Disclaimer: I do not own the Naturals in anyway . I do own Karliah , the name Blood Harvest , the research on vampires and werewolves , the Coven , Valor , and Undead Vampires , the Collector , and the story itself . I have several OCs and my own creatures that may appear in this story , if you want to use them that ' s fine , but please give credit.

Chapter 8 : Beginner ' s Class

Next Day - Beginning Mages Classroom

The next day , Andy and Karliah went to a place in Arcania where the information on the Vampire Prince was centrally located all together to try and locate the whereabouts of Ethereal while Chase and Spark went with Archmagister Saladira to the training area for beginning mages to one of the classrooms meant for adults .

" Hello , Archmagister , who is your companion ? And how can I help the both of you ? " The teacher asked as they walked into the classroom .

" Marcus Holden , this is Chase Stevens , dear friend of the Vampire Prince and beginning mage , Chase this is Instructor Holden , he teaches the adult mages on the beginning level . He will help you learn how to control and harness your magical energy and powers in order to use it more proficiently and effectively , Marcus , he ' s gonna be your new student and he will be with us for a little while . " Saladira said .

" Welcome to the class , you ' ve joined us at the right time , as a new beginner ' s class has just started , so , instead of sticking you into a group already ahead of you , we can put you in one that has your skill level where you will be right along with fellow classmates . " Intructor Holden said .

" Thank you , " Chase said .

" Alright , I will leave him in your capable hands , " Saladira said before leaving .

" Hoo , " Spark looked up out of the pocket on Chase ' s shirt .

" And your fizz friend can join us as well , " Instructor Holden said .

" So , magical creatures are apart of the class , too ? " Chase asked .

" Not , necessarily apart of it , but we here understand that magical partners and friends like your fizz and those that people keep as pets are important parts of a mage ' s development and they often form bonds through the magical training that is often unbreakable . " Holden said .

" Hoo , " Spark said curious .

" Spark , doesn ' t like being called a pet , " Chase said .

" I would think not , fizz think on their own , those that are not partnered with humans , lycans , or vampires spend their lives in the undergrounds defending themselves and there troops , and they are able to independently learn and grow away from us and our influence ; that ' s proof of an intelligent being that can freely decided if they want to befriend us or go through life on their own . Where pets are completely dependent on us and our ability to feed , shelter , and care for them , making sure they are adequately given the things they need to survive , teaching them how to live quality lives beside us , and caring for them medically . " Holden said .

" Spark , you get to stay with us , buddy , " Chase said to the fizz .

" Whoo , " Spark rubbed his head on Chase to show he was happy .

" And he ' s definitely , bonded with you , " Holden said .

" So , are there a lot of mages that start off as beginners at my age ? " Chase asked .

" You mean as adults , " Holden said .

" Yes , Instructor , " Chase said .

" You ' ll be surprised how many of the mages here started out as adults , usually when an individual of Reverent first discovers they can use or harness magical energy , they start searching for ways to evolve their abilities and train themselves in the use of magic . Some seek evil ways to do this , some find themselves under the apprenticeship of an individual mage , and the rest come here to Arcania to learn magic within a school environment to learn how to use their abilities hopefully in a wise and good endeavor , but some unfortunately still use what they learn here for the wrong reasons or ultimately for evil . " Holden said .

" Is it easier to start learning as a child or an adult ? " Chase asked .

" It depends on the individual , Chase , " Holden said .

" I ' m still trying to just understand what this magic is and how it developed in me ? " Chase sighed .

" And trust me when I say you are in the right place to do so , Chase , " Holden said as other students started to enter the classroom .

" Not alone I take it ? " Chase asked .

" Never , the great thing about Reverent , is that you only have to study and learn things all alone , if you choose to free of choice . So , what is your choice ? " Holden asked .

" I ' ll learn with you and the class , " Chase said .

" Then welcome to the class , " Holden said as Chase took a seat at one of the desks in the classroom , ready to learn what he could about magic .

Andy and Karliah

" You ' re not worried today , " Karliah noticed when they walked into the area that contained all of the books and tomes on the Vampire Prince ' s heritage .

