Simon coughed and asked, "This child will learn new knowledge at the College, right?"
"Of course, as long as you have money, a sum of money can get you a course taught by a knowledgeable and experienced Mage."
"Generally speaking, how much money does it cost to learn various languages and understand the magic system?"
"It's not expensive; one or two thousand gold coins are enough to complete an apprentice's course. To be honest, if you don't have money, you can help Mages instead. And if you have a good relationship with a Mage, you don't have to spend any money at all. Furthermore, books in the library can be borrowed for free. At the College, if you want to learn, there's nothing you can't learn."
"One or two thousand…" the Troll mumbled.
Faralda led the two towards the College. Along the way, there were many magic wells. Each time the Dark Elf passed a well, she would chant a spell to activate it, and a pillar of magical light would rise from the well, soaring into the clouds, illuminating all directions with brilliant splendor.
"Without doing this, the College's gate won't open," Faralda briefly explained. "Once you put on the College's special ring, it won't be this troublesome. Someone will prepare one for you shortly."
The Dark Elf walked in front, the boy followed closely, and the Troll followed unhurriedly, carefully matching Jonas's pace at all times.
The bridge leading to the College was so dilapidated it was terrifying.
A flat section followed a steep slope, even the stone railings were incomplete. The disaster had scarred the path, leaving it mottled and cracked in many places, with some sections only three palms wide.
Below was an abyss, with ocean currents tens of miles down, the rippling light forming a single expanse.
The wind here was strong, making travelers fearful.
The boy walked carefully, clinging to the handrail when there was one, and slowing down through dangerous sections. This behavior earned Simon's considerable approval.
Simon asked Faralda, "I want to buy a spell book for Frost. How much does it cost?"
"Novice-level Destruction spells are uniformly thirty gold coins each, with a discount for internal College purchases. Twenty-five each. For apprentice-level, the price is between two hundred and five hundred…" The Dark Elf Mage spoke of money with a somewhat detached air. "…Money really isn't that useful; it's just a step to show sincerity, following the principle of value exchange…"
Faralda stood before a magic well and began chanting once more.
The boy turned his head and said with a grin, "Is there anything Mr. wants to buy? I'll buy it for you…"
Before he could finish, his foot slipped on a patch of ice, and he fell backward off the stone bridge.
The Troll shot out like lightning, grasping the boy's left wrist with one hand and digging his sharp nails into the stone with the other to brace himself.
The Mage caught sight of this perilous scene and hastily canceled her spell. The backflowing magical energy struck her magical core, causing a sharp pain in her head.
"Wait! I'm coming right away…" Faralda shouted.
The immense weight overwhelmed the stone bricks. Simon tore a gap in the stone bridge, and his body began to fall. Without hesitation, he tossed the boy upward, while he himself plummeted even faster, like an arrow.
Jonas flew through the air, his mind a blank.
His gaze wandered through the world of falling snow, like a solitary traveler. He stood at the bridgehead, calmly watching it all. Time passed so slowly; Jonas could almost count each rapid, bursting heartbeat. The usually noisy sea wind by his ears had stilled. He saw the Troll falling, his black robe billowing, revealing his fur as white as Secunda's moonlight. The next moment, a golden mist exploded, coloring him brilliantly.
Faralda used Alteration magic to grab the boy with telekinesis and gently set him down. When she tried to save Simon, it was already too late; he was falling too fast, only a golden glowing black dot visible.
As soon as Jonas landed, he immediately tried to jump down without a word. Fortunately, the Dark Elf noticed in time and grabbed him again with telekinesis, "Don't be impulsive!"
"Don't be impulsive" meant to accept his loss.
The boy's eyes welled up, and his tears, turning into droplets in the wind, streamed down his face in crooked, ugly paths.
The Troll straightened his legs and plunged into the ocean current with a splash.
The tension, like iron, instantly shattered Simon's leg bones. However, under the effect of the Troll's bloodline magic, the shattered bones were drawn back into place by magical energy, blood vessels healed, and muscles regenerated. In less than a minute, he was fully recovered.
Simon surfaced, swam to the shore, and looked up. The stone bridge was out of sight.
The boy leaned out, hoping to see Mr. Troll, and still alive and well. If he died because of him, Jonas would not live alone.
Simon took a deep breath and let out a Nord Battle Shout, roaring like a thunderstorm across the sky.
The sound waves echoed through the icy mountain valleys, audible for thousands of miles around.
Above Winterhold, the cheers in the tavern were drowned out by the Battle Shout. The Nords all fell silent, then erupted in cheers. Someone excitedly shouted, "Listen! Listen! A Battle Shout from a Nord brother! It's just like a Thu'um (Dragon Shout, Dragon Language magic)! So powerful! So exhilarating!"
For a moment, they howled like ghosts.
Jonas's tears turned to laughter. "It's him, it's Mr.!"
The Mage clutched her buzzing head. "His shout is really something. He's not tall, but his voice is truly loud. He almost knocked me down."
Jonas got up. "Let's go, Madam, I can't wait to start learning!"
"Of course, no problem. Of all the new students I've guided, you are the most legendary."
"Have you guided many apprentices already?"
"Not really. I only started being responsible for guarding the Stone Bridge of Contemplation last year, but a large group of students joined not long ago."
After crossing the stone bridge, a circular gray stone castle stood before them. Tall towers were connected by high walls. Once the Mage activated the last well, a blue pillar of light shot up into the sky within the College, and the gate slowly opened.
The boy looked inside. A tall sculpture stood in the center of a spacious plaza, where men and women, old and young, dressed in Mage robes, strolled about, chatting or debating, creating a leisurely atmosphere. At this moment, all eyes turned to the entrance; Jonas was the center of attention.
He took a deep breath and tentatively stepped through the doorway. With the very first step, he felt a warm breeze, realizing that the College's temperature was magically regulated, making it feel like spring all year round.
Faralda exclaimed loudly, "Welcome! Welcome to the College of Winterhold, a sanctuary of wisdom!"
…
Simon wrung out his robe. The seawater on him had frozen, and he chipped and brushed it off little by little.
After a final look in the direction of the College of Winterhold, the Troll silently rushed across the Tundra. That night, he returned to the Wolf Pack Resting Place, where the Wolf Pack howled in welcome.
The bonfire had long since extinguished. Simon lit a small flame and slowly rekindled the bonfire.
Food was haphazardly shared by the Wolf Pack, flour scattered everywhere. It was truly a mess here, and the Troll fell into deep silence once more.
Helpless, he had no choice but to hunt a Walrus to sate his hunger.
On such a moonlit night, as the beasts feasted, the majesty of nature, like a towering block, once again deprived Simon of his ability to speak.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"