Vendetta's Rise (The Dragon Realms Saga: Book 1)

Chapter 20

The Verdant Academy of Lost Dawns was the newly established school for green mages within the kingdom of Long Whisper. Koda had spent the last six months within its high walls and winding hallways, studying the ways of malleable magic. Long ago, the Council of Mages learned to tame the chaotic energy of raw Magi and shape it into each of the seven elements, or spheres. Mage schools could be found all over the five realms and each one was dedicated to a single sphere. Once a student mastered their school's sphere, they were given a colored sash that represented it. Purple for light, black for shadow, red for fire, blue for water, brown for earth, white for wind, and green for vernal. Only upon earning their sash were students given the title of Mage. If they wished to further their knowledge and gain the other six sashes, they had to travel to the schools of other spheres. There, they had to earn the right to enroll by defeating a mage of that sphere in single combat. If a student mastered all seven spheres, they were given the prestigious title of Archmage. To Koda's knowledge, only two mages had ever achieved such a feat.

"Disciple Koda, you have shown the aptitude of one whom has been around magic all his life. We are not surprised by the way you grip the concept of vernal magic. You tame like a true master. However, we are unsure if we are ready to consider you a Green Mage."

Koda stood in front of a small council of his teachers within a large lecture hall. He fidgeted with the stuffy green scholar robes and nervously gripped the silver sash that was wrapped tightly around his waist. The teachers before him were human, and all of them had traveled from across the globe to teach at this new school. Despite their time studying vernal magic in vast forests, none had seen an elder tree, and never would have imagined that a city would be erected around one. These four teachers were unaware of Koda's history with with far more volatile magic. Learning vernal magic came easily to him.

"I do not understand. I'm the top of my class and have learned all there is that you could possibly teach me. I can restore the Autumn leaf to its Summer state. I can cause a forest to blossom in the driest desert. Why am I still not ready to be a Green Mage?"

"You are untested in applying your skills," declared a new voice coming from the entrance behind the young elf.

Koda spun around to find himself face to face with a tall human woman with broad shoulders. Her face was aged, but toned. Her hair was red with twin streaks of gray on either side of her head. She bore the robes of a Green Mage, but her sash was gold with a blue strand. She was Megan Silverson, headmaster of the Verdant Academy.

"All I have been learning is how to apply my skills," Koda said, still a little taken aback by the headmaster's appearance.

"And yet you have no combat training," she replied, sternly.

"Combat? Why do I need combat training?"

Megan's eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms. "You are young and naive. You have not seen war, but you may in the future. Magic is not a piece of art to be admired in a gallery. It is a weapon meant to be harnessed."

"Then I question your ability to teach! Magic is meant to be respected! 'A weapon, meant to be harnessed'. You know nothing!" Koda shouted, thrusting his finger at Megan.

Megan paced around the student, brushing off his words. "It is true that magic is to be respected. It is a powerful energy, still not completely understood by even the Mage Council. It is a tool that can benefit this world, but if it were to fall into the wrong hands—which it will one day—what then, Disciple Koda? Do we let our enemies trample us, enslave us, and bring those too weak to fight to the brink of extinction?"

Koda was silent. Everything Xile had taught him was diametrically opposed to the ideas before him. He had always been told to treat the Magi as a force to be revered and respected, not to be harnessed for power and personal gain.