This is the place where the principals of Moduran High could communicate with each other. However, it can be used for a school’s individual purpose as well, such as an area for written exams, entry tests (physical and written), and planning between staff.
Tattered lanterns clung onto the red threads of life descending from the darkness. The moment Ganji’s feet touched nothingness, millions of lights rushed into existence, hurling themselves madly into a linear pathway that was unending out of sight.
Step. Step. Step.
Everything about this place caused the two brothers to harken in on the wave of nostalgia. This place was etched deep into the hearts of all who entered Moduran High. The desperate attempt to swallow doubt for what lay at the end, and the swaying lanterns that were masters of distraction.
“So this place is still the same?” Morton asked, barreling through the lanterns as they swayed into his face unintentionally.
“You took the entry exam, bro?”
“Only one time.” Morton nodded, “Bwahahahahaha! My opponent was Cora Levon Alma, and I lost! How weak I was!”
“We can reminisce later.” Ganji said, arms folded, “We need to talk about your brother’s future… but I ask, what do you know about him?”
“...He had hair like the sun.” Helios said, smiling fading as his mind fell into the past. “I never talked to the guy—but I think dad liked him a lot. And mom.”
“Boy was reckless.” Morton mentioned with a single thumb to his chin, “Whenever I met him, we always fought.”
“And you think he’s changed?”
They both shook their heads. Ganji glanced at them, and the two could tell he wasn’t approving. Ganji was one of those people who were quite strict about behavior, especially if you were a first year. He had been competing in the Moduran System for fifteen years, and through that time, his attempts at cooperation with his party failed, for they were wrapped up in doing whatever they wanted.
So when Helios and Morton took too long to answer, the response was…
“Unaccetable.”
They entered the part of the hallway where the sprawling labyrinth unfolded itself. Pathways extended as far as they could, but ultimately never crossed paths. The black outlines of the other “Players” or in this case, “Non-seeable players” were present, and Helios always found them a bit unnerving.
Ganji’s path remained straightforward, of course.
“I understand that he’s your brother, but there’s one problem with people like him. Hell, it was especially present in your early days as Sorcerers.” Ganji said, “In Parties, or as you newbies like to call them, “Guilds”, require cold and calculated minds for decision making. If a Witch, then a Witch. If not a Witch, then the strongest Sorcerer available.”
They reached the end of the path, a false brick wall presenting itself once more. A single touch, and the unknown was made known, a light shrouding the room.
Upon entering, details were revealed. The walls and floor were stylized by tattered texture colored in badge, square like patterns never-ending. It even extended over to the pillars scattered across the room. Fire whispered, its word practically a shout in the darkness, for they illuminated the space quite well.
TRAINING MODE ROOM!
Helios and Morton stopped where they were, and Ganji kept moving.
Step, step, step—he went over to the edge where two candles sat at the ends of a simple pillow that acted as a mattress, and it was there he sat. His eyes met the two, far more intimidating due to the radiance of the fire.
He crossed his arms once more, the sound of crackling embers taking over the silence.
And finally, “There are people who mistake their place in parties. Take Gamblit for example—a Moduran High dropout. His magic was far too advanced for even us to understand, and that’s why he was so eager to take the lead in adventures. Unfortunately, his return was short cut when he began to ignore commands from a superior member of the party. Now, for all we know, he’s still high on his gambling habits while still having access to the perks of the Moduran System.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Ganji straightened himself, sighing. “We can’t have anymore people like that. When you’re here, you’re here forever.”
“You sayin’ this because he’s a dragon like us?” Helios asked, his nose scrunched up. Morton was concerned, but didn’t stop him. “We changed, so why can’t he, principal?”
“Well, you managed to escape your father at a young age. It’s only natural that his influence on you was minimal.” Ganji explained, “But for your brother, he’s been there for years. Just because your father died doesn’t mean his legacy has faded out of existence. More specifically, his Origin.”
“Brother hates father. He wouldn’t follow him.” Morton objected.
“But you don’t know that, do you?” Ganji asked, his glare sparking with a serious light, “You haven’t seen him in years. Even if he hasn’t adopted his father’s abhorrent way of thinking, who’s to say he won’t attack the Moduran System behind ideals of his own? I’m afraid that the uncertainty is far too great, and therefore…” The principal adjusted his glasses, the tone of his next words incredibly somber. “...I will not transfer any of your points to the Moduran Department of Education.”
“Damn it!” Stomp! A black smoke roared upward from the nose of the Sorcerer of the Blue Flame. Ganji wasn’t fazed, but his gaze had hardened to a staggering degree. Helios’ eye burned with a similar intensity.
“Don’t you think… it’s worth the risk?!”
“...I don’t see a miracle here. I’m sorry.” Ganji said with a disappointed sigh, "Unfortunately, I can’t stay any longer. I have business to attend to. Perhaps if you had more proof… then I’ll consider.”
