Suma’s POV
Jake yelled as his spell activated. I had already moved from between him and the dummy, and I was soon extremely glad to have done it. His spell was strange, I could feel some magical energy building up, but it was not very much. Certainty not enough to destroy such a large enemy. A glowing path of light appeared and connected Jake and the center of the dummy, for a moment, I expected some kind of fire-spell, but I did not actually see the attack. Before I had time to realize what happened, the training dummy exploded violently into thousands of pieces. A roar like thunder shot through the air and the blue path vanished. It startled me so much I lost my concentration and nearly stopped flapping my wings. There was literally only scraps and splinters left of the dummy.
“STOP! STOP!” The instructor ordered. I landed on Jake’s shoulder as the instructor yelled for us to get back to the group. “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!” The instructor yelled. “You used tactical scale magic in a training session, while on a training field!” We were being chastised for Jake’s attack spell; I think he called it “Railgun”. “You annihilated a training dummy. I don’t even know how that was possible, it was made of metal.”
“Sir, I apologize, I didn’t realize-” Jake started to say, but the instructor did not let him finish.
“Enough, cadet Suma, he is your familiar, so this is your responsibility.” He declared.
“I think that will be enough Sargent,” a Neame said as he landed on a perch next to the instructor. He was shorter than the instructor, and darker in color, but obviously he out ranked the instructor. Members of The King’s Armed Forces, once they have graduated from basic training anyway, all wear gold symbols on their chest to display their status. For a private just out of training, the symbol is a single golden line worn horizontally. For the next two ranks, an extra line is added above the first. This Neame was a major, which I knew because he wore three upside-down triangles on his chest, where the instructor only had a single square.
“Major!” the instructor said and stood straight up on his perch, his feathers slightly raised from surprise. “Sir, I apologize for my inability to properly control and discipline my cadets.” He said.
“No need for that Sargent, at least not yet.” The Major said and turned to face Jake and I. “So, which one of you was it that cast the tactical magic? I thought I heard that the familiar was the caster, but I could have been mistaken… or at least that is what my common sense wants me to believe.”
“It was me sir,” Jake said. He was stood stock still, and even straighter than the drill instructor. His arms were behind his back, and one of his appendages was wrapped tightly around the other. “I’m sorry sir, I didn’t realize my spell would be so powerful.” Jake explained. I admit, when I first noticed Jake’s spell, I was convinced it was not going to be enough, or at least nothing special. It used so little mana after all, I still do not understand how a spell so weak could have produced such an effect.
“What is your name, if you possess one?” The Major asked. Strangely, he seemed unfazed by Jake’s ability to speak. So far, most Neame we have encountered have been caught off guard by it. Having a familiar with the ability to speak is almost unheard of, outside of children’s stories anyway. So, the Major’s ability to take it in stride was fairly impressive.
“That is… a complicated answer sir,” I told the Major.
“Simplify it,” he said plainly.
“Jake, this is an exceedingly high ranked Major,” I said to Jake over our private connection, “we should use your familiar name; that is the proper protocol.” Jake agreed.
“My name is Sentinel.” Jake told the Major.
“Well Sentinel, who was it that taught you tactical magic?” The Major wondered. Actually, this was something I had not thought of, I just accepted it on account of how powerful Jake is, but who did teach him that spell? It certainly was not me, only the highest levels of mages are even allowed to attempt to learn it.
“I created the spell myself sir, but it was based of knowledge from my world.” Jake explained. I had figured that would be the case, that it was something from his world, but I did not expect him to be able to actually develop the spell alone. Most tactical magic requires teams of Neame from all occupations working in tandem for months or years to create a new tactical spell.
“You and who else?” The Major asked, obviously not believing Jake did it alone.
“No one sir, I did it alone.” Jake told him. The Major seemed irritated, whether by Jake’s answer, or by the thought that a single person could create tactical magic all by himself, I could not tell.
“Do you expect me to believe that a single familiar was able to develop, test, and successfully utilize tactical magic all by himself?” The Major asked in a quite serious tone, his feathers pressed closely to his body.
“It’s the truth sir.” Jake responded. There were a few long moments of quiet while the Major stared at Jake.
“Sentinel, follow me.” He turned to the instructor, “Sargent, continue your class. Now, I assume you are this familiar’s master?” He asked me.
