Chapter 12 (The Apprentice)

Karim, Haruno, Ishtar, Bran and I have become the five apprentices Menelaus took under his wing. He did not state the reason why he had chosen us to train under him though he's notorious for unconventionally picking up apprentices compared to other masters. It is evident on the dynamic pool we had become. Karim and Haruno are shepherd twins from the Northernlands inhabiting at the foot of the Mother of Mountains. Ishtar is a son of a slave. He was sentenced to death for killing his master. Apparently, his previous master, a fat merchant man his family is serving for generations was cruel and psychotic. Ishtar was subjected to sexual abuses, a common practice among the masters of slave which they often get away with due to the Law of Human Property, as such all slaves in the land are their master's property. He and his brother were sold by their previous master to another house which separated them from their parents. When Ishtar found out his master was also bedding his little brother, a tender age of six years old, he had lost it and killed him with nothing but the sheer force of his mind. That was the day he found out he had gifts. All he could remember was his overwhelming anger towards his master as he looks at him pigging out with the crops he and his brother tended for in his master's land, and the meat from the animals they shepherd. His awakening gave him supreme telekinetic powers which he accidentally used to melt his master's brain, killing him in the process. He was sentenced to death had Menelaus not interfered and used his influence to buy off Ishtar's sentence by conscripting him to the services of the king as his apprentice.

Bran was a different story altogether, born of royal blood his family had the means to train him at a young age. As such, he is one step ahead of us in his learning curve. Bran is a traditional royal asshole and he wasted no time showing us we were not on his level. Tall and striking, he carries himself with an undeniable presence, every movement calculated to draw attention and admiration. His eyes, sharp and penetrating, often sweep over us with a dismissive glance, as if measuring our worth and finding it wanting.

From the moment we began our training, it became clear that Bran views himself as the pinnacle of magical prowess. He speaks frequently and loudly of his future where he sees himself not just as an S-class Astron mage, but as the most powerful mage to ever walk the halls of the Magi Order. He speaks with the certainty of one who believes destiny itself has favored him, often declaring that he will one day surpass even Menelaus himself our mentor.

"I am destined for greatness," Bran proclaims with a smirk, his voice dripping with self-assurance. "One day, I'll be the mage everyone remembers, the one who redefines what it means to wield magic, the one to defeat the dark king and they'll build statues of me and immortalize my greatness."

His words leave little room for doubt about his intentions, and he makes no effort to hide his disdain for those he considers beneath him. This arrogance is most evident in his treatment of Ishtar. Hailing from a family of slaves, he's become Bran's personal laughing stock. In Bran's eyes, Ishtar's origin is a mark of inferiority, a stain that no amount of magical ability can wash away, he can't wrap his head around why Menelaus chose him.

"Stay out of my way, Ishtar," Bran sneers, his tone laced with condescension. "The Sanctum is no place for someone of your...background. You'd do well to remember your place." Ishtar, with his quiet strength and unyielding resolve, often meets Bran's derision with a stoic silence

Karim and Haruno, the inseparable twins, bring an infectious joy wherever they go. With their bright smiles and quick wit. They also have a peculiar way of talking that never fails to draw attention. When one starts a sentence, the other finishes it seamlessly, their voices intertwining in a playful way. I wonder if all twins talk like that. Their banter is constant, their laughter contagious, and their presence lights up the room.

Even Menelaus finds their antics particularly amusing, often chuckling at their quick wits and playful barbs. Their vibrant personalities and boundless enthusiasm bring a refreshing energy to the otherwise solemn halls of the Magi Sanctum. They are the only ones among us who have not yet awakened their magic. Their family has no history of magic in their blood, and the twins themselves are puzzled as to why Menelaus chose them. What they lack in tactfulness, they more than make up for with their zest for life and their eagerness to learn.

"We might not have magic—" Karim would start.

"—but we'll show them what we've got!" Haruno would finish with a grin.

Somehow, they remind me of Tom and how much I miss home. Their arguments are as lively and spirited as their conversations.

Their enthusiasm for learning magic stems from a desire to improve their family station in life. Growing up with nothing but the view of the Mother of Mountains, they yearn for adventure, for the chance to see the great city of Eldoria and all its wonders. They dream of exploring beyond the mountains, of discovering new horizons and making a name for themselves.

"Imagine the places we'll see—" Karim would muse.

"—and the adventures we'll have!" Haruno would exclaim, their eyes alight with dreams of the future.

Menelaus, it seems, has faith in their potential, and perhaps he sees in them the spark of something truly extraordinary even I can see.

Oftentimes, I can't help but feel a profound sense of alienation from the group. Everyone seems to have someone with them. Karim and Haruno, Bran, though overconfident and arrogant, he knows exactly what he wants, his purpose, his end goal which I think is his only redeeming quality and Ishtar with his solitude as a companion. I had nobody. I can't even tell anyone who I am, not that I want to, or I'm proud of or anything like that, it's just that this burdensome role as the Gatekeeper is something I do not wish or want, I constantly feel the pressure of becoming someone I am not. Why did the Great Zodiac Spirits chose me? What did they see in me?

There are moments when I stare into the reflective surface of the Philosopher's Stone, hoping to see some clarity, some definitive truth about who I am. Instead, I see a fragmented reflection, a person divided by the roles and expectations thrust upon him. The secret of being the Gatekeeper, the constant threat of the dark king's pursuit, and the need to remain vigilant—these burdens me. I feel adrift, as if I am floating in a vast, uncharted sea. My past, my purpose, my identity—all seem obscured by a dense fog of uncertainty. The path ahead is unclear, and the person walking it feels increasingly like a stranger.