Three months later...

Steven came home that their family is now a Count. They can now live in a Castle.

Building one will be a pain in the ass though. They have to widen space just to make room for it! They planned the spacing needed, but actual castle construction will be done after fifty years, to give their people TIME from working too hard! For now, they settle for a Manor instead. But all of Frankland knows that their fiefdom is now that of a Count's. The whole fiefdom celebrated.

Besides, their entire military forces live in their own homes as the Barracks was a Training Facility instead.

And Zachary was a no-show, as he is now in the Academy.

Years passed by that Richter was also gone after three years that Sierra is now eight years old.

Tall and strong for her age. That due to training, she wears shirts, vests and breeches with boots. She stopped wearing cute dresses-to her mother's comical wailing and whining to her husband.

'Now now dear, Sierra is hard at work training her body for the Archer Training she wanted! She'll wear those lovely dresses again after training, so dry your tears.' Steven soothed his wailing wife. 'A bow's drawstring weight is heavy-hard to pull you know.'

Life continued until Sierra herself, is 12 years old. Her older brothers Richter who's now 16 and Zachary who's 19 watched with their parents.

And Frankland continued to grow. More Farmlands were made for crops and ranches for meat. More land was cleared out for settlements.

There was a Fountain of Mana found that Steven built defenses of Guard Towers around it. Sierra also kept an eye on it herself.

But as she later discovered, something is up with the mana in this world...the stronger she gets, her personality changes against her will, gaining what she never had before in her character. But she felt 'slivers of malice' influence her mind that breeds pride and arrogance and she knows those two things will lead to her death, that she stabs herself with Rulebreaker to save herself before the slivers take root in her magic and soul, effectively destroying the slivers. They tend to show up whenever she increases her magic every two years.

She has a small inch-long scar below her heart due to annual stabbings in the same place and lets herself heal manually. So when she was eleven when they found it, she put Rulebreaker into the fountain with intent to 'destroy any curses' as Rulebreaker destroys any form of magic, and plenty of that malice seeped out, turning that glowing purple liquid into a lighter, lavender shade, making it safe for her to take in large amounts without the malice in it.

Yes, she calls it that as what else could it be? Magic is a neutral tool, therefore innocent of it's wielder's intentions. Magic cannot be evil. Naturally, memories are modified and it'll take ten years for said fountain to be back to it's 'old self'.

So this year, she stopped absorbing mana as she cannot reveal Rulebreaker or she'll have to explain...things...

Frankland became a city, after the Harcourt Family of Merchants brought in more people. Enough for Frankland to be capable of housing 250000 people as they picked up drudges all over Lordaeron, said drudges were given a clean bath, homes, education and jobs. And they have to keep building workplaces and trainers to train them all to be functional.

Villages of Farmers are also built and these villages are also protected by towers. That there are 60 homes to care for every 20 acres of land and Mining Village have 60 homes as well, when Sierra located large nodes and justifiably built bases there. They expanded oh-so-much to feed and pay everybody.

That in Royal Knight's Academy, she was easily the only girl. All children are present for their Entrance Mana Screening Test. The seniors who are older siblings are watching their younger siblings down below with their parents. And on the stage, were the King, high-ranking officials and representatives from Dalaran.

The center of attention was his highness Arthas Menethil. When he placed his bare hands on the crystal, he had the potential to become a high-ranking Paladin if he wanted to in his future, much to the loud cheers of the audience.

After the prince, came the sons of Dukes, and so on until its the turn of Counts.

Sierra who was the only girl, was quite the sight. She was the only Lady present and so beautiful 'in their eyes' because of her reinforced feminine features. Eyes were upon her.

Zachary and Richter knew there's a snowball's chance in a volcano that their sister will never be engaged to a mana-less person. By law she must marry a man with Mana. The price to pay for being a mage. Thus, none of these guys can ever hope to marry her.

When she placed her bare hands on the crystal...it was a stronger version of what happened when she was five back when she has 800 units. And like before, she blinded the audience with intense rainbow lights and broke the crystal.

The current Sierra, now has a whopping 5000 units of mana. This was because every two years, her daily efforts enables her a yield of a permanent increase of 125 units in her mana capacity. According to the Emissary, she was a Magus-Class mage...so there are mage ranks here? But since she started consuming from the fountain she cleansed combined with her usual efforts, she was now five times the strength of Tohsaka and over three times that of Saber.

Her goal was at least, Illya's level of power. Her body was made of both Ether and '70% magic circuits'. Each circuit has 20 units on average, so how many is in that 70%?

Dumbfounded Silence ensued. Couple hundred jaws dropped in Lordaeron Country's entire noble clan lines and that of the Royal Court.

