(Determination)

...5 years later...

Caldur sat at his desk the chatter of his classmates around him, sat on his desk infront of him was a book call fundamentals of Magic and Swordcraft. Caldur had read this book front to back many times since starting school, the day after thair parents died Zelren barely did anything but train with his wooden weapons wearing his leather armor he would run do puch up practice combat stances and even Spar with Cladur, and cladur studied both magic and sword play undecided on what he wanted to be here didn't know his magic aptitude yet.

Caldur looked up at the teaches desk at the object that was covored by a cloth sitting on a square pillow both in the royal purple color of the Farisel kindgdom.

"Alright class everyone sit down today is an important day for you lot."

Caldur watched the teacher stroll into class as he normally does.

"Firstly i would like to welcome a new student to our class... uh make sure you behave yourselves. Please enter."

Cladur watched a girl around maybe his age of not a year younger walk into the room, she was wearing a royal purple formal dress gold lacing went across the torso and skirt makes stars in random patterns each star connected by a gold string that huge from the dress.

"This is her royal princess Seraphina Vorselt"

The room erupted with whispers,Seraphina looked around the room at almost everyone stealing glances whispering to there friends probably wonder why she was even here. However there was one who caught her attention a lone boy in the back of the class still deeply buried into his book he took one glance at her gave a smile and went right back too the book as if her being her didnt bother or interest him at all.

"Now where to sit you we have a few empty seats... huh?.. sure princess."

Caldur watched the princess lean into the teachers ear and whisper something.

"Mcdeller take your things and move to sit by Orfelt"

Caldur saw the boy seated next to him get up gathering his supplies and move to sit somewhere else, then watched at Seraphina walked down the row and sat in the seat instead she looked at Caldur and gave a little smirk. Cladur simply ignored her and focused back on the teacher.

"Ok class now back to the important part of today, we will be measuring your magic aptitude this will be a turning point in your lives wether you become a knight a mage or simply become a citizen."

The teacher put his hand on the cloth and gripped it lightly and swiftly pulled it off revealing a orb of some kind glowing with a faint light and humming.

" now this is a mana orb it changes color and reacts to your personal magic and..."

The teacher stared at the orb.

"What... it's already reacting to someone.. that's impossible."

The teacher looked around the room and cleared his throat.

"Uh some questions first... who can tell me the highest aptitude ever recorded in history?"

It was a trick question it was never covered in class you would have to had read the whole book. So he was suprised when two hands side by side raised Caldur, Seraphina. When Seraphina saw that Caldur had raised his hand as well she quickly put hers down.

"Uh.. Caldur please go ahead."

Caldur stood up straightened his poster and out his hand behind his back, Seraphina watched him closely her interest growing more the boy who didn't care about her arrival the boy who knew a question many wouldn't the boy who shows proper etiquette even in school the boy called Caldur, she would have to make note of him.

" the highest recorded aptitude was 16 sir currently held by Arch mage Colldium of the Coridium empire, wielder of the star metal Wand Arcaneion."

Both the teacher and Seraphina were both in a stunned silence, not only did he know he knew who and the fact he mentioned the star metal and means he's been delving into the history of star metal as well. Nothing your average student wouldn't do, Caldur sat back down and waited for the teacher to continue.

"V-very good Caldur... can anyone tell me how many magical attributes there are?"

This time quite a few hands raised including the same two in the back.

"Princess Seraphina please go ahead."

Seraphina stood up taking the same stance and poster as Cladur a few moments ago.

"There are Nine sir. Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Ice, Lighting, Healing, Light and Dark."

"Well done princess. Now as you all should know to be able to use a magic attribute you need a level of atleast 5, now I know that might not sound hard to get but remember the ratio of mages to knights is one to fifty. so best not to get your hopes up."

The teacher paused letting the information sink in.

"Now everyone will exit the classroom and come in one by one and place a hand on the orb it will tell you your aptitude and your attribute or attributes. Now for thoughs of us that can use magic in the world eighty percent can only use one attitude like myself."

The teacher snapped his fingers and a resist orange flame appeared in his hand.

