The Arcane Tides

"He'll be registering under the name Sylmoira, Archmage of Aumbervale."

Lirael had informed him that his family would be taken to the stadium used for the tournament of 32. It was a ranking system used for those who placed in the top 50. Any of them could request to participate and almost all of them did, but it was always based on numbers- the higher your number from the inspection, the more likely you were granted a spot in the tournament.

"Here you are then, sir. Welcome to Ashervale Academy. We look forward to your achievements!"

Finally.

It had taken years of training with Lirael and William to get him here- not to mention all he'd had to reveal to his teacher that day. Following his explanation of events that led to him returning to the past, she had stared off thoughtfully for several minutes before shrugging and accepting the truth. "There is no way for you to be as perfect in combat magic as you are without many years of training anyway. Not to mention all you know of the messaging magic and events of the future. While it's stunning to know what a black dragon stone truly does, it makes things easy for us. We'll get you registered, and together we'll convince the King of the coming peril." She'd smirked.

"Assuming you can back up all you've promised."

To place in the top ten in the exam and make his new family name national. You see, with his father having closed down the mill and with them moving onto her estate, his family name had changed to "Sylmoira", the same name and symbol he had in his previous life but this time…he'd change its connotation much earlier than before. She'd been ridiculed when he'd attended this school in the past- she was a teacher there, and to have the student that represented her name place dead last was devastating to her reputation. Of course, he'd only had a few months of training and was up against kids with much larger pools of mana but he'd been worked to death trying to make up for his coming short.

But never again.

This time, despite her telling him it was just a joke about first place and to take it easy and only work to make it into the top 100, he'd promised a top ten finish to her and to himself, he'd dedicated his every effort to be first.

This time, her name would be something whispered rather than spat out.

He turned to her with his robes and smiled, then lurched forward and wrapped his arms around her small frame. "Thank you, Master! For everything!" He'd not done this in his previous life- they hadn't been close enough at the time. But now…now he had all the memories of the before and the years of the now. Her eyes widened when he did that, but then softened as one hand came out and patted him on the back.

"Yes yes…alright then. Try not to let my name sink any lower than it is, yeah?"

He grinned.

"Don't worry, Master. I owe you a debt- it's time I repay it, if even just a little."

She rolled her eyes and started out the door, while he headed into the back rooms to change. Emerging in his new robes, a deep blue cape and trousers with a white and gold inlaid vest over a blue long sleeve shirt, Kael moved out the back door and into the central square. There, hundreds of new students were gathered around a podium, on which sat six teachers, three to each side of the seventh. The one in the middle was the headmaster- an eccentric older man with short gray hair pulled back into a top knot and a mustache that curled on the end.

He would be a key part of his plans for today, as he was considered the greatest mage in the country and yet had died due to assassination prior to the major events of the war. 

Even a powerful mage was susceptible to poison.

After about twenty minutes or so of waiting around, the headmaster stepped up to the microphone.

"Welcome, Students of AA. You are all here, either through merits of your own or my family association. A select few are here by recommendation- no matter the cause of your entry into this prestigious school, I welcome you. I also warn you- do not think that your noble house, your incredible achievements in the world or your deep pockets will mean anything inside these walls. Here there is balance- you will all be treated as students, with the only thing separating you being your entry evaluation."

He grinned.

"Your evaluation will give you only symbolic perks outside of optional extra classes and off campus excursions- those seen abusing their arbitrary numbers for personal gain can just as quickly lose that which they have won. Remember- you are here to forge yourself into a sorcerer of the future, for the good of Man and Kingdom. Take this to heart, and the world of Magic will open to you."

There was applause, before he finally held up his hand.

"According to academy rules, you have all submitted your forms acknowledging your Aether measurements and ability demonstration recordings. Those who came on recommendation will now step forward to speak with us in the back on this matter while the rest of you prepare near the stadium in the west field. Dismissed!"

The students began piling out the large door on the west side, the sound of discussion and chatter carrying over their heads. Excitement riddled, fueled by passion and a hunger for the Aetheric arts. There were only eight of them left, and they looked at each other to familiarize themselves with the threats- recommendations were difficult to earn. Either you were poor and performed such amazing feats that the government recommended you or you were rich and powerful, modifying your aetheric pool by alchemic potions or studying under an incredible teacher. Kael was in the latter group- having been recommended by an Archmage, he was one of the few that others would deem…a let down.

