No Place Like Home
The carriage rattled along the cobblestone path, leaving the imposing silhouette of Tilanaz in the distance. Jared, his head spinning from the recent events, focused on the mysterious panel that had appeared before him. The display, floating ethereally in front of him, detailed attributes and powers that were unfamiliar yet somehow resonated within him. It read:
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[Jared Martel, reborn into Kendell Hecrule]
[Rituals: Tatiana's Energy Control | Mastery Level: 1]
[Forbidden Rituals: Planar Transfer | Attempts Remaining: NULL]
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As Jared pondered over the meaning of these statistics, the carriage slowed to a halt outside a grand manor, marking his arrival at the Hecrule family estate. Stepping out, he was greeted by the sprawling grounds that exuded an air of ancient nobility, a stark contrast to his modest life on Earth.
A fancy-looking woman with tears streaming down her face and a quiet composed man covered head to toe in tattoos came out of the estate upon the carriage's arrival. "Son, we are glad you made it back safe- why are you coming from Tilanaz?" said Jared or Kendell's apparent father. "No questions yet Tonsin, I can't believe our boy is alive!" cried Kendell's mother, clearly a sopping mess at the thought something happened to her son. 'Guess my parents love me, that's nice... maybe they can help me figure out what the hell is going on here' Jared thought as he embraced his mom and consoled her on his safe and secure state of being.
After a tearful reunion, his parents let him go up to his room without any further questions to wash up before supper. In the solitude of his new room, Jared's thoughts returned to Tilanaz and the impending challenges he would face. He recalled Jania's words about the academy's curriculum, particularly the emphasis on Ritual Tattoos, Body Enhancement, and the crucial Shadow and Wild Gate rituals. The knowledge that students specialize in branches such as Curse Rituals, Fey Binding, Devil Contracting, Enhancement, and Spell Rituals, only added to his sense of awe and uncertainty.
Looking around the room he saw a collection of textbooks open on what is now his desk along with a much smaller leather-bound journal. Reading it was like having a portal straight into the real Kendell's mind and it avidly discussed his school life, the girls that were hot in his class (even though by reading this it was clear he had no game whatsoever), and how his studies for both regular and mystical classes were going. It painted the picture of a good albeit average life of a boy who wanted so desperately to live up to his father's reputation as a captain of the 'Chosen', a special few who had extreme talent in the ritual arts and were among the elite force used by their faction to perform missions and protect their way of life from the other mystical branches that exist in the world. The day Kendell was dreading most was the mystic alignment test which happened when all 13-14 year old's graduated primary school and were tested to see which academy would be the best fit for them- in this world they do not get to choose their path regardless of who their family is the test chooses for them, and Kendell knew his father would disown him if he was anything other than a ritualist.
Jared's contemplation was interrupted by a servant, who handed him a letter from Jania. It contained further details about the academy and an invitation to begin his training in three weeks. The letter emphasized the importance of the Royal Rally, a competitive event held every other year where students vied for recognition and resources. It was clear that his placement in the top three was not just a request, but a necessity to maintain his agreement with Jania. However, a secondary letter was included that mentioned the 'secret test' he supposedly passed so he could show his parents and not be questioned about why he was really at the academy.
Jared, now going by Kendell, went downstairs to supper with his new parents, and after showing them the note another round of sobbing from his mother ensued along with a prideful nod from his father showing his praise at his son following in his footsteps and no further questions were asked.
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Over the next few weeks, Jared immersed himself in the study materials provided by the academy, acquainting himself with the basics of ritual theory and practice. Each day, his understanding of this magical world deepened, and he felt a growing understanding of the basic mystical energies that guide this world. However, as much as he tried he could not figure out how to make that mysterious panel come back or get any inclination as to what it was.
Through original Kendell's notebook, he began to learn about the world and how he should act to keep up the facade of Kendell around his parents and the servants who raised him. It appeared that the world has a basic academic structure to it where the strongest are those who are affluent in magic, at least in the kingdom he now lives in. That kingdom is called Houndouria and is one of five known kingdoms on their planet called Sheo. Houndouria is in the middle of two kingdoms on the southern side of the globe and is flanked by Kornilia and Neo Sheo- both of which are currently at war with Houndouria and each other for some odd reason but the history books Kendell had from primary school don't go into why. Neo Sheo is known for its deep connection to nature and the mysterious magical beasts that live there while Kornilia raises knights that somehow have the capacity to withstand and even win against the magic users of this country. Houndouria on the other hand has the strongest connection to the planar realms of the Fey and Devils leading to their magical abilities being mostly based off contracts or summons of those entities. Given the high spiritual energy surrounding the continent, there is also a strong elemental presence within its borders which leads to the third and final form of magic practiced here. The elemental faction, known as the 'Order of the Six Deities', seems to play peacekeeper between those who use Fey and Devil magic as they have no care in whichever way the pendulum swings. Kendell also learned why the previous was so scared he would not be accepted into the ritual school during that magical aptitude test! There are twelve total academies here in Houndouria so his chance of not getting accepted to where you wanted was incredibly high. 'Thank god for that crazy run-in with the Vice-Headmaster', Kendell thought, 'At least I have a secure place in this world but I am dying to know what the hell this mark she gave me does...'
Kendell's journal showed a lot of insight into how Kendell was as a person. It portrayed the quaint life of a son who loved puzzles and games- but was not too interested in magic. However, even with all of this and the pressure from his parents he loved them deeply and so new Kendell kept up the act. He also learned that his best friend was a kid named Coli who was supposedly guaranteed to get into the ritual academy, he even had already begun performing basic rituals! There were photographs of the two as well so now Kendell will know a familiar face in the academy when he gets there.
After reading up on as much as he could to get used to this new place and act the part of a devoted son, the day of departure finally arrived. Kendell, now more confident in his basic knowledge of the world, made his way back to Tilanaz, determined to face the challenges ahead. As the gates of the academy loomed before him, he felt a surge of energy pulsing from his tattooed hand, a constant reminder of the bond and agreement he had forged with Jania.
As the carriage pulled closer to the academy Kendell could finally see it clearly for the first time. A central dark pillar stood piercing through the desolate plains, surrounded by five white pillars in a pentagram-like formation. An ominous energy seemed to come in waves off of the academy.
Entering the academy, Kendell was struck by the diverse array of students, each marked by their distinct styles and the magical bonds they had formed. Some, like the Devil Contractors, bore scars and carried items signifying their dark pacts. Others moved with a grace that spoke of fey alliances or connections. It appears as if students of all years are here in the central pillar of the academy. Finally, it was time to begin his journey learning magic.