Kaelith Verdannis paced the courtyard, his robes swirling with his agitated movements. His voice rang sharp and clear as he addressed the Baron. "This could lead to the death of the entire city!" he exclaimed, his staff glowing faintly as if responding to his frustration.
Baron Aldric Thornvale folded his arms, his piercing gaze steady as he regarded the Tower Master. "One missing artifact is hardly a cause for calls of doom, Tower Master," he said, his tone skeptical.
Kaelith's expression faltered briefly, a flicker of uncertainty passing through his fiery eyes. "It's true I don't know its exact use," he admitted, "but it was one of the original artifacts discovered in Maze during its founding. That rat sneaking into my tower and stealing it, while his apprentice distracted us, is never a good sign."
"I agree," Aldric said after a moment, his voice grim. "This isn't over, and I don't believe it will end quietly."
Their conversation halted abruptly as they both noticed Vince standing near the yard's edge, his sweat-soaked form still gripping the training blade. Kaelith's intense gaze softened slightly as he studied the young man, a flicker of recognition lighting his features.
"Oh, Vince, was it?" Kaelith called, gesturing him over.
Vince hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, his steps slow but steady. Kaelith motioned for him to stop a few paces away and extended a hand.
"Hold out your hand, if you would," Kaelith instructed, his voice calm but curious.
Vince complied, holding his hand out hesitantly. Kaelith's staff hummed faintly as the mage's fingers hovered over Vince's palm, a soft glow emanating from the red gems embedded at the top. A gentle warmth coursed through Vince's arm, and he shivered involuntarily as something deeper stirred within him.
Kaelith's eyes gleamed as he nodded, his lips curling into a faint smile. "You do have the spark," he murmured, half to himself.
"The spark?" Vince questioned, his brows knitting in confusion.
Kaelith straightened, his gaze now more focused. "You've opened your mana pool," he explained. "You've begun to absorb magic energy from the elements around you. That means you have the potential to be a mage."
Vince blinked, his mind racing. "I—I don't even know how that happened."
Kaelith chuckled softly. "Often, it happens in moments of great stress or strong emotion. The events of recent may have forced your mana pool to open up in response."
The Baron watched the exchange with a raised brow but remained silent.
Kaelith, however, sighed, his expression growing serious. "Unfortunately, I am far too preoccupied with the break-in at the tower to provide you with proper instruction. But," he added with a quick glance toward the keep, "I can arrange for someone to guide you. One of my apprentices will suffice, along with the Baron's daughter, Lisa, who may find this beneficial as well."
Without waiting for a response, Kaelith turned and waved over one of the mages who had been following him. A short, stocky man with brown hair and a round face approached, his brown eyes sparkling with curiosity. A ring of rocks floated around his head like a crown, and the low rumble of a voice echoed softly from the rocks.
"Doonin, my apprentice," Kaelith introduced him. "A second-circle Earth Mage. He will handle your initial lesson."
Doonin gave a wide smile, his tone friendly as he addressed Vince. "Pleasure to meet you, lad. And the Baron's daughter, too, if she'll be joining?"
As if summoned, Lisa appeared at the edge of the courtyard, her fiery hair bouncing with her steps. She arched a brow at Vince before turning her attention to Doonin. "What's this about a lesson? Don't tell me you've got Vince playing with fire!"
"Not fire," Doonin said with a grin. "Not yet anyway. Come along, both of you; let's find a quieter spot."
Doonin led Vince and Lisa to one of the keep's many libraries, its tall shelves lined with leather-bound tomes and illuminated by sunlight streaming through arched windows. The apprentice mage selected a spacious table and gestured for the two to sit. His elemental hovered nearby, the stones circling its form shifting slightly with each movement.
"Now," Doonin began, leaning forward with his arms resting on the table, "do either of you know what magic is?"
Lisa tilted her head. "It's… energy? Something mages can pull from their surroundings?"
"Close enough," Doonin replied. "Magic is energy, yes, but it exists in all things—within the air, the earth, even the water we drink. Mages have the ability to harness and shape that energy into spells. We call this energy mana."
Vince nodded slowly, listening intently. "And the elements?"
"Ah, the elements," Doonin said with a grin. "Mana comes in different types, what we call elements. There are many, but most have been categorized into six main types: fire, wind, water, earth, light, and shadow. Each mage tends to bond with one element during their initiation, though rare individuals can master more than one."
He gestured to the ring of rocks encircling his head. "For me, it's earth. My elemental helps me harness its power more efficiently. Without it, I couldn't even cast the simplest of spells."
The floating stones shifted, and the elemental's voice rumbled like distant thunder. "It is a symbiosis. We grow together."
Lisa's eyes widened slightly. "So, the elemental is… alive?"
"Very much so," Doonin confirmed. "Your elemental is your partner, your guide, and the source of your strength. As your mana pool grows, so does your elemental's ability to assist you. And as you rank up, your elemental can manifest in increasingly physical forms."
