“Hold on! Wait,” Orrin yelled, crouching behind another stack of rocks. He waved a hand at Maeve. “We aren’t supposed to do that yet. I didn’t even get to talk about the first chapter.”
Maeve lowered her stone, the magic fading from her fist. Orrin took this as a good sign and stepped out into the open again.
The other students talked amongst themselves but Orrin noticed the glances. Every person here knew who Maeve was and they’d all paired up quickly. They were avoiding her.
Orrin felt equal parts anger and sadness. This is what it was like for him when Daniel wasn’t around in school. Maybe not as bad as this but similar enough. People didn’t actively avoid him, but Orrin thought he knew how Maeve had to feel. Unlike him, Maeve didn’t have someone.
Fuck you, Anabella. I’m not going to use this woman for her friendship.
“Did you want to discuss something in particular? The first chapter was just Cade’s analysis of why earth magic is best. His theory is well-meaning but misses the point.” Maeve gently placed the rock back on the top of the pile. “Earth magic isn’t the best because it offers good offensive and defensive options. It’s more than just fighting magic.”
Orrin agreed that the first chapter of Professor Cade’s book read like a child trying to argue his toy was the shiniest of all. The man’s attempt at putting together a coherent argument boiled down to my magic can beat your magic. Maeve’s last sentence gave him an idea for not getting his brains bashed in and for connecting a bit more with Maeve.
“He’s got a point about it being good for fighting, but the only earth magic spell I have is [Tilth].” Orrin moved fully away from the rocks and pointed to one of the small tables and chair sets set up next to the open doors. Orrin assumed they were there for later classes, so everyone would be comfortable watching each other beat each other up with rocks. He shivered. “I mean, I do have another spell that blocks earth magic too. What would you say is the best spell?”
Maeve looked at Orrin directly for the first time. As their eyes touched, hers widened before she turned away. She sat in one of the chairs. “Best spell for what? Widespread destruction or pinpoint accuracy? Offensive or defensive?”
Orrin thought back to Maeve’s file and the few things Anabella had told him about his target. He sat down next to her. “It doesn’t have to be anything about fighting. I’m not planning on using earth magic like that. I have to take this class to get into more of Professor Cade’s higher-level earth magic classes. What about you? What other classes are you taking?”
Maeve’s hand found a loose string on her sleeve. She pulled a small wooden wand no bigger than a pencil from behind her ear. She squeezed the wand with two fingers, running her hand down the length. It transformed into a knife. Maeve folded the string over the blade and pulled, cutting the thread away. She rolled the wand in her hands and returned it, back to normal, behind her ear. “I’m taking only two classes this semester. This and Rapid Agriculture. It was yesterday. Did you know that there is a spell unlocked by a [Berrymancer] that can create almost any Odrana wine vintage? You have to be level thirty-five before it unlocks but the professor said most of our current supply isn’t actually grown by hand anymore.”
Orrin smiled. Jackpot. “That’s pretty cool. Is that what you’re into? Using magic to enhance food? I have a friend who makes coffee, but I don’t think he uses magic for that. Maybe his dad does now that I think about it. It’s his shop. My friend’s dad I mean.”
Maeve pushed her feet into the grass beneath the table, digging some of the dirt up. “It’s fascinating but not my particular area of expertise. I need one of the professors to accept me as a thesis student before I can get access to some books I want to read. If my theory is correct, I might… No. My dad says I shouldn’t get my hopes up or tell people about what I want to try. Sorry. It has to do with growing things but Professor Juniper doesn’t like me after I told him that his [Growth] spell was weak. If he’d just get out of his own head, he’d see that the… I’m doing it again. Sorry. My dad says I talk too much sometimes when I get excited about something. Basically, Professor Cade is my last chance to get an earth magic advisor.”
Orrin shrugged. “Don’t apologize. I know next to nothing about earth magic beyond my one spell, so anything you tell me is new and exciting. How do you convince that old fart to be your advisor?”
Maeve giggled. Orrin had met a few kids who were homeschooled when he and Daniel entered high school. A bunch of parents were running a homeschool program that was shut down for illegally using state money for something or another. The kids were enrolled last minute at their high school. Most of them integrated with only a few hiccups. A few of them reminded Orrin of Maeve. She didn’t have a filter, either. Something that probably kept her from gaining friends. Friends who could point out the social cues and rules you could only learn from being bullied and fighting back in public school.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“If I pass this class, he’ll give me a meeting. If he doesn’t like my idea, then I’ll have to find another way. I’m sure I can find the information I need somewhere else, but the problem is the Sanerris library has some of the rarest and oldest books in Asmea. Oh, Cade is coming over.”
Orrin saw the professor heading over too. He made a quick decision and waited until Cade was within earshot. “What you said about the first chapter makes a lot more sense. I didn’t really understand it until you put it like that. Thanks, Maeve.”
