Breathe in the Embers

Part 28

Martin was still processing this information as Mr. Ludo sat him down, Margaret in the chair beside him. There was so much he wanted to say, to ask, but he couldn't find the words. And however much he was trying to play it cool, Margaret could see right through him.

She’d known Martin for years. He’d always been obsessed with heroes and saving people, noble sacrifice, and doing the right thing no matter the cost. In a world where superheroes had become mundane, many would say his way of thinking was outmoded. Heroes worked for the government or were privately funded and heavily regulated. The age of true vigilantism had passed and become just another form of law enforcement. Having powers now was like being talented at sports. Noteworthy, but far from unique.

Margaret had watched that concept break Martin’s heart by increments.

It wasn’t just that it was all procedural and cold. It was that the heart of it was gone. People became heroes as often to make money or gain fame as to help people. Precautions against lawsuits and mishandling of cases tied their hands and let the bad guys get away. This was not the age of knights in shining armor, no matter how much Martin dreamed it would be so, if such an age had ever actually existed as he imagined it.

Now he had what he always wanted, the chance to be a hero. Not one that society pointed at a problem, or puppetted to a cause, but one that just helped people because it was right.

And not by acting through another either.

“Mr. Ludo, does this mean that Martin could go here?” Margaret asked, interrupting the steady stream of jargon pouring from the man with cold precision.

Stopped in his tracks, Mister Ludo sputtered for a couple of seconds, then adjusted his glasses. “Well, of course. Technically he could have come here regardless, but with a power like yours young man, I dare say that the school will be champing at the bit to get you to attend. We haven’t had a power cause the stir I anticipate yours causing in many years now.”

“A... stir....?” Martin managed to mumble unsteadily. Mr. Ludo continued as if he didn’t notice the shocked state Martin was in.

“Oh my yes. Like I said, immunity to magical effects has… well, an astonishing number of applications. We’ve never seen anything greater than mild resilience before, and even those have caused excitement, legislative measures, and far reaching societal restructuring. Much like the first time we found someone able to phase straight through walls! You can bet your hat that banks and the like weren’t happy about that power. And do you know how they compensated? Magical defenses.” Ludo’s eyes twinkled. “I mean, my entire life has been spent understanding magic. Having someone be able to simply ignore all of that effort would be… well, frustrating to say the least.”

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Margaret imagined Martin telling Lithuega. She would probably feel much as Ludo described. Her ancient power, her centuries of knowledge, all foiled by Martin. Was this why their contract had been messed up? Martin had told her all about it, how Lithuega had tried to call the contract complete and claim payment, and he’d simply refused her.

Most contracts these days were enforced magically, making them something not so easily broken. Would Martin be able to simply ignore those restrictions? He could already walk into restricted areas, some of them possessing entirely magical defenses at this point. Could he lie under oath? Testimony was fairly foolproof nowadays, and could often be considered concrete evidence.

Yeah, she could easily imagine this causing a ‘stir’.

“I mean, I’d never misuse it or anything. I’ve always wanted to help people, to save them, it just never occured to me I’d be able to. Not the way I wanted anyway.” Martin said uncertainly.

“Because of your test results? Yes, I imagine those came back startlingly negative.” Ludo shook his head disapprovingly. “Those test givers need better training. Any mage worth his salt should have realized you were not simply inept at magic. I imagine your life would have been very different if this had been identified when it should have.”

Gears were turning again behind Martin’s eyes. Margaret smiled softly. She knew nothing could keep him off balance for long. She watched his pupils move ever so slightly around, examining the possibility of knowing he had powers since he was a child. Knowing that there was something unique about him even in a world where the super had become ordinary. Mild excitement, then elation, and she began to grow concerned. And then she saw hesitation, and was thrilled for her friend.

He realized what that small change would have meant.

It would have meant never going to the schools he had, never meeting the friends he knew. Never meeting Margaret. And all of that, all of it culminated at one point. One event that Margaret knew Martin would never, ever regret, whatever events had led to it.

He might never have met Lithuega.

“I suppose it would have been different.”

Martin didn’t say anything else, but Mr. Ludo must have heard something in his voice, or seen what Margaret had in his eyes, because the professor smiled knowingly and nodded. “Most likely. As for your future, I imagine it could be very different than you imagined, if that’s what you want. I’m sure Azimuth would be happy to welcome you next year. Say the word and you have a recommendation from me. Otherwise, I wish you luck. And you Margaret are obviously welcome here regardless. It is always a joy to meet a young lady interested in magic.”

Margaret nodded her thanks, somewhat glad the focus had shifted from her. They’d started off feigning that all the interest was hers, and she’d never been comfortable with secrets. All of the attention, all of the remembering to lie and keep up a mask, it had been exhausting. At least now the interest was genuine, for both of them.

Margaret could hardly let her best friend move off to a strange school on his own, now could she?