“Sebastian. Please, co in.”
Anne's maid, Ellena, was ho, as usual.
However, unlike before, there was a note of tension in her voice.
‘Well, that's not surprising.’
I felt plenty of tension, myself.
“Did you hear anything?”
“I know as much as you do.”
Her initial answer was also unsurprising.
“However, once the mistress returns, she might have so answers.”
I nodded. It would make sense for Anne to know sothing, being a mber of the MIS, and soone in the logistics departnt, to boot. After all, logistics always precede the battle.
“Would you like to visit the study?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Follow .”
There wasn't much to talk about – once we reached my destination, I thanked her again, and focused on what truly mattered.
***
“To think even you showed up.”
Upon descending the stairway - one which was usually kept locked and guarded - to the lowest chamber beneath the Silverton mansion, the first one to turn his head towards Bernard was the now-youngest of his brothers.
“Leonard.”
“Young master, please…”
Paying his sibling no mind, the 2nd-oldest child of Breston Silverton made his way towards the large stone coffin in the center of the camber, a few maids still andering near it.
“Brother…”
The sadness in Penelope’s voice made his heart quiver, if only for a mont. Stepping forward, he embraced her in a short but earnest hug, feeling her small body quivering slightly.
“What’s that? Finally rembered you had a family?”
At the very least, Geoffrey had the decency to wait for the embrace to end before hurling his usual insults.
“Quiet. I will not have you insult our father’s mory with your childish conduct.”
The one who spoke was a middle-aged man, slightly older than Bernard, wearing the robes characteristic of Wizards, albeit of an unusually high quality fabric.
“Greetings, Jero.”
“Greetings, brother. It’s a sha our reunion takes place under such circumstances.”
His voice was even and deep, his tone – diplomatic.
“Pffft.”
Geoffrey’s scoff was filled with disdain.
“Not a day has passed since our father’s passing, and you’re already playing the lord?”
“This has nothing to do with that, Geoffrey. Each and every one of us has to conduct ourselves according to our stature – even if so have clearly forgotten it.”
Another narrow glance, filled with even deeper contempt, was all the oldest brother received in reply to his words, as his younger sibling turned around, walking towards Leonard, who was still leaning on the wall near the entrance.
“Congratulations on your ascension. To the Elevated realm, that is.”
The bright-brown trimming of the otherwise gray robes were an official signifier of one’s status as a High Wizard, a custom shared by most wizard towers and academies, and a significant symbol of recognition. The fact that Jero wore them even within the family mansion spoke for itself.
“Thank you, brother. Although…”
He narrowed his eyes, before his lips curved in a courteous smile.
“I’d say my own progress isn’t as impressive as yours.”
“This much is only expected at my age.”
“Maybe… But to reach the edge of the 1st Threshold from the very beginning of one’s Path, in 4 years, is nothing to scoff at.”
It sounded like he intended to add sothing else, but his words halted. Of course, Bernard didn’t need the ability to read minds - even though it wouldn’t help him when it ca to his siblings - to understand what was left unsaid.
With a curt nod, he turned towards the resting place of his father’s body.
The top of the stone casket was covered with a semi-transparent glass-like lid, although it was actually an alchemized crystal, used specifically for such occasions.
As he ca close, leaning down, he managed to make out his father’s large figure, laying inside, both hands resting on the hilt of a silver greatsword, a custom held since the first Silverton took the lord’s throne.
Through the murky surface, with his eyes closed, it almost appeared as if he was deep in peaceful slumber.
“Father…”
The angst he felt throughout his younger years… Even the remains he still felt two weeks ago – sohow, they rapidly dissipated, as if they were never there.
For so reason, he suddenly recalled the days when he was still a young child, barely half his current size.
Back then, when he wasn’t running around, swinging his tiny training sword, studying under any of the countless tutors, he’d begging his mother to read him another one of the vibrant, exciting adventuring tales from one of his many books, he’d often run to his father, nagging him with questions – about adventurers, about Paths, about nobility, about the world…
“I wonder…”
What would his father say now, had Bernard voiced his doubts before him?
Would he scold him for overcomplicating things? Would he tell him to follow his gut, and seek the answers to his questions? Or would he simply find a creative and satisfactory answer, like he always did back then?
…Well, not like he’d ever know the answer now.
With a sigh, he turned around, surveying the room once more. Just then…
Ding!
A shrill, loud sound of a bell pierced the air. It ca from Albert’s direction.
The butler took out a small sphere, tapping it a few tis, before turning towards the many gazes which were now locked in on him.
