I awoke quietly.
I hate passing out.
Why do I always seem to pass out?
This is ridiculous. I need to somehow fix this problem. And quickly, I can't be passing out at school mid-class. I'll get expelled for God's sake.
A magus who can't stay awake, I'd be made fun of for the rest of my life.
I opened my eyes to the sound of wheels turning and the abrupt jump of the wagon in the carriage, which made me smack my head painfully against the wooden bench I was lying on.
I guess we're still travelling with the caravan. That's good news; it means I didn't sleep for too long.
Gloria opened the door and then recoiled in shock, dropping the fruits she had in her hand.
"Holy fuck, the rabid wolf is awake already."
The rabid wolf? Who the fuck is that?
"How the fuck are you awake right now. It's been like not even six hours since the hoard."
It's only been six hours since the hoard? I guess I slept for less time than I thought. Good job, body!
For once, you fought the shitty desire to stay asleep!
"Uh, hello? Did you get brain damage, Sylas?"
Oh, right, I've been speaking in my head, whoops.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm guessing Alaric healed me."
I said with a smile.
"Huh? Who the fuck is Alaric? Holy shit, you did get brain damage. Don't move! I'll go get Randy this instant.
I tried to fix my words, but it was too late; she was already running to bother Randy.
I had to sit there awkwardly for a minute, but when they came back together looking frightened, I couldn't help but giggle a little bit.
Before things got even more out of hand, I explained my mistake.
"I don't have brain damage. My teacher and role model is named Alaric. He's an accomplished healer, so after being healed by him countless times, I guess I'm just used to him being the one who heals me. I'm sorry for the confusion."
They both let out a deep breath; they seemed to have been holding in for the last couple of minutes.
Gloria patted my shoulder.
"Good, I was hoping you weren't disabled just yet. With the way you fight, you'll certainly become somebody important, good or bad, I'm still debating, but certainly somebody."
I cocked my eyebrows in a questioning gaze.
"The way I fight?"
Gloria sent me a questioning gaze back.
"I mean, you're pretty scary when you fight, not to mention how scary you look. You fucking smiled the entire fight. Even when you sacrificed your forearm to save me, you didn't lose your smile for even a second. It was fucking terrifying."
Oh yeah, Alaric did tell me I had a smiling problem. I thought it was just him being a jackass.
She took a breath and then continued.
"Not to mention how good of a close-quarters fighter you are."
Randy nodded his head and continued Gloria's tangent.
"Quite frankly, you're a freak."
I shot him down instantly.
"Now you're being ridiculous. I've only been training for around a year. My teacher said I was average for my age."
Gloria and Randy's eyes widened to a terrifying degree.
"A year?"
"God damn, some people are just unbelievable."
They said in unison.
"You honestly think you're fucking average?"
Gloria asked.
"You're a retard."
Is all Randy said.
I took a moment to collect my thoughts.
"Am I not average? My teacher told me nobles train at the youngest age they can at weapon mastery. Before my final month of training, he said I was around the middle of the pack. After my training, maybe slightly above average."
Gloria replied.
"Your teacher was lying to you, maybe to push your growth, or maybe he genuinely doesn't know, but I doubt that. The simplest way I can put it is you're very strong."
Her eyebrows furrowed.
"Your physique and mana rotation combined make a disturbingly effective combination, not to mention your excellent decision-making skills. I wouldn't want to fight you right now, and I'm a dusk mage. I'll be honest, I'd lose, and quite terribly at that."
Randal continued.
"Your only weakness is that you lack a wide variety of spells to use, but you're also sixteen years old. It's kind of ridiculous that you can use advanced mana rotation and basic elemental spells when you've just awakened. It takes most people years, and even they call themselves geniuses."
Gloria nodded her head in agreement.
"Your only competition would be royal family descendants from any race. They are always trained to a ridiculous degree to show off and maintain their power. And top nobles from any kingdom will also train their children since birth. The rest of the nobles only really know shitty chants that they rely on to call themselves genius magicians; most suck in actual fights."
She continued with her long rant.
