The sweetest voice often hides the sharpest tongue.
Treacherous Mage
As we left the arena of transformative mages behind, the atmosphere shifted from one of intense duels to a more varied and intriguing landscape of magical disciplines. The Sorcerer Lord's court was a labyrinth of wonders, each corner revealing a new spectacle, a fresh marvel that showcased the depth and diversity of the magic practiced here.
Our next stop brought us to an expansive open field where controlling mages were at work. This area was alive with the roars and calls of various magical beasts—creatures of all shapes and sizes, created by magic, some magnificent, others terrifying. Some of the mages here specialized in controlling and taming these beasts, exerting their will over the wild and unruly magic within these creatures.
One mage stood at the center, their hands outstretched, tendrils of shimmering energy extending toward a massive, scaled beast that resembled a dragon crossed with a panther. The creature snarled and snapped its jaws, resisting the mage's control. But the mage, their brow furrowed in concentration, tightened their grip on the beast's will. With a final, powerful surge of magic, the creature bowed its head, subdued.
"Control like that takes years to master," Rolo whispered.
"It's a dangerous dance," I added, observing how the mages always seemed to be on the edge, a single mistake potentially leading to disaster. "One slip, and that creature could turn on them."
Mose watched with awe, clearly impressed by the sheer willpower it took to dominate such powerful beasts. As we moved on, he could barely take his eyes off the dangerous creatures.
We then entered a vast hall where special magic mages were receiving instructions from their tutors. The air was thick with concentration as these mages practiced unique abilities that didn't fit neatly into the traditional categories of magic. Here, the magic was as varied as it was unpredictable.
The tutors moved between their students, offering guidance and corrections, their faces a mix of sternness and encouragement.
As we watched, a tutor approached Mose, his eyes flicking to me briefly before settling on my friend.
The man was older, with silver hair and a patient demeanor, though I couldn't help but wonder if this was Livius's doing—perhaps a subtle attempt to curry favor.
"Your Majesty," he bowed, "May I offer some words of wisdom to your esteemed friend?"
Mose nodded enthusiastically, clearly eager to learn.
I wanted to roll my eyes. "Yep. Do as you wish."
The tutor graciously bowed and then instructed Mose to use his magic. Mose raised his hand, and I felt a shift in the air around us. The ground beneath Mose's feet trembled slightly, and I could sense the gravity around him altering, pulling objects toward him with a subtle but undeniable force.
"Easy now," the tutor advised, stepping closer. "Focus on the point of origin. Don't let the power spread too thin, or it will become unstable."
Mose's brow furrowed as he concentrated, trying to follow the tutor's instructions. As Mose concentrated on stabilizing the gravity field, the tension in the air grew palpable. His brow furrowed in intense focus, but despite his efforts, the tremors around him began to intensify rather than subside. The objects that had been gently hovering began to shake violently, drawn toward him with increasing force. The tutor's calm expression shifted slightly, sensing the growing instability.
"Focus," the tutor urged, his voice steady but more insistent now. "Don't let the power overwhelm you. Pull it back—focus on a single point."
Mose tried to follow the advice, but the energy around him spiraled out of control. The gravity field expanded unpredictably, causing several nearby objects to crash into the ground. A few students nearby stepped back, their eyes wide as they watched the scene unfold.
Before the situation could worsen, the tutor stepped in, raising his hand. A wave of his magic washed over the area, neutralizing the rogue gravity field with practiced ease. The objects fell harmlessly to the ground, and the tremors ceased. Mose, breathing heavily, looked frustrated and embarrassed by his failure.
The tutor placed a reassuring hand on Mose's shoulder. "This is a difficult magic to master, especially when you're still learning to control it."
Mose looked down, clearly disheartened by his inability to maintain control. "I thought I had it that time…"
The tutor shook his head gently. "You're improving, but you need to remember that magic isn't just about strength. It's about precision, balance, and understanding your limits. You must build a strong foundation before you can fully harness your power."
He stepped back, giving Mose some space to gather himself. "Take a moment to breathe. When you're ready, we'll try again, but this time, focus on maintaining your calm. Your emotions can easily influence your magic, especially with something as volatile as gravity manipulation."
Mose nodded, though he still looked a bit shaken. He glanced at Rolo, who offered him a supportive smile, and then back at the tutor. Determined not to give up, he took a deep breath and prepared to try again.
As Mose began his next attempt, the tutor continued to offer guidance. This time, the field was smaller, more contained, and though it still wavered, it was a marked improvement from his previous attempt.
As Mose focused on his practice, Rolo stood nearby, his gaze fixed on Mose with an intensity that was difficult to read. His usually bright and curious eyes were shadowed by something deeper, more contemplative. He watched as Mose struggled with the gravity field, his expression unreadable as if he were lost in thought.
I noticed the way Rolo was looking at Mose and couldn't help but wonder what was going through his mind. There was something about the way he was staring—almost as if he were searching for something in Mose's actions, something that only he could see.
After a few moments, I broke the silence. "Do you want me to fetch you a tutor too?" I asked casually, hoping to ease the tension.