Doonin reached into a pouch at his belt and retrieved a small stone engraved with glowing runes. "Your mana pool is like a reservoir inside you. To grow it, you need to feed it mana regularly: through meditation, practice, and bonding with your elemental. The larger your mana pool, the more spells you can cast."
He set the stone on the table, tapping it lightly. "Once your pool is large enough, you can inscribe a magic circle. Circles serve three purposes: they expand your mana flow, increase storage, and hold a spell for instant casting."
"Instant casting?" Vince asked.
"Exactly," Doonin said. "Normally, casting a spell requires gestures, incantations, or runes. But a spell inscribed into a circle is ready at all times. No need for any of that. Of course, creating a circle takes effort and mana, and once it's inscribed, the spell is locked in place. Choose carefully."
He leaned back, his gaze shifting between Vince and Lisa. "For now, your focus should be on strengthening your mana pool. Feed it mana, grow it, and your elemental will guide you as you progress."
Doonin stood, his elemental's rocks shifting with the movement. "That's enough for now. This is a journey, not a sprint. I'll check in with both of you soon to see how you're progressing."
Lisa stood as well, her expression curious but thoughtful. "I'll have to think about all this. It's a lot."
Vince nodded, his mind buzzing with possibilities. He glanced down at his hand, the faint warmth of Kaelith's test lingering in his memory. A mage, he thought. I could really be a mage
As Doonin prepared to leave, gathering his notes and returning the rune-etched stone to his pouch, Vince hesitated. Something had been gnawing at him, a feeling that lingered in the back of his mind ever since the chaos at the Pearl. He glanced at Lisa, who was distracted by a nearby bookshelf, then turned back to Doonin.
"Doonin," Vince said, his voice uncertain.
The earth mage paused, turning back with a curious look. "Yes, lad?"
"There's something I've been meaning to ask," Vince began, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ever since... a few weeks ago, I've felt something. Like… something's been calling to me. Gallen told me to mention it, but I guess I got caught up in everything and forgot."
Doonin's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his usual easy smile fading into something more serious. "Calling to you, you say?" he asked, his tone sharp but not unkind.
Vince nodded. "Yeah. It's hard to describe. It's not a voice, exactly, but it's there. Like a pull or a whisper at the edge of my mind."
The ring of stones circling Doonin's head shifted slightly, his elemental's deep, rumbling voice breaking the silence. "He has touched the stream of the elements."
Doonin's gaze grew more focused as he stepped closer, his wide smile returning faintly. "If what you're feeling is what I think it is, Vince, this is a rare and exciting thing."
"What do you mean?" Vince asked, his heart beating faster.
"It's very possible," Doonin said, his voice growing softer, almost reverent, "that an elemental has found a connection with you. If that's the case, it will find you soon to initiate a bonding. This is a deeply personal and powerful experience, lad. You must be ready for it; and willing."
Vince blinked, the weight of Doonin's words settled on him like a physical thing. "Willing? What happens if I'm not?"
Doonin frowned slightly, his tone taking on a note of caution. "The bond between a mage and an elemental isn't something to take lightly. It's a partnership, Vince, built on trust and mutual growth. If you're not fully committed, the connection will fail, and the elemental will move on. And let me tell you," he added with a meaningful look, "you might not get another chance."
Vince swallowed hard, the implications sinking in. "Not all elementals are the same, though, right?"
Doonin nodded. "True enough. Not all elementals are equal in strength or temperament. Some are more powerful, more compatible, or simply more willing to bond than others. But," he added with a stern look, "don't let that sway you into being picky. The elemental that chooses you is the one best suited to help you grow, even if it might not seem that way at first."
The stones around Doonin shifted again, the elemental's voice echoing softly. "Trust the bond."
Doonin smiled at the elemental's words and clapped Vince on the shoulder. "You've got a rare opportunity, lad. If this is your time, embrace it. The elemental will come when it's ready, and when it does, you'll know."
Vince nodded slowly, his mind racing. The idea of bonding with an elemental, of becoming a mage, felt monumental; but it also felt. . . right. Whatever was calling to him, he wasn't going to ignore it.
"Thanks, Doonin," Vince said, his voice steadier now. "I'll be ready."
"I've no doubt," Doonin replied with a grin. "And if you need guidance when the time comes, don't hesitate to ask. For now though, I'll leave you to process all this. Good luck, Vince."
With that, Doonin and his elemental turned and left the library, their presence leaving a lingering sense of gravity in the room. Vince stood there for a moment, his thoughts swirling, before Lisa's teasing voice broke through the silence.
"Well," she said, leaning against a shelf with a sly smile, "looks like someone's got a big future ahead of them."
Vince gave her a weak smile in return, his thoughts still on the whisper that had been tugging at him.
Vince turned back to find Lisa studying him intently, her fiery hair catching the sunlight streaming through the tall windows. She had an air of curiosity about her, but beneath it, there was something more thoughtful, almost calculating.
"You know," she began, leaning casually against the edge of a desk, "I'll be leaving for one of the great mage academies to the east soon."
Vince blinked, her words catching him off guard. "Mage academy?" he asked.
