Black Mist

by Michael Sisa

  Dan silently listened. Eventually, Negi stopped with his babble when a booming voice broke through the crowd. It came from the female professor that somehow reminded Dan of a squirrel.

  “Ehem,” she cleared her throat. Thankfully, her voice was normal despite her spectacled appearance. “I’ve gathered all of the students here—particularly the first years and the fifth year students—for the Affinity Assessment.”

  Negi whispered, “She’s our Magus Arts teacher. Professor Shirel.”

  Dan smiled when he heard of the professor’s name. He did not know if squirrels existed in this world, but the fact that her name and her profile matched each other almost made him burst into laughter.

  Professor Shirel gazed at everyone present. “Magus Arts can be divided into nine fields, in accordance to each element present: Fire, Earth, Wind, Water, Thunder, Darkness, Light, Iron, and Sound. There are also special magic that do not belong to those categories, but it’s something you’ll encounter only once you’ve reached your fifth year.”

  She once again cleared her throat. “Each one is a fundamental element, meaning that each of those fields can further be subdivided depending on how talented the wielder is.”

  She gestured for the fifth year Negi had mentioned before to come forward, and he did. Numerous shouts of glee from the female populate erupted, and Professor Shirel motioned for them to resume their quiet, but to no avail.

  It was only after a few more moments before the noise of excitement finally died down.

  “This man here, as I am sure most of you know, is the top student of the entire Academy,” said Shirel. “For the sake of the first year students, we shall have him demonstrate the fruits of his efforts in Magus Arts!”

  She said in an almost whispering voice, “If you may, Cazareth.”

  The student nodded. He stepped forward, and numerous shrieks of glee and ecstasy from the female populace once again erupted. Dan almost had the urge to cover his ears. Thankfully, it immediately died down the moment the student spoke.

  “First of all, let me welcome you. Welcome to the Sky Academy!” said Cazareth.

  Dan was amazed by the impact of that single statement. His words carried with it great persuasion that could only be found from the greatest of merchants, and that in itself would have been an understatement.

  Dan had never seen anyone so charismatic and bright that even he felt the urge to listen in silence.

  “I am Cazareth Vont Kulaima, the grandson of the Emperor of this Great Empire,” he said. The silence was absolute as he continued. “When I was young, I once dreamt of becoming a blacksmith. That was the truth. I was really fascinated with weapons back then—”

  At the corner of his eyes, Dan was able to discern the gawking eyes of the other students. Some were controlling their urge to squeak in delight, while some licked Cazareth using their eyes. The fifth year student was not absolutely handsome, Dan was sure. But there was a peculiar aura that emanated from him that would make one stop and stare.

  “—But!” said Cazareth. Lightning crackled and enveloped his entire body. His previous docile gaze turned predatory. “—I’ve discovered an even more amazing thing. And that is magic.”

  Time seemed to have stood still as the students that were listening were sucked into Cazareth’s world. They all felt his vehement fervor, his burning passion.

  The lightning that enveloped Cazareth intensified, until it covered the entirety of the magic circle itself. Some of those that were nearby instinctively backed away in reflex as numerous veins of pure lightning spread out into the distance.

  A few more moments passed, and the lightning slowly receded, before eventually dissipating completely. Cazareth, his entire uniform unscathed, resumed his speech. “Magus Arts will teach you the fundamental principles when it comes to magic. It shall be your guide in your journey as magicians. Of course, Spirit Arts and Martial Arts are also needed, but personally, I do believe that Magus Arts is what defines a magician. It’s our innate ability to manipulate mana. It’s our innate ability to perform magic.”

  Cazareth’s voice crescendo, “Today is the Affinity Assessment Day! It is your stepping stone! Your first mark in this world as magicians! Good luck! May the Gods be with you!”

  Cheers and applause echoed as Cazareth stepped back to make way for Professor Shirel. On the other hand, Janus was mumbling incomprehensible chants near the magic circle.

