Lia paused, the cloth hovering over his arm as she considered his question. Her hazel eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, she seemed to search for the right words. "Magic like the mage from yesterday?" she asked softly, lowering the cloth and wringing it out in the basin.
Ethan nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "Yeah. I mean, I've seen magic before—fireballs, shields, the usual stuff. But what they did? That was on a whole other level."
Lia's lips pressed into a thin line as she folded the cloth neatly. "Magic like that… it's not something you just stumble upon. That level of power? It's reserved for those chosen by the kingdom or trained in ancient academies. Even then, not everyone has the potential." Her voice grew quieter. "Most people wouldn't even know where to start."
Ethan leaned back against the bedframe, his brow furrowing. "So, it's exclusive? Figures," he muttered. "Anything that powerful is bound to be locked behind gates and red tape." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Is there any way I can get into one of these academies?"
Lia hesitated, her fingers fidgeted with the damp cloth in her hands, wringing it tighter. "The kingdom's academies are… selective," she began cautiously. "They don't just let anyone in. You'd need a sponsor—someone with influence. Nobles, guild leaders, or even high-ranking mages. They're the gatekeepers."
Ethan frowned, his jaw tightening. "A sponsor, huh? And what does that entail? Money? Favors?"
Lia tilted her head, her hazel eyes narrowing slightly in thought. "Sometimes both. Sometimes more. Sponsorship isn't just about the payment; it's about proving your worth. If you don't have noble blood or a guild backing you, you'd need to demonstrate exceptional talent—or complete an impossible task to catch the attention of someone influential."
Ethan sighed, leaning his head back against the wall. "Great. Another uphill climb."
"It's not impossible, Master," Lia said, her tone soft but insistent. "There's always a way. You've already proven you're not ordinary. What you did out there on the battlefield? That would turn heads if the right people found out."
Ethan scoffed lightly, a humorless smirk tugging at his lips. "Assuming those heads aren't just looking to get rid of me for being too much of a wildcard. The people who value power would probably fear it when it's power they cannot control."
The two of them remained silent for a while when Lia suddenly stood up excitedly. "Master! I almost forgot. My brother used to talk about a tournament. Ethan's brow arched, intrigued despite his lingering skepticism. "A tournament? What kind of tournament?"
Lia clasped her hands together, her hazel eyes sparkling with sudden enthusiasm. "It's hosted by the kingdom every few years. Nobles, guilds, and even the kingdom's mages attend to scout for talent."
Ethan leaned forward, his interest piqued. "So it's like an open invitation for sponsorships?"
Lia nodded eagerly. "Exactly! Commoners, adventurers, even rogue mages—anyone can participate if they meet the entry requirements. It's dangerous, of course, but the rewards are… well, life-changing. If you do well, you could gain recognition from someone powerful enough to sponsor you—or even bypass the need for one altogether."
"Where and when does that happen?"
"In the kingdom's capital of course. I have only heard about it. I have never personally been to one. It's a long way from here. The path is also extremely dangerous. Just to make it to the capital… and as for when… I have no idea, Master."
Ethan sighed. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Maybe I should try learning some magic first. Any magic. Or maybe even some type of fighting. So far, apart from summoning, I'm pretty useless when it comes to actual magic. I need to start somewhere—anything to make me less of a one-trick pony."
Lia tilted her head, considering his words. "Master, summoning is already a powerful skill if used well. But I get it—you want versatility. Maybe… maybe you could attend a normal academy? Everyone gets assigned to an academy after their awakening. Master, what happened to your awakening?"
Ethan stiffened slightly at Lia's question, his gaze flickering away for a moment before he forced a casual shrug. "My awakening?" He let out a soft chuckle, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "That's a long story."
Lia tilted her head, concern creeping into her hazel eyes. "Master, the awakening ceremony is… well, it's a huge deal. It determines your path, your potential, and where you belong. Did something… go wrong with yours?"
Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair as he leaned forward. "Can't I just tell someone my level to get assigned to an academy?"
Huh? Lia widened her eyes. She had only seen people flaunt their classes until now. This was the first time she had heard about someone wanting to hide their class. But having seen her Master in action, she understood why. He was simply too powerful.
"Sorry, Master. Maybe something like that is possible? But as far as I know, everyone has to register with their classes to get into an academy. It's for their benefit as they get assigned to a suitable academy."