Chapter 9: Years of Exploration
It's a long chapter this time! Since I never clarified where Ran had gone in the years she was away from Kou, here it is! By the way, I never said Ran's sibling was a boy, and her village could have been destroyed in order to influence her to fall into depravity.
Ran never completely understood who she was. For one thing, she knew that she was a Kou citizen by birth, lived in a small village in the east, and had a happy family.
She had been able to see bird-like creatures around her ever since she was born. Yet, when she had been old enough to talk, no one had believed her, it was only her grandmother who had consoled her, telling Ran that she believed her.
Age 3, In a village far in the east of Kou
" Grandma! Grandma! I can see them! They're floating around you! " The three-year-old girl ran towards her grandmother, pointing at the empty air beside the woman.
" Oh, really, Ran? What color are they? How do they move? " Her grandmother was a kind woman who loved cracking jokes and spoiling her only granddaughter; in Ran's eyes, she was the best granddmother she could have.
" They float around you, though sometimes they could fly, and they flap their wings too, like birds! " The pure joy on the young girl's face was obvious, grinning broadly.
" Oh and, they're in their normal color, yellow. " She cutely tilted her head, sitting on her grandmother's lap.
" I see. Could you show them to me one day? I'm afraid I can't see them like you do, " Her grandmother chuckled, as Ran nodded furiously.
" Yeah, I'll definitely do that! " She beamed, making the old woman pat her head.
" Ran, dear, do you mind helping me in the garden? " Her mother called out, making Ran jolt.
Right. She was supposed to help her mother in the garden today.
" Don't worry, you can tell me about the birds another time. Now be an obedient girl and go help your mother. " climbimg down from her grandmother's lap, Ran hugged the old woman once again, before dashing towards the garden beside their small but cozy home.
Age 4, In a village far in the east of Kou
As she grew older, she constantly had dreams, of another world, with intelligent forms of creatures, magic, and magicians. At first, it was just small fragments of images, but it grew to complete a whole scene. And after that, it rose to a completely different level.
She witnessed battles, cries of pain and joy, terror, fear. The scene looked so vivid, it often woke her up from her sleep. Ran began to see faces, so many faces, flashing through her mind. Some were either insignificant or blurry, as they passed so quickly that Ran didn't manage to get a good grasp of the minor details.
But as some were vague, a few had a clear portray of their faces. Namingly, a man with green hair, styled in a way that it resembles cat ears, and his brother, with purple hair and glasses. Another set was a man with silver-white hair, a huge ring piercing the left side of his mouth, and a huge eyepatch, with a woman with orange hair and big breasts, and a little child, which Ran assumed as their son, having the same hair color as his mother, and bright, sparkling eyes.
And the last four, which had left quite a memory on her.
A man with a huge build, light blue hair and glasses. The man is always being bullied by the green-haired man, calling him a "magic otaku". But he seems smart enough, just needs more socializing and help in getting a girlfriend. Next was a woman with messy brown hair, tied in two long pigtails, and matching brown eyes. They reflected warmth and kindness, yet Ran was dumbfounded when she saw the black bird-like creatures floating behind the woman. And she seemed so gentle at first sight..
As time passed by, Ran began receiving clearer pictures jn her dreams. This time, she saw a young man who looked like in his late teens, with dark blue hair, tied into a long braid. He had matching beautiful blue orbs, and a benevolent smile, yet his blunt remarks seemed to dull that trait of his. It appears that he was the leader of the 'good' magicians (in Ran's opinion), and destroyed control towers and severed the differences between the races in that world. By his side was a young woman with pink hair, small horn-like braids perched on both sides of her head, and a single braid under her long free hair. She was bizarre, and hated the young man at first, yet she came to love him, and became his queen. Yes, the young man became a king, but he never had a long reign. His country was destroyed as he was betrayed by one of his three magi, ending the young king's reign, and signifying the end of the world as well.
Ran's dream always ended there, and she never got to see what had happened next. It was like a missing piece of a puzzle, and Ran never bothered to know further.
It would go away. She often told herself. But it never did.
At the age of four, she also discovered that she was going to be an older sister soon. Her mother got pregnant in the beginning of autumn, and Ran was completely esctatic of the arrival of a new sibling.
But, she never got to see them.