  “There’re over a thousand of you, and we are able to create only a single magic circle for the assessment. Some of you may not be aware, but it’s particularly hard to create this thing here,” said Shirel as she tapped the magic circle using a foot. “This magic circle is made out of numerous runes that would normally drain the life out of a normal magician if used. But with the help of numerous professors, we were able to make it safe enough for a mere first year to use.”

  A few steps behind Shirel, Janus continued to mumble his chant. At the same time, the previously dull magic circle started to glow a dim azure hue.

  Shirel glanced at the clear sky as a flock of birds flew past by, then to Janus. After he signaled her that it was fine to proceed, she said, “Then, let’s start! For now, the first ones to do the assessment will be the Genius Class.”

  She gestured for the clustered group of first years on her left to step forward. There were exactly ten of them, with the top three highest entrance examinees in the list.

  “Then, for the top student of the first year—Ryle Monfort!” said Shirel. “Please step inside the magic circle.”

  A male student with ash white hair neatly combed to the back stepped forth. Dan was somehow familiar with that certain student, especially with his characteristic crooked smirk. He stepped inside the magic circle, and Shirel tapped his shoulder before leaving the spherical engraving.

  From the back, Janus asked him, “Are you ready?”

  Ryle nodded, and the runes in the circle immediately glowed to the point of almost blinding. Moments passed, and the light started to die down. What appeared in front of Ryle was a brown-black figure that resembled a flickering flame. It was thrice the size of a full grown adult, and it erratically flickered back and forth. A few more seconds passed, and the brown-black figure dissipated into nothingness.

  Ryle stood there with a dumbfounded look in his face, all the while the other students remained silent as they awaited their professor’s words.

  Shirel’s spectacles glimmered for a moment. “Did you hear a voice, young man?”

  Ryle nodded once. “But I can’t comprehend what it was saying.”

  Shirel smiled, revealing her large front teeth. “That’s the voice of the elemental spirit. As of now, you won’t be able to make a contract with one. You need to first master the element best suited to you—and that is the Earth Element.”

  Ryle furrowed his brows as he heard this. He asked, “Then, the point of this assessment is to find out what kind of Spirit we’ll be able to make contract with in the future?”

  “True, but not entirely correct,” said Shirel. She adjusted her spectacles. “Even without a Spirit Contract, being able to use the elements is way enough for a magician to live by. A Spirit Contract merely adds strength to a magician, but the magician himself will be the basis of his strength. This is also the reason why we choose to have Magus Arts as subject for the first years.”

  Shirel further amplified his voice for everyone to hear. “Anyone of you are capable of creating a contract right now—theoretically. But only a few had done it on their first try.”

  Dan saw her peek at his direction before her eyes once again gazed on everyone present. “There had been a few cases before wherein during the Assessment Test, a student was immediately able to create a Spirit Contract. Those students eventually grew up to become noteworthy magicians—Mikael Prochson, Steonheart Monfort, Merlot Blackheart, and Edward Roshaila. I am sure you are all aware of these powerful magicians that reside within our Empire.”

  She saw the dejected look
upon Ryle’s face. She said, “Even some of our Royal Magicians were unable to create a contract on their first try. That’s why the Spirit Tower is open for the third year students until the day they graduate. If you are unable to do it now, you are given the chance to try again later.”

  Shirel nodded at Janus, and he nodded back. She smiled at Ryle Monfort. “It seems that being part of the Genius Class is not just for show. You have great affinity for the Earth element—and the spirit that answered your summons just now was a second class spirit.”

  Sounds of awe filled the grounds, and Ryle’s lips immediately crooked into a smile upon hearing it. He said, “Second Class? Then, once I’ve become adept at Earth Magic, I’ll be able to make a contract with such powerful spirit?”

  Shirel revealed her large teeth as she smiled. “That’s correct. But for now, you are incapable of forming the contract—as you’ve said before, the spirit spoke with you, but you were unable to discern what it was saying.”

