– The only thing I felt was a strange kind of cold aura and a momentary chill running through my body.– I, on the other hand, Galukhar, felt that cold you're talking about, but the metal sphere was also emitting a white aura around it.– Me too, guys — I felt the chill of the sphere and I saw that white light Sahir mentions, as well...– What, friend? Did you see anything else?– No, Sahir... nothing... what you saw — the white light — and the chill Galukhar mentioned.
Phoskir thought about mentioning the strange whisper he had heard, but then he changed his mind, since the professor hadn't spoken of it in front of them; perhaps there was an important reason, so he said nothing more. Instead, he tried to draw out from the kids whether they had felt anything else, without revealing his own experience.
– So, kids, you only felt that cold and that white aura the sphere had, right?– What do you mean, dude?– Nothing, I'm just wondering if there was something else different... like, for example, what only you and I saw, in contrast to Galukhar, who didn't see it. Maybe he felt something we couldn't understand...– No, kids, I only felt the cold aura, nothing more.– I didn't feel anything else either, friend.– Okay, that's all I wanted — just to see if there was anything else in that strange magic we witnessed today.
And before they could even reach the courtyard, the bell suddenly rang, calling them back to their classrooms. Two days passed, and the chestnut-blond Elanor, with long hair falling over his shoulders, notified the three students to meet him for their first lesson in Ancient Magic. So Phoskir, Sahir and Galukhar went to the room Elanor had mentioned, and there were already fourteen other children from other classes, who could also sense the magical element of the ether. Elanor arrived at the class, opened the door, and they all entered together.
– I am your instructor for the Ancient Magic course, and my name is Elanor, for those who do not know me.
The children, of course, all knew the famed Professor Elanor, who was a member of the royal council in Knosaion, but Elanor introduced himself nonetheless, as is customary.
– So, these are all of you for this year in the first-year Ancient Magic class. You are exactly seventeen students, if I am not mistaken, right?– Yes, teacher! the children all answered in one voice.– Seventeen of you have managed this year to pass the Trial of the Aetheric Element and have the fortune to learn all the secrets of this powerful and special magic. I hope you understand how lucky you are to possess this magical gift. Here, I will help you understand this mysterious magic and develop it as much as you can. However, I must inform you that beyond learning to control the ether, you must also learn and understand the responsibility you bear. Thus, I will teach you to use the magic of the ether with prudence and to practice it with wisdom and restraint, so that you do not harm others or yourselves. The magic of the ancients hides many secrets and possibilities, but it also carries many dangers if you are not careful with it. It is like fire — in the right hands it is beneficial in many ways, and in the wrong hands it can cause tragedies and great disasters." Teacher!" asked a beautiful girl with long flame-blond hair that reached her waist.– Isn't this ether magic the same one we use in our sacred rites? I believe I've seen that white aura in several important vessels kept in our temples.– You are absolutely right, my young Rodanthi, that is exactly how it is. Well observed. Our wise mages who serve in our temples use the magic of the ether in many beneficial ways for life in Knosaion. It is known that, with proper management of this magic, the mages in our temples have managed to combat many diseases, and it is even suggested that the primary reason for the longevity of the elves in our city is a gift of this ether magic. Furthermore, this kind of magic, under proper research by mage scholars — among whom I am included — has been used as a primary source of energy for many magical devices we all use daily.– Like what, teacher?– Like the magical teleportation gates, Rodanthi; in most flying machines; in invisibility objects; in communication devices; in divination spheres; and in countless other useful magical instruments you couldn't even imagine. So you can understand how useful ether magic is for our world. But you must learn to tame it and use it properly — otherwise, you may endanger yourselves and our entire world.
The teacher was asked by another boy with sky-blue, bobbed hair
- Why can't the other children who practice magic also feel and control the magic of the Aether element
- Solon, the reason isn't clear yet, but it has usually been observed that wizards with strong telepathic powers are able to sense and tame this magic. Moreover, it is known in Knosaion that the magical element of Aether is not a substance or part of our world, like the magic of the other four basic magical elements: earth, water, air, and fire. The magical element of Aether is known to originate from certain magical sources, and so some gifted wizards who have the ability to sense it can locate it and utilize it in various ways. And as I told you, children, the wisest of our wizards believe that this magic comes from another world, a different dimension. Personally, I also believe this is the most likely explanation for the phenomenon of the Aether element
The children were overcome with curiosity and began asking the teacher, Elanor, question after question, wanting him to explain from which dimension he believes this magic comes and whether life and beings exist there, as in our world
- Teacher, has any wizard ever been able to enter that other dimension or at least communicate with it in some way, and if so, what exactly did they discover?
