Sky Academy

It was time to get the Academy up and running. Alex arrived having graduated from his two years in the Academy. He was coming to move in with Deirdre in the White Palace. News of the completion of the Academy had spread across the whole world, in the blink of an eye. Professors and staff were scheduled to begin arriving.

I arrived at the Academy Airship Station, and there was a crowd of people standing in lines to get in. I entered from the staff entrance, and sought out Kiera.

“Well met, Kiera. What’s with all the lines and people? We need to get them out of here before the walk-through guests arrive,” I said.

“Well met, Aoi. We’re working on it. Your little Floating Academy has really stoked up a lot of curious folks. Pretty hard to miss that big floating city you’ve built. Takes up a lot of the sky. Looks way bigger than the sunstar and moons combined. It seems all those retired professors and retired Academy staff have been filtering in for days, or maybe weeks. Now they all seem to have run out of patience and want to be approved so they can go up and explore. Your little display up there has piqued everyone’s curiosity. So we are doing the final security protocol, and making security tokens for those who pass the security check,” Kiera said.

“This is a disaster! I am to lead the walk-through today. In three hours! How are we going to greet them with all these people here? Are these lines truly all Professors and Academy staff? Seems a bit much for that,” I said, incredulously.

“Nope. Mixed in among all them are Kanae’s team of operations and maintenance crew, which have also mixed in with your team for training the operations part of the crew to manage the Islands’ day to day operations. Did you forget to hand out your access badges to your staff?”

“My team? But my team shouldn’t be here! My team is here to train the new hires. That isn’t scheduled to start until after the Grand Reception tonight! They aren’t scheduled to be here until late afternoon!”

“Yeah, well they’re here, and you know, they probably have their own preparations to make before the new hires arrive. Not everyone is a multitasking, spell enhanced, memory-mapped monster like you, Aoi. Most of us normal people don’t experiment with our minds and load up on self-invented brain boosting artifacts. Honestly, you’ve become a real freak of nature that no longer understands what a normal brain is capable of, and thus expect more than is reasonable from everyone around you. I’m honestly surprised no other nations have targeted you for poaching, and seduction and unions, to snatch you away from Dee.”

“S-s-seduction!? I’m married!”

“Hello? Are you new here? Have you forgotten about Dee’s harem? You’re a Duchess now, under the White Dragon Empress. You’re a huge target for a harem of your own. You’re young, cute, inexperienced with the culture. You’re an avid Pub-crawler. You’re an easy mark. You better be careful. Someone might slip you a potion in your wine, and take your pearls.”

“Pearls? I don’t have any pearls!”

“OMG! Are you really that dense? Your eggs! Someone is going to fertilize your eggs if you don’t start taking precautions to protect your virtue! How much of an unaware nerd are you?”

“I’m just an alchemist. Why would anyone want to do that to a married woman?”

“OMG! I give up. Deal with your crew here so I can get back to my duties. We have set up a new Airship station inside the Noble section to handle today’s walk-through. Be there at the eleventh bell.”

“Oh, ok. Thanks for the information. I’ll see you later then. Make sure you get the kitchen crew cleared first, and get them to the Academy. They need to get working on the reception.”

That girl has spent too much time in the shadows. She sees plots, and plots within plots, everywhere. As if anyone would want to seduce a socially awkward nerd like me. I went through the lines and pulled out my team. My team would begin training the new hires on daily operation of the Islands, and handle the necessary repairs and maintenance of the engines, stabilizers, shields, and such. My team would slowly hand over operations to the crew. Kiera was dealing with the actual Academy grounds, buildings, kitchens, security, and such other needs.

Getting the Academy up and working was all far too much for one team to handle. Dee, Queen Matilde, and the Empress were handling the professors, administration, and Academy support staff. The Rhonel Empress was here with some of her family. She was sure to push marriage demands with Deirdre. We couldn’t open the Academy until she approved of it, that was certain to be her leverage. I don’t think it would work with Dee. She was going to open the Academy, even if she had to bypass the Empress to go it on her own.

Kiera and her team were still dealing with the crowd when it was time for the walk-through. So, she used the Royal guard to shut down the crowd, and moved her team to the Academy, along with the Academy kitchen workers. Meanwhile, I gathered with Dee and our guests. Every Royal family was also here in order to get the introductory walk-through tour

“Salutations dear guests, I am your guide today, Takanaka Aoi, the Chief Alchemist for Empress Deirdre. Takanaka is my family name. If you will all join me now on the Academy Omnibus the flight to or from the academy takes a little over two minutes. This omnibus, or carriage for all, is one of seven planned omnibuses for the academy. Two are always stationed at the Academy, and two are always stationed here. When one of the pair leaves either station, one from the other station also leaves, and thus exchange places.”

