During the hour of travel towards Coppergate, I spent the whole time in the room I was assigned to, simply sinking into my thoughts. More specifically thoughts about myself, and how I was going to adjust to this sudden new life at my hands. I had never expected myself to even leave the village, nor set foot in the city, let alone enrolled in Solus. With the vague information they had left me with, I was left to think. Solus was not only an academy in Coppergate but it was said to be a very prestigious school. The Birthplace of all Leaders, and future Heroes as father would have called it. The sons and daughters of Nobles coming from all the different houses would have enrolled here. Although peasants like me could also potentially enroll, a majority of the population living in the outskirts of the House Districts did not have the privilege of attending schools, thus they lacked the chance to even compete in the entry tests.
They should have also known this, but despite this, they still chose to drop me into Solus. I could only assume that they either wanted to keep a better eye on me or imprison me in a place where they could use me as a source of study. It was all theories at the moment, but I couldn't help but be paranoid. I was alone after all. I had no guidance from anyone else except my new teachers apparently, but I couldn't find them anywhere on the ship since our departure. So again, alone with my thoughts.
During this reflection, my mind had also wandered towards Master Kithran's gift, that is the pickaxe I used to survive the Eclipse, which I had decided to call Obsidian. When I was under recovery, I went and searched for it in my spare time, but I couldn't find it anywhere. Even after asking the Prince, they told me that even when they found me, they found me alone. No tool in sight. Different thoughts ran across my mind that maybe someone could have stolen it while I was unconscious and simply didn't tell me, or it got lost during that strange blast of energy. Yet I decided that it must have broke during my fight against the cloaked. Shattered amongst the stone and pebbles. Truth be told, I was disappointed when I couldn't find it, but I had no choice but to let it go. I couldn't even tell Master Kithran. He had enough on his plate, I couldn't place another in telling him that I lost his parting gift.
Another thing to note were my wounds. I still had to wear bandages under the command of the head medical officer back at the triage tent to ensure recovery despite the use of healing magic as apparently, healing magic couldn't fully recover a wounded body, but only assist it. With the amount of injuries I had, they had to use both physical and magical medicine to help my recovery. When I settled down on the ship and decided to clean myself, I noticed that underneath the bandages were not stitched up scars and cuts, nor were they healed bloodied wounds. Instead the cuts formed this oddly beautiful patchwork that covered the wounds. Like cracks on a rock or lightning on wood, this glass-like bronze substance filled the fissures. Running my hand along the scars, they felt like there wasn't even a wound there in the first place. They had the same texture and feel as my own skin, yet they had a very faint pulsing glow in rhythm with my heartbeat, and it also felt strangely warm. Warmer than my own body. From a subtle glance, one could say that I was covered in Frozen Primal. How or Why this happened? Yet another part to the can of worms I've somehow gotten my hands on. This orange light that covers my body also seemed to converge in one spot. Yet instead of chaotic patterns that run along my person, along the wrist seemed to be this almost perfectly circular band flush against my skin. I decided that I no longer needed the bandages, feeling more comfortable without the extra cloth hugging against my chest and arms.
As I stared out the window and watched the clouds surf underneath the hull of the ship, I came to a realization. Even if they wanted to keep me in Solus to observe who and what I was, I might be able to take this chance to learn and study about all these unexplainable events that are currently happening. Miss Maryanne could hold some answers. Solus definitely holds at least a single bit of information about this. However as father says, I'd need to crawl before I could walk before I could run. It would be better to start learning how to read and write properly first...
As the hour came to a close, the ship rumbles to a soft hum as the clouds outside the porthole parted and revealing the sprawling and absolutely magnificent sight that is Coppergate City. Sat at the center of the city was a massive circular structure reminiscent to a temple or a castle. I might have been both with how beautifully constructed it was. Built in tiers, each level held a different level of intricacy. The highest layer held a building that looked like a manor, but it was too large to be one. A bridge extends out from one side of this layer, obviously a landing port for all sorts of airships that come and go. However, what I did not expect to join the colorful parade of shops were people riding animals capable of flight. Let it be giant birds or the Vanguard's own flight of Wyverns. Along the side of this layer held large towers sprouting from the four cardinal directions as they all held glowing spheres of blue light with metal rings dancing around them. Underneath said orbs were pillars of water which poured what seemed to be an unending stream of water down into the center of the towers where they seem to disappear into the next layer. The middle layer was less ornate and more mechanical. Pipes, gears, and metallic sheets along with the similar brick the first layer was made was present along this layer. The more prominent note here were the massive water wheels powered by the same flow of water that seemed to come from the first layer, which channels the excess down on to channels below. Windows and hallways were present at the outskirts of this layer, as well as windows and lights, but there was nothing more to note. The last layer seemed to blend into the city. This was where most of the work was present. As the water flowed down the channels and into the bustling city, this layer held more stairs and hallways that turn and wind back in and out of the building with people filling the walkways like ants on a hill. Large circular buildings connected with bridges extend outward from this layer, all with various functions and purposes I'd assume. Below this layer was officially the city, a bustling scattering of limestone and marble buildings, carefully carved and built with masterful artistic precision. Not one building seemed to look the same and in between groups of buildings were massive streets leading all the way up towards the central point of the city and accordingly, to the gates outside as well.
