Soul Transmigration
I think it goes without saying, but being shot in the back of the head with a Glock…yeah, it sucks.
Contessa had shot me to prevent the monster I had rapidly started to devolve into, the [Queen Administrator], from possibly, in the future, mind-controlling humanity, presuming I somehow made it to an Earth that had humans on it. At least, that's what I suppose she was aiming for. Trust the one time Contessa was wrong to involve me.
I had been expecting a lot of possible things. The fire and brimstone of Hell, perhaps, or even the nothingness of Purgatory. Instead, I woke up in the body of an eleven-and-a-half year-old girl.
It had been three months since I had woken up like this and there were a few things that I had discovered in that time. The first was that the girl whose body I inhabited was also called Taylor Anne Hebert, daughter of Daniel Hebert and Annette Rose Hebert. I had somehow possessed the body of an alternate version of myself.
The second thing was that the above was only possible because someone had destroyed the soul of the ten-year-old alternate me. I have no idea how that was even remotely possible, but having both of 'my' parents cry over me was enough to make me determined to find out who had essentially killed my alternate.
Third: the Earth I was on looked nothing like Aleph, Bet or Gimel. Instead of a mass of continents created from Pangea breaking up, the entire planet was essentially a vast series of archipelagos, little island chains scattered all over the place. I had seen a map and I was not looking forward to geography lessons.
Fourth: the political makeup of the world was mostly monarchies, oligarchies, dictatorships and theocracies. My new parents and I lived in the Kingdom of Sirius, under the Brockton Royal Family. Yes, it seems I just can't get away from Brockton Bay, even in an alternate world, as that's also the place where we lived, the capital city of the Kingdom.
Fifth: I was not simply Taylor Hebert in this world. I was Lady Taylor Hebert, Heiress of the Proud and Noble Hebert Family. The Heberts were goddamn nobles. To be exact, we were formerly March Barons, basically the guardians of a particular area of the kingdom's borders. In my grandfather's generation, after over two-hundred years of loyal and distinguished service, we were finally relieved of that duty and granted an Earldom.
Finally, Sixth…there was actual, Capital-M, magic in this world. Myrddin would be squeeing at this point. I know of no details about it, only that it exists and that all nobles are expected to know how to use it if they have the talent.
Evidently, I do.
I have no idea why I am here, or even how it happened. Still…I have been given a second chance at life. A life without the powers of the [Queen Administrator] gnawing at my mind or altering my thoughts. I was at long last free of the influence of the Agents of Eden and Zion.
Now I just had to figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my new life.
Four Months After Taylor's Transmigration
Study, Hebert Family Mansion, Brockton Bay
"A Magic Academy?" I blinked.
"Yes. All members of the Nobility attend the National Magic Academy on Dog Star Island between the ages of twelve and sixteen." Dad said, sitting behind a desk and idly sorting papers. Even after four months, it was weird to see him dressed up in clothes right out of a period drama. Oh, did I forget to mention that this place is stuck in the pre-Industrial Revolution technology level? Well now you know. "I did, your mother did, and now you will as well."
I knew where he was talking about; Dog Star Island was the centermost island of the Kingdom of Sirius, only a day's voyage by ship from Brockton Island where I was now. I hadn't known that's where the academy was though.
"Will I come back during those four years?" I asked.
"Yes, of course." Dad assured me. "As if you could separate a child and their parents for that long! You'll come back for a month each year and we come and visit you there at least once a year. More If I can wrangle time off from my position."
Dad was the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture. As you can imagine, with the world mostly being saltwater, the part being tacked on there was definitely agriculture. He was respected by the King, by the fishermen and by most of the commoners for his strict sense of right and wrong, was well as his firm, but compassionate, rule. He had inherited the position from his father, the First Earl Hebert. He was always busy, but as the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture was built next door to our mansion, I (or rather my alternate) had been able to pop over and see him as I (She) pleased.
