3.

  The next day, Lucan awoke at the crack of dawn instead of his usual waking time at around noon. Another day had passed and there were only three days left until the day that he had seen as both his salvation and escape arrived.

  The day where he could finally leave the prison that was the Velmoria Estate by order of the Patriarch himself. At seventeen years of age with his eighteenth name day being just around two months away, the time had come for him to leave the purported safety of his house and obtain a formal magical education from the foremost Magic academy in the nation— The Imperial Academy of the Combat Arts.

  Given the prestige of Magic Towers that conducted specialized research and were at the forefront of cutting edge magical research, it was pretty surprising that a multi-disciplinary academy that offered education in both Magic and Aura usage was considered to be the best in the entire kingdom when it came to a full-rounded education, but that was very much by design.

  It would not be wrong to say that the Imperial Academy was one of the pillars of the Royal Family’s strength and was one of the reasons why they could hold together what was once a coalition of many smaller nation states without having experienced any major rebellion in the last century.

  For the Imperial Academy was a place where the advantages of status were diminished as much as they could be and talents across the nation were invited to test themselves in any of the hundreds of testing stations that were scattered across each county without fail. Those who lacked the resources to afford the exorbitant fee of the Imperial Academy were admitted free of charge, as long as they met the criteria of the testing, in exchange for five years of service in the Royal Military.

  It was a remarkably generous offer, one that could tempt even the scions of Minor Noble Houses and were a blessing for members of fallen houses that had fallen to hold onto their Noble titles and commoners— when considering that even if the Royal Family had demanded a lifetime of service in return, most of them would still have accepted the offer.

  Loyalty was not something that could be bought and the Royal Family knew that well. The exorbitant fees of the Imperial Academy was a low price for securing the gratitude of powerful mages and aura knights of the future and also ensured that their rivals in the south would have a harder time poaching talent from them.

  An opportunity reserved for the most prestigious Noble Houses and the Royal Family princes and princesses was offered to everyone, regardless of heritage or status. Even those that failed to quality for the academy, which was almost everyone that applied to the testing, either resolved to try harder next year or accepted the result as a way of life. It was hard to be too resentful, when the integrity of the testing was above reproach and when they heard the tales of the chosen few, selected from their own county, their own town.

  Even failure wasn’t the end, as those that had prepared for the most rigorous testing in the entire Kingdom could go on to challenge the much laxer but still challenging tests for admission into the Royal Military. In exchange for risking their life on the battlefield and in dungeons, commoners in the Royal Military were offered the chance of elevating their status through accomplishments, with Military Ranks holding the power of Landless Nobles, from Baron to Marquis, not to mention the other rewards that they could obtain.

  Thankfully, the education of Nobility was a right owed to them for their service to the Nation and as such, Lucan didn’t have to give the entrance exam. He was certain that he wouldn’t pass in his current state and the memories from the future wouldn’t change that.

  Silvas Anderle, that boorish clown, Lucan resentfully thought. Out of the four inheritances he left me, there’s only one Mana Technique and it only changes how I cast a spell. Sure, it’s a neat trick and all, but it’s not a spell. He doesn’t know any spells, not a single one! It’s nice to know that my Esoteric Mana Type Affinity, Shadow Mana Affinity hasn’t crippled my potential like I thought it had, but Silvas Anderle is gravely mistaken about something.

  It was the same reason why Lucan had earnestly cursed Silvas Anderle after awakening his memories. In his previous life, after dropping out of the Imperial Academy, he had gone and slaughtered a Fourth-Circle Specialist Blood Mage with his lone Shadow Mana affinity as a… Second-Circle Journeyman Mage. Which made no sense, none at all. Even back when he was trying, when he was still motivated to try and overcome the limitations of his Shadow Mana Type Affinity, he had been a quick study, sure. He never had any problems memorizing First-Circle Spells and casting them with his Regular Mana Pool instead of attuning it to Shadow Mana meant that they were effective, very effective upon considering that his Mana Core was thrice the average diameter.

  But he wasn’t a genius, at least not the logic-defying, path-breaking kind of genius Silvas Anderle thought him to be. There were no Shadow Mana Affinity Mages that were recorded to have exceeded Third-Circle Adept Mage Rank and even the handful of records that supported that Shadow Mana Affinity Mages had even existed in the past, shed no further light on their spells. Of course, it was entirely possible that there were Multiple Mana type Affinity Mages that reached far higher ranks with Shadow Mana being one of their affinities, but for Lucan, it was his only affinity.

  Lucan could base mana and generalist spells to advance the ranks, his Mana Core wasn’t crippled after all, but even if he reached the Fifth-Circle Master Rank, he would only be a fourth as powerful as his fellow Master Mages, if even that. To become the heir of the guardian of the Northern Wall— he would never be worthy.

