[Andromeda]

Andromeda walked into Master Nolat’s class, it was the class that Miss Omuna had to be referring to in needing practice. It was a test day, they would have to show him what they had learned and he would grade them on their focus, strength and a few other elements of magic. Though it was more unique that Nolat was a Dragon, but he practiced shape-shifting magic which allowed him to take on a smaller appearance that was a blend of Hemerataq and Dragon. It gave him the size and stature to fit into the halls that were not built to allow Dragons to walk through, but he maintained a pair of wings that would show his Dragon pride. Some students said that he walked through the halls as a student sometimes to understand their needs better and remain connected to them despite their age and experience differences.

Being as such though Nolat was special for the school as he was the only Dragon Race Wizard to actually walk into most of the halls of the school. The few Dragon students there were would be handled on an independent study bases that gave them special needs. There were always few Dragon students because most of the Dragons were very old and the few that were born these days had other duties. The few that would come, would be of the Mystic Dragon Race, but as Andromeda understood it, most of them were trained by their own race and would come here for specialized training. So their classes were always specialized to the student and highly advanced.

However, there were many Dragon Wizards that taught in the school, but their classrooms were in open areas or in the large auditoriums that were available. Dragons were said to be tough Masters, but very well knowledgeable, so many students would seek them out. Though it also made some pick a different Master’s class. Andromeda had found them to be fair and helpful with his training, though they would often tell him that he did not have as great potential as most students.

It was a common issue most of the Masters had with him, he did not know what to do about it other than continue to try. He had been at the school for eight years now, most students would drop out by the third year, if they were going to. He had no plan on turning away from this, even if he was not nearly as strong as most of the students. The only main concern he had was if he would be able to continue his training to be a Master and reach the status of Ferm’Petna, reach Na’Petna would mean that he had finished his ten years of training at the school and would be required to travel the world and come back once he had decided he was ready to test for the Ferm’Petna level of Apprenticeship, that of Traveled Apprentice. But that would mean for him that he would have to leave the city and his duties. Would they let him go on his journey or keep him in service of the Council.

Andromeda cleared out his mind, he could not afford so many conflicting thoughts at this time. The class was gathering together at the field telepoint and Master Nolat was about to tell everyone where they would be going for their test. Colerin was standing next to him talking to another Hemerataq about the fight that Andromeda had had with Omuna. He tried to look away hoping not to be brought into the conversation.

“Really…how many fights does that make Andromeda?” the Hemerataq student asked.

“Pardon?” he asked trying to act like he had not been listening.

“Colerin was talking about Omuna picking a fight with you again. She seems to have it out for you.”

“Oh, I don’t know Miss Omuna tries to make me fight her, I don’t know why she picks me. There are more worthy students that could challenge her.”

“Maybe she likes you,” Naloroth said from behind him. Nalorith was one of the few other men in the school. He was exceptionally talented in magic and probably one of the strongest Petna at the Qel level. Andromeda admired his ability to control magic and his strength of determination to get into the school. Nalorith had told him, it had taken him three years of convincing to the women on the student approval committee to let him in, each time other women had gotten his spot. Though Nalorith kept coming back trying again, he said he was going to prove to all the women that men were as strong as them. He had a lot of pride as a man and had a lot to prove, though he often questioned Andromeda’s own behaviors in front of the women. He said that he did not have act like he was their servant anymore, that time had gone. But Andromeda did not really understand why he said it, he was showing respect to them, it seemed nature enough to him.

“Haha,” Colerin laughed agreeing with Nalorith, “Yeah was telling him that earlier.”

“Never know with women, they think really strangely sometimes. That’s why they think themselves superior,” Nalorith replied.

“Nalorith…they might hear you,” Andromeda said, “You don’t want a fight to start before class. You know how Toramalica Nolat is about fighting.”

“Yeah…” Nolat had said he did not approve of the fighting that existed between men and women. Said that it divided the people and weakened the race of Women, and though he could nothing to chance men or women’s views, he would not allow the politics of inter racial fighting to start in his class. It was a very sore subject that had caused many accidents in the years and resulted in the banning of several students.

“It is time for the test class!” Nolat’s voice roared through the halls getting each of the students attention. “We shall be going to the Plains of Nokala today for our testing. Since we are practicing elemental skills, the weather on the Plains is perfect for the testing.”

“Weather?” many of the students said softly through the hall, uncertain as to what he was referring to.

“We are taking the West Nokalan telepoint class we will meet outside.”

“West telepoint?” Colerin said.

“But that is the farthest telepoint in the Plains, there is suppose to be a…” Nalorith started, but stopped.

“What is it Nalorith?” Colerin asked.

“The weather post signal I was listening to said that there was heavy wind storms near the West telepoint, that it was not advised to take that telepoint for the next few degrees.”

“How long ago did you hear that?”

“Four degrees ago, I think.”

“So then it is over then?”

“Maybe, it is supposed to be one of the strongest this month.”

“I see.”