- Children, calm down. As I told you, ancient magic holds many secrets and remains a great mystery even today, so you must understand that I know almost nothing about all these questions you are asking. However, you have the opportunity to study diligently and practice ancient magic, so you can develop your magical gift, and if you are skilled enough, you will have the chance in the future to become members of the research center in Knosaion. There, you will have the opportunity to seek the answers to all these intriguing questions
Time passed, and young Foskyr studied intensely and practiced magic constantly, even without a wand, so he could improve and become as strong and capable as his classmates, the elves. And indeed, his efforts bore fruit, and the stronger he became, the more courage he gained and the more he continued to improve. Soon, he was able to cast several spells without using a wand and felt proud of his achievement. And the best part was that he could now play ekabol with his classmates properly, without a wand, even if he wasn't yet as skilled as the elves
Time flew, and the young wizard had learned a lot at school. He had also improved significantly in both basic and ancient magic and had developed his skills much more compared to the previous year. This year was truly successful for young Foskyr, yet there was one thing he didn't like: their teacher, Elanor, avoided answering him about the whispers of ancient magic. Whenever he asked, the teacher either changed the subject or told him that it was not yet time to explain this strange phenomenon happening to him. Thus, he was left in the dark and was simply told that starting next year, when they would study more about ancient magic, he would be ready to receive the answers he sought
Summer had finally arrived, and Foskyr was enjoying his vacation with his friends in Knosaion. Meanwhile, his sister Enale had a busy schedule, as she served in the royal army of Begalor, so he rarely saw her when she returned from the camp. Nevertheless, he loved her dearly and waited eagerly for her return, to play games together or tell each other their stories. One day, while waiting for her, the young wizard saw from afar his father's flying vehicle approaching — Oxyar's. It was noon, and the magical flying vehicle, shaped like an aerodynamic glider without wings, landed at their home.
– Foskyr, full of joy, waited to see his sister and then, to his surprise, he saw his father step down from the magical vehicle and, with his wand, pull Enale out of it– Oxyar carried the fainted Enale magically with his wand into their home and gently laid her on the couch in the living room. Lydia and Foskyr anxiously asked Oxyar what exactly had happened and why Enale was unconscious– Enale took part in a mission this morning to drive a group of Onia out of our kingdom's territory, and that's where the accident happened… The Onia somehow know that our kingdom must be nearby, and so lately they keep sending exploratory groups to find us. That's why we've set up patrols on the borders of our area and try to intercept any of their teams from approaching our secret gate. However, today Enale disobeyed her patrol commander's orders and, out of boldness, she was carried away and chased the Onia alone, far from her group's protection, and thus became a victim of her carelessness. Her group ran to help her, but it was already too late because Enale was badly wounded. Thankfully they didn't kill her– Also, the military tribunal decided to discharge her from the royal army because she disobeyed a superior's order and put both herself and her comrades at risk with her reckless behavior. And worst of all, they provided her with no treatment for her wounds, exactly as the elvish military law dictates. I was informed of the incident and so I ran straight to take her and bring her to our house, since no one else will help her now that she's been discharged. Do whatever you can to help her, because I must return immediately to my duty at the camp where they are waiting for me. I leave our daughter in your hands, save her! I'm leaving, goodbye! I won't be long, I'll return as soon as possible
– Mother, why didn't the royal army help wounded Enale?– It's the law of the elves: no one is allowed to help someone who puts their comrades in danger in battle, and all the more when they have been dismissed from the army for that reason. It's a great shame to be expelled from the royal army, and if that happens, everyone shuns the unlucky discharged person and no one provides them any assistance or service in Knosaion. Death would be a better fate than to be stigmatized by that shame
– So, mother, the fate of my poor sister lies purely in our hands?
Thus exactly, my little one, she answers him, and at the same time tends her daughter's wounds with magical spells and tries to bring her round, yet Enale remains unconscious. Lydia heals most of the wounds with her magic wand and then anoints them with a healing salve
– I'm leaving, mother! I'll go find the neighborhood healer, Tario, maybe he'll have mercy and come help us– All right, my son, quickly! Hurry, bring whatever help you can!
Foskyr ran quickly to Tario's house and explained the whole situation with his sister, but when Tario learned that she had been dismissed from the royal army, he refused to provide any help. Foskyr, however, persisted and began to implore him to treat his sister's severe wounds.– My sister, doctor, is fighting for her life and is truly in very critical condition; she may not survive, so please come immediately!– Okay, okay, go and I'll see what I can do. Leave now so the neighbors don't see you at my house, and I will come late at night so I won't be discovered for helping you—otherwise I'll be exposed at the royal court.– A thousand thanks, Tario, we'll be waiting for you!
So Foskyr returned home and they waited anxiously for nightfall for Tario to come and heal Enale. Finally, when night fell, Tario arrived at the Adath family home and they led him to the bed where the beautiful Enale lay unconscious. The doctor examined Enale and after providing whatever care he could, he explained to her parents that the young woman's condition was life-threatening.– The only way for her to survive her mortal wounds is if we can apply the magical substance from the rare herb kokoudi. We must cover her terrible wounds with this magical substance; only then will she make it. Do you happen to have any?– No, of course not — it's a very rare substance and extremely expensive as far as I know.– It is essential that we find this substance, and the more time passes, the greater the danger. Do whatever you can to find it; otherwise I don't think your daughter will survive. Unfortunately I don't happen to have this rare magical ingredient among my herbs. As far as I know, this herb grows on the nearby Mount Matoro; otherwise they might have some at the royal palace laboratory.
Oxyar thanked Tario for coming to help despite the personal risk of being exposed at the palace and told him that by tomorrow they would have made sure to find the kokoudi needed to heal his daughter. The doctor left quietly from the Adath house and looked carefully to make sure no one was outside as he departed their home.– Well, wife, I have some acquaintances at the royal laboratory, so tomorrow first thing in the morning I will go with our son to ask them to give us some of that magical herb and take it, so we can save our poor daughter from death.