"Then there is the 20% that can use two attributes a rare case among mages, but if your able to use two attributes and enter the magic course you will start with advanced classes to help understand how to control multiple attributes."

The teacher extinguished the flame and watched a hand shoot into the air.

"Yes Caldur?"

Caldur stood.

"What about the people that could use three attributes sir."

The teacher was taken aback and hesitated as the classroom erupted with whispers again.

"Ah well uh... mages that can wield three attributes are anomalies and so rare that aren't even covered except in passing in advanced education in the mages course. So few have existed over time that there's only Four on record, and each time one appeared the world was changed for better or worst... tell me how did you learn of them."

The teacher was staring Caldur down so was everyone else in the class.

"I think that should be a private discussion teacher."

Caldur sat back down making it clear he would say no more.

"Very well. Everyone outside in seat order once you've had your turn you can leave for the day to reflect upon your options."

The class cleared Caldur took his time he was the final seat meaning he would go last, he looked up and saw the new girl waiting for him.

"Are you waiting for me...Seraphina right"

Seraphina couldn't help but laugh.

"Wow lost in your own world are you, you didn't even add my title to my name."

Caldurs eyes widened it was true he was distracted his mind racing all the time he didn't even realize he was talking so cause with the princess.

"Apologies princess I didn't mean to offend just alot on my mind."

Serpahina chuckled.

"Oh please don't start now I kinda liked it everyone is always so formal with me unless it's my father or... well my elder brother."

Caldur watched the sadness cross her face, about a week after prince Elryan had left Caldur and Zelrens house news had spread through out the kindgdom. The prince challenged Archmage to duel to avenge comrades and falls in battle. The news that shook the kindgdom and the battle that ended the last war for what reason no one knew some say that it was a victory enough for the Coridium empire to fell the prince. Others speculate the prince fatally wounded the Archmage and there forces had to withdraw and recover.

"Any way Caldur right I find you rather intriguing your not the average student."

Caldur hadn't realized it by while he was deep in thought they had moved into the line outside the classroom.

"How ever do you mean princess."

The line shifted forward the seraphina walked backwards to remain facing Caldur.

"Well at first I was only interested becuase I know you were affiliated with my brother some how, which may explain why you weren't bothered by me entering the class like everyone else but then you showed your advanced knowledge."

Cladur shook his head.

"Firstly yes i was affiliated with your brother he was a close friend of my father and mother, secondly its not really advanced all you had to do was read the textbook front to back."

Seraphina looked caldur in the eyes they were hollow and dull much like her own the day she found out Elryan had died.

"Most students wouldn't spend there time reading the book there still young they want to go out with friends practice sword play run the woods... but you i see pain in your eyes something that drives you away from normal childhood. But that's not all you knew about three attributes mages how did you know."

Caldur was silent reflecting on what she had said. A normal childhood why would I want that why bother not while his brother worked himself to the bone day in and day out to master sword craft to be the knight father knew he could be not while the light in his brothers eyes is still gone, not while they struggle to survive becuase that lost eveything dear to them. Serpahina looked into Cladur eyes again seeing new emotion mix with the sadness, rage but under it all determination but determined to do what she wondered.

"I'm not most students I don't get that normal child hood I lost to much and have to much to prove... you want the answer to how I knew, watch my test."

Seraphina wasn't expecting his words to be so harsh. But she's should have if he is who she thought he was then he's lost more then she did, her test was next she turned to enter the room then looked back.

"In that case you can see mine as well in fact I insist let's go."

Serpahina grabbed Cladurs worst and dragged him in behind her.

"Wait princess he can't come in with you if you want your results to be private he could tell people!"

The teacher was quick to protest but seraphina waved him off.

"I told him to come and I want mine public anyway I'm royalty if mine is hidden it will spark debat and doubt, so let's get on with it."

The teacher simply sighed with no good argument he placed the orb infront of her.

"When your ready."

Caldur sat to the side watching the proccess feeling like he's invading a private moment, Serpahina placed her hand over the clothed orb.