Age 5, Remano, Reim Empire
When she turned five, Ran ventured the world on her own. She visited various places, seeking guidance under someone who was the same as her. Someone who could see those bird-like creatures.
She met a boy before she left, though she couldn't clearly remember his face anymore.
She first headed to Reim, hearing that a magi resides inside the country. But instead of meeting the said magi, she was almost caught and forced into slavery, when a man in his mid fifties claimed that she was his granddaughter. Shambal Ramal, she recalled. The man was kind enough to train her in magoi manipulation, otherwise known as Ki to the Yambala Tribe, as well as in martial arts, and gladiator fighting skills in the colosseum.
" No, that's not it, you have to control it upon your will, let it follow your every command. " The man said, as she took up a sword, trying to infuse it with her magoi.
She failed for weeks, until she managed to finally master the basics of magoi manipulation.
" Grandpa! I did it! " Ran was running through the halls, eager to show Shambal the results of her training, the older gladiators ruffling her hair in pride. Grandpa, she called him, as he cared for her like the grandpa she had when she was a baby, but passed away a few months after she was born.
" Good girl, Ran! I knew you were a smart one! " The man lifted her up in the air, and spun her several times before placing her down.
Afterwards, Shambal proceeded to train her on martial arts, and placed her on her first battle against a gladiator five months after she arrived in Reim. The girl was showing a significant improvement, and Shambal just had to test her to know how far has she progressed.
" Ready, warrior? " Ran neevously gulped, but stepped into the arena anyways.
Her opponent was a grown man, a gladiator she has never met before. His eyes reflected wildness, and the snarl on his face could be regarded as beastly.
" Wish me luck, grandpa! " Ran waved at Shambal before facing her opponent. Shambal waved back, and grinned, anticipating her improvements to show.
" Begin! " As the signal was given, the gladiator immediately lunged at Ran, recklessly swinging his sword. It managed to scrape her, causing her left arm to bleed. And without a warning, she was send flying to the wall with the man's kick.
" Ran! " She heard Shambal yelling her name.
" Remember, Ran. Even the most guarded man has an opening. Do not think that they are completely closed. You just have to find that opening, and attack immediately. " Recalling her tutor's words, Ran stood up, and ran towards the savage gladiator. She did a somersault in the air, landing on the tip of the gladiator's sword.
Flexibility. She discovered that gift after she completed the basics of Ki. That explains why she was able to climb and jump from tree to tree so easily back in her village.
Find the opening... She inspected the man's body, before using her Ki and transferred it into her sword. It glew brightly, and instantly slashed through the gladiator's blade.
" Why you little-" Using the leftover blade to secure her footing, Ran did another somersault, and applied her Ki on her right index finger.
As she floated in mid-air, Ran took the opportunity to strike the man's accupuncture point, which is located on the back part of his neck. The gladiator was immediately immobilized, falling into a deep slumber.
The audience thought she was going to die, yet it was the girl who emerged victorious. Ran had a broad grin on her face when she exited the colosseum.
Shambal could have never feel even prouder.
She stayed there for the rest of the year, but had to leave before she could ask for an audience with Reim's high priestess and magi, Scheherazade.
" I can't stay in one place for a long time, Grandpa. I'll miss you, but I promise to visit when I can. " Ran gave Shambal one last hug, and headed towards the port in Narpolia.
The colosseum felt completely different without the little girl's presence.
Age 6 (part one), Parthevia Empire
Ran decided that she would go to Parthevia next. She rode a caravan there, and gave the driver a plentiful amount of money before stopping at the capital, Csitephon.
" Aah, what's a little girl doing here? Mind if we big brothers take you somewhere? " Despite only being five, well, almost six, she knew not to trust such vicious looking men. They had nowhere near good intentions with her, obviously.
" This little girl isn't going anywhere with you brute men. " In a second, a punch was landed on the man's face.
Ran was pulled backwards, bumping onto a metal armor. A girl with light pink hair, peered on her face, examining the younger girl's features.
" A-Ah! It's the 'Poisonous Spider Princess! " One of the men shouted, before scampering away, going who knows where.
'Poisonous Spider Princess?' Ran's young mind pondered, as the girl clad in armor kneeled down in front of her, gently carressing her head.
