Published at 16th of February 2024 2:20 pm

Chapter 10. Princely Quarters

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"Sure. Aether Warriors are weaker than mages in the long run. They sacrifice their mana system's growth for physical enhancement and swift recovery, limiting their arcane arsenal and foregoing mental acuity. The arrogant will call us impatient, stupid, or lazy for taking the swifter path to power, but how many mages make it past the adept rank? The truth is, without Aether Warriors, mages wouldn't survive. We do the hard work. We stand at the front lines and take the brunt of whatever god-born beast mages wish to bring down. Aether Warrior mortality rates are higher than mages because we risk ourselves to ensure they—our strongest weapons against the gods and their domains—survive." - Logan Gerrick

When Nox returned to the deck the following morning, Ygg was in sight. A titanic ash tree with a canopy as big as the Golden Isles peeked its head above the clouds. Birds fluttered around the dense green.

The airship started its descent within the hour. As they dipped below the clouds, Nox spotted the ocean’s blue beyond the distant mountains. It disappeared as they lost altitude, and then he saw the city that was to be his home. It expanded in concentric circles from the tree’s base. The walls grew taller, further from the center. A grand stone structure grew out of the trunk. All the buildings between it and the first major wall featured matching architecture. Nox had read about the city before. It was Woodson University.

The magical tree appeared around the same time as the first godfall. Nox had heard the two were somehow related but hadn’t done enough research to confirm the claim. Instead, he studied the city below them. It didn’t rival the Golden Isles in opulence. The structures, though grand, appeared utilitarian.

Markets and workshop chimneys populated the circle just beyond the university buildings. The volume left Nox wondering whether the city seriously lacked skilled artisans or if they focused on a small pool of products. They likely charged a fortune since their clientele were mostly dungeon delvers and students from rich noble families.

The outer sections of the city appeared mostly residential. Nox would have to save exploring for another day. The airship passed over the docks along the city’s perimeter and flew straight to its heart. Woodson University had its own docking platform. It appeared just about large enough for a galley. Nox imagined vessels ferried student delvers to and from rifts and dungeons regularly. They likely needed ample cargo space for materials collected in the divine domains, too.

“I’ve never seen so many people in one place,” Lillin commented, leaning against the railing next to him. The crew darted around the pair, busy with the landing procedure. Nox wanted to stand at the bough to get a better view, but he worried they’d get in the way.

“Don’t get any ideas?” Nox told her.

“Who? Me? I don’t get ideas. I’m just an innocent young woman.”

“Innocent young woman?” He laughed. “And I’m still a spoilt prince.”

“We’re going to have fun here. It’s so much bigger than your mother’s cramped home.”

Nox tore his eyes from the city of Ygg and the monstrous tree it was named after and faced his dearest friend. He gripped Lillin’s forearms. “Promise me you won’t do anything of your usual nonsense unless we’re in a dungeon.”

“Nonsense?!” Lillin feigned offense. “I’m a saint.”

“You’re a terror, and you know it,” Nox whispered. “Listen.” He forced Lillin to face him. “We need everything to go well here. Promise you won’t do anything crazy.”

“Chill your biscuits, will you?” She chuckled. “I know how important this place is to you. I promise not to do anything to jeopardize your ambitions. That’s a part of our deal, isn’t it?” He nodded. “However, if I feel you’re in mortal danger or someone poses a risk, I’ll step in.”

“If it’s the latter, promise you’ll talk to me first.”

“I promise,” Lillin said. She planted a soft peck on his cheek before returning her interest to the city below.

The schooner circled the giant tree as it slowed and lost altitude. Half an hour passed before they stopped. The crew lowered two ramps. One connected to the upper deck and the other to the cargo deck. Two large crates had already left the vessel before Kris joined them.

“Are you ready to go?” The woman asked.

“We never really unpacked,” Nox answered.

“Good. We’ll need to be quick with the tour. I’d like to catch Dean Myrina before this afternoon’s staff meeting. She needs to know about you two and approve your curriculum.”

