The Arcane Tides

Kael followed the others down off the dias after the headmaster had given his little introduction. Their names had been read off, and despite the thunderous applause from the crowd, the sound of Li screaming that he did it would be etched into his memory forever. It was worth the wait. As he made it back stage, a body slammed into him, hugging him fiercely. He was a little shocked as it had been unexpected, but there was Youichi, behind whom stood Andre, grinning from ear to ear. This made him hug her back just as fiercely. Though they had come to visit often, it wasn't nearly so often as he'd liked. Youichi, spurned on by Kael's information, had begun studying magic just a few weeks after he left. She had become one of the most intense and well versed researchers of magical history and theory in all of Aumber Vale.

So much so, that she had been granted admission by the government to Aumber Vale Academy of Mages as a researcher. Her text on the theory of intangible gate energy had led to the discovery of multitudes of lost magicks- such as gate teleportation and realm theory. She was attending the Academy in order to learn under Romero Stayanoga, the renowned magical researcher. On top of that, she'd likely take classes with Professor Thorse as well in magical theory. Andre was forced to up his game- with the one he planned to marry laying stones for the foundation of her future, he couldn't let her off without him.

He'd trained as an Aura Warrior. People who fought with the blade had little talent for sensing Aether. Instead, they used their internal energy to fight, enhancing their bodies strength, speed and defense to superhuman levels. They were looked down upon in the academy, but not outright ostracized like the researchers. Talentless in magic and Aetheric manipulation, researchers were seen as the jealous observers and were quite few in student numbers for that reason. Once they left the school, whoever, they could gain widespread fame and wealth not only in the Vale but across the entire continent of Nemeia. For now, he would tack her security onto his name, and as such it was best that everyone in the room who was staring at him watched as he laughed and wrapped his arms around her. As they separated, he could feel their ugly glares cast in their direction.

In turn, he slowly brought his own eyes toward them, his own glare fierce and wicked with promise. They glowed with a low green hum, pulsing in the room. This caused Youichi and Andre to pause in their greeting as the rest of the room seemed to shiver. His voice seemed like a whisper but still carried well.

"We seem to have an audience….shall I pluck out their eyes?"

What he said seemed more fitting for an evil edgelord than a new student, but the school was far more than a carefree academy. They loved to push the idea of equality but in order to craft mages capable of scaring the rest of the continent into submission they needed to forge their students in fire. Doing so by pitting them against one another seemed the surest method available. "Steel tempers steel", and all that.

"Do you think you can?"

One of the students, wearing the patch "3" and followed by patches "7" and "5" stood up, walking over to him with their hands in their pockets. Tawar Ore Evreux, son of Baron Kerlyn Ore Evereux. A wicked boy who had made his life a living hell when he'd last attended the academy. He'd died early in his last life- and not to the war, either. He'd been able to avoid that by using his fathers money and connections. No, he'd died to drug overdose- apparently, with a strong desire to grow in power fueling him, he'd thought taking more potions meant more success. His body overloaded with Aether and disintegrated.

With his masters reputation on the mend, many of her early writings were being revisited including Aetheric poisoning and overdose. Kael could tell that the nobles weren't taking chances- in his last life, Tawar had been number one. For him to be 3 meant they had slowed his intake of additives, perhaps even forcing him to train. He looked stronger, and much more alert than before. Of course, his mana pool was still just as deep, and his body hummed with power. Still, the glow in Kaels eyes was much brighter than Tawar, who failed to notice as he continued.

"Do you think you're capable of harming anyone here, with a well of power only two hundred and twenty points deep? Your family must've spent a load of money to buy you that badge, huh?"

There were whispers and murmurs among those behind, with many letting the fear slide away to scorn. Kael took a step forward- much to Tawar's internal shock. Surrounding the boy was a wall of Aetheric energy that only someone at least as strong as him should be able to enter. His pool was almost eight hundred points. This shouldn't be possible. Still, he left nothing show on his face except the growing scowl as Kael leaned in with a smirk.

"Sorry kid, but my family is broke. But since you're curious how I got number two, be glad its you and me up in the first match."

He looked back at Youichi and Andre, seeming not to care about the energy that was still bombarding him from Tawar. He gestured for his friends to follow him.

"You'll get to see first hand that numbers are meaningless when it comes to magic."

