[h3][color=fff79a][center]Isilfarrel Mornelis & Kyvir Lokerakir[/center][/color][/h3]
[center]Collab with [@hagroden][/center]
[hr]

The Arcanium.

	The prestigious academy for magic. It accepted all students, as well as those of all races. Isilfarrel was finally glad to arrive at the establishment. It had been quite some time since she had been in a place of study. The last few months she had spent traveling from the Elvish lands, were...less than ideal, in all honesty. She was ill suited to traveling such long distances - especially in the meager conditions that she had to do such in! She cast a glance over to the hulking man standing nearby her. A Tiefling by the name of Kyvir.

Her slave.

	Well, the trip hadn't been entirely fruitless, had it? She had used a good chunk of her savings to be able to purchase such a fine specimen. The man was strong, and both magically and physically gifted. Where all the other slaves had died - he had survived. He had his sword and magic tested by combat, and he had come out on top...but he was still weak. Oh sure, he had strength of arm and magic, but his mind was weakened by being a slave. Right now? He was nothing more than a silent, mindless guard who could do nothing but fight. A loyal puppet was good and well...but a loyal puppet who could think for themselves? Who didn't need to be told what to do at every corner or ordered around? That was what she wanted. He needed some...initiative to take matters into his own hands.

And that is what she'd mold him into here.

	A mighty bolt of lightning crashed from above, bringing her out of her thoughts as the speaker began, introducing herself and The Arcanium to the students. Her first impression of the woman, was that she was an old, though powerful mage. Likely the fabled Headmistress. She only gave them but a moment to chatter among themselves, or to respond directly to her words. Isil smiled softly to herself as the woman began leading them into the building they had not been able to enter before and started walking.

	[color=fff79a]"So, Kyvir...what is your first impression of the Arcanium?"[/color] She asked her slave as she followed the crowd into the building. With any luck, she could avoid the difficult question of what she was doing with a slave. Not that she couldn't talk her way out of it...but owning a slave was still something most of the weaklings that likely made the majority of this place would frowned upon.

[h3][color=9e0b0f] Kyvir Lokerakir[/color][/h3]
    Kyvir stood silently, with his right hand loosely gripped on the hilt of his sword, readying himself to unsheath it at a moments notice. Internally, he had grown anxious; the months following his purchase had been the calmest of his life. In the house of Shields, he would rarely go more than three days without fighting, and a week without him killing was a very rare occurance. Here, with his new Master, he hadn't killed or fought genuienly in months, although it would take decades for him to lose the skills he had, he was unaccoustomed to the passitivity he found himself in.
    
    Kyvir's attentive eyes and ears had taken note of the headmistress prior to the bolt of lightning, however, when it was cast his sword had been nearly unsheathed before he had deemed his Master to be safe. 
    
    He paid little attention to the words of the Headmistress, and instead continued to sweep the area with his eyes and ears, making sure there was nothing that could bring harm to his Ward. However, should something happen, he had already decided how and where they would move, all of which in a manner to guarantee her safety. 
    
    As the crowd began to move, he kept himself directly behind Isilfarrel at her right shoulder, he gave her room enough that they wouldn't bump into each other, but didn't maintain more distance than that. Hearing her question, he responded in his deep, gravel-like voice.
    
    [color=9e0b0f]"The structure is fortified, but under-patrolled." [/color]
        He stated, almost monotonously. He had learned from a young age to speak as little and efficiantly as possible, and had had all sense of opinion torn from him, allowing him to become as objective as he was capable.

	[color=fff79a]"Well, you certainly aren't wrong."[/color] Isil replied with a small laugh. That was something that should be rectified...though, one had to question who would be foolish enough to actually attack this place. Even so, such things should be taken of preemptively. At least if all else failed...he would make for an excellent army leader of sorts. [color=fff79a]"Although, not quite the answer I was looking for...it helps, a little."[/color] An issue to deal with once she was able to. She wondered if there was some sort of disciplinary or other council something she could be a part of here? It would certainly help her plans.

	Their conversation was interrupted by the Headmistress continuing again as the tour continued, introducing them...to the library! Isil had to refrain from letting obvious excitement show on her face as the headmistress continued. So many books! Such little time to read them all! She wanted to get started right away, even! But she quelled such childish impulses. No no, she was here for a reason - to further her own prestige and power. What was most curious though, were the otters. How...odd. Not that she hadn't seen some odd things in her homeland that would cause some humans to question their reality, but talking otters were odd even for her.

	She dismissed the thought though, waiting until the tour continued before speaking to Kyvir again, stopping briefly in front of the painting of Astioth.

	[color=fff79a]"Astioth."[/color] She spoke quietly. [color=fff79a]"Ever heard of him, Kyvir? He's quite well known in magic circles. Quite the powerful mage, and supposedly immortal."[/color] In her own opinion...he was a weak fool hiding away in a tower, afraid to show his true power...just like those morons back home were. Too afraid to act...to lead.