“What?” Maeve tilted her head to the side confused.
“Hi, Professor Cade.” Orrin tried to act surprised as the man rolled by. “Maeve just convinced me. I need to focus more of my spells in earth magic. She made some good points. I’m going to have to re-read that first chapter.”
“I’ve heard good things about Maeve’s magical prowess, so it’s not surprising to hear. She does take after her mother,” Cade said with a gentle smile. He turned back to the open doors and bellowed into the room. “Everyone outside for our first demonstrations.”
Orrin turned back in his chair and smiled at Maeve. An odd look was plastered on her face. “Are you okay?”
“You made up a story. Why?”
“I was trying to make you look good in front of him. Teachers love it when you make them feel smart. Plus, I didn’t make up a story. You really did help me understand his book a bit better. You did make some good points too, just not about what I implied to him,” Orrin explained. “He should be your mentor and let you read those books. I’ll help.”
“Why?”
“We’re partners. I don’t know many people here at school. Why wouldn’t I help?”
Maeve didn’t push again. They stood and joined the class spreading out in the field. Orrin could see other classes working outside. Flashes of fire on one end and something that shimmered in the air at the other. Was that water or air magic?
Cade split the groups, having one person throw rocks at another with a gentle underarm throw. The point wasn’t to harm the person but to test what kind of spells they could use for defensive purposes. He explained that unenchanted earth was the easiest thing for earth magic to defend against and directed them to begin.
Orrin was first up and threw the rock short the first few times, trying to get the distance correct. When one rock finally appeared to be on track, he sighed in relief. His aim was on target and would hit Maeve’s leg if she didn’t block it.
Around them, the other students defended themselves with various levels of success. A small wall formed out of the ground in front of two different students, while another waved her hand to make dirt jump from the ground like fish.
Maeve gestured and the stone rocketed back at Orrin. He narrowly dodged the missile that shattered against the stone wall behind him.
“What was that? You almost hit me!” Orrin yelled from the ground. He’d thrown himself to the side and landed hard on his knee.
“I’m sorry,” Maeve muttered looking off in the distance.
Orrin brushed his legs and stood up just as Cade ordered them to switch sides.
Orrin groaned.
Orrin left the infirmary after class and made his way quickly to the cafeteria for lunch. He could have healed himself but a few other students had been bruised as well. He figured being part of the group was better than standing out.
He was the only one who had an injury worse than a few scraps though. One of Maeve’s throws broke Orrin’s pinky and ring finger on the right hand. He used [Earth Ward] to protect himself and made a mistake.
[Earth Ward] – create a ward around yourself and your party within 50 feet that protects against earth magic for MP maximum. 20 MP.
A thrown rock wasn’t earth magic. He’d used a regular [Ward] after that first throw, cradling his hand until Cade dismissed them.
Ellis waved as Orrin entered the room. He grabbed some more food and made his way to the table.
“Hey, Ellis. How are your classes going?” Orrin asked, sitting down.
“All my regular classes are fine,” the young man answered, moving his fork around the half-devoured fish on his plate. “Have you heard the news, Casimir?”
Orrin put a bite in his mouth and chewed. He’d thought he’d gotten chicken but it was fried fish. He swallowed before answering. “I don’t think so. What’s up?”
Ellis leaned forward and beckoned Orrin in. His curiosity peaked, Orrin glanced around and noticed many close and whispered conversations were happening all over the cafeteria.
“A [Hero] pushed back two regiments of the army and Lord Sanerris was forced to pull back from the border. The elves helped and might invade Odrana.”
Orrin felt his stomach drop to his feet. He pushed his plate away. “When? Did anyone get hurt?”
Ellis was a ball of nervous energy. “Two days ago. We’re only getting the information now because Lord Sanerris left the city to help the fight. The [Hero] got away but both sides had a few causalities. Not Lord Sanerris, of course. He’s already back in the city and calling for the other lords to send more troops. My benefactor fought for me to stay here. I got a dispensation and won’t be drafted into the fight but if the elves try to push too far east into our lands, I’ll do my part and go fight.”
Orrin didn’t respond, filtering the obvious propaganda out. Daniel attacked Odrana and won. He didn’t know if he was relieved or scared for his friend. He checked his Quest but the Stop the War Quest was still active. Ellis kept talking but Orrin wasn’t listening.
“… I’m sure you’ll be fine, Casimir. Only two or three people are being drafted or leaving school to fight. I doubt you’ll have to go.” Ellis placed his hand on Orrin’s but quickly pulled back with a blush.
Orrin doubted Anabella would allow him to be drafted. He wasn’t worried about that. “Who got drafted?”
“A girl in my class broke down in tears when she got a letter. Deanne, I think. Another novice that I don’t have classes with,” Ellis counted on his fingers. “Oh, and Finley Madvarr, of course. He’s the one who volunteered. He left this morning.”