Chapter 4

The Wizard Path

Thwump. Crash. Thwump. Crash, crash.

In the retreating darkness a broadsword as large as a man glides through the air. A clean swipe and a tree splits apart. The person holding it is twice its size, oversized muscles damp with sweat suddenly flex.

Thwump. Crash, crash.

The man loosens his grip and shakes the sweat off his hands. A moment later, a shadowy figure emerges through the canopy.

"Training in the woods again? You warrior types are too diligent."

The man turned to face the shadowy figured.

"Back already? It's barely morning."

"We ran into some trouble. Clifton is gone."

"What happened?"

"He went too close to the boundary. I'm guessing 'it' sucked him in. It's definitely a variant dungeon, it has a deep chasm for an entrance instead of a cave mouth."

The warrior paused for a moment to take the information in. Although normal dungeons were dangerous, Variant Dungeons were exceedingly so. Ones that had a cave for an entrance were the normal ones. The layout for these dungeons were always the same; a long winding path leading in one direction towards the treasure. You could always turn around if things got hairy. Variant Dungeons on the other hand had all sorts of different shapes for their entrances. These dungeons would often have several forking paths that went off to who knows where. One could get lost in a Variant Dungeon for hours or even days. It would be difficult finding a way out even as a group. Chances were they would never see Clifton again.

The news wasn't so sad as it was bothersome in that they were down an adventurer. Adventurers ended up dying one way or another. Each friend lost made the next one easier to move past.

"Well then, is our mage up to the task?"

The man scratches his head.

"Maybe? I don't know. She’s a strange one, even for a mage. You say one wrong word and she goes crazy."

"Well, she better be ready. I have my own escape plan if things go to hell. Not my fault if your head goes rolling when we go in."

The shadowy figure massaged his throat.

"Well if that's all, I'm going back see if anyone else has arrived. It might be funny to watch the hole eat them too."

The shadowy figure motioned back to the forest.

"Careful, Vernon," said the man, reassuming his striking pose. "You know we can get testy when things fall apart. You might get an axe to the face if you laugh too loud."

Vernon grinned, "Warriors, not one of you with a sense of humor."

A small gust of wind blasted from the soles of Vernon's boots, and the man was gone before you could blink.