  Ryle seemed not fully satisfied with this, but he nodded smugly regardless.

  Shirel cleared her throat. “Then, we shall now proceed to the next student! Marriane Love, step forward!”

  Murmurs filled the area when a fat, freckled student went towards the magic circle. Her body reminded one of an overly bloated slime with a gelatinous body that sagged and swayed at every move.

  “I’ve never seen anyone so ugly before,” a student near Dan whispered.

  “Hey, what’s wrong with being ugly?” said another.

  “I know… I know. It’s just that… it’s painful to look. Ugh, now I feel like some sort of a jerk. Damn it.”

  Dan dismissed the negative remarks as he gazed at the student inside the magical engraving. He felt a sense of nostalgia as he stared at her, but he was unable to understand why.

  Like before, the magic circle glowed to the point of blinding. After its radiance disappeared, all of the students were stunned speechless by what they saw.

  In front of Marriane Love was a creature that was around four to five times the size of an adult human. Its body reminded one of a wisp, and the eight wings on its back were that of a seraph.

  The creature spoke, “I am the Spirit of the Wind, Graundine. From the depths of the Ethereal Realm, I am called upon this plane.”

  “H-Holy shit!” said Negi. His voice was croaking, almost a whisper. “That’s a mythical creature from the books! It’s literally a First Class Spirit!”

  The creature fully spread out its wings. It stared at Marianne. Its next words made the silence absolute. “Summoner, do you wish to form a contract with me?”

  Dan noticed that even Professor Shirel and Professor Janus were struck speechless of what they saw and heard. Their mouths were partly opened as they listened to their conversation.

  He was once again reminded of his foster father. If forming a contract on their first try was such rarity, then Edward Roshaila was indeed an anomaly. He tucked the thought inside his mind. At the very least, he felt a sense of ease with such monster magician protecting his family.

  Marianne nodded, and the figure of the spirit distorted into wisp and smoke, before eventually cruising towards Marianne’s body.

  “The contract has been complete, oh Summoner. I, Graundine, shall answer thy summons from the Ethereal Realm.”

  Somehow, Dan knew that the presence of the Spirit had faded away. The Magic Circle resumed its dull color, and Marianne Love stepped out of it.

  It took a while before Professor Shirel was able to speak. “M-Magnificent! W-We have some really excellent students this year! A First Class Spirit! And it immediately made a contract!”

  The deafening silence faded away and was replaced by buzzing sounds. Everyone’s eyes were fixated on the fat female student beside the professor. Their stares were filled with bewilderment, shock, and mostly envy.

  After another series of praises about how compatible Marianne was to the wind element, something which Dan did not pay real notice to, Professor Shirel called out the next student. A gloomy atmosphere immediately fell unto the crowd when Denzel Jack stepped forth. His eyes were glaring like before, and when couple with his towering height, he gave off the appearance of a rabid animal.

  “Let’s just finish this damn thing already,” he spat.

  Shirel was taken aback by the lack of respect within the student’s voice, but she decided to dismiss the remark for now. Like before, the magic circle glowed, and a formless spirit manifested itself before Denzel.

  The professor was once again stunned by what she saw. She mumbled, “S-Second Rank… Iron Spirit.”

  Thankfully, Denzel was unable to form a contract with the entity. Otherwise, Professor Shirel would have not broken out of her stupor. She had never seen so many monster students in a single class.

  It was a long accepted truth that a normal individual would usually start with the lowest rank—a seventh rank—spirit. But not like this. Those three students were monsters that defied logic. She could not help but sigh within her heart.

  Chapter 24: The Spirit King

  After the top three students had finished their affinity assessment, the rest of the results were mediocre. Dan clearly saw the look of relief within the Magus Arts Professor after the fourth result.

  One after another, the names of the students were called, and their affinity for the elements was assessed.

  It took a while before students from their class were finally called. Numerous stares were shot at their direction when the first student of their group, Negi Mercolva, was called.