" Are you alright? Did those men do anything to you? Oh, you poor thing, you must be scared! " Pulling Ran yo her embrace, the girl fussed over her, asking if the men had inflicted any injuries on her.
" No, onee-san. I'm fine. You rescued me before they could even lay a finger on me, thank you! " Ran's bright smile made the girl squeal, suffocating the red-haired girl.
Though, I could have dealt with them on my own. She shrugged, and accepted the hug.
" Princess! " Two voices came from behind the girl, it seemed that they were her servants.
" Oh, Sahel, Tamira. You came just right on time. " The said 'princess' stood up, holding Ran by her hand.
" Princess, who is this young girl? " The one who the 'princess' adressed as 'Tamira' asked.
" Oh, her. She was about to get kidnapped by some bandits when I saved her. Tell me, what is your name? " The taller girl inquired in a formal tone.
" I'm Ran. A pleasure to meet you, and thank you again for rescuing me! And your name, miss, if I may ask? " Ran's smile immediately stole the hearts of the attendants, swooning over her.
" I'm Serendine Dikumenowlz du Parthevia, first princess of Parthevia. You're a well-mannered one. " Serendine introduced herself, impressed by Ran's politeness.
" Princess, are you sure it is safe to tell this girl your name? " 'Sahel' worriedly asked, and Ran completely understood. Young as she may be, they were wary if her in case she was a spy or an assassin.
" What are you talking about, Sahel? She is a docile girl, and polite too, I couldn't imagine her being anything like an assassin. " Serendine argued, crossing her arms on her chest.
Not an assassin, but a gladiator at most. Ran thought in the back of her mind.
" But- "
" No buts, Tamira, I'm going to keep her and that's final. " Picking Ran up in her arms, Serendine entered her carriage, with her attendants frantically following behind her.
Ran forgot when was the last time she had a proper bath. Maybe a year ago? Before she went to the colosseum.
While she was in Reim, Ran almost had no time to have a warm bath except during winter. Training started as early as dawn, and finished late at night. Ran was no exception, they had acknowledged her as a full-fledged gladiator, thus requiring her to join them in their daily training. Also, she only had approximately about ten minutes to bathe, and 30 minutes to eat. Her long hair would only take longer time to clean, so she often settled with washing the dirt off her body, and then off to the mess hall. Though she occasionally visited the bath houses, if she had some money from fighting in the colosseum.
It reminded her that it felt so nice to finally have a proper bath, the maids scrubbing the dirt off from her head to toe. They used lavender-scented shampoo on her hair, scrubbing her scalps with the right amount of force applied. Her bubble bath had the same scent as the shampoo, and she blew bubbles while the maids dealt with her hair. After they were done, the girl was dressed in one of the princess' old dresses, and presented her to the said person.
" You look lovely, Ran! Now, let me take you to father, I'm sure he can provide another room for you, the palace has been lonely lately. " Serendine beamed, and led Ran past the servants, who threw her hostile looks as she and the princess passed by them.
Age 6 (part two), Csitephon, Parthevia Empire
The rest of the year was a thrilling experience for Ran.
In a particularly cool day in summer, she felt a strong surge of power, bird-like creatures flying towards the east, flying with zest. It was as if something huge had happened. The birds were jumpy; it seemed like it was informing her of a happy occasion.
After the king had granted her permission to stay for a year under Serendine's request, she spared no time in training herself. Shambal would have been disappointed if she just disregard her training aside. Summer came, and Ran made a shocking request to the pincess.
" Princess Seren, can I ask for a set of archery weapons? " Ran familiarly adresses the princess, who often played with her in her spare time.
" What would you do with those weapons, Ran? Aren't you too young to handle them? " Ran shook her head, much to the older girl's surprise.
" My grandmother sent me to Reim when I was five. I trained with gladiators there for a year, so do you mind if I'm asking for me to participate in your lessons? " She shuffled her feet, not daring to look at the older girl's eyes.
Serendine sighed. After a while, she learned that Ran was the persistent type, she would keep asking until Serendine allows her to do so, much to her chagrin.
" Alright. But you'll have to fight me first, and if I lose, I will let you participate in my training, including the poisoning lessons. I'll be waiting for you in the training grounds. " Smirking, she left, anticipating what the red-haired girl has in store for her.
