The office epitomised the mind of Magus Doherty; unsettled, frantic, and yet without a trace of dust. James faintly recalled his previous office at Bluestone Hall, a smaller space which held a not too dissimilar feeling of disorganisation about it. The cleanliness of his distinct mess was a comfort to James - with all the changes in friends and family some continuity of person was more than welcome.

Behind a desk, hidden by stacks of scripts and tomes, sat a tall man of Malaysian origins. He was portly in shape, black hair unruly from hunched work, but in all other aspects he held himself to a standard of habitual cleanliness. Because of his habits, he hated how his hair refused to be tamed while he worked. His left hand flared across his workspace, sweat dripping onto signed documents, leaving destruction in ink and victory was marked be a stamped seal.

He was older than James by a considerable margin and yet he held no lines of age on his face. The usual depiction of a crusted squinting figure, desiccated by his own element, did not suit Magus Doherty; the premier academic on stabilising the effects of negative drain from the elements of Dust and Salt. Well, the premier expert within Victoria at least, as the passing of Magister Kilroy has led to rumours of other quasi-negative experts emerging in Oceania.

The juxtaposition of cleanliness and disorganisation played havoc with James concentration - unable to lock down where exactly in his old mentors office he should look. The only dusted corner of his office was behind Magus Doherty. It held his dissertation on why Salt and Dust are stable elements providing solace to a forgotten thesis on negative-drain, and the applicability of his findings to the Void, and Ash quasi-elements.

The unclean corner remained in shadow, relegated from youthful dreams of a Meistership to now symbols of embarrassment. The past haunts the minds of most, especially the most precocious of them.

“I’ll leave you two to your reunion.” Yilin whispered. James nodded as his friend departed, off to enact their plan. James mentally noted to check in on his friend periodically; once his status was out it should provide a degree of protection to his friend. Magus Doherty remained absorbed in the thick of his work as he left.

James walked the edge of the office. Bookshelves lined the wall behind the Magus’ desk, faint runes glistening along some of the tome’s spines. The Magus’ office was within the central structure of the Tower, and as such there was no natural light as the Magus forwent windows in favour of privacy. However, enchanted mana crystals levitated in a dizzying patterns around the room. They each emitted a soft glow akin to Daylight. James stopped, attempting to grab a crystal from the formation - he was curious about the dizzying effect.

“I wouldn’t, Scanlan.”

James refrained from clutching the crystal that floated before him. Cosmo whined, trapped in his satchel. The Baku desired to emerge and consume the ambient mana, but James held his friend back with his will.

Not now Cosmo. Not in the Tower. Not now, I’ll feed you later… I still owe you a meal.

The Baku was sated by James promise of future experiences. James pondered what his old Mentor would make of the Negative-Affinity spirit. A living(?) impossibility, untied to any stabilising elements, with a singular desire for consumption; James’ true mentor was ambivalent as to the academic aspects of his friend. Magus Doherty filed away the last of the documents signed on his desk.

“And, finished. The bureaucracy of a Militant Mageocracy Tower is of such a redundant degree. I believe it could contest even the American’s obscene fascination with paperwork.” Magus Doherty sighed.

“They’ve begun to bring in more data-slates over the Pacific, Doherty. No longer physically drowned in work, only mentally.” James grinned. Magus Doherty nodded flashing a disgruntled smile. He faced his old student, ears twitching at what he heard. Or, the lack of what he heard.

“Am I only Dohertynow?” He inquired.

“Considering I’m only Scanlan to you, and not Magus Scanlan… It’s fair.” Doherty stood from his desk and moved aggressively to James. James, eyes wide, leant back on his heels. He braced for impact - Doherty did not disappoint.

“Ha! Brilliant!” James felt his life being squeezed out of him by Doherty’s bear-hug. “I knew you had it in you. No pesky negative-drain or Frontier restrictions could stop you, young man. My word, it is good to hear you have flourished outside Aus.” James, with a small amount of effort to escape his large mentor, stepped back and clapped Doherty on the shoulder. He grinned at his old mentor.

“It hasn’t been all good, but yes; I found my niche and stuck to it.” James lifted his left hand. With his palm open, he fuelled his Illusion Sigil. A cosmic Dust-nebula appeared. It undulated above his hand, expanding and retracting, a living construct built from a substance of decay. Luminous lights of varying colours swept through the apparition. It was far from the monochromatic grey of James’ original Dust creations. Doherty was awestruck.