    If his face displayed emotion, it would have reeked with confusion. There he was, a giant of sorts, in a room so vast it dwarfed even him, yet it seemed to be empty, aside from the odd looking blocks he had learned where called "books." Slaves weren't allowed to read, and he himself had been the executing sword for many a young tiefling who had broken that rule. He did not know how to read, as such ability would have had him killed. 
    
    Stopping with Isilfarrel in front of the painting, looking at the painting with her, then responded.
    
    [color=9e0b0f]"No Lady Mornelis. If immortal, he wouldn't hide behind stone, nor allow any to doubt his power."[/color]
        He answered sternly, unimpressed by the man in the painting. If a man achieved true Immortality, it wouldn't be something people guessed at. An immortal would shower his steps in blood, and let the world stand captivated at his power, not spend his days reading "books" and teaching children.
        [color=9e0b0f]"If he were Immortal, we would know, not suppose."[/color] He continued, cementing his stance on the topic, waiting for her to respond.

	[color=fff79a]"Heh...well, they certainly gave you a good world view."[/color] The elf chuckled. [color=fff79a]"I agree. Although, one can not argue with facts. He has certainly lived for quite a while, complacent in his tower, afraid of showing himself to others."[/color] Isil cleared her throat, swiftly changing the subject. [color=fff79a]"At any rate, this will be our home for the foreseeable future. Make yourself comfortable among these books."[/color] The elf looked to the massive bookshelves, indicating them with a hand. Without immediately moving on with the tour however, the elf walked over to a nearby bookshelf and took a random book off of it, walking back over to the Tiefling. She kept her voice low, and stood fairly close to the slave so that others wouldn't be able to hear as she presented him with a book. [color=fff79a]"Ah...Kyvir. Perhaps read the title of this tome?"[/color]

She wasn't sure what kind of education he received from the slavers, but she had a suspicion from what she saw from how they treated them.

    He listened to her speak carefully, as he had been taught, analyzing each word as she spoke it and commiting it to memory. [i]"The words of your Master are law, and should be known as such."[/i] He stated internally, one of the many rules presented to him as a child, he had been made to memorize the words of his Masters as he spoke to them, and forgeting them for a moment would result in severe punishment, having a finger chopped off. He himself had been gifted with his memory, and could recite every word his Master had spoken to him perfectly. As such, he still had all of his fingers.
    Kyvir watched her as well, and when she approached him looked down for a moment, and upon seeing the book his head shot up immediately, glaring forward.
    
        [color=9e0b0f]"I can not, to read is forbidden."[/color] He stated dutifully, although in a volume matching hers. It had not been stated explicitly, but he knew that many kingdoms condemed the owning of slaves, and he would fall on his own sword before having his master placed under such pressure.

	[color=fff79a]"I see."[/color] The elf stated quietly. Without replying further for a moment, she walked back over to the shelves and replaced the book back in its proper place. She'd like to give the Tiefling a bit more direct instruction, but sometimes it couldn't be helped. Most of the students had moved on now and to linger would raise a tiny bit of suspicion. She walked back over, the smaller elf staring up at the massive Teifling with a surprisingly cold expression. If he couldn't even read - he was utterly useless. He wouldn't be able to read maps, books, or anything whatsoever. This needed to be rectified. [color=fff79a]"I understand your previous masters wouldn't like you to read. It could have caused problems among the more...rebellious ones."[/color] Her eyes narrowed threateningly as she continued. [color=fff79a]"But...I will not be having an uneducated mongrel serving me. Next time I ask you to read something for me for whatever reason...you will do it."[/color]

	Leaving the threat hang in the air, the elf continued walking, following the stragglers of the crowd onwards towards the next area on their tour. Hopefully, he would take the threat and make the effort to learn. It would at least prove he was willing to do such a thing. If he didn't...well. She knew what types of punishment one could use to make one motivated.

    [color=9e0b0f]"Yes, Lady Mornelis."[/color] He responded quietly, with a short nod. He then turned, and continued to follow her.

	The rest of the tour was simple enough. For the most part she remained silent, only offering small bits of conversation to her slave along the way. They passed through various rooms on the tour - the teacher dorms, the cafeteria and luxury wing. In all, Isil was rather impressed. It surpassed even the elvish areas used for magical learning and scholarly pursuits. Even if he was a fool of an old man, Astioth, at least had accumulated a wealth of knowledge in his time. If only he wasn't so weak as to not put it to use. Shame, really. He could do such great and good things with that amount of power, if he wasn't so complacent.

