Under The Emperor's Eye

"Are you sure you will be okay Selena?" Ivory asks with concern.

Selena smiles, "I know what you are worried about Ivory but I will be just fine. I may not know offensive magic like the others but you've seen just how hard I've worked all these years. I'll show off how useful I can be during the campaign. I have confidence!" She says with strong vigor.

Ivory smiles helplessly, "Well that's good to hear. The Dean wants everyone to head towards the courtyard before we depart. I'll be heading there early, catch up when you're done changing" Ivory says as she heads out of the room.

Selena watches Ivory slowly disappear from view and then stares towards the journal on her desk. Selena's mother was an infamous woman back when she was younger. She believed only focusing on Offensive magic was too limiting for the empire and started researching different ways to use magic. Unfortunately, all the spells she theorized or invented were extremely complicated, required much more training than usual and none of them could attack the enemy. No matter how unpopular she became, she never gave up her research.

Selena smiled as she kept reminiscing. "Mother said only two people supported her during this time, her best friend and my father. Shortly after her marriage, Our family was promoted to a Dukedom. We are not nearly as powerful as the other two dukedoms but we still hold considerable power. That's probably why Fiona only fears Ivory and not me even though we are both duke's daughters" Selena said as she rolled her eyes in slight annoyance.

"Well it doesn't matter, Soon, I will make sure I bring prosperity to House Jobaine!" Selena says with newfound conviction as she dresses up and heads towards the courtyard.

The Courtyard

All the graduating students arrived and were seated, awaiting the Dean's announcement. The Dean looked at the crowd and waited for everyone to get settled before he began his speech. 

"It has been five years since you guys entered the world of magic and now, you are one step away from becoming masters. As masters of magic, it is our duty to stabilize our empire and bring prosperity to our nation. Unlike the previous exams, we won't be conducting simple trials but you guys will become part of our nation's History!" The Dean says in a loud and majestic voice.

Murmurs and excitement burst out in the crowd after hearing the Dean's words.

"Not too long ago, The military was one step away from unifying the southern region but due to some unforeseen factors, they couldn't finish the job. honestly, they don't even need you guys to help but I believe everyone here is more than talented enough to become the insurance we need to secure the southern territory. If we could pull this off, it would not only raise the prestige of our academy but greatly stabilize our national security. The three-front war between the Thorkell empire, the Voraine empire, and the southern tribe will now be reduced to a two-front war. This has never happened since the birth of Kortz, a monumental accomplishment is within our grasp. So do not fear and use this opportunity to etch your names into history!" The Dean says in an inspirational tone.

The class couldn't hold back their excitement and started cheering. The national pride was swelling within the group. After the noise dies down, the Dean continues.

"You will be split between three groups and each will have its own class representative. Each of the three groups will follow one of the commanders of the war. Group 1 will follow Commander Zenat, Group 2 will follow Commander Flamor and Group 3 will follow Commander Lance. 

"Ivory!"

"Yes, Dean!" Ivory says as she stands up and salutes.

"You'll be the class representative of Group 1. Take this list, gather your members, and prepare to head out. The dean says as another staff member grabs the paper from his hand and gives it to Ivory".

"Fiona!"

"Yes, Dean!" Fiona says as she stands up and salutes"

"You'll be the class representative of Group 2. Take this list, gather your members, and prepare to head out. The dean says as the same staff member hands the paper to Fiona".

"And lastly, Selena!"

Selena was shocked when she heard her name but quickly collected herself and stood up.

"Yes, Dean!"

"You'll be the class representative of Group 3. Take this list, Gather your members, and prepare to head out. The Dean says as the same staff member hands the paper to Selena".

When all three of them returned to their seats, The Dean continued.

"You three are the three people with the highest amount of magic power within the class. No one else deserves the title of class representative more than you three. Make sure you understand your responsibility and work hard for the school and our empire".

"Yes, Dean!" All three of them said in Unison. 

"Alright, don't let me hold you guys back too much. Prepare what you need and head outside when you're finished. The Commanders will be arriving shortly" The Dean says as he dismisses everyone.

As the Class Reps approached the crowd to gather their members before the commanders came, the Dean pulled Selena to the side.

"Selena, before you go, here," The Dean says as he hands her a beautiful bracelet.

"Dean? What's this supposed to be?" Selena said cautiously.

"Someone wanted me to give this to you. During your campaign, you might face some problems that will be harder to deal with since you lack offensive magic. This bracelet will help you. Think of it as a protective charm" The Dean says as he stuffs the bracelet into Selena's hand and then walks away with a wave.

Selena, still stunned at what just happened, slowly picked up the bracelet and examined it. The bracelet was beautiful, she had never seen such an impeccable design. It's almost something that can only be worn by royalty. She looks closer and sees a small engraving with the letter "K" on it. She wondered what it stood for but couldn't think of anything.