" Nothing to worry about , everything is moving along as planned with people working on the warlock angle , you got word this morning that Seth and Starlit Tribe were on their way to the Hunter ' s Lodge in the area to help Oslow , Carene and the other lycan hunters with the black dogs , Chase and Spark are in the beginners class for mages , and we are getting to a better spot to figure out this stuff on Ethereal , yep , everything is lovely today . " Andy said like he was perfectly fine .

" Ah , I found , you , " Tyson said .

" Anything from the Hunter ' s Lodge in Hawthorne City or the Elder Council ? " Andy asked .

" The Hunter ' s Lodge is sending extra lycan hunters out to deal with the black dogs and Camden said they were sending vampire warriors out to help us deal with the warlock when we were ready to stop this evil mage . " Tyson said .

" See , Karliah , I told you everything was moving along as planned . " Andy said .

" Yeah , " Karliah said .

" Anything else ? " Tyson asked .

" Yes , actually , I ' m beginning to understand that everyone in Reverent has a role , including those within the council , Marcel deals with the mages here at Arcania , Madam Victoria the London Office , Deek the care of Hawthorne City , but what exactly is Camden ' s role ? " Andy asked .

" He is a Strategic Advisor for the Military and Defense Program , if something were to go horribly wrong , like the war against Desolate and the Red Ox , or if this warlock were to unlock demons of the worst kind from Misery or another Plane of Existences , or if one of the nations or clans of vampires were to declare war or absolute destruction in someway ; Camden would be in charge of helping you plan the best course of action to deal with it in a way that would minimize the casualty list in order to not cause massive amounts of life loss . Most of the time property and land gets damaged , but if a war or fight can be handled with as little life loss as possible then that ' s the plan we go with as a course of action since property can be rebuilt and lives can ' t be restored . He ' s been on the Elder Council almost as long as Madam Victoria , the two have been very adequate and skilled in keeping things as smooth and peaceful as they can , while wisely dealing with disputes and disagreements in a way that ensures the best outcome for everyone involved . They ' ve upheld the laws to the best of their ability , seen to the needs of those who seek aid , and they advise the rest of us in the best courses of action for the future of the community and in building a strong relationship with the humans and lycans to keep the cooperation and alliance between the three stable and beneficial for all three races . " Tyson explained .

" Those that become a council member usually has a background that ' s free of a criminal or sketchy background , has done something in the past that benefits the community , and has enough knowledge of the laws and regulations to make an educated and rational decision when it comes time to vote on things within the council and make decisions that will help the vampire community as a whole . " Karliah said .

" Usually ? " Andy asked .

" As you saw with Timara , somethings may slip through every now and then , even Deek who grew up with her didn ' t notice that she had become a familiar and was under Eli ' s control . " Tyson said .

" What ' s gonna happen with her position ? " Andy asked .

" Someone who understands the infirmary like she did will take her place , but the council will be sure to make sure the one who takes her seat isn ' t corrupt or under the control of someone else . " Karliah said .

" They ' ll just have to find the right person , generally an apprentice under the current councilmen will take the seat , like Deek did when Jackson died in the last war , but this is a special case where Timara didn ' t have someone under her . " Tyson said .

" You do have a choice in the matter , " Karliah said .

" Because of my place on the council ? " Andy asked .

" Yes , as the Vampire Prince , your judgement and opinion matters . " Tyson said .

" I think I understand it better , " Andy said .

Classroom

" Welcome to the Beginner ' s Course for Adult Mages , this is where new , aspiring mages come to learn how to start their lives down a path of magical learning as adults . I am Marcus Holden , Intructor Holden , while in class , and I will guide you through the mages path in a safe and controlled learning environment until all of you understand and know how to use magic at the beginner ' s level . Everyone of you are somewhere on this path either from learning that you have an aptitude for magic from a family member or stumbling into magic accidently and got pointed to Arcania to start learning what these new gifts are and how to use and understand them better . Whatever the reason , you can trust that you are in the right spot to learn about your magical gifts and learn how to become mages , " Intructor Holden said .

Chase looked around at the class of twenty other beginner level mages that were just starting to learn about magic like he was wondering if they were just as nervous as he was at all of this stuff . The more Stevens looked around at his new classmates , he noticed that five other students besides him were human , five of them were lycans , while the remaining nine were vampires , making him realize that it wasn ' t just humans like him that were learning at this beginning level and he wondered why more vampires and humans were into magic than lycans . He looked down at Spark whose head was sticking out of his pocket looking very interested at what Instructor Holden was saying , as if the little fizz was trying to learn all of this stuff about magic , too , remembering what Holden and the book he had read on fizzes said about the oozes being intelligent .

