《The Counterfeit Mage》


 Chapter 1: Evander鈥檚 First Day (updated)

    <h2>Prologue</h2>


    Evander gawked at the floating chunk of glowing metal as it warped and folded under the crushing power of his father¡¯s will. Glowing threads of red and blue shot from His father¡¯s body and encircled the metallic lump. A radiant gem hung from his father¡¯s neck, drinking up the vortex of silver threads that swirled around him. As its radiance intensified the red and blue threads grew thicker and more abundant.


    Evander trembled as he reached out to touch the vortex of silver surrounding his father. The swirling light was mesmerising. He could feel his pulse throbbing in his arm as he touched a swirling thread. It felt light and soft, like a fluid that wasn¡¯t wet. It had substance to it as it pushed through his finders, like a feather running against his skin. As the vortex of mana passed between his fingers it left a tingling sensation.


    The metal before his father flowed like clay as it flattened and folded, then flatten again in repetition. When the forging was done, a massive, single-edged sword rested in the air before him, suspended by threads of blue light.


    His father sharpened and polished the blade in the same way he had forged it, using his magical threads of light. They swirled as they moved, eventually taking form around the blade. Evander could hear the scraping as they went from dull to shimmering. Finally, Evander saw the magical threads tracing out something on the blade. Beautiful and intricate engravings took form down the shaft of the blade.


    Determined to copy his father, he had grabbed a lump of metal and began crushing with his hands, only to fail in the most unspectacular of ways. How could his father do such things, things that seemed impossible? He hadn¡¯t even touched the metal, and yet it flowed as if shaped by ethereal hands with inhuman strength. His father was a god, and he, a mere ant trembling at the power he wielded.


    His father handed him the completed sword shaft, still warm to the touch.


    ¡°One day, son, I hope you can join me in my craft. But no matter what magic you get when you are older, hard work and determination will see you through¡±


    At that moment, something clicked. He would become like his father? The vortex of energy, the shining stone, and the ribbons of coloured light, would someday be his?


    Nothing in all his years could compare to the fearsome power he had witnessed. And with the promise of his own godlike power, Evander decided to prepare himself. He would learn all magic that was knowable, and master all he was given. There would be no obstacle too great, no king nor god too mighty. When he finally received his magic powers, nothing would stop him from becoming the greatest mage that ever was.


    <h2>Chapter 1: Evander¡¯s First Day</h2>


    Magic is not a just thing, it''s the only thing that matters and the only thing worth doing. With it you are like a god; without it you¡¯re nothing. Unfortunately people tend to only appreciate something when it¡¯s gone.


    - Evander Emberheart


    Today was the day Evander would become a mage. To say he was looking forward to it would be a gross understatement. Every morning for the last ten years, he awoke with the promise of magic on his mind. Every night he was comforted, knowing sleep would bring him one day closer to his dream. Of course, it was only technically today because he had failed so terribly at getting to sleep that it was now after midnight. To his great frustration, his mind would not behave.


    As he laid in bed, his mind raced with visions of magic, making such tasks effectively impossible. Evander was one good night¡¯s sleep away from the best day of his life. But therein laid the problem. He was too excited to sleep.


    He tried to still his thoughts, which worked for a while, but eventually remembered why he was trying to sleep. When this happened, his mind flooded with exciting memories of magic, which were certainly enjoyable if experienced at any other time. However, this was not such a time. One memory in particular kept coming up: the memory of his father¡¯s workshop.


    This memory was all too familiar, as he spent most nights recalling it at least once. On most nights, the memory comforted him as he drifted to sleep, comforting him with the knowledge that one day he would be a great mage like his father. For obvious reasons, tonight¡¯s recollection gave rise to more active emotions, ones not conducive to sleep. He needed to change tactics.


    Reluctantly sliding the covers off of his cosy feet, he sat up and pressed the starter on the orb lamp atop his bedside table. The flickering of a warm orange light illuminated his rather comfortable living space. His feet slid over his soft, warm sheets and onto the cold polished wooden floorboards of his room. After sliding on a pair of warm slippers, he looked around his room trying to think of ways to tire himself out.


    Glancing over at the running platform nestled in the space at the end of his bed, he recalled how his father bought it for him after weeks of pleading. Having learned that physical exercise made for powerful mages, it was only natural to want one. Perhaps he could run for an hour and then try again to sleep. He quickly dismissed the idea as foolish, as it was late and the machine was rather noisy. He needed a quieter solution.


    Slowly, he made his way to the closet on the other side of the room. The first thing he needed to do was change into something warmer. As he slipped the warm robe over his shoulders, the warm and cosy feeling from his bed quickly returned. The next task: figure out how to settle his racing mind.


    He glanced at his sturdy, wooden desk, which was spaciously designed with plenty of drawers and compartments for storing his many notebooks and academy texts. After pondering for a moment, he made his decision. If he studied his notes for a while, he might tire himself enough to fall asleep.


    After hanging the lamp on the wall near his desk, he sat down and began to study. His desktop was large, made from dark, polished wood. A quill pen lay to his right, his preferred writing implement. Notebooks bound in leather with fancy leather buckles were neatly stacked in two piles on his left. Reaching to his left, he pulled the notebook from the top of the nearest stack and placed it in front of him. He fondly ran his fingers over the smooth leather surface as he read the hand written title on the front:


    ¡®Third Year Kinetic Magic. Book 1: Levitation and Flight¡¯


    After unbuckling the leather strap holding the book closed, he opened the book to the first page and began reading.


    ¡ª ¡ª


    Evander heard a knock at his door.


    ¡°Get up, son. Today¡¯s the day¡±


    A groggy and disoriented Evander opened his eyes, only to be greeted with a close up view of letters on a page. As his mind cleared he realised he was face down on his desk. As he lifted his head he made a mental note that notebooks made for poor pillows. Lifting his head, he closed the book and viewed the title:


    ¡®Third Year Fire Magic. Book 3: Hot, cold, and the flow of heat¡¯


    As he stood up, he tried to recall what possessed him to use his desk as a sleeping place, especially given his exceptionally comfortable bed several feet away.


    An electric sensation shot through his limbs, and the deep tiredness he felt moments ago washed away as though it was never there. Heart racing, he bounded down the stairs and towards the kitchen where he could hear the distant sound of laughter and cheerful voices of his parents.


    As he approached the kitchen, he could smell the savoury aroma of butter sizzling over freshly baked batter. Rounding the corner, he entered the kitchen where he saw his mother Emilia and father Eric were sitting at the dining table. Syrup, cream, and fresh fruit were placed at the dining table, along with a side of freshly brewed coffee.


    His father sat at the table, silver light swirling around him while pancakes floated in the air above the table. They were slowly transforming from flat lumps of batter into fluffy, steaming disks. Evander watched as a lump of butter joined the cooking batter at the centre of the table and melted around it. The now finished pancake fell just as his mother held out a plate, landing with a bounce.


    His parents greeted him as he stepped into the kitchen.


    ¡°Morning Evi,¡± said his mother, ¡°Coffee? You look like you could use it¡±


    Evander nodded sluggishly, as he blinked away the gunk in his eyes. Remembering how tired he was made him groan.


    ¡°Don¡¯t remind me, it was practically sunrise by the time I got to sleep. Actually, I think it was less ¡®drifting to sleep¡¯ and more ¡®passing out from exhaustion¡¯.¡±


    His mother turned to face his father.


    ¡°Oh, that sounds bad. How ever will you get through the day?¡±


    Evander paused for a moment as he stared at his mother in confusion.


    ¡°As long as I stay excited I¡¯ll probably make it, but once I get my stone and find out what my affinities are, I think I might just pass out¡±


    Evander''s father returned her glance. A moment later, he pulled a single gold coin from a coin pouch and levitated it to his mother.


    ¡°I guess you were right. Good thing you bought that glorified coffee potion¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an elixir of wakefulness! And it¡¯s far more than a glorified coffee potion¡±


    His mother retrieved a small box from the bench and presented it to Evander. It was small and ornate, made from dark polished wood, and about the size of his hand.The lid was glass with a wooden frame half an inch around the perimeter.


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    Inside, Evander could see a silk lined depression hugging a vial of green liquid with a narrow neck and a bulbous base. On the lid of the box, small golden lettering read: ¡°Alvin Austin¡± in fancy calligraphy. Directly below, in simple print, it read: ¡°Alertness Elixir¡±. Etched on the bulbous face of the vial, there was identical lettering.


    His mother smiled.


    ¡°This will make sure you feel well rested throughout the whole day, regardless of the sleep you got the night before¡±


    Evander took the small ornate box and ran his fingers down the side, feeling the smooth surface of the varnished and glazed wood. He eyed the golden latch fastening the lid to the base, then moved his hand to open it. As he opened the box he could feel the sturdiness of its two small hinges. Amazingly, they too appeared to be golden, despite not being visible from the exterior.


    Evander removed the vial from its snug depression and ran his thumb over the etching as he eyed the stopper. The stopper appeared to be made from specially moulded rubber, rather than carved from cork. He estimated the value of the silk-lined box and etched vial, then shuddered at the thought of what the liquid inside cost.


    ¡°This must have cost a fortune. The box alone looks like it-¡±


    ¡°Uh, uh, uh. Drink up and don¡¯t think about the cost. Your father and I make plenty of money from talentless nobles who have no choice but to partake of our exceptional, and discrete, services. But don¡¯t tell anyone I said that¡±


    Evander raised an eyebrow. Then his mother continued.


    ¡°The point is, we can afford to splurge¡±


    Eric placed his hand on Evander''s shoulder.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been looking forward to this for far too long to be passing out from exhaustion half way through. This is simply us making sure the best say of your life isn¡¯t spoiled by anything avoidable¡±


    Tears began forming in the corner of Evander''s eyes as he put down the vial and embraced his parents in a hug.


    ¡°You two are the best parents anyone could ever ask for¡±


    They returned his embrace and lingered in a hug for several seconds before Evander stepped back. He turned to the green vial, pulled the stopper, and raised it to his lips.


    ¡°Here goes nothing¡±


    As the liquid rushed down, all he could taste was the bite of alcohol, which he found strange. He had expected it to taste minty, or earthy. However, as the last drop entered his mouth, the sensation changed. It was hard to describe but he began to taste¡­what curling up in a warm bed felt like. He quickly experienced the enveloping sensation of drifting off to sleep, followed by the escalating clarity of waking up refreshed from a good night¡¯s rest.


    The feelings came and went in an instant, but it felt like the moment lingered much longer than was possible. After blinking a few times, he turned to his parents, who were watching him expectantly.


    ¡°How was it?¡±, asked his mother


    ¡°This is going to sound crazy, but it tasted like a warm pillow and a good night¡¯s sleep. How long have I been standing here?¡±


    ¡°Only a moment¡±, replied his father, ¡°wild ride am I right?¡±


    ¡°Words cannot describe how wild that was. I¡¯ve read about this but experiencing it is entirely something else¡±


    As Evander moved his head he realised his daze was completely gone. He felt alert and conscious of everything around him. It was like a massive weight had been lifted off of his mind.


