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65 years before The Great War

Two lone figures walk across the sands of the Scorched Desert, the woman in front turns back to the other. "Assistant, do you know how far we are?" the robed figure pulls out a magic fueled compass, the pointer is waving from side to side. "We're close ma'am. Just a little further. Over that dune, possibly." The robed pair continue up the slope, and finally coming to the top see a small sandstone temple. "Finally!" The first says and heads forward, sliding down the other side of the sand dune. The second follows, dutifully staying by her companion's side. The pair walk up to the temple, the twin doors, maybe 10 feet high, are decorated with ancient golem runes. "Madam, over here." the second woman calls. The assistant has found a young woman, left tied to a column like a dog. The woman weakly looks up at the robed pair, her eyes have long lost their liveliness, her body is shrunken in and her lips are parched. The first woman pulls back her hood and kneels. "Assistant, water please." The still robed of the pair pulls back her hood and produces a small water pouch. "Here, madam." The knelt woman takes the pouch and faces the dark skinned woman. "Here.. Drink, slowly." The woman is too weak to try to take the pouch, but the small sips of water she gets are like a small glimpse of hope. "Can you break these chains, assistant?" "Of course, madam." The slave's eyesight slowly returns, she can see a half elf knelt before her, with sun-kissed skin and bright green eyes, with beautiful bronze hair. "Don't move too much, we're going to help you." The half-elf smiles down at the slave. The milk-chocolate colored woman weakly nods. The elf takes a moment, admiring the slave's lavender colored hair, and blinks.. "You're.. An elf..?" She pushes her hair away from her longer, pointy ears. "How did this happen to you?" There's a small bang as the assistant sets off a small magic explosion. The chains fall free, leaving 'madam' to gently work on removing the bindings. "We'll take you back with us, okay?" Another weak nod. "Madam. I'm sensing humans, coming this way. They feel hostile." "Can you remember this location if we warp back, assistant?" "Of course, madam" She moves to scoop up the weakened slave while her assistant creates a portal. "THERE THEY ARE! LETS GO!" a raider yells as their band tops the sand dune. "Madam president, through here." The half elf rushes through the bright portal, followed by her assistant. The portal snaps closed behind them.

In that instant, the slave woman whimpers. The air is moist, there's color all around her! "Welcome to the Magic Academy. Come on, I'll take you to rest." The assistant follows, shes a young human woman, light blonde hair and sharp hazel eyes. The week is a blur for the slave woman as shes nursed back to health by the academy's nurses. She comes to learn that she was saved by the academy's president, Rebecca. She lays there in bed until finally they allow her to move and eat solid food again. "You're very lucky miss, the president saved you just in time." The slave woman nods gently. "You're awake!" The woman that saved her comes into the room. "Look at you, you look much better! My name is Rebecca. Do you know your name?" The slave's head shakes solemnly.. "I see. Then how about.. Aela!" The slave's eyes fill with tears as she tilts her head. "A-Aela..?" "Yeah. It sounds nice." The slave.. No, Aela gently grabs the president's skirt and bows.. "Thank you.." Her voice is weak and broken. "I swear.. Rebecca.. I am yours, forever.." "Hey, no.. You're nobody's. But listen, Aela." Rebecca smiles. "Would you like to try teaching?"

When the next autumn comes Aela is allowed to teach a class of her own after having spent the summer assisting the water magic teacher. Aela is somewhat happy to be allowed to teach, even if she's teaching history rather than a magic course. During the summer the president was able to recover the artifacts she was after in the golem desert, and Aela's first class includes these rare artifacts. The young elf quickly starts to come out of her shell, enjoying teaching her students, as well as growing closer to Rebecca. She has tea with the president and her assistant often, though when not teaching she still withdraws back into her shell somewhat.

The president's Assistant, the human mage always looks so regal. The assistant is a very powerful fire mage. Despite this, she doesn't teach. Aela eventually learns that this is because the assistant doesn't believe in using fire magic. She was born with the aptitude, but she understands how dangerous it is. Rebecca herself is always looking her best. Shes bright and cheerful. Being a half-elf she has her natural beauty, but she can't use a lot of magic. Rebecca makes up for this by being skilled in combat, she trains daily in secret with an array of arms, and trying to train her weak magic skills to overcome her racial disability.

