Under the midnight air, Alex Roth stood on the balcony of the villa. He looked over the courtyard with a dreamy smile, taking in the sounds, sights and scents of the Generasian countryside under moonlight.
Fireflies glowing in the distance.
Crickets chirping.
A warm wind.
Torakas golems patrolling the courtyard.
All were comforting. No more frigid Irtyshenan nights, huddled by a fire with the hidden church stalking him, Birger and Bjorgrund. Just the comfort of ho.
The sound of a door creeping open behind him caught his attention.
Theresa erged into the moonlight, clad in her nightgown with her hair still damp from her bath. His face lit up.
By the Traveller, I missed you, he thought as the huntress closed the door behind her, slipping up beside him.
She pressed her body against him, and their lips t.
They did not part for a long ti.
She pulled away, breathing deeply. By the Traveller, Ive wanted to do that for months.
We kissed after we killed the First Apostle, and yes, Im keeping track. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.
And, we haven't made up for lost ti yet. She nuzzled into his shoulder. Theres been a lot of lost kisses and monts that weve missed. We have a lot to make up for.
Well, were together again. We can make up for lost ti. Alex smiled. Weve got all the ti in the world.
Not quite yet, Theresa reminded him. Theres darkness ahead of us.
And well face it together. All of us, butmost of allustogether, he said.
Like when we left Alric, she agreed. You and . Together. Looking out for each other, and for Selina and Brutus.
Ya, he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. I love you, Theresa. I want you to always rember that. And I want you to know Alex gestured to the night. Im going to make sure we can experience all of this together, forever. The Ravener wont stop us.
No, Alex. Well make sure that doesnt happen. She kissed him again.
Youre right, he agreed. Well make sure. He cupped her chin and looked into her eyes. I missed you, he whispered, softly kissing her forehead, her eyelids and moving down to her neck, before stopping. We should probably go inside before your parents see us.
She chuckled. Youre willing to face the Ravener but not my mother and father?
Alex looked at her completely seriously. Yes. Id rather pick fights I might be able to win.
She laughed then, and all was perfect.
###
Nostalgia.
Appearing in the schools practice stadium under the early morning sun, a wave of nostalgia washed over Alex. His companions materialised seconds later: Claygon, the Lus, Najyah, Theresa, Selina, Brutus, Khalik, Isolde and Thundar were all there.
Selina gasped, squinting at the sudden daylight, and a smile spreading from her lips to her eyes, took over her face. It's so good to be here on campus.
Yeah, it sure is, Alex agreed.
Looking around the stadium brought back a host of mories: first and second year students were practising combat spells using stone dummies, third years were studying in the stands, the flash of magic, crackle of fire, and the impact of forceall took him back to countless days spent here.
Long mornings where he, Khalik and Thundar jogged around the track, starting their days. Thats where hed learned that there was a proper and efficient way to jog, sothing hed never thought about before, sothing hed never cared about, before coming to Generasi. The Mark of the Fool had helped him with running properly, it was one of the very first uses hed found for it and he'd co so far since then.
Students around the practice began whispering. Alex heard Claygons na ntioned repeatedly; then his cabalmates, then Theresas and Brutus, then his.
Upper years paused what they were doing, openly staring.
Alex is back, a pudgy battle-mage said.
Alex Roth is back, whispered a skinny young man who Alex had never t before.
Wow, look at him! a bespectacled blonde murmured, looking appreciative.
Alex heard ntion of the Gas of Roal, mana vampires, golems and Thaland from upper year students.
Younger ones exchanged puzzled glances, Isnt Alex Roth the one who can teleport around like nothing? Doesnt he make golems? One of them asked the others he was practising with. Yes, and thats what I want to do too! the first year answered.
Well, Mrs. Lu said. You're certainly well-known.
Alex chuckled. You know what's funny? I walked through this campus yesterday without anyone saying a single word about . He looked up at Claygon. I guess I'm a lot less noticeable when I don't have this guy beside .
He does leave an impression, Thundar said.
That he does, Isolde agreed.
Indeed, Khalik ca forward with a broad smile on his face. If he had been with us when we first ca here, Alex, I think things would have gone quite differently.
What do you an? Alex asked.
The princes eyes twinkled. Do you recall certain actions by certain mbers of a certain brotherhood? Rember when the Ursa-Lupine Brotherhood tried to recruit us?
Thats right! I do rember that! Alex slapped his palm with his fist. They were all wearing the sa erald green shirts. That's how we t that Roderick guy and then we had that spell-joust.