    ¡°I feel great, better than great. I feel fantastic. I feel like I could stay up forever¡±


    ¡°Careful there¡±, interjected his mother, ¡°These elixirs are powerful but they come at a cost. They bring your mind to full restedness, but the more sleep they compensate for, the harder you will crash when the elixir wears off in about sixteen hours.¡±


    She turned to the clock on the wall, which showed 8:00am


    ¡°Which would be around 10:00pm; just as you are turning in for the night at your dorm¡±


    ¡°Sounds like I should make sure im lying in bed before then¡±


    ¡°Perhaps a little earlier just to be safe. Now enough of that, go on and try your father¡¯s new magic pancakes¡±


    Evander sat down at the table and watched as another freshly magicked pancake fell onto his mother¡¯s plate as tendrils of red and blue light dissipated.


    ¡°And how are these magical pancakes different from the last batch of magical pancakes?¡±


    She handed him the plate, which contained two piping hot discs of freshly cooked batter. The outside was slightly caramelised, while the bulk appeared soft and fluffy.


    ¡°Simple, these magical pancakes are based on a recipe by the great Chandler Chesterton. You might know him by his moniker, the god of feasts¡±


    ¡°The Chef who owns The Divine Halls! How?¡±


    His mother smiled triumphantly.


    ¡°I acquired a new client who was in great need of my services. I simply told him about my son¡¯s love of pancakes and upcoming orientation day. He invited your father to collaborate on a recipe suited to his thermal and kinetic affinities¡±


    ¡°Ah yes, a heroic tale, it was. The great Ivory Smith and the God of Feasts, combining their powers to create the most delightful delicacies. We sought to create the greatest aerated buttery discs of heated batter ever to grace the mortal realm¡­¡±


    Evander stared at his father, trying to keep a straight face.


    ¡°After many nights of toil, we emerged the halls victorious, bellies full with the fruits of our labour. What lies before you, stalwart and studious son of the Emberheart family, is a triumph of unrivalled greatness, gifted to you on you most auspicious of days¡±


    Evander stood there struggling to maintain his deadpan stare while his father concluded. His flat expression quickly turned cheeky, as he replied in an equally dramatic tone.


    ¡°Ahh, your tale of sacrifice and triumph has moved me, good sir. I humbly request I partake of your greatness, that it might brighten what would otherwise be a mundane and forgettable day¡±


    ¡°You jest, but wait until you actually try them. Your father knows his stuff. Also, nobles don¡¯t actually sound like that¡±


    Eric huffed, then directed blue light into the batter to shape another perfect disk, followed by a flash of red as it bubbled and browned.


    ¡°Okay, okay enough, let me try them.¡±, said Evander as he sliced a stack, drizzled it in syrup and jammed it into his mouth, ¡°oh¡­you weren¡¯t kidding. These are divine¡±


    Evander¡¯s mother smiled as she began brewing another pot of coffee.


    Realising he was famished, Evander had inhaled his plate of pancakes, then promptly asked for more.


    They continued their breakfast, with Evander eating several more plates, until finally, he was full. The three of them cleaned up and put away the dishes, then headed to their respective rooms to get ready for the trip to the Academy.


    Evander went upstairs to grab his pack, which contained everything he would need for his first day at the academy. Knowing his journals would take up the majority of his bag space, Evander made sure to pack them first. The rest of the space was taken up by pens, snacks, and his favourite childhood toy, a spring loaded pellet gun his father had crafted for him as a child.


    The remainder of his personal effects were scheduled to be transported to his dorm, where they would be waiting for him when he arrived at the end of the first day. These had been packed earlier in the week and contained things like clothes, practical equipment, books, and other essentials.


    Lastly, Evander headed to the washroom where he proceeded to give himself a thorough clean to look his very best for the affinity test. Evander dressed himself in his formal wear and headed to the showroom on the first floor, where he saw his parents waiting with a paper package bound with twine.


    ¡°You look amazing!" said his mother


    Eric was holding a package in his hands, which he promptly handed to Evander.


    ¡°Buut, you would look even more amazing if you had your very own academy robes¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t we put these on at the academy?¡±


    ¡°Generally that¡¯s how it¡¯s done. Walking to the academy in robes tends to make them rather dirty¡±, respond his father, ¡°but fortunately for us we live close to the academy and are somewhat well of, allowing us to get in on a time honoured flex afforded to high society nobles and aristocrats¡±


    ¡°A flex that makes my robes stay clean?¡± Evander asked confused, ¡°Like a cleanliness or levitation potion?¡±


    His mother scoffed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly, Evi. That would be an outrageous waste of money. We will be taking a carriage¡±


    ¡°And don¡¯t forget the grand entrance. Your mother is paying extra for that¡±


    ¡°You two are the best!¡±


    Evander tore open the package and held the robes up to examine them. They were black with gold accents around the collar and lapels, and cuffs.


    Evander turned his eyes to the insignia on the right chest. The insignia was not the usual academy crest, but rather something he had never seen before. The insignia was of a phoenix in red with a green cross under the left wing and a hammer in blue and red under the right. The phoenix was encircled by a kite shield, completing the crest with the name ¡®Emberheart¡¯ at its base.


    ¡°This crest is¡­¡±


    His father giggled as he watched Evander''s stunned stare.


    ¡°It¡¯s another flex that only pompous aristocrats do. So we thought we¡¯d show them up with some dramatic flare of our own¡±


    ¡°But, there is a more important reason. There will be a lot of people at the academy who judge you by your appearance and your family. When they see you have personalised robes, they will think you¡¯re someone of means. When they see your crest, they will remember you by it¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you need to have a family crest first, before you put it on your robes. People still won¡¯t know who I am¡±


    His mother smiled.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. I¡¯ve been using it at the clinic for several months now. It¡¯s now emblazoned on the entrance and waiting rooms, and will eventually be stitched into every sheet, towel and blanket. I even had an Emberheart stamp made for branding clinic documents¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯ve already begun engraving my work with it¡±


    His father walked over to a newly made sword and presented it with the base of the sword facing Evander. At the base of the blade was a monotone etching of the ¡®family¡¯ crest, just above where His father engraved his artisan¡¯s signature.


    Evander was speechless. There was silence for a few moments as Evander stared moved from the sword to his parents smiling faces, then down at his robes. A smile crept across Evander¡¯s face.


    ¡°So I play the role of the self important aristocrat and bring attention to the family name. Then I use that to reinforce my superiority as use my unrivalled mastery of magical theory to outdo all the elitist wannabe mages¡±


    His father slapped him on the back.


    ¡°Right on the money, son!¡±


    His mother placed her hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°It¡¯s more than that though. We came from nothing, Evi. We want you to have the head start we never had. Find lifelong companions. It took us years to save up enough to attend the academy, and it wasn''t easy as a commoner without money or power. It was dangerous to stand out, so we kept our heads down and got through it. This is our way of making sure you can be the best you can be, and be respected for it. And from now on, what we do reflects on you, and what you do, reflects on us¡±


    There was a moment of silence as his mothers words hung heavy in the air.


    ¡°No pressure though¡±, said his father


    Evander gave a deep chuckle, then looked down at his robes, still sitting in his arms. He quickly slipped on the robes, then he gave a spin with his arms outstretched to show off the outfit.


    ¡°How do I look?¡±


    ¡°Like a legendary mage in the making¡±, said his mother


    ¡°Like someone who¡¯s going to show up a whole lot of entitled rich kids¡±, added his father


    Evander smiled at his parents'' words and walked over to a full length mirror at the side of the showroom. A smirk was slowly forming on his face as he glanced at himself in the mirror, remembering a promise he made himself all those years ago.


    ¡°Like the greatest mage that ever was¡±

 Chapter 2: Journey to the Academy

    The Emberheart family boarded their carriage and sat down on the luxuriously padded seats. Tapestries lined the interior with depictions of great mages performing feats of magic.


    The largest depiction was of the great Alaria Alerion, ¡®the living flame¡¯ engulfed in enormous threads of silver light as waves of red lunged towards the charging mob of rat-like creatures in steel-plate. Not even the cold winter snow could stop the savage heat from engulfing them, leaving their dead in charred piles of melted steel, snow boiling as it touched their lifeless, sindering heaps.


    Behind her, Pathmaster Havias Heracle stood encircled with a massive vortex of silver, while streams of black arched overhead, forming an enormous portal. Hundreds of soldiers charged through the portal, Affinity Stones glowing and weapons raised.


    The scene was depicted in panorama on the wall opposite the carriage door. The enemy charged from the side his parents sat on, meeting certain death in the centre of the carriage, as they fell to the Living Flame.


    Evander watched breathlessly for several moments before finally sitting down opposite his parents.


    ¡°They¡¯re beautiful, aren¡¯t they¡±, said his mother


    ¡°Beyond beautiful. I wish I could have some of these commissioned for my room. Alaria and Havias the greatest!¡±


    His father scoffed


    ¡°Sure, if you think killing troglodytes is amazing. What about all the master mage smiths that made all their armour and weapons?¡±


    ¡°Oh, sorry dad. I didn¡¯t mean it like that. It¡¯s just that, they¡¯re more prominent in the depiction. Magesmiths are also pretty cool too¡±


    Evander looked for a few moments, then pointed at a small depiction of a mage forging steel just to the right of the carriage door.


    ¡°Look, there¡¯s Marius Moore on the other side of the portal. He makes all the weapons and armour for Elyria¡¯s elite portal unit¡±


    His father patted him on the head


    ¡°I was just being silly. Everybody knows craftsmen make the greatest mages¡±


    His mother cleared her throat.


    ¡°So, how are you feeling about your first day? Are you nervous about the affinity test?¡±


    Evander pondered for a moment. He recalled the notes he took on academy orientation and what he was told to expect.


    ¡°I¡¯ve practised a meditation technique that will make channelling mana easy. When I get there it¡¯ll straight into the affinity test¡±


    ¡°I was talking about your affinities. Are you nervous about discovering them?¡±


    Evander waved dismissively.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to worry about my affinities. I can¡¯t control which ones I get. Being a master mage is about hard work and dedication, not luck¡±


    ¡°Ah, but you¡¯re sure you will get more than one?¡±


    ¡°That''s only because you both have two affinities. I¡¯m pretty sure that increases the odds for me. Either way, even one affinity wouldn¡¯t be that bad¡±


    His father grinned cheekily.


    ¡°So, no favourite then?¡±


    Evander rolled his eyes as his mother elbowed his father.


    ¡°You know I¡¯d love to be a thermal kineticist like you, but the chances are slim. What¡¯s the point of false hope?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m right here, Evi. And here I thought you wanted follow after your mother and join the clinic after graduation¡±


    Evander looked out the carriage window at the dirt road below. They had exited the cobbled surface of the trade district and were now traversing a dirt road then led to the Academy Estate.


