Chapter 57
Author's note: from this chapter onward i will put a - before a inner monologue/ telephatic dialogue .
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There was still some time before the start of the academic year . Lith spent most of it reading the Headmaster's books and planning his future . According to the school records, most students would achieve only a specialization .
Good and great mages would achieve two, while attaining three or more was the sign of a true polymath genius . It wasn't enough attending the courses to be considered a specialist, one should also possess considerable talent in the field .
And like most things in life, genius couldn't be evaluated with just numbers . Krishna Manohar, the resident god of healing, had only two specializations, simply because he had no interest in other topics .
His second one was as Battle Mage, and even in his biography it was mentioned only once, for the sake of completeness .
Yet Nana having only one specialization felt wrong on so many levels, that Lith decided to take a pause from his studies to ask her why .
Those days, the White Griffon uniform was the only dress he would wear, not for swag, as much for practicality . It was capable of self-cleaning, getting rid of any dirt or sweat, and to offer some degree of protection from both physical and magical attacks .
It allowed him to be more relaxed during his day life and when hunting . It was like wearing a full armour, but light as silk . It could withstand a bear's claw strike without ripping, but Lith would still feel the blunt impact .
He had made many experiments, to test its reliability and limits . Oddly enough, the protection was extended to his head and hands too, despite being uncovered . The robe, though, was still stored in Solus' pocket dimension .
Wearing it would strengthen the protective effect, but it was too long and unpractical to use . It would get caught in trees, bushes, everything .
Not to mention that being stealthy while wearing an oversized bathrobe was nigh impossible .
-"I said this back on Earth and I'll repeat it now . Mages' fashion sense sucks . Capes and robes are idiotic to wear, they make you so easy to grab and slam around like a carpet . "-
Lith could have flown, yet he preferred walking . Those were his last moments of true freedom, and he wanted to enjoy them to the fullest .
At Nana's home office, everyone showered him with praises and congratulations, giving the healer the time to speak with her former apprentice .
"Sorry to disappoint you, young sprite…" Ever since Lith had saved Count Lark's family years ago, she had promoted him from little imp to sprite .
"…but I only have one specialization . " She winked blatantly, despite they were alone in her private quarters .
"Here is an unrequested advice . Life is unpredictable, and many things you'll need to survive are not written in any book . " She winked again .
"You need to lean them by experience . "
"I understand, sorry to have wasted your time . " Lith winked back .
"Do not apologize, dear . It's always a pleasure seeing you . And don't even think about leaving without saying a proper goodbye, or when I'll die, I'll haunt you as a ghost!"
"Please, if it's true that weeds never die out, then you'll probably outlive us all!"
Lith bought some fresh pastries and white bread, before returning home .
-"I can't decide if the idea of hidden specializations is more interesting or disturbing . I wonder if Nana's second talent is the real reason for her downfall . Maybe she was a magical assassin that either failed an important mission or was framed .
Either way, to avoid repeating her mistakes, I must stick to the plan, get my specializations and as much backers as I can . And to get them, being a healer is the best bait .
The Marchioness proved to me that no matter how rich and powerful, they are still scared sh*tless of death . Also being a great healer brings you more clients than envy . If they see you as an asset, those in power don't feel threatened by your existence . "-
Lith's last months went by peacefully . Count Lark held a small private goodbye party, attended by Lith's and Lark's family, Nana and Selia . Hilya, the first cook, still believed in #TeamRaaz, so she went all out for the occasion .
She even called him "Young Master" a couple of times, embarrassing both Lith and the Count . They didn't know if to laugh or cry, rumors indeed die hard .
The only sour note was the presence of Senton, Rena's soon-to-be husband . Lith had still a hard time letting his sister go, so when he shook the man's hand, he reminded him two truths .
"Remember, when you marry a woman, you marry her whole family . " Lith said out loud, triggering laughter and joy in the participants .
"And I know where you live . " He threatened him, whispering in Senton's ear when they were embracing .
The Marchioness had been invited too, albeit only out of politeness, but she could not intervene, and for a good reason . Her family had been attacked once more, and she had her hands full trying to identify the instigator .
His first day of school, Lith left home before the sunrise . All his belongings were sadly able to fit in a chest smaller than an armchair, that his father Raaz had handmade for the occasion .
Despite the happy circumstances, his parents cried like he was about to go to war .
"Oh, Lith, promise to write me every day . " Sobbed Elina, his mother while hugging him strong enough to squeeze the air out of his lungs .
"Mom, we have the communication amulet, remember? Do you really want to wait for the mail to be delivered?"
"Of course not, you silly . Call us as soon as you have a minute to spare . " She said throwing him into his father's arms .
"Remember, little one, no matter how far you will be, you'll always have a family and a house here . " Raaz's cheeks were streaked with tears, his voice broken .
"Far? Dad, between flight and Warp Steps I'm barely an hour away from home . I'll be back at the end of the first trimester, in time for the Spring Festival . "
Lith was moved and confused by their feelings . Back on Earth, when he and Carl had left their home, their mother send away gift had been changing the door locks .
His sisters' goodbyes were much more joyous . They were both moving on with their lives, and were happy that their little brother too was able to pursue his dreams .
Trion was nowhere to be seen . Their relationship had never mended, and the more power and authority Lith gained, the more Trion felt a stranger to his own family .
He had left home as soon as he turned sixteen, announcing his decision to perform voluntary military service and marry outside the family, leaving Tista to inherit the farm and the house .
Lith left home, making the chest fly alongside him . Only when he was far enough, he stored it inside the pocket dimension and went pedal to the metal .
He took it out before approaching the nearest Mage Association branch, keeping it floating while he walked through the Warp Step to the academy . An attendant accompanied him to his personal room, in the fourth-year wing of the castle .
To avoid hazing, each year had a separate wing for its classes, living quarters, even the canteen . Students from different years had no common spaces .
After imprinting the room with his mana, becoming its master, Lith left his chest and dismissed the attendant . He had the map of the castle copied and stored in Soluspedia, hence needing no help to reach his classroom .
Regardless of the chosen specializations, the students of the fourth year had some classes that everyone had to attend . Theory of Combat Magic was one of those mandatory courses . (*)
Lith was one of the first to arrive, the classroom was almost empty, except for a few students that had already occupied the desks in the last row .
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