Standing in the practice arena surrounded by Spellbooks, Orchid stared at the targets placed in front of him, hands outstretched and mumbling arcane words in practice. He hadn’t been able to figure out any way to determine the composition of his Sigils mana and so had fallen back on the tried and tested method of actually casting Spells and seeing their results. His guards surrounded the arena at a safe distance keeping one eye on the surroundings and the other on their boss’s erratic antics. Since their encounter with the old man at the market the day before, the squad refused to leave his side, even posting guards at his door when he slept. Seeing the actions of the Bannermen, the retinues of his friends, whether in concern or competition followed their lead and were heavily guarding their cadets, much to the chagrin of the guarded cadets.

The atmosphere within the branch had changed overnight and a sense of urgency had enveloped all of the cadets, simply by the presence of armed troops patrolling their dormitories and classes. The Professor had told Orchid that he had hinted to Katerina’s retinue that they should be on alert, which had led to her throwing a huge tantrum that had been efficiently suppressed by her guard captain. There was no way that the captain would be willing to take a chance with the duke’s daughter and she was now the most heavily protected student on campus.

Standing up, Orchid pointed both his palms towards the target and chanted a few words that conjured a massive bolt of purple lightning that lit up the entire arena when it was fired off with a massive bang. Frowning at his hands he went back to flipping through the books, occasionally jotting down notes.

Not knowing how to approach his Sigils, he had started by working with the Sigil that seemed the simplest, his Sigil of Purple Lightning. His experiments until now had proven that it was basically capable of drawing almost pure lightning mana. As such, it was capable of powering lightning spells with a great deal of efficacy. Orchid had therefore picked up as much as he could on Lightning spells before practicing them.

The problem he had discovered was that all lightning that was cast using his Sigil had a purple tinge. It was driving him insane, since the only reason he could determine that such a thing could be possible was in the composition of his Sigils mana. However, as per the Scholar, if there was something other than the mana that the spell required it should dissipate back into the air. The mana he utilized in his Spell should only be lightning mana, but somehow another component from his Sigil was passing into the Spells composition and influencing the final result.

This must mean that there are types of mana that are complementary, or close enough in nature that they also power the Spell.

I know that purple lightning was the signature from my ancestors, but all their knowledge has been lost over time. I should prepare to search their home grounds when I get a chance, maybe there will be something there that can help me understand.

Looking through the Spellbooks on lightning in front of him Orchid practiced all sorts of applications of magic. His guards stared in wonder as flashes of purple light exploded from Orchid in varying shapes and intensity.

Most lightning Spells are just variations of hurling bolts of lightning, the only difference being in their intensity and area of application. So, there’s not much point in learning all of them right now, I need three different types then. One high powered individual attack, a defensive screen and some kind of dispersed attack that can hit many targets. Those would have been useful when we attacked the Fiendhands.

Digging through the Spellbooks he found appropriate Spells that had been created by the same person it seemed and started to memorize them.

Fist of the Lightning Lord- Fires an intense high powered lightning strike at the Casters discretion. The power dissipates rapidly over distance making it effective only within 100 yards of the Mage.

I can integrate this with a punch if I need to, it doesn’t require too much preparation in the way of casting so it can be fired off quickly.

Hand of the Lightning Lord- A variation of the Fist, causes the power of the lightning to spread out like a fan in front of the mage.

Since its based off the previous spell, there’s not much extra to learn so my understanding of one should aid in the other.

Shield of the Lightning Lord- Creating spinning disks of lightning that move as the Mage wills, capable of shredding all incoming attacks.

The Lightning Spells in these books don’t have any true defensive skills, maybe Lightning just doesn’t have the capacity for defense. Still, I can use these as a deterrent if they work as I think they do.

Time to practice.

* * * * * *

“That’s amazing! What is that?” Vale’s excited voice echoed throughout the arena. He’d never seen anything like it in his life. That wondrous purple jagged lightning was spiraling in a tightly controlled disk and even though it exuded an extremely dangerous presence, its beauty was captivating.

Losing his concentration at the voice, a sweating Orchid staggered away from the spinning disk that started to go out of control. Hissing and shrieking, small bolts of lightning struck out to char the ground of the arena before the disk burst into a howling ring of lightning.