“Shouldn’t you discuss it with us first?” Lillin asked.

“You can decide for yourself after the first semester,” Kris answered. “You need to get caught up on the compulsory modules first. I’d also like to have you approved for dungeon delving as soon as possible.”

“Just leave me enough time for alchemy on the side,” Nox commented. “I doubt novice and apprentice-ranked dungeons will earn us enough money to pay for the rest of the semester and next.”

The crew paused when Kris approached the gangplank. The captain thanked Kris—he didn’t say why—and he shook hands with all three of them as they disembarked. The docking platform was a hive of activity, and they had to weave through traffic to reach its exit. A suited woman stopped the trio. She and Kris shared hushed words and exchanged paperwork. They both glanced at Nox and Lillin. Their conversation grew more heated, but eventually, the trio were allowed through.

As the trio walked, Nox spotted a familiar crest. A small group of servants fussed and struggled with chests, cases, and crates as tall as Edward. Their clothes carried the Merchant Queen’s crest. A handful also featured the Gedge house’s emblem. Nox ducked behind the two women, hoping to avoid their line of sight. It was likely his half and step-brothers accompanied them. The pair likely didn’t know Nox had gained admission to Woodson University, and he wanted to lay under the radar for as long as possible.

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Armored guards lined every entrance and operated checkpoints in between. One or more individuals in robes or long coats accompanied them. They occasionally stopped passing pedestrians and checked their paperwork.

“Tight security,” Lillin commented.

“Woodson University leads the continent in arcane and dungeon research. We lead in spell development, too. The Imperium and Divine Tribes might be the city’s allies, but even they have agents hoping to pull off a heist.”

Kris paused to greet a gaggle of chatty teenagers. Despite her rush, Kris spoke to them patiently. When they continued five minutes later, she picked up the pace.

“This is the Department of Production.” She waved at the buildings along the circular city’s outer wall. “You can’t reach the docking platforms without passing through them. I’d dare to say our arcane artisans rival the Golden Isles. We prioritize weapons and defensive equipment, and the quality can be inconsistent. Keep that in mind when commissioning anything. Students with good portfolios might demand an arm and a leg for their time. Those without will charge less and will more than often submit inferior products, but you might get lucky and find something exceptional.”

Eventually, the trio ended up on a wide street that connected the gate on the nearby wall to the central structure around Ygg’s base. Kris pointed at the distant structure. “That’s where you’ll spend most of your time. The Department of Dungeon Studies shares the building with the Department of Arcane Research. We work pretty closely. I’d advise you to stay away from all buildings with the sword and shield crest above the door. The War Mage departments see us Dungeon Studies folk as their rivals. They don’t realize that most of us don’t give a shit about the petty conflicts between city-states and the greater powers. Things have gotten heated in the past. I’d suggest you just keep away from them.”

“I don’t have the time for petty squabbles,” Nox said. “I wanted to get started on delving as soon as possible. It will take me a while to get clients for my products. Until then, dungeons and rifts will be my only source of income. We hope to avoid my brothers, too. Louis will probably leave me alone, but Edward will want revenge. I doubt my banishment was enough to please him.”

“What’s that?” Lillin asked, pointing at an especially grand structure further down the road. It stood between a War Mage building and the Department of Production.

“A dormitory for the Imperium nobles,” Kris answered. “Almost all of the other structures in the campus circle are dormitories, libraries, training rooms, and cafeterias. You’ll find some cafes, restaurants, and shops, too, but given your budget, I’d suggest you avoid them. If you need to buy something, work on your relationship with the production department. They’ll give you the best price. If you prove yourself as a decent alchemist, you’ll be one of them.”

“Will they give me discounts?”

