Oxylus
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Chapter 2 - Gwyn
🕑 Added 2023-03-09 08:00:19 +0000 UTCEquilibrium
Over time, even the strangest of changes can become normal. As Mana pervaded all of Eona, eventually it began to affect the daily life of its denizens. Even the presence of terrans became just another rare but known occurrence. As with many things, necessity proved that obstacles to change could be overcome. In other instances, normalization came through exposure. This was most prevalent in the various schools, universities, and academies that were scattered around the world. These institutions sought to bring understanding to this new phenomenon and to integrate the youngest of these new people. One of the leaders in this area was the Royal Academy of Avira.
A History of Mana. 184 SA
It had been a long time since Gwyn had gone to school. If it wasn’t for Mr. Branigan and Ms. Rolfe, she was sure she would have been far behind. Now, she was still far behind, just only in ranking. Gwyn really did not like the headmaster. In one stroke, the woman had let her into the school and ensured that if she didn’t do much better than her peers, she would get kicked out.
The ranking system was there so that each year, the bottom ten percent of students were dismissed from the school.
Something that Gwyn couldn’t let happen to her.
Roslyn was ranked five out of one hundred forty.
Gwyn was really proud of her friend. I wish I could have been tested. From what Roslyn had told her, the panel would ask questions of each student and that would determine if they could even take the exam. Apparently, the panel would vote on whether to accept someone or not. When that was finished, they would be moved to another room with only a handful of students and take the test. That test would then dictate their ranking. So, since Gwyn didn’t take the exam, she was automatically placed last. Roslyn did not know that was even possible.
Which confused Gwyn.
Roslyn was an Honored One too, and she was still able to take the exam.
She sighed as she walked down the hall.
“Are you alright, Your Hi–Gwyn?” Lorrena asked from beside her.
Lorrena had made rank one-hundred and three. Which was huge for the girl who was scared she would fail.
The two of them had been given keys to their new dorm room and had been given directions and then sent on their way. A guide would be along later to ensure they were properly settled into their room and to show them around.
Gwyn glanced down at the directions and looked up at the numbers posted above the doors.
Why can’t they have evens on one side and odds on the other like normal buildings?
“No, just trying to find our way. You see our room yet, Lore?”
The girl looked at the doors. She pointed a few down. “There, on the right.”
Gwyn followed Lorrena’s pointing finger and saw the door with the correct number. She walked over to the door and inserted the key, opening it to reveal a spacious room. They stepped inside and looked around at their new living quarters. Lorrena gasped.
“This is more than I was expecting,” she said.
Gwyn nodded.
The room was furnished in a way that Gwyn definitely did not expect.
There was a small sitting area just inside the room and to the right. The area hosted four high-back chairs with two small tables in between them. They were positioned so that each pair sat to the side of a decently sized fireplace.
A wide bookcase sat against the far wall behind the chairs. Next to it, straight across from the door, were two desks side-by-side.
Just inside the door to the left was a short wall that ended at a pillar with some coat hooks along the wall.
As they walked in, she was able to see the living area. There was a bunk bed along the wall next to the desks across from the entrance, then two wardrobes in between the bed and the outer wall.
There was a window then another bunk bed, followed by two more wardrobes. Then, behind the small entryway wall was another long bookcase then two more desks with a window in between them.
She knew which area she wanted. An open area seemed much cozier than everything in a line on a single wall.
A voice came from behind them. “Your Highness?”
Gwyn turned around just as Amari entered the room with two people carrying trunks behind her. The paladin was wearing what she called her light armor, which just meant that she wasn’t a walking tank. It consisted of her red plate in various key spots, but the rest was a chain mesh material that Gwyn thought was heavy, but the woman swore it was much lighter. She was still plenty protected, and Gwyn suspected that the less weight may have made the sun elf even more dangerous with the added mobility.
“Hi, Amari! Welcome to our room. We just got here.”
The woman nodded. “We have yours and Lady Lorrena’s belongings. Where would you like them?”