  Moreover, a Mage was the sum of his spells and the proficiency he had with casting them. Lucan knew no Shadow Mana spells and he had no known way of acquiring them, nobody did. It made sense why Silvas Anderle thought he’d invented the spells he used in the future. A journeyman killing a specialist— the mere proposition was absolutely absurd and the word genius wasn’t enough to contain it.

  Something happens in the Academy, Lucan concluded with near certainty. I find something or… someone and it opens up a path for me. The spells future me uses are too damn elaborate and honestly, kinda terrifying. They’re definitely not my work. I can see why old Silvas Anderle thought I was some kind of prodigy or savant. But as fate would have it, damn it all, I’m not.

  Lucan needed to go to the academy no matter what, to find the “something/someone” he wasn’t aware of if he wanted to have even a chance of surviving what was coming. But… he had still died despite his past life’s prowess, so even mastering Shadow Mana wasn’t enough.

  He needed to unlock Aura if he really wanted to survive and also protect the people he cared about, including paying the debts he had accrued in another life.

  There was too much to do and Lucan was definitely the wrong man for the job. But…

  Not again. Eileen will not die. I will find a cure for Mother’s coma, there is one in the memory bank suited for the job. Velmoria Estate will not burn with everything I care about in this world perishing along with. I will do whatever it takes to stop that future from becoming a reality. No matter what.

  A knock sounded out on his door, bringing Lucan out of his reverie.

  “Young lord, breakfast is ready,” A familiar, eager voice called out from the other side.

  “You may enter,” Lucan replied, knowing exactly who awaited him on the other side.

  Mira, the only servant that was assigned to him, stepped into the room. Her auburn hair was tied into a neat braid, her warm brown eyes always gleaming with an earnestness, a quality that Lucan had found the cold halls of Velmoria Estate to have been severely lacking. She wheeled in an ornate trolley upon which his breakfast was shielded from view by a metal cloche.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Lucan intently gazed at Mira, taking in her soft, rounded features that were lightly dusted by freckles, only for her to catch his gaze as she wheeled in the food.

  “Is something the matter, young lord?”

  “Mira Norrenost, daughter of the head maidservant in service to the second wife of Duke Velmoria . Date of Death, Unknown. Suspected cause of death, unknown. Lucan spoke of her fondly, referring to her as his closest confidant and most cherished friend, the sole reason why he was able to hold onto his sanity behind the cold walls of the Velmoria Estate. Her death is likely to have happened along with the fall of House Velmoria, after well after Lucan’s passing. No major political connotations are linked to it,” The same bold, commanding voice made its thoughts known in Lucan’s mind, its boisterous presence once again invading the privacy of his mind.

  “It’s nothing,” Lucan hurriedly replied, trying his best not to sound flustered. There is a resonance, but it’s not surprising that he isn’t aware of the details. Silvas Anderle might have met Mira when his past self from an alternative timeline was studying at the Imperial Academy, but there was little for a maidservant and a noble to converse on. It was unlikely that they had any reason to stay in touch after, well, his own passing in the previous timeline.

  Lucan had been a child when his mother had appointed a fourteen year old Mira to look after him and now, as he was nearing adulthood, Mira was a twenty two year old young woman, the daughter of his mother’s head maidservant. She looked more like him then Eileen did and Mira was his best friend, a relationship mother had shared with the head maidservant.

  Once Mira had placed the trolley before him, she turned around and went for the door, making sure to close it completely.

  Once it was closed, she came and sat next to him.

  “Are you okay?” She asked in a familiar tone, no longer taking upon herself to sound servile. “Stupid question. I heard Eileen chewing you out already, so I’ll spare you the lecture. Idiot.”

  Lucan’s face fell a little, before he replied, “I’m sorry, Mira. For everything.”

  A gentle punch landed on his shoulder, “Don’t be, idiot. If it wasn’t for your mother, I’m still all for the leaving the kingdom plan. This place is going to be the end of you if you stay, Lucan.”

  Lucan chuckled at her words. Leaving the kingdom would be nice, that way the future war became none of his business.

  “We’re going though, aren’t we? To the academy.”

  “And after six years, you’ll be back at this place. Until your father dies, you’ll stay here. And once he does, you get to go to the Northern Wall to die,” Mira countered, her tone laden with frustration as she clenched her fists.

  Lucan placed a hand over her fist, “It’s okay, Mira. I’m sorry for being so useless all this time. You’ve suffered, haven’t you? The Duchess must have sent the other house help to pester you, to make sure that I stay an inebriated mess. They must have tried to get to you. Yet you’ve never mentioned it a single time to me, while I’ve been going on and on about my sorrows without ever once considering your own.”

  “It’s not—,” Mira’s voice cracked as suppressed emotions ambushed her. “... How did you know?”

  “I know how the old bat thinks by now,” Lucan replied with a chuckle. “She’s becoming predictable in her malice.

  “Wasn’t the madam enough?” Mira whispered words that were enough to get her executed. “Must that bitch go after her son too?

