Together we watched on as the paper began to bleed various colors.
Once all of the elements had been affected to some degree, his results were pretty fair if I had to admit. His highest element for potential was fire which bled slightly into the 4th tier. This said that given enough time and training, he could eventually assimilate a Tertiary mage stone, with a slight possibility for a Superior stone, which would grant him the title of a Master mage.
Disgust filled me at the possibility of the guy gaining that kind of power. His element certainly reflected his personality as it was volatile and destructive. His other elements appeared below average of which water was the lowest.
“Hmm.” The attendant didn’t appear particularly impressed at this result. “Not quite high enough to get special attention.” He muttered under his breath. I could certainly feel mixed glee with suppressed jealousy for the results still shown.
Next, he asked what I had heard many other attendants ask freshly arriving Travelers. “Would you be interested in joining the military war front? There are many perks including a travel pack, free weapon, and guaranteed income for those who make the cut.”
He then begrudgingly added, “Your affinity in fire may additionally open some doors for quick promotion and there is much fighting to be done there.”
Joel appeared to ponder for a moment as if imagining himself in some military position. Apparently, it seemed to sit well with him and so he decided to sign up. With his signature the attendant snapped his picture with some magic tech artifact that I had never seen up close before. I had to wonder if my own image was saved anywhere since I arrived before these new procedures were implemented. It didn’t bother me one way or the other as I was known by many anyways.
Following the capture of his image, Joel was handed upon request a pair of basic fire and light mage stones. Then he was led over to the weapons racks to find something that would fit his intended style. It was a small mercy that he didn’t take long before rushing over to a pair of daggers. “I’m going to be an assassin!” He cried out in exuberance.
My only response was an unseen eye roll. Coming out of the weapons room, he pulled out both daggers and begun swinging them about in hazardous style. This resulted in both guards unsheathing their own weapons at the display. Behind him, the attendant took a step back with a feeling of bemused satisfaction.
“You better sheath those weapons boy before you lose something precious.” The larger of the two wolf-men growled at Joel who was overcome with excitement and imaginings. Only the feel of the cold steel weapons pressed up against his back appeared to awaken him from his visions of grandeur.
Fear warred with anger, as his face visibly reflected the emotions I distinctly felt coming from him. I got a faint sense of hope from the guards that maybe this one wouldn’t take their advice and that they’d get to have some fun. Unfortunately, common sense had yet to fully escape from this brats mind in the moment.
I’d be lying to myself if I said I wasn’t hoping for a violent altercation from breaking out. But then my thoughts turned to what would happen to Lynette. If he was ejected from here, she was likely to follow soon after, voluntarily or not.
Shaking my head with a sigh, I regretted that neither world was ever completely fair. A gruff warning from the shorter of the two wolf-men broke me from my thoughts. “While in the city proper, your weapons must remain sheathed except for utility use and self-defense. Any further infractions on your part will place a demerit on your identification which will result in disciplinary action and a cut in military pay.”
Seeing he was suitably humbled and actually listening, they went on to explain how he would get this first day off as time to explore the city and prepare for being carted off to the front lines, as well as where to be at the designated time for pickup.
Finally, it was Lynette’s turn to approach the attendant. She was greeted in a slightly different and lightly probing manner by the mousy man. It was as if he too could sense her shy and withdrawn demeanor, somewhat reflecting his own nature, and didn’t want to spook her.
“Miss, if I may have your name?” He inquired softly.
Taking little time to decide, she spoke with a quiet voice. “Lynette Silvers.”
*Hahaha!* Her cousin chortled at her choice of name. “Silvers?” He inquired. “What, are you trying to become, some high and mighty noble or something with a name like that?”
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With that verbal attack very likely intended to further degrade her choice and self-esteem, Lynette appeared to reconsider her decision.
However, it was taken from her as the attendant promptly wrote it down in the registration before saying. “I feel that it is quite a nice name.”
From the lighting, I was unsure I saw it, but I thought there was a slightly red flush to her face as she was complimented for her taste. “Certainly, it is quite catching.” The mousy attendant added. His whiskers twitched cheerily at his expression.
Prior to his interaction with Lynette, there had been little change in his features as he dealt with Joel. However, now he was much more expressive and lively.
“Let’s move on to the affinity assessment dear.” He gently coaxed her.
I had to chuckle as I watched him pull out a better-quality set of lancing needles and healing cream than Joel got. Blatant favoritism was going on, . . . and I fully approved.
Throughout her elemental evaluation, Joel kept himself busy studying the hilts of his now sheathed daggers and making various poses that everyone pointedly ignored.
Soon enough the results were out. *Whoooooow!* Gasps of surprise sounded out as her affinity for water swept up the page to the very edge. If I had to compare, it might even be at the same rate as my mental affinity climbed when tested. Clear appreciation shone on the few observers present.
