Cecil stepped into the room, his cane tapping once against the oak floor as he descended the stairs coming to a halt beside the lectern. He set his suitcase down with care.
He allowed the silence to stretch just a breath longer, long enough for the student's attention to settle on him.
Then, with a voice both cold and precise, he began.
"To get introductions out of the way, my name is Caecilius Galileo Hollows," he begins "I am a professor in the History Department. For many of you, this is our first meeting, as I teach 'Historical Events of the 3rd Era and Theoretical Reconstructions of Lost Historyin Relations to the 2nd Era'. Since my class is considered advanced, most of my students are your upperclassmen."
He adjusted his monocle with a soft touch, eyes scanning the class.
"Most classes ended yesterday for the majority of the student body save for those staying over the summer. But, instead of you first-years running along to your families with the rest of your peers, the Covenant Laws have dictated that you first-years, like every first-years before you, shall have an additional class known as S.P.E.L.L."
"What is S.P.E.L.L.?" Cecil asked rhetorically. "It stands for Sorcerers: Powers, Evolution, Legacy, and Limits. It is a mandatory lesson on Sorcerers; what they are, what they do, their historical impact, and, most importantly, the dangers they pose to both themself and others."
A hand rose from the third row.
"Yes, Ms…?"
"Albright, Professor," the student replied.
"Ms. Albright, what is your question?"
"What exactly is the Covenant Laws?"
"The Covenant Laws," Cecil said, tone steady, "also known informally as the 'Warlord Agreement', refers to a treaty formed by the Warlords of the Third Era. These were powerful Sorcerers who seized control in the power vacuum left after the fall of the globe-spanning Lancaster Imperiu—an empire that once spanned continents during the Second Era. They led the subsequent global war, and ended it with this agreement"
He folded his hands behind his back as he stared at the class. "The Covenant was created to ensure that such a war would never happen again. Two of its most significant measures are the Monarch Act, which forbids any sole ruler of a recognized power from ascending beyond Stage 5; and the Ismodia Convention, which set the first international standards for the humane treatment of civilians and soldiers during conflict."
He let his gaze sweep the room.
"Most of you have likely encountered low-level Sorcerers before, even if you didn't know it. The concept for this class was allegedly proposed by the Warlord of Koishima, Yu Jiemin, who believed the general public should have a foundational understanding of Sorcerers. Historically, Sorcerers have been secretive about their powers, practices, and internal structures. Much remains unknown outside their culture. This class exists to illuminate the basics, so that you, at the very least, are informed about these powerful individuals."
He paused, taking a breath in and letting the students absorb the information.
"A Sorcerer is any living being who walks one of the twenty-four known Lineages. Each Lineage traces back to an Ancient Mythological Creature. As a Sorcerer progresses along their Lineage, they undergo profound magical and biological transformations, inheriting the instincts and abilities of that Creature. No two Lineages are identical."
He gestures slightly, emphasizing his next point. "However, these transformations do not come without risk. The most pressing danger is a phenomenon known as Distortion. This occurs when a Sorcerer loses control of their Lineage, when the boundary between themselves and the Creature erodes. It's not dissimilar to the body rejecting a foreign substance. The further one advances, the thinner that line becomes."
Cecil's voice dropped slightly, becoming almost clinical.
"When a Distortion occurs, it must be dealt with quickly and efficiently. The individual becomes a threat to themselves and to everyone around them."
He turned toward the blackboard, picking up a piece of chalk. As he began to draw, he continued speaking, his voice unwavering.
"Each Lineage is divided into ten Stages, grouped into several Grades. These Stages reflect the life cycle of the Mythological Creature."
A rough diagram formed: a descending spiral segmented into brackets.
"Stages 9 and 8 fall under Superhuman Grade. Stages 7 through 5 are Saint Grade. Stages 4 and 3 are Demigod Grade, with Stage 3 marking the transition to adult form in the Mythological species."
He underlined the final bracket, then added three more below it.
"If Stages 9 through 3 represent the path from infancy to maturity, then Stages 2 through 0 are the final, most transcendent forms. These are called Elder or Divine Grade Sorcerers. Stage 2 and 1 are Angelic, while Stage 0 is known as Archon."
He tapped the word, giving it emphasis.
"An Archon is the singular apex of a Lineage: its ruler, its god. Only one Archon can exist per species at any given time. The only beings in recorded history to have reached Stage 0 are the Ancient Gods of the First Era, and the Heretical Gods of the Second."
Cecil returned the chalk to the tray and faced the class.
"It is from these Divine Grade Sorcerers that the term Divine Houses originates, families who, at some point in their history, produced an Elder Grade Sorcerer. My own family, House Hollows, traces its Divine heritage to our Founder, an Ancient Angel from the Second Era known as Galileo."
Cecil continues, his tone measured and calm.