“Yes sir,” I said.
“Please follow me as well.” The Major then spread his wings and took flight. I followed him, and Jake walked after us quickly. We landed beside a large wyvern who had a narrow saddle on its back between its wings. We were perched on a few molded vines, and when Jake arrived, he opted to sit on the grass. I do not know how he was comfortable like that though; his limbs were twisted and interlocked, or “crisscross applesauce” as he once called it. “Sentinel, how would you feel about joining the Drake Brigade?” The Major asked.
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Jake’s POV
I sat on my bed that night, thinking about my earlier conversation with the Major. He said, “You and Madam Suma would be excellent candidates for our program. You have unparalleled magical prowess, the ability to cast tactical grade magic without anyone assisting you, and you Madam Suma, you are an excellent healing mage. We are always on the lookout for those, especially ones with names.”
“I’m sorry sir, who exactly are the Drakes?” I asked.
“I have only heard rumors myself, I did not believe they actually existed.” Suma said in awe at the realization.
“What rumors have you heard Madam Suma?” The Major asked interested. It might have been his first opportunity to get an outsider’s perspective on his team, or maybe he just liked hearing what people thought of them.
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“That they are some kind of special team of mages, each with powerful and unique familiars. They go on the kinds of missions most people do not survive. I have heard their power and effectiveness, not to mention their magical strength, is likened to the descendants of the dragons.” Suma told us.
“A well-earned reputation, I assure you.” The Major said pridefully. “And I want you two to try out for the team.”
That conversation was nearly four hours ago, and it’s still bouncing around my head. He explained to us that there would be a kind of… try out… held in twelve days. Any member of the army, new recruit or otherwise, was allowed to try out, but if we did succeed, we would still need to pass boot camp to actually be accepted. Suma and I talked about it, and told the Major we would have an answer for him in two days. We both needed time to think about the offer. My train of thought was interrupted by the ringing of my phone; my mum has started calling me every night now that I am spending more time on Earth.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Hey Jake, I just wanted to call and make sure you were okay. You didn’t answer your phone last night and I got worried.” Mum said sounding relieved that I had picked up.
“I’m fine Mum, I couldn’t leave Suma’s world last night because they got themselves into a pickle and needed someone to help them out. I ended up camping on a mountain because of it last night.” I explained the whole series of events to her, only leaving out the part where I got bitten by a giant ant reptile thing and paralyzed.
“Well I’m just happy that that cave didn’t collapse on you or something. They really should have thought their plan through better than that. I thought you said they were trained professionals Jake?” She complained.
“Well, trained for healing, not cave exploration.” I said. “But they did okay for their first time.”
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Suma’s POV
I laid in my roost, under the army issue tarp that blocked out some of the light from the stupidly bright magical laces running through the floors and ceiling of the underground sleeping area. The conversation Jake and I had with the Major would not leave my thoughts. He wanted us, or more realistically Jake, as a part of his Drakes team. I am no fool, I know I was only offered because Jake is my familiar and they cannot only offer it to him. But that did not mean it was not going to affect me. I would have to go on missions with Jake, as I am the only one capable of summoning him, so that means I would end up going on quite dangerous missions to places where I could be killed without even knowing what was happening. I signed up to be a healing mage, I expected to be put into dangerous places, doing dangerous things, but I never once considered I would end up on the front lines. The thought was frightening, but another part of me said something different. A small part of me wanted to go, wanted to be a part of something bigger, wanted to do something that would make a difference in this war. I fell asleep thinking about my feelings, and about how my life would change if I acted on those feelings.
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Lauric Isbala’s POV
After the Major flew away from the training area with the one call Suma and her Viking, the rest of the cadets finished one by one their combat maneuvers. We were dismissed for a brief time so that we could eat, and during my lunch break, the Major approached and made me an offer. He wanted me to join his team, or rather, he wanted me to audition for it. He called them the Drakes. I had heard of the team before, my father mentioned them on several occasions while in business dealings with other nobles. I had always made it a point to attend those meetings so as to further my understanding of the country and its laws. I accepted the Major’s offer without a second thought, I joined the army in order to serve, this was just a better way of doing so. I had twelve days to prepare myself and my familiar for the tryout. Of course, this raised an issue, when he pulled Suma and the Viking aside, he most likely offered them a chance to audition as well. And why would he not? Even I must admit I did not expect to see tactical level magic to be utilized during a training session, and by a single familiar no less.
