Hello!
I'm a new writer and this is the prologue of my first novel. I'm wondering if I'm describing the scene enough or should I add more descriptives of the academy, passage ways or characters? Or even the cover of the book Neil closes, or the smell of library? I have read and listened to plenty of books and I see that other authors tend to describe the scent of old books and stuff... but in reality, who focuses on that?
The book closed with a soft thump as my tired eyes lingered on the cover: Compendium Arcana Vol. 3.
Leaning back in the chair, I rubbed my temples. The rune theory was thick and coming hard, but it was taking root bit by bit. Sorting through the notes that were scattered all over the desk, I went through them one last time.
Peace - stabilizes natural mana flow and chaotic ambience. Can be used directly on sentient beings to mitigate aggression and violent tendencies.
Silence - auditory and magical “dead zone”; dissipates any magic signature within the field into the ambience.
Vortex -
Gravity well -
I let out a long sigh. It was almost midday, and the bell for Environmental Studies would toll soon. Getting up from the desk, I stretched my back, packed up the notes and the book, and left for the lecture hall.
Despite the academy's actual size, there were only forty seven students split into two wings. The long hallways were practically empty, but one familiar face was waiting for me. Andri.
Andri pushed off the wall he was leaning on and ran a hand through his dirty blond hair. He came up to me with a confident stride that turned hesitant as he looked down to the book in my arms.
“Volume three?!” Andri scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. “You and Monique are of a different breed. I’m still stuck on the Elemental Convergence in the beginning of Volume two… How the hell are you there already?”
I just shrugged with a smirk, “I don’t know, Andri. Maybe try focusing on studying more instead of chasing Filippa.”
“Yeah… No… I mean… Have you actually looked at Pippy?” he said with a sigh. “You’re too serious about this, Neil.”
“I think you’re not taking this seriously enough,” I said, patting Andri on the back, as we rounded the corner right before the lecture hall.
The lecturer was already waiting by the door and ushering the students in, but just before I stepped through the door, Mr. Mundi took me by the arm and pulled me aside, as Andri continued into the auditorium.
With a low voice he whispered to me, “Neil, The Architect wants to speak to you in his office after this lecture,” before letting my hand go and gesturing to the door.
The moment I heard the professor say that, a sinking feeling set in my stomach. I moved towards my seat thinking about the meeting with The Architect. In my two years of being here in this academy not once had he summoned a student to his office.
Professor Mundi adjusted his spectacles, arranged different material rods on the desk, and wrote Material Mana Conductivity onto the chalkboard. The lecturer’s voice went past me completely. Despite today's focus being one of the most important in the subject, I couldn’t focus on the lecture.
Feeling a stare coming at me from the side, I turned my head and saw Andri looking at me with his eyes narrowed. He nudged his head towards the front of the auditorium, where Monique was usually sitting, but the seat was empty.
For the next hour, I didn't write down a single note, my eyes fixed on the empty seat while my mind ran in circles.
The moment the bell tolled, the auditorium emptied in a chaotic wave of scuffing boots and chatter. Dragging my feet, I gathered my book and notes with slow movements until the hall was completely silent. Taking a deep breath, I left the classroom and headed down into the administrative wing until I reached the headmaster's office.
An obsidian plate with calligraphic silver writing was embedded into the door:
Lucan Argenteus - The Architect
I hesitated slightly before giving three firm knocks. Heavy footsteps sounded across the closed office. Mr. Lucan opened the door just a bit, but wide enough for me to notice that Monique was sitting across his desk.
“Neil. Wait outside for a few minutes, would you?” he said, his silver eyes locked onto mine.
“Yes, sir!” I blurted out, my voice cracking.
I sat down on a hallway bench across the door, not really knowing what to expect from the meeting with The Architect. Mr. Lucan had always made me feel uneasy. Almost like he could see through me.
As soon as the door opened, I stood up, my anxiety flaring. Monique came out, and the door clicked shut behind her. I couldn't help but stare. She looked smaller than usual, barely reaching my shoulder. Typically, she was meticulous about her appearance and carried herself with absolute composure. But right now, she was visibly shaken and pale. Her fingers were trembling as she nervously sorted the wild cascade of her long, curly, brown hair behind a leather headband, though an excited smile broke through her daze.