And you thoroughly agitated your opponent who I believe was two steps away from imploding! the prince laughed. And we both beat them in their challenges to us!
I wish I'd been there for that, Thundar said. Sounds like fun.
Yeah, it sure was! Alex and the prince shared a high five. His smile faded. Is it just or does that feel like a lifeti ago?
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Khaliks smile disappeared. It does feel that way.
When was this? Mr. Lu asked.
In our first yearalmost three years ago, the prince said.
A lifeti, you say, Mr. Lu sighed deeply. Three years doesn't seem very long to , but then again, perspectives change when you get older.
Well, I certainly feel older, Isolde admitted. Three years ago, my greatest concerns were my marks. Now
-they still are. Thundar grinned.
Isolde didn't take the minotaurs bait. There were no protests, no threats. Just a look of exhaustion.
Six months agoI would have had to admit that you were correct, if you had said as much then, the young noblewoman said. Grades are still important, but I am on the threshold of graduating. I have been spending a lot of my evenings researching how to destroy a kingdom-ending nace. Thoughts about my future often fill my mind, andI have always recognised that studying cos rather easily to . Burying my face in a book, processing its contents, using the information to perform a spell, or write a proper exam or paper, those are things I have always found fulfilling.
She sighed. Yet, here I am wondering how much these things truly matter in the big sche of things. A while back, my grandfather warned about this very thing.
I rember you saying that, Thundar said. Sothing abouttoday's marks not mattering to you ten years from now. Or sothing like that.
Precisely, Isolde said. As ti goes on, I find his words beco even truer to . Grades are easy, but in the end, the world is a much larger and more difficult place.
Well, you seem like a smart young woman to , Mr. Lu said, clearing his throat. I'm sure you'll do very well doinggreatmagicstuff. You all will.
No doubt, Alex agreed, grinning at his cabal. Khalik, Thundar, and Isolde are so of the smartest, bravest, most powerful, and truest friends anyone could have. They're all going to go on to change the world, if thats what they want. Maybe even if they don't want to. Once you're powerful enough, the world changes just because you took a breath that day. And, truthfully, I think I'll be changing the world a bit myself.
Isolde rolled her eyes. False modesty is unbecoming, Roth.
There you go, coldly calling by my last na again He paused. ActuallyIsolde would you mind if we talked later? As a matter of fact, itd be great if we could all talk. Our cabal, I an. There's so stuff I need to talk over with you.
As leader, I can spare you my ear for a bit, Thundar grinned. Anyway, if we keep yapping like this, soone's gonna pack us up, and it's probably gonna be your sister. So, lets see so of those spells of yours, Selina!
Selina, whod clearly been losing patience with their conversationhad her arms crossed and her eyes had glazed overimdiately brightened. And I want to see your new spells too, Alex!
Let's head over to that dummy, over there then, her brother said.
The group made their way to one of the closest dummies, stopping about a dozen feet away.
Everyone watched Selina expectantly.
Take it away, Alex encouraged her.
Okay, she said. So the first spell Ill show you is Blazing Hands.
I've heard of that, Alex said. It's a first-tier fire spell, right? A combat spell?
She nodded enthusiastically. It's really coolwell, actuallythe opposite of cool. But you know what I an. Stop smirking!
Alex smirked proudly. My sense of humours rubbing off on you.
Ugh, she rolled her eyes, turning toward the dummy.
She scrunched her face in concentrationlips flat and brow furrowedas she raised her hands, pointing at the practise dummy while muttering an incantation.
Alex carefully listened to the words of the spell.
Good pronunciation, he thought. Precise use of syllables. Shes been practising and it shows: she definitely seems comfortable with this one.
Just as his thought ended, Selina's hands began glowing. Bright orange sparks flew from her fingertips, exploding, forming a cone of roaring fla that engulfed the mannequin, then faded away.
She turned around, all smiles.
Wow! That was aweso! Alex said. You cast that spell like you've been doing it for years. How much have you been practising?
A lot, she nodded. I've been practising different spells, and learning all the magic theory my tutor brought . I've also been doing the mana manipulationstuff you told about. I'm notsuper good at it. But, Im pretty good. Its kinda boring, but at the sa ti, it's alright, I suppose.
Well, not everyone has to like mana manipulation as much as I do, Alex said. But, as long as you keep doing it: it's going to help you a lot.
I know: my tutor said my mana pool is already bigger than it should be, for soone my age, she said proudly. I'm glad, since it lets practise longer, and fire magic is so much fun, I could practise all day. sotis it feels as easy as breathing. No, that's not right. She paused, frowning. It is like breathing, you know how you feel uncomfortable when you hold your breath for too long? Then you feel this big relief when you take a breath again?