Vale screamed in horror as he saw Orchid engulfed in the explosion and started running towards the spot he’d last seen him, Jensen and Jacob joining him in his dash.

What happened? Why did it explode? Orchid was able to control it so well.

Orchid lay on the floor, breathing heavily and looking tattered. Kneeling beside him Jensen placed his hand on Orchids chest and leaned in to listen to his breathing. Jensen relaxed slightly after his examination and sat back relieved.

“Just seems to be stunned, he should wake up soon.” He explained to his nervous compatriots.

Jacob relaxed, but Vale paced while biting at his nails, frowning while looking at Orchids prone form.

“I didn’t know this would happen. I didn’t mean to interrupt him.” Vale stuttered, eyes wide in terror.

“Relax, boy. Injuries can occur while practicing any new skill, let alone magic. The boss will be fine, he’s taken more damage than this before.” Jensen tried to placate the anxious Vale, but Jacob was glaring at him, clearly in his eyes he felt Vale was responsible.

“He’ll be fine, right?” Vale asked again.

“The boss will be perfectly fine. Just try to relax.” Jensen said but Vale didn’t believe him.

He’s not sure.

What have I done?

* * * * * *

A short while later Orchid issued a groan and his eyes fluttered open. Seeing three concerned faces staring at him he croaked.

“What happened?”

Taking Jensen’s hand in assistance to stand, he listened to their explanation of his collapse. Frowning in thought he checked himself for any lasting damage and was surprised when he found that there really wasn’t anything wrong with him.

That much lightning should have at least singed me here and there despite my protective equipment. Is it related to the Sigil? I remember drawing more power into myself when I lost control.

“It’s alright Vale. I’m really not injured, just a little shocked by what happened. I’m not sure if I just don’t have the practice with the spell or if there’s some flaw in it. It’s useless for combat if someone’s voice is enough to make me lose control.” Walking around slowly to clear his head, he patted Vale on the shoulder as he passed him. “Did you need me for something?”

Looking a little better after seeing Orchid moving around Vale replied. “The prince asked me to come get you. He said that everything is prepared.”

Orchid stretched while he studied the nervous boy in front of him.

What is it that makes him cling so desperately to me? It’s like he craves for my approval. Did something happen to him before?

Well, it’s not like I can ask him about it, since we’ve only known each other for a few weeks.

“Vale, look at me.” Orchid demanded.

Meeting the shifting gaze, Orchid came back and placed his hand on Vales shoulder as he spoke slowly.

“I am fine. Things like this happen. We’re in the military now, we won’t always be safe you know. Stay strong, there’s much we have to do and there’s no point in dwelling on the …” Orchid froze and Vale stared down at him in confusion.

Wait, this is what they all kept trying to tell me.

Is this how I looked to them?

I really am a fool.

“… just let things go Vale. Don’t dwell on them, we’ll be fine as long as we face the future.” He finished and looked at the books he’d strewn around the arena while studying. “Let’s not think so much about these things. Help me clear up and then we’ll go plan with the rest of the group.”

As they cleared up Vale returned to his regular excited self and they chatted happily while working.

* * * * * *

Walking back to their villa he could see lots of guards surrounding the building, proof that the majority of the people he had invited were already inside. Yesterday’s events had galvanized Orchid into reaching out to his classmates in an attempt to solidify their bonds. Rivalry was all well and good, but people were acting so suspiciously that he wanted the class to come together.

Entering the door, he could hear arguing coming from their living area.

“…and where is the so-called Lord of Pranks? Don’t think I haven’t heard the rumors. I know he’s responsible for my hair. Who else would want to make it this ridiculous color?” Gertrude’s high pitched voice had become a regular annoyance in their classes. She was desperate to prove herself and that hadn’t endeared her to anyone.

“There’s no evidence that he was responsible for any of the things you claim. More than that, it’s just a childish prank, I’m sure that your hair will go back to normal soon.” Justain was clearly trying to repress his laughter, but not too successfully by the sound of it.

