Page 4

Arlen nudged her on the shoulder. “It’s okay.

That was an advanced spell. It would have been surprising for you to get it on your first try.

” In the past, when they showed her some new incantation they had learned at school, Lilith was fast to produce the same if not better results than her brothers.

Their father had teased her that she was just like her mother. An unending well of mana.

Lilith growled and tried again. She felt her magic rise from within her as the sphere of water grew into a large oblong shape. She panted as she forced more magic between her fingers. The shape of the water began to form a very thin shield, but burst. Her magic felt strained. She cursed loudly.

Arlen and Jasper looked at each other in worry.

“Woah there, little sis. Let’s take a break,” Arlen said.

Still out of breath, Lilith responded, “Yeah, fine.” It was not fine.

Nothing about this was fine. “I’m just going to go rest under the willow tree.

” She waved her brothers off as she strolled away, pretending to be calm.

She reached the cover of the low hanging willow branches as the first tear escaped.

The days went on much the same. Arlen or Jasper would spend the afternoon training with their sister. Letters arrived back from their father’s search.

“I heard back from a few of the magical academies. Unfortunately, with this kingdom under more uncertain diplomatic times, several schools are not taking on any foreign students. There is one place,” Cyrus told his family at the round table late one evening.

“You mean Skilheim Stronghold? You can’t be serious.” Arlen criticized his father. “That place practically kills its students. It has a reputation of being brutal. You cannot seriously consider sending Lilith there.”

Lilith knew little about the other academies.

Ardaven was the only option she had considered since that’s where her whole family had graduated from.

She followed precisely in their footsteps.

Rudimentary skills such as reading, writing, maths, and fundamentals that would be required as prerequisites for their time at one of the magical academies were taught to them when they were young.

During the final year of their standard education, students completed a test to determine which route they would take.

The academies varied. There were those that were more trades-based, or more scholarly based, or those that were specific to certain magical beings and abilities.

Skilheim was a prestigious military academy that housed old family lines.

It was exclusive to higher nobility and those that served higher up in the kingdom.

They sought those with strong mana and capabilities.

Graduates would be given leadership roles in the kingdom.

Cyrus, better known as Councilman Hennan, was one of nine advisors to King Amadeus.

His work focused on strategic politics and became well known among many nobles.

Lilith’s mother was a former Maiden of Melia.

She was akin to a priestess of the holy sect of the kingdom.

Cyrus was very vague when telling his children about their mother and how she relinquished her role as one of the Maidens.

He did tell them that she was compassionate and saw beauty in the simplest of things.

With both of her parents having served in crucial roles for the kingdom, Lilith had the freedom to choose which academy she wanted to go to.

A freedom that most were not blessed with.

“Skilheim is a fine academy. In fact, I once considered going there myself. In any case, it seems to be our only option as it sits in our own kingdom.”

“Yeah, the far northern part,” Jasper jested. Cyrus gave his son a look. “But it would mean you’re still closer to home, I guess,” he continued. “Plus the lord in charge, what’s-his-face, greatly dislikes Lord Elwin.”

“Lord Helmer,” Arlen chimed in. Lilith grimaced at her brothers and father.

Anything would be better than having to endure five years under the eye of Lord Elwin.

It seemed like their plans were settled.

Arlen and Jasper were sent back to Ardaven, while Lilith went with her father to Skilheim Stronghold.

She had found some text relating to her new home in a few of her brother's old school books.

The castle of Skilheim Stronghold sits at the base of Skilheim Mountain and is situated northwest in the Territory of Ishir.

This ancient castle has served as one of the first magical academies in the Realm.

The great House of Helmer have been stewards of the school since its conception.

This academy has educated many generals, councilmen and almost all of the former kings of the Kingdom of Draydon.

It upholds many long standing traditions and focuses on fostering leadership and strategic planning…

A faint pattering of rain hit the windows of her bedroom. She closed the book and watched the small droplets trickle down. She would be on her own, far from any support and would be competing against some of the strongest people in the kingdom. Her own abilities would pale in comparison to theirs.