“Why use these omnibuses rather than teleportation circles?” Empress Badh Rhóxsané asked.

“Well, your Serene Highness, there are several reasons. First for the security of the students and staff of the Academy. We have emergency teleportation circles to exit the Academy and arrive at safe locations throughout the city. Another reason is that as a floating artifact the entire Academy is under constant drift. Any teleportation to the Academy would require adjustments at the moment of activation, so an individual doesn’t materialize partially inside something, like the ground. Further teleportation is rather expensive in regards to mana usage. Lastly, it assists the Academy in enforcing curfew during classes. Should a student attempt to sneak in or out of the Academy, they would need to use their own magic, and thus get caught by the monitoring system of the Academy. The emergency teleportation circles can be activated by any person on the grounds. But that activates an Academy-wide Emergency broadcast.”

“I see, thank you Duchess Aoi for such careful planning.” Rhóxsané said.

“Now, dear guests, this is the Academy Staff docking station. We will begin our walk-through in the Faculty Quad. What you see before you is a nice little forested glade, which takes inspiration from the Elven community to make sustainable housing. The core of this residential quad is the Faculty Residence Dormitory, reserved for Professors and visiting lecturers.”

“The Faculty Residence Dormitory is five magikally grown and interwoven Sallórn Trees. The dorm is indeed made out of the living Sallórn trees. Each apartment is a multistory home with one to five bedrooms, one or more baths, spa, kitchen, dining hall, parlor, library, office, and party-sized private veranda or balcony. The balconies, as you can see, are all offset in such a way as to not obstruct those below them. They all have magikal privacy screens, naturally. The dining hall and adjacent parlor are magikally reconfigurable into a reception hall for small to large parties. They come fully furnished, but are capable of being custom furnished, on request. Professors generally come from noble families, and are thus expectant of a certain standard of accommodation.”

“The Silver Holly and Sacred Hazel residences which are spread around the Quad are more modest housing dorms, but still very comfortable residences for the remainder of the Faculty staff. Since these are all living works of architecture, the facilities can be easily expanded by causing a growth in the desired tree and at the desired height. There are even apartments below ground for each of these individual facilities.”

“Calling the professors’ Faculty Residence a dormitory is a real stretch. Faculty Stacked Palaces is probably more appropriate,” whispered one of the guests.

“Now of course, some professors, and staff, will still probably opt to live within the confines of the city. There will be a dedicated staff omnibus service, and it will dock where we docked. That of course means passing through security on a daily basis.”

“This is truly an amazing accomplishment, Duchess Aoi!” said Kai Mac Badh, seventh son of Rhóxsané.

“Thank you my Lord.”

We then continued on with the tour taking over six hours. We ended the tour in the Main Dining Hall

“Now this is the Academy’s Main Dining Hall. What you see here is the configuration for special events. During normal classes this is configured in a large cafeteria setting for efficiency of the student body. There are also several independent eateries and stores on the campus itself, which were not covered by this walk-through. So, now we welcome you to the Grand Reception for the opening of the White Imperial Academy. The chefs and staff have arranged for a magnificent feast for you all. I do hope you will enjoy the food and this reception.”

“Lady Aoi, now that your walk-through is over, would you do me the honor to discuss some of your work and design for this Academy. I have so many questions. My name is Kai Mac Badh,” Kai said.

“Mac Badh? Then you are ...”

“Yes, I Empress Rhóxsané’s seventh son. I have enrolled in the Summer Academy. I’m also an Alchemist. My mother doesn’t approve, but I am an adult now, and can choose my own path. Though she makes it hard. Too many are afraid of angering her.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord. So what did you want to discuss first?” I said as I grabbed a glass of wine and a canapé.

Kai was fairly intelligent, and I could tell he had a passion for alchemy. We wandered around the hall and found ourselves on the balcony. We sat at a quiet table and talked. Then the main course was brought to us, and we continued to talk well into the evening.

“Well, it looks like we’ve chatted the entire Reception away. I must say goodnight. I have had a wonderful time discussing Alchemy with you. If you have time before returning to your home, come and visit my Atelier, and I’ll show you some of my projects, past and present.”

