Departure

As dawn approached, Lassim found himself standing outside the north gate of Golden River Lotus City, his heart heavy with the weight of impending departure. Beside him stood his father, the Iron Marquis, and his uncle Gryphon, their expressions a mix of pride and concern.

"Lassim, my boy," his father began, his voice gruff with emotion, "you've made us proud. But remember, with your power you will face a tougher situation than anyone else. You will struggle, but remember never forget you are a Vanthar and what you fight for. Make us proud. Also, don't forget to write to your mother occasionally. She will miss you dearly."

Gryphon placed a reassuring hand on Lassim's shoulder, his gaze steady. "Your time in the academy is just the start of a journey that will shape you in ways you can't yet imagine. Stay true to yourself, and never lose sight of your goals."

Lassim nodded, his throat tight with emotion. "I won't let you down," he promised, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll make you proud, I swear it."

With a final embrace and a whispered word of encouragement, Lassim said his goodbyes to his father and uncle, his heart heavy as he watched them disappear into the morning mist back towards the city to head back to Swallowtail Mountain City.

Alone now, Lassim turned his attention to the small group of children gathered at the gate, their faces filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Among them, he recognized Lustria Alisone the Night elemental bow user and Sirium Giffard, the first person that was called, the twin wind dagger user from yesterday's ceremony, their presence a small comfort in the face of the unknown.

Recognizing the fellow nobles from within the same kingdom as him, they both made an impression on him. He recalled the two families' details from Sir Ian's lessons.

Led by Duke Bertin Alisone and his wife Yves Alisone, the Alisone family stands as a formidable force within the kingdom of Aurora. One level higher in power than the Vanthar family as a dukedom, they command respect and admiration among the noble houses. Unlike the Vanthars, who predominantly wield fire elementals, the Alisone family members possess a diverse array of elemental affinities, each unique to the individual. This allowed for unique personalities to develop within the family.

The Alisone family, renowned for its unwavering support of the Aurora Crown, with many of their most notable achievements stemming from their valiant efforts in protecting the kingdom from external threats. Their dedication and loyalty over generations have earned them the prestigious title of Duke, a position of honor bestowed upon them by the Aurora Crown in recognition of their service.

Members of the Alisone family are known for their prowess in battle, honed through years of training and experience on the battlefield. Their combat skills are unparalleled, making them formidable opponents in any conflict.

The Alisones are revered as staunch militant defenders of the kingdom, willing to lay down their lives in defense of their homeland.

In contrast to the grandeur and power of the Alisone family, the Giffards are a smaller, more modest and newer baron family within the kingdom of Aurora. Led by Sirium's grandfather, Gale Giffard, they are a family of predominantly wind spirit users, with their elemental affinity playing a crucial role in their livelihood as merchants.

Specializing in trade and commerce, the Giffard family relies on the wind elementals to facilitate the swift and safe transportation of their goods from city to city. Their wind spirits allows them to navigate treacherous terrain and unpredictable weather conditions with ease, ensuring the timely delivery of their merchandise.

Though lacking in the grandeur and influence of the noble houses, the Giffard family possesses a rising strength and resilience that continues to grow with each trade. Their wind elementals serve as invaluable allies, enabling them to overcome obstacles and prosper in their trade endeavors.

Recently promoted to the status of baron, the Giffards are on the path to solidifying their position within the kingdom, using their elemental prowess and entrepreneurial spirit to carve out their niche.

Approaching them with a solemn nod, Lassim joined the group, standing with just a bit of distance between the others.

Today marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life, and he was determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead with courage and determination.

As they waited for the sun to rise and their journey to begin, Lassim couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within him. 

The first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, the sunrise had arrived, and just from the north gate, the group was approached by the Myriad Spirit Academy representative they had met with the previous day. Elder Tom, as they learned his name and title to be, strode forward with an air of anticipation, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Greetings, young warriors!" Elder Tom exclaimed, his voice ringing out with enthusiasm. "Are you all ready to embark to your new home?"

