Archmage Nilven Ordayn Dupardoner, the keeper of the Mage's Library, was no fool. When he gained his position, he had immediately sought to create an heir to impart his magical wisdom to. From this quest, he had succeeded in having three daughters and two sons. Each one was expected to carry on the Dupardoner lineage, and each one was taught different magical talents. Rosa, being the fifth child and third daughter, had few expectations placed on her. As such, the Archmage had tasked her with researching old techniques and reviving extinct magical practices. Pyromancy was one of those nearly extinct techniques. While he could do some of the basics like summoning fire, the act was extremely mana intensive, and the practice was considered quite dangerous. Thus he had tasked her with learning it on her own time.
Rosa was never expected to succeed. She was sure of this. While her brothers and sisters became magic users of renown, she had more or less been reduced to the status of curator. She maintained, collected, and studied old magical tomes. She didn't mind it, however, finding sanctuary in the legends the tomes mentioned.
With that said, Archmage Nilven was certainly not ancient. He was in his mid fifties, and while his hair had turned white, he was not weighed down with age like some men. His eyes were a clear blue and had the intensity of one who had full control of their mental facilities. His face was hawk-like and clean cut, without a single whisker missed. He stood straight, and instead of carrying a mage staff, he carried a short ornate wand. It was a sign that he didn't need a grand tool to cast his magical abilities, and it was also the symbol of his station. He wore an intricate blue robe with many enchantments stitched into the cloth. His predecessor had created an office with many magical tools, which he had decided to maintain for appearances. It was in this office that he received Rosa, Emil, and Cyn.
The walls were lined with various odd items. Stones were arranged in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Some were shaped like bowls or cups, and some shimmered with an intensity that was magical in nature. Some of them were wards against enemies, or made to detect various dangers. They were all dormant and unreactive. The Archmage had learned to mind these things a long time ago, and he was not lax in his protections.
Cyn looked at the Archmage only for a second before his eyes became clouded with a nostalgic serenity as he surveyed the room. His eyes lingered on a few items for a couple seconds before moving on to the next. It was like he was making a catalogue of the items in the room with his eyesight alone. His trademark smirk seemed to deepen as he looked around.
Rosa, on the other hand, was exceptionally nervous as she spoke to her father.
"Hello Archmage. I've returned with the expected materials. I have compiled a list of what to expect," at this she produced a neatly written list of items.
Nilven only looked over the list briefly before nodding. "I'll pay the agreed upon amount." His hawkish eyes locked onto Emil and he nodded. A small gesture, but a grand one coming from him. "I heard a report that sand worms were spotted in the desert nearby. Did you have any trouble crossing?"
"Actually..." Rosa looked at Cyn, then explained the sand worm attack in detail. She emphasized the bravery of the mercenary group, and made it clear that there was little to no warning before the attack. When she got to the appearance of Cyn and the pillars of flame, the Archmage's eyes clouded and he seemed to become lost in thought. After Rosa had finished, he tilted his head to the side thoughtfully, then locked his eyes on Cyn, who was still looking over the objects in the room.
"A true pyromancer..." Nilven said aloud, his hand unconsciously moving down to touch his wand. It wasn't a defensive tactic; there were many occasions where he found himself rubbing the handle of the wand and getting lost in thought. It was almost like a form of meditation to him. Only after several seconds, he sniffed the air and looked the man up and down, noting the lack of ornament or staff. The sandy cloak, the average clothing, it was hard to believe the man was anything but a common human being. "May I have your real name?" he asked Cyn after a moment, his blue eyes resting on the pyromancer.
Cyn's gaze floated down from the items lining the walls and rested on the Archmage casually, as if the gravity in the room was nothing to him. He thought for a moment, then smirked as if a joke had just been told to him. "Sorry, not sure what you mean. You can call me Cyn, though."
The Archmage laughed. It was one without malice, but the implication of Cyn's words were clear to him. There were many mages in the world who preferred to go without giving out their personal information. While it saddened him that such a man did not count him as trustworthy, it was not something he could fault.
"So, pyromancer Cyn, from the sounds of things you know more powerful fire magic than me, the Archmage of this city. Could I trouble you for some insight in the matter? If you'd like, I wouldn't be against letting you marry my daughter here if it meant you'd take up permanent residence and became a teacher for the Mage's Library."