"I have heard of this from Sir Keytris, but to think the real show is much more than his words say..." King Terenas II was in shock.

There was now strong audience murmurs as the Dalaran Representative quickly took Sierra aside, granting her a set of robes to change into next room over where she waited with another girl and someone had to bring out a new Crystal for Mana Testing.

'Wow, these things feel super nice...' it was maximum comfort. The uniform was purple with gold trimming and accents. But that's weird, she never saw this girl in the testing...maybe from another kingdom? She was a typical blue-eyed blonde. And androgynous like most girls.

Sierra was a girl with ginger-red hair and amber eyes like her old life. And like any girl of nobility, grew her hair long. Her hair in a hime cut with cheek-length fringes short enough to show earrings if she bothered to wear any. The hairstyle was a reminder of her japanese heritage.

'Oh! Another Dalaran Student?' the blonde inquired. 'You're the one responsible for that massive mana surge aren't you?'

'Yes. I heard we're rare though...' said Sierra. 'When daddy tested me before, the family crystal broke and I broke the one in the hall too.' she said sheepishly. 'My family knows then my forever home will be in Dalaran since I was five. My citizenship paperwork will be changed sometime soon even if I can still visit Frankland sometimes. They used this Mana Screening Test just to make things legit to the nobles present due to that one law.' the blonde looked sheepish.

'Yes...the fact that we can only marry men with mana to keep magic in humans flowing...marriage options sure got limited.'

'Well if we're so limited I hope we can still marry well somehow...' Sierra sighed. 'I want a marriage like my parents. My brothers and I grew up happy. I heard scary stories from my brothers who met other nobles who have it frosty or worse, explosive due to political arrangements.' the blonde sweatdropped.

Arranged Pairs only meet twice. Introduction day, and then the day they're getting married. Some families go as far as pairing up their kids as soon as they're even BORN.

'We'll see I guess...we don't know what Dalaran is like...'

After a long wait, they were picked up by the representatives together with four others in the testing room for Commoners entering the academy.

'Welcome, new Mages.' said the Representative. 'The moment you have donned those robes, you are welcomed into the Violet Citadel, the academe of Dalaran City.' he said. 'Living in a City of Magic is not without its hazards if one is careless. This is why we will warn you in advance to only walk around in places you're allowed in Violet Citadel. The city outside the school is understandably safe as we do get merchants doing business with us coming and going.'

'The streets, shops, inns, hotels, restaurants and bars are publicly safe. But woe betide you if you try to sneak into someone else's home...everyone in Dalaran except merchants are all magic-users who secured their homes.' the representative continued. 'Some fool tried that before to steal undergarments from a girl he fancied, and let's just say it took us a while to fix him.' he grinned, all teeth. The kids gulped at the implications.

'As for your luggage, its not needed.' he continued. 'The needs of students are already paid for thus will be provided for. In the case of the commoners, their needs are on sponsor by King Terenas II. While for our two noble ladies, their needs are paid for by their families.' he said. 'We will keep record of purchases made within the Violet Citadel and charge accordingly every month via a long IOU letter with records. But purchases made outside the citadel, you will work the debt off. Food and drink is free, worry not.'

'And lastly, when we teleport into the citadel, all of you will receive your schoolbags and your magic wand...but in the case of Lady Frankland whose beginning base power is too much for a magic wand, she gets a staff instead.' he said, eyeing Sierra and the kids followed his gaze. 'You lot will also get a staff when you end your basic magic education at 16, and begin looking for Archmages to take you under their wing and they'll teach you what cannot be learned in the classroom. With that,' he raised his own staff. 'Away we go!' a magic circle formed, and they were gone.


'Mom, we're not seeing Sierra off?' Zachary asked his mother.

'We cannot dear...after a short orientation from the representatives when I asked for information, they will be immediately taken to Dalaran.' said Elenora. 'It was why father and I had the family give her all goodbyes in our hotel room yesterday before today's screening.'

'Oh...'

'Well, I already processed paperwork for Sierra's dual-citizenship so she can still come home to Frankland when she wishes.' Steven told his sons. 'She'll be alright boys. Your sister is sensible and logical. Now then, off you go for your Assessment Exams with everyone else.' he said. 'You'll be late.'

'Yes dad! Goodbye!' said Richter as he and his brother ran off.

'Sigh, they grow too fast.' Elenora sighed. 'It feels just yesterday when they're so small...' she said mournfully. 'Now they're all big.'

