Third Year Begins - Part 2

"For the main part of this year you will partake in arcane studies and tests, to truly maximize your potential as spellcasters, however the way you choose to train is up to each and every one of you. Train in classrooms where you can receive help or train by yourself at your own time, it is a choice you may make, although I would reccomend the one where you can ask a teacher or assistant for help."

Professor Leipeg wrote down most words he said on the huge blackboard, "You will not be sent on any missions until the end of the year because of recent events, these missions will be determined closer to the end because you can look at them as a practical exam where you will be the one in charge."

"Hence they will be simpler tasks done alone, there will be plenty of chances to sign up for sparring against eachother or a teacher. Some of you will receive a letter where you haveto take mandatory sparring classes to improve yourselves!"

The professor huffed and cleared his throat as some students started making a fuzz. "Those students are based upon two things, specialization selection and experience... unbeknownst to many of you, there are a few in this room that have specializations where they train to fight, and some in this room have been sent on missions above their level."

The professor looked around with sad eyes, "And yet... they came out alive, but not all of them did." Many of the students in full teams started looking at the people who had lost teammates, and a lot of eyes turned towards Samuel and Vazmarx whom were on different teams but had no teammates left.

Samuel was lucky in the grand scheme of things, because two of his teammates were not dead, but had quit for other reasons. "If you do not receive any such letter then you have nothing to worry about!" The professor said and finished up writing.

He took a big bag and activated a simple gravity spell that made several letters fly out to a few students, about half of all the students received one. Samuel was shocked to see one flying to him, he caught it and looked at it with eyebrows raised.

He didn't wait to open it though and read its contents.

'Hey there, don't worry ain't no sparring assigned to you officially, but you can see this as my test and if I am to allow you out into the world with good conscience, then I need to train you further. Now that you are old enough the time has come for some serious training - Sincerely Your Cousin.'

Samuel couldn't help but feel relieved that it wasn't any mandatory school shit, but he still felt a bit worried about Alsian when it came to serious training, but all in all he ultimately felt excited about it.

Samuel didn't fail to notice that Vazmarx didn't receive any letter either, but he made no weird look or mention at Samuel only because he had received one. That was enough for Samuel to give him a chance, it was one of the better reactions that Samuel would accept with his request.

If the man had shown any type of 'better than thou' attitude then Samuel would have a problem with him, he wanted people that could respect others, "Go speak to Vuloc and tell him I sent you!" Samuel sighed and Vazmarx grinned.

"You got it bossman!" He replied in an almost animalistic grin.

Soon enough the class was over and the introduction to the third year was over, there were plenty of minor details about what exactly the third year would contain magic wise that Samuel had skimmed through because he wasn't all too interested anymore.

He loved magic and learning it, but with everything that had happened he had lost some of the passionate spark and happiness for learning it. At least on the outside, he still had plenty of projects going on, on his own or with others.

Samuel grabbed whatever notes he had scattered about and took his leave, he quickly headed over to his house that stood silent as ever. "Back again huh Nighty!" He said to his companion.

"Just you and me again!" She replied, "And whomever is gonna come visit freaking daily!" She growled when she thought about all the times peace was disturbed.

"Perhaps people will be more busy during the third year!" Samuel said and opened the door, stepping inside the slightly dusty home. "Well, better get to work!" He started using cleaning magic to get rid of most of the dust and Night slowly started sweeping the floor.

It looked quite funny to see the small dragon creature sweeping a broom across the floor, "Wheew this would be a lot easier with a bigger body." She complained and Samuel chuckled from the other side of the room, "One day you'll see!" He replied with full optimism.

After a bit of quick time they finished up cleaning and making some food, they shared dinner and cleaned up, when there was a knock at the door. He quickly walked over and opened the door, Alsian stood there expectantly with his arms crossed, "So ready for the first session yet?"

Samuel looked from side to side as if looking for someone else and then looked at Alsian with tired eyes.

"What already? Now?"

"Yes, better to start early!" Alsian tapped his foot twice and smiled. "Especially if you want to be prepared for what can be out in the big wide world!" Samuel looked at the ground and sighed but nodded eventually. "Alright, well I think I am ready to get going."

"Alright yeah! Lets kick his ass!" Night exclaimed and jumped forward which made Alsian narrow his eyes at the creature. "It's supposed to be a one on one, otherwise he won't learn a lot." His words made the small dragon freeze soldid as if she was a statue.

Samuel looked at Alsian in shock, "You knew about her?" He exclaimed and Alsian laughed loudly. "Seeing otherwordly spirits and things of that manner happen to be my one of my specialties, but any child of mana that has trained their eyes has the potential to learn it." He continued and took several steps back and went down the few steps leading up to the door.

He nudged his head to the right, "Coming?" He asked and turned around. Samuel was quick to lock the door and equip his coat before walking after his older cousin. They walked for quite a bit until they reached the main building of the college.

The building used for third years mostly, but for candidates it was a bit different as proven several times. Because the regular third years mostly had classroom studies and only a few missions under stricter guidance or field tests class by class.

They eventually during their walk found their way to an empty training hall deep in the facilities. Night being shy as she was had stayed hidden in Samuels shadow and didn't dare to come out. She was so scared of new people suddenly seeing her that she always hid.

Samuel looked around the open hall and looked at Alsian who started putting a few weapons on the side and activating a few magical safety barriers. He made sure to close all doors before he dragged out his longsword.

He twirled it in his hand and looked at Samuel giving him a nod.

Samuel understood it and quickly drew both of his blades, "So how will we be doing this?" He asked and Alsian put the sword on his shoulder and smiled, "If you can get even one hit on me then you win."

"Wait, thats it?" Samuel asked in disbelief, he had sparred with Alsian before but that was always a bit of hand to hand and simple sword fencing. "Magic? All abilities allowed?" He asked to be sure.

Alsian nodded and Samuel grinned. "Are you sure?" He asked and Alsian looked unamused, "You fought a dragon and won, because you had your friend at your side... dragons are creatures of arrogance and power, your speed and agility with magic allowed you to win..."

"But that is because you had someone supporting you!" His words hit a tough spot as Samuel realized it was true, he won against the dragon thanks to Night, "And then you almost managed to damage a weaker lich properly." Alsian continued and started walking around him.

"Even liches have different power, the one you fought were on the weaker side, and you were not even the one that did the most damage to it... you had your entire team by your side."

"I would probably be able to defeat the lich you faced... on my own, but a stronger one, I would struggle against if I didn't rely on all my friends." Alsian pointed towards all the weapons he had laid out on the side.

"I never fight alone, even if it looks like it to most people." Alsian winked at Samuel, "The same goes for you... but maybe not always, so why don't you show me just how much two years of training have improved your skills."

There was no cocky behaviour emanating from Alsian, so Samuel quickly realized he was telling the truth. But he couldn't help but smile in anticipation, he would show Alsian that he could get at least one hit on him.

He instantly activated his flight and gravity spells and infused himself with wind and lightning for speed. Ready to fly forward in an instant, he readied his weapons and took one step forward before the magic would propel him forward.