    ¡°Did you two plan this? Stuck in this little carriage with nowhere to go, lest I dirty my robes you gifted me. Now you can finally corner me into picking favourites¡±


    ¡°I wouldn''t dream of it, son. That would just end with your mother in tears and me in the guest room¡±


    ¡°I do house visits to nobles all the time and they say there is a correlation between parental affinities and those of their children, so there¡¯s a much higher chance of you getting one of ours¡±


    Evander recalled reading similar claims in the biographies of well known nobles. At the time it had given him hope that he could be just like his father. However, upon further investigation he concluded that it was just a trick of large numbers.


    ¡°Wrong. If enough nobles have enough children, you will eventually get a matching affinity. Since you have four affinities between you, for each affinity it¡¯s a coin flip whether I get one of them. I¡¯ll have a 1 in 5 chance of getting two of your four, and a 1 in 25 of getting an exact match to one of you¡±


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    His parents stared at him in shocked silence.


    ¡°Is this how you aced your courses? Relate everything back to magic?¡±, asked his mother


    Evander shrugged.


    ¡°I guess. That and lots of work¡±


    ¡°Anyway. At the end of the day no one knows. Maybe it¡¯s random, maybe it¡¯s not. Although, I¡¯ve also been told there might even be a degree of subconscious choice involved¡±


    Evander''s stomach knotted as his mother spoke.


    ¡°No pressure¡±, he thought.


    He was contemplating how dirty his robes would get if he jumped out of the carriage and ran the rest of the way.


    ¡°I would love to have your affinities, but please don¡¯t be mad if I don''t get them¡±


    His mother smiled and leaned over to give him a hug,


    ¡°I love you, Evai¡±


    His father leaned in to join the hug


    ¡°So do I. And I will love you even more when you become an thermal kineticist like me¡±


    His mother elbowed his father again, as they returned to their seats.


    Evander looked out the window and saw they were now travelling alongside the academy campus perimeter. He saw the perfectly manicured hedge wall that ran the perimeter of the grounds. Behind the hedges Evander could see tall pines that looked to be planted about ten feet behind the hedges, spaced around 20 feet apart.


    He got up and raised his head and body out of the window as far as he could to peer over the five foot high hedges. He could see the spires of the academy in the distance. It wasn¡¯t long now until they would be at the gates.


    ¡°Ever wonder how they maintain these perfectly square hedges? I mean, they¡¯re huge. They¡¯ve got to be at least five feet thick and just as high. Would they pay a mage to do something like this?¡±


    ¡°Most likely a life mage like myself. One who specialises in plant growth¡±


    His father looked out the window.


    ¡°An air mage could do it. With enough skill you could fly along the perimeter in no time whipping off slices like they were paper¡±


    Evander was sure his parents were wrong. The economics just didn¡¯t make sense to him.


    ¡°This campus is miles long and miles wide. Skilled mages would be outrageously expensive¡±


    His father glanced at his mother and smirked.


    ¡°Oh, I don''t know. I¡¯m sure a large enough force of rookie mages could-¡±


    His mother interrupted.


    ¡°Shh¡±


    Evander blinked in shock and disbelief.


    ¡°Seriously?¡±


    The carriage slowed as it approached the entrance to the academy grounds. An archway bridged the hedge wall, allowing carriages to pass through. A sign was hung from the top of the archway:


    ¡®Xander Xalatar¡¯s Grand Academy of Magical Arts¡¯


    Evander eyed the sign as the horseman cornered their way through the arches.


    ¡°With a name like that, I hope he didn¡¯t have any kids¡±


    His father snorted a laugh, but quickly settled himself.


    Though she tried to hide it, Evander could see her stifling a grin.


    ¡°Of all the things you can do to be funny, please make sure repeating that is not one of them¡±


    Evander paused for a moment, then grinned.


    ¡°So I take it he did have kids¡±


    His father pinched the ridge of his nose as he groaned


    ¡ª ¡ª


    Evander peered out the window once more and saw the open grassy fields either side of the road that led to the academy main building. The academy was made from smooth polished dark stone with a great white spire rising from the centre of the building.


    The spire rose up several dozen stories, narrowing as it grew higher. The Spires appeared to be made of white stone, which was either expensive marble, or some kind of veneer.


    They neared the academy and the dirt road transitioned to a smoothly tiled and well kept surface. Evander looked down and examined the surface as they rolled onto it. It appeared to be made of polished stone tiles several feet wide. The seams between each tile were barely perceptible and too smooth to clunk under the wheels as the carriage rolled over them.


    Evander looked up and saw the marble driveway leading into a covered outdoor lounging area with many tables, chairs and lounging seats. Several wait staff were taking orders and delivering food and beverages to students, mostly those in coloured robes. There were a small number of silver cloaked students, as well as students who had not yet donned their robes.


    The path ended just in front of the undercover area, winding around a large three tiered stone fountain before exiting again. Carved into the outer rim of each tier Evander could see depictions of mages performing acts of magic. The images were coloured with a combination of coloured metals and stones. The chiselled mural depicted each mage doing something related to their affinity.


    They stopped behind another carriage several yards from the fountain. There were several carriages ahead of them waiting to drop off their passengers. The carriage ahead rounded the fountain and stopped. A man in a fancy yellow suit took an envelope from the carriage, removed the paper, then pocket the envelope of coins. The man proceeded to read the contents of the paper aloud.


    ¡°Presenting Victor Vanvaughn, son of Vincent and Victoria Vanvaughn, and heir to the Vaughn Eastland Trading Company¡±


    A tall young man with shoulder length blond hair stepped out of the carriage in stunning red and gold robes. Victor strode from the carriage with his head up and nose held high. Around his waist was a sheath holding what appeared to be a short-sword. Acknowledging no-one, Victor continued to the academy entrance and disappeared down the halls.


    A few minutes later, it was finally Evander¡¯s turn to exit his carriage. The man in yellow opened the carriage door and leaned in. Evander''s mother handed the man an envelope. As the man stepped out of the carriage, the jingling of coins clearly heard from the envelope as he pocketed it.


    His mother clasped his hands and kissed his forehead.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡±


    Evander took a deep breath as his heart pounded, his palms becoming sweaty as fidgeted. Evander put on a fake smile and stood up.


    ¡°At this point it hardly matters¡±


    ¡°Son of The Night Witch, Emilia Emberheart, Royal court physician and medical advisor to the king. And Son of The Ivory Smith, Erick Emberheart, master magesmith and artisan craftsman for the discerning noble. It is with great pleasure that I welcome the great prodigy of magic theory, sole heir to the Emberheart fortune, and soon to be greatest mage in all of Elyria. Please give a resounding welcome to the great Evander Emberheart!¡±


    ¡°Sheesh! How much did you pay him?¡±


    ¡°More than enough. Now go!¡±


    Evander took one more deep breath as he steadied his shaking legs. Putting on his best look of confidence, Evander stepped from the carriage.

 Chapter 3: The Kingsmans Son

    Evander looked around the semicircular walkway with dozens of students looking at him. Many students had confused looks on their faces, while some were whispering to each other. A minority of students wore simple silver robes. The silver robes were emblazoned in gold with the academy¡¯s crest. The crest was a circle containing a dragon flying vertically with wings spread out. A book and a staff flanked the dragon just below its wings.


    Turning to get one last look at his parents, he saw their carriage driving away as another began approaching. He maintained a straight back and shoulders as he attempted to confidently stride into the lounge area.


    Wandering through the dining lounge, he observed the students around him. Some positioned themselves to get a good view of the drop offs, while others were simply mingling or lounging around. The students not in silver were robed a rainbow of strikingly distinct colours.


    A tall student with fiery red hair approached him. He wore red robes with black accents, displaying a burning wolf crest on his right breast. Evander immediately recognised him as an old acquaintance from basic education: Cilian Cinderwolf. He hesitated to call Cilian a friend as Evander hardly had time for things that weren¡¯t made from paper.


    ¡°Well that was quite the entrance, Evander. That must have cost a pretty penny to get old Oliver to add so much fluff,¡± said the young man.


    Evander began to look down for a moment, feeling embarrassed, but quickly corrected his gaze and stared directly at the young man with a confident look and welcoming smile.


    ¡°Thanks Cilian. But I think my parents just like to hear their monikers out loud.¡±


    ¡°Constructing a name for yourself is difficult work, achieved only by those with substantial skill or money, or both. You should consider yourself lucky to have such supportive parents.¡±


    ¡°As should you. Your family does a lot to earn their reputation as master fire mages¡±


    Cilian tone grew sombre.


    ¡°Only if you¡¯re a fire mage though. My parental support and inheritance is contingent on getting lucky on an affinity test. And all I can do about it is say my prayers to the god of fate¡±


    ¡°It sure would be nice if we could choose our affinities¡±


    Cilian smirked, then raised his hand to greet Evander.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to see you again, Evander¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good to see you too¡±


    Evander reached out his hand and they clasped wrists. Both of them then placed their free hands on the back of the other¡¯s clasped wrist while performing a slight bow.


    This was Evander¡¯s first time performing the fancy arm-clasp in the wild, which left him feeling somewhat nervous. Unlike school, Students came from all around to attend the academy, and formal greetings were expected from high society aristocrats and their children. He was relieved when he managed to execute it without looking silly.


    ¡°Excellent clasp. But use a little more pressure with your free hand. Otherwise people will think you¡¯re timid¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the advice¡±


    ¡°No worries, you¡¯re gonna need all the help you can get. On another note, I heard you died or something?¡±


    ¡°What! Are you serious?¡±


    Cilian slapped his back.


    ¡°I¡¯m kidding. I know you did your book thing and graduated early. And judging by your entrance, your plan to get a head start on the rest of us failed¡±


    ¡°My book thing?¡±


    ¡°You know, where you read lots of books in your spare time and then trounce the rest of us with your superior knowledge¡±


    ¡°Oh, that. Yeh, I guess I did that¡±


    ¡°Anyway, you should probably mingle a bit and meet some of the other rainbow cloaks. Everyone here is in their first year so It¡¯s a great chance to show yourself off to your classmates¡±


    ¡°Oh, good point. But do you know anyone here?¡±


    ¡°I know everyone here. My mother is obsessed with throwing grand galas every month. I can introduce you to a few of the out-of-towners if you like¡±


    ¡°I''d love to¡±


    Cilian waved at two students nearby.


    Cilian led Evander to a table where two colourful robed students were chatting. One wore a white robe with black trimming emblazoned with an eagle crest. The other had a green cloak with gold accents and a snake crest.


    ¡°Hey Douglas. Mind if we join you?¡±


    ¡°Not at all. Have a seat¡±


    Evander and Cilian grabbed a pair of free seats and sat down next to each other.


    ¡°This is my good friend, Evander Emberheart. He¡¯s so obsessed with magic, he graduated basic two years ahead of his peers in an unsuccessful attempt to hit the academy early.¡±


    Evander cringed at Cilian''s words.