I know how that feels, Theresa said. I had to get good at holding my breath for long periods of ti from hunting in the woods.
It's like that! Selina said. In its own way, casting a fire spell feels just like that, She smiled up at Khalik. Can you tell your mother how Im doing and thank her for again?
I certainly will. Shell be pleased to hear of your progress, the prince smiled.
She smiled back. Oh, and I also learned this spell!
Taking out her knife, she spoke another incantation.
The dagger began glowing the colour of a sour cherry, and burst into fla.
This ones called Sunfire tal, she said. It heats any piece of tal that I'm holding, and lights it on fire. People can use it as a weapon, or use it to do stuff like start campfires.
That's cool. Alex watched the blaze. Your fire affinity is really sothing, your spells have a lot of oomph to them.
Yeah, I can really feel the fire magic, she said. Just watch this She raised her hand, making a pinching motion beside the flaming dagger, then pulled back like she was ripping a dangling thread from a piece of cloth. The flas around the knife decreased as a line of glowing heat began following her finger before snapping back to the dagger.
Alexs jaw dropped. How did you do that?
Rember how I wanted to make cold from fire? she asked. I can sort ofuse manipulation to move the spella bit? It's hard to describe.
Thats sothing! I can't do that! Alex shook his head in admiration. That was amazing, Selina!
She blushed, beaming with pride at the sa ti. I can hardly wait to see what Ill be able to do in a few years if I keep practising it. Do you think you could do it too?
Alex frowned. Maaaaybe? It's not sothing that cos naturally to , that's for sure. You're basically using mana manipulation to alter spells in a way thats not natural for most wizards. I can do so similar stuff with forceball, but it took a lot of modification. I think what youre doing cos from your own unique talent, Selina.
Your fire affinity is extraordinary. I wonder if youll beco as powerful as your brother? Khalik said. But, we wont know that for awhile yet since youre just at the beginning of your journey. Alex is talented, but on top of that, his new Mark allows him to jump the line, as it were, and gives him an even greater edge since certain things that were limiting him are now gone, if you get my aning. He glanced around the stadium, making sure there were no curious ears within earshot. He can do even more line jumping now. But, we all can do things that others cannot: a powerful demon has more raw power, but it does not have the versatility of even a lesser wizard.
That makes sense, Selina said. I can't wait to learn more and see what I can really do.
I'll be watching you every step of the way, Alex said. So, are you ready for a preview of a third-tier fire spell?
Oh, yes! I'd love that! she cried. Show !
Alex turned to the mannequin, then paused. We, uh, might want to step back a bit.
Family and wizards stepped further away from the dummy, giving it plenty of distance. Alex raised a hand, pointing it in the direction of the stone target.
With the twitch of a finger and a slight movent of his tongue, he completed a magic circuit, and launched a fireball at the dummy. It exploded, bursting into flas.
HolyBy the Sapphire Sea! Khalik cried. That was quick!
By the elents, Isolde whispered. That was incredibly fast.
Well, that's fair, Thundar laughed sarcastically. You go from being one of the slowest spellcasters among us, to the fastest.
Again! Selina shouted.
Alex launched another fireball.
Gouts of fla exploded.
He launched two more for good asure, both exploded so fast, it seed like theyd been cast by two mages in rapid succession.
All around, students were craning their necks, watching the escalating display.
Not bad, eh? Alex flexed his fingers, smiling. I learned a few new tricks while I was away, just like you did, Selina.
You have to teach how to do that! she cried.
In ti. Itll take a lot of practice and skill, and you have to know magic circuits and languages really well.
Could you teach us that skill? Khalik asked. I am quick with my incantations, but I have not seen such fast spellcasting since Professor Ram.
Yeah, Alex said. Which reminds , I have to talk to him at so point. As for teaching you? Definitely, and I know youre all willing to learn: so I plan on teaching you and the Heroes. You probably won't pick it up as fast as I wouldsince the Mark gives that advantage, as you saidbut the skill will help you a lot. We can talk about it when we et up later. Speaking of which He paused, looking up at the position of the sun.
I have to go see Professor Jules later. We need to talk to Hobb about sothing, and at the sa ti? I'll see about getting you back into your classes, Selina.
She smiled. Aweso. I can't wait to show my teacher what I've been doing with moving heat.
Alex nodded.
Once again, sothing tweaked in his brain.
Yet, he still couldn't put his finger on it.
Not yet at least.
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