"I'm ready"

The teacher pulled the cloth off the orb was already shining a light blue color and humming.

"What is happening it's doing it again why is it reacting when no one is touching it.. it should work still just place your hand on it."

"Seraphina let her hand gently rest in the orb and it started to shine in diffrent colors a bright green and yellow lights danced around the orb then it became translucent displaying the numbers one and eight."

"P-princess your aptitude it.. it's 18 that's the highest recorded aptitude to date congratulations... uh right your attributes appear to be healing and light magic."

Cladur clapped a new record as a healer she will be invaluable in coming battles and basic treatment im sure the king would be proud if it wouldn't be so dangerous for when the next war inevitably happens. Seraphin turned and did a curtsy.

"Why thank you shall we see yours now"

Caldur shrugged and walked over to the orb and his teacher. The teacher was just pulling himself together when he noticed the orb once again it was shining but as Caldur got closer it got brighter the humming gaining intensity, serpahina also noticed and was watching closely. Caldur now stood infront of the orb the lights already dancing faint arcoss it.

"I want mine kept private."

Before the teacher could respond Caldur placed his hand on the orb and it began to shine even brighter so bright it was blinding the light blue,white and purple lights danced around the room the orb hummed and vibrated before going transparent before showing the numbers two and zero then it shifted showing two and one then again two and two. Once it hit two and five the orb cracked and splintered crumbling too the ground.

A shocked and stunned silence filled the room, cadur thought he would have a sting aptitude given how freely he could feel and use his magic its how he discovered ahead of time he had three attributes but this was unexpected twenty-five not only was it a new record but it blew the past two out of the water.

"I still want this secret.. I feel this will cause me complications. "

This comment is waht snapped the teacher out of his dazed.

"WHAT!?!? YOU WANT THAT TO BE KEPT SECRET, YOU HAVE TI BE KIDDING RIGHT!?!"

Caldur sighed gripping his head.

"The yelling really isn't necessary, besides it's not like my aptitude really decided my strength it jist means I control mana better then others a more experienced mage could still beat me. So if this gets out and the Coridium empire hears about it do you think I could fight off hand selected mages and assassins."

Seraphina decided to chime in.

"We can protect you full armed guard assistant mages that could protect and tutor you."

Caldured shook his head.

"No that wouldn't help either think about it suddenly a student from the edge of the kingdom is under high guard like he's royalty traveling out of the country, if Coridiums spys get word of it they'll investigate if not try to kill me anyway. So no I want it secret the less people that know the better the safer I will be."

Seraphina and the teacher went quiet they knew he was right.

"Fine your right, I'll tell my father atleast but other wise we shall keep it under wraps."

The teacher clapped his hands.

"Well if that's the royal decision then so be it you two better run along then I need to get everything filed and well cleaned up."

The teacher gestures at the floor with the broken orb. Both seraphina and Caldur leave, Caldur stops at the door and looks at the teacher who waves at him saying good bye Cladur waves back then leaves why does he have this unnerving feeling. When he looked down the hall seraphina was no where to be found she mist have left in a hurry to tell her father.

Caldur walks home and is greeted by sight of his brother dawning new armor a steel chest plate that covered his chest pauldron on each shoulder as well as vambraces and greaves, strapped to his back was a great sword the standered issue one for the cadets.

"I see you passed the test."

Zelren turned on his heels to face Caldur.

"Ha ha brother its good to see you and of course i did, look at me one step closer to a knight."

Cladur hugged his brother this was the happiest he had seen him in quite a long time.

"Ah and you didn't you have your aptitude test today tell me did you get moms genes or will you be joining me with dad's and becoming a knight."

Caldur chuckled.

"Unfortunately for you brother you'll be a lonely knight."

They both laughed and went inside, Caldur told him everything how he discovered magic early practicing it in the cave to keep it secret and suprise him later, his aptitude score and attributes.

"Wow Caldur that's amazing your like a uh like a super mage or something!"