" Alright , class , I will begin by going through roll call to make sure I know your names and then give out the Beginner ' s Class study course on magic for you to read at your own time and that we will use at times while in class . I suggest you read them and learn the history behind such magic as we get to them , so , you will stay with what the class is learning . Some of these books can be found in the library with the rest of the general study topics , or around with some of the other areas on specific magic , including a section on beginner ' s magic . " Intructor Holden said as he handed out the study courses and then calling roll to make sure he got all of their names right .

Spark looked at the study course with Chase wondering what the new books would contain , Stevens knew that he was going through stuff on the Planes of Existence , Sanctified Knights , magical creatures , and the Power Stones , but he could add this to his educational endeavors while learning about the world of Reverent and his new life of magic . Chase wondered if he could take classes on those other things as well , and would ask Archmagister Saladira about it later during the day .

" Now we will begin with the first lesson on the Basics of Magic , " Intructor Holden said .

Chase had picked up a notebook to write down notes from the class that he could study on later as well , after Dimitri had advised him to do so as he would learn quite a bit during class that he would want to remember .

Intructor Holden began to teach them the Basics of Magic , starting off with the classification of different kinds of magic .

" Magic is broken up it two types : Personal and Environmental , the personal magic is what we as people use on a daily bases through casting magic , or through what we infuse magic into when enchanting items like clothes , jewelry , and weapons to perform the effect that we desire for those items . Some in the past have called this style of magic artificial , as we artificially create what we cast or infuse into items through energy drawn in through outside forces and transformed into the magic that we want to use to benefit us or others . " Intructor Holden going through his lesson to the class .

Scratching pens and quills could be heard as the class took notes to remember what they were learning about on magic .

" Environmental magic , on the other hand , is what we see in nature , through what occurs naturally in the world without our influence , magical creatures that are born of magic come up under environmental magic , those that have adaptations such as vampiric regeneration when fresh blood is consumed or the warmth within lycans due to their fur coats , and magic that shows up in places of remarkably , strong energy in our environment are all under the type of magic that we know as environmental magic . " Intructor Holden continued .

Chase looked down at Spark realizing that he came from environmental magic because the little fizz was born of magic .

" Now , depending on the places where energy is strong , it can either be safe or dangerous which may require an expert to figure out how to contain dangerous magic in order to keep the general public safe . Some , magical creatures , like most animals , can be territorial or can lose control of magic if they are ill or hurt , so , once again care must be taken when around them to keep everyone including the creature as safe as possible . " Holden added as extra information .

Chase had seen and felt the magical energy coming from the archway into the Kennels and the energy out at the Northwatch Abbey while dealing with the Monk Order .

" For a little while we will touch on the topic of personal magic while in class though , if you would like to learn more on environmental magic , we will touch on it a little later in class and you can take a class on it here at Arcania if you so desire . " Holden said .

Stevens realized then that Arcania was just as much about choice and what you did to educate yourself , as the rest of Revenent . If you wanted the information to educate yourself then you could take a class on it or if you wanted to just leave it as is , you could do that as well , free of choice .

" Personal magic comes in five varieties : Range , Touch , Self , Active , and Enchanted , " Instructor Holden continued .

" Five ? " One of the students asked looking nervous at having to learn five different types of magic .

" Don ' t worry , we will learn them together in turn as class goes on , but for now we are just taking notes . " Intructor Holden said .

" Yes , sir , " The student said .

" Range magic or sometimes called target magic is any type of magic that is used at a distance , when you have a target ; this magic is used mostly through offense as lightning , fire , frost , telekinesis , disarming , paralysis and force are all used in standing armies or against one ' s foes , a few of your unlock and healing spells maybe used at a distances , but these are the exceptions to this variety of personal magic . Touch is any magic that is used through direct contact between you and another with your hands , spell traps , healing , unlocking , and draining spells are cast through direct contact with people or environment as some spell traps can be put on floors and walls to serve as defense in hiding spots and to protect things of value . " Intructor Holden explained .

