Pantheon High

Chapter 5: My First Mission

I stood in class, practicing magic with the other students. I didn't have to shout out my spells anymore, I could do so nonverbally. Our teacher was having each student try to copy the spells he cast.

“Alright class,” he began, “This next spell will be trickier than the others. It's about maintaining the magic.” he held up his hand and focused. A ball of light appeared over his palm and hovered there. The class oooh-ed and aaaaah-ed as he slowly moved the ball of light around. “Now,” he began, “Try to replicate this spell.”

We all started doing attempts at the spell we'd just seen. I noticed when the people around me tried it, they just shot beams of light at the ceiling rather than forming light orbs. I thought of the teacher's demonstration, remembering how his hand was positioned and how much energy he seemed to put into it. I held up my hand, mimicking his movements, and focused. For a second, a ball of light appeared in my hand, but an instant later, it vanished. I tried again, forming the light ball and focused my energy to maintain it.

“Very good Nano.” The teacher smiled as I managed to keep the orb maintained, “You're a fast learner.”

“Thanks sir.” I nodded as I stopped casting the spell and the orb vanished. The other students groaned as they could only make beams of light and couldn't form the orbs. All except Alia of course, who had a light orb in each hand. “Show off.” I muttered.

It had been a couple weeks since I started attending Pantheon High. I still wasn't the best with my sword, but I seemed to have a talent for learning spells fast. It felt awesome being able to do this type of stuff, like I was a hero in an RPG.

I later had lunch with Alia, John, Brian, and Lex.

“So I hear you're a little bit of a prodigy with magic.” John said as we ate.

“You heard right.” Alia smiled, “Nano has a gift for it.”

“Thath awthumb.” Lex said with her mouth full of food.

“Please don't talk with your mouth full…” Alia sighed. Lex finished chewing and swallowing her food.

“I said that's awesome.” Lex repeated.

“I'm not too good with magic myself.” John shrugged, “I prefer to focus on my swordsmanship.”

“Well you're both doing really well,” Alia began, “In fact I have news for you two. Tomorrow, the two of you will go on your first mission.” 

“Huh?” I asked.

“Really?” John gasped.

“Yep.” Alia smiled, “There's a small nest of demons causing trouble near a human town not far from here. You guys are gonna have to exterminate them before they actually hurt someone. And I'll be tagging along to make sure you guys do well.”

“You will?” I asked.

“Yeah.” she nodded, “Whenever a student goes on their first mission, they must be accompanied by a more experienced god to help if things get too rough.”

“Huh. Okay.” I shrugged.

“Guess that makes us partners for now.” John said, “I look forward to fighting alongside you.”

“Same to you.” I smiled.

“You guys better do good.” Lex said as she stuffed her mouth with food.

“We will.” John and I said at the same time.

The rest of the day passed quickly and before I knew it, I was abruptly woken up the next morning by Alia jumping on my bed.