Over time, Rebecca's assistant grows older. Rebecca and Aela don't age, due to their elven lineage. Rebecca is left quiet, sitting beside her elderly assistant. "I'm sorry I can't send you off better than this.. You deserve so much more.." The old woman smiles, squeezing Rebecca's hand. "I couldn't ask for better. For a woman with no life, you've given me anything I could have ever wanted. Take care of that young lady. She'll make a fine assistant." Rebecca nods with tear filled eyes. The reality sinking in for her, the one human she ever loved is leaving her. After a long while Rebecca exits the room, head low. Aela pulls out her handkerchief for her. "Th-Thank you Aela." Rebecca wipes her eyes.. She chokes on the words for a moment.. "We should go.. A-.. Assistant.." She nearly breaks down saying it, but following the human's wishes, she has to move on. Aela quietly bows her head and follows Rebecca.

Almost a year after Aela joined Rebecca's side as her assistant, disaster strikes. Rebecca is on the uppermost level, looking out toward the human and elf kingdom's border. Aela watches on as the war between the two begins in full force far in the distance.. "A-Assistant! Send word to the golem and dragon kingdoms at once! Inform them of this and send the signal to the dwarves! The other continental races should be prepared for this." Truth be told, Rebecca has always been terrified of this happening. The Magic Academy is old, the halls are strong but aged. If all of that magic and siege warfare hit her gates the academy could very well fall.

However, Rebecca's gift for predictions burns her. A human town near the border evacuated to the academy seeking aid. Despite Rebecca refusing to open the outer gates the elves laid seige to the outer wall. The order was given to evacuate the students to a portal to the dragon kingdom. The academy's long alliance with their people would ensure the students' safety. 28 of the oldest, and most powerful students stayed behind, returning fire using artillery magic and using barriers to help hold the academy's walls, valiantly risking their lives to help their younger peers escape.

"Assistant! Over here!" Rebecca calls out, the pair dig a professor out of a pile of rubble and rush the injured man back to the academy. The outer walls of the aged academy hold throughout the night. Rebecca is at the front gate, damaged and barely holding. She can only feel regret for leaving people to die like she did. However all of her students made it out safely. "R-Rebecca.." Aela looks distraught as she leads Rebecca back. The president nearly retches when she sees why.. Not all of her students escaped.. She falls to her knees, overcome with emotion as 17 covered bodies lay in front of her. 17 of the 28 that stayed behind. The survivors bow their heads, none of them can fault Rebecca as she hits the ground wailing. She failed them..

Before she even has time to finish crying a amplification spell carries a male elven voice over the land. "To the headmaster of the magic academy. Hand over any and all humans you may be harboring. We know several slipped in. Hand them over now." Rebecca trembles, the few students and teachers left are injured, bleeding, broken.. Even shes been burned and bruised during the night. "No more.." she chokes out.. "NO MORE!" She spins to scream, even though that can't hear her. "HAVEN'T YOU KILLED ENOUGH OF MY STUDENTS?!" With no reply, one of the siege machines in the distance unleashes its payload. Rebecca tightens her jaw.

There is a loud rumble as a giant golem steps into view. The giant earth and moss creature swings its arm and slaps the bounder from the sky. In just the nick of time golems from their kingdom bear down on the academy to defend their ally. Larger and smaller golems, made up of many different elements stand ready to fight. The elves stand ready to fight until the roars from above change their mind. The normally passive dragons have sent their own, flying overhead threateningly. The elven commander stares up at the sky, unable to believe that the most passive races are defending the academy from them.

For months the academy is held, neither the humans or elves are prepared for the bloodshed that would come from a war with either beastial kingdom, and elect to continue their squabble away from the academy.

Several nights pass, before the students return to their damaged academy, and realize the pain endured. 17 wrapped bodies lay atop a funeral pyre. Leaving Rebecca to send them off. "Forgive me, students, professors.. I.. Never thought I would have to do this.. All I can say is.. Thank you. To all of you who fought so bravely to defend these halls." She turns to the pyre. "And especially to you, who gave everything to protect what we stand for.. I hope this fire burns hot enough to lift you high, so you can continue to watch over the lives you protected." She backs away, visibly upset as Aela steps up, she hesitates, closing her eyes, trying to bury the pain of having to do this to students she taught only days ago. And snaps her fingers. A flame sparks to life inside the pyre as she steps away. Rebecca lowers her head, clutching her skirt tightly, teeth gritted.