“Young masters and mistress. I ask you to prepare yourself.”
“Prepare ourselves for what?”
Pen’s confused query was t with a swift, firm answer.
“We have important guests from the capital. It’s best that they not be kept waiting.”
The day was promising to be a very, very long one.
***
“The mistress has returned.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Although I did grab a (relatively) cheap lunch in the Enclave, given that almost 6 hours had passed since then - and in part due to my physical exhaustion from this morning - I was more than happy to have dinner.
Skimming through the last few lines, which illustrated the general behavior of energy, and tips for properly maintaining the sigils of the latest spell on my research list, I reluctantly closed the thick book, and headed downstairs.
“Good evening, Sebastian.”
“Good evening, teacher.”
The casual tone almost made forget about what transpired just before my arrival. Almost.
However, it would be rude to bring this up before dinner, especially given the fact that Ellena was already making her way through the doorway, carrying a tray full of dishes.
“Sour-sweet beef, served with roasted baby potatoes and broccoli, ‘Iron Mountain’ stew…”
This ti, perhaps sohow noticing my well-concealed hunger, the listing of the food was far less detailed, and far swifter.
“Thank you for the food.”
I bowed my head, as was customary in this kingdom.
“Oh, no need. I'm glad you like it.”
Despite her words, I couldn't miss a glimr of joy in her eyes.
“That being-”
Her words stopped, as her gaze locked onto the translucent hand, which grabbed the - relatively distant - bowl of beef, and brought it into arm's reach, carefully carrying the heavy ceramic vessel above the small pile of potatoes and broccoli resting on a different plate.
“I see you've gotten quite good at it. Surprisingly good, even.”
True to her words, there was genuine surprise in her voice.
“How.. when did you do it?”
“...Today.”
“Is that related to the tears on your sleeves?”
“...”
I silently averted my gaze, shoving a spoonful of mildly spicy mushroom stew into my mouth.
“Sebastian…”
There was no scorn in her voice – only concern. Sohow, it made it worse.
“I know you're eager to study magic, but even so – putting your life-”
“It wasn't to study magic.”
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I shook my head, denying her claim, albeit slightly more harshly than I intended.
“My.. an acquaintance was in danger. I had to go help him.”
“Do you always rush headfirst into danger to help your acquaintances?”
I released a sigh.
“It was a favor that I owed him. His party leader, more specifically. But still…”
“A favor… Big enough to end up like this, after you evidently received plenty of healing?”
“It… I'm not sure whether it was indeed that big of a favor or not. However, soone told recently that Valorians repay their debts.”
“Tsk.”
Anne clicked her tongue, in a mix of annoyance and dismissal.
“All that for a stupid old saying?”
“Honestly, I don't care about that saying, either. But I hate leaving debts unpaid, either way.”
“Haaa…”
Her exhale contained a note of resignation.
“Stubborn as a gryphon.”
“Sorry…”
For so reason, I felt a bit bad, even though I really shouldn't have.
“Just… Try to be more careful. There's no point in teaching you if you end up dead in so remote wilderness.”
“I’m… Actually, one of your cantrips was of imnse help back there. I don't know whether it was a life-saver or not, but if I didn't practice it, I'd be looking a lot more like this beef right here. So, thank you.”
I lowered my head. When I raised it again, Anne's cheeks were brighter than usual.
“Ehem! That's not a good thing! But… I'm glad it was of use to you.”
As an awkward silence began its descent, I quickly gulped down a few more spoonfuls of stew, nearly finishing the bowl.
“Anyway, what's done is done. Can you show ?”
“Of course.”
I raised my left hand, quickly drawing the sigils, which were part of what I practiced in the last few hours.
“That’s… Stable. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Seriously… To learn both Mage Hand and a variation of Elental Ward in two days.. that's nothing to scoff at. Even a proper Wizard would be proud of such a rapid pace.”
“By the way… There was sothing else.”
“Another cantrip?!”
This ti, the old Wizard could not contain her disbelief. However, I shook my head.
“No, not a cantrip… I don't even know what it is, if I'm being honest.”
“Can you show ?”
“I’ll try. One mont.”
Finishing the bowl of delicious stew, I focused on the mory from before. Of course, I've done that already, more than once, over the last few hours; However, the results were too inconsistent.
I raised my hand, trying to recall the exact movents of arcane energy, their timings, the specific intensity in any given mont… At this point, it was less of an equation and more of a feeling.
A second later…
Fwoom!