The two porters walked in and looked around as if waiting for her.
Being that they were the first in the room, Gwyn figured they had the first claim. She glanced at Lorrena. “Do you have a preference for top or bottom?”
The girl hesitated. “I will sleep wherever you wish me to, Your H–Gwyn,” the girl said, stumbling over her name. It was something Gwyn had been adamant about, especially since Mr. Branigan had informed them that the school’s policy was to leave status outside of the school.
Gwyn sighed. “I will take the bottom bunk.” She definitely did not want to have to climb up and down in the middle of the night if she had to go to the bathroom. Plus, Lorrena was a pretty light sleeper. She’d be good.
Taking the lead, she pointed out the wardrobes and beds that the two of them would utilize, and soon enough all of their things were put away and ready to go. Gwyn smiled. They did leave two small boxes with their desk supplies and some knickknacks. She didn’t mind setting those up.
After the two porters left, Amari let her know that she would be close by, and was in the process of getting settled in herself. When she was done, the paladin would return. Khalan was with Roslyn, and Gwyn couldn’t wait until she could go see her friend.
After Amari left, Gwyn and Lorrena started setting up their desks and chatting about what they thought they had to expect. Her lady-in-waiting was even less in the know than she was. Which was a bit surprising.
Lorrena finished stacking her supplies in a basket she had set up at the corner of their desk. She crossed her arms and looked around the room. "It's not bad, but it's a bit bare," the high elf lady-in-waiting commented.
Gwyn nodded in agreement. "We should go see if we can buy some decorations or something to make it feel cozier," she said. They would also need to obtain all of their books. She knew there were so many that would surely take up a substantial amount of the bookcase.
As they were finishing up, she heard the door open and two girls stepped around the short wall. One was a tall, thin high elf girl with strawberry-blonde hair and a sharp nose. In fact, she was actually taller than Gwyn, which was incredible. She’d yet to meet anyone her age that was taller… granted, the girl was only maybe a few centimeters taller, so it wasn’t like she towered over her.
The other was a complete surprise. She was a raithe, which was a people that Gwyn had not met or even seen since arriving. She was a petite girl with jet-black hair and a dark purple tone to her skin. Her eyes were a cloudy grey-black color but with a red ring on the outside of her iris. Two fangs jutted out from her top lips which gave her a positively scary appearance.
Gwyn thought she looked so cool.
The high elf girl was the first to speak. “Oh hello! I am Calanis, and this is Daria!”
“I am Lorrena and this is Gwyneth. It is a pleasure to meet you two,” Lorrena said. Her voice wavered slightly, but she seemed as if she really wanted to step into the role everyone had wanted for her. Gwyn was just happy to see the girl exert herself.
“Please, call me ‘Gwyn’. I’m pleased to meet you two!”
The raithe girl, Daria, eyes were a bit wide with fascination and she seemed unable to contain that excitement any longer. “Did you two see the Paladin of Alos? She was walking down our hall! What do you think she’s doing?”
Calanis chuckled. “It is nice to meet you both.” She glanced at the vampire-looking girl. “I was curious as well. My mother is one of the Royal Knights and even she has expressed how serious something must be if the paladins are around.”
Lorrena’s eyes turned toward Gwyn, clearly letting her take the lead. Gwyn sighed. She knew she couldn’t hide it from them. Amari would be around a lot, and trying to hide it would just make them distrustful.
“Evocati Amari will actually be here a lot. She is here for me…”
The two girls’ eyes shot open.
Before they could launch into a slew of questions, Gwyn and Lorrena helped them bring their bags in, and before long the girls found themselves sitting in the chairs next to the barren fireplace. Gwyn was talking about her travels and how she arrived in Eona–since it was obvious that she was terran.
They sat in stunned silence as she told her story. Gwyn obviously left out things such as her search for her mother, her magic, the polite war… basically, all of the bad. She gave them a really good synopsis of the good. That felt right. It was enough.