    ¡°I really wish you would stop bringing that up¡±


    Cilian ignored Evander¡¯s pleas and continued.


    ¡°Evander, these are my friends Douglas Davenshore and Belinda Braveheart. Douglas¡¯ family runs the Merchant¡¯s Guild in Rolf, and Belinda¡¯s family is in the wine business¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too kind, Cilian,¡± said Douglas


    Douglas reached out to greet Cilian, then Evander. Evander hesitated a little before clasping the man¡¯s arm and bowing slightly, which was slightly awkward to do while sitting at a table. The steps were repeated with Belinda, which was easier the second time around.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Douglas. I¡¯d tell you what my family does, but I suspect you already know¡±


    ¡°Ah yes, we were just talking about your entrance. That was quite the scene. How ever did you convince Oliver to go along with it?¡±


    ¡°Money?¡±, said Evander, giving a sheepish smile as he shrugged


    Belinda interjected with a chuckle.


    ¡°It would take a whole lot more than money to convince Oliver to say something so gushing¡±


    Evander looked stunned.


    ¡°Oh¡±, said Evander


    ¡°Your father, The Ivory Smith, must be rather well connected to embarrass you so thoroughly¡±, said Belinda


    ¡°Actually I¡¯m sure it was my mother¡¯s Idea. I¡¯m the first and only Emberheart child and she really wanted to make people notice me¡±


    Belinda gave a slight smile.


    ¡°Well she succeeded at that¡±


    Douglas took a sip from his drink, then placed it back on the saucer in front of him. He looked at Evander and his face took on focused expression.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be the talk of the academy for the next day or so, and not all of it will be good. Some of the young aristocrats don¡¯t take too kindly to upstart families who don¡¯t know their place¡±


    Evander gulped.


    ¡°Should I be worried?¡±, Evander asked


    ¡°Only if you can¡¯t protect yourself. Physically or politically, but ideally both¡±


    At that moment a scuffle could be heard nearby. Evander and his three acquaintances turned to see what the commotion was.


    A tall man with short white hair stood over a student in silver robes. The tall man was clad in a black robe with white accents and a tall white collar. Evander checked his family crest. It was a black and white insignia featuring a man with wings holding a blade covered in wispy silver fire. Below the crest the name read, Kingsman.


    ¡°How dare you?¡± yelled the Kingsman student.


    ¡°Who is that?¡±, asked Evander


    Cilian rolled his eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s Kevin Kingsman, Son of Kalvin Kingsman. His father is captain of the king¡¯s guard, more commonly referred to simply as The Kingsman. Not too bright, that one. Needed private tutors and a few extra years to complete his basic education. But he sure knows how to swing a sword¡±


    ¡°Is anyone going to do anything about this?¡± asked Evander


    ¡°Unlikely. It¡¯s best to just let him get it out and move on.¡± replied Belinda, ¡°Else you risk making trouble for yourself. He¡¯ll forget all about this by tomorrow if the kid just apologises and runs away¡±


    Kevin Lifted the student by the collar with his massive biceps, pulling the students face toward his.


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    ¡°I wont have commoner filth besmirching my father¡¯s name. Apologise!¡±


    Evander gritted his teeth, as his heartbeat quickened.


    ¡°Can¡¯t one of the other nobles stop him?¡±


    ¡°Why would we?¡± asked Belinda ¡°He¡¯s a commoner. The only thing we stand to gain for interfering is the ire of the Kingsman family¡±


    Evander looked towards Cilian with a pleading expression. Cilian shook his head and glared a warning back at him.


    The student wriggled and squirmed but Kevin¡¯s enormous biceps iron grip held the student in place.


    Evander tried to think of something he could do to distract Kevin long enough for the student to get away. He remembered a toy he brought with him. Evander dropped his backpack to the ground and reached into the pack for his spring loaded ball bearing cannon. It was a thin metal shaft with a draw trigger. The design was simple. Pulling back on the handle caused a small bearing in the side chamber to fall into the main chamber. Then pushing the release button launched the tiny projectile.


    With a quick glance around the room, Evander confirmed all eyes were on the commotion. He pointed his toy at Kevin¡¯s head and pressed the trigger. The little device made a woosh and thunk as the little metal ball flew from the nozzle and struck Kevin in the side of the head. The silence that followed was broken only by the pattering of the little bearing on the marble floor.


    The shock was enough to startle Kevin, who let go of the student and clasped the side of his head in surprise. Just as the student started to scurry away Kevin lunged at the student and pinned him against a table.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to pay for that you filthy peasant!¡±


    Evander¡¯s stomach and his heart thumped in his chest.


    ¡°This guy really is stupid¡±, Mumbled Evander to himself.


    He drew back the trigger on his toy and pointed it at Kevin again.


    ¡°Hey Kevin. Are all Kingsman as stupid as you or are you the exception?¡±


    Kevin let go of the student and turned around to see Evander right as the pellet hit him in the forehead. Evander winced as it struck, realising too late that his ploy was both dangerous and stupid. Kevin stumbled as he palmed his forehead. Seizing the opportunity, the student rolled off the table and ran for the halls. After recovering from being struck a second time, Kevin looked directly at Evander.


    ¡°You!¡± Shouted Kevin


    Kevin stomped over to Evander as he pulled his glove from his right hand. He stopped in front of Evander, glancing down at Evander¡¯s family crest.


    ¡°Emberheart¡±


    Then Kevin slapped him across the face with his glove.


    ¡°You have brought slanderous words to the house of Kingsman! I officially demand satisfaction. Duel or submit¡±


    Evander was familiar with the nobility''s practice of duelling, but never thought it would affect him. He stood up and faced Kevin eye to eye, plastering his face with the most serious look he could muster.


    ¡°I¡¯m happy to just apologise and call it even¡±


    Kevin looked like a vein would burst on his forehead.


    ¡°You assaulted me and mocked my family. An apology won''t cut it now, Emberheart!¡±


    There were whispers around the room as Kevin continued.


    ¡°I want a public, grovelling apology in the auditorium after the affinity exam. And you shall be my servant for a month.¡±


    Evander was certain he would lose any duel with this enormous monstrosity. He was also certain to be no match with the sword. Evander gulped as he considered his options.


    A public apology might not harm his reputation too badly, especially if people dislike this guy. But then there was the servant request. That could entail a lot of extra work and put him behind on his magical training.


    ¡°I respectfully request that I consult my acquaintances to discuss my options before deciding. May I have a minute?¡±


    Kevin grumbled for a moment, then grunted in agreement. He appeared to be calming down now that things were under his control. Fortunately for the other student Kevin seemed to have completely forgotten about them.


    Kevin walked several steps away from the table while Evander sat back down. Douglas, Belinda and Cilian were staring at him in stunned silence, moths agape.


    ¡°Hi guys. I¡¯m not sure what you overheard, but I could use some more of that great advice you were giving earlier¡±


    ¡°You are a very stupid, stupid man, Evander. You should have left it alone. How¡¯s that for advice?¡± replied Belinda


    ¡°Exceptional, no doubt. But I fear I am a little past the point of needing such preventative warnings. Perhaps you could have given me that nugget a little earlier¡±


    Belinda rolled her eyes and Douglas shook his head. Cilian, on the other hand, was trying desperately to stifle a laugh.


    ¡°If I recall young Evander, we did in fact warn you to stay out of it,¡± Said Belinda


    Evander thought back to their callous indifference and realised that their reasons may not have been as calloused as he initially assumed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll admit that advice makes sense in hindsight. But how about some fresh advice? Can his little tantrum get me in trouble if I ignore it?¡±


    Belinda sighed.


    ¡°Yes there is a lot he can do legally. If you ignore his demands and refuse to duel him, he can take civil action against you and sue for damages. Even if you win you will be out of pocket a pretty penny. However, given your blatant and outrageous stupidity, he is likely to demolish you in court¡±


    Douglas cleared his throat and pointed at Kevin., who was standing several feet away, conversing with another student in colourful robes.


    ¡°You assaulted that man in a room full of people and then publicly admitted to it while insulting him. Even if most of the people here don¡¯t like him, he¡¯s guaranteed to have no shortage of witnesses willing to testify for him¡±


    Evander felt a pit forming in his chest.


    ¡°So I either become his slave and grovel at his feet, or I duel him?¡±


    Douglas laughed.


    ¡°If you duel him he will kill you¡±


    The pit in his chest intensified and was making it hard to breathe.


    Belinda shot Douglas a glare.


    ¡°Stop it, Douglas! You¡¯ll scare the man to death¡±


    She turned to Evander and gave him a reassuring pat on his shoulder..


    He won¡¯t kill you, probably. There is always a risk of death in a duel, but usually it¡¯s to first blood. If you lose the duel, then he can make whatever demands he likes, within reason. Alternatively, you could argue the demands in court, but that would be expensive¡±


    ¡°Belinda is technically right, Evander. He probably won¡¯t kill you. But he will mess you up, and you will still have to meet his demands when you lose¡±


    ¡°So¡­the only way out of this is to beat him, in a duel, with swords? And his father is the captain of the king¡¯s guard? And he looks like that?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re screwed buddy¡±, said Cilian


    Belinda looked down in thought for a few moments, then turned back to Evander, as her eyes lit up.


    ¡°Actually, there is a sliver of hope. As the one who received the challenge, you are entitled to pick the time, place and format of the fight. If you select a weapon you are superior at, then your odds of winning-.¡±


    ¡°Hey! Emberheart!" shouted Kevin, ¡°Times up! What¡¯s it gonna be?¡±


    Evander thought about what Belinda had said as he walked back towards Kevin. He wasn¡¯t a sword-master, nor an expert at any weapon. There was simply no weapon that he could wield that a man like this hadn''t wielded for longer. Evander spent every minute of every day studying magic, nothing else. The only way he could win a duel was if it was a quiz on magical theory.


    He walked over to Kevin with his back straight and head held high. He stopped in front of Kevin, looking up at the fierce expression. Kevin¡¯s eyes burned with an intensity that made Evander shudder. If looks could kill.


    ¡°What¡¯s it gonna be, Emberheart?¡±


    Evander gave Kevin a friendly smile, while still trying to convey confidence.


    ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you would accept a battle of the mind? My only skill is years of study in advanced magical theory¡±


    Kevin¡¯s eyes lost their intensity and his expression changed just for a moment before returning to a disdainful glare. For just a moment, Evander could have sworn he saw fear on Kevin¡¯s face.


    ¡°A duel requires combat, you weasel. If you really want to duel, pick a weapon!¡±


    Evander stared at the man, confused. There was something he was missing. He ran over the moment and played the words in his mind trying to figure out how he could beat the man using knowledge. Chills shot down his back as realisation hit him.


    Realising he was going to accept the duel, Evander¡¯s heart began to pound and his hands became slick with sweat. Even with an even playing field, there was no guarantee of victory. But given Kevin¡¯s fearful expression Evander figured he had a reasonable chance in a magical combat duel.


