Year 20 ATA (After The Awakening), 8th month, 1218 hours
-Tellus Magic Academy-
Ms Petra: The world was under the impression that everything would come to an end. That's when the Grand Order came into power and united Tellus. Even after The Awakening 20 years ago, we can live in peace because of them and Aspheria is under a peace treaty with Tellus. With that being said..
The teacher pauses as she turns her gaze to the back of the class. A loud snore was heard, echoing the silent classroom that eventually was filled with laughter from the other students.
Argo: Hey Sylvana, wake up!
He whispered while shaking her shoulder.
Sylvana: 5 more minutes..
There lies a girl who was asleep on her desk, her long silver-white hair covering her arms while they supported her head.
Ms Petra: Young lady, you will do well to pay attention in my class!
Her voice travels across the class, awaking the sleepy Sylvana who had her eyes half closed even after sitting up from that.
Class continued and the bell rang not long after.
Argo: You should've paid more attention in class Sylvana, after all you want to one day challenge the Vanquisher himself don't you? How're you going to do that if you even lack basic knowledge of the world..
Argo turns to Sylvana next to him who was yawning and doing a small stretch while they were on their way to the school tailor to pick up their robes. In a few days they would be graduating and what comes next would be a crucial point in their lives.
Sylvana: I'll figure it out along the way hahah, anyways what about you Argo? What do you plan to do after graduation?
Argo: You're avoiding the topic.. Well I guess I'll be travelling to Aspheria since that's the fastest way I can learn about the origins of The Awakening, there has to be a reason why all that happened 20 years ago. Joining Hakumai would be the best choice since they have a lot of intel, being an organisation that has a lot of expeditions. I doubt it was a mere coincidence that magic exists now, this isn't some comic book after all.
He had a determined look in his eyes and Sylvana knows why. They were very close childhood friends and not long after The Awakening, Argo's family was killed off one by one as casualties during the Arcana Wars which took place 15 years ago.
Sylvana: In that case I'm coming with ya, it's said that the Vanquisher is on Aspheria - well at least I think he is. News is that he left Hakumai years ago.
Argo: The best choice for both of us would be to join an adventurer's guild on Aspheria since the criteria for joining Hakumai is being registered as an adventurer.
Akai: So there you guys are, I've been looking everywhere for you two.
A young male student with brown hair and blue eyes appeared, holding up his hands and showing a mark on the back of his hand.
Sylvana: Woah Kai Kai, you're already a Warrior Class as well? Sooner or later you'll be a Guardian Class hehe. Won't be faster than me but that's still impressive!
Her eyes spark joy but she can't hide her own smugness.
Akai: Well of course, naturally I'd be Warrior Class. How else am I supposed to join the Grand Order as a knight? The requirements are to finish basic education in magic as well as be Null Class but I'm aiming to be one of the Grand Knights just like Sir Lancelot. And don't call me Kai Kai you idiot!
Warrior Class is the second rank out of the 5 classes that exist which shows your skill level in using magic as a whole. Normal people who don't use magic often are not included in the 5 classes.
Sylvana: Hey isn't he the one who you said saved your town during an attack? He's one of the few Arcana Class ranked in the world isn't he- Wait, is that why you wanna join the Grand Order?
She asks while giving him a light smack on his back.
Akai: That's partly the reason, but he's a fire magic user just like me so perhaps I can see what i'm lacking by seeing him up close. By becoming stronger I can hope to repay the debt he did for my town back then.
Argo: I wonder if he still remembers you.
Akai: He only spoke to me briefly after the attack and that was at least half a decade ago so perhaps not.. But what matters is that I still do.
They came to a stop in front of a counter at the end of the hall with a woman behind it and a sign above that reads "Uniform Store".
The 3 collected their robes and tried them on before saying their goodbyes.
The day of the graduation came and it went on till the afternoon.
Akai: So I guess you two are heading to Aspheria after this?
Taking off his graduation hat as he turns to face his friend.
Argo: Naturally, perhaps we'll see each other if you ever do come to Aspheria. Good luck in joining the Grand Order.
The 2 of them spoke to each other while Sylvana was casually enjoying the graduation food behind them. They shook hands and Akai prepared to leave earlier due to his entrance test to see if he was qualified to join the Grand Order.
Right as he was about to leave, he turned around with a serious look on his face.
Akai: Not sure if this will be helpful or not but if you're going to Aspheria, beware of the White Dragon..
Tellus used to be just a planet alone with nothing special about it, humans lived their everyday lives as they would for as long as anyone could remember. A meteor appeared out of nowhere and it changed everyone's fate. It was known as The Awakening, in which 3 major changes happened to Tellus and everyone living on it.