For now.
“So, your best friend is the heir to the Tiloral Duchy and you are a princess from another world, Your Highness,” Daria said. The girl was apparently one of the few commoners that had been accepted to the Royal Academy and sounded almost exasperated.
Gwyn waved her off. “Please, call me ‘Gwyn’ while here. We’re roommates, we shouldn’t make the room all stuffy with all of that,” she said.
The raithe girl nodded slowly and the high elf, Calanis, smiled. The strawberry-blonde elf launched into her own life story, talking about how her parents were knights and her mother was a Royal Knight assigned to the Queen.
With an exaggerated stretch, Calanis stood up. She walked over to the other bed and to her claimed bottom bunk. She flopped down onto it and looked over at the other girls. “So, now we know your story, Gwyn. Lorrena told us a bit about hers, we’ve told you ours. I have to ask, what rank are you two? I am rank eleven, Daria is rank three…”
Lorrena started coughing and Gwyn gave her a look of concern.
“Sorry,” the elf girl said sheepishly after her episode finished.
Gwyn nodded at the girl then focused back on Calanis. “Lorrena is rank one-hundred and three. I am ranked… one-forty.”
Calanis’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “One-forty? How did you even get into the Academy?”
Daria’s eyebrows scrunched together. “Also, what? How did you two get this room? These are supposed to be allocated only for the top students…”
Gwyn felt her cheeks grow warm with embarrassment. “I did not get a chance to take the exam. I was admitted based on my… special circumstances.” Her voice grew quieter. “Maybe we got the room because of my status..?” she trailed off. Discussing the whole princess thing made her uncomfortable, especially since when it gave her privileges others did not have.
The elf’s face softened. “Oh, I see. That must be tough.”
Daria still seemed confused, but she did not press.
Gwyn shrugged. “It’s fine. I’m just glad to be here.”
Calanis rolled her eyes. “Well, you’re going to have to work extra hard if you want to stay. The bottom ten percent get kicked out every year, you know.”
Gwyn nodded. “I know. That’s why I’m here. To learn and to do my best.”
Lorrena nodded in agreement. “Me too. I’m just glad we have each other.”
Calanis snorted. “Well, good luck with that. You’re going to need it.”
Gwyn sighed. With that, she had no doubt.
◇ ◇ ◇
A few bells later, Gwyn was relaxing on her bed and drawing when a knock sounded at the door. Gwyn glanced up from her sketch. Calanis called out that she would get it and headed that way. Her lady-in-waiting, Lorrena, was helping Daria place her things into her wardrobe. The raithe girl was talking as she carefully organized her clothing by color.
Gwyn went back to her sketch, trying to get the smile on the girl she was drawing just right.
She heard Calanis’s gasp and quiet stammer before the thud of heavy steps entered.
Gwyn glanced up again just as Amari rounded the pillar and came into view. The paladin was still in her light armor.
“Hey, Amari. Get settled in?” She asked the sun elf.
“Your Highness. I have. There are quarters nearby that I co-opted. It is nearly dinner time, I will escort you as you get–”
Another knock sounded.
Calanis started to head toward it, but Amari put a hand up. “I will get it.”
Gwyn sighed. She got up and returned her notebook and art supplies to her desk just as Amari opened the door.
She almost laughed when she heard the squeak come from the person outside the door.
“I-I am here to escort the students to the dining hall,” came a soft voice.
Gwyn rounded the corner and saw an older telv girl who looked positively frightened by Amari’s appearance. Her brown hair was pinned up in a bun and she wore a set of robes just like the ones they had been issued to wear during classes. Her face was pale and she did not seem to know what to do with herself.
Gwyn decided the girl could use saving and squeezed past the stoic sun elf.
“Hi! Sorry, Evocati Amari is very serious about her job. I’m Gwyn!” she introduced herself.
Amari grunted but moved off to the side as the rest of the girls approached. “H-Hello. I am Yavanna, your senior. I am the fourth year assigned to show you all around,” the girl explained.