Rolo blinked, snapping out of whatever reverie he'd been in. He quickly waved a hand in dismissal. "No, no need. I'm fine."
His response was almost too quick, and it left me with a nagging feeling that there was more going on than he was letting on. But Rolo's expression had already shifted back to his usual carefree demeanor, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Just watching Mose," Rolo added, his tone light and nonchalant. "He's doing well, don't you think?"
I raised an eyebrow, unconvinced by his sudden change in tone. "Yeah, he's getting there. But you've been staring at him like he's a puzzle you're trying to solve."
Rolo's smile faltered for a brief second before he shrugged it off. "Maybe I am," he said, almost teasingly. "Mose has always had potential, you know? It's just interesting to see how he handles it."
I studied Rolo's face for a moment, trying to decipher what he wasn't saying. There was something else—something deeper that he wasn't sharing. But before I could press further, disaster struck.
As Mose continued his attempts to stabilize the gravity field, the atmosphere in the training room remained tense, filled with the hum of magical energy. Despite his best efforts, he struggled to maintain control. His face was flushed with concentration, and beads of sweat formed on his brow.
The tutor offered a few more pieces of advice, but Mose's attempts only seemed to result in more chaotic outcomes. Suddenly, he tried to adjust the gravity field to make it more stable, but instead, the magic flared out of control.
With a loud, resounding crack, the gravity field pulsed violently, sending a wave of magical energy rippling through the room. Mose's attempt to correct it backfired spectacularly. Objects in the room—books, equipment, and even a few stray pieces of furniture—were suddenly caught in a swirling vortex of chaotic magic.
The gravity field seemed to fluctuate wildly, causing one of the training dummies to levitate before spinning wildly and then plummeting to the ground with a loud thud.
Mose's face went pale as he desperately tried to regain control. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean—"
Before he could finish his apology, the chaotic magic caused a larger explosion of energy. A sudden burst of force hurled the training dummy across the room, where it collided with a decorative vase, sending it shattering into a million pieces. The room fell silent for a moment, only broken by the echoing clatter of falling debris.
Rolo's eyes widened as he watched the scene unfold. His face twitched as he tried to suppress a grin. "Well, I guess you could say Mose's magic really made an impact," he said, struggling to hold back his laughter.
I couldn't help but burst out laughing, the absurdity of the situation hitting me full force. "That's one way to make a memorable impression!" I said.
The tutor, who had been trying to assess the damage and restore order, finally let out a chuckle despite the chaos. "Well, that's one way to test the limits of gravity magic," he said, shaking his head with a bemused smile.
As I watched Mose struggling to master his gravity magic, I noticed a figure approaching from the corner of my eye. One of Livius's apprentices, a young man with an air of quiet confidence, made his way toward me. His attire was simple yet elegant, adorned with subtle, intricate runes.
With a polite nod and a slight bow, he addressed me. "Your Majesty," he began, his tone respectful but with a hint of something more calculated. "I hope I'm not interrupting."
I raised an eyebrow, curious.
The metal mage straightened, his eyes holding a glint of familiarity. "I'm glad to see you're enjoying the sights. I couldn't help but notice that you were observing the transformation duels with great interest."
I smirked slightly. "Yes, I've seen some impressive displays."
The metal mage's gaze shifted to Mose, who was still struggling with his gravity magic under the guidance of his tutor. He glanced back at me with a thoughtful expression. "It's quite fascinating to see the range of talents. Speaking of which, you might be interested in some inside information about the court's more confidential aspects."
The metal mage's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed my reaction. "I should also mention," he began, his tone taking on a more serious edge, "that I am one of the Sorcerer Lord's personal apprentices. This means I receive direct training from him and have access to some of the most closely guarded knowledge and resources in the court."
I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms. "And what price would that be? What exactly are you offering, and what do you want in return?"
The metal mage smiled, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. He regarded me thoughtfully. "I can provide information on restricted areas, details about the Sorcerer Lord's plans, and insights into the court's magical practices. However, this information comes with a price. I'm looking for something rare or valuable, something that would be of significant interest to me."
The metal mage's gaze remained steady, his tone measured. "I'm interested in rare magical artifacts, unique pieces of information that could complement my current knowledge or even favors that could offer strategic advantage. The nature of what you provide isn't as important as its rarity and significance."
The metal mage's eyes were sharp, and his posture suggested he was ready for any response I might give. I gave him a cool, assessing glance, masking my amusement with a touch of indifference.
"You know," I began, my tone casual but carrying an edge, "it's quite cheeky of you to assume that a king like myself would need assistance from someone in your position. It's not every day a king gets approached by a mere apprentice, offering help as though it were a grand favor."
The metal mage's expression flickered for a moment, though he quickly masked any sign of surprise or displeasure. "I only aim to be of service," he said smoothly.
I gave a dismissive wave of my hand. "I don't find myself in need of anyone's help at the moment. I prefer to rely on my own resources and skills rather than those of a mere ant scurrying about the grand schemes of the court."
A flicker of annoyance crossed the metal mage's face, though he quickly composed himself. "Very well, Your Majesty. Should you ever reconsider, you know where to find me."
