"A Mage's job is simple: to retake the Holy Land where powerful spells lie beneath its vaults." A bodacious woman in a long, white cotton blouse stood before a podium in the room, facing her oddly attentive listeners.
The young Mages, especially the boys, had their eyes focused on her hourglass figure. Even Jonas.
"Master Lucy, how many affinities are there?" someone from the back row asked. Jonas couldn't see who; his eyes were locked in.
"There are an infinite number of affinities in existence. Everything you see is an affinity." Master Lucy, the instructor, said.
She appeared to have a stern look in her eyes. Her long, white hair is tied into a bun, her lips are crimson, and her cheeks are flushed. One could mistake her for a goddess.
"Mine is yarn," a young Mage just beside Jonas said. She sounded disappointed. There were faint giggles after the class heard what she said.
Master Lucy came over to comfort the apprentice beside Jonas, "Bella," she said, "Every Mage is unique. Each affinity within us makes us special."
"But my mother is a top-tier Mage! It's unfair!" Bella moaned like a spoiled brat, "Must be because my father was just a freeborn!"
"Slaves, freeborn, and even nobles will be given an equal opportunity when it comes to attaining their affinities." Master Lucy said as she turned around and circled Jonas.
Sniff
Jonas sucked all the air in his nose when she approached. She smelled of lavender.
"The Holy Land is a place full of wonder. It is a privilege for Mages such as us to be able to use our powers for the Empire." Master Lucy continued her lecture. She walked back to the front of the class.
Come back! Jonas whispered.
"Retaking it once again from the inhuman kingdoms of the east is only the first challenge. Delving its depths for its magical loot is where the real fun begins!"
"Can't we just go there?" from the front, a student raised his hand, "Why bother taking someone else's land?"
"Good question, Alexios," Master Lucy said, "Since the collapse of the First Republic, the Holy Land has been passed around and fought through countless wars to the point that every nation now has vague claims over it. The Empire seeks to end all claims by conquering it once and for all."
"Can't we Mages just go there as adventurers?"
"If you dare. By doing so is an act of treason."
The class was shocked by the information they heard. Jonas was dumbfounded, but he also had questions.
When he was young, Jonas had heard stories of great adventures from the late Lord Hans Geisler. Besides being given land, the wealth that his former Lord achieved came from diving the perilous dungeons of the Holy Land for legendary loot and spellbooks.
"Master Lucy!" Jonas raised his hand and stood up stiffly, "Are the stories true? Are there any monsters waiting in the dungeons of the Holy Land?"
"Yes," Master Lucy answered, "But we call them vaults, remember that. The First Republic dug deep into the earth to construct a grand, abyssal citadel below our very feet, where they hid their treasures. Even today, I am confident to say that we've yet to uncover all of what is believed to be its surface level!"
"Thank you!" Jonas bowed and went back to his seat.
"While we are on the topic, let's move on to our next lesson," Master Lucy nodded, "A Mage can have their first spell after awakening, a power that comes with their affinities as a free surprise. While I don't want to bore myself explaining the whole system of our powers, allow me to demonstrate it instead."
The apprentices came to life, their attention not on their master's curvaceous body but on themselves. They began to tinker and wave their slick magical panels just to prepare themselves.
But Jonas was apprehensive. He didn't want anyone to see his status screen accidentally.
"I'm glad you are all excited about showing me your spells, but you won't need to do that." Master Lucy chuckled. She bent down on the podium, and she took a box made of wood. The box is a quarter of her size. It was chained and locked. Oddly, the box shook violently, and a faint chirp snarl came from inside.
What the hell is inside that box? Jonas thought to himself.
There were exaggerated sighs of disappointment coming from the apprentices. No one is even paying attention to the box.
"Master Lucy, what's in the box?" Jonas finally asked.
"Right now, I will show you how we gain these powers and how we can make them stronger. We do that by killing!"
Master Lucy inserted a key and twisted it, and the lock unlocked the chains. Then the box's cover popped off, and it flew somewhere on the back. It probably hit someone.
"On your status screen, you will see that you have zero souls harvested. Some of you may have bonus starter souls as a bonus. But it's all useless! It's because you apprentices are all new and green and worthless for now."
From the box, a large, fuzzy wasp buzzed out. It was as big as the box itself. It had six sets of wings that flapped rapidly all over the room. The apprentices scream in horror. Its sharp mandibles have pointy fangs, and its mouthparts are unnaturally gaped; it drooled for its meal. Its big, black eyes reflected every apprentice it passed by.
But the worst part of this humongous insect is the curved stinger attached to its body. It appeared to be steel and rugged. It resembles a dagger with a thick blade, but on its pointy end, a gooey fluid drips every second.
When the goo landed on the floor, it hissed loudly and dried up quickly. But it leaves a dark, burned mark.
"What we have here is a Torment! For my first teaching moment to you all: learn how to check its stats by simply casting the same spell we use on our fellow mages. Does anyone know what spell I'm talking about?"
Jonas paled, unsure, "Status check?" Then, a slick transparent screen appeared.
—
[ Torment: Waspling ]
[ Type: Insect]
[ Level: 2 ]
When a waspling sting its target, it will release deadly chemicals inside the victim's body and inject the human equivalent of an ovarian egg and testicular sperm for reproduction purposes.
—
What is wrong with wasplings?!
"Don't worry, children, we have an antidote for that! Your first activity for my class: kill the waspling and harvest its soul for a soul-ful reward!"
The apprentices ran all over the room. Some tried to escape through the door, but it was locked. Master Lucy's eyes were wide, and she smirked like a lunatic. She had her arms up and embraced the chaos. Jonas could hear her exasperated breathing.
Jonas went under her table, but he wasn't scared. His eyes looked for the flying monster. Jonas was unsure if he should use his only spell.
"I hate insects!" Jonas cried.