Gwyn gestured to her roommates. “This is Lorrena, Daria, and Calanis. Is food on the list of places to show us, because I don’t know about you, but I’m famished!” she said with a chuckle.
The telv nodded and soon enough the four of them plus a paladin followed the girl down the hall. The first place she stopped was a pair of double doors near the end of the hallway. Opening, she pointed out the baths, which made Gwyn raise a brow. They were communal. That will take getting used to. The telv stressed very seriously that only the girls from their hallway were allowed within.
Gwyn just shrugged. Seems weird that she would say that. Who else would we have?
The telv led them out of the dorm building after that and through the campus toward the nearest dining hall. As they walked, Yavanna explained a lot of things. Some that Gwyn knew and others that she didn’t. For example, there was a Lower and Upper Academy. She knew this, but only because Ilyana had settled into the Upper Academy the same day.
Gwyn gestured to Amari who leaned down toward her. “Do you know what rank Ilyana managed to get?”
The paladin nodded. “Yes. Lady Ilyana is ranked nineteen. She did exceptionally well.”
That made the princess in her smile. Her oldest lady-in-waiting had worked so hard to get into the Royal Academy, and she was happy to see it had worked out well.
One of the things that Yavanna had told them that Gwyn was not aware of, was that they would have electives that they would get to choose the following week.
“What electives do you take, senior?” Daria asked. The girl seemed ready to consume any and all information she could.
The telv smiled. “I take Introduction to Herbology and Introduction to Agriculture. They are subjects I wish to study when I attend the Upper Academy next year. They are fourth-year classes, but due to the small size, they are essentially apprenticeships.”
“That is impressive, senior,” Daria said seriously. “Is your plan to study alchemy in the Upper Academy?”
“I wish to study ways to cultivate alchemical herbs and plants. I believe it would be beneficial to start a farm dedicated to growing such crops,” she stated.
Amari glanced at the girl. “That is ambitious. I have not heard of such an attempt within the kingdom.”
“I know. I think it has exciting potential. My parents are both alchemists, so this is something I believe would most benefit my family,” Yavanna explained.
The paladin gave her an approving nod.
As they continued, the girls asked the telv many questions. How their classes would go, what options they had, and other stuff. It seemed that most of the stuff, they would learn the next day in their homeroom. On the way back to their dorm room, they would stop by the administration office and see where they would be placed.
Gwyn knew what she wanted to take as far as electives went, but she also knew that doing so would not last long. She would maybe have one school year to take a class that was something interesting. She had responsibilities, and she had to increase her ranking. She needed to choose at least one thing that would provide visibility and assist with it.
Otherwise, she was in trouble.
A few choice questions revealed the answer.
Especially since she had Amari with her all the time.
Basic Combat Training.
She already had a sword, and having a paladin to help tutor her outside of class was an opportunity she could not pass up.
Of course, she resolved herself to take Foundations in Art as well.
They soon entered a large hall that was filled with Lower Academy students of all years. Tables filled the hall of varying lengths and the sound of kids all talking to each other resounded off of the high ceiling.
Yavanna led them to the back where the kitchen sat and included a line where students could get their food. Something quite similar to the pranzo–lunch–they had during scuola back home. Except this time, it was going to be every meal.
Which was a bit nerve-wracking for Gwyn. She’d never lived anywhere without an adult before.
Dinner was a decent affair. It consisted of a small chicken-like dish and some roasted vegetables that tasted pretty well. She’d always liked broccolini and it was close enough that it may have well been the same thing.
As they sat there, two kids entered the hall with two knights behind them. Across from her, she heard Calanis’s voice hitch. She looked at the daughter of a Royal Knight and tilted her head. The high elf girl leaned forward and lowered her voice.
“Those are the twin prince and princess of Avira, and those are their Royal Knights. I have met them! I did not realize they would actually be staying here, my mother was not allowed to tell me,” the girl said excitedly.