They both laughed again they spent most of the night picking on each other and Zelren having Cladur show off his magic. Back at the school the teacher has finished cleaning when he got a knock at his door, he grumbled about it being late and opened the door to a figure dawned in a burgundy cloak a black mesh mask with the insignia lined in gold of the Coridium Empire a flame surrounded by four spears. The teacher recognized it and jumped back Fire sprouting in his palm.

"Fire bolt"

The ball of fire in his hand shot forward towards the figuer who dodged out of the way then extended their hand out.

"Xesier."

The teacher crumpled over falling to the ground and laying motionless, the figuer waited and the teacher stood up.

"Agent False hope, report what you have learned."

The agent gave a full report on every student there aptitude and attributes including the princess and Caldur.

"I see well will have to prepare a team... go home and revert make sure your other half forgets this encounter, we still have use of you."

The agent nodded and left the room the figuer then took out a circular locket out of his cloak and flipped it up where a blue crystal was embedded in.

"This is Emerion we need a execution team."

As Caldur and Zelren finished talking Zelren stood and walked too the door.

"Training again?"

Zelren looked back.

"Of course, got 4 years in the cadets core to prove that I'm ready to become a trainee and join the knight ranks. So got to hone my skills."

Caldur smiled and stood up.

"Need a partner?"

Zelren smirked and threw open the door.

"Always but you know mages don't usually use weapons they keep to magic."

Caldur shrugged and opened his palm a small whirlwind circled around before Caldur closed his hand dissipating it.

"Magic is great and all but maybe its because of dad's training or seeing you work so hard that makes me want to wield a sword besides, Magic isn't all powerful it has limits run out of mana and a mage becomes useless."

Zelren nodded and shrugged.

"Not that you have to worry about that with your aptitude your mana should last you hours... I think? I don't know magic isn't my field."

Caldur laughed and walked out the door with his brother.

"Sure maybe it might but still its has a limit and imaging a mage dawned in armor wielding both blade and magic a force that tears through the field of battle and changes the way of the world!"

Zelren stared at his brother for a moment the smiled.

"You know what Caldur if anyone could do it I think it would be you, besides thinking about it we have that.."

Zelren looked around.

"You know metal stashed away. It would be perfect for you to do that with, I mean think about you would strike fear into the armies of the Coridium Empire."

They both laughed.

"Wait I thought you were gonna use it Zel?"

Zelren shrugged.

"I was but if this is your dream, if this is what you truly want to become I think it would be better for you."

Caldur smiled and hugged his brother.

"Thank you."

Zelren hugged him back and the two enjoyed the embrace for a few moments, Zelren reflected on the last five years, he had become distant he trained constantly to pass the test to become a cadet focusing on being what dad saw him as. But now that he thinks about it so has Caldur he spent countless days going through books doing his studies and even sparring with him to pursue his own goals.

"Anything for you baby brother, I promise I'll always be by your side."

They seprated and smiled at each other.

"So what magic can you do now."

Zelren changed the topic and mood of the conversation.

"Ah well I know some basic spells for each of my attributes... why?"

Zelren smirked.

"Throw them at me I want to get use to facing magic."

Caldur opened and closed his hands then nodded. Zelren unsheathed his greatsword from his back and held it infront of him taking a ready stance then also nodded. Caldur stretched his hand out

"Glacial Spears"

Three ice spikes formed above Caldurs head and shot forward towards Zelren the middle one went first followed shortly by the right one then the left, Zelren watched they approached fast he swung his sword from the top of his head down. It crashed into the first ice spike Shattering it, the blade continued striking into the dirt he wouldn't be able to strike at the next spike he let go og the great sword with his right hand and turned his body and leaned back letting it pass by. He quickly grabbed the hilt again lifting the sword fast barely grazing the last spike knocking it just out of the way for it to glide by.

"T-that was close."

Caldur ran over.

"That was impressive, you reacted quicker then expected."

Zelren was breathing heavy leaning on his sword.

"Well I tried.. but that was hard will definitely need more practice"

Cadur laughed and so did Zelren.

"Well let's call it a day we can keep trying tomorrow."

They both went inside to test for the night exited to keep growing and ready to porve there worth.