“Nolat would not endanger our lives,” Andromeda said and stepped on to the telepoint waiting for Colerin and Nalorith to join him. He was a little nervous from what Nalorith had said, but there is not be any real danger, Nolat knew what he was doing. “I hope,” he whispered.

“What did you say Andromeda?” Colerin said as he stepped on to the telepoint.

“Nothing…” The three sent themselves to the West Nokala Telepoint where they could hear the wind howling through the stone station of the telepoint. Built open to the outside, the wind was blowing in through to the large room chilling Andromeda’s body. It was still very windy outside and he worried how strong it really was. He could see his robes being pushed around be the wind already. Though outside stand firmly in the ground was Master Nolat waiting for all the students to come out of the telepoint.

Andromeda could see his clothes blowing, almost whipping around in the wind as the three of them began to walk out towards him.

As they came closer to the outside unsheltered by the stone, the wind picked up catching him off guard slightly. His robes were blowing all over the place as Andromeda pushed down on his feet harder to keep his balance. The stone cover left him completely and he could now feel the full force of the wind. His hands were up over his face trying to cover himself from the dust and dirt in the air. Yet there was Nolat standing completely still unmoved by the wind waiting for the last few students.

Once the remaining students arrived he raised his arms in the air as they started to glow pink. Andromeda could sense the power of Nolat increasing as he was letting go of his restrictions. The glow expanded around his hand and then his body, until it expanded around all the students. It was a shield barrier spell, but a hundred times the strength of what he had used against Miss Omuna. The wind was no longer blowing in the protected area.

“I hate having to talk over someone,” he said smiling. The students laughed quietly, but quickly focused their attention back on him. “Now as you as see the wind is quite strong today. This will be your test of endurance and focus. How well can you push aside your fears and concern and bring your mind together with your magic core with even nature fighting against you. Your aim will be at the sky, you have enough to focus on that distance and a target will not be a concern. However, your final will be a target. So don’t think that this is your only trial. When I call your name you will leave the protection of the shield and walk to that hill behind me. There you can begin at anytime. Just remember there are eighteen of us and only have fourteen degrees. You have half a degree to prepare yourself.”

Andromeda sat down as did the other students starting to mediate and prepare their minds and bodies for the test. It had not been the first time they were tested under extreme conditions, but this was the first time in a windstorm, different things to consider, mainly keeping a strong footing. He had been in the Ice Caves of Isol for a test of trials, which was hard, he had a cold for a week afterwards. He hoped that the wind would not get any stronger or he might fail the test, but he had to stop thinking and focus on the test.

He started to clear his mind and bring himself to himself, to his core without reaching to closely. This was not a time to search deeply and be sent away, he needed to reach what he knew he could and bring that to focus if he was to succeed. He could feel the warmth of the core of his magic, his center to draw upon and focus. Everything would be ready soon, he knew the spell he was going to be using. It was a lightning elemental spell, and with the storm it might give him a better chance of succeeding. Though it would only be a simple bolt, merely a level one spell, as each of them were instructed to use. They had to pick an element they wanted to learn, explore and then learn the first level spell. Most students would decide the element that they planned to practice in the future, making this class their grounding in that element. Future classes would divide them up into elemental classes to the element that they had chosen.

Andromeda heard the first name called it had been Colerin, he stood up to watch his outcome. He knew that he had to still prepare, but he wanted to give Colerin his support. “Good luck.”

“Thanks,” Colerin said before stepping through the shield and into the unprotected plains of the wind. He had already prepared himself for the wind it seemed so he was not taken off guard by the wind’s initial burst. Though his clothes were whipping in the wind beating against him. Colerin pushed on to the hill, which was a little farther away than Andromeda had first thought or it could just have been the wind slowing him down. Once at the hill he paused for a moment, probably getting stable ground and preparing himself. Andromeda wondered what spell it was he was going to use, he had been rather secretive about the element he had chosen. He could see his hands glowing, it seemed as thought they were glowing white meaning was either ice or lightning element. His hands raised towards the clouds as it looked like he could ice and snow glowing around him. There was a muffled sound that the wind and shield filtered and then a blade of ice shot from his palm outward. He succeeded in casting the spell, though it looked a little small. The grade he would get would be on how strong the spell was, the time it took to cast, the focus and whether he succeed in casting or not, which was definite.

Colerin started his way back to the shield when Nolat called the next name, “Andromeda!”

“Toramalica.,” he said bowing and then walking out of the shield. He could see Colerin almost reaching him as he started to push out of the shield. The wind started clawing at his face and then his body and clothes trying to push his balance, but his feet were ready to use the earth as a bracer. Colerin was now next to him, “Congratulations.”

“Thanks, good luck.”

“Thanks.” Andromeda continued to walk towards the hill, each step forced to be firm and careful against the wind. He could see the hill coming up to him slowly, the wind changed directions suddenly breaking his balance. Knocked back a step he took a moment to get his footing to continue, ”Is me or the wind getting worse” He was finally at the hill he feet already tired from constantly countering each blast of wind that hit him. Andromeda was beginning to understand why Nolat had choose this as their test. He was not sure if he had enough to finish the spell. It had been hard enough for him just to get down the focus and right elemental connection.