Lorrena’s eyes widened and she too stared at the two elves as they walked down the center aisle toward the food line. Gwyn glanced at Amari who silently watched the two knights as if sizing them up.
“How are they related to the Crown Prince?” Gwyn asked Calanis.
The girl gasped. “You don’t know? The Crown Prince is their father. No one knows which one is set to be the heir after their father. But rumors say that they are competing for the privilege and will be selected after the Crown Prince ascends the throne.”
Gwyn’s eyes narrowed as she watched them. The jerk Crown Prince was the one who had been causing trouble for her friend’s family. She would need to keep an eye on those two.
Speaking of… Where is Roslyn at?
Her friend was staying in a separate dorm, but as far as Gwyn knew, this was the only dining hall. Maybe Roslyn was busy, but she wasn’t sure.
“Any idea where Khalan and Roslyn are?” she asked Amari quietly.
The paladin shook her head. “I am uncertain. They may not be attending dinner tonight. Evocati Khalan mentioned some business the lady had to take care of.”
Gwyn sighed.
Domani allora…
Tomorrow then.
◇ ◇ ◇
The group followed the telv fourth year into the administration building. It was a large building, and right inside the main lobby were some other students standing and looking at some papers. As her group arrived, those students’ eyes went wide at the sight of Amari, and decided they had other places to be.
The first-year rosters were posted on a couple sheets of parchment. The brunette moved out of the way just in time for the four girls to rush the lists. It was also the first time the students got to see the exact rankings for each student.
Calanis was the highest ranked in the second class, while Daria was lucky and got to be in a class with Roslyn.
Gwyn stepped up next to Lorrena and helped the girl scan through the lists. As she thought, she did not recognize any names. The other two girls were commenting on their classmates, and it appeared that the twins had been split up, with the girl in class one and the boy in class two with Calanis.
Roslyn probably won’t like that. She already doesn’t like the Crown. Now she has to deal with the princess. I need
“Gwyn, here I am. But… we’re not in the same class,” Lorrena said with a tinge of regret, almost as if she felt like a failure.
The look on the girl’s face tugged at Gwyn’s heart. She just looked so disappointed, and Gwyn knew she had to reassure her. “It’s alright, Lore. Don’t feel upset.”
“I apologize, I probably should have explained how the home class works,” Yavanna said, drawing their attention.
The telv fourth year launched into an explanation of how the classes were formed.
There were fourteen of them in total, and students in each were grouped based on rank. For example, the first ten were the top-ranked students within the year.
The thought was that the groups would remain roughly the same as students shifted in rank, as large changes in ranks were uncommon. Time to be the exception. The number of classes did not change each year as students were removed due to low rankings at the end of each year. For year two, that meant that each class would have nine.
Large changes in rankings were calculated at the end of each month, or season rather. This was based on each seasonal exam. There were ways to increase your rank in small increments, but the fourth year did not explain that process to them.
The result meant that any significant changes in ranks would require people to shift groups as they advanced. One that she hoped to accomplish as soon as possible because Roslyn was in that first group. It also explained why Lorrena wasn’t in her group.
However, as she looked through the lists, she heard someone clear their throat from behind them.
“Move aside, His and Her Highness wish to review the lists,” a voice said.
Gwyn turned and saw the two Royal Knights standing there with the young prince and princess. The two high elves shared the same golden-blonde hair with sharp narrow ears. Both sported grey eyes and wore the robes of the school but had some subtle adornments that she assumed were meant to denote their status. Which I believe is against the rules.
That irritated her. They believed they could use their status to do whatever they wanted. She couldn’t wait until she got into the same class as Roslyn, but until then, she’d need to have her friend’s back even outside of class. Especially if these two were going to be trouble.
And all it took was one look at their faces to tell that they would.
Calanis and Daria darted out of the way once they realized who was speaking, but to Gwyn’s surprise, Lorrena did not budge.
Amari only kept an eye on Gwyn. She seemed to be utterly unconcerned about the situation.
