Episode 3

"No, Jaane. I have heard members of the Mages Guilds have to go fight monsters of the Dryardian Empire. Those Demi-Humans are strong. Just please stay inside the capital and learn magic, okay? We will send you a monthly allowance."

"But mom..."

"No. Now, go. Your father is waiting."

"Yes, mother."

Jaane Almos hugged her mother before carrying the backpack outside where her father was waiting next to a horse cart.

"Father, I am ready."

"Uhm... here is some money for you to use at Nosh. If you needed money to buy any magic equipment just let me know. I will try to find some more side jobs to make the money."

"Father..."

Jaane cried and hugged her father. Jaane knows her family is very poor. Seven years ago, after her parents knew that she possessed an Earth Soul. They have been working extra hard to save enough money to register her for the Mages' Academy of Nosh. Nosh is the capital city of the nation named Commonwealth of Krorg. She still remembers how her parents were so excited that they did not even let her walk by herself because they were afraid something bad may happen to her. Not just her parents, the whole village was so happy. It is very rare for any magic caster to be born in a small village like this. The day Jaane graduated from the Mages' Academy, it will be the day her village receives tax-free for three years. After that, they will only have to pay fifty percent annual tax for as long as Jaane is alive. Even the Baron was showing respect toward Jaane's parents. Who would be stupid to upset a mage? A Novice Mage still has higher social status compared to a lowly Baron.

Jaane walked toward the Baron and the village elder. She bowed at them and said, "Baron, village elder, please take care of my parents while I'm gone."

The Baron said, "Ay Jaane, no need to be formal with us. You don't have to worry about that. Your parents can always come to ask me for help. I will not turn down any of their requests."

The village elder said, "The Baron is correct. Jaane, all you have to do is focus on studying to the best of your ability. If you manage to graduate as an Intermediate mage, then all the Kings and Queens will surely employ you."

"Yes, I understand."

"Uh. The future of our entire village will depend on you. Jaane, please take care."

Jaane bowed at the Baron and the village elder again to show her respect toward them. She turned around and saw her parents were looking at her with tears in their eyes. She ran toward her parents and hugged them one last time before the journey to Nosh, the capital city, to start her training in the Mages' Academy.

Ten days later, Jaane arrived at Nosh. She was greeted by a guard that escorted her to the Mages' Academy to register. After all the registration process was over, Jaane was escorted to a dorm room where she shared with five other girls. All the girls were friendly and introduced themselves.

"Hi, my name is Adela Hindergrass."

"I'm Rosa Drumwind."

"Golda Coldshore."

"I am Ana Roxley."

"And I'm Calley Astorio."

"Hi everybody, I am Jaane Almos."

Jaane was very happy because all of her roommates were nice and friendly. Together, they toured the Mages' Academy while telling each other about their Elemental Souls. Adela possessed an Angelic Soul. Rosa possessed a Fire Soul. Golda possessed a Thunder Soul. Ana possessed a Wind Soul. And Calley possessed an Ice Soul. Jaane told them that she possessed an Earth Soul.

Adela said, "In the future, we can form a team and go hunt Demi-Humans. I can be the main healer."

Calley said, "I can be the scout."

Rosa said, "I will be the damage dealer."

Golda said, "Thunder is stronger than Fire. I will be the damage dealer."

"Hah? Fire is stronger!"

Adela said, "I agree with Golda, Thunder is stronger. But Fire spells have the area of effects. In a large-scale battle, Fire Mage is stronger."

Jaane said, "I... I can be the protector and side healer. I heard Earth Mage can heal as well."

The team goes on to talk about how they are going to dominate the Demi-Humans. Suddenly all of them came to a stop. Jaane was confused and asked, "What happened?"

Adela explained, "Oh, I forgot today is your first day here. This is the dueling ground where students can legally duel each other. Any students who have disagreements can solve it out at the dueling ground. The duel has to register a week ahead so a professor can be placed to watch over the duel. If the duel gets too dangerous, the professor will announce the winner and stop it."

Jaane looked over to the dueling ground and saw two boys older than her were staring at each other. One of the boys appeared to be around sixteen years old and he was arguing about something while the other boy just stands there calmly. The other boy appeared to be around thirteen years old. The older boy activated his [Demon Anatomy III], level 10 Black spell. He then transformed into a giant demon and ran toward the younger boy.

Jaane turned toward her roommates and saw they all covered their mouth, Golda accidentally whispered, "Arthur..."

Jaane does not know who Arthur is, but by watching the reactions of her friends, she can guess it was the younger boy that was about to be attacked by the giant demon. This is the first time Jaane sees two magic casters duel with each other. She kept her eyes wide open as she does not want to miss any second of the duel.

The giant demon threw a powerful fire punch at the boy. But before the demon's fist could touch the boy, a Skeleton Warrior appeared in front of him to block the demon's attack using its shield. The giant demon laughed out loud, picked up the Skeleton Warrior with his left hand, and slammed it down on the ground, broke it to pieces. The demon ran toward the boy again and attempted to stomp him using his right foot. The demon then lifted his feet up and saw the boy was unscathed. The boy slowly faded away.

[Shadow Clone], level 5 Conjuration spell. The caster became invisible for a short period of time while placing a clone to trick the enemy. The clone can speak and move like a real person until receiving damage then it will fade away.