A misshapen, fluctuating translucent barrier - which looked more like a small pillow - appeared in front of my hand.
After a few seconds, with Anne squinting her eyes in concentration, I finally released the ‘spell’, feeling at least 10% of my Arcane reserve (which would be 30% of my old reserve) drained away.
“That’s…”
Once again, surprise returned to her voice.
“What? Do you know what this is?”
I was no less curious than she was surprised.
“I’m not completely certain, but… It will be faster to show you.”
I instantly switched to Arcane Sense, focusing on Anne's spell. The sigil felt vaguely familiar – this appeared to be one of the 1st level spells I glossed over.
As for the effect…
‘This looks… sowhat similar. Different, but the similarities are there.’
Between the movents of the Tides, the subtle fluctuations of arcane energy, the timing.
‘Hold on a second…’
Without switching to regular vision, I raised my hand once more. Just like I did with mage hand, I tried to mimic the complex combination that made up this spell.
Until now, this would end up in so random currents ‘splashing’ in unpredictable ways. In truth, besides Mage Hand, I hadn’t tried to cast anything this way, until my training earlier today.
If studying regular spells felt like slowly assembling a complex puzzle, this was more akin to shoving the randomly scattered pieces around, hoping so of them would fit together.
However, with Anne’s practical example…
‘This.. is better, at least.’
Between my own partially-successful attempt at this spell earlier, and Anne’s practical demonstration, at least so parts of the puzzle were already in place, and I had soone rapidly assembling the sa one right in front of .
‘This part doesn’t feel right, though…’
I tried to adjust sothing – the energy drain rapidly decreased, however, the whole thing beca unstable, fluctuating rapidly.
‘Maybe…’
The fluctuations halted, and the energy drain was still low, but the ‘pillow’ compressed into a palm-sized disk.
‘Damn, this fucking…’
Another attempt – the disk expanded, but the maintenance cost shot up, as well, and minor fluctuations returned.
“Haaa…”
Opening my eyes, I dispersed the Tides, letting the spell dissipate with them.
More than half my arcane reserve was missing. However, at the very least, I could call the latest result ‘progress’.
anwhile, Anne sat there quietly, deep in thought, having dismissed her spell as well.
“Was that?..”
“A Barrier, yes. Basic 1st tier spell.”
Her response was uttered as a matter-of-course, with her face still deep in contemplation.
“But… Wait. Isn’t casting spells this way a thing that only Sorcerers do?”
“Not quite.”
Finally, my teacher raised her eyes, which suggested she reached so kind of conclusion.
“There are two falsehoods in that claim. First–”
She raised her finger.
“Wizards can learn spells intuitively, just like how Sorcerers can learn spell formulas. Both are technically ‘arcane beasts’ – in other words, humans who can manipulate the Tides.”
“Wait, so Wizards can learn intuitive spellcasting?”
“Of course! What, do you think the Tower would co after you if you did?”
“Umm…”
“Hey, what’s with that hesitation? What do you take the Tower for?”
“If I’m being honest?..”
“By all ans.”
“A mix of vigorous paper-pushers, stuck-up old researchers who disregard anything apart from said research, power-hungry hyenas trying to climb to the top while exploiting their so-called ‘students’, and stabbing anyone in front of them in the back. And, of course, so sycophants who wouldn't mind throwing their students under the carriage for the sake of appearances.”
I knew this was a partial projection of my own impression of Earth’s universities, but my latest chat with Jerald - who was going to attend the proper academy next month, and already had a few acquaintances there - further reinforced it.
The stuck-up language in the books I’ve read so far didn’t help their impression in my eyes.
I expected so objections from Anne, maybe even a asure of insult but…
“Ha ha ha!”
Instead, I got a laugh in response, albeit not free of bitterness.
“Now, if they heard you say that, you’d definitely get blacklisted.”
She sighed, shaking her head.
“Although, I can’t deny there is so truth in those claims. Regardless, even though Sorcerers are often mistreated, nobody outright bans them from attending the tower, as long as they can keep up with their peers.”
Her voice switched into ‘lecturing mode’.
“In fact, high level Sorcerers, at least the few with a head on their shoulders, often learn formulas for spells outside their domains. Of course, they have to build a foundation, just like any mage, but, once they do, they can either cast those directly, or study the effects of their formulated spells in order to replicate them in an intuitive manner.”
She paused for a mont.
“The sa principle applies to Wizards.”
She raised her hand – a ball of wind appeared, with no additional casting.
