Whispers Of Eldoria:Chapter 2

Whispers of Eldoria: Chapter one

Chapter 2: The First Week of School

The sun streamed through my bedroom window, waking me with its gentle warmth. A soft snoring sound filled the air. It wasn't my mum's, and it definitely wasn't Claris's. I blinked, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and there, curled up on my pillow beside my head, was Gem. The tiny dragon snored softly, a wisp of smoke puffing from his nostrils with each breath. He looked so comfortable, and I smiled. It felt like a dream, but this time, it was real.

I glanced around the room. The floating diary, now a familiar sight, hovered silently over my desk. The worn, reddish-brown human storybook was tucked neatly beside it. A part of me was still reeling from the events of yesterday. A human past I couldn't remember, a magic I couldn't explain, and now a tiny dragon and a sentient diary to add to the chaos.

I gently moved Gem to the soft, velvet cushion my mum had laid out for him. "Stay here, little guy," I whispered. He stirred, his eyes opening to reveal two bright, golden specks. He let out a tiny, high-pitched squeak before settling back down.

As I made my way to the kitchen, I noticed a large, rolled-up parchment on the dining table. It was sealed with the royal crest. My mum was already there, meticulously preparing breakfast. She looked tired, a stark contrast to her usual energetic self.

"Morning, Mum," I said, my voice quiet. "What's that?" I gestured to the scroll.

She looked up, startled, and then her face softened. "Good morning, my little half-elf. That's a summons from the king. There's a new development with the blight beyond the walls, and he's calling on the wisest and most powerful mages to join the cause."

My heart sank a little. The blight. It was a term I’d heard used to describe the spreading, monstrous corruption that had plagued the land since the destruction of the Light Relic. "Does this mean you're leaving again?"

"Not immediately," she said, her voice reassuring. "It's a preliminary meeting. I might be asked to help with an experiment. But don't worry, I'll be back before school starts."

Just then, the front door creaked open, and Claris rushed in, her face flushed with excitement. "Carly! I saw you make a mana wall! Can you teach me?" She bounced on the balls of her feet, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and curiosity.

"Claris!" Mum said, a stern look on her face. "You know we don't speak of these things."

Claris's energy deflated slightly, and she cast her gaze downward. "I know, Mrs. Elara. I just... I've never seen anyone do it. It was so cool!"

"It's a powerful and dangerous magic, and it requires a strong will and focus," Mum explained gently. "But if Carly wishes to teach you, she can."

My mum then placed a hand on Claris's shoulder. "Carly has a lot of things she needs to learn, and so do you. The academy is where you'll be taught all you need to know."

I was surprised. "You're not going to erase her memories?" I asked Mum, trying to keep the relief out of my voice.

Mum smiled. "Not this time. It seems Claris is trustworthy. Besides, you're starting a new phase of your life, one where you'll need to learn to share your burdens with a friend." She winked at me before disappearing with the scroll.

Claris and I ate the breakfast Mum had prepared, a mixture of sweet berries and hearty bread. We talked about everything—the upcoming school year, the classes we were excited about, and how we hoped to be in the same class.

---

The academy was a short distance from my house, a large two-story building surrounded by a high, ancient-looking wall. My mum had dropped us off using her bubble shell magic, a quick and convenient form of travel. "I won't be able to drop you off every day," she’d said. "You'll have to learn to walk."

I nodded, grateful for the ride anyway. We were a little early, but already the assembly grounds were bustling with new students and their parents. It was a sea of elves, their pointed ears and elegant features making them look like a single, well-dressed species. I pulled the collar of my tunic up just a little, a reflex I’d developed to hide the round tips of my ears. My half-human blood was a secret, one I had to protect at all costs. I hadn't been to my mum's village since I was a baby, and being surrounded by so many elves made me feel a bit nervous. I was relieved to see Claris beside me; her presence was a comfort, a reminder that I wasn't alone.

As the sun rose higher, an intricate purple magic circle appeared in the sky. The entire assembly grounds fell silent as a portal shimmered into existence and a figure stepped through. It was the principal, a portly elf with a good-natured smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. His clothes were a bit askew, revealing a glimpse of his large belly.

He cleared his throat loudly. "Hello there, new students! Welcome to the... cough, cough... Artheleng School of Elementary Magic! One of the best in all of Eldoria!"

A few students giggled at his forgetfulness. He then noticed the silence and his smile widened. "I see you're all wondering what those strange markings on your hands are. Don't worry, they're not some kind of curse! They're your class assignments. We've decided to group you into three classes since your numbers exceed sixty. Let me introduce you to your teachers!"

