FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Mari was escorted down the long dirt road leading from the city by her parents. From an early age, she showed magic potential and it was all they could do to save little by little to afford entry to The Academy, the only magic school in the world. Even better, the particular branch was located in the city, so she would have been able to see family while she studied, truly a dream come true.

Unfortunately, The Academy raised it's cost significantly in the past few years, making it only affordable to the wealthy citizens of the world. This left many with magic potential out in the cold, as only graduates were guaranteed careers and positions worthy of their talent. Private tutors were one of the few options available, as were apprenticeships, that would allow magic students to take their place in the world, but these ranged from fantastic opportunities to the miserable dregs of society. Tales of abuses and deaths were common, so many chose to ignore their magic.

The Academy does offer a loophole for acceptance, which would erase all costs associated and immediately enroll a student. This was known as “The Trial.” That was the only fact available to those outside of its creators. Those that have taken it refuse to speak of what occurred, and still more were killed. Mari was determined to attend The Academy, and it took all of her parents' contacts to find someone that was reliable and willing to train her. This man was an outsider, and was described as gruff and dismissive, but second to none in terms of experience.

The family came to a sign in the road, indicating a smaller dirt path leading towards the forest. Mari bid farewell to her parents, giving each a hug and receiving an additional small gift from each before heading out on her own. Her father gave her a simple multi-use knife, while her mother gave her a fine silver chain bracelet. Mari smiled and hefted her bag over her shoulder, it was the start of something wonderful.

She believed this up to the moment she came into view of the reasonably-sized wooden house just off the border of the forest. Grass lined the roof while a small garden stretched out from the rear. A simple wooden bench, crudely carved from a massive tree, stood in the front, and a human rested upon it, pewter cup in his hand and a bottle by his feet. He was not young, but neither was he old. His weathered look and simple clothing made him seem like nothing more than a drunk hermit, “Um, hello?”

He looked at Mari as she approached, “Ah, the next brat.”

Mari stopped a few feet from the man, “Excuse me? I'm uh, here for the training.”

“You heard me, all you kids are the same, wanting an easy in. Mari I assume. Your parents already paid in advance.” He set the cup down and stood up, “Time to get started. Put your shit down and water the garden.”

Mari set her bag down, but paused for a moment, “I'm... you misunderstand, I'm here to learn enough magic to pass The Trial. Not farming.”

“There's the well, there's the bucket, get to it.” He growled the window nearby, “Or are you gonna run off like the others? I need to know you're willing to do what it takes.”

“Ah! A test! I'm on it sir!” She was an eager young cat, although the most labor she had ever done was helping her parents in their bakery. The old metal bucket was quite heavy, but to her surprise the well was rather full and didn't take much lowering or raising. Upon closer inspection, the garden was mostly potatoes. A few berry bushes sat on the outskirts, adding some color, but it was really simple and not nearly enough to sustain someone. It took three trips to effectively water the garden, and just as she finished a carriage pulled up to the front of the house.

It was elegantly colored, black with gold trim, and made of the highest quality. Royal colors, with a royal seal on the sides. The door opened and a cloaked man stepped out with a large sack in his arms. It was hard to tell, but there was fine armor underneath the cloak, and if the rumors were true, this was one of the royal family's elite guards.

Her new master accepted the bag, and as quickly as they arrived, they had left, “What was that about? Why did they give you that bag?”

“Services rendered.”

“What kind of services?”

“I'm being paid to not mention it. Are you done watering yet?”

“Yes sir! Um, my name is Mari. I hope you will help me.” She bowed down.

“Persistent at least, maybe you will actually try. Can you focus your ether?” Mari nodded, it was the most simple of magic tasks and required for any sort of casting, “Fine. Here, focus your ether on this twig for as long as you can.” He tossed a twig at her, and she began her task.

Once again, this was not what she had expected. Her zeal started to fade a minute in, and by the second minute a wave of exhaustion washed over her body and she collapsed. It was as though weights had been attached to all of her limbs, her lungs were being squished, and her head was filled with stones, “Ugh...”

Her master crouched down next to Mari, “That has a formal name, but it's essentially being tapped out. Your body's reserve of ether has been used up, and as a result you are weakened. You're going to do this over and over again. It won't kill you, but you'll get used to it and retain the ability to function. You want to pass The Trial? Well this is a necessity.”

“Gregory! Be nice to the girl, not everyone knows what you know.”

“She wanted this.”

“Maybe you should ask her a few questions first, get to know here. She's not a grizzled soldier, she's a girl.”