She directed the ball at the water glass beside her. The air currents gently engulfed its surface, causing it to float into the air. Then, it floated to the left, tilting just at the angle where the water reached the tip but didn’t spill out.
A mont later, it landed on the other side of her plate.
“Wait, you could-”
“There was no point demonstrating sothing like this. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t demonstrate the spells you’re interested in.”
As I tilted my head, she explained.
“When I was still young, I specialized in air magic. When you repeat a spell for a thousand, ten thousand tis… Eventually, you get a feel for it. However…”
There was a hint of disappointnt in her voice.
“The spells you seek focus on fire. I barely touched that domain over the course of my studies. I can easily cast a few cantrips, even a few 1st tier spells, but anything above that is currently beyond . Even if I tried, I wouldn't be of much help.”
“...what’s the second thing?”
“You are not a Wizard. You are a Spellblade. While I don’t know the specifics, I’m fairly certain your Path provides no benefits when casting in a specific way, be that formulative or intuitive.”
“Oh…”
‘Actually, this makes sense.’
“Co to think of it, back when I realized you learned ‘true’ Arcane Sense… No, actually, with 2nd realm Awareness, this was par for the course.”
“What.. does this an, exactly? I an, should I adjust my training sohow?”
“That’s a funny way to put it. While you shouldn’t adjust your studies, you could definitely adjust your training…”
After a few monts of thought, she seed to have co to yet another conclusion.
“There is no substitute to a proper foundation – unless you intend to base your progress on learning all new spells intuitively, you should still strive towards learning the formulas, first.”
I nodded. While this ti I was ‘lucky’, there’d be no guarantee I’d be able to make such progress in another useful spell.
Of course, I could probably randomly experint with stuff, and so of it might work out in the end, however…
“Fire spells must be dangerous to learn intuitively, are they not?”
“Very much so. There are barely any fields more dangerous to try and learn that way.”
I nodded once more. It would seem this thod of study would have limited effectiveness. However, it didn’t an this wasn’t useful.
As if reading my thoughts, Anne continued.
“This being said, battle mages - Wizards, specifically - often focus on intuitively learning a few of their ‘core’ formulated spells, with Barrier being a pri example. In my earlier years in the Ministry, when the chief still hadn’t reached the Transcendent realm, I rember him following a similar pattern.”
“Theodor? Ah… I did see him apply so fire enchantnt to his sword without casting. Thought it was so artifact…”
“Flaming Sword. 3rd tier spell. You’ll be able to cast it once you reach the peak of the Rising realm.”
“Will I be able to cast that… Whatever that spatial spell was. So kind of short-distance teleportation.”
Surprisingly, at my words, Anne paused.
“You… Well, technically, you could learn Arcane Step upon advancing to the 1st minor realm of the Elevated realm… However, it’s not that simple.”
“It’s not?..”
“Like I said… Technically, you could learn it.”
“And practically?”
“You’d have to join the Royal Academy, or one of a few specific Towers… Or… At the very least, find a master who’s both knowledgeable, capable, and willing to teach you spatial magic, despite the heavy regulation.”
“Ah, of course. Regulations…”
“What’s with that look? Do you expect sothing this dangerous to be taught freely, so that any lunatic could wreak havoc inside cities, or, worse, so deranged Transcendent Wizard starts constructing Gates hells know where?”
“...”
“I’ll have you know, Valoria is one of, if not the nation where such magic is most accessible. I heard that in Luskar, there are only two groups who can study this dangerous of a field – the archmages, with their core disciples, and-”
Her words halted, abruptly.
“And who?”
She hesitated, before finishing her sentence.
“And the Spellblades they keep as slaves.”
Her voice was much quieter when she said the last part.
“Spellblade… Slaves?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t an to bring up such an uncomfortable subject.”
“No, it’s fine… I just.. didn’t know-”
“Whatever. This has nothing to do with us here! Now, let us finish this al. I think everything has grown cold by now.”
“Right…”
I skewered a few pieces of beef and potato on my fork. Indeed, they were cold.
“Ah, by the way… Speaking of Luskar…”
Anne gave a questioning look, before a light of understanding glimred in her eyes.
“Oh, that… You must have also seen the airships.”
“What’s going on?”
“Don’t worry. This has nothing to do with war.”
At her words, I felt a certain weight lift from my shoulders. However, I couldn’t help but notice her solemn expression.
“Then what is it?”
“Breston… Lord Silverton has finally passed away.”
The fork remained hanging mid-air, cold sour-sweet sauce dripping down onto my plate.
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