And with that, he left. Helios was still staring at the now empty pillow, mind lost in the disappointment of the result.
Shigeru High Training Ground Four!
A large field wedged in between a complex system of constantly layered mountains, which were now covered by snow. On the end of each line of land were smaller versions of the temples at the closer side of the school, all holding the young Moduran Sorcerers who gave out items.
Here, enemies such as giant spiders, skeletons with armor and swords, and zombies appeared. They could not go outside of the perimeters of the training grounds.
Bam! Boom! Kacrash!
Blue flames fought against the snow—eliminating the enemies that spawned in! Helios shouted at the world, fists clenched in seething anger. Accidentally, a small skeleton bone had gotten wedged between his teeth.
He spit it out with ease, and gestured to the woman in black who held the “Enemy Spawner” (A black cage with a purplish light at the center) to put it away.
Morton watched from the sidelines, impressed. “...That’s one-hundred and two enemies.”
Helios pouted, “Can’t break a sweat in this cold.” The words of Ganji were still on his mind. “...Not even eating coal after a good meal will make me feel better! This sucks!”
“Why don’tcha go and hang out with girlfriend?”
“Flor won’t be back ‘till eight tonight… Hopefully everything gets settled so she doesn’t have to deal with all the smoke.”
“...”Flor”?” Morton asked, smirking, “Isn’t her name Flowera? Is that a nickname?”
“Damn right it is!” Helios replied, a prideful smile on his face. “I dunno if ya noticed, but I love my girlfriend!” He pointed to himself dramatically.
“No need to take it so hard.” Morton assured with a dismissive gesture. “...You’re too heated right now. I suggest going into a deep sleep. Maybe for a few days.”
“I dunno,” Helios said, staring at his burnt fist. The pain was being reversed in a slow fashion. “...It’s hard to sleep alone, and mad.”
“It’s not the end.” Morton said, “We don’t know brother. That’s true. But that only means there’s a chance he’s better than our father.”
“I just…” Helios shook his head, hands now in pockets. “...That old man is the only reason I feel this way right now. Even if he’s dead, the bastard still has a legacy—and I gotta deal with it. It’s nerve racking!”
Morton went over to his brother, placing a hand on his shoulder. He now carried an assuring expression. “I hate him too… but he’s just someone who accepts reality. He doesn’t have the audacity to actually do something outside of the little box he lives in. Now that brother is out, the castle no longer exists. No one is going to rule over it.”
“...Is that enough to assure he’ll be formal? I’m not all that respectful, even as a Sorcerer.”
“Is worth seeing through, at least.” Morton said, “That’s what elder brothers do.”
Helios smiled as well, staring at the snowy horizon.
He could’ve swore he saw a star twinkle amidst the clouds in the distance. North.
“...Yeah.”
The town under the star was where those who mastered the Way of the Sky were built of gingerbread, chocolate bars, mint, and gray stone, nestled in the hearth of a parade of spiky trees.
CITY OF YORE
Streaks of red and white, unphased by the snow, was the layout for each and every intersection. Due to the slippery nature of the street, the Gingerbread Carriages needed to move slowly—though that wasn’t much of a problem, for everyone in this town carried an extreme amount of patience for everything.
The Fairies, who were bundles of glorious light who wore bland robes, determined the right to pass freely or stop. If the bells that hung on their ears were gray, that meant to slow down. If green, stop. And if golden, go.
Beautiful carols echoed with the beauty of this fleeing holiday. They stood in front of the stone chapels they belonged to. At townsquare, where the greatest shops formed in a circular motion around the grant tree embellished with bells of varying colors, there it was. The Star.
Below it, standing in front of the Ribbons of Restriction roped around the tree, were the most famous choir group in Yore. All eight of them carried the same trait of long, cascading minty hair that fell into the hoods of their puffy, heavy coats. The fur was shrouded in red, while the rest a cacophony of white.
Their carolling lured the world into the palm of their hands, along with their gazes of pure wonder and astonishment. A symphony unyielding, fulfilling the mission to keep the spirit of the Day of Miracles at an upheaval.
A secret chant.
“Every soul shall be filled with joy…
Every girl and boy… of Yore.
Lifelong friends, who have left our hands…
Shall stand till day's end, once more.”
As they sang, the collective positive energy of the crowd sprung into the air, and in response to that love… the star on top of the Wishing Tree burst alight with radiance. The sun could rest now, for a new star brought joy upon the land.
Those above the clouds, the Sorcerers who mastered the Way of the Sky, took a moment to admire the beautiful scene below. Ah, the beauty of Miracle Day. How amazing it was.
Aside from the show, their purpose here was reserved toward the Sky Workshop Academy.
On 34th Street, Candy Lane. Stone mansion of the wealthy Frost Family.
The home of the cold boy… whose ice could conjure miracles.
Chapter End!