He gestured to three figures who stepped forward. "First, for Group A, we have Mr. Kenzy, a noble's son who chose to pursue his dream of teaching here. Next, for Group B, is Mr. Cramps, a man who formerly served in the state's army. And finally, for Group C, we have Mr. Edward, the brightest student our school has ever seen. Unfortunately, he was expelled from the elite schools due to a mutation that prevents him from growing stronger. But rest assured, he's still an elite-level teacher."

He then introduced a tall, stern-looking man.

"Good morning, students. This is Mr. Cameron. He'll be conducting your energy test today," Mr. Edward explained. "Although you've already been assigned to your classes, the energy test is the real measure of your potential. Think of it like a trading rule: the bigger your starting capital, the faster your business can grow. The higher your energy level, the faster you can graduate and move on to the elite schools. It's a key to unlocking your future."

---

A line quickly formed. The magic energy orb was a beautiful, fist-sized crystal that pulsed with a soft, blue light. When a student placed their hand on it, the orb would glow, and a number would appear on the screen above. We were told there were ten basic energy levels for kids. Most fell in the range of one, a decent starting point. Those who tested at a two were considered "gifted," while a level three was the highest starting energy known and was for those termed "gods' chosen."

Claris went first. She placed her hand on the orb, and it glowed brightly, showing a reading of 1.5. It was slightly higher than the average, and a few of her classmates whispered in admiration.

Then it was my turn. I took a deep breath and placed my hand on the orb. A powerful surge of chaotic energy erupted from me. The orb flared violently, and the screen above it spiked to 20! An audible gasp spread through the room, and I saw Mr. Cameron's eyes widen.

But just as quickly as it had risen, the suppressor bracelet on my wrist hummed, and the chaotic energy vanished. The reading on the orb dropped, settling on a steady 1.4. No one seemed to notice the initial spike. Mr. Cameron simply jotted down the number on his clipboard, his expression unreadable. I was relieved. My secret was safe, for now.

The rest of the day was filled with theory lessons, explaining the core concepts of elven magic. Our teacher, Mr. Edward, explained that magic is a manifestation of the energies that flow around and within us. He told us that having a connection isn't everything; the knowledge of how to use that connection is what truly matters. He taught us some theories for the rest of the class and told us to memorize the defense spell. We would be starting real practical work the next day. Everyone was happy when class was dismissed, and some students immediately began practicing the spell.

---

The magic spell was something I knew already. It was the same defense magic Mum had taught me to see if I could use elven magic. I had long since mastered it to a high level, thanks to the continuous training she had put me through. I was still trying to learn the Stone Body spell, a much more advanced form of defense my mum said was used by my elven father, Wilson.

So, while everyone else was busy trying to get the hang of the basic defense spell, I spent my time trying to figure out how to perfect the Stone Body. It was a spell that coated the entire body in a hard, stone-like armor. It was incredibly difficult and required absolute focus and control of my mana. But if my father could do it, so could I.

---

"How could you be able to use such a powerful defense magic at this stage?"

The voice was deep and stern. I turned to see Mr. Cameron, the same man who conducted the energy test. My heart jumped into my throat. What's he doing here? He was the only one who saw my energy spike up then.

"A-ahh, Mr. Cameron," I stammered, my mind racing for an excuse. "What are you doing here? Are you here to see the gifted students?" I tried to change the topic, but my voice wavered slightly. It wasn't unheard of for a student to be seen learning a high-level defense spell, but I was scared Mr. Cameron still had suspicions from the energy test.

He didn't even acknowledge my question. "I'm not surprised to see you, but I must admit I didn't expect to see you training on a high-level defense like the Stone Body. Your energy reading was strange, Carly." He looked at me, his gaze sharp and piercing.

I could feel my palms getting sweaty. "I-I don't know what you're talking about," I lied, my voice barely a whisper.

"Don't lie to me," he said, his voice dropping to a low growl. "That orb doesn't lie. I saw it. I'm a trained mage, and I can tell when something is being suppressed. The question is, why?"

The fear I felt was real, but then I remembered Gem. Dragon Lords and their pets have a linked energy pathway, and the dragon's energy could sometimes leak into its master's body.

A smile spread across my face as I willed my mana to bring Gem out. "It's probably my dragon's energy, sir. He's a powerful dragon according to my mum, and it's not the first time I've used his energy. I wasn't suppressing anything, just sending his energy back."

