Chapter 80: The Academy (III)
"What happened twenty years ago for something to change so much?" I asked.
"The king tried to force his way in. He sent us a message stating that if we don't open up the gates, we will be branded as traitors and all our family killed. Honestly, the gates wouldn't open at all even if we wanted too." Uncle Jeremy's lips curled into a snarl. "When he heard that the magic lights were created here, he made every effort possible to infiltrate our cities. For any people who wish to leave this city, we made it a requirement that they are not allowed to take a single magic stone with them."
"I didn't expect the walls to be so strong."
"We didn't know as well, and we are glad that the walls have still been holding up. Every day we make an effort to keep this place safe."
"So, I am assuming the King has not succeeded in breaching the walls."
"So far, no. Not a single enemy had reached even the borders of the Forgotten Forest."
"That is quite something. I thought my teachings would spread far and wide."
"We understand your ideal Berry, but we can not give our enemies an upper hand in our technology that we produce. Do you know how terrible it would be if we were to be ruled by the Dragon Kingdom? Our people will be enslaved by them, and our knowledge is stolen. No more would be able to live in peace. Our families are on the line."
"I didn't mean no disrespect. I didn't know how bad this could turn out."
"No. No. It's alright. I shouldn't have raised my voice."
Uncle Jeremy continued to eat and talk.
"I'm glad that you are doing well with the city. It truly has grown so much that I almost couldn't tell if I came to the right place."
"Yes, it did change a lot. I can not thank Don here for the blueprints of the city. You are quite a genius in the layout of the foundation." Uncle Jeremy glanced towards Don. "Without his blueprints, we never thought it was possible to build such buildings called skyscrapers. You don't understand how valuable your knowledge and blueprints have been. Thank you."
"N-no problem at all." Don was awe at the formality that Uncle Jeremy was giving him. "I'm quite surprised that you have built everything that I have planned out for five years."
"It took fifteen years to complete a couple of them. Without your guidance, deciphering it was left to the people who understood what you have written. The Academy was one of them. Now it has become our pride and joy."
"You have found masters to teach while we are gone?" I spoke up.
"Yes, though the twin's Sam and Sal have become the headmaster of the Academy. Their teachings have enlightened all the younger generations. Not only that, Mages from all over the world seem to flock to our city to learn the magic that you have left behind."
"I for sure need to go talk with Sal and Sam when I'm finished." I felt a sudden thrill and happiness in what my teachings were doing for the people. Everyone's lives have drastically improved overtimes to the point where it became unrecognizable.
"Your magic has paved waves in creating many new technological advances. From our floating carriages to new sources of magical items, and even affecting our everyday lives."
"Dad, are you saying the one who founded the teaching is actually her?" Blaze stares with gaping jaws. "This is the Grand Magician Berry? She looks about my age."
"I wouldn't say I am the same age as you." I coughed. It felt weird being stared at.
"Grand Magician?" Everyone turned their gaze towards me.
"Who gave me that title?" My face was already burning red.
"Sal and Sam." Uncle Jeremy spoke. He was having a hard time not bursting out laughing.
"Those idiots," I growled.
With the food done, I got up. "Thank you for the delicious meal. I want to go check on those two rascals." The rest of the crew finished and followed as well.
"No, it's my pleasure to see you doing well. It is truly an honor to have you visited my house."
"I really didn't do much for you to be saying that."
"You are wrong. If it was not for the both of you, we wouldn't have come this far. Thank you."
"Y-your welcome." I was having a difficult time swallowing what he had said. It felt a bit too much, making me wonder if my Magic Stones really did change so many people's lives. With a bow, we left the house.
"Coco, lead us the way to the Academy, please."
"Yes, young mistress. It would be my pleasure." Coco walked ahead of us, and we continued on our next destination. The Academy that this city was so proud of.
We trekked through the clean streets and eventually came upon a large gated community. A large sign with the words Academy of Six Elements in elegant letters was written on a metal board.
The gates magically open, allowing us through.
