A year after Atreus' death has passed. It went down as one of the most monumental moments in Sorcerer history. Sable has been living alone, in a different area, until she turned 18, mourning her father.
After his death, countless sorcerers went searching for the Book of Spells in the hope of gaining its power, either for good or bad. Some wanted its magic to overthrow science, while others merely wanted its spells.
Sorcerers all across the Magic Continent, Arcana, relied on Atreus to finally complete the Grimoire and change the world of sorcery forever, but all hope seemed lost, and now they wanted to finish what he couldn't with their inhumane ideologies.
But little do they know, Atreus' daughter put on the mantle and is now striving to complete the legendary Grimoire, but first, she must go through a trial; one that will decide whether or not she'll become a sorcerer.
+
People were everywhere, shoulder to shoulder, carrying briefcases, weapons, staves, scrolls, or nothing but wide eyes and a grin. All of them were standing at a dock, waiting for a ship.
They had come from across Arcana, some by boat, others by airship or teleport gate.
Each one was here for the same reason, and that was to take the Sorcerer Exams.
"Did you hear?" one boy said, adjusting his glasses as he glanced around nervously. "They say the Book of Spells still exists. Somewhere in the North. Some cults have already killed three people for fake copies."
"Oh, please. The real Book was buried with Atreus!" another scoffed, arms crossed. "No one's seen that thing in a year. It's gone."
A tall girl wearing a snake cloak snorted. "Gone? Hah. Idiots. You think the Ordo Genesis didn't take it? I bet they're already using it. You really think that old man died for nothing?"
"I heard the daughter survived," someone muttered.
"What daughter?"
"He had a kid, right? Without mana. Useless? She disappeared after he died. Some say the Ordo Genesis killed her too."
The conversation faded into the noise of the crowd.
Near the edge of the dock, sitting alone on a metal bench with a briefcase at her feet, was Sable Hasteheart. She was munching on a candy bar, waiting for the transportation ship to arrive.
"Ugh… this place stinks, it smells like fish."
Nobody knew her name, nor did they know she was still alive.
And they definitely didn't know that she had come here not just to become a sorcerer, but to finish what Atreus started.
A woman wearing professional clothing, consisted of heels, a skirt suit, and a tie, while carrying a notebook, walked in front of everyone.
"Attention: All candidates for the Sorcerer Exams, my name is Vordera Rulpen. I'll be the supervisor for all of you during the first phase."
"Vordera Rulpen!? Oh man… she's even hotter in person than her images!" A boy whisperer.
"Who is Vordera Rulpen?" Asked another boy, gazing at the other.
"She's one of the Archmages in the Wizard Association. She's part of the top Sorcerers. How have you never heard of her and you're taking the exams?" Responded the boy with glasses.
"Oh damn, for real? I should've done my research before I left home. I'm just here for the money!"
Sable stood up slowly, silent in her actions not to make a scene.
"You all will be spending time on our Watercraft, and each of you will have your own individual room." Shouted Vordera, tall and commanding. "It is advised that each of you do not share rooms with one another. It's for the safety of everyone on board."
Waves in the ocean suddenly got harsher as rising through the mist, like a moving fortress, was a massive Watercraft. It was a vessel of white steel and glowing blue runes, taller than most buildings and longer than the entire dock. Its engines made the ground beneath their feet tremble.
Gasps echoed across the crowd as people stared in awe.
"Is that a ship or a city?!"
"It's huge…"
"Holy shit…"
Even the cocky ones went quiet.
Slowly, the watercraft stopped by the dock of sorcerers as a ramp slid down, allowing everyone to board.
"Now then, all of you, follow me. But first, I must warn you; those without mana will not be allowed to enter."
Everyone took deep breaths before following after the Archmage.
"Glad that changed..." Muttered Sable. She stayed behind everyone before following the rest of the candidates, cautious.
Around the ship were thin magical barriers, preventing the entry of the Manaless.
Sable didn't rush in like everyone else, she only took another bite of her candy bar and dragged her bag behind her with one hand, slinging her briefcase onto her shoulder.
Once they all boarded the ship, it was even bigger than it looked, atop the deck.
It had a swimming area, bar, and downstairs that led to their rooms, and a dining section. It looked way too exquisite for a Sorcerer Exam.
"Huh? Seriously? This is the cruise?" Said Sable, blinking multiple times.