He had yet to establish the connection to the element that was needed to make summoning the element easier. Everyone had an open path in the element they could choose, though elements was not the only aspect or path that could be chosen. But for a battle wizard it was their main source of attack spells. Establishing an elemental connection was important in locking in, almost, the element that your magic core would tap. As such this generally locked out the elements and most of the spells that person would cast would tend to have a slight elemental charge to them, even if it was not an elemental spell. Though it was possible to seek other elements, it becomes harder the more established the connection is as well as the age of the wizard. It was way an elemental generalist was rare to see, but it meant their spells would never be as strong as they could.

Andromeda placed himself into a momentary mediation to try to connect with his element and his core. He had trouble focusing though with the wind constantly forcing his feet to correct their balance. It took him longer than he thought to focus enough that he was confidant he could make an attempt in casting. ”Ok, lets do this.” He raised his hands to the sky, closing his eyes trying to visualize the elemental connection. It was weak he knew, but he could find enough of a connection to tap the element. ”Oh, Lightning come to me, Lightning Bolt!” His palms grew warm with the magic that was gathering making his palms glow. Sparks began to shoot in the air above his hands until coming together forming a small glowing ball of light that shot up into the sky. But just then a wind burst knocked his balance, he tired to bring his foot back but struggled against the wind’s force. He could feel his connect draining as well as his physical strength to endure the wind’s pressure. The connection was almost gone and the bolt was weakening until it faded away in the air.

He sighed and started walking back to the shield against the wind. It was not nearly what he had practiced, though considering the circumstances he knew it was good. Though he saw Miss Omuna walking toward him and worried what she might do. He doubted that she do much since it was class, though she seemed more angry today than usual.

“Nice try man,” she said sarcastically.

“Miss Omuna,” he said softly as he continued on by her returning to the shield. He sat down with many of the other students that were still mediating until their turn. It would be a long wait for the rest of the students to finish, which would give him time to regain his strength. Though it had only been a short time out there seem like ages, his legs were sore, from all the extra pressure and had almost given out on him as he reached the shield where the pressure of the wind was no longer on him. The sudden release had almost take away his balance as he was over stepping.

Time passed by as one student after the next stepped up to the hill cast their spell into the sky and returned successfully. All managed to finish their casting, but the strength was varied. Some were stronger like Nalorith’s and Miss Omuna, and others were weaker. Though everyone was now an eighth year apprentice, so they would probably not had failed. The test was more to see the progress made so far, how well they were doing in their studies and who needed more help. Master Nolat released his shield and the students walked back to the telepoint, some still recovering from the test.

Andromeda, Colerin and Nalorith entered together and returned to the school where Nolat stood waiting for all to return. Andromeda was glad to have the test finished and back on more stable grounds, the windstorm had given him an appreciation for nature. It worried what the test would be like for the final, focusing on a target took even more concentration.

“You all have completed your first trial for my class. Congratulations to all of you for completing the task. Expect more trials in the future, grades shall be posted tomorrow. Class is dismissed.”

The students began to leave the hall going their own ways, some even returning to the telepoint to go other places. Andromeda had a few degrees before the next class, it was advanced magic theory and practice, so he would not have to push himself too much more for the day. He had to first talk to Master Nolat about his future absence. The crowd of students slowed him down as Nolat began to walk away from the students. “Master Nolat!” Andromeda pushed through the students meeting the Master at the end of the hall. “I need to speak with you for a moment, if I may.”

“Is it about the test?”

“No, something else entirely.”

“I’m listening.”

“I’ve been requested about the Magetary of the Women’s District Magic Council to being her daughter’s escort on her travels to a village nearby. I am afraid that I’ll have to miss your class for a day or two.”

“I see. I had heard you worked for the Council, but I did not know you would be giving an escort duty. Is that not the job of the Council guards?”

“Yes, it is, but the Great Council is returning in a few days and its seem the guards are busy prepare for their return.”

“Well, duty of your race calls you. We will be going over the test next class for improving and I shall be explaining techniques to improve concentration. Its an important day, I hate to see you miss it.”

“I am sorry, I wish I could it would be valuable for me. But I can’t turn the Magetary down.”

“No you can’t. I wish you a safe journey then.” Andromeda bowed to him and turn around to find Colerin in front of him.

“What is this I hear about you being absent.”

“Duties for the council.”

“They work you too hard, sometimes I think.”
”It’s the only job I have and it gives me a place to stay and food to eat.”

“You’re right. Best of luck to you then.” Andromeda’s eye caught Celerina as he was seeing who was in the hall. She had been near by, probably heard the entire conversation, the Wolten ears were keen to sound he had heard. He did not know her too well, though she was the only Wolten that he had seen other than on the council. So he was never too sure about their appearance, he had wondered about her having no fur and thought that maybe the female Wolten do not have that much fur as opposed to the males. He never asked though, because he did not really care, it was just something he noted as different. Andromeda walked back towards the telepoint and wondered if she would stop him or not…

(OOC: My post takes places after Shadow's and before yours Soyokaze. Just so you know where it lies.)