Trinity of Magic [Progression Fantasy]

Chapter 3: The Capital

The capital of the empire of Arkanheim was called Magusburg, a city known for its grand magical academy and powerful mage guilds. Many of the greatest mages in the empire called the capital their home, and it was said that the city's very air was infused with magic. The imperial palace, where the ruling Emperor resided, was located in the center of Magusburg and was a sight to behold, with its intricate architecture and magical defenses.

Magusburg was also home to the most powerful and influential families in the empire. All of their children tried to get accepted into the renowned Magical Academy in the capital, the Elementium, which was known for producing all the combat mages in the empire. At the top of the nobility stood the four Great Families, which consisted of the strongest mages of the four elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air, as well as the fifth family, which was often left out because of its unique position. The fifth family was known for producing great generals as well as being the emperor's family, they were apparently masters of Mind Magic. These families held a significant amount of power and influence within the empire, and their members were highly respected and admired by the rest of the population. Ezekiel didn't have much experience with nobles himself, all this was according to what he had heard from wandering bards.

In his hometown of Feldstadt, there was no resident noble family. The Mages who governed the territory visited only a few times in Ezekiel's memory, never staying for long. From their brief appearances, Ezekiel gathered that the nobles found the rural area unpleasant, preferring the excitement of the city. When he asked his father about it, the man simply shrugged and said, "Who knows, nobles are strange." His mother offered a more cautious opinion, warning him, "Keep your distance from them, son. Some nobles don't see commoners like us as equals. Be mindful of how you act around them." Despite his mother's warnings, Ezekiel's experiences with the nobles during their visits to Feldstadt were uneventful, causing him to let his guard down towards the noble families.

As the carriage made its way toward the capital city, Ezekiel's excitement grew. He couldn't wait to meet the other young mages and to see how he compared to them. The capital was home to Elementium, the best magical academy in the empire, and he was eager to prove himself. Furthermore, he hoped to make friends with some of the young talents from the powerful Feuerkranz family, especially if he ended up being confirmed as a Fire mage. The prospect of joining the ranks of one of the Great Families was both daunting and thrilling, and Ezekiel couldn't wait to see what the future held. Ezekiel had heard that all Mages who were exceptionally talented would join a noble family during their four years at the academy.

It was not uncommon for noble families, and even the Great Families, to adopt talented mages of their particular element into their families. This was seen as a great honor for both the individual mage and the adoptee's birth family, as it was given the opportunity to use the prestigious last name of the adopting family. This could also provide a better life for the individual and their next of kin, as they were given the resources and support to further develop their magical abilities. Ezekiel, as a commoner with no last name, saw this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If he was able to impress the members of the Great Families during his evaluation at the academy, he would not only be able to fulfill his dream of becoming a powerful mage, but he would also be able to provide a better life for his parents and sister. The thought of this filled him with excitement as the carriage drew close to Magusburg.

The carriage entered the city through the south gate, and Ezekiel couldn't help but marvel at the sights and sounds of the bustling metropolis. The streets were crowded with people of all shapes and sizes, all going about their business. The buildings were tall and imposing, towering impressively over the people in the streets. Ezekiel had hoped to see some of the other races, such as elves or dwarfs, but for some reason, all he could see were humans. This didn't dampen his excitement much, though.

After his initial awe had worn off, however, Ezekiel noticed that they were passing through a poor district. Here the streets were less crowded, and the buildings were in disrepair. Many of the people on the streets looked ragged and worn, their clothing tattered and stained. Some begged for spare change, while others huddled in doorways, trying to stay warm. However, despite the poverty that permeated the air, there was still a sense of community here. People greeted each other warmly, and the camaraderie among the residents was palpable. Ezekiel couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as he watched the people of this district struggle to get by. He vowed to do all he could to help those in need if he was given the chance.

When the carriage entered the crafter's district, Ezekiel was struck by the abrupt change in atmosphere and the very different sights and sounds of the bustling area. The streets were filled with people of all ages, all busy at work. He saw blacksmiths pounding away at their anvils, their strong arms glistening with sweat. He watched as carpenters and woodworkers carefully measured and sawed pieces of wood, creating beautiful objects of art. The air was filled with the sound of hammering and sawing, and the smells of sawdust and metal. Ezekiel was fascinated by the skill and dedication of the crafters, and he found himself wondering what it would be like to work with his hands as they did.