“I would dearly love that! But, I have one last request. Would you permit me to form a Hearth Chatelaine Bond with you?”

This copy was made without the author's approval; their official page carries the chapter they publish for readers.

“You want to form a Hearth Chatelaine Bond? You want to come and be with me, at my atelier?”

“More than anything, my Duchess!”

“Well, this is all very sudden, but you see sincere and qualified. I don’t mind at all. How is it done?”

“It’s a simple ceremony, my Duchess, Just repeat the words I say.”

“By the Hearth and by the Key, I tend thee needs.

What thou keeps, I keep; what thou owes, I owe.

The first flame is thine, the last flame mine.

Under one roof and one seal, let the whole stand.”

“By the Hearth and by the Key, I tend thee needs.

What thou keeps, I keep; what thou owes, I owe.

The first flame is thine, the last flame mine.

Under one roof and one seal, let the whole stand.”

“Now we need to share either a drop of mana on this contract. Since we spoke the bond, it’s customary to share mana through a kiss.”

“Oh. Oh! Oh, my! I’m married, though. Perhaps we can kiss cheeks, or each other’s hands.”

“Well. Yes. And cheeks are fine, for now,” Kai said, and kissed my hand as I kissed his.

Our hands lit up with a green magic rune circle and then they faded.

Then he shouted a cheer of joy, and hugged me.

“Thank you, My Duchess! You have made me the happiest man alive! I’ll go get all my possession and be back as soon as I can!” Kai said, and then kissed me on the lips before running off!

I would have to reprimand him when he came back with his things. That was totally inappropriate. I’m a married woman with a husband!

An influx of royal and noble students had enrolled in the Summer Classes which Dee and the rest of our company needed to make up for one of our missed semesters of our last year. We would all rank up to be full sorcerers once we finished in the fall semester.

The next day, Kiera began bringing in the new staff to care for the Islands. I began instructing the new operations crew. I ran into Kiera on my way to the cafeteria for lunch with a few of my apprentices.

“That’s odd,” Kiera said.

“What’s odd, Kiera?”

“That groundskeeper, just came out of the operations area. Academy staff shouldn’t be in the operations sections,” Kiera said pulling out her Academy tablet, and activating the Aegis Map.

“Groundsman, Hiro Mac Inmu. I will have to look into him in more detail. Aegis, Add security note, Groundsman Hiro Mac Inmu, found exiting restricted Operations area, Today.”

The map flashed, and an orange star appeared next to Hiro’s name.

“So is that Aegis Map proving useful, Kiera?” I asked.

“It’s really wonderful, Aoi. It’s just like a Plunderer’s Map. Thank you so much! You make all the best adult toys,” Kiera said.

“Hey! I do not. I told I’m not making any of those vulgar things!”

“He, he, he. You’re too easy to tease, Aoi.”

Ugh! She is so disgusting, sometimes! Just Ew! Now it’s going to be in my head!

“I still have to make that artificial fertility hot spring for Deirdre’s wedding ceremony. I still think it’s too crazy to try this. Given Dee’s luck with sex and mates. It’s just crazy to try drop one egg, get it fertilized by a new husband, and then drop a second egg and a different husband to fertilize it. Why doesn’t she put one off for four months, or nine months?”

“I know Dee is not listening to anyone again. She has to do Baldér, or it’ll mean war with Svalbad. Those Wild Women are battle maniacs. But the Queen of Prittoni is not wrong either. Dee promised her son would be next. Dragons never break a promise. The Red Queen and Ancient Mother would flip out, and probably the entire Dragon nation would bear down on us. So Aleric really does have to go first. Without fail. It’s a gigantic mess.”

We reached the cafeteria and went in to have lunch. Kanae’s group was there, but she wasn’t. Incoming professors and staff were there as well as operations people. We grabbed a couple of trays and loaded up. We sat down and discussed how things were going with other aspects of getting the Academy up. Everything was going smoothly so far, but I could tell Kiera was worried about something. She was on a very alert status. In fact, she’s been like that since she came back from her last mission, which she was keeping hush-hush. After about a half hour we finished up.

“Well, I have to go check on how things are going in the Security Office, So, I’ll see you -”

Just then a huge explosion came from the Magik Training Field Island. Then a flash of white light blasted to the shields and dissipated.

“Kanae! Gravitas! Wind boost! ” I exclaimed as I launched myself at the Magik Training Island.

“What the Hell was that, Aoi?” Kiera said as she caught up to me with her own flight spell.

