After dinner Alexander thinks about the magic coursing through his veins. The power sitting inside of himself and what he will soon gain at the academy. He looks at the inch sized chip he was able to create from the smallest bit of mana. Such destruction that he has never seen from a first circle.
However his power isn't all he thinks about.. his conversation with Verila plays in his mind over and over again.
Alexander lays in his bed silently hoping for Verila to stumble into his room. He gently touches the invisible black mark under his skin. His fingers trailing his neck in the shape of her lips.
He thinks of calling her. He can imagine lightly pouring his mana to the lips and finding her coming from his shadow. However just moments earlier, the things he said to her play back in his mind but most of all saying it after two weeks not seeing her. Not seeing her after that night together.
The guilt and fear of losing her after a night like that. It eats at him. He can still remember it so vividly.
Alexander plays how her lips felt and how she felt under his fingers. Verila's warm mouth on him plays in his mind over and over again.
He thinks about what it all meant. What he meant to her.. He wants her again. Wants to feel her under him and then maybe he won't feel so childish thinking about what their relationship is.
Alexander sighs as the thought sends a heat through him. 'Not tonight.'
He feels that calling her now would bring feelings he isn't ready for. Tomorrow was a new day and maybe when he gets to school he can call her. When things have settled and away from his family. Then maybe he can express his regrets.
For now he will focus on easier things. Power. Plans for the academy. Most of all making his name known.
Alexander falls deeper into his pillows and falls asleep thinking what the future might bring. A future where he has true power.
A future where he is accepted.
******
Alexander wakes early to the call of a maid. He is dressed before dawn and makes his way downstairs and to the carriages.
There are two carriages lined outside. One for Alexander and Duke and one for his Father, Mother and Ana.
The two carriages were painted in the colors of the Vi Terande Seal, a grey tower with a blue moon behind it. The wood was older and rougher however Alexander can tell that his father had recently sent them into repairs.
A few maids were filling the carriages for the trip. Although they wouldn't be taking the carriages all the way to the capital, they would need luggage for the few days they would be staying. Alexander on the other hand packs even lighter than them.
A single suitcase, clothing for when he isn't in school, and Duke's luggage is the same. They will both be provided uniforms and certain items when they arrive.
Alexander looks around for Duke. He hadn't seen him last night and for the past two weeks. There was so much to say. Too much to say.
Duke stands by the second carriage talking to another knight one of the escorts for the journey. It looks like they are discussing some logistics of the travel. Duke is in a clean uniform decorated in the distinct grey, blue and brown of the Vi Terande family. He is lightly armored. Metal armor was near useless in an age of magic.
However Duke, even with his magical prowess still keeps his blade close.
Duke notices Alexander get closer and smiles at him.
"Alex, finally decide to show up. You ready?" Duke wraps his arm around him and they hug.
"As ready as I can be. I have lots to tell you." Alexander says softly. "Have you seen My Mother and Father."
Duke shakes his head. "The Baronness is getting ready with the young lady and The Baron is still in his office. They should be back soon.."
Alexander looks frusturated at the mention of his Father in the office once again. His thoughts fall back to the moment he threw his hard work back into his face. Alexander works through it and continues to talk to Duke catching up over his struggles to reach third circle.
It hasn't been going well.
"The last few runes have stalled me. It's just not enough. Two weeks wasn't enough especially with the runes you gave me. They are very different from the ones I started with. I will succeed when we get to the academy." Duke says assuredly.
"You will succeed I know it." Alexander pats him on his shoulder. They talk about school the classes they will be in. The test they have to take beforehand. They are as prepared as they can be.
It's only forward now.
Violet and Ana come next. Ana is tired but dressed nicely and falling asleep in Violets arms. Alexander takes the time to focus his eyes, now that Violet and Duke are here as well, onto the mana surrounding them. For some reason he can see the quality of mana flowing through them.
It drains him, but the blue and green energy is clear to him. 'Strange.' He thinks to himself.
Torres comes last and quickly gets into the carriage hurrying everyone along. He is well suited and has a serious look on his face. Something is on his mind and Alexander can tell.
Alexander's father rushes them before Alexander can really talk to his family. Leaving him to the carriage with Duke. The coachmen push forward with the ten knight escorts. It is a four hour trip.
A four hour trip where Alexander quietly tells Duke everything. Everything except Verila. Although Duke knows about her even Alexander isn't sure about telling him how far he has gone with her. And what that could mean.
Alexander shows him that he has awakened. Although he knows no spells he shows the projection of his mana. A rupture in space itself. Duke looks at it in awe. His wind magic and the few spells he knows can't compare to the raw power it is giving off.
They spend the four hours talking about magic and the academy. Alexander is quick to make sure his awakening doesn't leave the two of them. If others know about it. Alexander will only be seen as a threat. For now it must remain a secret.
*****
The train station was packed. The train center that they arrive at is the central hub for the north western territories. It was in a commercial city that held even it's own academy, the city of Rivera, it is a marvel.
Alexander came once on a business trip with his father as a boy but he hadn't been back since. It is highly developed with large buildings and a bustling city center. Merchants swarm the center and many affluent people rush from and to the trains.
Alexander and his family do the same.
Torres barks orders at the knights to unload the carriages and quickly return home to protect the manor. Torres whispers something just out of ear shot to the knight captain before urging the family onto the train.
The train would be an hour ride to the capital. Contrary to a two day carriage ride. Alchemists had created steam engines with knowledge they gained from use of certain mana affiliated stones. It was discovered decades ago now and became the backbone for the empire's trade networks.
Alexander only sees a portion of it as he steps on the passenger train to the capital. Several other cargo transports leave in similar directions through the train station.
Alexander sits with his family this time. Even his father as it is customary for students to do so when attending. The empire is steeped in culture that can not be escaped even by dukes.
It is a quiet train ride outside of the light conversation Violet tries to stir up on the ride. It isn't until they arrive in the capital do they really talk.
Alexander looks out the window to a familiar sky line. Steep buildings and two large castles. One hangs on the outskirts a kilometer from the city walls and another lays deep into it's center. The walls stood a hundreds of feet tall and the spires of the Empirial castle and Academy jet into the cloud studded sky. The orange sun streaks it's golden light across the capital as countless decadent stone and well crafted buildings are lined organized to the center.
The Academy stands alone in the fields stretching outside of the capital but is not dwarfed in comparison. It is the size of it's own city and acts as a watch tower with four spires on it's corner. The elemental mage towers.
Visiting for the first time many can not tell which is the palace and which is the academy. To the empire, it is one and the same.
It is still in their control.
The Academies deep black stone marble buildings stretch out beyond it's walls and towers and to Alexander look like a dark reflection of the white palace. However it's jagged sky line is sharp like a blade and razor thin like the edge of a book.
It was there he would become strong and there he will begin his conquest.
'Soon. It will begin.'
"Are you ready Alex?" Violet asks him pulling his attention from the window.
"More than ready." Alexander says.
His father scoffs but Alexander knows he won't for long.