“And priority commission slots,” she told him. “It pays to work your way into their ranks. The department will expect you to contribute, too, though. That means selling your products just over cost.” Kris led them away front he central structure toward the walls bordering the campus. “I wish I had the time to show you around properly, but getting to Dean Myrina takes priority. It's a bit late to admit a new student, let alone two. I need to call in a handful of favors.”

“Thank you,” Nox said. “I’d still be a Protostar without your guidance, and it would likely take us forever to gain dungeon access. Just show us to our accommodation, and we’ll take care of ourselves.”

The buildings against the campus walls were worse for wear compared to the rest of the buildings. Sap stains and dampness left dark patches on the gray stone. Moss covered some of them, too. The structures had fewer sun lamps illuminating the buildings’ exterior and streets. The doors and windows were in disrepair, and cracks covered the walls. Stables, warehouses, and other miscellaneous buildings stood between them. An unpleasant smell filled the air.

Kris led the pair into an especially ugly three-story building. She walked past the ground-floor apartments and the stairs heading up. Instead, she took the pair into the basement. Nox smelled livestock and animal droppings.

“I expect your alchemical expertise will be sufficient to fumigate the space and wash the smell out,” Kris said.

“I apologize,” a short, rotund man said, sticking his head out of the first room past the apartmentment’s entrance. Bits of straw sticking out of his light brown hair, and tufts of fur clung to his clothes. He wiped his palms on his pants and shook Nox’s hand. The grip was unusually warm and firm. Nox got a peek of the room beyond the doorway. He spotted a couple of goats, rabbits, and animals he failed to recognize. “I’m Pudge.”

“Pudge is a life mage and tamer,” Kris said. “He mostly works with arcane researchers.”

“If you want an animal companion, I’m your man. Vys is out right now. He has brews to help deal with the smell. I’ll open a few windows, but it won’t make a difference.”

“That’s quite alright,” Lillin said, peeking over Pudge’s shoulder. “Is that a baby owlbear?”

“No!” Pudge stiffened and slammed the door closed behind him. His eyes darted between Lillin and Kris. “Carnivorous animals and magical beasts need to live in the pens unless they’re a hundred percent charmed.”

Kris smirked but said nothing. She led them deeper into the apartment instead. Lillin’s room came next, and she took Nox down another flight of stairs. The level didn’t stink of animals but of dampness and mildew. “There aren’t a lot of windows down here,” she said and pointed at a couple of panels on the walls. One had an L-shaped bench under it, and the other sat over a herb drying rack. “The ventilation is enchanted. It funnels fumes and acrid smells out of the space. The mana levels are low. I’m sure you could replace the mana gems and increase their power.”

“It’s smaller than Mou’s workshop,” Nox commented, "But it’ll be nice to have a place of my own." He peeked up the ancient chimney and tested the lever that controlled it. No one had removed the burnt logs and ash from when it was last used. “I’ve never had a private workspace, though. It’ll be nice.”

Kris pointed at a couple of doors at the back of the room. “The space comes with a couple of storerooms. I reckon you can turn the bigger of them into a bedroom. There are no windows down here, so you’ll need a few mana lamps and maybe purchase a cot, but this will do for one semester, won’t it?”

“It’s perfect,” Nox lied. Even though he was disinherited and kicked out of the palace, he had never lived somewhere so dark and damp. Mou always ensured he had enough space. The household had staff who made his bed, changed his sheets, washed, and pressed his clothes. They regularly aired out his room and changed the flowers on the bedside table, adding a pleasant aroma to the room. Nox’s new living conditions felt worse than the Golden Isle’s dank dungeons in comparison. “I like the privacy, and the vents will protect me from Pudge’s stink. Lillin won’t be pleased, though. She’ll probably end up spending most of her time down here.”

“Is she an alchemist, too?”

“No. She has little patience for the trade, but she prefers sleeping in the dark and quiet. It might be a semi-basement above, but it's probably still too bright for her liking.”

“Lillin is an odd one,” Kris said.

“You have no idea,” Nox chuckled. His new mentor stared at him expectantly, but he didn’t elaborate.

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