Cyn inclined his head for a moment, then looked Nilven in the eyes. It was the first time he'd shown genuine interest in the conversation. "If I told you the secret to pyromancy, what would you do with the information? Would you seek peace? Perhaps you would pursue power? Or is it merely the pursuit of knowledge that you're following?"
The Archmage sniffed the air and walked around his desk, sitting in his ornate chair. The question was a common thing to ponder, but he wanted to give a formal reply every time he heard it. "I am a man who seeks knowledge, but I only give it out to the ones who are responsible. Our library is intent with having a clear and calm demeanor before we ever pick up a staff. We control our emotions and temper our expectations. If you were to teach pyromancy to us, we would use it for the betterment of man kind." His response was measured, but when Nilven brought his eyes back to Cyn he found the young man's eyes were filled with tears. It was enough to startle him out of his formal mannerisms. "Is something... is something the matter?"
Cyn cleared his nose and gave a short bow. "It's just so nice to see someone level headed leading things. You have no idea how many people say those things but only focus on their own gain." He blinked his eyes several times and the tears disappeared, making everyone feel like the whole reaction was a performance. "Anyway, if I told you the secret to pyromancy it probably wouldn't change much. You've made such a practice of control your personal emotions, the impact would go against that very concept. Most people wouldn't be interested in attempting it."
Nilven leaned forward. "What do you mean by that, master pyromancer?"
Cyn smirked again, raising a single finger. On the tip of that finger, a tiny spark appeared, and then a small insignificant flame. "Mainstream magic uses magic with controlled emotions and clear thinking. With control, and knowledge, you temper your mana into something that's measured and scientific. Pyromancy uses the exact opposite to determine power."
Still with his finger extended, Cyn frowned. The flame grew until it was the size of his whole hand, and then it quickly became the size of his head. "Pyromancy is primal, and powerful. The more emotion you feel, the stronger it becomes. Age is also a factor. As you experience the world, and feel more for it, you can make your fire stronger. Passion, sadness, anger, etc. All emotions effect a pyromancer's fire. The more emotion we feel, the lower the need for mana. However, as that flame becomes stronger we must also temper ourselves. Because people aren't fireproof, if a pyromancer goes too wild, he can be burned to cinders by his own fire. That's why pyromancy, especially high levels of it, teaches the need to walk a tightrope between feeling and control."
The fire roared and became a pillar at least a meter high. Rosa and Emil shielded their eyes and felt a wave of intense heat wash over them. Nelvin watched with fascination as an act that seemed impossible days ago now took place in front of his eyes. "Rule one of pyromancy: If you wish to learn pyromancy, prepare to get burned," Cyn stated, his frown deepening as the flame roared in his palm. "Rule two of pyromancy: Let your emotions be your power, but never let them overcome you, lest you join with the fire."
The spectacle ended suddenly as Cyn clenched his fist. The pillar died away and became a memory. As everyone calmed down, his smirk returned as if what he had just done was nothing more than lighting a candle.
Nelvin swallowed back the lump in his throat and slumped in his chair. This was too much. That extinct magic was seen as weak because it went against the core principle of controlling your emotions. It made sense, but he wondered why none of the tomes on the subject broached that subject. Perhaps it was an oversight? Or maybe....
Rosa coughed and the Archmage's eyes went back to the pyromancer. He cleared his throat and stated what came to mind. "We can't share this with our students."
Rosa gasped, but Emil nodded quietly. Cyn seemed to understand wordlessly, but Nelvin had to say it out loud for the other two. "If the concept of emotion controlling some magic leaked out, it would transform our understanding of the subject. However, if that did spread, it would potentially have negative effects. People with no learning, going off half-cocked with spells that they barely understand... it would invite chaos. I cannot condone such a teaching."
Cyn smiled. Not a cocky smirk, but a genuine smile. "Glad I could help you understand."
Nilven smiled back, and ran his hand over his wand again. Another thought dawned on him. "You don't intend to stay and teach, do you?"
The pyromancer shook his head. "I have some business to clear up in town, but once that's over I'm heading on. I'm a wanderer, after all. Staying put just isn't what I'm made for."
Rosa frowned, and Emil showed his opinion by giving the pyromancer a good thump on the back.
Nilven sighed, an informal conclusion to the meeting. "What business do you have in Dove, master Cyn?"
"Meeting up with an old friend."