"They're always expectations, of course, but that's the general outline of the kids attending Ashborn Academy. The rest of the children would be people trying to become somebody special, like you. They normally are quite weak, but if you use yourself as an example, some are freaks of nature."
I gave a half-bow very awkwardly.
"Thank you for the important information. It's nice to get a warning before I knock somebody out by using too much force."
I took a second to collect myself and then asked the burning question that was on my mind.
"One more thing."
I looked at them very seriously.
"Who is this rabid wolf? Is the caravan in trouble?"
They were looking at me with serious expressions, and then Randy restated his earlier comment.
"You're a retard."
The last couple of days went peacefully. I was this so-called rabid wolf. They named me that after watching me fight with my teeth and hands and tearing a beast apart.
Kind of ridiculous if you ask me, but I have no control over it.
The merchants that travelled with the caravan won't even talk to me anymore. To be honest, they said I was too scary to approach.
And yet they talk to the other magus, like they aren't even more powerful than I am.
My wounds were still hurting, but they're mostly healed now.
After Randy worked on me constantly for the last couple of days.
He wants me to be at my top strength for the recruitment process, but I don't think it'll be a problem even if he doesn't finish healing me in time.
But he got it done. All that was left from that death sentence of a fight was more scars added onto my body, especially the giant one in the middle of my forearm from the boar tusk, and sore muscles from the extended healing.
But it's nothing some sleep won't fix.
Gloria also came to see me personally. After letting me catch my bearings, she apologized for having to be saved. She said it was her fault I got injured.
She also promised me a favour whenever and wherever I need it, which is never a bad thing coming from a Dusk mage.
I told her it was my choice and declined the favour, but she insisted, and I eventually caved.
Of course, I shot her a teasing remark about her owing me a favour for "whatever I need" before accepting.
She giggled and matched my snide remark by saying.
"Anytime, anyplace, remember."
And with an exaggerated wink, she walked away.
We eventually arrived at Liberta.
I could tell Liberta would be a different experience in its entirety right from the start. After all, the two guards that checked our cargo were an elf and an orc, respectively.
Don't get me wrong, I've seen other races before, especially during my childhood.
But it was odd seeing them right away. After all, they're a rare sight when you're in the human kingdom.
After ten minutes of the guards thoroughly checking the caravan and confirming our identities with the magus association, they let us in.
I've been shocked several times, from the day I saw Alaric for the first time, to when I had to fight the Beast wave.
But I don't think anything affected me quite as much as the breathtaking sight directly in front of me.
I entered the western gate, and in front of me was the largest market I've ever seen, and every race was right in front of me.
It was overwhelming. I've never seen anything quite so… cool.
I looked over, and I guess I was staring because a dwarf who was smoking from their pipe flipped me off.
"I'm sorry, sir."
I said apologetically.
"I'm a mam! You twat!"
She stormed away, with an angry look on her face.
Confusion appeared on my face.
"B-But you have a beard."
Gloria dragged me by the shirt and took me along.
I should watch out for whom I stare at; I don't want to get in trouble before even applying to an academy.
After twenty minutes of slowly cruising through the market, we arrived at the magus association building.
We went in and they confirmed our identities. I don't understand how, when I didn't hand them anything, but that's their business.
I got my reward of 15 silvers and said goodbye to my companions.
I had to find a place to stay the night. Tomorrow was the big day.
"Thank you all for everything. I hope we go on an adventure another time."
Wick gave me a thumbs up.
Even though it was a simple gesture, I could tell he was being sincere.
Gloria was a little more straightforward, hugging me.
The second hug ever, and it was by a pretty girl, not bad, Sylas.
She thanked me once again for saving her life, backed away and gave me a wink and a smile.
"Anytime, anywhere, remember?"
I smiled back at her.
I shook hands with Randy, and we agreed to meet once I gained some more experience in light magic.
It was a nice goodbye.
I gave them a final wave before walking downtown towards the hotel down the street.
The caravan owner gave me directions to it. He has connections there, and I can get a discount by mentioning his name.
I'll rest for the night and head out bright and early to the academy trials. They're open all day, so I don't have to rush.
But I want to beat the crowd; the less time I have to wait, the better.
It's time to join an academy.
End of chapter 9