The sun hung low as Zen and Kuro approached the long line leading toward the ship, the ship's massive silhouette cutting across the orange sky
The queue stretched far back, mostly including merchants hoping to make a good profit in Oranos, their bags and carts stuffed to the brim with goods. One by one, they were called forward, required to pay a boarding fee while guards inspected their belongings with a faint glowing light tool of sorts
They slowed as they neared the inspection booth
"We'll tell them that we're siblings," he said quietly. "You're applying to the Magic Academy. I'm aiming to become a soldier, we're from a small village on the edge of the country of Ernest "
Kuro froze.
"I'm applying to the magic academy?!?" he blurted "I thought we were traveling.?"
Zen sighed, rubbing his temple
"It's a lie, Kuro…"
Kuro flushed instantly
"Oh…well um.."
The line shifted forward until only three people stood ahead of them, Kuro kept his eyes forward, pretending as though he hadn't just believed the story himself..
Kuro's attention drifted to a boy near the stall, no older than thirteen, scratching the back of his neck while joking nervously with the guards
He wore a white shirt underneath with a black coat embroidered with gold pattern, paired with black pants trimmed in the same gold as the coat. With the sun reflecting off of his bright red hair he was impossible to ignore
"That kid is kinda weird," Kuro muttered. "And his clothes are strange."
Zen followed his gaze, eyes narrowing slightly
"He's likely from the magic academy we're lying to be joining," Zen said. "Looks like he's heading back to the academy after the break"
Kuro now more nervous than before…
Kuro's inner monologue:"how could he tell that just by looking at him.?"
Just ahead of them-
"What's your name and the purpose of your trip?" a guard asked
"Felix," the boy replied confidently. "From the proud house of—"
"Yeah, yeah kid," the guard cut him off. "You're good to go."
Felix blinked a few times, his mouth still open, he felt bad and walked past the guards slowly looking down sad. Just before boarding, he turned slightly and stuck his tongue out ["Blehh"] at the guard when he wasn't looking
Kuro slowly turned his head back toward Zen, a bead of sweat sliding down his temple
"I don't think I can lie now…"
"You'll be fine," Zen said calmly. "follow my lead"
Kuro hesitated for a moment then nodded while looking at zen's hooded face
This time, he didn't argue because he knew he couldn't win
They stepped forward
"What are your names, and the purpose of your trip?" the guard asked
"I'm Zen and this is my younger brother Kuro," Zen replied smoothly. "He's applying to the magic academy and I'm applying to become a soldier."
The guard scoffed at the idea "A commoner academy applicant and a soldier?"
Another guard stepped closer. "You with the hood. Move over here. Show me your arms."
At the same time, the first guard guided Kuro a few steps away from Zen.
"Be honest, kid," the guard said quietly. "Are you really related to him? Besides you look a little too young to join the academy"
Kuro's chest tightened and his mouth opened slowly.
He could tell the truth and end this…or…
His eyes flickered toward Zen his face hidden once more, Kuro remembering how he had saved him
Kuro swallowed.
"Ahaha He really is my brother," he said nervously "We were born years apart, with different dads!, that's why we look different!"
His voice softened slightly
"I know I'm a commoner… but I still want to go to the magic academy."
The guard studied him for a long moment, then sighed
"…Alright, kid. I trust you. Step over here and show me your arms."
Kuro pulled back his sleeve.
The scene shifted back to Zen. He was calm and composed as always. Zen peeled back a strip of white cloth that covered his hands and his forearm, revealing his bare muscular arms, as the other guard scanned it carefully with a magical tool doing the same for his knapsack. After a few moments, the guard nodded to the other guard
"He's clear."
Back to Kuro, the inspection finished quickly, the guard dismissing the possibility of a child harboring anything dangerous at this age
Kuro walked towards Zen going forward after paying the boarding fee and stepped toward the boarding ramp
"Hey, kid," a guard called out. Kuro froze, turning back slowly
"There's nothing wrong with wanting to go to the magic academy," the guard said. "Even if you're a commoner. You'll make a fine sorcerer one day."
(The guard scoffed at the idea earlier due to suspicion they treat everyone this way…)
From the deck above, Felix watched them quietly, his gaze lingering on Kuro at the mention of the word 'magic academy'…
Kuro nodded at him
"Thank you Sir Guard"
Moving with Zen, who was carefully rewrapping the long white cloth around his wrist and forearm
Kuro watched him closely
"What's that for?" he asked
"I'll tell you later," Zen replied. "On the ship."
Kuro's Inner Monologue: "He's been saying that since the moment I first met him, I can't wait for him to explain
Kuro responded "Okay"
After reaching the ship they went down a flight of stairs downwards
"Let's check out the temporary rooms we'll be staying at," Zen said.
"Yes!!" Kuro jumped excitedly
Zen noticed Felix watching them, but chose to ignore it since Zen decided he was harmless, and Kuro didn't notice at all too distracted by the size of the ship looming above him, being his first time on a magical ship
Zen & Kuro descended below deck, walking through long corridors. The wall gradually shifted into deep crimson lined with gold trim. A faint level of magic pulsed through the air.
Kuro wandered ahead, eyes wide and his mouth wide open
"Is this your first time on a magic ship?" Zen asked.
Kuro snapped back to him. "Yeah! Wait, how'd you know!?"
Zen pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes closed briefly for a moment
"Just a feeling..."
Kuro blinked, tilting his head sideways with confusion as he looked at Zen
They stopped at a door
"This is our room," Zen said. "We'll be here for a week. Maybe two."
He opened the door
"You'll be learning magic while we're on the sh-."
Kuro gasped and rushed inside, pushing past Zen
"It's bigger than the INN we were staying at!" he exclaimed with joy, spinning in place
"Settle down," Zen said dryly. "We'll be here a while"
Kuro turned back toward him, grinning instead of pouting this time.
> INSERT KURO CHIBI
Zen stepped inside after Kuro, closing the door behind him. His eyes scanning the room carefully before he muttered under his breath:
"obice tenebrae."
A faint shimmer passed across the walls before fading, Kuro noticing something changed but he wasn't sure what exactly happened
Zen setting down his knapsack down on one of the beds
A low growl echoed from behind him
He looked up to see Kuro rubbing his stomach
Zen exhaled quietly
Zen's Inner Monologue: It's been six hours, so it makes sense that he's hungry..
"Leave your things here," Zen said. "Let's get some food."
"Yes!!" Kuro cheered.
They stepped out together. As Zen shut the door, he quietly cast another spell, sealing it with a soft pulse of magic.
The journey to Oranos had now begun! The ship has set sail!
[Extra Information]
Due to illegal trafficking and item smuggling without paying the proper price they tend to search you with the light of a magical artifact before you enter the ship to detect any suspicious items.
They behave quite strictly while doing this doubting each and everything say, if they over do it they do tend to apologize
The centre borders of two friendly countries lie two of the main academy's, one being the magic academy and the other swordsmen ship. Although there's smaller and less well known academies within each separate country.