Ran beamed, and cheered, giggling in joy.
" Yes! " She exclaimed to no one in particular, and headed towards the training grounds.
What she didn't expect was the cloth that covered her nose and mouth, rendering her unconscious.
Age 6 (part three), Magnostadt
The moment Ran opened her eyes, she wasn't in the halls of the royal palace in Parthevia. She wasn't in the training grounds either. Serendine must be worried about her. Where was she?
Ran tried moving her body around, but found her movements restrained by something.
Ropes? My hands and feet are bound.. where am I? Nevermind that, am I caught by slave traders again? Muffled sounds came from her mouth. Apparently, her mouth was gagged too.
Now she was panicking.
Looking around for something to cut the ropes with, she noticed a small shard of glass lying nearby, but quite far away from where she was. Then, she saw several bird-like creatures floating around, and idea clicked in her mind.
Focus, Ran, you can do this... She chanted repeatedly inside her mind, ordering the birds to bring the broken shard of glass to her wrist, and cut the ropes around her wrist loose. The shard fell half-way, but she struggled to command the birds, finally bringing the shard onto the ropes, and cut them.
I did it! She cheered in mind, frantically cutting the ropes that bound her feet. But as she prepared to escape from the dark room, blinding lights suddenly hit the room, instantly illuminating it. Ran had to shield her eyes from the light to make out several figures.
And middle-aged man, who looked like in his sixties, strode to where she was, and knelt in front of her.
" Don't be afraid, little one, we do not have intention to harm you. " Ran flinched when the man outstretched his hand to touch her, unconsciously stepping back. She removed the gag covering her mouth on ger won, and threw it to the side.
This man kidnapped me from Parthevia? Where am I now? Am I in danger? Who is he? How can I esca-
" Easy, brat. We only saved you from those savage Parthevians, their princess was about to fight you to death. " A purple haired man snorted, standing beside the crippled old man.
Seren was trying to kill me? I don't believe them. They're the ones who are evil! Her young mind thought.
" We see potential in you, young lady. That situation we put you in was a test to determine whether you were a magician or not. If you had not been a magician, we would have safely returned you to Parthevia. " The old man explained, calming her nerves.
I still can't trust him. Her mind said, her face still set in a frown.
" But you have raw, unpolished talent in magic. If we hone your skills, you could be a prodigy, or possibly create new magic spells, becoming a legend. My academy for magicians has just been recently established, why not enroll here as a student? " Ran was skeptical of the man's offering. It was too good to be true. But as of the moment, it was the offer she had. In one of the scrolls she had read, Parthevia was a long way from Magnostadt. The only choice she had was to accept the man's offer.
" I accept your offer. I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself sooner, my name is Kouran, a pleasure to meet you. " She clasped her hands in front of her body, a gesture her family had instilled in her.
" A Kou citizen? No matter, we'll still accept you with open arms. Welcome to Magnostadt Academy, Kouran. I am the headmaster, Chancellor Matal Mogamett. " Standing up from his kneeling position, the man ushered Ran, now Kouran out of the room, his calloused hand on her back.
Age 7 (part one), Magnostadt Academy
Ran now knew the meaning of 'hell on earth'. Marefs with were practically hell itself. The woman would struck anyone with her lightning whip if they don't act accordingly to her orders. It would pass through the magicians' borgs , and electrify every single one of them.
" Midget! Get those push-ups done! You won't get anything done with that snail-paced workouts! Not just her, every one of you as well! Anyone who stops doing pushups will be expelled from the academy! " lashed her whip, making the seven-year-old cringe.
" Yes ma'am! " Kouran had tasted the whip once, and she definitely did not want to get whipped again.
Despite Mogamett insisting for her to be placed in the first kodor, Ran had preferred to be accepted into the academy through the traditional way. And it appears that she wasn't able to perform any kind of spell, except for the thing she did inside the dark room, but replacing the shard with the proctor's hat.
" Sixth kodor. " At first, she didn't understand what that had meant, until she met her class instructor.
From then on, hell began.
" Kouran, are you alright? You only have one month left to endure this training. If you survive, we can start learning magic together! " A boy named Naswat, who was twice her age, sat beside her during mealtime.