"You should get more people to help. The Ministry's barely got enough for anything to happen." I pouted. Thanks to possessing my alternate's memories (somehow), I knew that despite the trust placed in him by the king, the other nobles disliked Dad and cut into the distribution of personnel into his bailiwick. 'Newblood' was the term they referred to nobility with less than seven generations at a title. Dad (and his father) were known as the Upstart Newbloods. It was something that I would have to face at school as well.
Lovely. I was readily expecting Winslow Version 2.0 at this point.
"We have enough to get by, and His Majesty is starting to get annoyed by the other earls interfering." Dad smirked. "He's going to crack down on them if they pull just one more thing."
I smirked back. "He's a nice king."
"Glad to see he has your approval." Dad said dryly. "You will not have to worry about people treating you differently at the Academy, by the way."
I gave him a somewhat disbelieving look at that.
"Well, not much, anyway." He amended his statement. "At the Academy, all peerage titles stop at the pier. A Crown Prince is treated no better than the daughter of a miller or a former slave. All rivalries, blood feuds and politics are suspended by law, tradition and the power of the Masters at the Academy. It is the absolute most neutral territory in the entire kingdom. Not even His Majesty can command the Masters there outside of a dire situation. You'll be treated no differently than anyone else, little owl."
I nodded slowly. I had my doubts, as even a democratic country like America couldn't guarantee that degree of neutrality in any of its educational facilities, but I'd see how it went. "OK, Dad. When do we leave?"
"The day after your birthday is the first day of the new term." Dad said as he finished sorting his papers. "I'm afraid we'll have to have the party early this year, sweetheart."
"That's fine." I shook my head. "Will Mom be here for it?"
"Like anything could stop her." Dad snorted, making me giggle. Mom, in this life, oversaw the fishing fleets on a rotation basis, but she always managed to make time for me when she rotated back especially for my birthday. It was very much nepotism, but I wasn't complaining.
"The academy doesn't allow any servants to accompany you, as they provide them." Dad said after a moment. "But fortunately, there is a place free for someone still. Do you want me to enroll Emma?"
This was the big change. Whereas in my original world the Barnes' were wealthier and more affluent than mine, here, they were dependent on the Hebert Family as former commoners raised to the middle class with my father's backing. Alan had saved my father's life once and Dad had repaid that by helping them become merchants.
Emma and I had grown up as friends here, although the social class difference prevented us from being as good friends as we had been in my last life. Still, we were friends and unlike the Emma in my past life, she hadn't betrayed me yet.
"Does Emma even have magical potential?" I asked in confusion. "I don't think she's been tested."
"She was tested just yesterday while we were at that banquet with Lord Stanford and Lady Dallon." Dad supplied. The test merely tested for magical potential being present, not how much magic that person possessed, but it was a surprise; she hadn't Triggered in my last world, so I had assumed she'd be just as helpless here. Maybe actually having some degree of power here would stop her going off her rocker like she had back on Earth Bet.
"Sure. Sign her up." I agreed.
"OK then. You go and finish your studies for the day then." Dad said dismissively.
"Already done!" I said smugly. Please, the mathematical proficiency requirements in this world aren't exactly hard; a third year in middle school could dance on the grave of the math problems I had been given.
"I'll be checking." He warned me.
"Bet you a gold I get at least nine out of ten of them right." I teased.
"No gambling, young lady." He admonished me mock-sternly.
I found a gold on my bedside table before I went to sleep.
Day Before the Start of the New Term
Aboard the Hebert Family Vessel West Wind, En-Route to Dog Star Island
"You OK Emma?" I asked in actual concern. She was so green that her head looked like a Brussel sprout with a wig on it.
"BLEEEGGGHH!" she replied, upchucking her lunch overboard.
"Looks like Emma's seasick." Alan said wryly. He and my Dad were watching us in amusement as I tried to get Emma feeling better.