“I don’t know, but that was Kanae’s Max Heal spell! I’d know it anywhere. Something really horrendous must have happened. I have a really bad feeling about this.”

“Did you notice the blue tinge on that spell?”

“She didn’t! She wouldn’t! Would she?”

“That would be so her. I didn’t know she’d mastered it. It’s best if we don’t say anything. Not many people would even know what a ‘Revive from the Dead’ spell looks like.”

“Don’t you ever read any of the legendary stories and mythology of this world? Everyone will know that spell. It’s the Hero’s special spell. If she uses that and anyone sees it, it’s all over! Everyone will demand she be named the Hero.”

“Oh shit! I hope no one noticed.”

“There! Kanae’s down there on the bridge. She’s carrying someone.”

We swung down together, and landed on the bridge.

“Kanae, what happened? Are you all right? What was that explosion? Was that your healing spell, and bonus?” I asked.

“I’m fine. This idiot fucking elf though is another matter. We need to get him to the hospital. I’ve stabilized him, but he needs a lot of healing.”

“Ok, but what the Hell happened?” Kiera said.

“This mega-moron was training with an unlocked Gegetaur, and hasn’t even taken the introduction to use the training fields and arenas. That explosion was a Gegetaur attack blast. Almost killed him and destroyed the field. I managed to block most of it, but he took a direct hit.”

“Why is there a Gegetaur in the battle golem catalog? That’s a Triple S level monster, and only Deirdre can beat one of those things. More disturbing is why the system would even think to let someone activate one, even more remote is how the Hell did he activate it?” Kiera said.

“I’m pretty sure if you check your security logs, you’ll see he hacked into the system and gave himself privilege.” Kanae said.

Kiera pulled out her Academy Tablet, and activated the Security Log,

“Tiberion Caisearvhán, First Prince of the Silmar, High Elves. Accessed security override with Queen Ælania’s access code.”

“Why does a ruler of another realm have security override access? Disable all override functions for foreign rulers. Install new security protocols, that any override must come from a proper delegate, which does not include students. Ever.” Kanae said.

We got the elf to the hospital, but he awoke briefly before that, and said to Kanae,

“You saved me. I owe you my life. I am Tiberion. What is your name?” Tiberion asked.

“I am Kanae,” Kanae said.

“What an unusual name for one as lovely as you, Lethar,” Tiberion said and passed out again.

“Fuck!” Kanae said.

“What?” I asked.

“He called me Lethar. We are oath-bound. I saved his life, and now he owes me a life-debt. He plans to marry me, and I can’t actually refuse without causing dishonor to him and to the House Caisearvhán, and thus the Elf Realm itself. You all need to help me find a way out of this,” Kanae said.

“Is that really a thing?” Kiera said.

“Oh it is definitely, really a thing. I need to tell Dee,” Kanae said.

Deirdre was supposed to be in Faculty Conference room helping to get the administration up and working. Our former Dorm Matron Fionna had been chosen as Headmistress of the Academy. Headmistress Corrine had come down to help organize and get the Academy up and running. When we arrived Dee wasn’t there.

“Empress Deirdre has gone to her nest to birth her children with Alexander over two hours ago,” Fionna said.

We jumped on my personal airship, CloudDancer, and flew to Dee’s nest, but we missed the birth. I had really wanted to watch, as Deirdre had opted to birth in dragonkin form. I had missed her birthing with her first dragonkin. The moment of birth was said to be truly magikal, as the dragonkin were born in a very humanoid manner, but rapidly absorb the surrounding mana and grow magikally in the first hours from infants to toddlers. We arrived to see Deirdre, and her nursemaids Tsuki and Sorcha were nursing Dee’s children who were glowing in a white aura, and if you watched them you could actually see them growing. They were all suckling, but they were also drawing mana from the nipples to which they were attached. It was really magikal to watch.

“Congratulations, Dee, your children are beautiful,” I said.

“Oh, thank you Aoi. Yes, they are beautiful. I am always captivated with newly born children. But you are here for more than congratulating me on my children’s birth. We have trouble at the Academy. I heard that explosion, and felt the shockwave. What has happened?”

“The First Prince, Tiberion, of the Elven Realm was battling with an unlocked Gegetaur. I saved him, and handled the situation. Now, Tiberion owes me a life-debt, and he plans to repay that debt by marrying me,” Kanae said.

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha!” Deirdre began laughing. When she got over it, she said, “Been a while since it’s happened to someone other than me. Well, congratulations Kanae. You’ve landed yourself a prime husband. Aoi, have you finished your artificial spa yet? Maybe we can test it out on Kanae first,” Dee said.