  “Shhh,” Lucan hissed, before flicking her on the forehead with his index finger.

  “Ow.”

  “Never say anything that can put your life at risk again, Mira,” Lucan whispered to her, his expression as harsh as weathered stone as he glared at Mira.

  Taken aback by the sudden change in tone, Mira flinched.

  “What’s wrong with you? It was just a —” Mira tried to explain, whispering back.

  “Never again,” Lucan hissed, his eyes flaring with intensity.

  An intensity that Mira acknowledged, as she whispered back, “Okay.”

  Nodding at her words, Lucan’s expression eased.

  “Mira,” He addressed her with a serious expression. “You are currently too weak to serve as my travelling companion.”

  Mira’s eyes went wide with surprise, before giving way to confusion as she replied, “What do you mean? You’re not thinking of leaving me behind, are you?”

  “I’ve always wondered,” Lucan said. “Why your mother arranged for you to join the employ of the Velmoria Estate. I am well aware of your mother’s devotion to mine, but the Head Maidservant is a smart and capable woman. Her obligations to my mother did not stretch to plunging her daughter into the jaws of a mana beast. I believe I understand now.”

  “I don’t know what you’re taking about—-”

  “One in three humans are born with a Mana Core. That probability increases to a hundred parts out of hundred when both the parents have Mana Cores. Neither your mother nor your father did, as far as I understand. Yet, your Mana Core is twice the average diameter or roughly there about. It’s not as good as mine and you aren’t close to a true born Velmoria at five times the average diameter, but it’s good enough to make a Mage out of you.”

  Mira’s eyes widened at Lucan’s implication.

  “Yet the Head Maidservant would not be able to procure an instructor for you, let alone anything beyond the most commonly known generalist spells. Neither are you naturally talented enough for the Imperial Academy to throw their doors open for you and there is no way mage, let alone noble, would share their spells for something as insignificant as mere coin. But a bastard born in a family that loathes him, well, that’s a different case. Do you know what Mana Type affinity you have, Mira?”

  Mira nodded, the surprise still not worn off her expression. “Fire affinity,” She replied in a daze.

  “Most destructive amongst the common Mana Types,” Lucan muttered as the gears in his mind began to work. “I’m sorry, Mira. My Esoteric Mana Type affinity might have ruined a little of your mother’s expectations, but that changes from today.”

  “That’s not why I serve you,” Mira protested, making sure to keep a voice to a whisper. “I swear, I didn’t even know anything about this.”

  “I know,” Lucan replied. “Your family has done too much for my mother and I. Frankly, I’m not sure if we’ve ever done enough to deserve it. But that’s going to change from today, Mira. I will teach you magic. From today onwards to every day in the future, across all six years of our time at the academy.”

  “I’m… I can’t accept that,” Mira shook her head. “I’m here because I want to be. Not because I want something from you.”

  “I told you, Mira. You’re too weak. Merely being by my side has and continues to put you at danger. Look at how the Duchess destroyed my mother without ever raising a finger of her own. The game of nobles is a dark, dirty and despicable one and you don’t get to choose if you are a piece on the board. So if you choose to continue staying at my side, you must learn.”

  Biting at her lips was a nervous tic of Mira’s that was known to him, so he wasn’t surprised to see it surface. “Okay,” She finally replied. “I’ll do it.”

  Inwardly, Lucan grinned. Silent Casting might have only been a way to cast magic, but it was the pinnacle achievement of a Sixth-Circle Grandmaster Mage for a reason. It had taken Lucan a while to understand what he was recalling and even then, what comprehension he had was only thanks to the Grand-Master Andrea of the future personally coaching that meathead Silvas Anderle so he actually understood the important parts of the Mana Technique he was mugging up, at least enough to pass it on to someone else.

  Internal Casting, the counter-measure that Grand-Master Andrea had developed for the war against the Cyndrian Empire’s Mages, only formed the base level of the Silent Casting Technique.

  Internal Casting was developed to put Nostura’s Mages on as close to an equal playing field as possible, while Silent Casting… well, it was designed to slaughter anyone who utilized Mana Detection in combat. Which basically included all mages.

  It would take him a long while to understand silent casting at anything beyond the apprentice rank, for his and Silvas’ understanding of Magic too lacking for that, but even as it stood he more or less understood the overarching principles of Internal Casting up until the Journeyman level. Though that did not mean that he believed himself capable of executing either of those techniques without many hours of practice, let alone in the midst of any actual combat situations, which, if Silvas Anderle’s memories were to be believed, was an inevitability.

  In the end, Lucan would teach a Grandmaster’s pinnacle mana technique to his best friend. He wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but by the end of it Mira might just end up being the most dangerous maid in existence.

  Of course, he’d have to figure out a way to learn it himself first.

  Sorry not sorry, Lucan thought. Maybe I’m not the genius you wanted. Maybe I can’t protect everyone. But thanks to you, I might be able to give the people I want to protect the power to save themselves.