Zen slowly turned over the pages of the book. With his steadfast eyes,he probed each word for its full meaning, and digested every morsel of information. Zen fed his passion for knowledge, a hunger to be the best, driven from a desire to be the greatest mage of all time. And he was. Zen had held the title of Vane Academy's Valedictorian for many years now, and in all those years no one had ever matched his skill. In the race of magic, no one could catch him. His lead was vast, and yet his demeanor would suggest he did not care in what position he finished. He served one person, Zen.
His only other desire was to learn more about the one mage in the history of Lunar who was as far beyond Zen as Zen was beyond the other students. This was Ghaleon. Zen's mind was a treasure chest for all things regarding the ancient antagonist. History, hobbies, all of these facts were precious to him. No mage buried just as deep could ever dream of holding the pedestal Ghaleon stood upon. Whatever he had done in the past was irrelevant. Zen recognized only his greatness as a mage with mind unequalled.
As Zen continued to flip the pages of his book, Zen's flying pet, Bat, sat in the hole of the stony window, the only source of hard light. During Zen's studies, the light would bathe the room in silence. Bat often respected the silence by keeping perch upon the window sill and watching with telescope eyes all which transpired below. Bat's eyes ran across the emptiness of life. Often the campus was teeming with ant-sized people, scurrying with their meager packs to their next job. But today was the new year's welcome assembly, and thus it was quiet and peaceful. Eventually, Bat noticed two ant-escapees moving towards the assembly hall.
"Well, well, Zen. It would appear our new student is running late to her own introduction!" Zen didn't even flinch, immersed in his book. "Come look at this!" Bat remarked. Zen still remained unchanged. Bat tried once more, "You really should come over here and see this. She's kind of cute!" "Bat, if you are so enchanted with this young lady, why not fly down and proclaim your heartfelt passion?", Zen finally commented stroking his chin in thought. "WHAT?!!! Don't be ridiculous! A dragon in love with a human?! What a preposterous notion! However, I do speak of heart-felt passion, not mine, but yours. Come look!" "My passions don't lie in the heart." said Zen coldly. "I don't believe that. Few people hold so much passion in their heart as you do. You just keep it locked up! By the way, have you figured out what you're going to say to the students?" But it was too late. Zen was already silent and back in his book. On the cool path below, Christine, the new apprentice mage walked with her new roommate, the eccentric Bap.
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"Miss Bap, are you sure the assembly is now? I don't see anyone but us heading to the assembly hall...", inquired a worried Christine.
"No worries Christine. You are looking at one of the star mages of The Academy! We must be early! Yes! That's it! Well, that's okay. We want to get a good seat, don't we? It'll give you a chance to meet some other students, heavy on the stud part.;) You're gonna be so popular Christine! Your entrance scores set a new record here!"
Christine turned pale realizing now how prestigious Bap was, "Oh no! Bap, you weren't the previous record holder were you? I would feel so awful if...."
"ME?!!....Uhh....*cough*...no, actually. Mage Stix, a bratty little dork, held the entrance record before you. I...uh...held the record before him! But anyway, that's not important. This is YOUR moment, Christine. I know you'll be a great mage!"
"Oh, I sincerely doubt that...", said Christine, thoroughly red-faced.
"It's tough to get into Vane Academy. You probably had to leave some special person behind."
"Oh my parents are supporting me 100%. They really want me to succeed!"
Bap giggled. "I wasn't talking about your parents, silly! What about your boyfriend? Huhhhh? He must've been sad to see you go. Mine was." Christine lowered her head a little in embarrassment. "Come on Christine, don't be shy. We're pals! Tell you what. I'll tell you about mine. His name was Furter. Furter Frank. He was a wonderful writer. His writing absolutely captivated me! He wrote a lot about independance and how we need to be ourselves and stand out from the crowd!"
"You don't say...", giggled Christine. "I'd say he's been quite an influence."
"Oh definitely! That's the best part about loving someone. You can learn so much about yourself." Bap pulled out a small book from her bag. "Look inside the cover." Christine opened the cover and read aloud, "To my Darling Bap, a pearl among marbles, a diamond among glass shards! Glass will always cut me, but you will not! Carry me with you always....Frank." Even though the writing was questionable, Christine clutched the book to her chest with desire as though she intended to keep it. Here it was, pure love in her hands. "Did your boyfriend give you anything to remember him by?",inquired Bap.