  “Goodluck,” said Dan with a smile. Negi beamed at him, half excited, half anxious.

  With stiff gait, Negi squeezed through the crowd until he eventually reached the magic circle. After a wordless gesture from Professor Shirel, he entered the rune engravings. The circle glowed.

  —And nothing happened.

  It was the first time such a thing transpired today, and everyone stared at Negi with eyes filled with mockery. Dan furrowed his brows when buzzes and whispers filled with contempt and laughter filled the air.

  “Well, what do you expect? He’s from the garbage class.”

  “Look at him go! If I hadn’t known, I would have mistaken him for a corpse!”

  “Hey, man! Hahaha! Wouldn’t a ghost be a more appropriate description?”

  Negi’s eyes nervously swiveled left and right as he tried to process what had just happened. Eventually, a soft voice spoke, “I’m sorry. But it seems that you a very weak affinity for the eleme—”

  Shirel stopped and stared as a small, pebble-sized flame suddenly manifested itself before Negi. Her previously stiff smile broadened. “A seventh rank spirit. It’s the fire element. Congratulations, young man. You have affinity for the fire magic.”

  Negi’s eyes widened upon this declaration. Dan was sure that a single drop of tear flowed down his cheeks, but the first year student immediately wiped it away before anyone could notice.

  Dan sighed in relief. At the very least, the barrage of mockery started to die down. He broadly smiled as Negi approached his direction.

  “Congrats,” said Dan. There was an enthusiastic nod as response. A few seconds lingered, and Negi shouted, “I’ve done it! The fire element! It’s a weak spirit, mate! But I was able to summon one!”

  Dan felt a grip on his heart as he gazed at the truly jubilant kid before him. Dan was genuinely glad that his friend had overcome his first trial.

  The assessment test once again resumed, and more students from their class were called out. Eventually, Dan’s turn finally came.

  “Daniek Bhlot Roshaila,” said Professor Shirel.

  Dan felt everyone’s stare pierce through him as he wordlessly made his way through. Though unlike Negi that had to squeeze his way through the crowd, Dan was able to get to the magic circle with ease; the students that blocked Dan’s path parted into two.

  Sometimes, Dan wondered if his popularity as the son of the Emperor of Fire was a great thing or not. Bu
t one thing was for sure: too much attention from strangers was something he would rather do without.

  “Step inside the magic circle,” said Professor Shirel, her voice almost raspy by now after speaking for hours.

  Dan stepped inside the engraving, and the runes immediately glowed in response. He had not known it before, but now that he was inside the magical circle, he could hear a soft buzzing sound coming from the moving runes. Particles of light enveloped his body, and he was stunned by what he saw.

  Time stood still. The particles of light that flowed through the air stopped, and all of the students froze in their spot. He glanced behind him and saw Professor Shirel directly looking back, and Dan realized that she too was frozen in time.

  “What’s happening?” mumbled Dan. He felt a chill crawl down his skin. It was a surreal phenomenon, something he had never expected to happen before.

  A deep voice spoke, “What’s this? It’s just a kid.”

  Dan glanced left and right, but he was unable to see the owner of the voice. Even now, everyone was frozen in place.

  “Who are you? What did you do?” said Dan. He regretted not bringing with him his weapons.

  “Look at this human. He does not even have any idea of what he has done,” said the voice.

  Dan looked towards the heavens. For some reason, he felt that the owner of the voice was gazing at him from there.

  “Who are you?” Dan repeated.

  “Karazaan,” the voice simply said.

  Dan felt a gaze piercing through him, and he stared back, but all he saw was the clear sky above.

  “I cannot show my true form here. If I did, everyone in this place would die,” said the voice.

  It was only after that declaration that Dan was able to discern a faint silhouette covering the entire sky. It was large—gargantuan—to the point that it covered everything the eyes could see.

  “I am one of the nine Spirit Kings—Karazaan. The Spirit of Darkness,” it said.