" What about traps left behind in forts and ruins ? " One of the lycans asked .

" These are touch traps that have been left behind overtime , " Intructor Holden said .

Chase looked down at Spark who was still looking on and listening to the lesson with enthusiasm .

" Self magic , is anything cast on one ' s self : healing magic , barrier spells , summoning , despell , restoration magic , muffle , invisibility , these are the self magic which is magic that puts the desired effect on our own bodies to be used as we see fit . Active magic is what we get when we put on clothes or drink potions that give us effects that last awhile and enhance our abilities like a vision spell that enhances our ability to see things or a spell that someone or something puts on us that may effect us negatively like a poison spell , these things last on our person for any given amount of time , either until the spell wears off or until we are healed of poisons and damaging active , magical effects . " Intructor Holden explained .

Stevens looked at his arm where the alpha male , black dog attacked and bit him that had poison in the fangs which was treated by the infirmary , and then at the Vision or Focus Power Stone that Lex had given him on the way to the Northwatch Abbey which helped him see enemies that were too fast to see while using his bow .

" Enchanted magic , is any magic attached to an item that we have enhanced through magic to aid us , whether it be clothes and armor , weapons , or jewelry that helps us in combat or enhances our skills . Skilled enchanters have been able to produce great items that can help or harm through the years that are not only legendary in our stories , but also can be sold at high prices as a lucrative business . The most noted items are the power stones that aid people , particularly the humans , and the staffs that belonged to Dark Priests that ultimately have to be destroyed due to the dark energy and magic within the staffs that can corrupt individuals who come in contact with these staffs . " Intructor Holden said .

As the morning went on Intructor Holden had them copy all of the notes on the two types of magic and then the five variants of magic until class was over .

" Read the books , Basics of Magic and Variants of Magic for Beginners , tonight to further your understanding of the topics we went over today in class . We will go over both tomorrow in class and begin with all of you showing us what magical spells you can already use in order to find a way that will benefit your magical growth through practicing of your spells and abilities . " Intructor Holden said .

" Yes , Instructor , " The students showing they understood .

" Alright , all of you are dismissed , " Intructor Holden said .

The students started leaving out of class as Chase picked up his bag after making sure his stuff was packed up before looking down at Spark who had went back into his pocket .

" Chase , " Instructor Holden said .

" Yes sir , " Chase looked at him curious .

" So , did you learn anything ? " Holden asked .

" A little bit , what ' s your recommendation on taking other classes here at Arcania ? " Chase asked curious .

" If you want to take a class on Environmental Magic then I would wait until we cover it , the next magic class when you finish this level , but what else did you have in mind ? " Holden asked .

" I was thinking of a magical creature and herb class , history of Reverent and the Sanctified Knights , and I ' m learning how to survive out in this world compared to Mundance . " Chase said .

" I would start on the basic level with those as well and work my way up , the first thing you need to understand is the magic classes are the only ones done five days a week for adults , and they are done always during the mornings due to adults having to take care of families and other responsibilities , that leaves you to take whatever you want in the afternoon . But , I would recommend , you only take three class a day and no more than six at a time , that way you don ' t get loaded down with work and can really learn to understand the things of Reverent . " Holden advised him .

" Then I will look into it , " Chase said .

" I would wait on doing any advanced or specialized classes until you get to the topic in the main classes and then only do the books in course studies when you get to them in class as well as the intructors go over them in class . " Holden said .

" Main classes ? " Chase asked .

" You should check out the classes list at the front office of Arcania , it has the different classes for adults and lists the main classes , advanced classes , and specialized classes and how to take them . It will become more clear if you look at those lists and recommendations on how to deal with the class yourself instead of what I or someone else would recommend for you . " Holden said .

" Okay , " Chase said .

" And remember , that you don ' t have to take everything at once or even have to worry about things that you are not interested in , everything here is based on choice at least for the adults . Some of the children classes are mandatory , but that ' s for totally different reasons entirely . " Holden said .

" Sounds simple enough , " Chase said before leaving the classroom going to the front office to get a list of those classes and how to take them before heading to the cafeteria to get something to eat for himself and Spark .

" There he is , " Andy said as Stevens joined them at the table with food for Spark and himself .

" Here , Spark , " Chase given the fizz some food and tea for the little guy .