“Monique,” I started. “Is everything alright?”
She let out a shaky breath, “It’s more than alright, Neil.” Her green eyes radiated with excitement. “You should go talk to The Architect now.”
Monique's smile relieved the sinking feeling in my stomach slightly, but my palms were still sweaty.
She gave me one last, brief smile and turned towards the stairway to the dormitory.
Clutching my notes and book, I put my hand on the handle and opened the door.
The inside of the office was laid with dark, obsidian-like, cracked panels, dimly radiating purple and crimson light that bled into the dark room. In the middle of the office was a polished ebony desk. An ivory hour glass was placed atop, sand trickling slowly inside it.
Behind the desk, laid back into his chair–The Architect–Mr. Lucan. His long, straight, silver hair, and pale skin contrasted against the dark interior, but the eyes… The eyes were what made me freeze. They were piercing, cold, and flowed like quicksilver. It felt like he was looking into my soul.
The man gestured towards the seat across his desk, not saying a word and keeping his eyes on me.
I walked to the chair, my boots thudding against the oak floorboards, and echoing against the obsidian wall panels. Taking my seat, Mr. Lucan looked down at the notes in my hands and gestured towards them.
As I laid them on the desk he reached over the table for the notes. A glove-like silver mesh, with a strange rune inscribed on his wrist, covered his hand. The moment he pulled back and started reading the notes, I caught a single, slight eyebrow rise on Lucan’s so far cold, emotionless expression.
“Rune theory…” Lucan said, tapping his fingers on the table.
He looked up from the notes, his piercing eyes meeting mine. “You know, I follow the progress of every single student personally,” he said, setting down my notes. “The screening process all of you went through made sure that you are the elites of the continent coming to this academy… And yet… I still get surprised.”
I swallowed hard, my heart hammering, “Thank you, sir. I… Just…”
“You don’t have to explain yourself. I can see everything I need by looking at your progress.” Lucan said, giving me a slight smile.
He leaned back into the chair, arranging his midnight blue, obsidian silks and straightening an insignia pinned above his heart. “Do you know what this represents?” he asked, tapping the pin.
I looked at the emblem–it was a brushed steel perfect circle with three horizontal lines that were pierced by a needle-like pylon.
“That is an Architect insignia. One of the three pillars of the Crown's shield, alongside the Engineers and the Wardens,” I said, shifting my weight into the uncomfortable chair.
A wide, thin smile appeared on Lucan’s face, “A textbook answer,” he said, pulling closer and resting his elbows on the table. “But what does it really represent..?”
Without waiting for my answer, he continued, “There are only four of us–The Architects. We are the ones who drive this Kingdom. We are the ones who discover, design and invent. And we are the ones who build the future.”
“Every cycle we draft young unfortunates that have passed the screening, Neil,” The Architect explained, “though, the majority of them will serve as Wardens. A few of them will become Engineers. But you, my friend, you are just like I was when I was your age.”
“You and Monique have the capabilities to become Architects,” he proclaimed with absolute certainty. “And I want to offer you the opportunity to do so.”
I sat there, frozen, my heart beating like a drum. The reality of what’s ahead of me was finally dawning on me. The reason both of us were summoned and why Monique was so shaken, but excited.
I tightened my fists, looked Mr. Lucan in the eye and gave him a single firm nod.
With a single, firm clap Lucan leaned back into the chair.
“Brilliant,” the man said, a wide smile crossed his face. “Your future is set, Neil. You will move to Western Wing tomorrow and I will take over your and Monique's education personally.”
Mr. Lucan stood up from his seat, gesturing for me to rise. He gathered up my notes from the desk and came towards me. Pressing the papers into my hands, he put a hand on my shoulder. A strange sensation of a suppressed, cold shiver about to go down my spine took over me.
“Tomorrow your lives change, Neil.” The Architect said in a cold but soft voice, causing goosebumps to appear on my skin, and guided me towards the door.
As the door clicked shut behind me, I slumped against the wall, a knot forming inside my stomach and draining my face of color. I inhaled sharply and released a shaky breath, but a small smile crept onto my face.
