“Andrew with your potential, kingdoms may seek to use you in a war of conquest.” Master Anstrom told me over a cup of tea in a room with large windows on two sides looking down over a post-industrial city. The skylines weren’t as high as earth and the streets had no sidewalk, most were lined with stalls or businesses. Every building had a great chimney belching smoke despite it being mid-summer, and it gave a very steampunk vibe.

I wasn’t sure what to make of master Anstrom’s statement so I said nothing. I just looked out the window and continued my musing. I was content to continue my rambling thoughts but master Anstrom had other ideas.

“That is, unless you were to swear service to the goddess as a paladin.” He said.

“I don’t think I’ll make a good paladin, I was thinking about being a traveling merchant.” I said honestly

“With your talent to manipulate the divine, and you want to what?” He said

“I want to travel around and meet people, with a cart.” I said.

“A paladin does exactly that, usually at the head an elite unit of church men at arms.” Master Anstrom decreed.

“That sounds interesting, what is being a paladin like? I’m already Lyddya’s champion, would paladin really be a promotion?” I asked

“Oh what, your right, if you are already her designated champion than taking on the formal orders as a paladin should be your right, should it not?” Master Anstrom concluded

“Yes ok, I can be a paladin, but what does that mean? What would being a paladin confer to me?” I asked hoping not to sound too greedy.

“Seeing as you can already cast divine spells it would do you little, I’m afraid. The reason to become a paladin is that they are duty bound not to enter the conflicts of the mortal races. They seek to purge monsters from the land and punish bandits, not fight wars and battles between kingdoms.” Master Anstrom lectured

“My father talked pretty highly of his majesty. I can’t imagine the man my father described would invade his neighbors. I can’t imagine I’d sit idly by if the kingdom I was in was invaded either.” I expounded.

“So you have no wish to become a paladin?” The old man asked me.

“No.” I said firmly.

“Well lets see about teaching you some reading and writing magic fundamentals. Can you read boy?” Master Anstrom said his faced suddenly pained.

“I can read and write and do mathematics.” I boasted proudly. It was probably a rare thing for a ten-year-old in this world I figured.

“Can you use your mage-sight yet?” Master Anstrom asked.

“My what sight?” I asked.

“Everyone has mana, some have more, some less. Some can regenerate more quickly than others. Using your mana for sorcery is almost a default ability possessed by everyone. More default but unbeknownst to most is magical sight. Using your mana to power your vision and enhance your sight to show magic more clearly.” Master Anstrom lectured. This sent my mind into a tizzy. If there were magical eye powers, what other ways could I use mana to benefit myself.

“Are there other mana powers?” I asked

“I have heard of fighters using mana to strengthen their grip, muscles, even enhance their reflexes, but I do not know those techniques. Please focus on the lesson at hand. To use mana enhanced vision follow my instructions very carefully. Close your eyes, find your mana at your core that you used to thread the wands. Pull a strand of mana from your core and pull it up in front of your face. When you can see it clearly in your mind sitting in front of you, hold up your hand and open your eyes. Now you can see the strand of materialized magic, push it into your eyes. Likes rubbing your eyelids and wash your eyes in the magic.” Master Anstrom instructed.

“I can see the threads, is it really as simple as wiping this glowing blue misty residue on my eyes?” I addressed Anstrom skeptical.

“Yes and no, but hurry up before your manifested magic evaporates.” Master Anstrom said some pleading In his voice.

I washed my eyes in magical power directed by my hands. It made vision difficult and tinged by strange teal light. “What’s next?” I asked impatiently

“Say the magic words. Magi-Sight.” Master Anstrom instructed

“Really? All magic is just this simple cantrip memorization?” I asked disappointed and hopeful.

“Just say the bloody words before the magic fades.” Master Anstrom demanded.

“Magi-Sight” I cast. The world exploded forward, I could not only see more clearly I could clearly see much further away. Not only that, but Master Anstrom’s clothes glowed with webs of and motes of woven magic. I could see that the tiny runes woven into the fabric of his clothes were enchanted. It was almost painful to look at. Glancing around the room several other objects also glowed powerfully including one of the wands on Anstrom’s desk.

“I can see Magic.” I said fiddling with a bit of magical energy from my core and rubbing it on my hands. “Enhanced grip.” I mumbled under my breath and then awe struck me as my hands got an even coating of magic instead of just holding a tiny fire of magic, they became coated in a thick shiny oil.

“How did you do that?” Master Anstrom asked a furious expression on his brow.