The war carried on for only 2 more years. Smaller skirmishes, but no more large scale battles.

"Madam President." Aela gently whispers. Rebecca opens her eyes, her hands clasped in front of her mouth like shes about to tell a teenager to get in the robot. Shes staring down toward her desk. In front of her, an elf, and a human. Each have 2 guards with them. Rebecca lowers her hands. "Forgive me. Your request simply forced me to relive a very terrible memory." The images of those 17 bodies haunt her still.. "Madam president. It's been 13 years since the war ended. This silly act of yours needs to end." "I told you, General Eilfir. 17 years. Your war took the lives of 17 students that came here to learn. And I will continue to withhold all support from your kingdoms, and I will continue to request the archmages withhold mana from your lands." "You should not have that power!" General Graves of the humans stands, offended! Aela steps in but without even looking she stops short when Rebecca raises her hand. The human's guards only then draw their swords. "I wouldn't make aggressive moves. My assistant has sworn to protect me, general. And she is very good at it. Until I feel your people can be trusted with mana, and magic again, I will maintain my position. However I will discuss your concern with the archmages." There's a silent moment. "What of the trade deals we've requested?" The elven general asks. "Hm?" Rebecca sips her tea as her assistant moves a paper in front of her. "Thank you." She picks up the page. "I admit, this 'paper' the dwarves make is so fascinating. This magitech they've become so fond of is simply fabulous." She looks over the inked page. "Did you know the academy now has 'running water' the dwarves call it? We can have water pumped to the dorms, to classrooms, we have lights that run off of magic!" She boasts a little. Aela stands, eyes closed. She isn't happy to hear Rebecca boast to them. But she knows the president's pain, She's had a distinct hatred for both races since the war. Rebecca never lashes out at students, but when an elf or human noble come to the school to grovel she sucks it up, though she pretends to be sincere at least a little. Sometimes.

"So, you want a surplus of dragon scales, dragon horns, golem shavings... Werewolf fur? ...Why would I give you.. You want mermaid scales? What kind of relationships do you think I have?" Aela can't hep but think. She just accepted a delivery of shed mermaid scales last week.. "Listen, you're just going to have to make your own deals with the dragons, mermaids, golems, and other races. Our stockpile is not your stockpile." Aela leans in and whispers to Rebecca. "mmhmm.. mhm.. Well, I suppose if you think that's best. Very well, I'll give you a small amount of your requested goods. To both of you, however we will be taking our usual fee. We do have a grand surplus this season. Eh, however the dragon eggshells.. You're on your own." the human stands! "Outrageous. You expect us to pay the usual amount for a mere portion of what we've requested?! We will find our own way to source the materials." Rebecca smirks. "Good luck, general." The human trio leaves as the elven general stands. "I do admit. These meetings always intrigue me. A full blooded dark elf serving a half-breed always amuses me." "You're lucky she does serve me. Otherwise she'd have probably scorched you to ash for that comment. Aela hates rude people, don't let the door hit you on the way out. And do be nicer next time you come begging for favors." The elf huffs as he turns to leave with his guards. Once the door closes Rebecca sighs. "I do appreciate the restraint, Aela." She nods to Rebecca as the half elf wiggles her finger. "Come~" She teases. Aela leans down and Rebecca gives her a soft kiss on the lips. "That's for not hurting them.." "mm.. I wonder what I would get if I made sure they never bothered you again~"

Rebecca and Aela roam the halls. Its autumn, time for a new school year to begin. Much of the academy was renovated after the war to include magitech to help bring some convenience to the aged structure. The original architecture was preserved by the golems that worked the stone, and the dwarves were very careful when putting in their pipes and wires. The dragons ensured that every tapestry was made to their exact original, but woven from fine dragon threads to resist fire. Rebecca walks out, seeing new students coming up, looking on amazed. The golem kingdom's builders fashioned statues of the 28 students that remained. Honoring them for their bravery. Rebecca inhales deeply. The fresh air of the academy is amazingly rich with the smells of flowers and trees. Rebecca is just about to speak when.. "DON'T MESS WITH MY FRIEND!" There's the sound of combat..! Aela goes to run in but Rebecca holds a hand up. "Calmly. With poise, Aela." She winks over and walks over that way. "How much harm could they possibly do before we walk across the courtyard?"

The school year is starting off interestingly already!