    Evander took a deep breath and steeled himself.


    ¡°I have nothing to apologise for. You disgrace yourself with your violent and entitled behaviour. I accept your challenge. And as the challenged party I decide the location, time and rules¡±


    Evander studied Kevin''s face for any sign of backing down. He hoped beyond hope that Kevin would realise the implication and call this whole thing off. After waiting a few moments and nothing was forthcoming, Evander continued.


    ¡°As mages, it is only fitting we settle our dispute as such¡±


    Evander saw Kevin visibly flinch at his words.


    ¡°The time shall be one week from now. Plenty of time to-¡±


    ¡°A week! Are you daft? Magic takes months to develop practical competence, and years to master¡±


    ¡°Oh I simply wanted to get it over with so we could both move past this little tiff. If you like I can give you more time to work on yourself, if you really think you need it¡±


    Kevin snarled at Evander¡¯s remarks, but was unable to voice his objections without appearing weak. After a few moments of silence Evander sighed.


    ¡°Oh alright. You''re a man well educated in the martial arts, and are probably right about combat magic. We¡¯ll give it a year.


    Gasps were heard around the room. Kevin appeared to be amenable to the suggestion, but continued to silently glare at Evander.


    ¡°Ok, the time¡¯s settled then. The place can be the academy duelling theatre. Finally, the conditions of victory will be submission or incapacitation. If the duelist is unable to continue or forfeits, they lose the duel.¡±


    Kevin''s nostrils flared.


    ¡°And the rules?¡±, growled Kevin


    ¡°Obviously no weapons or physical contact allowed. All interaction must result from magical effects powered by the duelist''s own mana¡±


    With every word Kevin¡¯s irritation intensified.


    ¡°You are going to regret this, Emberheart. When I win this duel I will have my compensation, for today and the days I am made to wait. I will have a public apology and a full year of servitude when I win¡±


    ¡°And If I win, we forget this whole thing ever happened. Oh, and I want you to apologise to that student you terrorised earlier¡±


    Evander held out his arm.


    ¡°Do we have a duel?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a duel¡±, growled Kevin


    Kevin clasped his arm and slammed his left hand over his wrist. Kevin¡¯s grip was so tight he would feel the circulation cut off in his wrist. He returned the clasp with the firmest hold he could muster. Their eyes locked as they nodded at each other, then disengaged.


    With that concluded Kevin stormed off and down the hall. Behind him several students in coloured robes followed. Evander wandered back to Belinda, Douglas and Cilian, feeling light headed and disoriented.


    Cilian jumped from his seat and embraced Evander with a firm pat on his back.


    ¡°What in the actual hell was that! You are either a genius or a madman. You¡¯d better hope your book thing gives you a big enough advantage to best that pile of sentient muscle¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, my book thing. It¡¯s a gamble, but everything else seemed to be a worse deal¡±


    ¡°You studied academy level theory?¡±, asked Douglas


    ¡°Sure did. All eight affinities, plus some basics on the secondary arts: bestiology, herbology, alchemy, aeordifice, and divinology. To be honest, I¡¯m not that interested in the secondary arts. They¡¯re for chumps¡±


    Cilian shook his head.


    ¡°You are one crazy man, Evander. You¡¯re the kind of person that goes places. Wonderful or terrible places, only the gods can know¡±


    ¡°If I didn¡¯t know any better I would suspect this was your plan all along,.¡± said Douglas


    Evander baulked.


    ¡°Oh, gods no. In fact, this whole experience has taught me I really should learn a little more about high society, lest I get myself in more trouble¡±


    The rest of the morning involved Evander being approached by various students. Some thanking him for standing up to Kevin, others condemning him for his foolishness.


    Over the next hour or so, Evander got to know several of the nobility and rich students, as well as many of the ¡®silver cloaks¡¯. Between greetings he chatted with Cilian, Douglas, and Belinda, who explained a little about etiquette and how to avoid making a fool of himself in the future.

 Chapter 4: The Exam hall

    Evander¡¯s heart jumped when he heard the bell tower chime. The hour was upon them. As the bell completed its tenth chime, a tall middle-aged man in green robes and a pointy wizard hat emerged from the hallway leading to the outdoor lounging area. His long grey beard hung several feet from his chin.


    The man spoke in a simultaneously feeble and loud voice.


    ¡°Listen up students. Exams are to begin in the auditorium. Please make your way there now. After your exams are completed you will spend an hour with one of our professors who will guide you through your tutor selection¡±


    The man then disappeared down the hallway he came from.


    Evander thanked the three for their hospitality and bid them farewell before rushing down the hallway. As he walked he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to his right to see Cilian matching pace.


    ¡°I wanted to wish you good luck on your exam. You¡¯ll need it after that stunt you pulled¡±


    ¡°Thanks Cilian. I¡¯m hoping he gets less combat-oriented affinities like illusion and life. That way he¡¯ll have to call off the duel¡±


    Cilian laughed as they both sped past other students.


    ¡°And what will you do if he gets fire and kinetic while you get healing and illusion?¡±


    ¡°Cry and run away? Or maybe just forfeit and deal with the consequences¡±


    Evander and the other students made their way down a wide hallway made of stone and lit with what appeared to be gass lights. The walls were made of smooth red stones that reminded Evander of the bark of a redwood tree. The floor was made of a black marble tile with the same seamless joins as the lounge area.


    They made their way down the hallway to a pair of large, twelve foot high arching double doors. Each door was as wide as Evander with his arms spread apart. At the door, the old mage in green was standing handing out tokens to each student as they passed through.


    Evander and Cilian approached the doorway and the man pulled out two tokens.


    ¡°Take these tokens and go sit in the group with the same number as your token,¡± instructed the man


    Evander and Cillian took their tokens and checked the number.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got nine¡±, said Evander


    ¡°Three. How about we meet up after the test and we can go for lunch?¡±


    Evander hesitated for a moment. Cilian was a nice enough guy when they attended basics together, but there was something about other people that just made him feel awkward. He looked at Cilian¡¯s warm, welcoming smile and he knew he couldn¡¯t just say no. Unable to think of a plausible reason to refuse, he decided to accept.


    ¡°Sounds good. Given our predicaments, I¡¯m sure there will be a lot to talk about¡±


    He waved Cilian goodbye as he walked into the auditorium. The room was large with a high ceiling. Impossibly detailed glass chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating the room with the steady glow of warm orblight.


    The auditorium was split down the middle by a walkway with five tents lined up against the walls on either side. Each tent contained several rows of seating in a crescent shape around the tent¡¯s entrance. Many students filled the seats in front of various tents, conversing with one another.


    On the wall next to each tent was a large poster with the numbers one through ten painted in very large print. The tents were numbered sequentially from the entrance going clockwise around the room. From that Evander deduced his tent would be second on the right and headed in that direction.


    When he arrived at his numbered tent he saw around six students waiting eagerly as they chatted excitedly about the exam. All of them were silver-cloaks.


    ¡°I heard if you pay the examiner extra, you can guarantee at least two affinities,¡± said one student.


    ¡°Makes sense. How else do you explain the rainbow-cloaks all having at least two affinities?¡± said another.


    Evander felt uncomfortable around strangers, but thought it best to get to know his potential classmates.


    ¡°Hi. Mind if I join you?¡±


    He held up his token that read 9. The students went silent, seeming uncomfortable at his sudden interruption.


    ¡°Uum, sit wherever,¡± said one of the students


    Evander attempted a friendly smile to ease the tension he felt, which lightened the mood a bit. He sat one seat over from the group of six.


    After a few moments of silence, Evander decided to attempt a conversation.


    ¡°So, magic¡±, Started Evander, ¡°Pretty cool hey? Do you guys have a favourite affinity?¡±


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation one of the students responded.


    ¡°If you want to be a mage on the front lines, fire is the way to go. Alaria Alerion is the greatest mage of all time,¡± said a female student.


    ¡°What about Pathmaster Havias? He¡¯s a master dimensionalist and at least as popular as Alaria¡±


    ¡°We all know the king values military power above all else. Havias is just a replaceable tool compared to Alaria¡±


    Not wanting to argue, Evander decided to agree with her.


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right. I¡¯m Evander Emberheart, by the way¡±


    He held out his arm to greet her as he did with the other students earlier.


    ¡°Annabelle. And I¡¯m not doing that. I¡¯ll save you the time and tell you I¡¯m not interested, and just because you want something, doesn¡¯t mean you can take it.¡±


    Evander realised his mistake just after putting his arm out, but it was too late.


    ¡°Oh, sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡°And for what it¡¯s worth, I¡¯m not a noble. I just have parents that care a lot that I look like one¡±


    She scowled at him


    ¡°And I suppose they chose your name for the same reason? Playing the long game I see¡±


    Evander began to sputter.


    ¡°Well, I mean..¡±


    As Evander''s stammering drifted off one of the students spoke up.


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    ¡°People like us have neither the money nor the power to survive the antics of people like you.¡±


    Evander felt himself becoming flustered and desperately tried to think of words to diffuse the situation.


    ¡°I¡¯m not like that. I¡¯m just a regular person like you¡±


    ¡°Then explain why your parents wasted perfectly good money on such a flippant vanity?¡± asked a student, gesturing at his cloak.


    Another student joined in.


    ¡°Most common folk aren¡¯t rich enough to waste money trying to impress a bunch of nobles for a day or two. Not to mention, once they figure it out, you¡¯ll have a target on your back from the more entitled brats who don¡¯t like posers¡±


    Annabelle cut in once again.


    ¡°We don''t know what game you¡¯re playing, but I think it¡¯s best if you do it over there. Like Felix said, we don¡¯t have time for the antics of spoiled rich kids or posers¡±


    Evander became increasingly flustered as the silver cloaked students berated him. Realising he wasn¡¯t getting anywhere with them, he decided to disengage. He put his hands up, palms facing out and stepped back.


    ¡°Ok, ok. I¡¯ll just sit over there until the exam¡±


    He moved to the end of the last row of the crescent seating arrangement and sat quietly. After a few moments the six silver cloaked students began murmuring among themselves. He made out a few words like ¡®lecherous¡¯, and ¡®entitled¡¯, but otherwise couldn¡¯t hear their conversation.


    Over the next few minutes more students trickled in and several more students joined their group. The silver-cloaks joined the existing group, while the two fancy-cloaked students seemed content with standing in the other corner of the seating crescent.


    Several minutes later Evander noticed a man entering the auditorium. Clad in all black, he stood at the entrance holding a foot long silver rod with an affinity stone affixed to its end inside a wire housing. The man had an aged, stern looking face with a scar running down his left cheek. From head to toe he was clad in a rigid, form-fitting black fabric, with black gloves and boots that looked as though they were a continuation of his clothes. Evander was familiar with the style of dress, being favoured by battlemages with access to a reliable Enhancement mage.