At least, that's how it was.

He clenched his fist and started forward with the others, heading out the northern most door and into the main hall. A receptionist pointed at several seats which they took, each having a name etched above it on paper. He sat in front of the one with his name. As he expected, as soon as he sat down a number appeared on the paper under his name.

220.

The average number for a mage accepted into AA was 200, and in his past life he'd gone in with a pool of 70. 220 was significantly better and placed him right in the average range. The others still looked at him with a smirk, as their numbers were in the mid 500's and there was one student at 700. He didn't care. The fact that his numbers had more than tripled was incredible…and that was just his normal aetheric pool. It didn't account for his mana circle he'd worked on with Malakar and it left him with a trump card if he ever needed it. Kael wanted to make it through on his own magic if possible- it was always better to keep your true abilities hidden, as a mage.

"Kael Sylmoira."

He'd watched two others go before him- they were called by order of their first name spelling, so he stood and walked into the room. There sat the same seven teachers from earlier, all eyes on him as he entered the room. The headmaster gave a small, mustached smile and a curt nod, gesturing for Kael to come and stand before them. The man next to him, deep auburn hair cropped short and a small scar over his left eye that blinded it looked up at him. He liked to startle students by opening the eye and glaring with a milky white orb. Julian Thorlye. Magical Theory teacher and noble of the house of Thorlye. His sister, Juneward, was a Vicountess. Kael had liked him, eventually. Now, the teacher knew nothing of him and Kael would have to play the part.

"Your AR is only 220. Not great, for a recommended student. Why were you offered up to the slaughter, boy?"

Kael had already passed the mans first test- he'd stared straight into both his eyes as it opened, unflinching at the milky white glow. Now, it was time to make sure they remembered more than just a number.

"You'll find, sir, that the Aetheric Reserve is the worst way to judge a mage, especially where I am concerned."

Holding up a hand, a small ball of fire appeared. This startled the teachers- all except the headmaster, who's small smile at Kaels words only widened as his deep blue eyes sparkled in the fire light. "I am a freecasting mage- I do not require runes, scrolls or any spoken word to cast my magic. I am also a grade 7 mage. Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Light, Dark and Holy. I specialize in every class of magic there is." Murmurs came from each of the teachers at that- the headmaster was a grade four mage, specializing in the first for and only a secondary mage in one. Light magic. Dark and Holy magic were usually only individually specialized because of their difficulty. Julian opened his mouth to respond, but the headmaster held up his hand and spoke.

"Show us."

Kael looked at him, giving a nod. "Yes, sir."

Headmaster Noah Lyze. When he'd come to the school before he hadn't told a soul about what he could truly do, and he'd sunk to the bottom faster than a stone in water. This time, though he hadn't expected the normally silent headmaster to interject, he welcomed it.

Sticking out the hand in which he'd had fire, he brought out a small ball of light- the flame shifted to a smaller size and began to rotate around it. On the table before the professors was small bits of dirt and water- for just such an occasion as this. He pulled similarly sized beads of each to rotate around the holy energy, which manifested as a golden color. Light was wrapped into a ball and similarly send around in a circle, being more white in color made it easily stand out. Then, from his shadow a small bead of darkness came and fused air with it. He sent up the holy energy and together he sent the orbs upward into a circle, the magic rotating together faster and faster until they blended together. The headmasters mouth was open in an excited grin, like a child witnessing magic for the first time.

"As a free-casting mage, my magic doesn't adhere to scripted requirements. I have no need to learn to cast something written in books or inscribed on runes- I create magic from my imagination, forming only that which I will into being."The circle of energies slowed until they came to a stop- he changed each into something different- a crown, a cup, and so on until they were all something different. "As such…there is no limit to what I can do with it."

The Noah began to laugh as Kael returned the different bits of Aether to their respective locations. While he was cackling, the other teachers were astonished. Noah finally finished his joyful bellow and nodded.

"Ah…it has been far too long since I have seen the true magic- most mages who are capable of it vanish into the grasp of a covetous archmage or King, never to be seen again. This is more than enough to get you entry into the-"

Kael held up a hand.

"Sorry for interjecting sir, but if I may?"