"Each Stage has a title, often referred to as a job type, which reflects the instincts and abilities characteristic of that phase in the Lineage. The origin of these job titles remains a subject of much debate among historians and arcanologists. As these terms vary by region and era, they are more than just symbolic. Each new Stage comes with new abilities and or enhancing previously acquired ones. Such abilities are not limited to just augmenting supernatural power, but also physical strength, sensory perception, and cognitive function."
He glanced back toward the class, his voice steady.
"While rare, Superhuman and even lower-tier Saint Grade Sorcerers can be killed by ordinary people, especially in this modern age, with the rapid advancement of technology. That said, it requires careful planning, sacrifice, sheer luck, and even that might not always be enough."
He faced them fully again.
"As a Sorcerer progresses along their Lineage and draws nearer to the form of their Mythological Creature, they experience a noticeable extension in their lifespan. Our own Headmaster and Founder, Albus Ambrose-Volsung, is one such living example. He currently stands at Stage Four and has been alive since the waning years of the Third Era."
Cecil turned back to the chalkboard, indicating a rough sketch of the Petria continent. He tapped a specific peninsula, separated from the mainland by a vast, jagged chasm.
"To help you grasp the magnitude of Divine Grade Sorcerers," he said, "consider the Frozen Divide. Legend holds that, in the final years of the Second Era, an Angelic Sorcerer cleaved the Fane Peninsula from the rest of the continent with a single swing of their blade. Whether myth or truth, the result remains etched into our very continent."
He let the implication linger for dramatic effect before continuing.
"To become a Sorcerer, one must possess the stage recipe. These recipes are rare, and the difficulty of acquiring one is among the many reasons Sorcerers are so sought after. Higher Stage recipes often require completion of a Milestone before one can safely consume the ingredients. There are two types of ingredients found inside of Sorcerer Recipes: Primary and Secondary Ingredients."
He reached into his blazer and withdrew a small vial. The liquid inside was almost clear, tinted faintly gold.
"This," Cecil said, holding it up for the class to see, "is Gold Freesia Extract, a Secondary Ingredient. Also known as Anesthetic Ingredients, these are not essential to a recipe's core function, but they reduce the risk of rejection and immediate Distortion. The more Secondary Ingredients used, the safer the transition."
He turned the vial slowly between his fingers before slipping it back into his coat.
"Secondary Ingredients vary by Lineage and Stage. But Primary Ingredients are essential. They contain the power that triggers transformation. They also form what we call an Emanation; the core of a Sorcerer's power for that Stage."
He removed his monocle and held it up.
"This artifact contains an Emanation. That makes it a Sacred Artifact, not just enchanted but alive with a Sorcerer's essence."
Returning it to his face, he continued.
"Artifacts are ranked: Safe corresponds to Superhuman, Euclid to Saint, Thaumiel to Demigod, and Apollyon to Divine. The stronger the Emanation, the more powerful and more dangerous the Artifact."
He folded his hands again.
"Emanations can substitute Primary Ingredients as they are the true form of the Primary Ingredients they can be used instead. However, they cannot replace Secondary Ingredients. The method of absorption may vary per person, from making a pill, to consumption of the ingredients raw, or to the most popular creation of an elixir, but no matter the method what matters most is synergy. The ingredients must fuse with the Sorcerer's body and soul."
"But without harmony, even a perfect recipe leads to rejection. And rejection just as easily leads to Distortion."
A hand rose from a student, the same one as earlier.
"Yes, Ms. Albright?"
She took a breath and launched into a flurry of questions. "How do Sorcerers know when they can advance? How do they know what abilities they've gained from each Stage? What exactly are Milestones? And how can we become Sorcerers if we so wish?"
Cecil arched an eyebrow in approval.
"An excellent set of questions, Ms. Albright. Let's begin with the most straightforward one."
He turned to the blackboard, erasing it with a few practiced strokes, then picked up a piece of chalk once more.
"What are Milestones?"
He wrote the word in his sharp handwriting before continuing.
"By definition, a milestone is 'an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development.' In the context of Sorcerers, an Advancement Milestone refers to an event, task, or transformation that a Sorcerer must complete before they may progress. These Milestones are often symbolic deeply tied to the nature of the Mythological Creature and the archetype it represents. In many ways, they serve as rites of passage."
He set the chalk down with a soft click and turned back to the class.
"Now, how does one become a Sorcerer?"
His hands folded behind his back again, posture relaxed but deliberate.
"As I said before, the key lies in acquiring a Stage Recipe. These are rare and carefully protected, oftentimes held by governments, organizations, ancient families, or religious bodies such as the Theocracy. Some aspirants find mentors, Sorcerers willing to share the recipe in exchange for loyalty, labor, or legacy. But such mentorship is rare, and not without its own costs."
He paused and exhaled softly.
"As for your remaining questions…" He paused. "I must admit I cannot answer with complete certainty. I am not currently a Sorcerer myself."