" I.. I'm fine.. The first month was far worse than this.. I've lost count of how many times I threw up after eating. " Kouran, her alias in Magnostadt, was something she thought up at the last minute. Instead of using her real name, she slipped it in, so that she won't get known in a world-wide scale.
The little girl sat on the high chair, observing the food in front of her. A loaf of bread and porridge. Same meal as always. Muttering in gratitude for the food, she took up her spoon, and began scooping up the food. She had to admit, she was unused to the cutlery they used for eating.
Back in Kou, she always used chopsticks to eat her meals (except when it came to liquids), and the culture shock had finally gotten to her.
"Oh. Your face kinda looked pale back there, but I can see that you're doing just fine, pigging out on food like that. " The boy chuckled, giving her a close-eyed grin. He was currently in the third kodor, but she was the first person who became his friend in Magnostadt, and has been ever since.
" I'm not pigging out! I'm hungry, and this heavy training will last up till next month, if I'm lucky enough not to be expelled. " Ran, Kouran huffed, grouchily biting into her bread.
" Yes, yes. And you have to calm down, Kouran. You'll get hiccups at this rate. Besides, you're so cute that no one would even have the heart to kick you out, " A figure came from behind her, it was her roommate, Shiha, a sixteen-year-old Parthevian, second kodor.
" But Shiha, I- *hiccup* " A hiccup escaped Kouran's mouth, making her cough.
" Told you. " Naswat hurriedly handed her a glass of water, which the latter gratefully accepted.
Chugging down on the water, Kouran muttered a 'thanks' to the older girl, who hummed in return.
One month left, and she'll get out of the hellish training.
" Listen up! It seems that today will be the last body strengthening maref you'll have with me. I'm surprised that you lot are the ones remaining, and you, midget, have made great improvement. I am proud of you, " Her glasses sharply glinted, as Kouran beamed in pride. Along with her, were five magicians who had survived the three-month body-strengthening maref.
" Thank you ! This is all thanks to your guidance! I couldn't have made it this far without my friends' and your support, " Kouran bowed as Myers turned her heel, moved to tears as she hears the young girl's proclamation.
The girl was really sincere, and she struggled to put effort in her workouts.
Myers knew that the little girl would grow into an excellent magician.
Ran was finally relieved that her body-strengthening maref was over. She could finally learn magic!
" Alright! As today is the last day, I'll have all of you run until you collapse! Now, do as I say! "
It looks like the last day wasn't so pleasant after all.
Age 7 (part two), Magnostadt Academy
" Second Kodor, Kouran! " The proctor announced as soon as she finished her turn. It was the end of the year, and Iktiyar, the examination for advancement to a higher kodor was held.
After finishing her body-strengthening maref, Kouran started taking up magic lessons, taught and guided by Myers herself. She discovered that she was able to perform spells without any troubles like she had during the admission test. Apparently, the training she had had released those limiters on her body, allowing her body to access greater magoi compared to before.
" So are we going to start learning magic? " one of her classmates asked, once they were allowed to enter the classroom.
" No. We are first going to determine what type of magician are you. Get your butts over here, a.s.a.p. " Myers ordered, revealing a stone with a lady carved on it up to bust.
" What is this? " Kouran marveled at the transparent masterpiece, unconsciously placing her hand on it. Suddenly, plants sprouted from the statue, overwhelming Kouran's small body.
" Whoa! What is this?! " Her classmate and a Kou native, Kai, flinched upon seeing Kouran being knocked down by the plants that suddenly sprouted out of the statue.
" That is the Eight Magic Color Selection Crystal. It determines which type of magician you are. As for you, Kouran, you are a purple magician, belonging to the eighth type of magic, life magic. " Myers explained, and turned towards the other five.
" Next! "
" Congratulations, Kouran! You made it to the second kodor! We'll be classmates for the next year! " Naswat gave her a high-five, which Kouran replied to.
" Thanks, Naswat! You were great too! I've never seen anyone create a phoenix as big and beautiful as that! " She praised him, as he scratched his cheek.
" But not enough to advance to the first kodor.. I guess we're going to have to repeat the year.. " Kouran noticed the slight slump on his shoulders.
" Don't look so glum! You should be proud! I mean, we've already gone this far, so we should do our best in the next Iktiyar! " She grinned, outstretching her fist.