    As Evander was admiring the outfit, the man held out his rod, which began glowing with white light. Tendrils of silver light swirled around him while white tendrils of light swirled away from him, branching and thinning as they spread throughout the auditorium.


    ¡°Attention students¡±


    Despite not shouting the man was clearly audible to Evander as though he stood right next to him.


    ¡°The exams are about to begin. You will be called one at a time by your respective examiners who will conduct your exam inside the tents provided. After your exam is over you will be given a list of instructors for each of your affinities. You may also book time with a professor to go over your options. You can select as many or as few instructors as you like, provided you have the affinity. You will have until the end of the day to submit your preferences. And now, let the exams commence¡±


    The man walked to the first tent, where he pulled back the flap and walked inside. As he did this, several other instructors entered the hall and made their way to their respective tents.


    The woman approaching tent nine appeared to be relatively young for an instructor. She was dressed in formal attire, with a purple robe slung over her outfit. When she got to their tent she glanced at the students waiting. There were now about ten students in total, with seven silver-cloaked students clustered together and the other two fancy-cloaked students standing off to the side talking.


    The woman stopped in front of their tent and turned to face the group.


    ¡°Okay students. My name is Gale and I will be your examiner today. I will select one student at a time. The exam will take around five minutes each. Until it is your turn I ask that you wait quietly and come when you are called¡±


    The woman pointed to Annabelle.


    ¡°You¡¯re up first. Name?¡±


    ¡°Umm, Annabelle¡±


    The Examiner pulled out a notepad and graphite stick and wrote something.


    ¡°Your full name, Annabelle¡±


    ¡°Annabelle Frost¡±


    ¡°Come inside and let¡¯s begin¡±


    Annabelle nervously entered the tent, then Gale lowered the tent flaps as she ducked inside.


    Evander looked around the room as students began entering the exam tents. He imagined himself taking the test, causing his thoughts to fill with images of him in place of the great mages, hurling fireballs and lightning bolts.


    ¡°I am about to become a mage¡±


    His feet were unconsciously tapping the ground as mind raced with the possibilities: levitation, portalcraft, flying¡­


    ¡°I am about to become a mage!¡±


    His tapping intensified as he found himself unable to stay still. The restlessness from the night before had returned, the immediacy of his situation amplifying it tenfold. He was on the precipice of his old mundane life, about to take a leap into a world of awe and wonder.


    ¡°It¡¯s finally here. I¡¯m actually here. I¡¯m literally minutes away from becoming an actual mage!¡±


    His heart pounded and his stomach fluttered. He realised his frantic tapping was beginning to draw attention to himself, so he stilled his legs for a moment. After trying to think of something to do to pass the time, he decided on pacing back and forth between the front and back rows of the crescent seating. He considered calming his nerves by conversing with his fellow fancy-cloaked students at the other end of the crescent, but decided against it. They seemed content to point and laugh at silver cloaks in the auditorium, an activity Evander would rather not join in on. With nothing better to do, he paced the rows of seats and escaped into his own thoughts to pass the time.


    After a few minutes he heard a yell from the other side of the auditorium.


    The tent five examiner stepped out of the tent with a very red faced student in tow.


    ¡°Take it again you pathetic half-wit! My parents paid good money to this academy and I will not allow you to do this to me!¡±, shouted a red-faced student in colourful robes.


    The examiner raised his hand while looking over at some cloaked figures near the entrance.


    ¡°Did you hear me you fool! I said take the damn test again! My parents paid you people a small fortune in donations and I will not settle for any less than two god''s damned affinities!¡±


    One of the tall brown-cloaked men near the entrance approached the scene while the shouty student continued to berate the silent examiner. When the examiner arrived, he simply waved his hand at the student, thin wisps of silver light briefly appearing around him. A moment later the student was on the floor.


    As this was happening, two figures in green emerged from the hallway doors carrying a stretcher. They arrived at the unconscious student and proceeded to place him on the stretcher.


    As Evander watched, he noticed the entire room had gone completely silent. Looking around the room, all eyes were locked onto the student as the two figures carried him out of the hall.


    ¡°OK students, back to the task at hand¡±, said a voice from behind him.


    It was Gale. She had emerged from the tent with Annabelle, who had already begun heading out of the hall.


    Gale pointed at another silver-robed student.


    ¡°You. Come with me. And tell me your name, and that¡¯s your full name¡±


    Felix approached the tent as he responded, ¡°Felix Smith, maam¡±


    Felix stepped inside the tent, followed by Gale as she closed the tent flaps behind her.


    Over the course of the next hour only silver-cloak students took the affinity exam. There were several more outbursts by fancy-cloaks, but after the second stretcher was summoned the objections became more subdued.


    It appeared nobles were under the same misguided notion as the silver-cloaks, that ¡®donating¡¯ extra guaranteed more affinities. Evander shook his head and pondered the entitled ignorance on display.


    After another good chunk of time, Evander was startled out of his daydreaming by a voice calling his name.


    ¡°Emberheart¡±


    Evander snapped out of his daze and looked in the direction of the voice. It was Gale. He looked around and noticed he was the last one at tent nine.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s my turn? And do you know me?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t flatter yourself. It¡¯s on your fancy cloak. But I am going to need your first name¡±


    Evander blinked as he stared, taking a few moments to process.


    ¡°It¡¯s Evander. Evander Emberheart¡±


    ¡°Come, I want to get this over with so I can have lunch¡±


    She scribbled what Evander assumed was his name onto her notepad and began walking towards the tent.


    He had mostly calmed down by this point, his pacing and introspective thought managing to quell his jitters. Though with his name called, his heart began to pound again. He walked his shaking legs towards the tent as he stepped through.


    ¡°This is my moment¡±


    First he would acquire his affinities. Then he would train until he was a half competent battle mage so he could knock Kevin off his smug little throne. Finally, he would continue to hone his craft and fulfil his promise to become the greatest mage ever.


    But all that could wait. In this moment he needed to focus on the task at hand: Taking the test, and becoming a mage.

 Chapter 5: Evander鈥檚 Exam

    Evander stepped through the opening in the tent and Gale followed behind him, pulling the tent flap closed. His vision darkened as the outside light became blocked. After a few moments, he was able to discern his surroundings as his vision adjusted to the ambient light of the tent. The light appeared to come from all around him as if leaking through the fabric in the tent. Evander thought it might be enchanted luminescent fabric, but then decided it was probably just thin fabric that let the light through.


    There was a table with eight coloured orbs resting on decorative stands. Each stand was coloured the same as the orb it held, with a word printed on its front. The stands read: fire, Kinetic, Mental, Dimensional, Air, Enhancement, Life, Illusion.


    Gale walked to stand in front of the desk and turned to face Evander.


    ¡°Come on, Evander. I want to get this over with¡±


    Evander walked up next to her and paused, looking around for the fabled affinity stones. He knew he would use these orbs to test his affinities by channelling mana, but the process required an Affinity Stone.


    ¡°The process is simple. Take this stone and try to draw ambient magic into it¡±


    She pulled a clear stone from her pocket and handed it to him. The stone was about one inch long with a hexagonal circumference. The crystal was clear and flawless, with a polished surface. The tip of the stone was affixed to a metal casing tied with a leather cord.


    ¡°You can hold it, wear it around your neck, or tie it to your wrist. You can fiddle with it in your own time. Later you can fasten it to a weapon or rod, or whatever else suits your fancy. However, for now it is a pendant.¡±


    Evander took the pendant and placed it around his neck.


    ¡°Okay, so can I start channelling into the orbs on the table?¡±


    ¡°Slow down buddy, one step at a time. Let¡¯s see you pull mana from your surroundings before we start on the orbs. I¡¯m eager to get this over with as well, but if we don¡¯t do this right it will end up taking longer¡±


    Evander nodded, sheepishly.


    ¡°Ok, sorry¡±


    Evander closed his eyes and repeated the instruction from his books. He had done this a thousand times over the years trying to be the first mage to discover stoneless magic, but it was unfruitful. He imagined the crystal in his mind and tried to ¡®feel¡¯ the magic in the air.


    Evander focused on the stone and the magic around him. He felt a soft breeze circling his body, lightly kissing his skin as though it was slightly more tangible than regular air. He opened his eyes and saw tendrils of silver light encircling him as they made their way into the crystal.


    ¡°Wow¡±


    A smile crept across Gale¡¯s face.


    ¡°That¡¯s going to save us a lot of time¡­and frustration¡±


    ¡°Do I get to channel into the orbs now?¡±, asked Evander


    Gale rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Yes, you get to channel into the orbs now¡±


    Gale picked up the first orb. It was a translucent sphere about the size of his fist. The inside of the orb appeared to be made of frozen wisps of blue light.


    He peered into the orb and began to feel something. His heart began to throb with excitement. According to everything he had read, this feeling was a sign of affinity.


    ¡°This is an examiner¡¯s orb, which you are going to touch. It¡¯s not strictly necessary, but it makes the connection easier. After you touch it you just need to draw mana into your Affinity Stone, and try pushing your mana into the orb. If it works, you have a kinetic affinity. If not, you don¡¯t¡±


    Gale held out her hand holding the kinetic orb. Evander placed his palm onto the top of the orb and closed his eyes. The feeling of connection grew stronger and he began channelling mana.


    Evander knew exactly what to expect. He would pull energy into his stone and allow it to effortlessly flow from the stone to the kinetic orb. He followed the directions and it all went perfectly, right up to the last step. When he pushed mana into the orb, it felt wrong.


    The flow of mana into the orb felt laboured and heavy, like running an incline with his backpack full. He pushed through the heaviness, hoping it would pass, and forced as much mana as he could into the orb. The wisps around him intensified to the point where his clothes and hair were fluttering. A burning sensation filled his chest as his breaths became laboured.


    ¡°STOP!" shouted Gale


    Gale pulled the orb away from him.


    The laboured feeling disappeared and his connection with the orb diminished. Evander opened his eyes and saw a vortex of mana swirling around him. The stone pulsed with silver light as a thin tendril of blue slowly weaved its way into the kinetic stone. A moment passed and the light in his Affinity Stone went out, the blue tendril dissipating quickly after.


    Evander frowned as beads of sweat formed on his brow and his heart threatened to beat out of his chest.


    ¡°What just happened?¡±, said Evander


    ¡°Umm, I think¡­Let me just test something¡±


    A light vortex of silver wisps began circling Gale as they made their way into the stone dangling from her right wrist. Wisps of equal size came out of the stone and encircled the testing orb before plunging into it. The testing orb pulsed with a soft blue light before slowly lifting away from her hand, coming to rest a few inches in the air.


    Gale furrowed her brow as she stopped channelling. After the light stopped swirling around her, the stone remained lit for several seconds as it continued to deliver blue wisps into the levitating testing orb. When the Affinity Stone¡¯s light went out, the blue wisps dissipated, dropping the orb back into Gale''s hand.


    ¡°I think you have a trace affinity¡±


    Evander''s eyes brightened at the suggestion. He had read about trace affinities before. They were mostly useless extra affinities that granted a mage the ability to use magic outside their real affinities.