“I guessed the spell phrase.” I said shrugging.

“That’s authoring magic, you shouldn’t have been able to do that.”

I remembered many of these command words from games as spell names or buff headers. I thought to my self while Anstrom goggled at me strangely. I cycled my energy throughout my body feeling the magic course through my very veins and slide over my muscles as I envisioned magic wrapping around me. It was time to try a gamut and see what magical spells stuck. “Speed boost, Physical Enhancement, Iron Body.” I intoned. Only Physical Enhancement stuck, the rest were just empty words I could feel it as I spoke them, they lacked the right magic.

“Still Enhanced grip and Physical Enhancement seem to suit me.” I offered casually to Master Anstrom who was at once confused and excited.

“Who knew we would be sitting here guessing arcane phrases on your second day.” Master Anstrom offered.

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“I think I should write all this down.” I told Master Anstrom.

“That may be wise indeed, perhaps we should get you a journal at the market.” Said master Anstrom

“I am sure I can puzzle out a few more spells given time, lets see what additional stimuli hold.” I told him

“Are you sure you are really ten years old? Because you speak in the oddest dialect.” He asked me

“Is it really so hard to imagine I could guess spell phrases.” I asked innocently

“It is, hard to believe to say the least.” Master Anstrom replied.

“I want to try a couple more spells.” I told him

“Ok but nothing that’s going to ruin my study.” Master Anstrom chided

“Enhance Speed. Ok that one worked, lets try… Stone Skin. Look at my grey hardened skin.” I said in earnest as I tested the limits of my speed and agility. My newfound power made me ponder how well I would do with a sword against my father. Suddenly a sense of profound emptiness washed over me.

“I can’t take it anymore, we have to document this. I’m summoning a royal scribe. We will have to meet back up in a few hours, take some time to experiment in your chambers, but remember, don’t destroy my apartment.”

With that I was dismissed and I made my way back to the apartment allotted to me. I laid on the bed for only a moment before I pulled myself back up and went to get my sword, I felt invigorated and I sought to test my sword forms. About twenty minutes and a great deal of sweat later I came to the conclusion that I could probably implant magic into my blade and cause my blade to have magical effects. So I did just that and said aloud “Flaming sword.” And a slight ripple started at the tip of the blade and slowly but surely the blade was coated from tip to cross guard. I then began to panic slightly. I still hadn’t learned to dismiss the spell effects. I waved my flaming sword around for about five minutes before the effect came to an end. I was plenty proud of its duration and plenty happy it expired when it did, there were some light scorch marks in the roof.

I put my now room temperature sword away. What else could I channel magic into? How much power did I have here knowing as much as I do. I began to try to swirl the magic in a circle in front of me. I felt this was much more difficult than just channeling a bit of power to my hands. I felt it was likely still possible as I endeavored to make this metaphysical concept obey my very will. Slowly the “mana” took shape. Once I had what I deemed a sufficient defuse cloud of mana I said “Teleportation Gate” and doors of gold and silver swirls formed directly where my mana had coalesced. They opened and I could see my home. I stepped through, content with my new power to return in the morning.

To put it lightly my family was both astounded and confused to see me return so early. Surely I didn’t abandon the caravan which hadn’t yet returned and avoided my duty to become an apprentice. Once I explained the spell I used to get home and that my stay was only to ask my father for further sword “tutelage”. With my enhanced speed, physical enhancement and enhanced grip my father still trounced me, but I stood much more of a chance. I felt like I was both faster and stronger than him now, he just had a longer reach, more experience and a longer sword. Father asked after his companion from the war. I replied that master Anstrom and I had been consistently working on my magic since I arrived the day prior and I hadn’t thought to ask after his health.

I hugged my mother and sisters and brother and I left to return to the capital via “Teleportation Gate” I had said I needed to be back in the capital, but honestly the apartment space I had been given and the quality of the bed we both far superior to the rugged log cabin I had grown up in.

I arrived outside the city as if by mistake. I had to convince the guards a ten-year-old with a sword wasn’t a threat. When I arrived outside master Anstrom’s apartment building it was already getting very dark. I knocked on the door and was greeted by a very unhappy serving girl.

“Where have you been, and how did you get out of your room, if you are going to run away, don’t both coming back.” She spat with vehemence.

“I’ll discuss that with master Anstrom if he cares to ask.” I said politely.

“Oh, he will, he already assumed you had fled.” She said.

“Sure, lead me to master Anstrom.” I said uncaring in the slightest.