" You're right, it's two months away, so we've gotta give it our all! " Naswat immeditely brightened up, bumping his fist with Kouran's.
She was held back for a year as she was unable to advance to the first kodor, but it didn't matter, she had plenty of time to get into the first kodor.
Age 8, Magnostadt Academy
After the next year, both Naswat and Kouran managed to advance to the first kodor, granting them second level citizenship in Magnostadt, as well as allowing them to continue as second year students in the academy.
Shiha had advanced into the first kodor in the previous Iktiyar, so she was supposedly already taking a zemi; as Kouran had rarely seen her ever since she exchanged roommates.
It's been a while since she advanced to the second year, almost two months since the last battle she had in the Iktiyar.
" History... history.. where are you? " The girl was currently in the academy's library, as a way of killing time.
Naswat had been busy in his own zemi; he was offered two recommendation letters, a Magic Military Strategy zemi and a Magic Item Production zemi. He chose the former subject, as he loved being a strategist, despite excelling more in creating things.
Kouran herself had been offered six recommendation letters; after her first battle the instructors were impressed by her ability, and almost all of them were competing with one another to have the girl in their zemi.
Turns out the lucky instructor had been Mohja, the instructor of the 8th Type High Level Healing Magic zemi.
As a child, Kouran had only simple thoughts. She was a purple magician, so why not fathom her knowledge in healing? It would come in handy in the future. And besides, the rest of the zemis offered to her wasn't to her liking; strategies weren't her best qualities, neither was alchemy. Biology had simply been a bore; and what difference does it have from food production? It's still the same thing, isn't it? And the last zemi which was offered to her, she'd rather not take it. The future can be predicted, but anything can happen to make it change. So Kouran decided to take the 8th Type High Level Healing Magic zemi.
The girl stopped in front of the rack that houses books about the world's history and the Torran language.
" Let's see.. I've read this one, and this one, hm.. this doesn't look interesting. Oh, how about this? " She muttered to herself, using gravity magic to lift herself up to the highest shelf, ramdomly picking a book with a yellowed cover. The book was slightly dusty, she noted, as the red-head girl plopped herself onto a chair and wore her magic reading glasses on.
"A Magi is someone who selects royalty. Before long, this world will need to select a king... a person who has mastered magic. A person that others will flock to because of his righteousness. A king like no other. This person must be sought out, found and then chosen. He will be trained by the wise and then elevated to become a king of unprecedented grandeur. To even take the place of beloved Solomon." The first page began, already sparking her interest.
" In every generation, the number of magi who are born could vary, but the most number that one generation could have is only limited to three. Throughout the centuries, there were no written records saying that more than three magi have appeared before.. " Her brows scrunched at the difficult terms, but she seemed to understand what the book meant. Immersed in the subject, she had read half of the book before realizing she did so.
" These magi are chosen and loved by the rukh, and can receive magoi from the rukh surrounding them, thus their powers exceeding those of a normal magician's... They also become a country's asset, as they possess and unlimited supply of magoi, and can lead countries to victory in wars and conquests. " War? Conquests? But isn't that straying from the original purpose of the magi's existence? She thought, flipping the pages quickly as she skimmed for important keywords.
" Kouran! " A pair of hands landed on her shoulders, making her jolt.
" Shiha! You surprised me! " The younger girl turned around, recovering from her shocked state.
" Fancy meeting you here. Isn't the Chancellor's ideology class starting in five minutes? You have to hurry! " She had forgotten all about it the moment she stepped into the library. How could she forget such an important thing?
" You're right! I have to go, Shiha, see you! " Dashing out of the library, Kouran has forgotten about the book, her glasses still on her face.
The page that had been left open dimly glew, before automatically closing and returned to its position into the shelf it belonged to.
" ...And that is all for today. I hope you can take these lessons to heart, my children. " Mogamett ended his ideology class as he stepped down from the podium, dismissing the students.
What kind of talk was that? Saying that magicians are beings higher than goi.. if we didn't have magic to begin with, we would be the same as those goi! Ran gritted her teeth, stomping out of the lecture hall.
Naswat, on the otherhand, felt inspired by the speech, not noticing the grim look on his friend's face.
