"Historically, we welcomed new members of the order with a baptism- we once had a bit of a religious point of view," Daniel explained, "But we won't do that. We'll say your welcome ceremony was this conversation and leave it at that. Now, as I already explained, the Order's trade lies in the spread and control of information. Knowledge, at its base, is just words between people. When we want to control it, we kill the people that would spread such information. If we want it to be spread, we would show mercy."
"What sort of information does the Order care about?" Adrian asked.
"Well, anything political usually sets off our radars. Ultimately, we want to stay in control. Money, power, and might is how we do it. To keep our money, we control the information that would damn our businesses and members. The money keeps flowing so long as our competition can't hold a candle to our capabilities. When we do find ourselves competing- seriously competing- with somebody else? We end them, then dispose of any remains they had to their name."
"Dispose? Just the corpses, or do you ever take it a step further?" Adrian asked.
"Sometimes, if necessary, we'll remove evidence that we find too disastrous," Daniel nodded, "But usually, we'd just have to dispose of the bodies. Most people will stop talking if they realize their neighbor went missing without a trace. Those that don't? Well, you can guess what we'd do."
"Power is rather simple. All we have to do is pay off the nobles who agree with our ideals and kill the ones who don't. Their sons care about their lives more than the ideals of their fathers- so it's an easy problem to fix. All of the nobles in the Empire of Solarum are in our pockets. Of course, they don't know whose pockets they're in, just that the money is still coming. That allows us to decide who gets punished by the law and who doesn't," Daniel smiled, "Our influence is weaker near the border cities- some of the guard officers don't know about us- but it's still there."
"Nobody ever fought back?" Amber asked. Daniel shook his head.
"Never to the point where they'd prove a threat," Daniel explained, "I've heard of the marvels of your home world- time passes differently between our planets. If I remember right, only ten years pass over there for every thousand years that pass here. There, it would seem strange for corruption and evil to go unpunished in the light of the public. That isn't the case on Aoera. So long as somebody has the power, even they can get away with murder in broad daylight."
"I heard that Solarum was accomplished for their level of freedom. That's why we decided to come here, instead of stay in Stonehold," Amber said with confusion. Daniel turned to her and slowly nodded his head.
"Sure, on the surface. If everybody thinks the country is sunshine and rainbows, nobody will bother investigating what happens in the shadows," Daniel explained, "There isn't an underworld in Stonehold like there is in Solarum. That's because Stonehold doesn't have any shadows for the underworld to hide in. Their king doesn't tolerate personal freedom of any kind, lawful or unlawful. That's not the case in Solarum, which is why we have so much control. Control that, if you allow it to, will aid you in any way you see fit. The times are changing. Over the last few hundred years, we had no problems. With the next round of the Game of Era beginning, though, Artists are coming back."
"You see them as a threat?" Adrian asked.
"Not all of them, of course," Daniel smiled as he turned to Adrian, "but I'm not naive enough to assume they will all be like you two. Some of them may look upon the Order's deeds and scream. Others will try to hunt the Order off the face of Aoera. Artists are strong, incredibly so, but history tells us they are not united. If the Order is to survive until the next game, we'll have to protect ourselves from this one."
"You help us, we help you?" Adrian asked. Daniel nodded.
"Naturally. The Order will provide you with anything you need, whether it's training, knowledge, equipment, or a home. In turn, if we find ourselves facing a threat we cannot fight, you will fight it for us," he said, "So? Can I count on you?"
Adrian and Amber turned to each other. As in all things, they would not separate. However, both of them came to learn that they thought the same. Adrian looked back at Daniel and nodded.
"Good," Daniel said. He stood, then walked up to Adrian. As he held out his hand, Daniel said, "We have a saying in the Order. 'May the First Librarian guide us.'"
Adrian stood and shook Daniel's hand as a smirk appeared on his face, "That's on the nose, don't you think?"