Weirdly enough, despite the large space that is the city, I felt more closed off as I mapped the streets and buildings of the city. I wasn't sure if it was my inexperience in cities or maybe it was the fact that I wasn't able to see any prominent source of nature apart from the small dots of green present along the roads and corners of the city. Moreso than this, I felt nervous instead of excited. So many new things and yet so much unknown. I was scared, but if I were to compare the fear of stepping out of my comfortable space and the fear of death itself screaming against my face, it would matter so little now. I let out a sharp breath as I carried my things and climbed the stairs upwards to the open deck.
However, the ship did not dock at the public space I had seen before and instead flew over to the other side which held a smaller bridge connecting to the building in the middle. As the ship docked, and I peeked over the ship, I could see Prince Lawrence, a smile drawn across his face, along with a squadron of soldiers dressed in thick steel and blue cloth line themselves along the edge of the bridge. Perhaps my worries were justified after all.
As my hand gripped against the railing of the ship, I could hear a cheerful giggle fly close by. "You're so tense! Don't worry specimen, it's only procedure." Maryanne, sat on a staff that seemed to be pushing out the same energy as the ship, spoke out with a soft smile and an arm grabbing hold to her hat as she flew out and landed on the spot next to the prince.
As the ship settled and the gangway was set, I'd carefully walk across, still feeling the turn and rumbling of the ship during the travel despite the hour long travel. When my feet were on the cold brick of the bridge, it felt like those same shakes were slowly driven away by the mere presence of solid ground. Yet I was still nervous. As the Prince walked up to me and extended a hand with the same soft smile he wears. With a soft breath, he'd speak. "I hope the travel was not too harsh despite the sudden call for your presence in the city."
I sheepishly reached out and shook the Prince's hand before answering,
"It wasn't but can you finally tell me why I'm here?"
"Of course, but I'd rather speak to you in private than out here with the winds." The prince replied as he let go of my hand and turned, before walking into the ornate hall of the building.
Reluctantly, but without any choice, I eventually moved my feet and walked after him, keeping a respectable distance behind him at all times. It seemed like the guards were there simply as posted since they did not bother accompanying the prince or keeping an eye on me. One would think they were statues with how disciplined they were in their stances. A complete difference from our own militia back home.
As the prince stopped at the middle of the floor, both Maryanne and Esshiek, as well as a handful of the ship's men carrying all sorts of boxes and supplies joined as well. They seemed to be waiting for something as I looked across them confused, that was until the floor gave way. Startled, I stumbled around on my feet for a second before realizing that the floor we were standing on had moved and began to sink into the building. I looked in awe, before staring upwards at the hole from where we came from before the platform pulled us down to reveal this magnificent interior filled with shelves of books, ornate furniture made out of various vases, seats, tables, and such, as well as people training in all sorts of weaponry and spells. I was left speechless at this sight.
The platform soon sank flush into the floor of this room as the Prince started walking again, accompanied by the two Royal Guard. The rest of the crew began to scatter, carrying all they could before heading out. I joined the prince not long after seeing everyone move away.
Soon after, we were in a quiet room. The only light peeking through the space was the daylight pouring in from the large window that stood behind a fancy velvet chair and a large well crafted dark wooden desk. The prince soon sat down on the chair before he started to speak.
"Sincerest apologies for the vagueness we had to put you through Torin. We had to take the necessary precautions." He took a breath before sitting upright and staring into my direction as if he was a little bit more serious now.
"We took you to this Academy to observe you."
I knew it.
"But, we refuse to treat you like a prisoner. We still do not know if you do hold the power that was present at your hometown that the Vael Arcanists are now starting to call the 'Tear of Enes'. So we decided to bring you to the one place where we can safely observe and help you develop to a point where you can call these powers out." I did not expect this much, but I was glad I was not being detained.
"We know about your circumstance and so the staff of Solus has given you a semester to at least learn and keep up in your literary skills." He extends a hand out to Maryanne who proceeds to bow at this gesture.
"For the mean time, I will bank roll any sort of materials you will possibly need and require. You are our little experiment after all and I do not want to skew any results." Maryanne added as she let out a small smirk.
The prince couldn't help but chuckle but I felt like I should be scared of her and whatever intent she has in store of me...
"When you do enroll, we are given a whole school year to see if there is any development in you and if there is, we will continue your enrollment in the school, but if the experiment proved to be false and the source of power is elsewhere, then we will have to send you back home." The prince added.
"Why are you even looking for this power anyway? If I do have said power, what are planning to do with me?" I spoke out, my intention as clear as day. If there was anything to truly fear other than the coming of the Eclipse, it would be him.
The prince stood up and turned to look at the city below. His arms locked behind him as he seemed to clutch his wrist in some sort of exaggerated emotion. Fear? Anger? Who knows. Yet he kept a calm tone either way.
"I will not lie to you Torin. We need all the help we can get. The Eclipse is coming in shorter intervals and while we are looking as to why, we are looking for miracles at this point. You've seen what the Eclipse can do-"
I've seen what it does twice now...
"So we need as many brave men and women as we can get to help the people. Those with magic, those with skill in the sword, spear, anything." He turned towards me again, walking beside the chair as he kept his arms locked behind him.
"Even if I am to rely on the smallest chance that Lady Enes might come down from the heavens herself. I am willing to do anything if it means we have a chance at saving the people of Ironkiln. Are you?" His expression. He was telling the truth.
With deep breath, I clenched my fist and decided to bet on my instincts. No more running away. No more cowering in fear. If I want to make a change, this was the start.
"I am."
"Welcome to the Academy of Solus, Torin Valen."