We walked to a dining hall that could seat around twelve people. Master Anstrom and two guests were seated but it looks like I had just missed dinner by the state of their plates.

“Oh Andrew, I had thought to have the guards look for you after you fled.” Master Anstrom said.

“Sorry, I used Teleportation Gate to travel home and see my family and time got away from me.” I tried to sound innocent.

“You have access to eighth tier magic? Outlandish.” Said the man seated on master Anstrom’s right.

“Demonstrate this to Count Doresmire, he was sent as witness directly from his majesty.” Master Anstrom said indicating the make you had just spoken.

“Teleportation Gate” I said intoning the spell loudly and pushing my mana deliberately into the spell form I had earlier envisioned.

“Astounding.” Said the unidentified man, perhaps the scribe. As the silence of the other two men grew to what felt like a minute, I realized neither men believed I could cast such a spell and there was a bit of shock on their faces.

After two minutes the spell vanished on its own the gold and silver doors seeming to close and fade into nowhere. Silence was eventually overtaken by through scribbling. I was right the third man was a scribe. A dedicated secret keeping royal scribe. The king would know what I had for dinner if he wanted. Which was nothing unless I pipped up.

“I missed dinner, is there a chance I could have a seat and get something to eat?” I asked.

“What? Oh Yes, sit and I’ll call for a meal for you.” Master Anstrom acceded.

The rude maid from earlier was forced to fetch me a meal as I reveled in delight.

“So the kingdom has a new high magician.” The count started.

“It would seem my apprentice already outshines me.” Master Anstrom replied.

“What’s a high magician?” I asked taking the bait.

“Anyone that can cast the highest known tier of magic is known as a high magician. We didn’t have any in the kingdom of Valorium yesterday. The king will be thrilled. First we’ll get you trained in basic magic, then we’ll help you travel around so you can facilitate the kingdoms trade with your portals and the kingdom will flourish.” Count Doresmire said. I hated the idea of being some glorified portal tender for the wealthy and the elite

“He’s my student for five years don’t forget, I’ve still plenty to teach him.” Master Anstrom defended me.

“Sure, we can come to some arrangement.” Count Doresmire pressured, but you could see his priceless new find deflating from his grasp. His eyes softened and he said “Ok, yes its only five years.”

“Besides, he’s only ten, wait until he’s a man before you hoist a man’s responsibilities on him.” Master Anstrom said compassionately.

“I will, I will, but just you wait, he can cast plannar dispersition. He could topple the demon kingdom.” Count Doresmire said.

“I hadn’t thought of that, yes that means he can cast sanctuary and Oblivion bindings too.” Master Anstrom concluded.

I pocketed the buzzwords all though… I could only guess at what “mana forms” would be required for those buzzword spells, they did seem powerful. “I wonder if I can cast resurrection.” I pondered aloud.

Tense isn’t quite the word for the situation in the room when everyone, even me felt a sudden stillness in air.

“Forbidden Magic!” Quoted Anstrom.

“You know not what you say boy. Let us pray he does not become another necromancer.” Said Count Doresmire.

The scribe finally spoke “Is resurrection a necromancy spell? Or a ninth tier spell?

“Ninth tier, he was just lumping them together its not like Andrew expressed some desire for necromancy.” Master Anstrom chided.

“Huh so ninth tier magic is forbidden or impossible?” I asked.

“Impossible.” Said Master Anstrom.

“Both.” Said Count Doresmire.

“Not exactly, mortals are forbidden from using ninth tier magic, but anyone who can cast it is immortal and thus not bound by laws of us petty mortals.” Master Anstrom seemed to be correcting a great many people today.

“So then shouldn’t I try to see if I can resurrect someone?” I said, not understanding why I shouldn’t test the limits of my power.

“It’s a Ninth Tier Spell, you might as well say “Time Stop” and see if that works.” Said Count Doresmire.

“Time Stop does not exist.” Said Master Anstrom with some authority. “Although a favorite of court bards where they chant time stop and everyone on stage freezes in a ridiculous position, spells that affect time do not in fact exist… And don’t forget that you would need to coat in your mana everything you would need to affect with the spell making it more costly than even meteor swarm.” Said Master Anstrom.

“Time stop.” I said, and nothing interesting happened, but some tension left the air and everyone laughed.

“Before I accidently destroy something important, how do you cancel magic?” I asked master Anstrom

“How do you what? Why would you accidently cast a spell.” Master Anstrom chuckled