"There are currently 50 of you, so there are 50 rooms; no more or less. When I call your names, please step forward and receive your bracelet. It will be the access key to your dorm."
"We have to wait for 50 people? Aw man… cmon, this sucks!" Said another boy, crossing his arms.
"You can say that again…" Mumbled Sable, sighing. "God forbid they call my name."
Everyone seemed upbeat while others were irritated.
Vordera proceeded to call everyone's name, one by one. Some candidates appeared anxious, while others wore bold, cocky smiles. Some were stoic, and imposing, but Sable? She was motivated. After receiving her bracelet, she snapped it around her arm as it locked together.
"Woah, this thing is pretty darn right!" She adjusted her bracelet until the last few candidates were called up.
"Your room numbers are on your entry bracelets on the bottom. If it glows red, report to the deck immediately. It means you're being disqualified for suspicion of forged credentials, or disobeying the rules." Said the Archmage.
A few gasps broke out.
"W-What?! Mine's red, wait, what?! No, I—"
"Get off the ship!" Shouted Verdora as two magic enforcers approached him, dragging the panicked kid off in an instant.
"Wait, this is wrong! All wrong! I'm meant to be here, I signed up a year ago!" He was finally dragged off the ship, giving worry to everyone else.
Sable blinked.
"Huh… harsh."
She looked at her own bracelet; it was green like everyone else's.
Her Room was 32.
"When you all reach your rooms, there will be a book on your bed going over the rules of the cruise. Make sure to follow them, or face the consequences."
Everyone nodded their head in sync.
"Now then, you're all dismissed! Enjoy the week-long trip." Verdora nodded her head before turning the other way, taking her leave.
Everyone else stood still—some mumbling to one another before they all decided to go downstairs on the cruise.
"Finally I get to sit my ass down. That metal bench was giving me back cramps." Sable followed everyone else, glancing at the signs down the corridor, and brushing past people still whispering about Vordera Rulpen and the fake sorcerer.
"Can't believe they caught a fake already."
"Sheesh, they weren't kidding about tight security. But I guess it makes sense; the Manaless are usually associated with the Ordo Genesis."
"What do you think the first test's gonna be?"
"Hopefully something easy… like, who can chant the fastest or something, I don't know."
Sable didn't say a word, she kept her presence low, listening more than she talked. Every little bit of information mattered to her.
Eventually reaching her location; Room 32 was on the lower left wing of the ship. She unlocked it with a press of her bracelet and stepped inside, smelling the fresh scented dorm.
The room was pretty simple. It had a metal-framed bed, a single desk with a reading lamp, and a sealed bookshelf embedded in the wall. She tossed her bag on the bed and sat down, stretching her legs with a yawn.
"This is much better than I thought!" She muttered. "It's all thanks to you…" Sable turned her head to face her briefcase which carried the Book of Spells. "You were the one responsible for giving me mana… I don't know how, but I'll use it for good." A gentle smile crossed her face. "Thanks, Dad…"
Huffing a sigh, Sable glanced beside her and saw the rule book of the cruise. Taking it in her hands, she would lie back in bed, opening it wide.
"Let's see what's in store."
The Sorcerer Exams were a brutal, multi-stage trial held only once every few years by the Wizard Association. It is open to anyone across the Magic Continent of Arcana, and they're infamous for their unpredictability and body count.
Each phase is designed to test more than magical skill: cunningness, endurance, morality, and resolve all play a role. Illusions, curses, assassination attempts, nothing is off-limits.
Many enter hoping to become certified Sorcerers, but only a few survive, however, it was worth the risk. Those who survive the Sorcerer Exams are granted more than just a title, they receive the Arcane Sigil, a glowing emblem magically etched into their soul.
This sigil is proof of one's recognition by the Wizard Association, marking them as an official Sorcerer across the entire continent of Arcana.
With the Arcane Sigil, Sorcerers gain access to hidden libraries, secure teleportation gates, rare artifact markets, and elite missions reserved only for licensed sorcerers. They are granted international mobility across Arcana, leniency in combat-based incidents, and are often respected, or feared, by commoners and organizations alike.
But the main reason for those who join the Wizard Association is usually to fight against the Science Continent, Polymethis, in the constant War between Magic and Science.
While Sable may have come here for a different reason… these exams were far more rigorous than she imagined—
"O-One thousand rules?! Are you serious?! How is that even possible?"
She was on an impossible journey.