There was no need for long considerations. He knew by heart that everything came with a cost. That is what life is really; A constant cost-benefit dilemma. Everything that he wanted for his future. There was nothing else that he wanted, what wouldn't he give? “Everything else of course.” His voice was calm and strong as he answered Jacobi. “Everything else is it? Not that I don't agree, mind you. You gain what you want and lose things you don't care about, or don't know you want yet.” - “No one can look into the future. If there is something I want, but lose because of this then that is just how it is.” His reply put a smile on the archmages face. In response, the old man lifted his arm again and beckoned Kael over to him. “Come closer for a moment”
Kael had lost almost all nervousness by now. Not only had the old man proven to be friendly, at least on the surface, to him, there was also just nothing he could do should the archmage decide to not be friendly anymore. The fireball had proven that he was totally at Jacobi’s mercy. So without much wait, Kael moved. A few steps later he stood in front of the old mage.
Using the wall he was leaning against, Jacobi got himself into a more upright position before looking over at the teen standing before him. The grin that had been visible on his face for a good part of their conversation was gone, replaced by something very different. Upright, calm, a little aloof, and very sure of himself. A combination of the physical and the metaphysical that spoke of knowledge and power, without making others feel inferior.
As Jacobi began to speak, something changed in the area. Kael could feel it but had no idea what it was he just felt. The warmth and protection that the old archmage had provided were still there so he was not worried. “What is your name then?” A question. A command. A force of will that slammed into Kael like a tsunami against a harbor. “Kael Barkley” His answer had come even before he had realized what the question was. Without giving him a chance to rest, Jacobi continued. “Hoo? Parents' names?” - “Melissa and Thomas Barkley” - “Interesting... Now, age?” - “15” - “OK now lift your dominant hand please”
Without having time to think some part of his brain was responding to the old man that simply did not need his conscious permission. Complying, Kael held up both of his hands. “What? Oh, Ambidextrous?” Without even waiting for an answer he continued. The question and answer game seemed to have ended as Jacobi began to move. He lifted his hands between both of them and began to draw - or weave? - patterns of white into the air. Kael watched as symbols, just completed, floated around him like very slow moths around a flame.
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Old man Jacobi did not stop, even as the seconds turned into minutes. The patterns of complicated geometrical shapes and symbols surrounding Kael had grown so big and dense, that it became harder and harder for him to see their creator. Like a dome they surrounded him, radiating a quiet power he did not understand. Then, suddenly, a thrum of energy ran through the construct, as if someone had just started a car. The dome of ever-moving symbols stopped, growing brighter with every passing second. As the crescendo of power reached its apex, Kael felt the construct solidify. There was no explanation for how he knew, but some base, previously unused part of his brain told Kael that something fell into place, signaling its completion. Next, Kael could vaguely see the silhouette of the archmage stand up. That was when his voice rang out.
“Hear Imarion, soul of the world! In my name! I, Jacobi Myerscough, henceforth name Kael Barkley as my inheritor in craft and blood. Under the banner of Zapholy, all that is mine shall be his for he shall carry forth our will. To build a better future; To punish all those that work against the freedom of all; To help those in dire need; To spread the beauty of the secrets of magic and science. Go forth Kael, find your home with those that share your goals. Go forth Kael, and live life to the fullest. Go forth Kael, and be happy.” The voice of archmage Jacobi Myerscough rang out in the world, and it listened.
Sounding from everywhere and nowhere at once, Kael felt his speech more than he heard it. Something deep inside of him was reacting to the words. Before he had the chance to think further, the voice returned. “Know my friend, that with power comes not just responsibility, but also conflict and pain. The world of magic is wonderful. You will meet many great people throughout your journey to salvation. Companions, teachers, friends, enemies, and maybe even lovers. But! Always remember that wherever there is power, there is corruption. Be wary my friend.”
There was a short pause in the speech that allowed Kael to process what he had heard, filing it away for later analysis. “Now, on to more immediate matters. Once you are 16 you can apply for the Arkund-Magic-School. That shall be the start of your journey. Don't fret if you only manage to get there a year or two later. You will soon learn how little age matters in these things. There, in the library, you will find a hidden compartment. In it you will find some items that are to be your inheritance, alongside an invitation. If you take the challenge is up to you. Shall we meet again in a different life Kael.”
As the last words of the archmage rang through the air, Kael saw him pushed his hand against the construct surrounding Kael, and mumble a few sentences too quiet for Kael to understand. The construct began to glow and thrum as if it were alive, and Kael could feel the power contained in it begin to move. The light and thrumming grew louder, and with it fear settled into Kael. He began to suspect that sitting below a dome of unimaginable power, controlled by someone that could blow up a wall with much less, might not have been such a great idea after all.
The constant buzz began to mess with his senses, making his ears feel like they were muffled by cotton, and slowly his vision began to dim. Consciousness fleeing quickly, it was in these last moments before he passed out, that he heard Jacobi's voice once again. “Good luck friend, and welcome to the real world.”