His excitement was palpable, his anticipation reaching an all-time high as he surveyed the group before him.

Bringing back Lassim, the first-ever dual spirit warrior in history, to the academy was a momentous occasion—one that Elder Tom knew could earn him considerable rewards from the headmaster upon their return.

With a flourish, Elder Tom summoned his elemental weapon—a flute—and blew a melodious whistle that echoed through the morning air. The notes carried the power of wind elemental energy, imbuing them with a magical quality that resonated with the breeze.

As the sound faded, Elder Tom raised his eyes to the sky.

He summoned forth a cluster of clouds high in the sky that was about 50 meters in length, their fluffy forms drifting lazily in the breeze. Their winding, and oddly slithering shaper moving gently.

As Lassim watched in awe, he noticed something peculiar—the clouds were descending, drawing closer to the ground with each passing moment.

His mind raced with disbelief as he observed the clouds taking shape, forming the unmistakable silhouette of a massive serpent-like creature.

"A cloud viper," he whispered to himself, his heart pounding with a mixture of awe and apprehension.

He had heard of such beings in tales and legends, something that only Spirit Ascension stage warriors, ones that had gained the ability of flight, and merchants with their expensive flying ships, needed to worry about. Never had he imagined he would witness one with his own eyes.

Before he could fully comprehend what he was seeing, the clouds coalesced into a more solid shape in it's massive serpent-like form. A cloud viper, a majestic creature of water elemental origin.

The most remarkable aspect of the cloud viper, however, lies in its ability to control the density of the water both inside and outside of its body. Through a complex manipulation of elemental energies, it can condense the water vapor in the air, shaping it into dense clouds sturdy enough to support the weight of multiple passengers.

This remarkable ability allows the cloud viper to create a stable platform for transportation, enabling it to carry passengers on its back as it glides effortlessly through the skies. It propels itself forward, its body slicing through the air with grace and agility.

As the students climbed aboard the wooden platform and then up onto its back, they marvel at the sensation of standing upon what feels like solid ground amidst the swirling clouds surrounding the viper.

Elder Tom stowed away his wooden platform, signaling the commencement of their journey, the students brace themselves for the exhilarating flight ahead. With a gentle whistle from Elder Tom's flute, the cloud viper springs into action, its cloud form slicing through the air with effortless grace.

As they ascend into the skies, leaving the bustling streets of Golden River Lotus City far below, Lassim couldn't help but feel a surge of awe at the breathtaking sight unfolding before him.

The wind rushes past him, whipping through his hair and stirring the clouds beneath their feet as the cloud viper propels them forward with remarkable speed.

'We're moving so fast!' remarked Lassim under his breath.

What would have taken a tedious two weeks by carriage on the ground will now be accomplished in just a matter of hours, thanks to the cloud viper's speed.

As they soared through the heavens, Elder Tom's music guided their path, the melodious notes resonating with the elemental energies of the sky. With each chord, the cloud viper responded, maneuvering effortlessly through the ever-shifting currents of the air.

Lassim couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder, the vast expanse of the sky stretching out before them. The cloud viper's ability to control the water vapor in the clouds provided a protective barrier against the elements, shielding the students from the biting winds.

He quickly found himself lost in thought, his mind filled with anticipation for what might happen at the academy. It would be vastly different than his one-on-one lessons with Sir Ian.

'The Dragal are coming. I need to help these two cute elemental spirits hatch and then unlock their full potential. I also need to create my own techniques now that the [Fire Halberd] technique isn't suited to me.' Thought Lassim.

He glanced towards his heart world with his mind's eye as he could feel the emotion of hunger growing greater from the twin eggs.

He chuckled at their insistence, 'Don't worry, I'll start meditating.' He quickly sat down on the clouds beneath his feet and entered a meditative trance.

It would be a few hours before they reach their destination anyways, so the others had all started meditating as well. Clearly understanding the importance of using their time wisely.

Elder Tom smiled at this, leading the way, directing the cloud viper as their steadfast mount, towards the academy.