'Time is fast for us humans.' Steven tut-tutted before sighing. He married at 30, and had Zachary at 33 including all 19 years he had with his children, making him now 52. But he was still a spry, robust old man and his wife just as energetic even if their age showed when his peers are already beginning to slow down. 'Which is why we savor every day we live. Let's go to Khaz Modan as we planned to get Zachary's equipment forged, now that we got his sizes for his graduation next year.' and they left for home on their carriage with their retainers who had also seen their sons off.


Dalaran...Violet Citadel...

The representatives got them inside a small hall where there are chairs containing a leather school bag, and wands on chairs but in one chair, there's the bag and a staff leaning against the wall so Sierra knows its hers.

'Gather your things children. We will now begin a tour of Violet Citadel, and showing you where your dorms are as well as where you eat all three meals and the communal baths.'

'Sir, may I ask why luggages aren't allowed for students?' Jaina asked him.

'Before, students could bring their luggages...but there were instances of students stealing belongings of others when faced with temptation...after a hundred incidents of petty theft, we decided students can only own few belongings to avoid conflict until graduation day and our shop system was set up. We expelled the thieving students of course, and erased their memories that they were ever students, erased their knowledge and sent home in shame. We cannot trust budding criminals with magic, that would be disastrous!'

'Lady Frankland...others who will wonder outside this group why you have a staff and not a magic wand, thinking you broke rules.' the representative continued. 'This will surely lead to fights.' Sierra gulped. 'This is why you can rightfully defend yourself and justify why you can have it despite being a mere first year student. In Violet Citadel, you will learn that the stronger you become, so does pride and arrogance. The two greatest sins of magi that self-control is a must. Youngsters get their prides offended too easily, leading to fights.' he said. 'So always bring your weapons with you.'


After the tour that lasted a day, the students can do however they pleased for two days, before school officially begins.

So Sierra is at the shop.

'What can we do for you?' the shopkeeper asked her.

'What are writing materials usually used in the classroom? Pages of papers or scrolls? I have to get some as well as ink...'

'Don't worry, you naturally write on pieces of paper so we have boxes here containing 500 pieces o papers. You'll be asking for these a lot often as well as ink bottles, unless you lose your magic pen of course...' she said, taking out a thin wooden box that was 6 inches long and wide, a fountain pen stylized into a feather theme, and an inkwell. 'Use magic with intent to absorb ink to refill your pen should it run out. When it's full, the jewel should glow green.' she explained. 'The ink inside the pen normally lasts days but with the notes you need to take is no joke.'

'And you must absolutely take notes every single lesson.' the shopkeeper warned. 'Because you will compound them into a book which you must submit to your teacher. How you understood their lessons, serve as an annual lengthy essay exam by itself. You will be taught how in class. Anything else other than writing materials?'

'Er, how do lady mages handle the bad blood week...? Any supplies on that?'

'Aiii we don't use those barbaric disposable rags like how I used to before I got lucky to be magical enough to come here...' the shopkeeper shivered at the memory. '...visit the clinic, Nurse Marielle will teach you how.'

"Ah, no napkins and tampons in Dalaran then?"


School began with an Orientation from the first subject teacher who handles Law Class, Sorceress Glenda.

She began talking about what students must do.

They got the lecture on notes taking and its purpose. As well as making full use of the Grand Library and Training.

'Now then, introduce yourselves in front of class. There's only ten of you here and you'll be doing this a total of seven times so other teachers will get to know you.' Sorceress Glenda instructed. 'After that, we will talk about Abjuration! So noble ladies first and after that, I'll give a brief history of your houses to the other students!'

Thus it began.

Sierra was excited as the blonde girl she spoke to, turned out to be the child of the Admiral of Kul Tiras, Daelin Proudmoore, it's ruler. Her name was Jaina. Her nation was responsible for protecting the open seas and trade lanes against pirates and sea monsters to keep economy flowing. Oh, and exporting seafood to nearby countries who can have it without fear of seafood expiring before it gets to them, that Gilneas, Stromgarde, and through Menethil Harbor, Gnomeregan and the Dwarven Kingdoms. Dalaran happily uses magic to purchase from Kul Tiras.

Other nations so far inland, can't get seafood without it rotting before it can get to them!

Then there's her, the daughter of a Count whose family accomplished in a short time what normally can be done after five centuries...rapid development of their fiefdom with a high level in Industry and the discovery of Truesilver, the currently-known strongest metal known to humanity and dwarvenkind. This is why from Knight, House Frankland jumped ranks to Count!

There are many types of magic for study. Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, Elemental Magic, Runic Magic, Holy Magic, Enchantment, Illusion, and Evocation.

But for first years, their subjects are History, Law, Mana Training and Control, Basic Magic, Magical Theory, Herbology and Pharmacology, and Cryptozoology. Magic can wait till next year.