The whole school was lush and beautiful. Every single building was exotic and unique that I couldn't stop staring with awe. Students in matching clothes busily walked around. They curiously started, wondering who we were. The majority of the girls were looking at Phil and Tart, giggling in excitement. Their handsomeness was eye-catching, and Coco's elegant and beautiful demeanor made it a picturesque.
"You left quite an achievement," I spoke to Don. Pleased with his design. It was awe-inspiring and amazingly beautiful that even I couldn't help but be proud of its majestic grandeur.
"Well, I wouldn't say I did it. The foundation was drawn by me, but the people were the one that completed it.
"Still, I didn't know it would come out this awesome. You made this possible, you know. Give yourself some credit." I patted him on the shoulders.
"Thanks." I could hear Don's voice lowering from embarrassment.
We continued through the front entrance and went through the largest building that was established. Entering into the Academy, I couldn't help but gasp. Even the interior of the building was just as grand and beautiful. Bright sunlight entered from the top, showcasing the marble statues that were lined on the wall. Sweeping royal purple rugs were laid out on the ground, and colored glass windows with interesting patterns were placed on the sides.
We walked towards the principal office, and Coco walked up to knock on the door.
"Principal Sal and Sam, you have an important guest."
"I'm busy right now." Sal's deep voice spoke out.
"It is Phil, Don, and a young mistress that had come to visit."
The sound of rustling papers and even objects falling onto the ground could be heard. Running footsteps ran towards the door, and Sam was the one who opened the door.
"Is it true? They have come-" Sal stopped short and held back in a gasp.
Sal had grown into a middle-aged man. No more was the young man that I have remembered, but instead a sturdy man with a beard. Both the twins look vastly alike, but the only difference was their clothes.
"You still look the same since I last saw you. How is this possible?"
"Things happened. Where we went had a whole different time fluctuation, and when we arrived back, we didn't know how much time had passed."
"Ah, that makes sense. You must have gone to the Divine Race to get Grand Magician Berry healed." Sal gave me a wink.
I couldn't help but shake my head. "It was you who started the Grand Magician crap, didn't you?"
Sam came over with a stupid smile on his face and barked out laughing. "No, it was me."
"Seriously, did you have to give me such a title? Now people are going to think I'm someone amazing."
"You are," Sam reassured her. "The knowledge that you have taught us has truly helped us in developing this city. Did you know every year new students from around the world actually come to study here? They even wish to live in this city, because of the high technological advancement that we had made."
"You know that sounds a bit.…. I don't know anything fantastical."
"I'm not joking. Out of all the human kingdoms out there, we are the most advanced city in the country."
"That's quite an achievement."
Sal and Sam both put their elbows on each other's shoulders. He let us through and closed the door behind us.
"How has your studying been going?"
"Quite well, though we have been having quite a bit of roadblock in our information. We just can't seem to get past a level C Common Magic Stones. Anything higher causes a deadly reaction that almost wiped out a building. We don't know why, but it's an impossible hurdle that we can not overcome."
"I'm guessing you don't have the magic energy to supply it, do you?"
"How did you know?"
"Because that's what happens to me when I make multiple Level C Common Magic Stones. I only have been able to successfully make one Common Level B Stone."
"What did you do?" Both twins shouted in alarm.
"This is truly a groundbreaking breakthrough. We had dreamed of diving into the Level B Magic Stones. How were you able too?"
"Sal, she's the creator of the Magic Stone magic anyways. Everything that she does is considered a miracle in itself."
"What nonsense are you guys spouting. I have failed quite a lot thank you very much."
"We don't see a single failure in our eyes." Sal and Sam chuckled. "When it comes to you, nobody can keep an eye off of you without surprising us any moment."
"What are you talking about? I don't do anything like that."
"If only she knew." Phil shook his head, understanding what the two twins were saying.
"You need to give us a lecture at school. We've been dying to hear one of your sermons for over twenty-five years."
"W-what? Did you guys have already mastered the language?"
"Hardly, how you make it sound like it's some kind of easy thing to learn. Both of us haven't even learned a tenth of what you know."
"Exactly," Sam nodded his head and crossed his arms.
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