Follow Mortis the Undying

The rest of the ceremony goes by without you taking much notice. The thought of your dark talent preoccupying your mind to such an extent that the rest of the students getting tested was just background noise for you. Perhaps not the best idea, as any of them could be powerful opponents... except, you didn't really think like that. They were supposed to be your allies, not your enemies, so why were you so concerned that somebody else may be strong as well?

Thankfully, you weren't so caught up in your thoughts that you'd miss the closing portion of the ceremony... well, all of it. There were some words about how, regardless of the talent your possessed or the power you had, all of you were expected to forge yourselves through the trials of the academy and become magic users devoted to the Tyrant King and his Eternal Empire.

What you did catch upon was her naming a number of the Academy's scholars, those that would guide you through your time here and bestow upon you the skills that will make you feared by the Alliance and its ilk. Given it was given in not quite as simplified words, glorifying the students, the Tyrant King, and the Eternal Empire as a whole more, while showing no fondness for the Alliance.

Of the instructors, the one that stood out to you the most was the one you had been told to follow, Mortis the Undying. While the list of instructors seemed to be filled with a variety of species, each more horrifying than the last, Mortis was a step above. While he didn't tower over others or seem to have a permanent snarl that indicated he'd bite off the head of whomsoever got in his way, he was still a horror to look upon.

What had once been a human man, of average height and slender build, now only stood a gaunt figure, his body little more than bone wrapped up in an unnaturally pale skin that clung tight to him. Given he had covered his form in black robes, it was easy to see from his skeletal hands and hollow, hairless head. He was missing his left eye while his right eye was a milky white through and through, which seemed to roll in the socket whenever he focused on something else. The man reeked of decay, yet didn't seem to be doing so himself. Between his title and profession in Necromancy, there was no doubt he was likely well beyond expiration, yet still standing, which is what truly made him terrifying.

When the assembly finally seemed to split into the groups that would be learning together during their stay at the Academy, only a small number made their way over to meet with Mortis.

"Good evening, my lucky little protege." Mortis greeted, his bony fingers coming together before him, forming a triangle as he gave a sickening smirk, the skin of his face pulled taut over his skull. "I must say, I am usually disappointed by how small a crop I have to work with, and while this group seems to be no exception, I must admit how pleased I am with such gifted and diverse prospects to work with." the undying, if truly unliving, man stated, starting to turn on his heel and lead them with but a twitch of his crooked finger.

Your eyes shifted about the group at his declaration, trying to get a better understanding of what he meant. The group simply reminded you of the overall assembly, races and cultures more diverse than your puny little town was ever used to seeing, but really grasping what made them so great wasn't for your undignified eyes to determine.

As though reading your mind, the man declared "I see those with relations to the Council of Spirits, surely inheriting their lineage's great talent for Necromancy, while I see shamans from the less... civilized, but equally remarkable tribes our Eternal Empire has made their own, such as the Bonesmiths. I've even taken notice of those with... less remarkable origins, yet a well displayed potential for power." The last comment earned a few glances from your 'peers' at you, making your skin crawl.

"However, don't let the pretty words of myself or Lady Morgana fool you. Whatever power you may hold, whatever heritage you have to back you up, it means absolutely nothing if you don't make use of it properly." Mortis continued, a venom in his voice that drew all attention back to him. "Necromancy is a rare gift and a hard one to master. If you believe you've already got your head above the rest, you may very well become one of the subjects we use for practice. Take your lessons to heart, be they your own or whomsoever you happen to be raising from the dead."

The rest of your group's walk went in silence as each one of them seemed to let what may have been the first lesson learned sink in. You hadn't had the time to evaluate how... arrogant or prideful any of your group could have been, but the words spoken indicated many of them had reason to see themselves as being greater than others. Mortis' words, which did not seem to go unheeded by any of them, seemed to humble them. You on the other hand, knew you were not much from the start, and the words only reinforced that while you had a staggering amount of mana, you weren't anything until you learned what to do with it.

Eventually, your walk ended in front of what seemed to be a monumental chapel amidst a graveyard by the foot of the volcano, further off from the rest of the campus. It was fitting of course, but no less worrying on appearance alone.

Turning his attention back to you, Morits spoke. "This is chapel is my home, the Sanctuary of Unrest. A temple and testament to those that refuse to lay dormant in their graves. Until you prove yourselves masters of our fine art, it shall be your home for the time being... or perhaps permanently, if you fail to prove yourselves." Mortis said with a dark chuckle. "Now, we are not used to having many students, be it by lack of a gift for the art or failures that we will inevitably accrue. As such, until the numbers have been thinned, you will be required to room with one of your fellows here."

There was a quick murmur of dissent, many having issues with it for one reason or another, but were quickly silenced by a raised hand from their pale instructor. "Let me remind you that in the Eternal Empire, you will be working along each other and others. Race, gender, belief, so on. If you can't learn to ignore these and move on, then you may as well walk to the Alliance right now, cause we have no need for those that cannot see the greater vision and make sacrifices for it. However, I will give you the good fortune of choosing your roommate. Do so now, then we will shall provide you a respite for the rest of the day."

There was a sudden flurry of motion as those present sought to find a fitting partner for their rooms, either knowing those they agreed with or those they did not wish to be stuck with. You were quickly left with the sinking feeling you'd be left with the most disliked of them all... if that distinction didn't already belong to you.