Out of the corners of his eyes, Ezekiel watched as Markus's hungry eyes roamed over the various stalls and shops, from potters shaping clay on their wheels to blacksmiths hammering metal into shape at their anvils. Ezekiel knew that Markus had always been passionately interested in practical skills like crafting and building, perhaps even more than in magic. He had a natural talent for working with his hands, and sometimes Ezekiel suspected that Markus would make a better crafter than a mage. In fact, Markus had often talked about joining a guild and becoming an apprentice once he was old enough. Ezekiel smiled at his friend, happy to see him so excited. He knew that Markus would probably enjoy the crafter's district more than any other part of the city. He just hoped that Markus wouldn't get too carried away and forget about their main purpose for being there. After all, they were in Magusburg for the magic evaluations, not to sightsee. Once they were enrolled in the academy, they could always explore the crafter's district during their time off.

Ezekiel glanced over at Lily, and his heart sank as he saw the fear in her eyes. He knew she was not used to the hustle and bustle of a big city like this, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for dragging her into this. He knew that he was the one who had encouraged his friends to pursue magic, to believe in themselves and their abilities. And now, here they were, traveling to the capital for the magical evaluation, all because of him. He reached out and gently took her hand, offering her a reassuring smile. As their fingers interlaced, he could feel the familiar spark between them. It was a feeling he had been trying to ignore for years, but he knew deep down that he had feelings for Lilly beyond just friendship. He tried to push the thoughts aside, focusing instead on trying to calm her nerves. He began to softly speak to her, trying to distract her from the chaos outside the carriage and reassure her that everything would be alright. Lilly nodded and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She smiled weakly at Ezekiel, grateful for his support. The carriage came to a stop in front of the entrance to the Elementium, and Ezekiel and his friends gathered their things and prepared to disembark.

The academic district was an area teeming with activity, filled with students of all ages rushing to and fro. The streets were lined with shops selling all sorts of magical supplies, from enchanted ink and quills to rare ingredients for potion-making. At the center of the district stood the mighty Elementium, a grandiose, castle-like structure with tall towers and gleaming spires. It was here that the empire's most talented young mages came to study, to hone their skills and unlock the full potential of their magical abilities. Ezekiel couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the thought of all the knowledge and power that lay within its walls.

The Elementium Academy was a sight to behold. Located in the heart of the academic district in the capital city of Magusburg, it was a grand and imposing structure that took up several city blocks. The structure itself was surrounded by nature, parks and even forests. At its center stood four massive towers, each one representing a different element: red for fire, blue for water, brown for earth, and silver for air. There were countless other towers and buildings that made up the academy, each one dedicated to a different minor school of magic. There was the light school, the dark school, the nature school, and many others. The Elementium Academy was a place where young mages could come to learn and hone their skills, and it was known throughout the empire as the best place to receive a magical education.

Ezekiel and his friends stepped out of the carriage and were immediately overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the swarming city. As they made their way into the academy, a man called out the names of different villages, asking people from the same villages to form groups and stand together. Ezekiel saw Martin and his friends as he was looking around for his own group. They were standing together, looking smug and arrogant as usual. Ezekiel felt a surge of annoyance at the sight of them, but he forced a polite smile and approached the group.

"Hey, Martin," he said, trying to keep the tension out of his voice. "How's it going?"

Martin gave him a haughty look and crossed his arms. "What do you want, Zeke?" he said, deliberately using the nickname that Ezekiel only allowed his friends to use.

"Just thought I'd say hello," Ezekiel replied, gritting his teeth. "We're in the same group, after all."

Martin rolled his eyes and turned away, clearly not interested in talking to Ezekiel. The other members of the group snickered and gave Ezekiel sympathetic looks, but they didn't dare go against Martin's lead.

Ezekiel sighed and stood a little ways off with Lilly and Markus, feeling frustrated and defeated. He knew that he would have to put up with Martin's attitude for the rest of the evaluation, and he was not looking forward to it. Finally, when all the groups were assembled, they were led into the academy, ready to begin the evaluations that would determine the course of their journeys as Mages – or end their dreams on the spot.