Before I could even begin studying the remainder of her results, a tall, scaled, and brown robed acolyte, denoted by the orange trim intervened. Pulling the resulting paper out of our hands he excitedly reviewed the affinities shown.
After silently having reviewing it to his satisfaction, he gave an appreciative nod before pulling out a crystal communication stone. Some quietly spoken words were exchanged between him and whoever was on the other side. Finally, he got what appeared to be good news as he quickly pocketed the crystal, and half kneeling before the hesitant figure of Lynette.
“Sweet beauty!” He exclaimed. “The mages guild would like to extend to you a special patronage under the training of esteemed Magus Patricia who specializes in the water element.”
Reaching out his scaly hand as if he was some prince charming wooing a beautiful maiden, he pulled up and gripped Lynette’s hand before asking. “Would you do us the honor of joining our esteemed guild?”
I could tell even from my position that such an approach was both frightening and highly off putting to the young woman. Yet it was surprisingly Joel that came in with an unintentional rescue with his daggers and posing momentarily forgotten.
“What do you mean have her join your mages guild?!” Knocking away the hands of the acolyte holding his cousin’s hands he then rounded on Lynette. “With such a high affinity for water, that means you’d be able to cast healing spells, right?”
Pumping himself up in front of everyone in the vicinity he continued with a gleeful and vicious expression. “That means I’d have my own personal healer.” Rounding on his unwilling audience he declared. “None you cannot have her.”
His expression then turned predatory and vengeful. “Also, if I’m unable to play here than neither can she. And if she is unwilling to help me, then she has no purpose in playing.”
I could hear the acolyte’s teeth grinding from my place, being over a meter away from the ridiculous tableau. Only now, did he appear to become more aware of his surroundings. A less than pleased attendant, two glaring guards, a crazy half-elven traveler, and a few others who had stopped to observe this development.
“Well, the offer is always open.” The acolyte declared, before swiftly setting the evaluation paper down, and making a hasty retreat.
With his departure, the glares now turned upon Joel, who appeared relatively unbothered or more likely oblivious to the general tone of the area. Unsure of who to address and seeing Lynette practically shut down with the unnecessarily close and unwelcomed contact with the mage, the attendant turned to me. “Is what the young man saying to be correct?”
I believe he was asking if her remaining here was contingent upon her cousins prerogative. I opened my mouth to answer, but I honestly did not know what to say.
It was then that Joel spoke up, as he only addressed his beleaguered cousin. “Your job is to make sure that I enjoy my time here. Remember what my mom and your aunt said? You can stay here no longer than me, and even that is based on if you complete all your chores too.” A satisfied smirk that I wanted to bludgeon off his face formed for a long moment.
The subsequent disgust at the situation could be seen on the faces of the guards and attendant. “That is very unfortunate.” The mousy man whispered under his breath. I suspected only with my vaunted hearing could I register what he said.
It appeared that neither the guards nor attendant were lacking in basic empathy as they could see how shut down Lynette had become. After her picture had been taken the mousy man had excused himself for a moment. Disappearing into what appeared to be an employee only section of the station, he went the same direction that the acolyte had gone.
Hearing faint sounds behind the closed door, I caught a few words. “. . . The least that you can do is offer her a consolation for your improper behavior unless you want me to speak to . . . .” I became less certain about what he was saying. It sounded like the acolyte was being chastised for how he treated Lynette.
Not much time passed as a smiling attendant and a disgruntled mage stepped back out of the back station. This time, as the acolyte approached Lynette, he was far more reserved. Pulling out a wand with a blue water crystal embedded in its base, he carefully held it out to her. He was now far more careful about not making any major movements or forced contact.
Only as she stood there unresponsive did he speak. “This is only a token of our desire to foster good relations with you. It is only a gift with no required actions on your part. All we ask is that you think kindly upon us if you ever reconsider joining our guild.”
It was then that she finally reached out to grasp the wand. The mouse man then also took out a small leather belt which held a small sheath for the wand itself. My eyebrows raised as I had not actually seen anything like this before. Maybe most mages kept it within their robes?
Almost shouldering the mage out of the way, the attendant took over and went on to explain to her how the wand worked. Explaining that it was a magic focus primarily attuned to mater magic, but that it could additionally channel other elements; he additionally clarified that they just wouldn’t perform as well, based on compatibility or lack thereof to water.
Lynette appeared to have come somewhat out of her emotional shell as she showed signs of listening to the explanation. Her fingers began caressing the wand by running her fingers over the thin wooden shaft and touching upon the mage stone. As she seemed to be finding solace in the basic level magical artifact, two stones were placed before her. One being the expected light stone and the other being a water stone.
“You will not be expected to sign up for the military. . .” The mouse-man began explaining, then casting a hardened glance at Joel, the attendant continued. “In fact, due to unexpected circumstances, you will be unable to sign up for it at this time. We may be able to reconsider such tomorrow after the departure of the latest military recruits.”