Christine returned the book. "Bap....I've never had a....boyfriend...."Bap stumbled a little in amazement. "I've never found someone who could love me like Frank loves you. And well, in my town, there were lots of prettier girls...more...talkative..."
Bap laughed. "You're shy Christine! That's easy to see, but now you're here, and we'll find you someone nice!"
Christine shook her head. "I don't think so. Once I really liked this one boy. He was handsome and friendly. My parents pushed me to talk to him. Every day they said, 'Did you talk to him?' 'No.', I would reply.One day my Mom said, "Christine, your father and I are pleased that you've always been a good respectful daughter, but you have so few friends. We want you to be happy, too, dear. I look into this beautiful face I've created, and yet you hide it like a sin. Please Christine, talk to that boy! I promise you won't be sorry.' After that, I finally got enough courage to talk to him. 'Hi...my name is Christine.' He looked up with those beautiful eyes and said, 'Oh, the turtle-shell.' I turned away. 'Don't be embarrassed,'he said. 'It's a nickname I've heard around from the other kids. You hide in your shell so much that's all people see. It's refreshing to see you've broken out. My name is Peter.' I gulped. 'Peter...um...want to go out sometime?'Peter looked puzzled for a second, then lowered his head. 'No,' he said.'How can I say this delicately? You see, well you're really smart...and that's good, a good thing. You'll go far in life...' I interrupted, 'I don't understand....' 'But...my friends think a lot of me, think I'M really smart. If I start hanging around with you, my friends will make fun of me. They'll say my girlfriend's smarter than I am. I'll lose their respect. You understand, right? No hard feelings?' But I turned around and ran away crying my eyes out. It was the most courageous I've ever been in my life..."
Bap smiled, "So you tried and failed, but you can also try and succeed. The point is that you have to try! I would have never caught Furter without this really nifty hold spell....um....nevermind. My point is, don't be so quick to give up! New place, new memories, right?" Bap said with a reassuring smile.
"....yeah. You're right." said Christine.
"C'mon, Christine. We'd better hurry."
"But we're early...."
"Yeah, well...might as well not keep your public waiting."
*Click to view.*The darkness seemed to envelop Christine and Bap as they entered the hall. It was filled with chairs, but not a single one was empty. All were filled with cadets astutely paying attention to the old headmaster, Julius Dean, who seeing Christine and Bap enter stopped speaking and all heads turned upon them. Christine had suddenly realized she had made yet another mistake in trust.
"Well...well...," spoke Julius with a tone of irritation. "So nice of you both to join us. I expected more from you Christine. Now be seated!"
Christine found a seat far away from Bap, one of the few open, like an island in a sea of black uniforms. Embarrassed, she waded through the row to a seat and could feel the eyes of cadets watching her as she moved past.
"Excuse me. I'm really sorry. Pardon me," she said as each cadet reluctantly shifted for her to get past. Simple words of courtesy, but Christine spoke them heavily. She wasn't mad at Bap, she was dissapointed with herself for not checking the time herself. She had missed her own introduction,and it would never come again. Clutched up like a scared porcupine, Christine listened to the rest of Dean's speech in shame.
"....My fellow students, I give you the pride of our academy, your Valedictorian,Zen. As we begin a new semester, heed his words so that you too may rise to those standards."
Christine looked up slightly as a light round of applause came up around her. While she did not have a great view, she did see a medium build young cadet with gray hair approach the podium. Carrying a face so resolved and serious, even the back rows had no problem seeing it.
Zen adusted his notes, set them down and comfortably laid his hands upon the podium. His eyes went over the crowd, as though he were in an art gallery, judging the best exibits.
After a pause, he began: "My fellow students, this academy is a dream,founded on a dream. Years ago Headmaster Borgan wanted the best students, all of you, to be recognized thus creating this academy. However, with recognition comes responsibility and while you all will be masters of great power, you must also be servants of men. 'A man without morality and purpose is a man in name only.' This is an excerpt from Ghaleon's personal journals. If we are to honor his memory and the memory of the great mages who came before us, it must begin here. Temper your fire spells with truth, let wisdom ride upon your wind spells, and let no bolt from your staff be cast in judgment. As you redo your staff again this year, remember that your staff is a direct reflection of you. Make your reflection clear and an honor to our school. May we have another highly successful year."