The first was that magic became a reality, anyone alive is able to use magic be it for basic needs to make their lives easier or to use it to harm others.
The second being a large unclosable portal that appeared in the eastern continent on Tellus which acts as a gateway to another planet known as Aspheria.
The third and most crucial of all is that humans aren't the sole sentient species alive, beings known as Astrals are now a part of society. Astrals are beings classified as a whole that are not human but have human forms or are able to switch between their original form and human form depending on their race. Such examples of Astrals are Elves, Beastfolk, Wyverns and so on. Some who were supposedly born human were now Astrals. Astrals by nature existed on Aspheria but are different from the Astrals on Tellus who were once human.
Over the past 15 years, Tellus has changed a lot to the point where it is unrecognisable. After The Awakening, world leaders and governments collapsed almost immediately due to the amount of havoc caused all over the world. People used magic to bring destruction, monsters spawning almost everywhere, discrimination against Astrals and even a huge war that took place involving both planets' inhabitants. It was called the Arcana Wars, which took countless lives but also pathed the way for the current world it is now.
Train Announcement: Attention ladies and gentlemen, we'll be arriving at Central Port Station in a short while. Please be sure to check that you have all your belongings before leaving the train upon arrival. The time now is 1730 hours & the weather is clear. On behalf of the express crew, thank you for choosing us as your mode of transportation and we hope to have you again in the future. Have a nice day.
The Lightspeed Express, a train line that was made to travel through continents in recent years with the coming of magic based technology. Argo and Sylvana are on their way to the city where the portal gate sits, Alpha City. It is also the headquarters of the Grand Order which is the force that governs all of Tellus, their members are known as knights of the Grand Order and they number several million spread all across Tellus to maintain order. The very best knights are 12 individuals who rank World Class or Arcana Class and are known as the 12 Grand Knights. Each of these Grand Knights hold a "Sir" or "Dame" title in their name.
Argo: Akai must be taking his entrance test right about now. I heard there's a lot of people trying for it as well but knowing him, he'll have no trouble getting in.
Sylvana: Would be weird calling him Sir if he ends up becoming a Grand Knight. Then again Kai Kai wouldn't mind if we don't anyways.
Argo turns to look at her being all smug as usual.
Argo: It's not like you even call him by his name properly anyways so why does it matter..
Sylvana: The faster I get my rank up, the stronger I'll be. I'll get to Arcana Class soon and challenge the Vanquisher to take that title for myself!! Then again maybe my title for beating him would be different. What would be a good title hmm..
Argo went into deep thought hearing what she said, remembering that he too has a goal. Getting to the highest rank could possibly let him figure out the true mystery of The Awakening. Sure it wasn't a must but the higher up in rank you are, the more answers you can find without being restricted by power or position. It's also said that the leader of Hakumai may know something as well so earning their recognition may be a lead.
He looks at his hand which displays a crest that's shaped uniquely. Each rank has its own shape, his hand had 2 lines that signifies his rank as a Warrior Class.
Crests gradually appeared during The Awakening on anyone that has used magic, these crests change shape based on the rank of a person. A person's rank can be raised by being more skilled and using more magic over time. As to what specifically causes the crest to change or the requirements exactly, it is currently unknown. It's possible for anyone to raise their rank over time, that is except for the highest rank that is Arcana Class. For some reason, there are specific requirements to reach it as there are currently very few Arcana Class known in both Tellus and Aspheria as a whole.
Argo: I wonder if we'll find out more about these crests and why there are so few Arcana Class in general, even at the academy they didn't mention much about it.
His thoughts came out as words. Meanwhile Sylvana was hugging her own stomach.
"Grrrrrrrrrrggg" a rumbling sound can be heard throughout the front half of the cart. The Lightspeed Express didn't cater any sort of meals or refreshments throughout the few hour journey.
Argo: Hungry huh? Well you don't have to worry about that, look out the window.
She shrugged him to the side to have a look, a dazzling sun can be seen setting in the horizon of the glistening sea. A huge building can be seen towering over what seems to bea city surrounding it.
Argo: The headquarters of the Grand Order, we're finally reaching Alpha City. Let's find an inn and stay for the night, we'll have our food there as well. After which we'll set out for Aspheria through the portal tomorrow via the gateway express.
He turns to a drooling Sylvana who's thinking about the city's food while staring out the window.
Argo: She didn't hear me.. Guess her stomach is the one in control now haha..
-Somewhere in Aspheria-
??: Those pesky little Hakumai dogs, well no matter. It won't disrupt my plans. Time to move on to phase II..