Mari's senses started to return to normal and she turned her head to look at the new voice. It was some sort of fae-folk, about three feet tall, large head, and with large pointed ears. Her skin was a light blue and her complexion was flawless. Though she was short, her features were exactly like a grown woman, only scaled down. Her dress was made for labor, and yet it was very pretty. This cute little woman had her hands on her hips, a gentle smile on her face that made her seem far older than her youthful appearance, and a short broom propped against the front door.

Mari slowly climbed to her feet, “What was that...”

“I told you. Not many experience it because few ever need to push themselves. I don't half-ass things.”

The little fae picked up Mari's bag, nearly the size of her entire body, “Come dear, I've made some tea and snacks. You can rest inside. Don't let mean ol' Gregory get to you.”

Gregory mumbled a bit before grabbing his cup and bottle, “Maybe you're too nice Ayla.”

Mari sat on a chair, almost marveling the basic home of this skilled magic user. A kitchen, dining area, and foyer occupied most of the space, while a staircase led up to the rooms. A hatch possibly leading to a basement resided in the corner of the kitchen. Really nothing you wouldn't expect in the city. Ayla set a cute little porcelain cup in front of her filled with black tea and a small plate of cookies, “There, there, Gregory has a heart of gold underneath all that meanness.” She hopped up onto a seat next to Mari.

Gregory sat at the opposite end of the table, “Since you didn't know about the exhaustion, I suppose I should fill you in a bit.” He took a long drink straight from his bottle, “The three simple magic user types are sorcerer, witch, and mancer. Sorcerers use direct magic. Witches use indirect magic. Mancers are specialists in one particular area. Following me?”

Mari took a bite out of a cookie and nodded, “But I thought there were more than that. In the books I read there are lots.”

He grumbled a bit, “As far as The Academy is concerned, those are the only three that exist. In that vein, the three types of casting are incantation, ritual, and will. The Academy focuses on incantation. Easy, direct, consistent. Spell will always be the same if you use the right words. Ritual takes time and a catalyst, sometimes a few seconds, sometimes a few hours. Will is what it sounds like, you need to use your willpower to alter the magic. It requires some old techniques to learn and the power is variable, thus unpredictable without extensive training and practice. You won't learn it at the damn school.”

Ayla smiled and at Mari, “Tell me dear, why is The Academy so important to you?”

Mari took a sip of tea, “It's been my dream ever since I learned that I have magic in me. I could do almost anything with a degree from there!”

“So you still believe that. Well I guess that they've been pushing that narrative for a while now. Since the Great War I suppose. Churning out rich kids that can't hold a candle to a real magic user, like bragging about cock size to other nations.”

“Please excuse Gregory, his opinion on modern society isn't very high.”

Mari pondered for a moment, “Uh, why ARE you here, Ayla? I though fae-folk avoided people.”

“Services rendered.”

Ayla nodded, “That's the short of it. Gregory is much more accomplished than most. Oh! But before you get any ideas, I'm not a slave. I volunteered. More tea?”

“No thank you. About The Academy, why are you so against it? And since you're against it, why are you helping me get in?”

Gregory took a long swig from the bottle and slammed it down onto the table, “Since the war, they've changed. Used to be a place where your social status didn't matter, everyone could get in. All sorts of magic got taught, even forbidden magics were mentioned. Then the mages at the top got killed in the war, new wave took over, made it about profit and ease of training. Cut most of the education, destroyed much of the library.” He paused for a moment, a sad sort of look briefly crossing his eyes.

“Mari, you are aware that nobody has ever passed The Trial, correct?”

“Well, yeah, but that's why my parents looked forever to find someone that could actually teach me enough-”

“I don't think you get it kid. The Trial isn't passable, it's how the schools keep in the governments' good graces. On paper, everyone has a chance. In reality, it's a meat grinder in the guise of a test.”

Mari was heartbroken. Why would this man accept the money if there wasn't a way? Was he truly like the horror stories from the would-be magicians? No, this had to be a test, “I'm up to the challenge, sir!”

“Damn kids, hearing what they want.” Gregory walked over to the only open window and shut it, “Well, can't do much else. Ayla, grab the red book on top of the pile, would ya?”

“Of course.” She hopped off of her chair and made her way upstairs, only to return in a few moments with an old, hardcover, red book, “Judging by your eyes, you've never seen a book like this. You should be recovered, focus your ether on the book and allow your mind to empty.”