    The feeling he experienced made sense now. By all accounts, wielding a trace affinity was like running a marathon while dragging a boulder.


    ¡°That¡¯s amazing!" exclaimed Evander


    ¡°You know about trace affinities?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I read about them. It¡¯s mostly useless, but it¡¯s better than not having kinetic affinity¡±


    ¡°Better than not having a kinetic affinity¡±


    Evander¡¯s own words hit him like a hammer. He didn¡¯t have a kinetic affinity. With that realisation his expression grew sombre.


    Gale, appearing to notice Evander¡¯s change of mood, placed her hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°Is one of your parents a kineticist?¡±


    ¡°My father. He''s a magesmith¡±


    He felt himself choking up. Not wanting to make a scene, he took a deep breath and put on a serious face, then turned to face Gale.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. We always get what we need. Let¡¯s keep going¡±, said Evander


    Gale studied his expression for a moment, trying to ensure he was fit to continue. After a few seconds, she smiled and moved to swap the kinetic stone for the healing stone. She then turned to Evander and presented the green stone.


    ¡°This is the healing stone. Just do what you did last time. If you feel something, try channelling, if you don¡¯t we can move to the next one¡±


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    Evander looked at the green stone. It looked much the same as the last, except the frozen wisps were now green. Evander placed his hand on the stone and closed his eyes.


    He was overcome with a euphoric feeling as he connected with the stone. He could feel the stone calling to him. He would be a healer like his mother. Focusing his mind, he channelled mana into his Affinity Stone, then began pushing life mana at the life orb. His heart dropped as a familiar feeling confronted him. His efforts were laboured once again.


    Evander decided to push as hard as he could. There was no way this was a second trace. This was his affinity and he would take it. He pushed against the heaviness by channelling everything he could muster into the orb. Burning erupted in his chest again as he forced himself to channel harder.


    Realising what he was doing Gale tore the stone away from him. However, he held the connection even at a distance.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough! Stop it!¡±


    He opened his eyes and saw the air enveloped with a wild vortex of silver light. Looking down at the stone in Gale¡¯s hand, he saw the feeble thread of green meandering the distance between them.


    Hopelessness overtook him as he became aware of his body once more. His legs wobbled with exhaustion and he began violently gasping for air. Evander collapsed to his knees and then fell flat as his arms folded like they were made of jelly.


    Evander lay there barely conscious as he gasped for air. His lungs felt like they were on fire and his entire body was numb. He rolled onto his back and saw the furious face of his examiner.


    ¡°What in the seven hells do you think you were doing! Are you trying to kill yourself!¡±


    ¡°I thought it was a hurdle,¡± gasped Evander, struggling to speak and breathe at the same time.


    Gale pinched the ridge of her nose as she grimaced.


    ¡°Idiots, I¡¯m teaching idiots¡±


    Gale checked Evander¡¯s temperature, to ensure he hadn¡¯t developed a fever. Then she moved to sit down on the edge of the table with the testing orbs while Evander lay on the ground desperately gasping for air. This continued for a few minutes while Gale quietly waited. After several minutes she checked his temperature again.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky you don''t have mana burn. It¡¯s usually impossible to do on your first time, but you sure tried. If it weren¡¯t for your exceptionally odd circumstances I¡¯d have set the brown-cloaks on you for that stunt you pulled¡°


    Evander rolled onto his back and looked over at her, still gasping for breath.


    ¡°Thank you¡­and sorry¡±


    ¡°You know it¡¯s extremely unusual to have two trace affinities. If you hadn¡¯t tried to kill yourself I would have congratulated you on your exceptional luck. No matter what happens from here, you should count yourself lucky¡±


    Evander simply nodded, still gasping.


    After several more minutes Evander weakly pushed himself up. He lifted himself onto his knees only to immediately fall back into a sitting position with his legs spread out.


    ¡°It appears I cannot stand,¡± announced Evander, ¡°Would you mind doing the rest of them on the floor?¡±


    Gale shook her head, but still grabbed the next stone.


    ¡°We are going to try fire ne-¡±


    ¡°No! That one we will do last,¡± said Evander, interrupting her.


    Gale paused a moment to consider her next words.


    ¡°You know the order doesn¡¯t change the outcome. No matter how much people want to believe¡±


    ¡°I know. But the last two orbs tested my parents¡¯ affinities. I can¡¯t handle another disappointment. At least, not until I have an affinity to console myself¡±


    Gale nodded and placed the red stone back on its stand.


    ¡°Then we can try enhancement next¡±


    She knelt on the ground and presented Evander with a cyan testing orb.


    ¡°Just like before. And if you pull that stunt again I won¡¯t hesitate to throw you right out of this tent¡±


    Her affinity stone glowed as silver threads of light surrounded the orb, thrusting it away from her then pulling it back to her palm. Evander nodded.


    ¡°I promise¡±


    Evander closed his eyes and placed his hand on the stone. Once again he felt the familiar pull from the stone, reaching out and begging him to feed it. Evander calmed his mind and took a deep breath.


    Evander hesitated for a moment, fearing a repeat of the last two tests. Eventually his impatience overcame his fear and he pushed on. He channelled the mana as he did before and pushed it into the testing orb. Feeling resistance once again, he decided to disengage.


    ¡°Damit! Something is wrong with your stones! There is no way I have three trace affinities¡±


    Ignoring his outburst, Gale stood up and placed the orb back on its stand and then grabbed a purple orb. She knelt back down in front of Evander and presented the purple orb.


    ¡°I¡¯ll admit it is rather unusual. Let¡¯s try the illusion orb . It is my second affinity so if you get another trace affinity I can check it like I did with the kinetic orb¡±


    Evander nodded in agreement as he placed his hand on the purple orb. He immediately felt its pull, which angered him. He was tired of being baited by these stupid orbs. He shook off his frustration and began channelling.


    Evander channelled as he did the last few times and pushed cautiously into the illusion orb. He sighed as he felt the now all too familiar sensation of heaviness.


    ¡°It¡¯s no use!¡±


    Gale silently channelled mana and pushed it into the illusion orb. The orb pulsed with purple light as formless swirls danced around the orb. When she stopped channelling, the formless colourful swirls slowly dissipated and her gem went dim.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on Evander. For whatever reason, you appear to have four trace affinities. If you add them to your one to three regular affinities, you are looking at between five and seven affinities. Granted most of them are useless, but still it¡¯s something to be happy about¡±


    Evander sighed.


    ¡°Yeah, I guess you¡¯re right. Let¡¯s just get the rest of these over with¡±


    Over the next several minutes, Evander successfully connected to the yellow mind orb, the white air orb, and the black dimension orb. Each time he felt the familiar pull and tried to push mana into it. Every single time he tried, he was met with the same resistance.


    Gale¡¯s confusion and intrigue intensified with each orb. Unlike Gale, Evander grew more and more numb. He was torn between the ridiculous novelty of having seven trace affinities, and the overwhelming despair of not having any real affinities. He flopped onto his back and groaned as he failed to properly channel mana into the dimension testing orb. With the seventh test complete, he had to face the reality of getting only one affinity.


    Evander choked up again, but this time, he began to sob. He rolled onto his knees and turned his face to the ground, not wanting Gale to see.


    ¡°Do you need a minute?¡±


    Evander silently nodded his head as he sobbed into his knees. What if he didn¡¯t have any affinities? He would be useless, powerless¡­magless. He would not become a mage, let alone, the greatest mage. He began sobbing harder when he felt a hand on his back.


    ¡°It¡¯s ok Evander. We still have one more test. And it¡¯s your father¡¯s right? I¡¯m sure this will be the one¡±


    Evander took a deep breath and calmed himself.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to do it. I have nothing. If I fail this last test then¡­¡±


    Evander trailed off.


    Gale continued rubbing his back.


    ¡°I¡¯ve administered these tests hundreds of times and you¡¯re not the first to get to this point. Every single time, without fail, they pass the last test. I have never met a student that received no affinities, and you are unlikely to be the first¡±


    ¡°Even if I pass the fire test. I''ll only have one affinity. Do you know how shameful that is after everything my parents did to get me here?¡±


    ¡°Evander, you don¡¯t just have one affinity. You have every affinity! I¡¯ve never seen this before in all my years at the academy, and I wouldn¡¯t have believed it if I didn''t witness it myself. You are about to become the first and only mage capable of channelling every type of magic there is. If there isn¡¯t a use for it, you can make one. Forget the utility of a single trace affinity, you have seven of them! That¡¯s got to count for something¡±


    Evander looked up at her, eyes red.


    ¡°You really think so?¡±


    She looked down at him with an unflinching gaze.


    ¡°I know so¡±


    Evander stopped sobbing and wiped the tears from his eyes. He stood up and walked over to the red testing orb.


    ¡°Let''s do this!"


    Gale presented the red orb to Evander and he closed his eyes. He reached out with his mind to connect with the orb and felt the all too familiar pull.


    ¡°I feel it!"


    ¡°Great! Now take it!¡±


    Evander channelled mana into his Affinity Stone and pushed his energy at the fire orb.


    In an instant, his heart sank deeper and harder than ever before. That feeling, that god''s damned feeling, greeted him once again, smugly taunting him; mocking him. Tears welled up in his eyes as a hole opened up in his chest, making it hard to breathe.


    With nothing left to live for, he decided to fight back, channelling harder, and pushing past the emptiness that threatened to overcome him. He choked and sobbed as he pushed harder, focusing on that red sliver of light that taunted him. His vision narrowed and his senses dulled, until all that remained was the little red wisp.


    Faint shouts could be heard nearby, but he couldn¡¯t understand the words. Every now and then he saw flashes of silver light as he channelled harder. As the emptiness threatened to overwhelm him, he pushed harder, harder against something he didn¡¯t quite understand, as though pushing was the solution to all his problems.


    He heard the shouting again, this time seeming more desperate, almost pleading. But all Evander could think of was the weight dragging him down and his need to free himself. No matter the cost, he had to break free. He knew if he could break free everything else would be fine. So he pushed, and pushed, and pushed-


    The red wisp vanished as his vision whirled. A sudden pressure pushed against his chest, and for a moment, he felt weightless. A moment later, pain shot into his head as a strike to his back blew the wind out of him.


    With blurred vision, tinged with red, he tried to make sense of his surroundings. As his mind cleared, a burning pain erupted deep in his chest and shot through his limbs. The burning sensation grew stronger as his chest convulsed. He let out a guttural gasp as he desperately fought for a breath that would not come.


    Gale knelt over him, a mortified look on her face as she cried for help. Seeing her conjured vague feelings of anger and despair, as his mind weakly clung to consciousness. After a few more moments of breathlessness, his vision darkened and his mind went blank.