“See.” James closed his hand and the nebula dissipated. Doherty’s wonder still evident on his face.

“I had some brilliant mentors in my journey. Thank you for being the first.” Doherty shook his head. “It was my pleasure. I finished my dissertation thanks to you, even if it wasn’t wholly helpful.” The two men shook hands. The great fear surrounding distance is the strain it places on relationships. But it was a strain that dissipated through a simple medium; respect.

James could still remember his first few personal sessions with Magus Doherty. He was three years older than James was currently, when he had taught his younger self that is at Bluestone Hall. Doherty was an entity of awe back then, a wealth of knowledge that James desired for himself. Yet, it was when James had to make his way through London, Europe and eventually the Americas, it was then that he found true kinship and respect for Doherty’s work. The end to the influence of one’s elemental affinity.

“I have a present for you.” James said, contemplative. Time had passed in James absence from Australia, and despite their already cordial natures James felt it his duty to reignite some familiarity with his old mentor after ten long years. He was uncertain to whether the Magus had remained in Melbourne during his absence, but James had come prepared with a plethora of gifts for many of his old colleagues and peers.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“It’s the latest reports from Shanghai. A group of IIUC proctors smuggled out some recent documents on Void-matter.”

Doherty’s demeanour altered drastically. The warmth of earlier had been sucked dry from the conversation, all from the mention of the tenebrous Void. Coldness wasn’t how James would describe Doherty, but calculated at the prospect of someone studying the abyss.

“Give it here.”

A hint of fear sat behind his eyes, a hint of frustration. James reached passed Cosmo into the depths of his satchel, pulling from it a copy of the Shanghai thesis. He handed it to Doherty.

Silence reigned.

He skimmed the thesis’ index, flicking through the booklet to interested chapters. He blew out his cheeks, shaking his head at what he first read. The hypothesis was outlandish at first-glance, but both James and Doherty exalted in the quasi-elemental space of negative elements; hard limits on its possible uses were founded on superstition alone. He kept reading.

Further on he looked as if he was going to tear the booklet to shreds, anger rising in his flushed cheeks. James couldn’t imagine the frustration of seeing one’s own failed thesis being evaluated with live testing by a foreign entity, all due to lucky chance and possession of Tier 1 City resources. Yet, he held firm and made notes on interested sections. He did tear a few pages off and shove them inside a jacket pocket, but the remainder of the booklet was placed on his desk.

“Thank you.”

“No worries.”

“I… I admit, I hadgiven up on my own thesis.”

“That’s okay.”

“Maybe…”

Silence continued to reign supreme.

The Academia of spellcraft was a volatile space. James had handed his old mentor the ability to return to that battleground - the possibility of rebuilding his arsenal of information with this academic capital. James prayed he didn’t flinch at the task. At least, he hoped he did not flinch for long.

I hope the Bluestone is more confident with my gifts of information. Melbourne desperately needs an edge, or at least a reason, to get stronger, to be valued in this brutal world. Not militarily, but socially - intellectually.

“I hope it provides some clarity. It stands in alignment with research into my own quasi-element.” Doherty nodded to what James said. He was lost in thought. He glared at James, envious if not jealous of the allusion to his own personal findings. James didn’t hold it against him.

“I’ll let you know how I find it.” Doherty said. The room was cooly arid.

Time for a conversation shift. I hope Yilin hurries up, this is getting awkward. James had never been one for conversations, at least not ones without purpose.

“So how did you come to be here?”

“Bluestone was limiting my research.” Doherty confessed. “I felt a change was needed.”

“Interesting. Was it hard to gain authorisation for an office? I’m in the market for my own study, personally.” James said honestly.

Doherty scanned him up and down. The document had left him perturbed but the candid speech of his own pursuit for Tower recognition was alarming to the older Magus. James couldn’t tell why. Back at Bluestone Hall he had championed the Headmasters call for the spread of information. Seems a person can only be so much the same over time.

“I thought you valued your independence? The politics of this place are not for the faint hearted. Not that I’m saying you aren’t capable, it’s just, not how I remember you.”

“Is it really that combative right now?” James deflected, searching for information.