“What a troublesome duo,” I mumbled as I grew my lunch.
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Jake’s POV
It was time. Suma and I had discussed it before today. I sat in the therapist’s office building waiting to be called back for my appointment. I had let her know that I was bringing Suma to see her, but obviously that was a small lie. Suma was still having issues with what happened that day in the alley, and I figured that the stress from our upcoming decision might be a lot for her to handle, so I talked to her and she agreed. We would be summoning the doctor to see her.
“Jake, the doctor is ready for you.” The receptionist announced.
“Thank you,” I said and walked to her office. We had had several meetings since that first time after the attack in the alley, so I didn’t need to be led to her office anymore. I Knocked on the door and walked in. “Hey Dr. Maxwell,” I said.
“Hello Jake, how have you been?” She asked smiling.
“I’ve been good, been getting lots of exercise and stuff.” I told her and sat on the couch. I had been preparing for this for a while now, planning what I was going to say, and how to say it.
“So, what’s new?” She asked and took a seat in the chair opposite of me.
“Well actually, do you remember my friend I told you about? The one who was with me in the alley? Suma.” I asked.
“I do,” she said, “why?”
“She wants to talk to you, she has been dealing with a lot of stress lately, and recently she and I were both offered a pretty major decision that we need to make. I thought it would be a good idea for her to talk with a professional about it, so I reminded her of your offer.” I explained.
“Ah, well I’m happy to see her whenever she needs.” Dr. Maxwell said.
“That’s great, because she wants to see you now.” I said. This was the part I was dreading; this was the part that would make me look crazy.
“Like right now? Is she here?” The doctor wondered.
“In… a manner of speaking, yes.” I took a deep breath and began my pre-rehearsed speech. “Okay, so this is going to make me sound crazy, but in order for you to see her we need to hold hands for a few seconds. Suma is actually a magic user from another world, and she is also a tiny bird person from a race called Neame. In order to get to her we hold hands then I will contact her, and she will summon me, then we will be transported to her world. From there she will induce a mind link and show you some of her memories and that will allow you to understand her.” I gasped deeply to regain my breath after that long explanation, and waited for her response.
After a few moments of silence, she finally answered, “Okay.” I was stunned, I couldn’t believe it was that easy.
“You… you believe me?” I asked doubtful.
“No, but I do believe that letting you try will help break your delusion and then we can treat the underlying problem. Honestly, I can’t believe I didn’t realize how precarious your mental state was. So, if letting you hold my hand for a moment is what it is going to take for you to start healing, then I am willing to entertain you for a few moments.” She said. Honestly, I couldn’t blame her, but at least she would let me try.
“Thank you,” I said. “Suma, you can summon us now.” I announced after I held the doctor’s hand. “Now doc, don’t freak out when your arms and legs start to vanish, okay.”
“Oh, I won’t.” She reassured me. A second later her feet had already been fully transported, and so had the top of her head. She looked horrified, probably because she was seeing it happen to me, just as I was watching it happen to her. Needless to say, she panicked.
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Suma’s POV
“Suma, you can summon us now.” Jake announced. I had only been waiting on his signal for a short time, but it felt like ages. I immediately began the summoning, and as soon as it was completed and they arrived, my ears were filled with the sounds of distressed shrieking. I could not understand what the person was saying, but they seemed upset. Jake tried hard to calm the woman down though. “I told you what would happen.” The woman gave some kind of response, a rather loud one at that. “Yes but you can’t say I lied, or that I didn’t make it clear.” There was a moment of silence as the two stared at one another. “So, this is Suma.” Jake said gesturing at me.
“Hello,” I greeted, but then remembered she would not be able to understand me either yet. I went ahead and started sharing my memories, so that we would be able to understand each other. She seemed surprised, and began saying something again.
“I told you remember, she would share some memories so that you would be able to understand her language. Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt.” Jake tried to reassure her, it seemed to help, however slightly.
“Done,” I said. I had showed her all the way up to just after I was released from the interrogation room, that way she would understand how everything happened. Jake had suggested the idea.
“That bird… talks.”