 Chapter 6: Gale Gaia

    Gale was a tenured professor at Xander Xalatar¡¯s Academy of Magical Arts. She had been teaching there for over two decades, lecturing students on several branches of magical theory. She also tutored students in her two affinities: illusion and kinetics. Today she was tasked with running the affinity exam in Tent Nine, something she was rather un-fond of.


    Administering the affinity exam was an exceptionally thankless task that usually brought out the worst in people. Given the random nature of the exam, people created a lot of superstition around it. This left examiners with the unenviable task of destroying the fantasies of many students hoping to ¡®beat¡¯ the system with ridiculous notions.


    To be fair, such problems were a minor irritation compared to the much larger and difficult problem of administering the exam to self-important would-be aristocrats, who felt entitled to powers as though they were items on a menu at the Divine Halls. It was these students that made administering the affinity exam the absolute worst.


    Gale was waiting patiently at the entrance to the auditorium while professor Fargo addressed the students with his spectacular sound magic. How did he project his voice everywhere? Despite knowing the theory, she couldn''t shake the feeling of awe every time she heard it. As she watched him speak her vision drifted to his tight-fitting battlemage attire, which would look completely ridiculous if not for his stunning muscular physique.


    After a minute or so, Professor Fargo completed his announcement and headed over to Tent One. This was her cue everyone to head over to Tent Nine and begin the soul-crushing task of granting people magic powers.


    Gale approached her tent and saw a group of students wearing academy robes while two nobles stood off to the side. Finally, she glanced over at a man in a black and gold cloak on the far side of the seating area. The student was tapping his feet and fidgeting, a common occurrence here, for students not distracted in conversation.


    Wanting to get this over with, Gale marched up to the tent and tersely instructed the students on how they would proceed. She then pointed to the closest student wearing academy garb and directed her into the tent.


    Gale found it was always better to get through the silver cloaked students first, and fortunately for her, she had a lot of them. They were usually less fussy about affinities, and when they were, they were at least less obstinate. She would leave the other three to the end, after the inevitable blow-ups from entitled students who believed their family or money gave them special rights.


    Gale administered the exam to a girl named Anabelle Frost. The girl seemed hesitant and timid as she approached the tent, but eventually summoned the courage to go through. She was an uneventful exam, spending several minutes learning how to channel mana into her stone. Once she got the hang of channelling, the rest of the exam went swiftly.


    Annabelle was fortunate enough to pass her illusion test, which put her in a good mood to start. That mood was tempered by the following seven tests, which sadly produced no affinities. Annabelle quickly left the tent wearing a sour expression as she marched to the hall exit.


    Gale let out a sigh.


    ¡°It never changes¡±


    ¡ª ¡ª


    After over an hour of exams with a variety of results ranging from elation to anger, Gale stepped out of the tent and prepared for the troublesome trio. There had been two ¡®incidents¡¯ requiring the intervention of Mindmaster Blint, so Gale was confident that the remainder of the exam would be mostly smooth.


    Gale looked over at the student quietly pacing back and forth just behind the seating area. The student had been walking the same patch of floor the entire time, occasionally fiddling with his hands, and frequently mumbling.


    Not wanting to disturb him, she opted to grab one of the others. They were sitting together with their chairs facing toward the centre of the hall, loudly mocked silver cloaked students. Earlier, they had angrily mocked a student for leaving her tent with an elated expression, saying that she would be too stupid to know what to do with her powers. However, they took special pleasure in students who exited the tents with dour expressions. She overheard phrases like ¡°bad blood¡± and ¡°know their place¡±, which made her blood boil.


    Gale figured breaking them up would quell their flippant mood, potentially turning the one that remained into a fidgeting mess like the loner student in black. She called for one of them and escorted them into the exam room. She instructed the boy to keep his mouth shut and not speak unless answering a direct question. The student¡¯s smug expression flattened and he nodded in understanding.


    The exam was quick, with the student receiving dimensional and kinetic affinities in the first half of the exam. The last five tests conveyed no affinities, bringing the student¡¯s mood from pompously ecstatic, to tempered smugness with a hint of sorrow.


    The second to last student was very different from the previous one. She obtained air and enhancement affinities, but received both of them on her last two orbs. This brought her mood from furious despair to elated relief.


    It never ceased to amaze Gale how fickle the students were. The order didn¡¯t matter and yet they insisted on conjuring up emotions long before the test was over. They would all save themselves a huge amount of energy and stress if they simply reserved judgement until the end of the exam. She of course knew this would never be the case.


    ¡°But a girl can dream¡±


    As the second to last student exited the tent Gale took a deep breath and prepared herself for the last exam. She looked over to him to see him still pacing and mumbling, completely oblivious to his surroundings. She glanced at his cloak, which read ¡®Emberheart¡¯ just below the crest on his back.


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    ¡°Emberheart? Never seen that one before¡±


    ¡°Emberheart!" she said


    The student was not too bright, or forgot he was wearing a commissioned cloak, because he took her call to mean she knew him personally. If this kid was a dunce, her last exam would be a long one. It was so close to being over and she just wanted to leave and get some food.


    To Gale¡¯s delightful surprise, Evander was a natural at channelling. He had just received a trace affinity for kinetic magic, which he ended up being rather excited about. She felt bad for prejudging him so harshly. Students normally reacted with confusion when told about trace affinities, so this came as a surprise. It appeared he was well read, with obscure knowledge of magic theory.


    Evander began reciting magic theory on traces, but became sad when he realised he would not be a real kineticist. He spoke of his father¡¯s affinity, which put Gale in the frustrating position of feeling bad for him. It appeared he was not the son of a noble or aristocrat, but rather the son of a well-off craftsman. The pressure he was under was obviously immense, causing Gale to feel pangs of sympathy.


    Next was the life orb, his mother¡¯s affinity. This too resulted in a trace affinity. However, this time Evander chennelled hard, in what appeared to be a foolish attempt to ¡®overcome¡¯ his trace affinity by sheer force of will. His folly was not rewarded. Instead, he collapsed onto the floor, completely exhausted and gasping for air.


    The boy¡¯s foolishness had not resulted in Mana Burn, which left it up to Gale to decide how to proceed. While she wanted to go to lunch and put this whole exam behind her, she was beginning to empathise with Evander¡¯s situation. She decided to proceed with the exam after allowing him time to recover from his stunt.


    Evander opted to leave his father¡¯s second affinity until the end, not wanting to suffer another blow to his confidence until it was absolutely necessary, or until after he had an affinity to console himself with. Despite her feelings about test order, she found herself reluctantly agreeing with Evander¡¯s reasoning.


    The next several tests were a gauntlet of absurd impossibility that could hardly be believed. He acquired seven trace affinities, which was generally thought to be impossible. They were not proper affinities, which made the situation slightly less absurd. Even so, she would not have believed it had she not witnessed it with her own eyes.


    At this point, Evander broke down. Gale tried her best to console him, promising that he was guaranteed to get at least one affinity. When asked if she was certain, she said yes.


    ¡°A white lie, I know.¡±


    She had known two mages, in her twenty years at the academy, who came out the exam with absolutely no magical affinities. Out of the thousands of students who passed through these halls, just two failed every test. It wouldn¡¯t happen to Evander though; the chances were too slim. He would get his affinity and leave a happy man. It wasn''t every day a student obtained one primary and seven trace affinities.


    ¡°Actually, it wasn¡¯t ever¡±, she thought


    With Gale¡¯s lies of encouragement, Evander decided to go for it. He made the connection, began channelling, and then, all hell broke loose.


    Evander¡¯s expression went from elated to hopeless in an instant, but he didn¡¯t stop channelling. His face contorted in a grimace as tears formed in his eyes. His breathing became jarred and he let out a mournful cry. Gale¡¯s heart sank.


    The silver light circling Evander grew stronger, while the trickle of red light barely changed. Realising he was not going to stop; she pulled the orb away from him. Sadly, his connection was too strong.


    ¡°Stop Evander!¡± she shouted, ¡°You¡¯re going to kill yourself!¡±


    Her shouts appeared to have no effect on him. Either he couldn¡¯t hear, or didn¡¯t want to. Tears poured from his face as his hair and clothes became soaked with sweat. The sweat on his arms and face began to steam. He was going to kill himself if she didn''t stop him. Gale¡¯s stone flashed as a wave of silver erupted from her hands.


    The wave smashed into Evancer¡¯s chest, sending him flying into the air and out of the tent, towards the centre of the hall. Evander hit the ground with a thud and a crack. No longer channelling, his Affinity Stone dimmed. His screams abruptly halted, replaced with desperate muted gasps for air as he struggled to breathe.


    Gale ran over to check on him.


    ¡°Get the healer! He¡¯s going to die! Get a healer now!¡±


    A man came running towards them. He was a student wearing red and black robes with a burning wolf crest.


    ¡°What happened?" asked Cillian


    ¡°He over-channelled. He¡¯s going to burn up if we don''t do something¡±


    A tall woman in green robes rushed towards them and knelt next to the man in red and black. Her cloak was stitched with a name: Freya.


    ¡°What happened?¡± asked Freya


    ¡°He hit his head and back in the fall. Also, he probably has Mana Burn. If you don¡¯t get him treatment he¡¯ll burn up¡±


    Freya nodded. Her face was locked in intense concentration.


    ¡°Ok, I need a fire mage right now!¡± shouted Freya


    ¡°I¡¯m a fire mage¡±, replied Cillian


    ¡°A real mage, kid. Get me a professor, and an air mage while you¡¯re at it¡±


    Cillian leapt up and started shouting, ¡°We need a fire mage and air mage! We have a case of Mana Burn!¡±


    Cillian continued shouting as the healer tended to Evander. Silver light swirled around her and into her stone, while green light blanketed Evander. Green energies swirled around his head, where he had cracked it on the hard marble surface. Bones could be heard clicking as they slid back into place. Several ribs also snapped into place as she moved onto his torso.


    ¡°Gale! Keep his heart beating"


    ¡°On it"


    Two professors arrived at the scene and knelt down by Evander¡¯s body.


    ¡°I¡¯ve healed the damage, but he¡¯s burning up. Have either of you ever treated mana burn before?


    Both the newcomers replied in the negative.


    ¡°I need you to draw the heat out of his body. Start with his head¡±


    A man in red robes nodded.


    Freya turned to the woman in white.


    ¡°I need you to help him breathe. Gale is working his heart but he needs air. Also, keep a current of air around us to vent the heat Casper pulls from his body¡±


    The woman in white nodded.


    The four of them worked at their respective tasks. Cillian had returned to Evander''s side and began quietly encouraging the unconscious Evander.


    After several minutes Freya declared they could stop. The torrents in the silver dissipated and their stones went dim.


    ¡°He¡¯s got a pulse and his temperature is down. He is ready to be moved to the infirmary¡±


    Cillian Grabbed a stretcher and laid it down next to Evander.


    ¡°¡®I¡¯ll help carry him,¡± he said


    The four mages stepped back to make room. Cillian and Freya slid Evander onto the stretcher and lifted him using the handles at each end. They rushed him out of the room and headed for the infirmary.