"I couldn't tell." I said sarcastically before going back to rubbing her back. We were both wearing dresses (the worst part of living in this world, if you asked me; the lack of acceptance towards girls wearing trousers) and I had been lucky enough to drag Emma to the port side of the ship before she couldn't hold back any longer. "Are there any magic spells that can do something about seasickness?"
"Some." Dad admitted. "They'll be a bit advanced for you though. You won't get to that point for at least a year."
Emma looked at me pleadingly in between vomiting up what had to be everything she had eaten for the past month.
"I'll do my best." I promised her, adding to myself that I wouldn't use it on her if something made her stab me in the back while at the school.
"Land ahoy!" the lookout cried. "Dog Star Island, dead ahead!"
"Thank the gods!" my redheaded companion muttered feelingly.
As we pulled up to the dock, the captain of the ship, Kurt, came over to see my father. "M'lord, there have been rumours of Black Sails in the area recently."
I frowned, as did Dad. Black Sails were basically pirates. Even I'd heard of them.
"Whose?" Dad asked quietly.
"Anton Lavere's Marquisate." Kurt replied seriously.
Dad exhaled. "The Black Sail Marquis, eh? Well, even he knows that it would be suicide to attack the Academy or any area near the capital. If he's been sighted, it's likely he's transitioning to another location. Keep the men alert for any signs of stupidity of Lavere's fleet though."
"Yes, My Lord." Kurt nodded and set about obeying his orders.
"He's never been this deep in the kingdom since his plot against the King was discovered." Alan muttered to Dad. "Why would he come here now, of all times?"
"I have no clue." Dad admitted. "All we can do is be alert…unlike Lady Dallon's men, it appears."
I turned my attention to the ship in the next berth over. All of the sailors there seemed to be taking it easy, with only a couple even going about their duties.
"I think our sailors are better, Dad." I told his firmly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the sailors on our ship stiffen with pride.
"I only hire the best, dear." Dad laughed. "Now, you'd better get ready."
"Do I have to change into another dress?" I eyed the one I was wearing in distaste, making Dad laugh again. Even my alternate had disliked wearing dresses, so me acting like this wasn't unexpected.
"No, students at the Academy are issued robes." Dad said after he stopped laughing. "I was talking about repacking your things."
"I did mine this morning and Emma's before we came up on deck." I shrugged. "It wasn't as if I had many things out, or that I had much to do since you limited the number of books I could bring with me."
"Sorry, but you know what you get like once you start reading." Dad coughed uncomfortably.
My alternate-self had, apparently, been something of a bibliophile. Thanks to that, I had quite a bit of knowledge to access. I had no idea how my soul had become attached to this body when the original's had (somehow) been destroyed or removed, but I swore that I'd make best use of what my younger alternate had left me…starting with discovering how someone could destroy or remove a soul. It was obviously with magic.
Hmm…? How did I know my alternate's soul was removed or destroyed? No clue. Instinct, I suppose. I had just known that that was the case as soon as I had woken up in my new body. I hadn't, and still don't, know which it is, but I will find out.
The Next Day, After the Entrance Ceremony
Classroom
The robes provided by the Academy were better than the dresses that I had worn up until then, but only because the boys looked just as ridiculous. First Years wore dark brown robes with a white stripe down one arm and a white sash around the waist. Second years wore white robes with a red stripe down both arms and a red sash.
I hadn't seen any third or fourth years, but presumably the trend continued there. That wasn't really my concern here though; what was my concern was that I knew a lot of these people. Every teen Cape from Brockton Bay was here. A lot of familiar faces, including…
Sophia.
Seeing Sophia Hess in one of these robes was worth it. I was going to keep my distance from her because judging from the dark scowl on her face, this Sophia was a bit too similar to the one I was familiar with.
An old man in a black robe with a white stripe down one arm entered the room. He carried a staff that, I was told by the whispers around me, indicated he was a Master Mage.
