The Last of the Empyrean

Chapter 2 - Learning the Basics

The next morning we were up at dawn dressed in our uniforms. The 8 of us meet in the North corridor as instructed for our first class. "Welcome students to Magical Academic History.", Said Mrs. Cordelia, "In front of you are your required books, please take care of them". "In this class you'll learn the history of all magic in creation, and the founding of our school and the classes you'll be taking in future years.", she explained. "Now please open your books to chapter one.", she said. 

We started off the class learning a general history of magic. "Magic's was first documented in ancient times, where we were cast out and forced to live in caves and dark forests. However, as time passed humans began to see our potential, and welcomed us back into civilization. Soon we became highly sought after by kings and queens, and other noblemen.", she described. "But that wasn't the end of our troubles.", she continued. 

"Now mages live exceptionally long lives so we can serve man kind for generations, refining and perfecting our skills". "But we had a continuous central problem, where do new mages start?". "For thousands of years mages had to teach themselves how to control the chaos within and a lot of them ended up hurt or going to dark magic, by tampering with forces that should never be tampered with.", she explained.

Before she could continue on with her explanation a chime rang out. "That's all for today girls.", she said turning away from us to clean off her board. We gathered up our books and hastily made our way to our second class. Our second class of the day was in the Willow forest with Professor Marigold. Standing 5' 5" tall, this golden skinned woman had a free spirit feel about her. Her mid-back length, curly, dark brown hair blew freely in the breeze. She had an angular face with a rounded jaw, an aquiline nose, puffy lips, and her large honey brown eyes were deep set below tick brows.  She was wearing a long flowing pale green dress with gold edging; underneath a forest green cloak with similar gold edging and walked around barefoot. "Welcome girls, to the study of earth magic.", she said invitingly. 

"Now, earth magic is different from your elemental studies. Earth magic is connecting with the earth around us. The earth is where we draw our power from and we must communicate with her in order to harness and refine our skills.", she explained. "Please everyone gather around.", she instructed. We gathered around the largest tree in the woods, "This is the elder tree, it is the oldest tree in our realm, and it is one of the four sources we draw our power from". "Now as you make your way trough your years here at Ebbaron you will hone your skills in all of the elements, but you will excel with one specific element, and there is four spires on the grounds you will draw energy from the elder tree is one of them.", she explained. "You draw your power from the elder tree right Professor Marigold?", I asked. She smiled kindly and said, "Yes Alana, very good assessment". 

"Now I want all of you to place your hands on the elder tree.", she instructed. Camille scoffed and rolled her eyes. "There's no need to talk Miss. Alvorey, please just place your hands on the base of the tree.", she instructed. I herd her whisper to the others, "she looks like a tree". "Why don't you just do as your told, quietly.", I retorted. "Ladies' please, can we get back to the lesson.", she scolded. "Whatever.", Camille snorted. We placed our hands on the tree. "Now close your eyes and feel the energy flowing through the tree and into your being.", she said. We did as we were in instructed, and she began to chant, "Kaliayiious Auxdynia". "Now repeat after me girls. 'Kaliayiious.' 'Auxdynia.' " We chanted along with her and soon I began to feel the energy pulse through the tree, like a heartbeat.

We were all in amazement as the power surged from the base of the elder tree. Not long after the chimes rang out. "That's all for today girls. Its now your free hour, this is your time to eat, study, and socialize.", she said. After our free period we made our way to our third class of the day. It was in a large open room with nine large fluffy brightly colored pillows; eight of them made a circle with the ninth in the center of the circle. We stood there confused when a voice rang out, "Please! please! Find a pillow and have a seat.", It said. We all sat on one of the pillows in a circle, still unaware of where the voice was coming from.