Great Journey: Whims of Fate

The journey to the Royal Academy was expected to take three weeks. Located in the far north of the kingdom, nestled against a jagged mountain range, the academy lay beyond several sprawling peaks. Because of the treacherous terrain, the caravan moved slower than it would have on the main road to the capital.

Bastion spent the trip relaxing with Elyra, though he remained disciplined in his training. Despite the cramped space, he continuously cycled mana and stamina through Reinforce and Amplify, refusing to let his body slack. They had three weeks, after all, and he intended to make every moment count.

Elyra accompanied Bastion as his personal maid, assigned to reside in his quarters. Although not an official student, she was permitted to attend classes as long as she could pay the required fees. Unlike Bastion, she wasn't obligated to complete the main courses, which meant that, technically, she wouldn't be eligible for graduation.

The Royal Academy was a prestigious institution designed to nurture those with exceptional bloodlines. Status alone wasn't enough; the academy placed far greater value on inherited talent. What mattered most was proven aptitude, whether a student wielded a high-ranked class, demonstrated mastery of a rare art, or possessed unique ancestral gifts.

Although most students were expected to come from noble backgrounds, the majority were actually commoners, often the children of Rank 2 adventurers who had passed on their talents to the next generation or the children of Rank 1 adventurers who had the finances and succeeded in passing down a unique talent or Class.

Three weeks later, Bastion arrived at the academy and was escorted through the grounds by staff. As he took in the surroundings, he realized that magic had advanced the academy far more than he had imagined.

The Royal Academy was more than a school; it was a city of wonders nestled within the northern reaches of the kingdom, between snow-draped mountains and enchanted forests. It stood as a bastion of knowledge, history, and power, an awe-inspiring fusion of civilization and magic.

At its heart stood a magnificent castle of silverstone and sapphire glass, its towering spires reaching skyward like the fingers of a sleeping titan. Bridges of rune-etched crystal connected the towers, while floating lanterns drifted overhead, casting warm golden light even in the deepest twilight.

This central keep housed the Great Halls of Magic, the War Council Chamber, the Grand Library, the Volcanic Forge, the Magic Labs and the Sealed Vaults of Forbidden Knowledge. 

To the north, beyond the main gates, lay the Training Grounds, vast fields of ancient arenas, enchanted dueling rings, and shifting magical terrains that could mimic any environment. The air rang with the echoes of spellfire and the clash of blades.

Further still were the Dungeons, hidden behind a mist-choked vale. There, students tested their strength and resolve against monsters, cursed spirits, and ancient trials in the darkness below.

To the east sprawled the Beast Warrens, rolling hills and enchanted meadows where gryphons, drakes, spirit-hounds, and dreamstags roamed beneath open skies. Beastmasters and whisperers tended to them, their calls mingling with the cries of flying mounts circling overhead.

To the west lay the Botanical Sanctum, a marvel of cascading greenhouses and living terraces. Rare herbs, arcane flora, and sentient plants were cultivated by druidic scholars and alchemists. Glowing vines clung to tower walls, and ancient trees whispered secrets to those who knew how to listen.

And to the south, nestled against the academy's outer wall, was the support city of Southspire, a bustling town of cobbled streets, floating markets, inns run by retired adventurers, and artisan shops brimming with magical wares. A place where students and citizens mingled freely.

From a distance, the entire academy resembled a radiant star, its towers and grounds glowing with arcane light, surrounded by the raw beauty of the north. It was a monument to tradition, ambition, and the endless pursuit of magic.

Bastion was stunned by the sight. Though this world was firmly rooted in a medieval setting, the fantasy more than made up for the lack of modern conveniences.

After completing the tour, Bastion was escorted to his quarters, an entire floor within one of the castle's western towers. His accommodations included a private kitchen, bedroom, training room, living room, bath, and a spacious study stocked with every book he would need to learn to graduate. There were over 100 in total. 

'Isn't this a bit much?' Bastion thought, skimming the titles of the books.

'Ah, I see. I've already read most of these,' he realized with a small smirk.

The Royal Academy did not enforce a fixed number of years before graduation. Instead, students were required to complete a core set of main classes in order to qualify. These included foundational subjects such as Magical Mathematics, Economics, Law, Ethics, Combat Theory, Potion Fundamentals, Monster Ecology, Herbology, Theology, etc.

Students confident in their knowledge could attempt placement exams to test out of these core courses, meaning, in theory, students could graduate within the same week they enrolled.

However, the true value of attending the academy lay in its vast array of electives: Magic Studies, Ancient Scripts, Alchemy, Spellcraft, Smithing, Taming, Hunting, Runecraft, Enchanting, Weapon Mastery, Summoning, and more.

As a result, most students chose to complete the main courses early and filled their schedules with as many electives as they could afford, making the most of their time at the academy.