Mari graciously took the book and opened the cover. The pages were filled with unintelligible lines, shapes, and symbols, “What is this?”

“An old book, some would call it a story book. This one isn't as long as most, so it should take less time to finish. It will give you an... understanding, of a type of spell. Quite effective, but it won't teach you how to use the magic.”

“That wasn't much of an answer, Ayla.” Still, Mari decided to follow the fae's advice. She focused her ether as much as possible. Suddenly, the lines and shapes moved around the pages, and while they still made no sense, something entered Mari's mind. What it was, she couldn't begin to comprehend, but a primal sense developed, something she had never felt before. It felt similar to the inherent knowledge of breathing without thinking, or standing on two legs. The knowledge was suddenly there.

Mari snapped her head back and found that she was at the end of the book, “Welcome back. A rather unique experience, isn't it?”

“Well, if she fell into the trance she's gotta have some kind of potential. Payment has already been received anyway.” Gregory was sitting in a rocking chair in the foyer.

“That was intense. It's like I know something, but I don't- AHHHH!” Screaming outside, a woman begging to be let in. Hooded figures were pounding on the windows and hissing. Also, night had fallen, “What's going on?!”

Gregory continued to rock with a cup of tea in his hand, “The trance distorts all semblance of time and space. The more advanced books can take days, even for the initiated.”

“Fine! And that?!”

The pounding on the door was accompanied by blood curdling screams and calls for mercy, “I wouldn't worry.” Gregory took a sip, “Best to tune it out.”

Mari stood up and marched towards the front door, “Someone needs our help!”

“Kid, think about it. Who else lives near me?” With a snap of his fingers a wall of light blocked Mari's path, “Don't open the door.”

Mari was horrified in more ways than one, “Will they break the windows?! They might get in! Do something!”

Ayla, on a padded lounge chair far too big for her, took a sip of her own tea, “Mari, you know so little about vampires.” Mari froze in fear, “Many myths exist, mostly spread by their kind. However, they do have to be invited in to a home or business. In fact, they can't even break their way in. The glass might as well be steel in this instance.”

“Vampires, no different than the rest. I guess it can be amusing that these lower class ones don't know the reason for being here.” He looked at Mari, “Kid, I'll teach what you can handle, but don't get your hopes up. You may find out in time that The Academy is a waste of time.”

Mari sat on a dining chair and shivered, “I appreciate it, sir, but I have to try... NOW WHY ARE THEY HERE?!”

Gregory tapped the window near him, “A game their queen devised. First one to capture me gets a taste of my blood and a promotion. Queen wouldn't dare come herself.”

“Queen. Of the vampires. Who are you?!”

“A poor, cursed bastard.”

Ayla set her cut down gently, “Gregory was an important figure in much of the world, although he tended to do things that others wouldn't consider. Don't let his simpleton appearance fool you.” She chuckled to herself, “Ask some of the survivors from the Great War and they'll even say he was a hero.”

“Outliving a handful of people doesn't make anyone a hero.”

“Depends on the point of view. Mari, when you are ready, perhaps Gregory will tell you about his curse. Until then, don't worry much about it, you're perfectly safe. For the moment, focus on your own thoughts and then look at the window.”

Mari was able to tune out the vampires, and found that they were actually silent. It was not sound, but a mental attack to cause panic and discord. It was easy enough to deter by simply concentrating, “May I ask where I'll be sleeping?” She said, with slight panic in her voice.

Ayla smiled, “I'll show you to your room. It's not much, but it's private.” She hopped down, grabbed Mari by the hand, and led her upstairs. While the main living area was by no means messy, the upper floor was immaculate, “This door here is the guest room, and for now it will be your room. If nature calls, use that room. It has an enchanted latrine, so don't worry about disposal. Breakfast is just past sunrise.”

“Thank you, I'm a little overwhelmed right now. I think I'll just sleep.”

“Of course, dear. Gregory will most likely be teaching you little by little, although he's not much on the teaching aspect. That book you read was 'Fire' and was written far before your time. If all goes well, you should be able to light candles and wood in no time. If not, well, there are plenty of chores to do.”

Mari entered her room and found a cloth-bound mattress on a wooden frame, a small table and stool, and a dresser large enough for an outfit or two. Her bag had been placed on the bed without her knowledge. In spite of Gregory's negativity, she was still hopeful that she would learn enough to pass The Trial. There would be plenty of time to ponder the day's events tomorrow, for tonight she planned on resting as much as possible. Tomorrow was the first real step towards greatness.