The students again began a round of applause, but Christine had not noticed. She was too taken with Zen's speech and if she had had the courage to stand up and pronounce agreement, she just might have. She could easily see the intelligence in the eyes of the valedictorian, and for the first time since her arrival she was restirred with confidence.
Zen left backstage, and Dean returned to the podium. He held up his hand as a gesture for silence. When the applause died down he started,"Thank you, Zen...." Dean paused for a moment and became very serious."There is one more matter which needs to be addressed. Last year we had a slight problem with the Revivalists. I was disappointed to find Revivalists in our very own academy. This Academy holds the foundations and storehouses of truth. Based on that knowledge, I say this truthfully, there is no more Althena! Years ago, when the plagues of Zophar were upon us, it was humanity which saved us, not Althena. Althena lives on in our hearts, and Revivalist practice will NOT be tolerated and will be treated an insurrection. This assembly is adjourned."
The students flocked out of the hall like bears out of hibernation, ready to begin a new semester. Christine met Bap, who had been waiting for her outside the hall.
"Ummm....Christine..." Bap began.
"It's okay Bap. It was my fault for not checking the time. We all make mistakes."
"Thanks Christine! You're so great!"
Bap and Christine began to walk back towards Ausa Hall, a female dormitory.
"Hey Bap..."
"Yeah?"
"Who are the Revivalists?"
"My gosh Christine. No boyfriend AND you don't know who the Revivalists are? Where have you been living? Zalback Mines?" Christine walked on in silence waiting for an answer. "Well, you AT LEAST know how many years ago, Zophar almost destroyed the Silver Star right?"
"Of course! History 101."
Bap looked relieved! "Well, after Zophar's destruction, no one knew whether or not it was Althena or humanity which really defeated Zophar.All people knew was that they couldn't trust the church, and thus people attributed Zophar's defeat to human hands. However, recently, a small group of religious activists have come forth insisting that Althena is still among us. They argue that no mortal could ever have defeated Zophar, and the only reason we never see signs of Althena anymore is because the people have lost faith."
"Well, without proof, I suppose it was hard for people to believe."
"A group was forged to force the teaching of Althena back on the people. They are the Revivalists. Last semester some students attempted fire on the Vane Library. Fortunately, their plan was exposed and they were dealt with."
"How were they dealt with?" inquired Christine.
"I don't know....I've never seen them since then...they were probably expelled."
"How awful! To expel someone for his or her personal beliefs!" Christine said with a shock.
"The Dean calls it order to chaos... By the way, even from where I was sitting, I could see you were really enjoying Zen's speech!"
"Oh yes. He's a wonderful speaker!"
"Uh...huh...I wonder what else he's "wonderful" at?"
"BAP!!!" Christine turned red. "Just what are you implying?!"
"I don't have to IMPLY anything. That red face gives you away!"
"Stop Bap! You're awful!"
"Do you think he's cute?"
"I said he was a wonderful speaker."
"But do you think he's cute?"
"I don't see what this has to do with anything!"
"Christine! If you can't tell me, who can you tell?"
"Okay, well....maybe a little...."
"I knew it! But boy, you sure like aiming high when it comes to men!"
"I beg your pardon Bap! I said I thought he was cute. I do not recall saying I was "aiming" for him."
"Well, it's probably for the best. Not too many people know him. They say he spends a lot fo time in his isolated room, and isn't easy to talkto."
"He had such gentle eyes though..." thought Christine to herself.
"Check this out!", Bap said suddenly excited. "I've heard a rumor that he's never used a staff in his life! He doesn't need to!"
"What?!! Spontaneous magic creation? That's a myth. All mages draw theirpowers from their staffs. That's why staff making is so stressed at a young age!"
"And it's highly stressed here too. I'm just telling you what I've heard Christine. I've also heard his eyes glow red when he casts spells. Spooky, huh?"
"Oh, silly rumors. You said yourself no one really knows him, right?"
Bap and Christine took a narrow alley shortcut between two buildings. As they continued to walk, unnoticed now from public eyes, a mist began to swirl at their feet.
"BAP!", motioned Christine. "Do you see that?!"
"It's only a cheap illusion! Who's there? Come out!", yelled Bap.
A young man's voice came from a deep mist ahead of the two girls, "Well, well, if it isn't the great new student! Late to your own introduction!Your first day and already a disgrace to the Academy." Two figures came out of the mist.