"Attention." He said in a surprisingly strong voice for such an old man. "I am Clarke, Master of the First Order, and I am your instructor to this class, 'An Introduction to Magic'."
Once he was certain that he had our attention, he continued. "The basic logic of magic is thus: magic is divided into 'spheres' of control and it is these spheres of control that we master in order to use our powers. There are twelve Major Spheres in the world and countless Lesser Spheres. The object of your studies while at this Academy is to gain at least a decent understanding of four Major Spheres. Any Lesser Spheres are a bonus."
After gazing around for a moment, he gestured at the blackboard and twelve circles appeared. "The Twelve Major Spheres are Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Darkness, Light, Shadow, Life, Death, Mind, Sound and Nature. Each is important in its own way and has a variety of uses."
Pointing at the top circle, the symbol of a clenched fist appeared, drawn so it looked as if it was made from stone, with rigid straight lines. "Earth is one that is overlooked for the most part, but it is this Sphere that allows us to expand our islands and create soil to place plants in. Without Earth, we would have died centuries ago."
The second circle was filled by the drawing of a dancing flame. "Fire is a Sphere of both destruction and rebirth. With it, you can lay waste to an entire forest…but by doing so you will also sow the seeds of new growth. Combat aside, it is a useful Sphere to know at least the basics of for cooking."
The third circle was a series of swirling lines. "Wind is one of the two most studied Spheres in the world. It speeds our ships along, protects our soldiers from arrows and can be used to cut asunder our enemies."
The fourth circle was a fluid drawing of a roaring wave. "Water is the other most studied Sphere in the world. Purifying salt water at sea, cleansing wounds, calming the seas…these are only a few of the many and myriad uses we have used the Water Sphere for. It is, perhaps, even more vital that you learn this Sphere than any other, for lacking water in a world of mostly saltwater is a death sentence."
The fifth circle had a twisted rune that looked like a little h standing on its head and bisected by a little r. "Darkness is just that; darkness. Unlike what some believe-" he cast a look at Victoria Dallon at this point. "-to use Darkness Magic is not automatically evil. A user of darkness can manipulate the darkness already present, blinding the enemy at night, create nightmarish beings from the darkness and more."
Evidently the Dallons were anti-darkness user.
The sixth circle had a rune that was like an inverted version of the symbol for darkness. "The Sphere of Light allows one to illuminate their surroundings and some have even turned it to offensive and defensive purposes. Useful, if very difficult to master."
The seventh circle had a hooded figure facing left. "The Sphere of Shadow is one of stealth. It can allow one to travel from shadow to shadow and to cloak an army from sight during twilight. Although it offers little in the way of offensive or defensive means, it is still rather popular in the military."
The eighth circle had a drawing of a robed woman facing forwards. "Life is a Sphere that is both blessed and cursed. On one hand, most use this Sphere to heal, to restore lost limbs and save lives. On the other, some few, twisted madmen have created abominations of nature by twisting the abilities granted by this Sphere to meld animals together."
The ninth circle had a robed and hooded man facing right, a scythe in one hand. "The Sphere of Death is just as misunderstood as Life is. On one hand, there are those who use this Sphere, and the Lesser Sphere it contains under its Aegis, Necromancy, to raise the dead and sap the life from others to extend their own lifespan. On the other hand, the only counter to a Necromancer is for a user of the Sphere of Death to disperse the energies of death that animates the unfortunate cadavers that animates them. It is also full of useful attack spells, so do not allow the ridiculous bad reputation that this Sphere has among gossips and old wives to colour your perceptions."
The tenth circle had the drawing of a human head in it. "The Sphere of the Mind is an easily abused one, which is why you will not be taught it until your last year here. A skilled user of this Sphere can heal the wounds of deepest hate, ease loss and alleviate despair…or just as easily control the mind of the recipient. Be warned that being proven to have used the Mind Sphere to control someone is a capital offence."
