The Summoner's Mark (First Draft) (Book One)

A Path to Follow

Sin along with the other newest Dark Mage within the walls of Kanerra stood in front of Sylris within a small building that was set up quite a way, from the main portion of the Academy. Though Sin knew from hearing Sylris speak within the classroom that he had another student; he didn't think that this said student would be present within the first class that they had with their new instructor.

Feeling that it wouldn't be of any good for him to become nervous in the presence of an older student; Sin decided that he would focus on the details of the two students that he assumed he would be spending quite a bit of time with.

The first individual that Sin allowed his gaze to travel to, was the other first year that was known as Lucius Rani and while Lucius was human; he didn't give off any suggestions that he was thinking horrible thoughts about him. Lucius had vibrant black hair that matched Sin's own while the skin tone that the human had was much lighter than Sin's. Considering that most Orcs were taller than the average human; Sin thought that he would be as well since Orc blood flowed through his veins though upon a closer inspection, Sin could see that Lucius was at least a couple inches taller than he was though he was much thinner.

Just like how his mind was running through potential scenarios when he had first met Castien, Sin's mind once again did this when as he gazed at the pale skinned human before him. "Why is it that the male students that keep appearing before me, have to look so striking?" Sin questioned as he turned his attention from Lucius and towards the older student that he hadn't learned the name of yet.

This student, just like Lucius; was also human as well as male. Though this was the end of the similarities between the two. While Lucius has dark hair and a light complexion; this older male had hair that was so light that it looked as if it were purely made from freshly fallen snow which contradicted the slightly darker complexion of the other male.

Even with the looks between the two males vary drastically; Sin thought that the older student was just as handsome as either Castien or Lucius. Feeling like he may eventually cause both students that he would become acquainted with to feel uncomfortable if he continued to examine them so thoroughly; Sin decided to turn his gaze back towards his instructor which happened to prompt the elf to speak once more.

"Sin. Lucius. I welcome both of you to my class and while it is a small one and not one that gets much recognition within the Academy; the size of the class will allow me to have more one-on-one attention with you compared to some of the other classes within Kanerra..." Sylris explained as he turned his attention towards his older student. "...before anyone can ask. This is Nohki Yue and while he may not look like it, he is a brilliant Dark Mage." Sylris informed the group while placing his hand upon the now named Nohki's shoulder.

Gratitude filed through Sin's body at learning Nohki's name and since there might not be much time spent with the other male where he would be able to learn his name on his own; Sin was thankful that Sylris gave him this information. Even though he was thankful at learning what the older student was called, his mind started forming many questions that he wished to have the answer to and as such; he was raising his hand to get Sylris's attention even though it may not be necessary since there were only four of them within the building that they were in.

Due to the size of his class, Sylris couldn't ignore Sin's hand which might have been the reason that he motioned for him to speak. "Is there a particular reason that Kanerra doesn't have an influx of Dark Mages?" Sin asked as he gazed upon his instructor with an earnest need for knowledge.

Seeing one of the truest aspects of any great Mage seeping from every pore upon Sin's body; Sylris granted him a small smile before responding to the question that he had asked. "Many beings within this world think that someone's nature is predetermined though you will come to learn that many of the most horrendous beings have become that way due to being molded in that manor. Whether this is from trauma or a blinding desire for revenge, no one's nature is preset, and this includes that of magical natures..." Sylris explained and due to the long-winded nature of his explanation, he had to take a break before starting once more. "...I have come to learn that by the time that someone reaches the age of sixteen, much of their being has already been formed and to gain a nature such as what you need to perform Black Magic; that being has to have had a past that was shrouded in more darkness than light." Sylris finished.

Hearing this only caused more question to appear within his mind and though he wished to give a voice to these questions; he could tell that their instructor wished to move on to more important topics than the ones that were within Sin's mind. Considering that Sin didn't wish to cause this Mage to detest him in the same fashion that Sten did; Sin felt that it would be best to save his questions for another time.

When Sylris was sure than he wasn't going to be blasted into next year by a bombardment of assorted questions, he moved onto the reason that he had brought his newest students here.

"During your first year here, you will not be allowed to focus on any other magical studies besides that of your natural affinity and during that year you must prove your blossoming mastery over this field by earning achievements in certain areas." Sylris informed the two new students.

This came as a surprise to Sin especially since not one other Mage had mentioned such a thing during the time that he had spent exploring the Academy in the weeks before the school year started. Once again, Sin was about to give a voice to the questions that were forming within his mind though once again he stopped himself because of the fear that he would make his instructor despise him before he was able to learn anything.

Seeing that no one was going to interrupt what he was planning to say by asking a tirade of questions, Sylris's voice once again came flowing out around them. "Now I don't want you to feel that by following this you will be missing out on chances to learn or that we are forcing every student within a school of magic to become the same since there are multiple paths that each of you can follow. Within our class, you will be able to learn three out of the four magic disciplines; these disciplines include Curse Magic, Shadow Magic as well as Summoning." Sylris explained.

Each of the disciplines that Sylris had just listed off to them seemed like a path that Sin himself would like to partake in though this didn't stop more questions from forming within him. "What is the fourth discipline that we aren't able to spend time learning?" Sin asked himself as he noticed Sylris preparing to speak once more. Not wanting to have another incident like the one with Sierra back in the classroom; Sin pulled himself from his mind before anyone was able to ask something of him.

"For the remainder of this week I am wanting you to think on which path that you will follow and then inform me of your decision." Sylris spoke out while motioning with his hand.

At first Sin didn't know what the motion meant though when both Sylris and Nohki turned away from them, he assumed that Sylris was dismissing them from class and when he noticed that Lucius had started making his way towards the exit of the building they were in; Sin decided that he would do the same.

*

Considering that Sin wasn't directed to another class after being released by Sylris, Sin decided that he would make his way to his dorm room. Due to the location of the building that the Dark Mages used for training, Sin had a distance that he had to walk and by the time that he had reached the area that was his domain; he had almost forgotten the reason that he had come back to his room to begin with.

Quickly heading towards the bookshelf that he had set up within his room; Sin searched for the volume that he had purchased on Black Magic and since there were only five books upon the shelf, Sin had no issue in locating the tome he was searching for.

Once Sin had the tome within his hand, his eyes drifted to his bed which is where he had first planned to read the volume though as he stared at the area that was bound to cause him to fall asleep; Sin feared that allowing his body to become to comfortable after the day that he had would cause him to miss out on a chance to study and as such he turned away from his bed and made his way towards the table that was set up within the central area of the dorm.