He paused.
"That said," he continued, "many Sorcerers have documented their experiences. From these accounts, we know that a Sorcerer first must integrate with their current Stage before moving to the next. This integration is both physical and metaphysical, and once it is complete, the Sorcerer knows."
He paced slightly, letting his words hang in the air.
"Sorcerers describe it as instinctual, almost akin to a door unlocking within the soul, or a weight shifting inside the mind. Each Stage bestows not just abilities, but also instincts; echoes of the Mythological Creature they're becoming. These may take the form of urges, dreams, or sensory changes. Using their instincts, Sorcerers learn to understand the abilities they've gained. It's not unlike how an infant knows to breathe or move their muscles. The Emanations carry not only power, but memory. Through them, the Sorcerer feels their transformation."
Before he could go on, a hand shot up from the back row, but the student didn't want to wait. "If Lineages come from Mythological Creatures, what about monsters and Sorcerer Beasts? And the other races? Beastfolk? Dragonkin? Are they related? And how were Recipes discovered in the first place?"
Cecil's gaze snapped toward the student, cold and sharp.
The student froze, realizing their breach in decorum, and hastily raised their hand after the fact in an attempt to recover. Cecil did not blink.
"Thank you," he said, voice flat. "Now that we are reminded of the correct procedure... I will answer."
Cecil sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Only Mythological Creatures possess Lineages. Why? Because they are said to be the first beings born into existence, whether by the Most Ancient One or not is for you to decide. I do not believe the creation myth is entirely wrong."
He resumed pacing.
"These Creatures didn't just exist; they embodied fundamental laws of the universe. Their forms shaped reality. Beastfolk, Merfolk, Dragonkin, and others may be descendants, but diluted. Over time, through generations and mingling, the Emanations within us faded."
He gestured loosely, his tone still composed.
"Other races, Beastfolk, Merfolk, Dragonkin, Humans, so on and so forth, are believed to be descendants of these Creatures, in one way or another. But over time, with countless generations and interspecies unions, the Sorcerer Emanations that may have once existed naturally within us have long since faded."
"This loss has had several side effects. Most species now appear largely Human, save for a few distinguishing features. Many innate abilities have disappeared. Avians, for instance, can no longer fly despite still having wings. Elves no longer live for centuries, they now barely outlast Humans by perhaps five or ten years."
"As for Supernatural Monsters..." Cecil's voice grew quieter, more thoughtful. "We do not know their true origins. Some appear to be born from more minor Distortions, while others are the result of exposure to unstable mana or corrupted environments or like the other races are descendants of Mythological Creatures in their own ways. And as for Sorcerer Beasts? They are simply ordinary creatures that have somehow gained Sorcerer Emanations. Through exposure, inheritance, or by consuming ingredients they were never meant to encounter."
As for how we discovered the Sorcerer Recipes..." He inhaled deeply, then exhaled.
"That question is more difficult. The history of Sorcery stretches back to the First Era, from the time of the Ancient Gods, and even then, some said that the knowledge came from before then as well. But Sorcerers did not become widespread until the Second Era, after the fall of Arcadia; the Land of the Gods."
"This makes it nearly impossible to trace the exact origin of the Recipes. All we have are fragments, and myth, and the line between history and fantasy is often blurred whenever myths are concerned."
He let that settle before continuing.
"In the most popular of interpretations is the Myth of Fire, it is said the Ancient Sun God, Lothric, rose from a sea of darkness and that alongside the other Ancient Gods brought forth the end of the Zeroth Era and marking the start of the First Era, The Age of Fire. It is stated that when Lothric emerged from the Darkness, he was gifted the knowledge by the Nine Protogenoi, who gave him that knowledge to help guide the mortal world."
The deep, resounding chime of the island belltower echoed across the island. It cut clean through the still air of the classroom, silencing the murmurs of myth and magic with finality.
A deep, resounding chime echoed across the island, cutting through the classroom. It marked the official end of this S.P.E.L.L. class and the start of the summer break in earnest.
Cecil fell quiet mid-step, his expression unreadable as the reverberations faded.
"That," he said at last, a faint note of relief. "would be your cue."
The chairs scraped against the wooden floor, the shift from academic intensity to the promise of freedom drawing smiles and whispers from the various students, some were already halfway out the door, eager to escape into the warm breath of summer beyond the academy's island. The classroom emptied in a flurry of voices and footsteps, and as the last student passed through the door. Cecil's mind drifted towards the expedition as one hand absently polishing the lens of his monocle.
Then, turning toward the side door that led to his office, he reached for the suitcase resting near the lectern and stepped through. The door clicked shut behind him as he crossed the room toward his desk. He set the suitcase on his desk, fingers moving to open it, but the shine of a velvet-red wax seal caught his eye. It was a folded letter, stamped with a large M above a smaller V.