Noah allowed it and cocked a brow, nodding.

"I would like to demonstrate a few of my personal magical spells." The teachers all glanced between each other. Most people kept spells they had created under wraps- for once it was seen, it was possible it could be replicated. If he was willing to show this, he likely had many more powerful spells and more importantly, was aiming to be one of the top ranked students upon entry into the academy. Noah bristled his mustache.

"Very well." With a whispered phrase, Noah cast a spell. A large dome appeared over them- noise canceling magic. "Anything you demonstrate from here on out will only be heard by those present- and under oath, we cannot divulge your secrets to others. So, begin when you are ready."

Kael nodded and moved over to the table. Across the far wall (and gathering dust) were several stone plaques, meant for targets or used for demonstrations such as these.

"I call this…Blitz."

In his hand he carried several stones, cocking back to throw them, his posture caused several of the teachers to frown but Noah watched intently.

KRAK RRAH KRAK KRAK-

The sound of several small pops could be heard as micro-explosions detonated in his hand, behind the rocks. PHIF SPISH MIF- the sound of the stones blasting against the plates could be heard, chips falling from the plaque with his one, like a shotgun blast. The teachers all leaned forward, silent and in awe. Noah still had a look of glee as Kael picked up the largest stone they had- about the size of an apple.

"This I call Widowmaker."

Air began to shape the stone into a cylinder, with grooves around the outside. The cylinder began to rotate so quickly it was a blur, and he looked to the teachers.

"You should cover your ears."

They did, and right on time.

KRAKOOM-

A massive explosion detonated off the back of the object Kael had dubbed "Widomaker". It smashed into the plate, punching a fist sized hole through it and hitting the wall with a BROOSH". A shield lit up, pieces of the magical protective object falling from the wall behind. The windowmaker had punctured it, but was stuck about halfway through it. Had the plate not slowed it down…it would have blown through the shield and likely the wall behind it. Everyone was wide eyed as Kael let out a breath.

"The final spell I have I will only show the headmaster…if that is not acceptable, I'll leave it with just these as an example ."

The other teachers began to voice objections but headmaster lyze stood.

"No- he's right. Had I known what he would show already, I'd have asked to do it alone. Go, and leave us."

It was highly irregular, but the teachers all stood and exited as Kael looked to Headmaster Lyze. The teacher in charge of AA walked over and put a hand on Kaels shoulder.

"You are…stupendous, my boy. Remarkable. Come- what is this final spell you wish to show me?"

Kael took a slow deep breath. Headmaster Lyze was imperfect- there was bullying and bribes he overlooked for the common good of AA in his past life. But when the demons had invaded and Kael earned his name, Lyze had left many spells and instructions as though he knew he would soon perish, and those had saved countless lives. Kael believed it with all he had- Noah Lyze was a good man, and he would need his trust in the future.

"I call this... Last Shadow."

______________________

Twenty minutes later, Kael walked onto the field. Eyes were on him and the large number 2 pinned to his vest. The combat portion had yet to even take place and already he'd fulfilled his promise to his master. Of course, he couldn't rest on that. If other students performed well in the combat portion his number could be easily knocked down to 15 or 20. He would have to participate. It was the plan all along, but as he walked up onto the dias with the other 32 contestants, his eyes went to his family that sat in the crowd.

His face was on the magical screens that surrounded the arena, blown up by whoever was controlling them so that everyone in both the field and the stands could see his number. He grinned and waved at his family who were screaming. His eyes drifted to his master, who had people staring at her as well- it was just the beginning, though. Yes, he'd placed second- but that was only because he was a question mark. The teachers didn't really know if he could apply his magics quickly enough to be a threat. Even if he was able to, his mana reserve was too small to place higher than fifth- it was only on the headmasters word that he placed second, as he had been talked down from giving Kael 1st place.

It was fine- there were powerful people here that spent untold amounts of money to get their children to attend. They had to be catered to- so Kael had graciously accepted before the headmaster could continue to argue, looking the teachers in the eye.

"I look forward to the challenge your uncertainty leaves me with. I'll go now- thank you for your consideration."

And there he stood, watching as the headmaster stood to speak, down on the podium below them.

"There you have it, Vale! Your starting combatants for this years Class Tournament. Get your food and drink- in less than thirty minutes, our tournament will begin!"