Lord Ferdinand’s Academy of the Knowledge and Practice of the Art known as Magic is the only state sanctioned school of magic in Landrea. All professional mages must be registered with and approved by The Academy.
“So, you're telling me that huge fire started because some idiot was trying to show off in front of girls?” Chad asked when Selena was done with her story.
“Yup, and got himself killed in the process,” she replied solemnly.
“There is one thing I don't understand. You said you detected an Academy mage approaching during the fire. What ever happened to them? Why didn't they ever show up?”
“I think,” Selena said hesitantly, “that that must have been you. That is the only explanation I can come up with. I haven't told anybody else about that because I don't think they would believe me. Did you use any enhancement magic while you were approaching us?”
“I don't think so. I just used the running spell which I invented to get there faster.”
“You invented a spell!?” Selena exclaimed with a mixture of disbelief and excitement. “What does it do? How did you set it up?”
“It makes me run faster.”
“I guessed that much. What kind of magic is it? HOW does it make you run faster?”
“Oh, it drifts air into my back and pushes me wherever I go.”
“You mean it follows you? It doesn't follow a single course and die down quickly?”
“No, it always pushes me straight in the back and doesn't stop until I want it to.”
“Amazing! The mage I sensed must have been you! I bet you built an enhancement directly into your spell and you didn't even know it. Could you demonstrate for me?”
“Sure, but I will have to do it outside. There is not enough light or room in here for it.”
As Chad and Selena exited the house, Edward addressed them from where he was sitting on the wood splitting log. “Where are you two headed?”
“Nowhere really,” replied Selena. “Chad was just going to show me an enhanced spell that he has.”
“You're crazy!” returned Edward. “There is no way he can have an enhanced spell and, even if he did, are you stupid enough to let him do it within hours of waking from a magfat coma? You've got to be kidding me!” Then, turning to Chad he added. “Don't let Selena's grand ideas get to your head. You should get some rest and think about he Wizard's offer. Selena, we should be going.”
“Oh, you're probably right.” Selena complained. “Chad, promise you'll show me your running spell tomorrow. Well then, good bye for now!” Then the two Abcedarians left.
“Well that was abrupt,” Chad thought as he went back inside.
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He sat down and thought about what The Wizard had offered him. He had just started to accept the fact that he would never be able to study at The Academy, and now that dream was being dangled in front of his face again. But to have him take the test without any time to study, that was harsh. Novices at the Academy weren't even allowed to try until they had studied for a year and still, about 25% of them never passed. If he did take the test and failed, he would forever be labeled as a reject from the world of magic. If he didn't take the test there was always the possibility of finding a traveling druid or sorcerer to study under. However if he failed the test nobody would take him on. However, if he did pass the test, how wonderful would that be? An almost endless well of knowledge awaited him in the form of books and teachers. He would have the opportunity to travel the world! And best of all, he wouldn't have to talk to plants all day anymore.
Suddenly Chad realized he didn't know anything about the test. He had spent his time with Selena listening to her story and didn't ask any questions about the test. How stupid could he be! He would just have to hunt her down tomorrow and get her to tell him all about it. With that thought, he set out to find something to eat and his family.
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Chad woke up late the next morning. Between casting such a massive spell and staying up with his family to entertain the apprentices, he had been exhausted by the time he went to bed.
Once he had shoved something in his mouth, he went in search of his father. Chad found him among the corn telling them to “grow.”
“Good morning!” said Chad. “Why did you let me sleep in so late?”
“Because,” his father answered, “you were exhausted from yesterday and have a big decision to make today. Take today off and make a good decision.”
Having said his bit, Lawrence got back to work.
Since his dad was giving him the day off, Chad went in search of Selena. He stopped by the barn to ask his mother if she might know where the party of mages could be found. To his dismay, she told him that Edward had stopped by early that morning with a message for him saying: “we are headed back into the forest today so that we can gather at least some data to take back with us. We will be returning shortly before sundown, please have an answer ready for The Wizard by then.”
This was terrible. Now how was he supposed to get information about the test? Chad decided that there was nothing else he could do besides practice what magic he did know and think.
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That evening, just before sundown, Chad felt like he was going to explode. He was as nervous as a male black widow about to mate. Every minute that the mages didn't come out of the forest seemed like an hour. When they finally did appear, The Wizard walked straight up to him and said, “follow me.” Giving Chad no time to respond, he turned around and headed back into the forest.
Chad quickly followed him wishing that he had been given a little more time.
When they had gone several meters in, to the point where they couldn't see out of the trees, The Wizard stopped and faced Chad. “It is time for you to make a decision. Will you take the test and risk the shame of failing for the honor of passing? Or will you forgo the test and look elsewhere for magical education? You have potential. I am sure you could find a druid, or maybe even a sorcerer, to study under. What is your decision, lad?”
Chad was overwhelmed. He thought he had made his decision hours ago, but hearing the same questions he had been asking himself repeated by a wizard made him forget his resolve. After half a minute, he finally stammered, “I-I-I will take the test.”
“Good!” replied The Wizard. “Your test consists of two parts: one is mental and one is practical.” Here he paused to take a good look at Chad. “Yesterday, you passed the practical portion when you saved us from the fire. Right now you passed the mental portion when you decided to attempt the harder path rather than take the easy way out.
“Congratulations, apprentice Lawrenceson. You have passed your initiation and are officially a student of The Academy. I expect you to be ready to leave tomorrow morning at sunrise. Now go and tell your family the good news and say goodbye. It will be some time before you see them again.
“Actually, as you go, would you humor an old man and perform your enhanced running spell Selena told me about? There should still be enough light for it.”
At the request, Chad sped away, smiling all the way home.