"I wonder who sent this and why?" Selena thinks to herself. "Maybe the Dean just used someone else as an excuse to make it easier for me to accept the gift". Selena thought carefully.

She smiles, "Regardless, this is quite kind". 

In this academy where everyone hardly respects her, if it wasn't for the kindness shown by the dean and Ivory, Selena was unsure if she would even make it this far. They became a strong foundation and now, she's ready to show the world just how amazing her magic can be.

She puts the bracelet on and then heads back into the crowd to collect the members of her team.

Group 1 and 2 successfully gathered their members and left for their respective camps. Selena headed towards her group and right before she could make a statement, a young man came up to her.

"Why do we have to listen to a woman who can't even use offensive magic? I don't think you have what it takes to be our class representative". The young man said with a smirk

Selena frowned. This young man is named Marcus, I believe his father was a count who gained success in the weapons market. He's one of Fiona's admirers and always tries to pick on me because she doesn't approve of my magic path.

It's not like I don't understand where Fiona is coming from. She stands at the pinnacle of modern-day offensive magic. Having someone in her class who won't even practice what she's so good at may feel pretentious. I'm not too worried about what she thinks because I know myself and I have my reasons for why I do things so I have no reason to compromise myself for other people. In a way, I have deep respect for Fiona both as a woman and as a mage. It's because of geniuses like her who can lead the future of offensive magic that mages like me who don't practice it can safely perform our research behind the scenes. If there was a lack of talented offensive mages, no matter how much I wanted to, I would be forced to practice it just to defend myself from opposing forces. I may understand it but I still don't believe that every single person learning only offensive magic is the best thing for our future, Magic is far too unexplored and we need other forms of magic that can support our society and our soldiers in war.

Selena stops her thoughts and her eyes drift towards Marcus one more time. "At least Fiona is talented, smart, beautiful, and ambitious. She's a woman even her enemies will have to respect. What about Marcus? He's simply riding on the reputation made by another person and using it to bully others. A man who lacks his talent but still wants to look down on others? It's disgusting." she thinks to herself with undisguised contempt.

"So what if you disapprove? The Dean has spoken, do you want to disobey?"

"The Dean said you three became the class representative due to your strong magical powers. I just don't believe that applies to you" He says while dashing toward Selena. 

He sticks out his hand and a small pole of fire appears. He grabs it while dashing toward Selena, getting ready to launch his attack on her.

A cold glint flashes in Selena's eyes. "Since you believe I can't beat a loser like you, don't blame me!" She says and she quickly shoots some magic at the floor which softens it into a substance similar to mud. Marcus is caught off guard and falls down. When he looked up, Selena already dashed up in front of him and her foot was an inch away from his face. Before he could put up his magic barrier, he was launched a few feet away.

"A proper mage could use their barrier almost instantly, but look at you," Selena said in a cold tone.

Marcus, who is trying to regain his vision, tries to stand up but feels something dripping down from his face.

"I-I'm bleeding?" He says in panic as some blood slowly falls.

Selena smiles and then shoots another bit of magic right on the wound. The blood starts pouring a little bit faster.

"Do you want to kill me? Selena! What are you trying to do?!" Marcus says as fear starts to envelop his body.

"Apologize and I just might let you live". Selena says in a threatening tone as she stares down at Marcus.

The Dean, who stopped all faculty from interfering, is watching the show with a smile on his face. "The boy from the Snowdell family huh? That family has been causing Jason quite a lot of problems over the years. In a way, Doesn't this count as her getting revenge for him? It's kind of cute" He says while chuckling and nodding his head in approval.

"This is also a good way for her to establish her prestige within her group too. A dampening spell on the floor and an expansion spell on the wounds? Quite complicated spells to perform but I like the creativity".

As a veteran offensive mage, he couldn't help thinking that "instead of doing these tricks, wouldn't it be better to use an offensive spell that'll incapacitate him immediately? Well, who am I to understand what these young people want to do? I'll just let them chase their own futures. I'm sure their vision goes beyond just the battlefield and war.", He says after considering it for a while.

The Dean looks back and sees Marcus kneeling and Selena healing him before gathering the other classmates and heading toward their camp.

"It seems like she got through without even needing my help. They're really grown up now and they're even about to head to the battlefield to define their futures."

The Dean thinks back to when Selena just came into the academy and wanted to go down a different path of magic than everyone else. Even the Dean at first only helped her out simply to do that person a favor but he eventually grew quite interested in the path Selena was trying to take. He stares at the sky and thinks to himself,

"Selena, My role in your life is pretty much done. Now you've grown up and are on your own. I hope you continue to do well and strive down the path you have chosen. Just what type of magic can you bring into our world? I'm quite excited to find out" The dean says with a wholehearted smile as he slowly collects himself and heads back into the academy.