"I think so too, but it's appropriate," Daniel nodded as he grinned, "It serves both as a sign to recognize other members, as well as a way to wish the others good luck in their endeavors. It's viewed as a sacred prayer, something we'd only utter under very special circumstances. The induction of new members happens to be one of them."
Daniel turned to Amber and shook her hand as well.
"Therefore, I believe it is appropriate," Daniel said, "For the future, both for both of yours and for mine. May the First Librarian guide our path."
"May the First Librarian guide our path."
"May the First Librarian guide our path."
A few hours after their conversation with Daniel, he was leading them through the city. Or, more specifically, he was showing them what the best things to buy were. After hearing that the two of them didn't even know exactly what they needed to buy, Daniel took the opportunity to show them.
"As mages, you don't have to worry about who will train you. Somebody from my side will take care of that. For that, though, we'll need to get you supplies," Daniel said as he led the twins through the front doors of 'Violet River's Mage Necessities'. The violet sign above swayed as they opened the door, revealing a small shop similar to the appearance of a town library.
On the shelves were hundreds of books, each of different sizes and lengths. Some were bound in leather while some others were tied together by string. On the other end of the shop were a few shelves of stranger items. Crystal balls, bags of herbs, a few staffs, and even something that looked like a pair of goggles but with eyes sewn into it. Next to these shelves was a young woman tending to the main counter. She didn't appear to be Violet River herself, but rather a townswoman at her part-time job.
"Before we get everything, you have to decide upon your school of magic," Daniel said as he turned to Adrian.
"School?"
"Sorry- what type of magic you will focus on? Things like Necromancy, Evocation, and Conjuration," Daniel explained. Adrian stared at him, having never heard any of these terms before. He heard of Necromancy- some kids from his high school talked about games involving the subject- but he had never gone into that end of media himself.
"Uh, what are the options?" Adrian answered, though his answer was full of doubt. Daniel nodded.
"We'd like whatever's best at combat," Amber told Daniel, more sure of her answer.
"Well, there are three, if your interest lies in physical power over utility. The first is Evocation, the power over the elements. Think summoning fireballs, controlling sharp waves of water- stuff like that," Daniel explained, "The second is Conjuration, the power of summoning. Necromancy is a branch of this school, which is what you'd be focusing on. With it, you'll be able to use the dead to your advantage. Skeleton warriors, zombies, all will be at your command. The third school is Transmutation, the ability to change the physical properties of matter. In combat, you'll be using this magic to change the form of your bodies- both to turn your limbs into literal weapons or to heal wounds in an instant. Transmutation isn't very well-liked, though, because most mages who use it prefer to fight up close. It's a bit of a taboo to prefer physical combat over mental combat."
"Can we do two of them at the same time?" Amber asked, a smile forming on her face. Adrian sighed, as he already knew exactly what Amber was picturing. Her violent mind never ceased to wish pain upon her enemies.
Daniel shrugged, "It's possible- there won't be anything stopping you- but it's not the easiest thing to do. Most mages choose to master one school before they move on to another."
"I choose Evocation and Transmutation, then," Amber said with a smile. Daniel looked at Adrian.
"I'll take some time to think about it," Adrian replied. Daniel frowned.
"If you want, I can tell you the other schools of magic. Other than the ones I've mentioned, there is also: Abjuration, the power of protection. Divination, the power to view the strings of fate. Illusion, the power to blur reality within a target's senses, and Enchantment, the power to toy with the mind. With advanced Enchantment spells, you'd be able to gain dominion over the minds of others."
"Mind control?" Adrian muttered, surprised. 'What could I be capable of with such an ability?' Adrian thought to himself. He imagined himself as the puppeteer of others. There wouldn't be any enemies if he could control them all. Complete control, like the marionettist of a circus show. A smile formed upon his lips.
"Interested?" Daniel smiled, "As an Enchantment mage, you'd be well-liked on my side."
"Show me," Adrian told Daniel with conviction.