    The beauty of the School was lost on the Tiefling, as he had never understood the need or want for such lavish things. In his mind, all that was needed for quarters was a hole in the dirt and he could handle the other needs himself. If it was cold, he could start a fire at will or raise his own body tempature. If it was raining, he could boil the water before it came near his Master. [i]"Your Master is the only thing you need to survive."[/i]
    
	It wasn't long until the duel began between teacher and student. Nothing more than a little demonstration, but it was still an excellent opportunity to study and understand the abilities of her peers. The...mage duel. She had read quite a bit about it back home, but this was her first time actually seeing one. She had to admit, the headmistress had some skill and she found herself watching intently until it was over. She even gave a friendly sporting clap for the display before turning to Kyvir again.

    Kyvir watched the battle intently, Analysing the moves of each person and predicting their next move. One of the many things he was trained in was field strategy, and he had been trained to organize entire armys at the word of his Master. As the blow was blown backwards, he stepped in front of Isilfarrel, moments before several drops of boiling water would have hit her. Instead, they sizzled on his unflinching flesh for a moment, before evaporating away as he resumed his place behind his Master's side.

	[color=fff79a]"She's quite skilled."[/color] Isil sighed with a frown. In such a crowded area, it was difficult to speak as openly as she wanted, but she was nothing if not good with words most of the time. [color=fff79a]"Tell me Kyvir...if you had to fight her, do you think you could beat the headmistress?"[/color]

    He nodded softly at his master's comment on the woman's skill, and his ears perked as he heard her sigh, and turned to face her a moment before she spoke.
        [i]"Do you think you could beat the Headmistress?"[/i]
    
    He responded immiediately, having already determined the answer before she thought to ask it. Watching the woman "fight," he had already discerned a several types of Magic at her disposal. She could create barriers, likely several; as well as use both displacement and fire magic, however, she had shown a weakness he did not have.
    
    [color=9e0b0f]"Yes, Lady Mornelis."[/color] He stated quietly, with a nod.

	[color=fff79a]"...Oh my."[/color] She commented with a giggle and a smile. He certainly was at least confident in his physical prowess, wasn't he! That was good. That was exactly why she had bough him. [color=fff79a]"You think you can handle the Headmistress. You certainly have confidence."[/color] Well, if he was confident that he could...she almost wanted to see him try it. She however, had other ideas about the topic but she wouldn't pry. [color=fff79a]"I shouldn't be surprised, I suppose after all you've been through. How exactly would you defeat her, then?"[/color]

    [color=9e0b0f]"I would kill her, before she killed me."[/color] He stated simply, then continued.
    [color=9e0b0f]"She will believe herself to be fighting a Student, to kill one would reflect poorly on the Arcanium. I will be fighting to survive, which requires her death.[/color] He explained quietly, before elaborating. 
    [color=9e0b0f]"She carries no blade, if she were to summon one, it would take time she wouldn't be granted by my sword. She wields flames, flames that would do little more than lick my skin. She can push me away, but only if I get close enough for her spells. Within that range, a wall of steel couldn't stop my blade, let alone her barriers."[/color] He finished, stating all of this with out a hint of pride, or emotion of any sort. 

	[color=fff79a]"Ah,"[/color] Isil spoke softly in her usual public voice. [color=fff79a]"I see. All of those things are certainly true."[/color] It wasn't a bad assessment to be sure. However, he was failing to take into account that she was in fact, the headmistress of this place. He was greatly underestimating her. Granted, she herself didn't care about such things herself but underestimating a foe of any kind was always sure to lead to a swift defeat. He was failing to think ahead, by even a little. [color=fff79a]"Just be careful - killing in mage duels such as this would reflect poorly on me as well. If you ever get into one, remember that."[/color] She didn't need to say more than that to get her point across - besides the tour was moving on already and it seemed like the student dorms were their last stop. 

	In all, Isilfarrel was unimpressed with the place, aside from the library. The staff seemed competent enough, but they all seemed so...complacent. Well, at least with time perhaps that would change? Well, if she had her way she would only be staying here for a short while. Only long enough to become powerful enough to show those fools back home how wrong and weak they were.

	[color=fff79a]"Ah, Kyvir."[/color] She turned to her slave and spoke in her typical public manner. A soft voice, accentuated with a soft smile and typical approachable and friendly attitude. [color=fff79a]"I realize you likely do not feel very comfortable in this place, but try to make yourself at home. I have nothing I wish of you for now - so feel free to get better acquainted with The Arcanium."[/color] She glanced among the other students present. She hardly recognized any of them...though a rather interesting conversation did catch her ears. Highness? Prince Shamir of Azbain? Something about a coup and reclaiming a throne.

Some people simply didn't know to keep such things behind closed doors, did they? That sort of carelessness is probably how the coup happened in the first place. Likely weren't even fit to rule.

	[color=fff79a]"Hmm...I think I will be visiting my quarters for now. Make sure everything is in order and then visit the Library. Maybe see if I can find the headmistress in discussing a few things about this place."[/color]