Classes start at 8:00 am with one hour per subject with five minute bathroom breaks every after classes. So yes, students should get up at at least 6 am to get dressed and groomed before going to eat breakfast. Lunch Break is at 12:20 to 1:25.

The meals here are bread, soup, vegetables and there are three days of meat dishes and four days of seafood. Wow! The cooking here...the level is exactly like her level of cooking!

Their bread always has melted cheese coating the top half of their bread roll. The meat if it's pork or mutton are in the form of sausages. Chicken on the other hand, stays as is no matter the dish. And by the gods, Chocolate! Hot Chocolate Drinks every mealtimes and cold chocolate is a constant supply instead of drinking water anywhere. The fish when served are perfectly-descaled and deboned that you can happily enjoy fish fillets. For shellfish, no troublesome shells and carapaces either. For dessert it's simply fresh fruit bowl.

The dorms are in gold-trimmed purples and white in tastefully-selected areas. But the dorms are something out of a 1st-class hotel. Don't get her started on communal baths! Fragrant water and soap! And comfortably hot massive pool in place of a bathtub!

The Grand Library...shelves here and there, categorized and organized but all shelves are as high as the ceiling, but pressed against walls...because the floor was dedicated to long tables and chairs! The spacing made it look classy!

The Clinic under Doctor Philip, Nurse Marielle and their assistants are well-equipped and trained...with a horrifying good reason. Training and experiments tend to go BOOM...that they have creative ways and constantly updating just to 'fix you back to normal'.

Damn, what a school! Many people would kill to be a Dalaran Student!

There are NO weekends off. Yes, the seventh day is a no-class day but you're expected to either spend time in the Grand Library or be seen practicing to master spells.

But Sierra spent her first week exploring shops in town and appraising all she got her hands on.

'Wow miss, I'm not exactly selling poison, why're you appraising the seafood?' a baffled seafood merchant sputtered.

'So I'd know how to cook it without overcooking or burning it! I've never seen these before!' Sierra lied while taking notes. There are...slight difference between Azeroth Seafood and Japanese Seafood...

'Ah, inlander...yeah, inlanders don't get seafood from Kul Tiras...' said the next merchant who sells meat. 'If they wanted any, transport tax if mages are hired for delivery will be enough to even make a landlord cry in despair!' he said dryly.

'Ah...I get it...'


By end of the year...

'So, how are our new students?'

'From the reports of the teachers to Antonidas who in turn forwarded to us, the two nobleladies have bright, sharp minds judging from their written books. They have a rather interesting way of looking at their lessons. The other newcomer commoners are two steps into the mindset of a mage. Typical beginners. Average scores for them in their annual essay exam while our two noblewomen scored 95-100 in their subjects.'

'Hooo? They impressed their teachers that much?'

'It seems so and they even have high praise from Antonidas as a teacher. The problem is Frankland. Too much power, less control. She's responsible for countless explosions as of late she was put below Violet Hold just to get a hang of her spells...the basic magic spells a freshman must learn, tend to blow up in her face, so she's under extreme strict control training she's famous in the Academe now as 'The Destroyer'. She's trying to use less and less mana for all her basic spells to not blow things up. So regarding Mana Classes...she's zero in score.'

'Well...how about powerful spells?'

'Er...the teachers are debating...on whether it's safe...'

'Well, we won't know if we don't try...'

And so...

'Alright, we've created a safe environment.' said Antonidas. 'This is where you will train from now on close to the ocean and its not included in Trade Routes. We installed a magic circle so you can teleport here and back any time when you train.' he told Sierra.

'This student is sorry for causing so much trouble...' said Sierra sheepishly.

'Its rare for someone to be born with such strong mana...maybe fate has great things in store for you as long as you don't turn evil.' said Antonidas sternly. Sierra took that as 'If you became bad, we'll kill you' that she understood. 'Work hard and you'll be among Kirin Tor's brightest warriors against evil should it come back.'

'Yes sir!'

'Work hard on your basics before you try mastering the nine arts!' and he was gone.

'...I'm in for a loooong ride...' Sierra sighed in a long-suffering voice. 'Well, time for practice for Summer Break and I already sent a letter to my brothers that I can't go home for now...'

This was the price she paid for power. Now she must work her way to calculate how much power is needed for this and that without it blowing up in her face! And every after class, she comes here for practice that the land in her training grounds is basically...a wasteland of about 6 acres...that's about a couple football fields.

She cooks her own dinner here too and stays here till 9 pm. She would then take a bath, sleep and wake up at 6.

Joy.