" What's up, Kouran? Don't you feel like you've been shown a different perspective in life? " In contrast to the boy's bright grin, Ran plastered a skeptical look on her face.
" I only understood some of the chancellor's words. His wide range of vocabulary makes me feel confused. " She half-heartedly said, throwing her glance to the side.
" Oh. I guess you'll come to understand it when your grow older. " Naswat shrugged, whistling happily as they weaved through the sea of students.
" I don't think so, Naswat. I'm going to drop from the academy. " Her words sent his eyes almost bulging out of his sockets.
" Dropping? Why? You're a talented magician, Kouran! It's a waste if you don't finish your tutelage here! " His exclamation brought attention to the both of them. Oh, how Ran hated loud-mouthed people.
" Yes, I know it's a waste, but family matters comes first. " She showed him a letter, slightly wrinkly on the edges, but still in good condition.
" A letter? " Naswat lifted an eyebrow, as Ran waved the letter in front of him, before nodding.
" Yup. My grandmother sent it one-and-a-half-year ago, telling me to come home and visit the village. My sibling is born, and I should come see him or her. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of body-strengthening maref, so I wasn't able to come home. After I became a second year student, I figured I should go home and help my family-I'm already old enough to work, actually. " Ran slipped the letter into the breast pocket of her magician robes, keeping it safe.
" B-But, it's too sudden! You can't just leave like this! " He argued, losing the usual composure he has.
" And that's why I'm requesting an audience with the chancellor, no matter- "
" No matter what, my child? Did you need me for something? " Speak of the devil, the man himself appeared before her.
" Yes, chancellor. I need to ask for your permission. " With a determined look on her face, Ran nodded, looking at the man straight in his eyes.
" .. This is not the appropriate place to talk, Kouran. Come, let us continue this in my office. " As Mogamett led her away, Ran muttered an inaudible 'farewell' to Naswat, and followed the bearded chancellor.
" As you were saying, you had to ask for my permission to do something. Tell me child, and I will grant it as long as it is within my power. " True to his words, Mogamett had seen great improvement in the girl.
From the first time she started in Myers' marefs until she advanced to the second year. It was a shame that she got held back for a year. But nonetheless, her significant improvement overshadowed her fellow sixth kodor classmates. They had only managed to enter into the third kodor, at best.
" I am asking permission to drop out from the academy. " Her request caused Mogamett to choke on his tea.
" You are asking permission to drop out of the academy? Do you have any reason to do so? Such an important reason that you must drop your studies in this academy I built. " Ran could hear the hint of arrogance in the man's tone, but brushed it aside.
" Yes. It's my family. They are asking me to return to Kou. " Ran replied, her tone curt and serious.
" And why is that? " Mogamett was suspicious. He did not trust that the girl's family would just pull her out of the academy after she enrolled here.
" My sibling was born, half-a-year ago, or according to this letter, about two years ago, after you brought me here from Parthevia. " Ran masked the subtle hostility in her voice, trying to sound as monotone as she could. She was still bitter about it, much to her own chagrin.
Mogamett received the letter from Ran, and read it carefully, word by word. What the girl said was true, she was indeed wanted back in her village, and the letter had said that her sibling had been born.
" ... Do you truly wish to go back? " The melancholic expression on the chancellor's face made Ran doubt that he was the man who just gave them a lecture about goi and magicians.
" Yes. Forgive me, chancellor. And thank you for what you have fone for me back then, but I really have to go back. It's been two years since they sent this letter, I haven't heard of them since then. My family needs me, " As much as Ran wanted to study in the academy, she couldn't stand the idea of being lectured with a brainwashing technique, even her best friend had been caught in the wave.
" I see. I shall see to it that you are requesting a withdrawal letter by tomorrow. " But before the man could tell the young prodigy to leave, a letter was shoved onto his face.
" Shiha helped me with writing this, I hope you don't mind, " She shyly handed it to Mogamett, which the man reluctantly accepted. He had actually hoped to postpone her leave, even just by one day.
No, don't leave.
" I see. I hope you had fun studying here, Kouran. Magnostadt is always open for you to come back if you wish to. " He gave her a smile, and the girl clasped her hands, before leaving the room.
She left on the first day of winter, off towards Kou.