“Oh, Hell No! No fertility spa! No Bedding! No children! Not happening!” Kanae said.

“You are marrying the First Prince of the Elven Nation. Of course there is going to be a bedding and children.”

“Kanae is leaving out one minor point. I noticed she used a certain spell, other than healing. If anyone else noticed it, there might be other ramifications,” I said.

“You didn’t!? Did you?” Deirdre asked.

“I had to, there was no other choice,” Kanae said.

“Oh, great Goddess. The High Priestess and the Ard Fáigh are at the Academy. If either of them saw, we are in for a lot of trouble,” Deirdre said.

“You need to help me figure a way out this marriage!” Kanae said.

“Well, several nations have helped us stock up the Academy library. We might be able to find some kind of loophole among the law texts, but I highly doubt the Elves will let such a high profile marriage slip out of their grasp. I think you should just accept reality, and prepare yourself for another husband.”

So, after Deirdre was finished caring for her newly born children we all flew back to the Academy to hit the stacks. When we entered, we noticed a lot of incoming students were already making use of the library. One researcher looked up and saw us, and approached us. He got down on one knee and said,

“Duchess Aoi! I am Takumi Mac Seiko. I have heard you formed a bond with prince Kai. I have adored you and your work for years, would you even consider taking me as your Bonded Hearth Chatelaine, as well? It would mean the world to me!”

“Oh. Are you an alchemist then, and want to come and be with me at my atelier?” I asked.

“I am an alchemist. I want to be with you more than anything! It is my life’s quest!” Takumi said.

“Well, if you are that serious about it, I don’t see how I can refuse,” I said. Just then a gorgeous looking leopardkin came up, and knelt on one knee and said,

“No, my Duchess, let me form a Hearth Chatelaine Bond with you! I would be way more devoted to our bond than this noble! I could also support you better as an alchemist. I finished in the top three at the Academy. I am Kesh Mac Rhazhia,” Kesh said.

“Oh my! Two potential new bonds? Are you sure this is something you want?” I said.

“I’ve never been surer of anything!” Kesh said.

“With all my heart and soul!” Takumi said.

“Well, alright then. I see no reason to deny either of you. Shall we make the bond now? The library probably isn’t the place to do it,” I said.

“I have a study room, I’m using we can do it there!” Kesh said.

“Ok, sounds good, where is your room?” I said.

“Aoi? You’re going to form a Hearth Chatelaine Bond with these two men? Do you know them?” Deirdre asked.

“No, I don’t know either of them, but they have been accepted at the Academy. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“Did I also hear correctly that you formed a Bond with Rhóxsané’s son? Willingly?” Deirdre asked.

“Yes, last night at the Academy Reception Prince Kai asked me to form a bond with him, and we did it on the spot. I didn’t want to reject his passion,” I said.

“I see, his passion. How does Cathar feel about that?” Dee asked.

“Oh, I haven’t had time to discuss it with him yet,” I said.

“Don’t you think you should talk this out first? It’s a pretty big commitment,” Dee said.

“Oh, it’s fine. Come on Kesh and Takumi,” I said and Kesh grabbed my and almost dragged me to the study room. He was really stoked about being my apprentice. What a passionate alchemist!

“We should probably witness,” Dee said.

“What’s a Hearth Chatelaine Bond?” Kanae asked.

“It’s a lifetime, mana bonded marriage,” Dee said.

“Wait! What!” Kiera said.

“She’s taking on a harem!?” Kanae said.

“Apparently, I have questions, but she is moving so fast,” Dee said.

“… Under one roof and one seal, let the whole stand.” I finished as Dee, Kanae, and Kiera walked in.

I kissed Kesh’s hand, and then Takumi’s hand. They both looked at me funny, shrugged at each other and then Takumi kissed my hand, but Kesh pulled me in and kissed me on the lips! Our hands lit up like they had with Kai, but mine looked a slightly different. Mine included a numeral now, with the number three.

“Hey! You were supposed to kiss my hand! Not my lips! I’m married, you know!” I said.

“Yes, I know, thank you, my Duchess,” Kesh said.

“You can’t kiss me on my lips! Only my husband can do that!” I said.

Takumi, grabbed me and pulled me in and kissed me on the lips!

“Stop that! Both of you! Only my husband gets my lips!” I said.

“They are your husbands, Aoi,” Deirdre said.