" Hoo , " Spark came out onto the table excited as he went to eat his lunch .

" Someone is excited today , " Andy said .

" And very enthused while in magic class , for some reason , " Chase said with food now in front of him .

" As an intelligent creature he likes to educate himself , too . " Shay sat down next to them .

" Hey , when did you get here ? " Chase asked before biting off a piece of smoked sausage .

" While you were in class this morning , " Andy said as the other lycans from the Starlit Tribe joined them at the table .

" We figured we would talk to Wendum before we settle into helping the Hunter ' s Lodge deal with the black dogs , " Kahlua said .

" Yes , we have word from our own council that my father sent from the breeding grounds , that Wendum act in his stead while he was away . " Shay said .

" When will he return ? " Andy asked .

" When spring returns to the world , " Shay said .

" So , after the winter season , " Chase said as he and Spark continued to eat .

" Yes , " Shay said .

" We were waiting until the blizzard passed to go after this warlock , " Andy said .

" If that ' s during the spring , then dad will be here , but let ' s hope this guy doesn ' t cause more problems in the meantime , " Shay said .

" There ' s nothing else we can do without knowing who this guy is and rushing into things with horrible conditions and not at full strength . " Andy said .

" I understand and we will definitely aid you , but what ' s the plan against these black dogs while we are waiting ? " Shay asked .

" Deal with them to lesson the chances of them attacking someone else other than me . " Chase said .

" Fair point , we will go and see Wendum , then get started , " Shay said as the Starlit Tribe left .

" We have help , " Chase said .

" Yeah , how did your first class go ? " Andy asked .

" Went well and was quite interesting to say the lease , look at this , " Chase showing him the class list and how to go about taking them .

" Interesting , for adults it ' s like college courses , you start of in a main course of study and then follow it to these advanced and specialized classes as you go . What are your plans with this , Chase ? " Andy asked .

" The magic classes are in the morning and five days a week , so , I will continue to take the Beginner ' s Level Class for Mages , then thought about starting on the Basic History Class and Basic Creatures and Plants Class this afternoon , then skip a day and take the Basic Survival Class . " Chase said .

" Fair points , what about a Combat Class as well , " Andy said pointing it out .

" I could definitely do that , I was told to not take anymore than six classes at a time , so , that would be five classes which will work . " Chase agreed .

" Well , we are definitely getting somewhere with all of this Arcania learning , " Andy said .

" Yeah , " Chase said .

" Hoo , " Spark said .

" He is , too , " Chase said .

" Whoo , " Spark said .

" So , what about you ? Have you figured anything out about Ethereal , yet ? " Chase asked .

" Not , yet , but I feel like I ' m finally getting somewhere in the Vampire Prince section of the books , now that we ' ve realized that everything related to a specific topic is kept in one place . " Andy said .

" Then , we both have work to do , " Chase said .

" Yeah , " Andy said .

" Alright , I guess it ' s just about time to get to that Basic Creatures and Plants Class , I will see you later this evening after the Basic History Class . " Chase said .

" I might join you in that Basic History Class , it may spread some light onto the situation and this world better . " Andy said .

" Then I will see you then , come on Spark , " Chase said .

" Hoo , " Spark went back into Chase ' s pocket .

Basic History Class

Later in the afternoon , Chase walked into the classroom where he would learn Basic History after spending the early afternoon learning about creatures and plants of Reverent . He had to admit the first lessons there were interesting , the class explained the different classes of creatures and uses for plants in the world breaking up both creatures and plants into different categories depending on being helpful and harmful for now . Some plants could be used for food , healing , or enhancing attributes , while others could be used as poisons or could be down right deadly just in the wilds from thorns or being carnivorous , how would be touched on later as the class progressed . Creatures were broken up into similar categories based on both being helpful and harmful , being intelligent creatures that lived independently of humans , vampire , and lycans or excepted the races as companions like the ooze , or those that were pets , and last those that harness magic and those that do not . Chase had to get more notebooks to keep everything straight as he learned everything taught to him and now had another new notebook ready for this class on Basic History .

" Hoo , " Spark said .

" We are learning a lot , buddy , " Chase said ,

" You ' re already here , " Andy said as he joined Stevens at a table .

" Yeah , " Chase said .

" Hoo , " Spark said .

" It may help us , both , " Andy said .