He bowed slightly, maintaining his composure despite the dismissive tone. As he walked away, I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. It was always amusing to see how some, despite their high positions or grand titles, still had to face the reality of being little more than a stepping stone in the larger scheme of things.
As the metal mage retreated, I turned my attention back to Mose, who was still trying to master his gravity manipulation under the watchful eye of his tutor. Despite his efforts, the training session had devolved into a series of increasingly amusing blunders.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed across the training grounds. Mose, in an attempt to adjust the gravitational pull in the wrong direction, had accidentally launched a stack of metal crates into the air. They clattered down around him, creating a chaotic, albeit harmless, mess.
"Nice one, Mose!" I called out, trying to stifle a laugh as I watched him sheepishly attempt to right the situation.
Rolo, who had been observing the scene with an inscrutable expression, finally broke into a grin. He turned to me and said, "Wow, sometimes you do act like a king. Unbelievable."
I raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Rolo chuckled. "Just the way you handled that situation with the metal mage. You had this regal air about you—completely unflappable. And now, watching Mose with his gravity tricks, it's like you're the king of idiots."
I laughed, shaking my head. "Well, someone has to keep things entertaining. Besides, it's not every day you get to see a mage accidentally redecorate the Sorcerer Lord's training grounds with metal crates."
Rolo's laughter was genuine. "True enough."
As we continued to watch Mose's attempts to clean up the mess, Rolo seemed to contemplate something again.
His gaze was fixed on the mages practicing their various crafts, the vivid displays of magic playing out like a living tapestry before us.
I watched him for a moment. Something about the way he was watching the mages felt... off.
"You've been awfully quiet," I remarked, keeping my tone casual. "What's on your mind?"
Rolo didn't respond immediately.
"I'm just… I don't know," he began, hesitating. "It's hard not to feel a little envious, I guess."
I blinked, surprised. "Envious? Of what?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "All of them. Even Mose, struggling as he is. The magic, Shay… I see it in ways you can't even imagine. The way it weaves together, the beauty of it. It's breathtaking."
I followed his gaze, seeing the flashes of brilliance that surrounded us. "And you feel like you're not part of that brilliance?"
He did not answer right away, so I continued:
"I thought bringing you here would make you happy. This place is filled with all kinds of magic, a real wonderland for someone like you. But instead, it seems to be doing the opposite."
Rolo looked at me, surprised. "You thought this place would make me happy?"
"Of course," I said. "I figured seeing all this magic up close would be exciting for you. I know how much you enjoy seeing different kinds of magic and learning about them. I didn't expect it to make you… well, depressed."
He let out a small, rueful laugh. "I guess it's kind of backwards, huh? But it's just that… I don't know, seeing all of this, it just brings up a lot of stuff I usually try to ignore."
I raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious. "Like what?"
He hesitated, his voice quieter when he finally spoke. "It's hard, you know? Watching all of this. They all have these incredible abilities—magic that's powerful, beautiful, and…" He trailed off, his expression tightening. "I can see it all so clearly, but I can't do anything like it."
Rolo gave a small, bitter laugh. "Seeing everyone—Mose, even—learning and improving…it just makes me feel like I'm missing out on something. I don't have magic like that, and it stings. Especially because I can see their magic for what it really is—how beautiful it is."
I frowned, thinking over his words.
"Rolo," I began, steering us away from the mages and further into the shadows of the court, "your magic isn't something to be compared like that. You've got something unique, something none of them have."
He didn't reply immediately, just kept his gaze downcast. I continued, "You might not be able to throw fire or bend metal, but you've got an understanding, a sight, that no one else has. That's powerful too. It might not be flashy, but it's yours."
Rolo finally looked up at me, a flicker of something—hope, maybe?—in his eyes. "You really think that?"
"Yeah, I do," I said firmly. "And if you ever doubt that, just remember: there's a reason you're here with me. You're more than just some kid with a gift. You are my subject. You are part of the Hueless King's court."
Rolo smiled weakly. "I appreciate you saying that, Shay. It's just… you know, sometimes it's hard to see it that way."
I sighed, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, I get it. But try to remember, this place doesn't define you. You define you."
As the conversation wound down, I noticed Rolo's shoulders relax, a bit of the tension lifting from his expression. I was about to suggest we head back to Mose when my phone dinged in my pocket. Pulling it out, I saw a message from Mose.
Fortuna's Favourite: [Where are you guys? 😭😭😭]
I couldn't help but chuckle. "Looks like Mose is wondering where we wandered off to."
Rolo leaned over to read the message and grinned. "We should probably get back before he does something reckless."
"Yeah," I agreed, typing out a quick reply:
[On our way back. Don't cause a scene.]
I tucked the phone away and gave Rolo a nudge. "Come on, let's go rescue our lost puppy."
Rolo chuckled. "Mose does have a way of getting into trouble when left alone."
"Which is why we shouldn't leave him alone too long," I said, starting back toward the training grounds.
As we walked, I noticed that Rolo's step was lighter, his mood brighter. It wasn't a perfect solution, but at least he wasn't brooding anymore. And for now, that was good enough.