Ito works during the day at a library in the education district. The caste system of Shadenrose necessitates that servants like Itonus fulfill menial roles or hard labor. Itonus doesn't like the system, but as far as unfair goes, Shadenrose does it's best. No one starves and health of servants is considered a priority. The major issue revolves a servants ability to choose their lifestyle. Servants cannot choose their jobs, when they work, and typically aren't offered any form of advanced education.
Itonus is lucky. His role, although boring, isn't dangerous and War Chief Osirik has a soft spot for him, so he allows his daughter to tutor him before work.
"Good morning, Itonus," says a white haired girl named Persenu. Persenu was tall and slender, but as the daughter of the War Chief, she is a fierce fighter and could become a Warrior if she wanted to. Itonus is pretty sure she's been offered a trial and must've turned it down, because she doesn't seem interested in leaving the library for the battlefield.
"Good morning, Persy," Ito says and bows.
She bows in return, then performs a hand motion in the air. Itonus watches closely.
"That was the root of life."
"Good," Persenu says, proceeding to string together hand motions.
"Ok, wait-"
"You know this," she says and perform the motion again.
"Root of light, destruction core, and compression," Itonus says, trying hard to remember, "You're casting a flash spell."
"Now you do it," Persenu does the motion one last time, and Itonus tries his best to imitate.
"Like that?" Itonus looks to her with uncertainty.
"Very close, but you bent your thumb on your right hand when you motioned for light. Only bend your left thumb."
Frustrated, Itonus does the motion again while leaving his right thumb unbent.
"On release, your elbows were low. Perpendicular to your chest."
Itonus watches as Persenu performs that flash spell again, then makes another attempt.
"That was exactly right. Do it again."
An hour passes while Itonus is ruthlessly drilled on the same motion. Persenu's patience is unrivaled, showing no frustration with the multitude of failures.
"You'll show me that spell tomorrow, don't forget," Persenu says before walking over to the front door of the library, "And before we open, show me an enchantment spell."
Itonus grabs a book from a shelf and performs a fire enchantment spell on it that seems to impress Persenu.
"If you were a caster, that book would be ashes."
"I hate this book," Itonus places A Guide to Full Body Spells back on the shelf, pleased with his quick thinking.
The book was written by Gilus Wik, the only recorded full body caster. Although he is exceptional, Itonus knows from experience that Gilus shouldn't be writing anything that could be called a guide.
"I'm surprised, honestly," Persenu says as she casts a light spell. Tiny orbs of light fly from her hands to nestle against walls, in corners, and onto windows to inform patrons that the library is open. "You're the king of learning magic you can't use, so why not learn full body?"
"Gilus can't even use full body," Itonus begins taking books from a return stack and placing them back on the shelves, "He nearly set me on fire while trying to show off a water root spell. I'd say I lost interest about that time."
YOU ARE READING
The Great Aurora
FantasyItonus Wingsong comes to terms with his shortcomings as a fighter as well his relationship with Aurora Goldmane, the Princess of Shadenrose and talented spell caster. He must dissolve his desire to be the hero in order to become one.
