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The courtyard was quite sparse at this hour, two students. The Young Lord paced lightly, intrigued by a noble statue, as the Verdant Mage revised at a table for tomorrow’s test. The night air was crisp, a little nippy, but promising something tantalising if they were only to grasp it.
He held his arms behind his back and tried his best to look appealing. There was a pause he filled by thinking what to get for dinner; he could go for a warm meal, something that wouldn’t burn his tongue off, the real quandary was what to pair it with- His expression turned to a slightly shocked smile—he was chosen.
“Cornelius of House Crownsteed, at your service.”
Camping in the wilderness was certainly an experience, things had changed from his plush room at the academy dorm. There were no cleaners on laundry duty for one! And his robes had a loose seam, And when he woke up his bones ached, AND he’d bet his bathtub there were little bugs in his underclothes! Not that he had his bathtub with him.
Still, this was an important quest! He could suffer some discomforts if it meant graduating years early—his parents might even thank him for saving them tuition fees! Money that could be spent on…a warm, soothing, deep massage, with some fire elements infused in the oil. He knew he should have bought a diary, these were some genuine ideas! And he had no-one to share them with.
After breakfast, he headed off.
Six! He had six parchments now! He had only to seal them, with another three of course, and he’d be finished with the academy! Of the options, he’d chosen some life magic and a lightning spell – it didn’t hurt to be well rounded in your studies! When he got home, he’d be able to look up some famous archmages in the library – who knows, he might even have what it takes to surpass them!
Ah, he had never been this motivated from lectures and exams. The last time he’d felt this love for magic would be when he got his first staff – no, when he got his robes! They were tailored for him, made to commemorate his first fireball, and since he was feeling particularly confident today – they made him look cute.
He’d seen two other students on his adventure, Marvek the senior baker, who would sometimes make baked goods for his friends at the academy, and Carabel, who he didn’t know as well. He’d greeted them and welcomed a filling dinner before they parted ways (he couldn’t believe them when they said they had eight! Eight of their parchments, imagine that).
He went to sleep with a full belly, to move on in the morning.
There were some frightful foes, but he had NINE parchments, finally! The ritual of sealing, and a long trek of course, were the only things left for his first adventure. He might even have a book written about it! “Young Crownsteed’s Journey through Beach, Ice, Field, and Mire”! The title was a work in progress, admittedly, maybe “Cornelius the Bold”? His parents could sort the details. Oh, speaking of, he would love a tapestry, or a statue, he might even get another title!
He would arrive by dusk the next day, if he started early.
He should have known it wouldn’t be that simple. A lich makes a frightful battle indeed. Where were the teachers? Couldn’t they handle this before he got back, but no, Professor Butternut swooped up all the parchments as soon as the lich had dissipated, well, he left the three Cornelius had learned beforehand.
“Summer classes in the Astral Academy dungeons?” Cornelius smirked a little, “I’m ready.”