Gwyn hadn’t found her name on the lists yet, so she wasn’t inclined to move just because someone else couldn’t wait their turn.
“I haven’t finished looking, yet. Give me a moment, please,” she said, trying to be nice.
The knights glanced at the paladin and then back at Gwyn. Recognition seemed to form in their eyes but not in the two royals. The boy stepped forward. “A Royal Knight ordered you to move. You would do well to listen.”
Gwyn raised a brow. “You may wait.”
She turned back to the papers. She heard a bit of sputtering from behind her.
Scanning the lists, she found her name, right where she thought it would be.
At the bottom.
She sighed. I wonder if I can find any names that would point out the terrans I saw. I haven’t really heard of any names like I am familiar with since arriving.
The same haughty voice called out. “What did you say to me? Do you know who I am?”
Gwyn took a deep breath. Don’t get in a fight on the first day, Gwyn. What would mom say?
She turned back around. “Well, you just stated that your knights are Royal Knights, so it’s obvious that you are a royal. I believe my companions pointed out you were a prince, so it makes sense. Now, if you are quite done, I would like to finish scanning the list.”
“How dare you. Remove her–”
“Your Highness…” The knight leaned down and whispered in the boy’s ear.
Gwyn counted to three. I can just find them later. Deep breaths. He’s clearly got some issues. The girl is quiet enough.
“My brother ordered you to move, terran,” the princess in question said.
And I take it back.
You know what? I think mom would be fine with me telling them off. That was probably a bad example. What would Taenya think?
She paused.
Uh… Sabina?
I think I am surrounded by poor role models for proper ways to avoid fights.
“You two seem to be quite full of yourselves. Your status means nothing here, and frankly, it does not mean anything to me outside of the Academy either,” she stated dryly.
The princess gasped and the boy’s face reddened.
Gwyn sighed and glanced at Amari. She was ready to leave before she got… fired up. She chuckled at her bad joke.
Both royals narrowed their eyes as if they thought she was laughing at them. They looked to their knights with expectant faces, but before the knights could say anything Amari also chuckled.
“Sers, please move out of the way. I believe Princess Gwyneth is ready to leave. I would hate to see any misunderstandings occur on the first day. Perhaps the two of you can meet with me and my Brother-in-Alos to discuss future interactions,” Amari said with a bit of finality.
The two knights stiffened and whispered to their charges. The two royals tried to argue, but the knights managed to get them to move to the side.
Gwyn glanced back at her roommates and smiled. “Come along, girls. Let’s head back to our room,” she said.
Lorrena just nodded and stepped forward, moving around the stunned royals and toward the door. It took a gesture from Amari, but then the other three girls followed.
Gwyn wished for once that just one place would have everything go smoothly. But nope, this was her new normal. One conflict to the next. Gwyn wished she could say that she didn’t enjoy it. However, she was starting to think that it was something she was made for. A calling.
It was all kind of… fun.
I think I am getting the hang of this princess thing.
Gwyn gave one last smirk at the twins before walking out.
If looks could kill, the princess would have burnt Gwyn to ash.
Too bad for her. I’m the one with fire magic.
Comments
Fortunis
On the Academy front. I know Sloane basically started one in the other town, but it's not the Capital. Also, she's on the cutting-edge of magical research and creation. Everyone with an ounce of sense who hears what she's been up to will be clamoring to join her school. Especially if she has a mass enrollment of commoners. It would be especially cool if they constructed a flying Academy 😆 🤣 I know that's probably a long way off technology-wise, but damn, what a legacy.
Fortunis
[The ranking system was there so that each year, the bottom ten percent of students were dismissed from the school.] Bets on Sloane opening her own academy and admitting commoners, while also telling the aristocracy to go fuck itself? Edit: you know, you'd think people would start to consider not pissing off the tweenage fire wizard with a penchant for nuking entire armies. I mean, sure, the Prince would be pissed if she roasted his heirs, but let's be honest, could anyone really stop her?
