Terra Lazuli Wick
A Break From Learning
Chapter 10
A Break From Learning
The massive auditorium of the school was filled with a sea of students attempting to mingle over the loud music blaring through the speakers that had been set up in all corners of the room. The walls were painted with a beautiful collage of artistically drawn scenarios. One in which two Casters battled against a large IMP beast that looked to be made of nothing but spikes and stood tall on three legs. The Fight Against The Ark Beast. Another scenario showed a large serpent-like creature coming out of the water to attack a village that was surrounded by more Casters than one could easily count. The Stand Against Silva. There were many others like these, but one stood out among all the others. The largest mural took over the entire wall in the back of the auditorium. It was a masterfully crafted depiction of hundreds of Casters facing off against one another, splashes of colors accentuated the deaths of many of those on the battlefield.
“That’s the 5-Year-War.” said a voice behind Vyrion as he stood there, drink in hand as he marveled at the painting of war. When he turned his head to look, he saw it was Solias who continued explaining. “It happened around the time the newest style of Wand was created, back when Doctor Flaire was our age. The worst battle in recorded history. Most people, like Rock, say it was because of the manufactured Wands and people becoming greedy for power. Others, like the Gremrick sisters, claim it was more focused on some kind of rising rebellion; of old Casters against the more modern day Casters, fighting about letting technology control something as wild as magic. It was only maybe 50 years ago, but still nobody seems to be able to agree on the actual focus of it all. Besides, a lot of the records from that time were destroyed by rampaging IMPs before we had better technology to defend our cities. Whatever the actual reason, the war is the reason this event was first started; to celebrate the victory of ‘the good versus the bad’, but now some new event, like The Ark Beast or Silva, gets added every couple of years.”
“Wow. Kinda weird to be celebrating events where so many lost their lives, right?” The image of his father protecting him flashed through Vyrion’s mind again, his father’s broad form standing in the way of the charging beast, but he was getting better at ignoring it. At pushing those images far to the back of his mind so he was able to focus on the here and now.
“I mean sure it’s weird, but Casters live dangerous lives. You have to live in the moment, right?” Solias gave a small shrug before finishing the drink he was holding. “Besides, it gives us a little time to relax before the big test. At the end of the season, we’re expected to prove we can wield our Wands without any trouble.”
A knot formed in the pit of Vyrion’s stomach at the topic. He had been proving himself well in class. He was getting all high grades and he was doing well in the monthly sparring sessions. Rock had even surprised him by inviting him to study the vids of the duels not just from their class but of others as well. He had spent hours watching different casters-in-training fighting against one another. There were only a handful of others that used a katana like he did, but watching how others fought and used their Wands proved to be quite helpful.
With the aid of studying the other duelists, he still didn’t always win, but he was able to show improvement with each duel he went into. His only real trouble was dealing with properly using the Wand. He had managed to learn to successfully fire the weapon, but he still took too long to focus his energy. It left him open for his opponents every time and forced him to rely more on his physical abilities with his katana.
“Hey man, don’t worry about it. You’ll get it soon enough.” Solias patted him on the back in a reassuring manner. It always seemed that the older Caster-In-Training was able to tell when someone was feeling doubtful of themself and he was immediately there to show support to his classmates. “Remember, it took Ressio three tries at making Caster bullets before he was even able to earn his Wand, and now look at how well he’s doing!”
“Yeah but-” but he’s an Infurnal. Vyrion paused as the words crossed his mind and Solias raised an eyebrow at the hesitation and he quickly continued. “But magic is the first thing I’ve ever had this kind of trouble with.”
A sudden laugh burst from the other student’s mouth as he backed away, waving his hands in an exaggerated manner, playfully mocking him. “Oh no! Gale isn’t perfect! The world must be ending!”
Vyrion rolled his eyes and finished his drink. Solias still confused him a bit. Throughout the past few months, he was one of the few people Vyrion had seen who seemed to be able to truthfully be friends with humans and Infurnals alike. Vyrion always found it difficult to find a common ground to stand on with them, so he had fallen into keeping his distance outside of classes.
The party continued late into the night, most of the students dispersing into their own little cliques and spreading out into the halls of the school, slowly opening the auditorium to more free movement. As the party dwindled down Vyrion finished off another drink and said good night to Solias who had been hanging out with him for the last few hours, giving him more detailed stories about many of the other paintings that decorated the walls.
“Remember to get some good rest, man. The party was fun, but we can’t let ourselves get too distracted from our goal as Casters.” He reminded Vyrion as he tossed his cup in the trash can near the doors and exited.
The young caster-in-training mingled with a few other students he had come to know in passing, but after another 20 minutes he decided Solias was right and began to head to his dorm room. The party had calmed and there were only a few students left in the room. Mostly it looked to be the kids who had become an item through the school year, giggling and flirting with each other. The chaperones still hovered around, keeping a watchful eye out for any students who seemed to be pushing the limits of the rules. A few students had already been warned, but it seemed the adults were starting to loosen up as the night began to stretch out longer.