Bastion chose the full suite of artifact-making electives, including Material Study, Smithing, Weapon Smithing, Armor Smithing, Artifact Crafting, Alchemy, Enchanting, Engraving, Spellcraft, Magic Circles, Runes, Ancient Scripts, and more, everything he needed to create any device he could imagine using metal and magic.

As for the main courses, he planned to test out of them as quickly as possible.

He considered other branches like Summoning, Advanced Alchemy, and Advanced Spellcraft, but each was just as extensive as the Artifact track and would have set him back several years. Instead, he opted for the introductory courses in each discipline to ensure he wasn't ignorant of general knowledge.

Besides, if he ever needed to dive deeper, he could always study on his own using the academy's vast library.

Studying at the academy wasn't free after all. It costs both time and money to take electives. While Bastion had no shortage of funds, time was a luxury he couldn't afford to waste.

Most other students paid for their classes by taking advantage of Southspire, selling goods or services to earn enough to continue their studies. Otherwise, they risked expulsion from lack of funds. This even included many noble children who lacked financial support from their families, a surprisingly common occurrence.

Others found work within the academy itself, serving as assistants to instructors or errand-runners for wealthier students. These were options Bastion had no need to consider. With ample financial backing, he could afford to enroll in every class the academy offered, an investment totaling a few mithril coins.

"What classes are you planning to take, Eli?"

"Dark Magic, Sword Mastery, Dagger Mastery, Dueling, Stealth, Hunting, Monster Anatomy, and Cooking," Elyra replied casually.

"You might want to take more courses in the future. That doesn't sound enough to match my schedule."

"I'm enrolling in advanced classes too."

"That's better. Just make sure you don't waste the opportunity."

"Yes, Master."

The next day, Bastion applied to test out of all the fundamental courses. He was confident he would pass them easily, having already mastered the material as an infant.

It took a few days, but he successfully completed every required course, except for Homeroom, which had no test. Homeroom was a mandatory three-year course for all new students, held on the morning of the first day of each week. It covered general knowledge and important school announcements.

His first Homeroom session would take place in two days, exactly one week after his arrival. It would also be his first opportunity to meet the other new students enrolled this year.

The next day, Bastion and Elyra toured Southspire. It was technically not part of the Royal Academy and was outside the bounds of the property so the personal tour did not include the city.

Bastion observed students bustling about, selling their wares and services. Magical tools, weapons, armor, pets, and even overpriced Apprentice Rank skill scrolls and books were on display.

He also noticed that many students had pets or familiars trailing behind them as they walked.

'Summoning and taming must be pretty popular,' Bastion mused.

He had a chance to use Zephy, his Whispering Owl, to build connections.

They ended their tour of the city at an auction house that hosted monthly events. Although Bastion had more than enough funds to participate, he lacked any particular need, so he returned to his quarters for the night.

The following morning marked the beginning of the school term, starting with a general assembly in the Grand Hall. Over ten thousand students currently attend the Royal Academy of Southspire, with roughly a thousand new students enrolling each year from across the kingdom.

The air buzzed with anticipation as the first-years gathered for the speech, seated in neat rows under the vaulted crystal ceiling. At the center of the elevated platform stood the principal, Headmaster Virion Silvarien, a tall, silver-haired elf in robes of deep indigo embroidered with runes of authority. His ageless features and piercing amethyst eyes commanded silence the moment he stepped forward.

The Headmaster had served as principal for nearly a millennium and was considered one of the most powerful wizards in the kingdom. He raised a hand, and the hall fell quiet.

As the speech began, Bastion scanned the faces of the new students. He recognized several from Prince Julius's debut, including Damian Steelhart, Cyrus Phoenixhart, Prince Julius Lionhart himself, and Seraphina Phoenixhart among the crowd.

Bastion resumed surveying the crowd. Among the first-years, one girl stood out to him the most, a short brunette with silver eyes and the brightest smile he had ever seen. Despite her petite stature, she carried herself with striking confidence and charm. She was undeniably beautiful and, to his quiet observation, surprisingly well-endowed.

He felt a stare and turned to find Seraphina staring daggers at him. Their eyes met for a brief moment before she abruptly looked away. With a quiet chuckle, he returned his attention to the stage, letting the day carry on.

Meanwhile, a storm was brewing in Seraphina's mind.

'Gah, I can't even look him in the eyes. This is too much for a shut-in like me to be crushing this hard on a guy. A really hot guy with sparkling hair, shining knight's armor, and abs for days. Gah! Get a grip, girl!' she scolded herself.

'Focus on your character. You need to survive the first event. Don't let a boy distract you. You can deal with him later, after you win the competition. No need to jump the gun. Slow and steady, Ayame. Slow and steady.'

-----

Support me on Patreon

patreon/babywrath