As he joined the group, Orchid briefly smirked seeing the purple hair of all the female cadets before putting on a somber expression of surprise.

“Anna? What happened to your hair?”

Her glare made Orchid avert his gaze.

“Well, we’re all here Prankster. What did you call us for?” Gertrude demanded her eyes almost red with rage. Coughing a little in embarrassment Orchid adjusted the collar on his coat before looking around at the cadets.

“We’ve been together for slightly more than two weeks now and most of us have gotten to know each other a little bit. Some of us knew each other before and we’ve all happily formed groups, but on a larger level none of us interact except during our lessons. It wouldn’t matter so much normally, but there are some strange things going on this year at the Academy…” As Orchid continued his explanation, he didn’t hide much and shared all the things that he was suspicious of except his doubts about his Mother and Samarian Arts.

“I would say that you’re just carrying tales Kale, but your encounter yesterday and the Majors hints to von Hintelbach are at least enough for me to consider your words seriously.” Gertrude was solemn, despite her desire for attention she was no fool. “What do you think we should do then?”

“It’s not like I have any really good ideas for what to do, that’s why I decided to call you all together and discuss it properly.” Orchid said.

“There may be more information than you know Sir Kale.” A soft-spoken voice from the back of the group stated. Everyone turned to look at the speaker.

“Lady Sevena, what do you mean?” Orchid asked once he recognized the speaker. One of the greatest prodigies born in Eich, she was known as the Bard of the East and her skill in music and Illusions had earned her a place both as a cadet at the Academy and as a well renowned performer.

“Three days ago, I happened to see Major Sea rendezvousing with an individual who snuck onto Academy grounds while I was on my evening walk. I wouldn’t have taken much notice of it but both her and the person she was meeting were swathed in black clothes and went out of their way to avoid anyone looking at them.” She explained a slight frown on her gentle face.

“How were you able to get close enough to tell that they were sneaking around?” Anna demanded, her voice filled with suspicion.

“I’m quite good at hiding myself from other people.” Sevena demonstrated by slowly blurring out of sight and reappearing at the other side of the crowd. “It’s not easy to get close to the Major, but it isn’t impossible either.”

Anna glared at her for a moment before turning her head away indignantly.

What’s going on between those two?

Asking the Professor with his eyes about Anna’s behavior he just received a shrug and a puzzled look. Filing the animosity his friend was showing to the back of his mind, Orchid leaned forward and gestured for attention.

“Like I said, something is going on. We don’t know who is doing what, and their actions could affect us all. What I’m most worried about is how our deployment in three months will go. Every year there are casualties and injuries during the deployment and this time the threat from the south means that we’ll be struggling if we don’t have some precautions in place. Lady Sevena if I could ask you to continue to keep your eye on the Major and see if you can discover anything further?” Sevena nodded in affirmation and Orchid added. “Rat see if you can’t dig something up along with her, this is your area of expertise.” Casually, Rat waved her hand to indicate acceptance and Orchid looked around at the class in front of him.

“There are two aspects we have to consider carefully outside of the Majors actions.” He began, walking over to the side to gather some rolls of paper that had been stacked to the side neatly. “Samar and the Southern Border. For now, there’s not much we can do about the Samarians, but the way things are going my guess is that we will be deployed to the south for our training.”

Orchid spread out a large map of the southern border that Justain had procured onto the table in the room and everyone crowded around it.

“The way I see it the problems in the south are as follows. First there are raiders that are slipping into the plains somehow. While there may be a way for a few people to pass around the fortress it could also be scouting parties, if the Illati have found a means except for the Lichten pass to cross the border. We should operate on the latter assumption for now.” The group all nodded in agreement at that statement, they’d all learned that it was better to plan for the worst since joining the Academy. “Second, something has the Illati more confident of themselves than ever, and we need to know what. Finally, we have to develop some sort of teamwork in case we are all deployed to the south together.”

Finishing his commentary on the situation Orchid looked at his now grim-faced classmates. Opening the floor for discussion they planned and argued through the entire afternoon. Refuting and revising schemes and proposals the group proved that they were cut out for military life and Orchid leaned back to let the others discuss while he pondered their ideas.

What is going on at the border?