With a soft puff of green smoke, Gem appeared in my palm, his tiny wings flapping gently. "You can run a scan on him to see his energy level," I said, trying to make it sound genuine.

Mr. Cameron's stern expression faltered for a moment, and he reached out a hand. As he ran his own scan, his eyes widened. The orb he held flared a blinding light. "Hmm, it's a powerful dragon you've got here. With this, you could defeat an elite. I might have perhaps misjudged. My apologies," he said, handing Gem back to me.

"It's nothing, sir," I replied, a wave of relief washing over me. "I think what you did was necessary."

"Okay then. I have somewhere else to be. You can continue what you were doing," he said, and with a nod, he walked away.

"Okay, sir," I replied, a triumphant grin spreading across my face as I got back to training.

---

"Ugh, what a pain," I groaned. "Claris, do we have any food left?"

I was already starving from the hours of study and my failed attempts at learning the Stone Body spell. Luckily for me, there was a sandwich that Claris's mum had prepared for us, which I was happy to see since I'd already eaten my mum's meal during the twelve o'clock break. After we ate, Claris and I started heading home.

On our way back, we overheard a few people talking. "They said they're seeing strange monster shadows at night," one man said, his voice hushed.

"I wonder who could be doing that," another replied. "They were quite scary."

I wasn't able to listen any further because Claris suddenly dragged me toward the market. "I want to get some things, but there are so many places and merchants to choose from," she said. "Would you help me, Carly? It seems you have good eyes."

I looked through the first merchant's wares, but nothing felt right. Then I remembered the shopkeeper who had given me my diary. His store was still close by.

"Claris, let's go," I said, pulling her hand like a luggage bag. "Follow me."

The shopkeeper was just packing up. "Hello, sir, do you remember me?" I asked.

"Of course I do! I promised you a discount," he said with a smile. I told him Claris needed some trinkets, like mana boosters and a painting brush, since she aspired to be an art mage like her father. He led us inside.

"Why did you throw this into the trash? It looks valuable," I said, pointing to a beautiful but discarded painting brush.

"Ah, that's another one of my old wares," he sighed. "It's supposed to be a magic brush, but it seems to have lost its magic from not being used for years. You seem interested in it, though. You can have it for free. You might also be interested in the rest of these." He handed me a box of old, "worthless" items.

"Carly, aren't those trash?" Claris whispered.

"Thank you, sir," I said, ignoring her. "I'll take them, along with that silver hair clip. It seems to fit her."

"That's quite expensive," he warned. "It'll cost you four gold and one silver coin."

"I thought so," I said. "It's my last card, but my friend really needs it."

"Carly, you're really spending your money," Claris said, concerned. "I can pay."

"Don't bother, my friend," I replied, collecting the hair clip and the rest of the items. According to my instincts, they were all good materials.

When we arrived home, we went straight inside. My mum's defense magic only allowed me and Claris into the house. I gave her the silver hair clip and put it on her head. It was a beautiful finishing touch.

---

"What just happened?" Claris asked, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and awe.

"I have absolutely no idea," I replied, just as surprised as she was. "I was just following my instincts."

I still felt something calling to my human side from the box of discarded items, but I couldn't sense my magic flowing into them.

"Have you tried removing your trinkets?" a sudden pop-up message from my diary book asked telepathically.

"But Mum said not to take them off," I replied in my mind.

"All the items there seem to be holy human artifacts," the book insisted. "I can feel your magic being attracted to them."

Hmm, okay. Let me just try it, I thought.

I removed my bracelets, and to my surprise, all the seemingly trash items became one, a solid form that appeared different in the eyes of elves. But to my human eyes, it was a rod. When I touched it, Claris gasped, shocked to see the rod become a complete staff in my hands.

"Some of its parts are still missing," another message from my diary book appeared, "but since you have its main part, the rest of the parts will someday reach you. And for a fact, it's also attached to you 'til death do you part."

---

"Ah, another one of my good luck charms," I said, turning to face Claris. "Don't you think things are getting quite heavy? I mean, why am I getting all these cool things? Are the gods planning something?"

Claris looked at me, a serious expression on her face. "They might be. How long do you think that barrier portal can hold? Even though we're just kids, we have to get stronger. You're already strong and lucky, but I'm not."

"You're right, I didn't think of it that way," I admitted. "But about your energy, I think I can help you grow faster than the others. It's in one of these books." I rummaged through the pile on my desk and pulled out a single, old piece of paper.

"Isn't that forbidden, Carly?" Claris asked, her voice filled with concern.

