XIV - School

HYPERION

 The next day at around eight hours into the day, we arrived at the edge of the city of Sapphiri. It was a beautiful city, with bright blue flowers growing on the tall walls, That's to be expected from the famed 'city of the beauty goddess' ", said Mr Wyatt. "How did we get ourselves into this again, I have to go to a snooty rich school", Ida complained. "This school is supposedly at the forefront of magical research and artificing. The teachers are also the best at teaching of combat and magical aptitude, it's going to be fun", I replied. "Pretty sure that's the magic nerd in you talking", she retorted.

 After we got through the gate and were at the entrance of the city,it was time for Mr Wyatt to bade us farewell. "Well,lady and gentleman,this is where I leave you. Your entrance into the Zenith academy has already been arranged. You shall be enrolling as students indefinitely until or possibly after the mission ends if you do wish it. Excessive raising of dust is strictly forbidden as we will not want attention drawn to you. Remember to prioritise your mission and your lives first. Good luck,and safety to you",he concluded before walking away. We boarded a carriage to take us to zenith academy.

Iadica was beautiful with the glowing beautiful buildings and amazing scenery, but this place was just insane. Everywhere smelt like roses, the buildings were of different vibrant colours with eye-catching murals everywhere. The colourful city was further accentuated with roses and a myriad of other different flowers littered everywhere with the exception of the roads. Not my cup of tea, but I had to raise a glass to whoever was responsible for this, that's some insane drive.

 After a couple of minutes of riding through the city, we got to a secluded section of the city. After a couple of minutes, I could see what I believed to be the school from a distance. It was a pure white single humongous structure. It was surrounded by a large area of trim, green grass with a lot of sport facilities, and had a large arch in front with the school logo which was a dove with a branch in it's mouth perched on a human hand. We dropped off in front of the entrance and paid the coachman before walking into the school. "Why exactly aren't we bringing anything with us?", Ida asked. "Well, it's an institute, we don't really get to wear whatever we want, so don't you think it's pointless to bring anything", I replied. I pointed at an office with 'principal' boldly written on it. "I believe this is our first stop".

The principal, 'Cornelius Hodge' apparently, was a youthful looking man with a fit build, a short boxed beard and a well styled pompadour, dressed in a deep blue suit with the school logo on it. "Good day sir", "ah, the new students. I've received your application for one 'Ida Solis' and 'Hyperion' ", he gave me a quizzical look. "No surname", I answered his unasked question. "Okay", he dragged.

"Here are your testimonials, that you can use to get your custom uniform and access to all the school has to offer until your name can be fully catalogued. I'm sorry, this is usually done before the students arrival, but yours was rather sudden, and we don't usually get students directly in the fifth year. Anyway, welcome to Zenith academy, and I expect nothing but the best from you, he gave a smile and gave both of us handshakes.

We proceeded to the seamster to get our uniforms that were already made, consisting of a black button down shirt and trousers, with a white coat and tie for me. A button down shirt, pleated skirt and a coat also accompanied by a white ribbon. The shirts and coats had the school logo embroidered on it. "I'm not wearing a tie, or a coat", I stated as we left the tailoring shop. "Forget that, are we ever getting our old clothes back, he said we could trust him, but I doubt he'd be able to keep all the students mufti". "Just forget it, I'm going to get my room key from the hall director, then i get to class, wanna come?".

After getting our room keys from the hall director, I went into the dorm to keep the coat and tie, and noticed that it was a double room. I didn't have the time or energy to lament, so I dropped the things, and rendezvoused with Ida to head to class. "Did you notice the rooms are double rooms?", I asked. "No, not mine. Mine's a single, I guess the school loves me already". "Or it's a women thing".

We got into the fifth year class, and saw what I believe to be one of the professors, writing her name on the board. As we took our seat, the lecture began. "Good day students, as you can see on the board, I'm Ms Lyla, and I'll be taking you theoretical magic, and magical history.

Magic, as we know is the form of power that allows us to break the confines of our biological limitations by accomplishing things humanly impossible. We humans as a race are said to be plain, by magical scholars. Their years of research of the connection between magic and our biology made them realise that our magic, originated not from us, but was introduced into our making by other beings we've termed 'progenitors'.

It is stated, that control over magical energy comes from the brain. The 'progenitors' are theorised to have gained their ability by activating a dormant part of the brain that is present in all intelligent creatures. This activation, was caused by evolution from unbearable living conditions.

Now, one of the reasons why it is believed that our magic did not originate from us, is because this theorised evolution, has to take place swiftly, and is too tedious that our brittle composition cannot endure, hence the theory". Her attention was drawn to a raised hand. "Yes", "are you trying to say we can use magic now because some higher beings did the deed with our ancestors?", he asked. "It is a possibility, but magic is all about breaking the bounds of human comprehension, so it's possible it happened through some other way.

Magic in humans, is divided into several types; Fire, water, air, earth, lightning, metal and plants. Power, is dependent on your psyche, as mentally strong people have capabilities of large scale and intricate manipulation. For example, extremely few water magic users being capable of manipulating ice and vapour, and master plant mages creating new species of plants that have been essential to our health care.

Now, like all power, it must have an origin, and must be exhausted. While the capability of magic comes from your mind, something must fuel that capability", she walked up to the board and wrote a word. "Imprinting, is an instinctual process in children in which attachment, strong emotion, or other mental stimulants activate their capability to manipulate magic. This could range from anything. Love for your parents, hatred, how delicious food is, you can imprint on anything.

Now, imprinting is uncontrollable, and irreversible. It has been discovered to activate at the age range of two to twelve, hence a lot of people end up with an unfortunate Imprinting, for example; A young boy is on love with his toy, he imprints on it, and it becomes the activator of his magical powers. If the toy is destroyed, his magical powers go away. If his powers is activated by a love for the toy, then even after the toy is destroyed, his magic remains, until his love for the toy fades away. This phenomena is the subdivision of imprinting, divided into the physical and mental imprinting. The physical entails a surface interest in an object leading to an imprinting. This is a major reason why about forty percent of the human populist are incapable of magic manipulation.

Mental imprinting, is a rather deeper connection, usually involving emotions like joy, love, hatred, greed, jealousy, attached to something, or even just the emotion itself. While mental fortitude plays a role in magical strength, deviation from your activating catalyst can lead to a decline in magical prowess, now, I expect you to expand your knowledge on this before the next class, dismissed.