"Shall we?" Archmage Amber Nois asked, her voice smooth as a breeze, yet heavy with intent. She gestured toward the newly raised Oradonian Mages Base—an architectural marvel shimmering with fresh magic, still humming with life.
Kendra hesitated, her eyes bright but uncertain. "Can I…?" she asked softly, the awe in her voice betraying her excitement.
Amber smiled, a knowing smile. "Why not? You'll be one of my first students… eventually."
"But… can a priestess learn magic?" Kendra asked, almost whispering the words, as though fearful they might shatter the fragile dream beginning to form around her.
Amber turned fully to face her. "Anyone can learn magic, it's just that, the body's talent for magic differs, while some can easily adapt to the magic of the Oradonian Order, some won't be able to, that is why we have a definite order in selecting the right talents. Besides, there are other magical orders that those who can't learn the Oradonian magic can also try. But be rest assured, I've seen your body's magical constitution, and I can say- you're definitely above average..." Archmage Amber Nois stated as if she was saying something Priestess Kendra should know.
Kendra gasped lightly. Her hands trembled slightly as she bowed. "Thank you, Great Archmage. I… I won't waste this chance."
"No need for gratitude. Just prove you're worthy of it," Amber replied, already walking forward. She gave a playful tug on Kendra's sleeve. "Come. Let's see what is beyond this entrance of our new Oradonian Order base"
The doors opened with a soft groan, revealing a reception hall so vast it could swallow ten temples whole. The Oradonian symbol was drawn boldly into the white marble floor—a man cloaked in timeless robes, raising a glowing wand toward the heavens. The light shimmered, as if the emblem itself had a pulse.
Amber glanced around without awe. She had seen it all before—in memory, in visions, in the forgotten pages of ancient tomes. This was no surprise to her. She had imagined it, will it in to existence and her magic had obeyed.
Kendra, on the other hand, could barely breathe. Her eyes drank in every corridor, every arch, every torch lit by floating fire. With each step, her reverence grew. She had studied the legends of the Oradonian Order. They were myths… until now. Now, she was standing inside that very myth—reborn.
She caught her reflection in a polished window and paused. She was smiling uncontrollably. Her lips stretched wide like a madwoman lost in wonder.
As they wandered deeper, the mansion revealed itself: vast training halls, endless winding corridors, spell-weaving rooms, crystal chambers for meditation. Books flew by themselves into shelves taller than trees. Statues of long-dead mages stood like sentinels in quiet corners, their carved eyes watching her with silent judgment.
Even the laws of space bowed to the Oradonian Order. From the outside, the mansion seemed to take up only a few plots of land. But within… within it was boundless—like walking through a dream folded in magic. The space stretched beyond reason.
Overwhelmed, Kendra wandered back toward Amber, who now stood at the center of the great library, a glowing tome levitating in front of her as pages turned of their own accord.
"This place is… magical," Kendra whispered, her voice trembling with joy. She couldn't bring herself to imagine that one day she would be eligible to even be a part of the new history making set of the Oradonian Order, and not only that, she would be under the tutelage of one of the greatest mages of the Oradonian Order, Archmage Amber Nois, what are the odds?
Amber looked up briefly and smiled. "I'm glad you think so."
Then, without turning, she gave the next command. "I want you to gather others. Priestesses like yourself, and also commoners who would be interested in magical training. But not just them. Go into the streets. Look for the broken, the abandoned, the beggars. Find the ones who have nowhere left to go. If they're hungry, feed them. But bring them here." Archmage Amber Nois had her thoughts and desires on the next step.
As if a glass had broken in her head, Kendra blinked. "You want to teach magic to… commoners? Outcasts? To rejects?"
Amber turned, her expression unreadable. "Magic is for everyone. But I don't want arrogance, laziness and a lack of passion from my trainees. I don't want the sons of nobles who think the world owes them something and hence have no need to go beyond their limits. I want those who've been through fire and still walk. I want humility. Hunger. Loyalty. Above all, I want passion, the kind that burns at the very soul of the practitioner, the Oradonian Order needs hungry, very ambitious and passionate mages, not overpriced nobles with potbellies and insatiable lusts."
Kendra frowned. "But just because they're poor doesn't mean they're humble or loyal." she couldn't shake off the thought that if the Archmage taught magic to the wrong person, then she might be creating another Scarlet Raven that would harm the future of others.
"True," Amber admitted. "But desperation breeds a kind of clarity. A kind of commitment. I trust that more than I trust privilege."
"But what if… what if they become like the Scarlet Raven?" Kendra's voice faltered, fear creeping in. "That began as a rescue mission too, remember?"
Amber's gaze sharpened. "They haven't even crossed the threshold, Kendra. You haven't even spoken to them. Don't let fear decide for you." Then she clapped once. "Now go. Quickly."
Before Kendra could respond, a gust of magic swept her from the room. The air shimmered, and with a flash, she found herself outside—standing beneath the towering facade of the Oradonian Mages Base once more.
She gasped, realizing she was no longer empty-handed. A satchel now rested on her hip, simple on the outside but vast within. She peeked inside and felt the depth—it could carry enough gold to feed an entire province. It had also conveniences like food, water, bedding sheet, and clothing materials.
Still shaken, but filled with purpose, Kendra straightened her back.
She didn't understand everything.
But she was ready to begin.