The eleventh circle had a series of waves drawn in it. "The Sphere of Sound was originally thought to be a Lesser Sphere, up until five centuries ago, where it was raised to the level of a Major Sphere by the Supreme Master of the Mage's Council. Sound can carry a voice across distances, it can shatter the hearing of its targets and it can even be used to utterly destroy the body of a human."
The twelfth and final circle was willed with a storm cloud hovering over a forest. "The last of the Major Spheres is Nature. You might think to yourself 'well, don't a lot of the others fall under this one?' You'd be right and wrong about that. Nature covers not only the separate Lesser and Major Spheres that make it up, but also the interaction between them. A master of the Nature Sphere instinctively seeks harmony with the elements of nature and works to maintain it. Necromancers are the natural enemies of Nature Mages and the clashes between them are the stuff of legends if they are truly masters of their spheres."
Turning to face us, Master Clarke tucked his hands behind his back. "You will receive basic textbooks on the morrow detailing the basics of all of the Major Spheres with the exception of Mind Magic, Death Magic and Life Magic. For the moment, however, you will be called, one by one, into the room over there, where you will be assessed for which of the Twelve Major Spheres you are most in tune with. Some of you will have as little as one, while others may have as many as six. If you end up as either one of these extremes, I can tell you that it is not any reason to be either ashamed or proud; your magical talents are what they are, nothing more and nothing less."
That being said, he walked over to the small door set into one side of the classroom that wasn't the way out and called the first student in.
That was a tremendous information overload. I opened one of my blank jotters and started to write the pertinent points down.
"Why're you writing? He never gave us an assignment." Emma whispered. She was sat next to me. I was anticipating that she would be called soon, as Master Clarke was going in A-Z alphabetical order.
"Writing down the information will keep it in my mind better than just reading it." I answered quietly. "Mom told me that knowledge is power when it comes to magic, Ems. She's a Master at Water Magic, so she knows what she's talking about."
"Lady Annette? I knew she was a mage, but I never knew what her specialty was." Emma mused. She reluctantly got out her own jotter and started writing down her own notes. We weren't the only ones, but those who followed suit weren't common. Chris, Kid Win, was one, with someone I recognised as Amelia Lavere, freaking PANACEA, doing the same. Wasn't her father a pirate? Could this place really be THAT neutral?!
Shaking my head slightly in disbelief, I resolved to stay well clear of THAT mess.
Emma was called and, a few minutes later, came back looking elated. "So, how'd you do?" I asked, amused at her excitement.
"Mind, Life and Water!" Emma replied eagerly. "Father will be delighted! AND I don't have to worry about being a mere second wife to a powerful merchant to boot! Well, so long as I have the proper amount of magical energy, I suppose."
"There'll be exercises to increase the amount of magic you have." I assured her. "Mom hinted as much before she saw us off at Brockton Bay, remember?"
"Do you think she'll teach me?" Emma asked hopefully.
"If you do your best, then probably." I answered as I finished my notes and handed them to her. "Here. Check for anything you missed."
"Th-thanks!" Emma smiled brightly at me.
Dammit. Now I was really feeling bad about still harboring mistrust towards her. While this Emma and the Emma from Earth Bet had similarities, such as their love of clothes, they were also greatly different. This one was subservient to me, as well as a great deal more grounded and mentally tough compared to the one who betrayed me. She wouldn't collapse mentally if merely threatened.
"Taylor Hebert!" Master Clarke called from the room as another student left.
I sighed and stood up. Time to see what my powers in this world were.
OK, before anyone says anything; yes, I am aware that this chapter is both compressed and rushed. Were I actually writing it as a story, the events outlined in this chapter would take place over three, perhaps four, chapters instead, allowing for greater detail and more content. As it is, this is just to give you an idea of the world and magic of this setting.
Oh, and it must be said that I LOATHE AutoCorrupt. A thousand curses on it…