Lisa nodded, her expression a mix of excitement and confidence. "Yes. They're prestigious schools for magic, and the one I'm going to is the best: Argenthal Academy. It's where most noble families send their magically inclined children."
She twirled a strand of her hair absently, her tone growing more serious. "If an elemental hasn't found me by then, they'll do a summoning ritual. It's a tradition at the academy, something they perform every year for new apprentices."
"Summoning ritual?" Vince asked, his brows furrowing. "What's that?"
Lisa smiled, her green eyes lighting up. "It's incredible, really. It takes several mages working together, linking their mana pools to call willing elementals to the students. The summoning creates an environment where the elementals can sense potential bonds more clearly."
She tilted her head slightly, watching Vince closely. "They say it's like a concert of lights. It's a big deal: life-changing, even. Every apprentice hopes for a strong bond, but the elemental chooses you not the other way around. Vince nodded slowly, the idea of summoning an elemental captivating, though intimidating. Lisa's expression softened as she leaned closer, her voice quieter now.
"Are you going to go?" she asked, her head cocked to the side in curiosity.
Vince hesitated, the question hitting him harder than he expected. He glanced down at his hands, his fingers curling slightly as if clutching at something invisible. Images flashed through his mind: the smoldering ruins of the Pearl, Mira's pale face, Lira's lifeless body surrounded by fallen foes. The weight of everything he had lost pressed down on him like a physical force.
"I…" Vince started, then trailed off. He didn't have an answer, not one he could say aloud. The thought of leaving Maze, leaving behind the memories of the Pearl and the people he had failed to save, felt impossible. And then, there was the stark reality of money. Attending a prestigious mage academy wasn't something he could afford, not in his current state. He barely had enough to get by, let alone pay for tuition at a school like Argenthal.
Lisa seemed to pick up on his silence, her teasing grin fading into something softer. "You don't have to decide now," she said gently. "I just thought… well, you've got magic in you, Vince. That's rare. And if anyone deserves to learn how to use it, it's you."
Vince managed a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Thanks," he said, his voice subdued.
Lisa straightened, brushing off her skirts. "Well, if you do decide to go, maybe I'll see you there. It could be fun to have someone I know around."
She gave him a quick wink and turned toward the door, leaving Vince alone with his thoughts. As her footsteps faded down the hallway, he sank onto the bench near the table, staring at his hands once more.
Fun, he thought bitterly. Sure, if you're a noble or someone with coin to spare.
He exhaled deeply, running a hand through his damp hair. The call he felt, the pull toward something greater; it was undeniable. But so were the chains tying him to Maze, to the ashes of the life he had.
Vince sat on the bench, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him like a leaden cloak. Lisa's words lingered in the air, mixing with the distant sounds of the keep: the clang of swords in the yard, the soft rustle of leaves in the garden, and the gentle splashing of the fountains. He closed his eyes, trying to find something solid amidst the chaos of his mind.
Feel, he thought to himself. Gallen's voice echoed faintly in his memory: The world isn't just seen with your eyes, lad. Feel it. Let it speak to you.
He took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing. The sweat still clinging to his skin prickled with the cooling air, the faint sting of effort still fresh in his muscles. He let the sensation sink in, grounding him.
His awareness expanded outward, drifting toward the sound of the fountains on the keep grounds. The rhythmic cascade of water soothed him, and his focus shifted further still, reaching the city beyond the keep. He could almost sense the canals that snaked through Maze, their sluggish currents carrying whispers of movement.
Further still, his mind stretched outward, following the canals as they fed into the great lake that bordered the city. The vastness of the water called to him, its surface shimmering in his mind's eye, reflecting the sky like a living mirror. From the lake, he felt the rivers spreading out like veins of the world, winding through hills and forests, flowing endlessly toward something greater.
Then, it came. The ocean.
The rivers led him there, to the infinite expanse of water stretching beyond the horizon. The currents roared in his ears, waves crashing against unseen shores. It was immense, unyielding, and eternal. His breath caught as the sensation overwhelmed him, the sheer magnitude of it making his mind reel.
And then. . . he saw it.
A giant eye, lidless and glowing with a piercing blue light. It floated in the ocean's depths, vast and all-encompassing, its gaze turning toward him. Vince felt impossibly small beneath its stare, as though he were a single grain of sand on an endless shore.
The eye moved closer.
Its presence was overwhelming, a pressure that filled the air and crushed him under its weight. The glow from the eye seemed to envelop him, surrounding him in an infinite void of blue. He tried to pull back, but his body refused to obey. The eye bore into him, vast and unyielding; and for a moment, Vince felt as though he were dissolving, becoming one with the ocean itself.
Lost in the blue, he could no longer tell where he ended; and it began. It was everywhere: in the sweat on his skin, in the canals and rivers, in the vast depths of the ocean. It was in him, and he was in it.
The eye moved closer still, its presence a whisper that was deafening, a force that spoke without words. Vince's chest tightened and his heart raced, but he couldn't look away.
Then, just as he thought he might drown in the sheer vastness of it. A voice echoed in his mind, soft but certain, like the sound of a wave:
You called. I am coming.