at the even today. It was a voice recording of their academy and organizations rules and regulations as well as what the academy will offer him if he decides to join them. If he decided to join their academy all he needed to do was send mana to one of them and then voice a message and the other side would get the notification immediately.
This wasn't the first time he has seen a stone like this so Aaron activated one by one as he listened to the recordings and decided which academy to choose. Other than the three people he had met before, the other academies showed their specialization and what he could gain and achieve if he chose them. Besides the three that was introduced to him, one academy related to the royalty whose students were comprised of nobles and geniuses what met their standard. Another belonged to an adventure guild organization where they focused on missions. The last organization belonged to the army, where they focused on protecting the borders of the cities and protected the city from beasts and invaders.
The last three were automatically crossed off his list. He did not want to join an academy that was filled with royalty that may or not behave arrogant and troubles. He was after all born into an average family, so it was natural that he would be looked down upon based on social status. Although if he showed enough strength, he can shut them up, but he felt like it would be more troublesome if they start to cause trouble and threaten his family.
The Adventure guild was also crossed off the list. Although it gave a person more free reign, the benefits would be too competitive as he was just starting out and it would take a while to rise in ranks. His father was part of the adventure guild as he took jobs and ventured as a merchant.
The army was automatically a no as he would also have to rise in ranks and take orders from higher ranks. He imagined that he would start off doing miscellaneous tasks. Although the idea of constantly fighting was good and he can choose where to station based on his talent, but then again, what could he do without proper education and resources.
The dwarf's academy, Ironcrest, was tempting, but they mainly focused on forging artifacts then other kind of education.
Aaron was down to two choices. The Warrior's academy, that was centered on wilderness survival and fighting beasts to gain combat experience, The Might Academy. Aaron was attempted to join this Academy, because a person gains the most merit when hunting beasts and finding treasures.
The elf's academy, The Green Forest Academy, was the most balanced by far, from the choices that were given to him. It also had a merit point system, but it can be earned through more various means, whether it was through achievements gained for the school, donating treasures to the academy, or hunting down beasts. They also provided a standard education system where one would learn how to use mana, weapons, and even survival classes. Although there were some mandatory missions that were distributed, however, it was only during drastic times and situations.
With so many benefits that this academy had and what one could do, he ultimately chose this as his answer.
After choosing this academy, he held the stone in hand while tossing the others to the side. Closing his eyes, he focused on his surroundings and relaxed his body as he tried to sense the mana in his surroundings. Seconds passed as he started to sense small particles of energy in his surroundings and start to put his will to absorb into his mana core.
Soon the mana in the area started to circulate around him and enter his body, energizing the empty mana core centered in his body. Once the mana core was filled to the brim, he slowly circulated it throughout his body and into the mana stone in his hand.
Soon the mana stone brightened up, Aaron spoke into the mana stone, " I would like to join your academy, the Green Forest."
As the light dimmed down, a female voice responded from the other side, " Aaron Smith. Thank you for choosing our Academy. You will not regret choosing us."