Last Lord of the Fey (Progression Fantasy)

B3 - Chapter 2: Enrollment


Tristan glanced at the woman holding the staff next to the door. She gave him an appraising look, "All done?" she asked.

"I'm good," Tristan replied. "I need to go back to my ships."

The woman got closer to him, tapped the stave several times, and then placed her hand on Tristan's shoulder. The world blinked around them, and they were standing in the same guest entry room as before. She let him go, "Thank you for visiting. If you wish to stay, go through that door," she gestured with the staff to the inner, wooden door. "You will find decent accommodations. We ask that you tip the staff, and not stay too long."

Tristan nodded and headed out of the room, entering the main tower. He glanced into the other room he had passed by, but Shandra was gone, the chalk board empty along with all of the seats facing the front. Going down the road, he gave a brief wave to the Drakonid manning the gate house, and spoke to Felicity as he walked to the docks. "What do you think we should do? Once we get grandfather up on his feet, I mean."

She made little paw-claw biscuits on his head, "Lots of options. Could go hunting dragons out here in the Mortal Realm and get you more power. Go back into the Fey Realm and just focus on what you know already…b-u-t…I think I could pull some amazing pranks in a school for essence-weavers!"

Tristan chuckled and shook his head, "I don't know if that's a good idea. They might catch you and want to experiment on you."

She scoffed, "Please. I'll just turn into a mouse or something innocuous. After all, I'm so innocent," she said coyly.

Tristan rolled his eyes as he spoke, his booted feet causing his armor to clink slightly with each step onto the stone docks. "I think getting access to all the books they have here. All that spell knowledge, that could be extremely valuable. I'm sure I could trade artifice services for access."

"The question boils down to this," Felicity stated confidently, "Do you want to explore the Mortal Realm trying to find dragons? Or stay here where they apparently have regular field trips to places where dragons live?"

Tristan thought on that, chewing on it in his mind. If I did that, what Bertram offered as joining up with him protecting students, I could get easy access to a means of not only quickly growing my essence crucible…but also new spell types. Plus, every new spell type I acquire I can…I don't know, take classes about it? Maybe rent a spell book?

He arrived at the ships and checked in with Captain Bitters. He had handed his gold bangle to an essence-weaver hired on from recent graduates, a red-haired young man with some trace of Demihuman running through him. Then, Tristan headed to Admiral Yokain and gave him two of the remaining Golden Bangles. "I want you to find two more ships, and you'll need another two essence-weavers to assist with these and the boxes."

Yokain smiled and chuckled, "You want to expand rapidly, don't you Lord Tristan?"

"I think that the sooner we build up a trade fleet, the more reliable this slapdash communication network will be for my usage."

Felicity interjected, "We'll find someone who can help us make better ones for when we meet up in a bit over a year. So we can talk anywhere around the world!"

Yokain raised a single eyebrow, "Interesting. Well, Lord Tristan, as long as you keep putting trade goods into that box for us to distribute…I'll manage your trade fleets as per our agreement. Plus, next year, we can start shipping that mead from the Maladonia contract." That statement came with a huge grin.

"You hired on your essence-weaver?" Tristan asked.

Yokain shook his head, "They had three people myself and Bitters interviewed. One of them seemed to want on board, and I wanted Bitters to hit a port town for shore-leave with his crew. I'll be here for a few days until the next batch of interested folks come over from the Citadel. But don't you worry, I'll hire someone. Maybe a few of them, so when I get a new ship and crew into your fleet, they can have an essence-weaver with them immediately."

"Wise," Tristan stated. "Well then, admiral. I wish you well, and you may hear me chat occasionally through the communication bangle. Otherwise? I will see you in a year's time." He held out his forearm, and the Admiral clasped it in a shake.

Obadai walked out from the ship interior and approached Tristan, "You're staying then?"

Tristan nodded having made up his mind, "I'm going to enroll as a student here. I get access to different Realms, lots of spell books, and can reconnect with Bertram."

"I hope you enjoy yourself," Obadai replied with a soft smile. "Don't forget – the empire would welcome you as an ally."

"I won't forget."

Obadai looked up at Felicity, "And you, missy. Keep this one safe, eh?"

Felicity saluted, "Yup! I'll keep watch over him all the time!"

"I may visit the Fey Realm from time to time once I'm back on imperial soil," Obadai stated. "I've been there once, I can use a realmwalking spell to get there again."

"Just make sure you check in with The Matriarch," Tristan replied. "There's some militarization going on – fairy dragons training for combat, Nymphs putting together a regimen-"

"Why?" Obadai asked.

Felicity explained, "There are sealed off portions of the Fey Realm. Who knows what has been going on in those sealed bits?"

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Obadai grimaced, "Ah…then the cautions are warranted. Well, in any event, if I visit and you are not present, I will leave correspondence." He took a step forward and opened his arms for a hug, and Tristan embraced him. "Take care of yourself, Tristan." He pulled away. "You're the last of your kind, and it would be a shame if they died out with you."

"I am going to be careful," Tristan replied. "Goodbye."

Getting back to the gate house, Tristan checked in with the Drakonid. "I'm going to enroll. Do I just go up and sit in that room?"

The yellow scaled man nodded and pointed up without looking from his book. "Into the tower, first door on the right."

Tristan followed the instructions and entered the room he had seen Shandra sitting in. There was the chalk board in front of several rows of seats, but otherwise the chamber was identical to the guest-area-waiting-room that he had been in. I wonder if there's a door hidden behind the board? He thought as he sat patiently.

Felicity hopped off his head and sat on the chair next to him, flicking her tail back and forth. "So exciting! Essence-weaving school. I'm going to get up to so many pranks!"