Thwump. Crash.

~~~

Back at the village, on the second floor of the library, Grey looked out the window. A whole week of waiting before he could go out! Already, travelers were making their way to his village and asking for directions to the new dungeon. A portly merchant with a tall hat was speaking to his father outside about setting up a stall in front the library.

"I implore you, sir. I  need - no, require, this location. It is imperative," spoke the double-chinned man. His cheeks jiggled every time he finished a sentence. "These products are the finest of goods! Herbal tonics, antidotes, panaceas! Where better to put a shop than in front of a library where a mage or priest would naturally seek out? Think of the convenience! They come to a village to see a library with a shop in front of it. If they need a book, might as well buy a potion too. Out of tonic? Might as well browse the library while they're here. It's good for me, good for you!"

Grey's father was not convinced. "Our library is no simple book shop. We process many important documents and letters. If a messenger were to come here, I wouldn’t want them to be wading through hordes of people to deliver or pick up a letter. Furthermore, I do not wish to be anywhere near the disputes you may have with your customers."

While the merchant's deal might be good for business, Grey's father thought first of his family. It is not uncommon for the first few shops that set up near dungeons to be con artists who sold poor quality goods, leaving the area before their customers could catch on. The last thing Grey's father wanted was to have some angry adventurer in front of his home. He turned to leave.

"Ah, sir, please wait," coaxed the plump merchant. His face was sweating. "I spoke out of turn. Come now, let us discuss this more thoroughly over some tea. I have a wonderful herbal blend that I know you will enjoy. Let me address your concerns. Let me show you my wares. I am an honest man. On my honor, I will bring no trouble here."

Grey's father paused for a moment and saw Grey by the window. Letting the merchant sell his goods here would surely attract more adventurers to the library. Wouldn't that make his son happy? Perhaps, the matter could be worked out.

"Fine," said Grey's father, "I will see your wares, but I also require that my terms be met. If you breach these terms at any point our agreement will be void, and I will see to it that you are evicted from the premises. Do we have an understanding?"

"Certainly. Most certainly," smiled the merchant. As long as there was conversation the tides of possibility could be turned in his favor. The merchant knew as long as the librarian was willing to trade words with him an agreement could be reached. He would have this spot no matter what.

Grey watched as his father left with the merchant. It was still early morning, but the village was vibrant with activity. Every few minutes a new face would arrive at the edge of town. They were dressed in foreign clothes, many looking for a place to stay. The new travelers mingled in the village center, discussing their day to day activities and any news they may have heard during their travels. After a couple of hours the town began to feel crowded.  In a week, perhaps, it would no longer be called a village, but a town.

But Grey was still not allowed outside. Despite all these happenings it seemed like no one was interested in a library. Obviously they would seek out the blacksmith or tailor. When venturing into a dungeon the first priority would be equipment, not books. It was a good precaution to check their gear before attempting a serious endeavor such as a dungeon. A second set of clothes? Steel tipped boots? Leather gloves? You never know when the smallest of things could stand between life and death.  

Grey's eyes, longing to see more beyond the window, drooped as he sighed. Now what would he do? Grey sat up straight. He folded his legs up on the chair and closed his eyes. From breathe there is life. From life there is motion. From motion is direction. Magic is motion. Magic is imitation. Magic is imagination. Grey recited the words from the introductory tome. The mind gives direction. The body provides protection. Two in one. Together forms a base. An image swirls in Grey's mind. The power of the wind, light and soft, brushing against gentle blades of grass.

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Grey exhales and vapors rise out from his body, tenderly scattering papers around him before coming to a rest.

"Ho, ho, ho." said voice.

Startled, Grey opened his eyes. There was a young woman dressed in loose fitting robes. She stood alone in the corridor. Her plush, pointed hat bent near the top at an intriguing angle. At her side she held a staff with an emerald jewel embedded on its tip.

"I came here to find some books about the local plant life, and instead I find a young adept. Curious." The woman tilts her head playfully. "I wonder who can help me, it seems the storekeeper is not here."

Grey leapt out of the chair, ungracefully falling on all fours. It was a mage! A real life mage!

"I-I can help you! It's over here on the second shelf next to forest survival guides."

Grey quickly got up and ran to where he was pointing. He quickly scanned the shelves and brought several tomes back for her to look at. His eyes were flooded with anticipation. The woman looked at him, clearly amused, and picked up the biggest book to peruse its contents. She flipped through the pages and paused every now and then to write down a note on a small slip of paper she pulled out of her sleeve. When she had finished, she looked down to see Grey still ogling her enviously. She smiled and laughed to herself. The boy looked like a puppy staring at a juicy slab of meat.

"Little boy, why are you staring at me like that? Could it be you wish to charm me to bed?"

"What! Eww, no!" Grey's face screwed up in disgust. Though Grey was a little child he had read enough books to know where babies come from.  

The young woman grinned. "Oh? So you know what that means? Perhaps, you are not so little after all."

Grey's face turned scarlet red! What was this woman saying!

"So if not my company, then for what do I owe your piercing gaze?"

"It's just since I was smaller, I set a goal to become a powerful mage, but I have not been able to get very far. Seeing the real thing makes me really happy."

The woman laughed. "What is so special about being a mage? You do a few tricks and people think you are all powerful. Always asking you to do this or that. It really is a bother."

"I-It can't be!" said Grey upset. How can this woman say that about herself. "Magic is a powerful force. The strongest mage can topple mountains. They tell the earth to move it moves. They shout at the sky and even clouds will obey."

The young woman smiled. "Little boy, you read too many books. Besides, mages aren't the only ones who use magic, all the paths do. Even those hard-headed brutes use it in their training."

Grey's mouth was gaping. Though he had read lots of books about mages, he had not read much about the other heroic paths. Everyone used magic?

"I thought warriors used something called inner rage?"

The woman scoffed. "It is, essentially, the same thing. Those idiots just don't like to name it for what it is."

Grey thought to himself. "Miss, may I ask you for your name."

"It is Baylee. Just Baylee. Though if you become my husband, then perhaps I shall give you my last name as well."

"Miss Baylee, please don't joke with me!"

Baylee laughed as Grey fidgeted nervously. His thoughts returned to his original goal. There was a real life mage in front of him! Was this his chance to leave the village?

"Miss, can I ask a question and a favor?"

"Ask away," smiled Baylee. "Though if you ask a favor it's only right I know your name as well, boy."

Grey nodded.

"My name is Grey. I am reading books and training my aura, but I am progressing quite slow. I also don't know much about how to cast spells and I would like to ask if you know how I would pass the Ritual of Awakening."

"That is quite the question. What I find surprising though is the last. You haven't passed your Ritual of Awakening?" answered Baylee. "Just now didn't you meld magic?"

"Yes, but only because I have read the first volume of Magic Theory. I have my basics down, but I haven't done the ritual yet because I don't know what it is."

Baylee pondered to herself. It was unheard of for a mage to be able to utilize magic before they underwent their awakening. Could this boy be a genius? She found the boy rather endearing to be honest. This new revelation only made her want him even more.

"I could explain it to you, but it really is rather complicated. How about I promise to help you with your awakening on a later date. I still have things to do today and I don't think my friends would be very happy if I were to disappear on them."

"Thank you!" Grey's heart was fluttering with excitement.

"So if that was your question, what is your favor?" said Baylee.

"I ask that you take me on as your apprentice!"

"Ho~"

Baylee smiled. Young Grey.

"You know it is only polite to offer something in return. If I take you on as an apprentice, what would I get in return?"

Grey thought carefully. "If you teach me, I will be grateful for the rest of my life! Through fire or ice, I'll definitely help you no matter what."

The woman giggled. "You really do read too many books. You are starting to sound silly. That's fine. I don't dislike that sort of person. From this point on, you are my apprentice." Baylee put the book back on a shelf and straightened out her had. "Come. I have much to see in this village before I go back to my friends."

"B-But?" Grey interjected. How could he forget his promise to his father? He was not to go outside for another week.

"What? Change your mind? Are you my apprentice or aren't you?"

"I promised my father that I would stay inside till the knights arrive. Could we wait for week before I leave?"

Hearing this. The woman grinned mischievously.

"Where the master goes, the apprentice follows."

She picked up Grey and out of the library they went! He had been kidnapped!