" Agreed , " Chase said .

Class started like Chase ' s other two classes with the intructor coming in calling roll and giving them the study course for the class . Then going over the first notes that were to be taken during class and lecturing them on the very basics for the first day of the new class , some of this Chase had already learned as it was on the creation of the worlds which he learned from a book he had already read on the subject and from Lex out in the wilds of the Reverent . Stevens looked at Andy who seemed just as enchanted and enthused as Spark did during the last , two classes as both of the Naturals continued to listen and learn about this new world they were apart of now .

" Alright , class , you will need to read , Creation of the Two Worlds and Splitting of the Worlds , " The instructor told them before dismissing the class .

" Great more reading , " Andy whispered to Chase .

" I ' ve already read , Creation of the Two Worlds , it was the first book I read from the main part of the library and Lex explained much of it to me while out in the wilds when checking out the archway , but I have reading and notes to take from the other three classes . " Chase said .

" Homework , even in the world of Reverent . " Andy said .

" I ' m curious at having the Vampire Prince in my class , " The instructor said .

" Uhm , I thought it would be best to learn about Reverent since I ' m originally from Mundance . " Andy said .

" It ' s not a problem , I ' m just use to those who follow in the Prince ' s line and have a need to learn of their heritage , your heritage , seeking out Jezelle ' s classes . " The instructor said .

" I ' ve spoken to her , but like I said I have an interest in the history of this world that I ' m now apart of , instructor ? " Andy asked .

" Rehan , sir , Instructor Rehan , " Rehan said , she was a lycan from the scent the Vampire Prince was picking up from her .

" I hope it ' s okay if both of us joins the class from now on , " Andy said .

" Yes , both you and Chase are more than welcome to join us , Honored Prince , " Instructor Rehan said .

Andy and Chase left the classroom not long after that going to grab something for dinner and then joining Karliah and Dimitri up in the living quarters with the school books they had to read for their classes .

" Both of them are in school now , " Dimitri chuckled as Jasmine sat at the table in the sitting room of their living quarter area to do her own homework .

" Chase is take some classes and I decide to join him in the Basic History class to try and understand this world better . " Andy said .

" Yep , Instructor Rehan , was quite flabbergasted to have the Vampire Prince in her class . " Chase teased as he took out a notebook and Basics of Magic book to start his homework from his magic class .

" They have homework , too ? " Jasmine asked .

" Yes , they are taking adult classes , baby , " Dimitri said .

" Oh , " Jasmine said as Spark wandered out onto the table .

" Spark , were they good in class ? " Karliah asked .

" Hoo , " Spark nodded .

" Good , " Karliah said .

" She acts like we are trouble , " Chase said .

" Sometimes , we are , " Andy said .

" Mmhm , " Chase said reading from the books and taking notes on what was important in the books .

" Shay and the Starlit Tribe went on to the Hunter ' s Lodge while you two were in class . " Karliah said .

" Good , they can start helping them deal with the black dogs right away then , or at least until we can stop the warlock or whoever else maybe behind them , and eventually close the gate . " Andy said .

" The top mages here at the school that specialize in the gateways to the other planes are working on a way to close them as we speak , so , maybe we will have the answers soon to minimize the free entrance into Reverent for the black dogs . Then thinning out the numbers will go much quicker and better with less breeding involved with the alphas free of the Kennel and mixing with those that were still here . " Dimitri said .

" What if they have become a threat in Mundance already ? How would we know about it ? " Andy asked making Chase look up from his reading at the mentioning of home .

" One of the clans that are responsible for keeping an eye on openings in the veil would have sent word to us , " Karliah said .

" Do we know where those openings in the veil are located ? " Chase asked .

" Yes , one is located close to Meridia , another close to Hawthorne , both are kept an eye on by warriors assigned to protect the veil by the Elder Council , another is located close to the London Office which Madam Victoria sends some of her best warriors to keep an eye on as well . So , don ' t worry , your world is being properly watched after to make sure things like black dogs and undead vampires don ' t slip through to harm the innocent people of your world . " Dimitri said .

" Good , we can ' t have loved ones and innocent people hurt while we are here dealing with problems away from Mundance . " Andy said .

" I agree , " Chase said before continuing to read through the books he had to for his classes and making notes on what he was reading .