The Fair wife

Chapter 1

"The source of magic is provided through the sacred power of the universe" the teenager dressed in blue robes with a six star emblem on the breast said. "In order to harness the power we must first request the use of it" As he said this he closed his eyes and began chanting: "oh divine aqua I request thee to let me use thy source; grant me water orb". In the front of him formed a small sphere of water that shimmered in the light and distorted both sides of the room, like sea glass. "Another thing that is important for the use of magic is imagination. We have to imagine what we want and saying it out loud allows us to easily visualise it"

The boy of ten seriously nodded his head as he sat focused on the teacher's lessons. Seeing this, the teenager smiled. "Of course if you're accepted into the Imperial Academy like me then you can learn all this and have the best resources as well".

"Is it really hard to get in? Can Duke get in?" a childish voice suddenly asked from the door. Both males turned to see a small boy of eight standing there. With big upturned black eyes, small red lips and extremely pale skin the child was like an oriental doll.

Surprise flickered across the teenagers face; this was the first time that he was meeting the youngest sibling since he began this part time work. And from what he could see, the two brothers were worlds apart. It wasn't that they didn't share similar features, it was more like their personalities and auras were too different. "The difficulty is high, but I'm sure your brother will be fine" the teenager said with a comforting smile to the nervous Duke who let out a relieved breath.

"Alex, what are you doing here anyway?" Duke asked as he hopped down from his chair and walked over to his brother. Alex smiled crookedly and shrugged small shoulders into the air. "I was bored with the classes" he said on a sigh as he remembered sitting in the same position studying history. "It's always the same thing in every subject that it's beginning to get boring..."

At first when he had started covering his subjects in preparation of when he would finally be allowed to attend magic school at the age of ten, the boy had been excited, finally being able to learn something of this world he was now in. However, after coming to the realization that he was mostly re-studying everything already learnt from his previous life he had been exceptionally depressed. He wasn't smart, neither was he dumb, so his grades were at best average; only a bit better now because he was re-covering everything. Sighing, Alex for a brief moment recalled the entirety that had happened to him the moment he had opened his eyes and discovered that he was born as a baby. 

Initially, magic had brightened up his days; although just as quickly reality had made itself known. Although he could read all about magic, he couldn't practice it until he was ten and his magic core finished maturing. Moreover, it was dependent on the size and quality of the magic core that would determine a person's acceptance to a school since it alluded to the talent of an individual. His brother Duke was taking such an exam where they evaluated his matured core and then gave him series of tests to determine if he was qualified; since there were other aspects that contributed to a successful mage as well. Of course, not everyone had a magic core, a majority of individuals didn't, and those that don't took up other jobs, such as working as a soldier or a knight where they practiced 'Gi'. Sharing the same campus with the Imperial magic Academy was the Imperial Martial Arts Academy.

"You can't say it's boring" Duke said as he pet Alex's hair with a small smile. He towered over his brother by a good bit so he had the privilege of looking down for once.

"But it is and Professor Binn's is so...boring" Alex pointed out with a huff and a dramatic roll of his eyes. Duke's shoulders seemed to finally lighten up as he laughed under his breath.

"Okay" he replied. "How about we go eat some cake then?"

Alex looked at his brother with an approving glance, his face speaking volumes of his willingness. Before leaving however, Duke turned to the teenager to make sure it was alright before bowing his thanks, making his brother follow suit by pressing down on his head with his hand.

"Thank you for everything" Duke politely said as Alex began tugging his brother away, making him slightly stumble. The teenager laughed and waved his hand in a gesture to 'go'. Once more thanking him, Duke followed his brother to the greenhouse, wanting to tell him off about his rude behaviour but in the end not having the heart to when he saw Alex's eagerly happy appearance.

"I wonder what it'll be today" Alex said as he tapped his chin with a pale finger. "I hope its strawberries".

"Coffee's the best" Duke replied as Alex shot him a frown.

Scoffing he said: "who are you trying to impress? You're only ten"

"Some of us need to grow up"

Rolling his eyes, the two boys made their way into the greenhouse and sat at the small table in the centre of the room which held a pale pink cake. One of the maids came from the side pushing a trolley with tea and carefully sliced a piece for each boy, placing it on the fine china plates.

"Young masters" she said before bowing and walking away to stand to the side, waiting for when they called on her.

"I win" Alex smugly said as he picked up a small silver fork and sliced into the cake, his eyes brightened with joy.