"The only reason it's forbidden is because humans aren't allowed here," I explained. "It requires a human to activate it. It won't change anything about you, but the rate at which your energy grows will become hyper-accelerated."

"Well, I'm not buying that," she replied firmly, shaking her head. "There could be some backlash. You wouldn't use that without your mum's permission, right? And I don't plan on getting stronger using those means."

"That's true," I said, my excitement fading into worry. "But then why does my mum keep all this stuff if she's not going to use it? Wahhhh... I guess Mum has a bigger burden to bear behind that smiley face."

---

"Everyone's keeping something, but I don't care," Claris said, her mood shifting. "I just wanna eat something right now." She pulled a row of munch crackers from her bag. I loved those.

"Your mum should be back from headquarters soon," Claris continued. "I'll be leaving when she's back."

"Okay, no problem," I replied, grabbing a cracker. We continued our snack session, playing around the room and painting with the new brush. It was a lot of fun.

Mum got back earlier than we thought, carrying a huge backpack.

"Hey, Mum!" I said.

"Aunty Elara!" Claris added.

"Hello, kids! How was school?" she asked, but her voice held a note of surprise. "Why am I sensing something else in this house?"

"Oh, it must be the staff I got," I replied, using my new connection with Gem to summon it from the room. A second later, the staff appeared, floating in the air before me.

"Wow!" Claris gasped. "So Gem has a domain world of his own? What a surprise!"

"Wait, where did you get that?" Mum asked, her eyes fixed on the staff.

"It was among the junks at the merchant's place," I explained.

Mum stared at the staff for a moment, then looked at me with a mix of awe and concern. "Carly... that's a holy relic."

---

"We already know all about that, Mrs. Wilson," Claris chimed in. "Carly says it's incomplete and the other parts are going to find their way here. I guess we have a future mage."

"Haha, very interesting." Mum chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Don't think of it as a staff, though. According to what I think it is, it's a stick that adjusts itself according to its owner's capabilities. It's a hammer in the hands of hefty humans, a sword in the hands of a swordsman... so it's a staff for you because you're weak and will need to be defensive. Hahaha!"

"How is it you have knowledge about human artifacts?" Claris asked.

"Hmm, let's just say Mr. Wilson and I used to spend our honeymoons in the human world. Back then, we just wanted to get super rich, but we ended up doing what we do." She said, dumping her huge backpack into a magic circle she just created. The bag instantly teleported to her secret safe, which was under our secret training room.

"It's getting late. You should be going, Claris," Mum said, looking at her wrist watch.

"Oh, yeah, I'll get going. Thanks for the breakfast," Claris replied.

"Oh, that was nothing. And here's a package for your parents. It's from the palace, so don't open it," Mum said, handing her a neatly wrapped box.

"Okay, Mrs. Wilson. Bye, Carly!"

"See you tomorrow, and remember to test out your brush's magical properties!" I replied.

"Okay, Carly!" We waved to each other as we parted ways.

---

My mum turned to me and asked me to give her the staff so she could study it.

"You'll see it in your room tomorrow morning, and yes, Gem too."

"Okay for the staff, but I'm not giving you Gem today," I said, turning my face away from her. "He's mine, you know, and I can take care of him myself."

"Okay, Carly. Just remember to practice your spells before you sleep."

---

I nodded and headed to my room.

Later that night, after a long practice session where I was able to make a small part of my body feel as hard as stone, I felt exhausted. With just a few more practices, I knew I would be able to master the spell. I was so tired that I just jumped on my bed to sleep.

The moment I lay down, I found myself outside of my body. My tired form was asleep on the bed, but I wasn't. Suddenly, a blue light engulfed me, and I was in an area that was starkly split between white and black. I looked behind me and saw an altar, right in the center of the boundary between the light and the darkness. On the altar was an eye, as if it was asleep, and I began to hear strange noises.

"Step on the circle," a voice whispered. I didn't understand what was happening, but I proceeded to the altar. I saw the eye figure carefully, and it was a figure that looked exactly like me, but only one of my eyes was manifested. I decided to touch the eye, and suddenly I was repelled backward.

The shock sent me back to my body, and I found myself on my bed. I wasn't scared by the shock, but I was confused. The trinkets my mum had given me were scattered on the floor, and I wondered what had just happened. I lay there, staring at the ceiling, until I finally dozed off, my mind filled with the image of the altar and the sleeping eye.

---

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this chapter, please show your support. What do you think the mysterious eye is? And what secrets does Carly's staff hold?

See you in Chapter 3!

Chapter one