You were never one for politics yourself Doherty. But you are here… How?

“I managed to escape the brunt of the factional conflict. The Greys were hit hard by the loss of Walken on the council of ten due to his idiocy. I was given access, both for my research and recent acquirement of Evocation. It helps being an impartial figure, the Militants felt they could rely on my self-interest to mitigate any Grey backlash they faced.” James signalled he understood.

And so the militants kept you on side. What are you working on now then…?

“I see. Do you have any advice then? For dealing with the factions, anything is helpful?”

“I…” Doherty went silent, pondering something for a time. He scratched his chin, choosing to look at his desk rather than at James. He was conflicted over an issue in his head, but James couldn’t puzzle out why.

“Besides sitting as an impartial figure, the Middle faction by consequence, I don’t have anything else to offer. The Tower is breeding hostility with the recent incursions, and any extra fuel to the fire is bound to end up with someone getting burned. Sorry Scanlan, even vowing impartiality won’t be enough for entry nowadays.”

“Fair enough.” James held a neutral expression. “Congrats on finally breaking into Evocation by the way. Abjuration, Enchantment and Evocation; a very interesting mix.” James commented.

“Ha! Acquiring Tier 1 took way too long for my liking, but it has been a worthwhile endeavour. The route to Magister is a long one, and I do not intend to abandon the pursuit of it so soon. Especially with your recent gift aiding me.” He gave an informal salute when mentioning the gift. There was respect there, and yet conflict in providing his one information to James. The Tower mustn’t be in a good situation.

“Well, I’ll need to head off.” James said. He’d received the all clear from Yilin via a Sending spell. Magus Doherty became pensive. He rolled his head from side to side, something bouncing around in his mind.

“One last piece of advice then.” He finally spat out. “If you are going to interact with the Tower, as it stands, there are some key players you’ll need to know.” Even divulging that piece of information dried Doherty’s demeanour.

“The Militants are in power with Magister Guldric as the leader. The greys are more prevalent here than the Middle faction, due to the closeness to demi-humans, but they are inferior to the Militants in numbers. The Middle faction is absent from the Tower due to congregating in Sydney and being in the Victorian education system. That’s as far as I know.” James stated.

“Accurate, I’m sure Yilin filled you inasmuch. For the Militants don’t expect to deal with Magister Uther directly, unless you’ve really step into the middle of the Militants plans. He is too busy with militarising the state for most of the Melbourne day to day. However, there are three others you might meet.” Doherty grew grave as he spoke.

“The Magister’s right hand man, Magister Evans; he is an Evocation-Transmutation-Abjuration Earth-mage, each of his Schools are at least Tier 5 with Transmutation being he primary School. He erupted onto the scene when he single-handily fought the two current squad Captains to OOM stalemate.” James questioned the power of the Captains.

“Do not think that shows the weakness of the Captains, as both are decorated Magus’ in their own rights. Captain Julia is a Conjuration-Abjuration Water-mage, while her counterpart, Captain Roland, is a Evocation-Conjuration Fire-mage. Each have fought on the Brisbane, and Portsea lines. If not for the fame of the Scarlet Sorceress and the Morning Star, these two would be help in much greater esteem.”

James felt a degree of foreboding hearing of the Militants powerful leaders. Not one of them sounded easily subduable, not without aid that is.

For Magister Evans to fend of two conjurers to OOM is a phenomenal feat. Damn, I’d already suspected it but direct conflict is off the table. Tactics are ineffective against overwhelming power.

“Those three are the most direct threats you will encounter in the Tower. They have been provided a long leash while our Tower-master is devising an effective Purge of the merfolk. Be careful Scanlan, be careful.” The gravity of the situation sat heavy on James’ shoulders.

“Thank you.” The older Magus bid his old student “Good Day” and went to his desk. He possessed some new material to analyse.

James left with more questions than answers. He felt nervous about Melbourne’s precarious political climate, within the Tower and out of it, but he held his dream close.

I need to find some allies. I need to rebuild Lucy’s confidence. I need to register my status with the Tower, for the sake of the Madam’s letter. I need to meet the Tower-Master. I need to….

A loud grumble was heard from James abdomen as he stepped into the magic-circle.

I need to get lunch. Cosmo heartily agreed.