He brushed past Tawar, heading through the group of the still whispering 32 tournament students as he made his way toward the secondary hall, where the rest of the students had gathered and were talking in groups. Once there, Andre burst out-

"WOAH! That was bad ASS!" Kael just grinned. He had only heard from them a few weeks prior regarding their acceptance and he had to admit that he couldn't be happier to see them. He put a hand behind his head and grinned. "Nah, it was nothin'." He didn't want Andre and Youichi involved in too many conflicts with the higher ups in this place- instead, he just wanted them to be looked after.

Youichi scowled, however.

"That guy was a grade A douchebag, Kael. And he seemed…I don't know. Scary. Are you going to be okay?"

Kael sighed and shrugged.

"Who knows…you guys will have to watch the tournament to find out."

A sound echoed throughout the school- four chiming bells. Indicating that tournament mages should make their way down to the arena. He walked over and put his hand on Andre and Youichi's shoulders.

"Listen…I'm going to shake things up around this place, so if anyone ever mistreats either of you just tell them Kaelan Sylmoira will sort it out, okay?" They frowned, wondering what he meant by that but Kaelan turned and started off, waving over his shoulder. "Thanks for stopping by to say hi…make sure to get good seats for the show!" Then he started jogging, heading off in the opposite direction they would be going. Youichi chewed her lip as she watched Kael go, bringing her hand to her chest.

"We didn't even get to tell him…."

Andre grinned.

"Don't worry, Youichi. Somethings tells me…Kael already knows we're engaged. It's just a formality at this point."

_____________________

Kael stood at the opposite end of a raised combat platform, watching Tawar as the boy removed his cape and tossed it into his colleagues arms. The boy had red hair that stuck up in different directions, an obvious attempt to appear uncaring for his looks. Truth was he was vain and conceited. He couldn't have fathomed not one but two people buying their way into the competition like this. The girl was the daughter of Duke Van Nellis, so her taking first place was no surprise. But a commoner? How was it possible that someone without royal blood stood a level above the rest? And with such a paltry excuse for a mana pool? There had to be something wrong with it. The system was flawed and Tawar would prove it.

"In our first round, we have Tawar Ore Evreux against Kaelan Sylmoira. Lets begin!"

Tawar smirked as fire begin to rumble around his feet.

"Hope your family can afford magical surgery, kid."

KOOM-

Where Tawar had stood, there now stood Kaelan. His hands were still in his pockets. Tawar was nowhere to be seen for a moment, before a KRRRRK sound could be heard. His body fell out of the stone wall of surrounding the platform which made up the base of the arena stands. His eyes were white and blood was leaking from his mouth as his body pitched forward, hitting the ground with a THOOF. Everything was silent for the moment before-

"WOAAAAAAAAH!" Raucous cheering exploded, the magical screens around the arena rewinding and moving in slow motion. As Tawar said "kid", Kael could be seen whispering something before a circular explosion detonated near Kaels back, propelling his body to near invisible speeds forward as his knee smashed into Tawars chest, fracturing several ribs and sending his body shooting backward to smash into the wall.

"WE HAVE A WINNER! KAELAN SYLMOIRA TAKES ROUND ONE IN A STUNNING, LIGHTNING FINISH!"

Kaelan looked around the stands, holding up a hand as nurses and a field doctor raced over toward him, kneeling on the ground next to the unconscious boy. Kael started down the steps, waving to the crowd as he did so.

"That has to be the fastest finish we have seen in a tournament fight in decades! And whispered incantation! Keep in mind for the uninitiated, this is something seniors learn, and is usually only available to students who have already graduated or established themselves in the field! Well well, it seems his number wasn't just for show!"

Kael missed the rest as he made it back stage. The other contestants now stared at him as he walked by- several of them in awe. Then, another voice-

"Heh, you just can't help but show off can you, Mr. Klein?" A girl stepped up, wearing the same outfit as himself with the number 1 pinned to her chest. She had long Auburn hair that was tied back in a long ponytail which shot straight down her back. One hand was on her hip and a crooked smile was on her face. Her eyes, a dark purple with golden flecks around the pupil couldn't stop smiling themselves.

"Guess I should start calling you Kael now, huh?"

Kael, surprised by her voice, took a step back in shock and embarrassment. She just HAD to remember him using a fake name for all of five minutes when they were younger. Of course she did- and she wasn't about to let him live it down either. He chuckled a little nervously.

"R-right…" He cleared his throat and stood straight, giving a sharp bow. "Pleasure to meeting you again, Guinevere Van Nellis."

She grinned.

"I believe I told you to call me Gwen."