Preparing for Academy 3

After Jerod and Madam Zell left the mansion of Lord Yama they returned to the garden area in Madam Zell's manor.

"Madam Zell, can you give me some information about Lord Yama? I haven't ever heard of him or know what he does."

"Lord Yama? He is the Baron here in the Starsan forest county. A Baron is someone who manages a a county size plot of land. Essencially he enacts policies that the citizens of the county follow for prosperity of the kingdom, like taxes or punishments for crimes.

Lord Yama is one of the only nobles that I will hold a conversation with. Most nobles are scheming, two-faced liars, who are so haughty they wouldn't know the difference between kicking a dog and kicking a commoner. I want you to pay extra attention when you get to your etiquette classes to ensure you show the proper behaviors when interacting with them in the future. You will need to keep your guard up around them at all times lest they take advantage of you or your family.

Lord Yama is one of the few nobles who worked his way up the ranks through military service. His father was just a knight, granted peerage through happenstance. He was able to pass his rank down to his son after meritorious deeds. Being raised by a man who was a commoner originally Lord Yama was taught humility and how to care for the people around him.

Actually I met Lord Yama when he was serving in the military. I was called to provide healing service after a skirmish with the pirate consortium to the south. There were many people wounded and killed in that incident and it happened to be close to where I was doing some research. Lord Yama was injured at that time but he had carried 20 people from the beaches to a sheltered area for healing. Most of the people he saved were commoners, he treated nobles and commoners alike, not giving priority to status and instead focusing on likelihood of the person surviving long enough to receive healing.

Even after receiving higher court rank and eventually being granted a territory to govern he hasn't changed much. He still treats the commoners like people instead of like property like most nobles do. However, I want you to be mindful of making promises to him. Just like any other noble he does have his own schemes so if you speak with him pay close attention to his words. If he asks for something be as tactful as possible if you are declining. Having a noble on your side in the future will be beneficial but not if you have to give up freedoms to gain that favor."

Jerod nodded his head digesting the information. 'He sounds like he is a pretty good person. A war hero that treats people equally. It seems this world's government is much like medieval times back on Earth.'

"Thank you Madam Zell. I will be sure to take your words to heart for the future. I know it is starting to get late so I was wondering if you could show me an example of casting an actual spell?"

"Oh yes, you did ask about that before didn't you. Well, you paid very close attention and asked concise questions after your lesson this morning so I will keep my word. Since you just had your first lesson on light and dark magic and can't form the magicles I will show you an earth spell."

Madam Zell then gathered the earth elements and formed them into an intricate pattern. She held the spell for a few minutes to allow Jerod to look at the structure before she cast it on the patch of dirt nearby. Once she cast the spell a rock spike jutted out of the ground.

Jerod watched closely to the way the magicles were arranged and made sure Lindsay was able to collect enough information to be able to replicate the process at home later.

"There you have it Jerod. Now, it is time for you to head back home. I was planning on taking you myself but I believe your mother has arrived to get you. Practice hard on your light and dark magicles and show me your progress when I see you in six months."

With that Madam Zell walked Jerod to the clinic area where his mother was waiting for him.

"Jerod! I missed having you at the house today so I decided I would come get you. Thank you Madam Zell for taking care of my son today."

"Think nothing of it. He has good potential to be a mage. Starting in four days he will need to come to town for his lessons with Baron Yama. Jerod knows where to go and what to say to get in for his lessons on reading and writing. Farewell."

"Thank you for everything Madam Zell. I will work hard and speak with you again in six months!"

Jerod and his mother left for the long walk home. Martha spoke with Jerod about how this was very important for him to do his best in. She also spoke with him about how his brothers and sisters didn't have this type of learning opportunity so he shouldn't bring it up in front of them unless they ask about it.

Jerod understood what she was getting at so he nodded and told her he was excited to learn and that if he was good enough he would help them to learn as well. This brought a big smile to Martha's face as she didn't expect that her little three year old would think about passing on the knowledge he would learn. She just didn't want his siblings to be too jealous if all he talked about at home in the coming months was about the treatment he was receiving.

After returning home and preparing for bed Jerod laid down and focused on circulating his mana to trace his mana channels. After a few hours he fell asleep, he had successfully mapped a channel that lead from his core to his hand.

(Spirit +1)

The next day as soon as Jerod woke up Lindsay told him about the increase in his spirit.

'This is the first time you have increased your spirit outside of leveling. It seems that circulating your mana through your body will help to improve it.'

'That's great! Now we know how to improve most of the stats. I doubt there is a way to really increase luck, so that leaves us with HP, MP and Soul Energy. For now let's focus on gathering or creating the light and dark magicles, once we are able to do that we can start focusing on replicating the earth spell Madam Zell displayed for us.'

With that Jerod spent the next few days doing his normal routine of chores, working out, circulating his mana, and finding the imagery that would help him to create the light magicles. Unfortunately he did not have any success with the magicles and now his routine would change to include his lessons.

Jerod made it to town with his mother before 10 bells and made his way to the Baron's gate. He relayed the message about being Alfred's student and waved goodbye to his mother.