Academy {2}

Author's note: Sorry for uploading yesterday, I'll make it up by uploading 2 chapters today. Some readers pointed out that my story progression is slow because I wanted to write and master world-building skills. I want to show what my world looks like. I'm still an amateur writer but I'd still write to improvise my writing. There are still more techniques I wanted to master in writing my novels. I learned a lot of mistakes from my previous chapters. I won't give up writing unless I complete this novel. My novel might be slow but I'll compensate it for it. 

The stern voice thundered in my mom's ears, "Both of you can't enter this academy unless this child has the Honour Badge of Talent or the Insignia of their royal kingdom. From both of your looks, you two seem like you were inherited from an ordinary peasant family. Now get out of here; you don't have the right to enter this—" 

"You mean this?" I tossed the badge to his hand. "Don't judge a book by its cover…" 

The mage guard received the badge from the air. When he looked at the badge, his mouth and eyes turned wide. He couldn't believe what he saw right now. He gazed back at me and my mom in disbelief. 

"THE HONOR BADGE OF TALENT?!" He exclaimed. With that exclamation, everyone looked at me with envy and in a shocked manner. It seems that only a few were able to receive this badge from the royal family. 

"My son has the potential to be a mage like other children; don't always underestimate the peasant people!" My mom gave a prideful laugh. 

Indeed, people always judge a person by their appearance rather than their actual merit. This is a flaw of human nature that is deeply hidden inside each one of us. But a cunning man leverages this flaw for their benefit, and you must be one of them. 

The mage guard was fully ashamed by this and looked at us with disdain. Yet he managed to softly say to us, "I'm sorry, both madam and young sir. I didn't know that young sir had the talent towards magic. Normally, peasant people have talent towards physical strength and are hailed as knights. This is the first time I've seen a peasant possessing a talent for magic. That's why I mistreated you both." 

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault…" My mom kindheartedly forgave him. 

While I ignored him. "Where do I have to go to report my admission to the teachers?" 

"Ok, I'll lead you both to the principal's office." He waved his hand into the gate of the academy. 

"As you may." I nodded. "Uncle, you may carry the luggage with us…?" 

I noticed the hint of envy in the eyes of this caravan driver. As if he wanted to have the same talent as me. "Yes, young sir, I respectfully follow your instructions!"

I looked at others' stares with utter discomfort, and I lowered my head as I walked forward towards the principal's office. 

The longer you stir the envy and resentment of others, the harder they make your life. It is best to hide your talents within yourself.

4 of us walked further into this giant academy. It was a white-coloured building with golden runic patterns inscribed on its side and corners. They had a lot of plants and trees on each side, which made it eco-friendly for the students. Each of the students carried their infinity beasts with them. They had blue colour uniforms with specially designed insignia on each one of them. They were walking together in a small circle of friends while chatting.

They were looking at me with a little surprise. They were from high-class families while I was from a peasant family. They'll be naturally surprised at me, who was wearing worn-out and unfashionable clothes. 

Some were looking at me with an arrogant and haughty expression.

I lowered my head to ignore all of their gazes. We arrived at the centre building of the academy. The big white entrance is embedded with golden runic markings all over its door. The mage guard guided us inside the room. I was amazed by the luxurious environment of the academy. It had to be greater than a normal academy compared to earth's normal building size. We passed inside the main hall, seeing the spacious luxurious surroundings - a huge hall with many statues of top-class mages of the past made on top of each pillar on the corner where many students looked with burning passions. They were the greatest mages of the past who stood at the pinnacle of this continent and contributed to the world with their power… however, I looked at the left side of the luxurious hall which had a library filled with uniquely designed books and a lone statue was completely ignored by everyone in the academy. 

I was shocked. He'd the same designed armour as me?! He must be a black magic user like me. But why does he get ignored by others? 

We exited the doors of the central hall. The mage slowly stopped before the brown-coloured door with green-coloured runic totems marked in a unique design on it and there was small runic language written on it: Principal Edward Whales on a grey board. From daris's memory, I could at least read it in an instant. 

The Mage Guard placed his arms on target on the door. He cast a magic spell on it and swiftly these green runes started to glow and opened the door. On the opening door was a huge room filled with shelves of books, healthy plants and runic-marked stones on each corner of the room. There was a white-haired old man, probably in his 70's was looking out the window behind his office desk in the centre of the room. The desk was filled with books, letters, pens and runic stones. The old man turned his head to look at us, his face was full of wrinkles and scars, and he had brown eyes that reflected wisdom and experiences. He was wearing brown robes with golden ruinc pattern instilled on making him look a noble person. He smiled with a white moustache and beard and he had put his hands behind his back. 

 "Welcome to Cyrus Academy of magics, young man must have a great talent towards magic. Even if you're born an ordinary peasant, you can defy your fate if you've right talent for it?!" He gently inquired.

My mom and I were slightly shocked by his sudden statement.