Tristan was tapping his foot slightly, unsure of what to expect. I doubt I look like most students they receive, he thought. Plus it's empty. I would have figured a ton of people would be arriving pretty consistently.

The chalk dangling from the board began to move on its own, spelling out words.

Welcome to the Citadel of Essence. This chamber is for those who wish to become students. There are 2 applicants detected by our proximity spell. Please approach the board, and write down your heritage and/or species. This information is confidential, and will only be shared with evaluators.

"Well," Tristan stood up and approached the board.

Grabbing the chalk, he was about to write down his heritage. But Felicity stopped him, smacking his hand that was reaching for the chalk, "What are you doing? Blowing your cover like that?!"

"I don't think we can lie to a bunch of essence-weavers," Tristan replied. "They have divination spells."

She let out a groan of frustration, "It's a risk, telling everyone you're a Winterbloom Elf."

"Again, I think they've already figured that out." Tristan grabbed the chalk and wrote his heritage. Winterbloom Elf. He handed the chalk to Felicity who had flapped up next to him, "Go on, write your species."

She scoffed slightly, "You want me to be a student also?"

"It says species. I assume you wouldn't be the first one. And I doubt you could pass as a pet, given you talk and think…and we've already tipped our hand with that."

She sighed and grabbed the chalk, her paw turning into a hand. "F-i-n-e." She wrote out fairy dragon. "I hope you know what you're doing."

We have to take leaps of faith sometimes, Tristan thought. Worst case scenario – we run to the ships and flee. Or dive into the ocean and get the Nymphs near the boats to take us away.

The board pulsated with a green light before the words faded. The chalk jerked itself from Felicity's grip and began writing.

Confirmed! Your evaluator will arrive shortly. Please return to your seats.

Tristan and Felicity did so, and not ten seconds later the world before them warped. A figure appeared before them. Tall, with vibrant, bronze skin that shone with an inner light that emanated brightness of its own, casting small shadows dancing around the room. He was wearing a green robe with small, metal plates sewn into the exterior, etched with language that Tristan recognized but could not read. Heaven's Voice. He also carried a staff of purple like the woman Tristan had been escorted by to visit his half-brother. He is an Angeblood…Broxtar? Height-wise he'd have to be.

The man smiled and his teeth were a pearly white. "Welcome to the Citadel of Essence. I am the head of admissions, Reginald Thrant. May I know your names?"

"Tristan Winterbloom."

"Felicity Glimmerwing."

"You should know," Tristan continued, "I am being hunted by assassins. I don't want to bring trouble to your doors, but it is something you should be aware of." I need to be fully open and honest, he thought, to make the best first impression possible.

Reginald's smile shifted to a stern look, "I know of the fate that befell the Winterbloom bloodline – the news spread like a wildfire. Every Winterbloom Elf…across all Realms…it is one reason why I chose to perform your evaluation, instead of one of my underlings. I don't just come out here for any person." He pointed to the tower entrance behind Tristan, "None may enter the Citadel with hostile intent towards our students. They will be instantly teleported to the docks. You are safe here, and I will personally guarantee your safety."

Tristan breathed a little sigh of relief as Reginald continued, "I have also never had a fairy dragon applicant. Tell me…what Realm to you hail from?"

Felicity glanced at Tristan and he gestured for her to reply, mouthing the words 'be honest'. "Fey Realm," she stated with pride.

"Ah. One of the Realms that our prestigious school has not yet connected to. Despite trying to do so. The Realm Protector there is quite defensive against Incursions – even benevolent or altruistic ones."

I have a chance to make an inroad here by offering them access…but I should talk to The Matriarch first. I don't want them harming my Realm or taking from it. He felt that desire, that want to keep it for himself rise up in his gullet; a simmering, festering roil. Pushing it aside, he cleared his throat slightly before speaking, "What does this enrollment entail?"

"First, we evaluate your essence crucible. Then, I test your existing knowledge, discern the spell types you have available, and assign you to an advisor. That advisor will help guide you in choosing courses appropriate to your interests and essence crucible's capacity."

"Courses?" Tristan asked, being aware of the term, as his mother had pushed for him to attend the kingdom of Bhant's academy – a place of learning for those of nobility. Which he was rejected from because of his half-breed nature.

"Yes. Every spell type has a course, and levels corresponding to spell Order. For example, fire elementalism I, fire elementalism II, etcetera. You progress through courses at your own pace following a standardized curriculum. When your instructor believes you are ready to move on, you are allowed to do so with your advisor's permission."

This is perfect! Tristan thought. I'll be able to learn exactly what I want to learn. But first, I should tell him about my other bloodline. "I'm also the half-brother of Bertram Anorox. I'm a dragonslayer as well."

That caused Reginald's eyebrows to perk up, "That is…well…do you share the same capability that has been observed on our field trips? Consuming dragon's essence crucibles? Drinking their blood?"

Tristan nodded, "Yes."

Reginald grinned with delight, "This is going to be fantastic. I'll make sure you're put with an advisor who encourages field trips to other Realms, versus one who is a stickler for the old-fashioned method of slow, gradual progress."

Felicity cleared her throat, "I only have two spell types, but I am a species you've never had as a student before."

Reginald glanced between her and Tristan, "If you are companions, I can assign you the same advisor and room."

"Yes please!" Felicity stated. "Does everyone have a roommate?"

"Yes. We just swap out the large bed for two small ones if they are not partners. You would be surprised how many couples enroll together. Essence-weavers stick together quite often. There are many theories-" he stopped himself and chuckled, "Apologies, sometimes I fall back into the role of being a professor." He rested the staff against his shoulder and clapped his hands, "Now, shall we get started with the evaluation?"

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