Academy(Year 1): Entrance(1)

Anicia, the palpitations heart of a kingdom with the temerity of professing itself nothing less than the Kingdom of Man.

Some called it arrogance most called it folly. But truthfully, no other kingdoms even came to close this kingdom. Neither in the military nor in the economics department.

After all, The Kingdom is a fiscal giant that outmatches even the most ancient of regimes, its marks graded higher than even their draconian peer, and its produce, though not of the loftiest standard, is circulated even in the remotest end of the world.

The capital metropolis itself sprawled out in all orientations and was nourished by the mighty Adthaiva River and its influences. The fertility brought by them has underlined Anicia as the breadbasket of the kingdom, and the inland trade flow is essentially unmatched.

And it is not a bad place to live either.

Staggered stone and brick houses interspaced with large open areas where nature takes hold and forms groves, the streets wide enough to acclimate five men joined hand to hand or four carriages moving adjacent to one another.

Towers of gold and throbbing magic overlook the city, serving as fire stations that throw cascades of ice-cold water at house fires and wipes of deafening thunder at adversaries.

With sewers running underground in the streets and draining the remnants to large fertiliser cavities the city avoids most diseases and maintains large reservoirs of water in case of droughts.

The roads themselves are made of stone and magic shoot, brimmed with vitality being trodden upon by the millions that call this metropolis home, with the roads stretching for kilometres at a time and houses built on either side, this city prevails as the most modern and best-planned city in realm.

And in one of these streets travels an entourage, a carriage dragged by fine black stallions that tower over others and in all directions stand its guards.

Men in black vestiges with lustrous linings, looking like simple procession uniforms exhibit a sense of form over function.

Yet as one of the magi flying by observed, these vestiges brimmed with magic patterns and runes, their quality was only outmatched by the King's own.

A big shot, the mage thought before turning back to focus on his flight.

"Those mages are blatant aren't they?" Amy said as her eyes gazed upwards at the many mages who would pause to hover over the carriage and stare at them before flying off.

"It can't be helped, this set-up for them would cost a fortune," Heylel replied moving his eyes from the leather-bound book to her, "Besides they won't be curious after we put the uniforms up for sale."

"True," She said, as a brief notion flashed through her mind and she began giggling only to enclose her lips with her petite palm, "The king will go insane when he sees this."

"Too bad, being a noble has its privileges," he said as he too followed up on Amy's gaze and looked up to see his many 'admirers'.

"Ah yes, would your noble self have some pity on this commoner and give me one too?" She asked her nose pinched up as she turned her attention towards him.

As he acknowledged her words, his eyes shook, he promised that didn't he? Fuck. But keeping his lips steady he nodded, "Not now, we have gone int—" she interrupted him, "You forgot didn't you?"

'F*ck!'

"No no no, I was going to make one for you, just a bit busy, besides," He averted his gaze "I wanted to make it a surprise," her eyes threatened to roll out, "Blatant lies."

"That lack of trust..."

"Oh please, you speak as if you don't lie." She said as her fingers glided over the window and started to glow blue as runes of magic emerged and the glass started to sink letting a gentle wind blow in.

"Well, worth a shot." He spoke acknowledging it, "It wasn't intentional."

Hearing it she sighed, understanding that although he is somewhat lazy he keeps stuff regarding their safety in mind and with him being as occupied as he was the last few months, it had likely slipped his mind to get his aficionado a similar set.

"Anyway," She said deciding to shift the conversation, "Our capital city is quite...clean."

Raising his left eyebrow, he questioned her implication, "No slums," She replied.

"Forced evictions," At his words, she realized why the city was so clean, "Where did they go?"

"Work camps, Royal work camps." He replied, "Oh, so—" Interrupting her another sound came, "Master we have arrived."

Drifting his view, his sights fell upon the luxurious marble and gold edifice of the superfluity that had somehow morphed into a building.

Unknowingly Amy had let out a welp of admiration at the sight, "That's beautiful!" her words announced her thought.

And Heylel too acknowledged it, the columns inwardly carved with features of griffons and lions standing no less than four times their size supported a large smooth overhang.

Its walls were at least as tall as an elephant and perhaps to show their security they had sentry towers placed at equal distances on the wall.

"This is where the master will be living for the next few years?" Amy had returned to her servant mannerisms as she spoke.

"You too remember?"

She laughed, "Yes, obviously, where the master goes this maid follows."