Machinist of Mana

The little carriage rolled towards my future home for the next few years, the campus pulling itself from the ever-present mist. We were just outside the city, the walls and towers of the metropolis visible from the small rise this place was set upon, still shrouded in the morning fog.

Exion Boys Knight Academy was young, modern, and considered quite a good institution for its kind. There were other academies for those with physical magic, the one in the capitol had the best reputation, but this one was certainly rising quickly through the rankings. Some of those were for boys, some only for girls, a few were mixed, though that was getting less common these days for some reason.

Of course there were mage academies for those using other forms of magic as well. Well, there was really only one of note The Royal Penumbra Academy was where any spell-slinger wanted to go, assuming they could get in. It differed from many of the others in a few ways, the primary being entrance. Only members of the royal family were given reserved spots, all others were by merit alone. Anyone could take their exams, and since the royal family owned and supported it, any could attend. Sadly that particular institution didn't teach physical magic.

The gates opened on their own as the carriages approached, we were expected after all. Upon getting out I saw one of my old friends, Lucas. He'd arrived earlier than me and even come to say hello, promising considering how often he tried to fight me.

“Been awhile,” I said as he came near.

“It has, how do things fare there Percival? Ready for all the classes? Dueling I assume you'll do fine.” There was an undercurrent there, he didn't just assume it, he expected it, being that I beat him in just over half of our matches.

“I think it'll go well. How about you? I heard you're going hunting a lot more.”

“Been talking to mother then?” he asked.

“She visited last month, and as you know those two are constantly sending letters,” I said, referring to our parents who still seemed determined to play matchmaker.

“Bah to them, I like hunting. Nothing around here though, not even sure why they have that.” He nodded to the wall and I looked.

It was subtle, but there was a shimmer to the air. Without enhanced senses I'd never have seen it, never have been able to pick it out from the background. As it was I only noticed because he pointed to it, but I'd assumed it would be there anyway.

“Come now, everywhere of any worth is shielded. Even if there's not been a monster attack of size here on Exion in what eighty years? Still need one just in case.” It was policy, as everywhere had to deal with small incursions now and then, not something anybody wanted.

“Eighty-seven, and even that was supposedly mild. Wouldn't you love something like that, one of the great battles against hordes of beasts. Good way to prove yourself a hero.” There was a glint in his eye as he spoke, a hungry look.

“Not really no. Peace may be boring, but I'd rather be bored than see innocents suffer.”

“You know, you're a real killjoy Percival. Can't you at least let me dream?” Lucas complained.

“How about this dream then, the biggest most dangerous weapons unloaded on anything that has the potential to become a threat. Cannons capable of turning hills into craters before we can lead men in to mop up the remainder with fire and steel. After all, the best way to have peace is to be ready for war, that and destroy your enemy before they can become powerful.”

“Ah, there it is my friend,” he said with a smile. “I knew you had it in you.”

He nudged me in the ribs and we headed in. There were staff to unload belongings, and my being here would both stress them and get in their way. That fact still pinged in my brain as rude or wrong a lot, but I'd worked hard to ignore it over the years. Servants often didn't want their bosses breathing down their necks though, and so long as they were doing their jobs my doing so would only be a detriment.

“Back on the track for our education, any teachers I should watch out for?” I inquired.

“Oh Keens is a right monster, expects you to read his mind and answer questions he frankly didn't ask. I also heard we got a new Civics teacher too, though not much about him,” he said, clicking his tongue.

“Killic, met him on the way here, seems to have high expectations, but not a bad guy overall,” I mused.

“Good to know. Hmm, other than that and in case nobody's warned you keep well and away from the female staff. Not many of them, but you don't want to get caught in any 'improper' behavior with such, instant expulsion most of the time.” His voice was serious and eyes hard. “Not that there are many to begin with, but that's policy here. No cavorting, frolicking, or otherwise with the girls who work here, not that there are many. Also doesn't matter if they're into it, the Headmaster physically threw a lad out last year after he was caught with a cook. I hear their together now though.”

I almost scoffed. “There are what, five hundred here between fourteen and eighteen, and you're telling me that not a one has a mistress, or girlfriend, or something of the like?”

“What? No,” he said, shaking his head. “Specifically with the girls who work here. We can go into town one day a week, lots of the lads have such. A few of the seniors are even married, don't know how they work that out though.”

The next hour was spent with Lucas showing me around. Regardless of anything else he seemed to have decided to take on a 'big brother' sort of role, letting me know about the best ways to get between classes, the tastiest items to get for each meal, even some hints on some of the books I might need to look over depending on what was being taught.

I knew some of Lucas' friends, either from the many dinners I'd been to over the years, or some of the tourneys. He took the time to point out those we passed and introduce us letting it be known that he and I were old acquaintances.

By the time it was all done I was tired, and retired back to my dorm. Each was a suite, with five rooms, four for us new students and one for an elder one around a central juncture. The senior would function as a sort of RA from a college, making sure we were doing all the things we were supposed to, but he wasn't here yet. The central area has some couches, and basics for preparing tea or otherwise lounging around.

My own room was fairly basic as far as these things went. There was a comfortable bed, with sheets and curtains to keep in the heat, a sizable wardrobe already stocked with school uniforms, and a desk, basic, but quite workable. The floors were hardwood, and polished, simple and clean.

I could work with this, I could work with this easily.