Alex blushed at the ancient archwizard’s praise. “Thanks, Baelin. And you don't have to apologise, you have your own—many lives—to live. The reason why you owed your cabal a favour in the first place was because you helped me, and I'll be forever grateful for that; I think it’d be pretty damn unreasonable of me to blame you for having to repay a favour they did for you because of me. Professor Mangal taught us enough about reciprocal relationships that I understand what they mean, and not to be resentful about having to pay something back. Especially, when you owed them because of me.”

“I see that Professor Mangal has taught you well,” Baelin said. “But I still regret it.” He sighed deeply then, looking like a rather vulnerable old man. “I did mean what I said to Vernia, you know. I regret not being able to be in multiple places at once. If I had that ability, there would be much suffering that both myself and those who I care for could avoid. There would be much that I would not have missed in your growth, in the growth of Isolde, Khalik, Thundar, Carey…I wish I could've been here for you.”

“I think we've all had that wish at one point or another, Baelin,” Alex said. “If I could have been in more than one place at once, then maybe, I could've helped my parents escape the fire. I don't know.”

“Indeed.” The chancellor shook himself. “In any case, I have driven this pleasant conversation toward useless regret and melancholy. What I should be saying is how much I admire your growth. How proud I am of you. There was a time when you would not have challenged one of my deeply-held beliefs as you just did. While I do not agree with you, Alex, and likely never will, I must say well done! That said, I do not have to agree with you. You are growing into an independent thinker, which is what all proper teachers wish for from their students.”

“Would you call me a ‘Proper Wizard’, then?” Alex asked.

“I would.” Baelin smiled. “You and the rest of your cabal as well. Speaking of which…are they also planning to extend their lives?”

“Yup.” Alex said with relief. “I asked them, and they were in favour of the idea.”

“And have you picked the method you’ll use to achieve a form of immortality or at least significantly extend your lifespan?” Baelin asked.

The young wizard grimaced.

For a while, he’d thought that would be something he’d look into after the Ravener problem was finished with. But, recently, he’d hit on a promising idea; one that would let him, his cabal, and his family live for many lifetimes.

At least it would, if he got the alchemical formulae and compounds right.

He’d need a certain ingredient, it wasn’t common and would need to be processed…but if he could get his hands on it—along with enough time in the near future—the problem of living for millennia would be solved.

“Yeah,” Alex said. “I think I do.”

“And what method would that be?” Baelin asked.

Alex grinned slyly, “I was actually considering telling you something cryptic then making you guess the answer.”

The old goatman’s cheer faded, somewhat. “I suppose I would deserve that.”

“Yes, you would.”

“I regret teaching you.”

“Well, it's too late now.”

Both archwizards laughed before turning to the window.

The starry sky extended high above them, like an endlessly black sea studded with points of white fire.

“Congratulations again, by the way,” Baelin said. “On reaching ninth-tier spells. You had quite the path of thorns to get there, but you weathered it admirably.”

“Thanks,” Alex said. “I couldn't have gotten to where I am without your help.”

Baelin smiled. “I am pleased to walk this path with you. So tell me—if you are considering taking multiple life paths throughout your life—which one will you choose first, after the war is over?”

Alex smiled at the stars. “I think I have a couple of ideas.” He turned to his mentor. “Could you do me a favour?”

“What do you need?” the chancellor asked.

“I'd like you to find something for me,” Alex said. “If you find it, I think it's going to make the battle easier.”

“Of course. And what would that be?” the chancellor asked.

Alex told him.

Baelin smiled. “It might be difficult to find, but I should be able to search it out before long. I hope your coffers are full.”

“They are.” Alex smiled. “By the way, remember my paper on the blood magic process I cooked up? Well, it was accepted and published!”

“Was it now?” Baelin nodded, looking pleased. “How wonderful. I am glad you chose to publish it.”

“So am I,” Alex said.

The two wizards fell into their own thoughts, soaking in the silence.

A relaxed silence.

“Baelin.” Alex said, breaking the comfortable stillness.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“Hm?”

“You said you weren't planning on being chancellor forever,” Alex said. “That's not because you’re dy—”

“Oh goodness, no, I am in no danger of imminent death, unless the battle against the Ravener is one where I am blind-sided,” Baelin said smoothly. “I simply meant that, while I do enjoy my tenure here, there will come a time when I will desire change and decide to seek another role.”

“Who do you think will replace you?” Alex asked.

“That is largely up to the university’s board to decide,” Baelin said. “Though, if I have my way, Vernia will be offered the role, should she still be living when I decide to take my leave.”

Alex smiled. “She’d be a very different chancellor. I think the school would change a lot.”

“Some change is good and should be embraced. Some change is terrible and should be fought. And sometimes, change is just that: change. Vernia’s way will be different, safer of course, but I hope she would not discard too many of my philosophies. I would be heartbroken to see this university fail to create Proper Wizards: her wizards would be cautious, likely more practical, more prudent, but less able to defend themselves, I fear.”

Alex chuckled. “Then it'll be up to us Proper Wizards to make sure they can survive. We'll be the ones crushing their enemies and seeing them driven before us.”

Baelin gave him a vicious grin. “I suppose we will. I knew there was a reason I liked you.”

“Yeah,” Alex said. “I've missed you, Baelin. I know, I said that, but I really have.”

“Indeed, I’m glad that I will be here to witness your graduation,” the chancellor said.

“Right, which reminds me!” Alex whirled on Baelin. “I’d like to challenge the exams for credit in upper year Art of the Wizard in Combat courses! Could you sign the paperwork for me to do them?”

Baelin looked at Alex for a long moment, then shook his head. “No.”

“What? Why not?” the young archwizard sputtered. “You don’t think I can handle them? I’m sure I can, Baelin! I really want to graduate before we go after the Ravener, in case things go wrong!”

“Oh, do not look so panicked,” Baelin laughed. “I did not say that you could not gain credit, I merely meant that there was no need for exams. Alex, you have learned just about everything I would wish to teach you in the upper year courses of the Art of the Wizard in Combat. You have mastered utility spells as a way of defence; summoning spells to grant minions, the art of negotiation to win you allies, ways to confound your enemies, use of terrain, traps, understanding when and how to adapt. You have conquered foes that most wizards would wither to dust from even the slightest notion of facing. To me, through your conduct, you have shown the qualities necessary to justify credit. I have no need to examine you. And—as chancellor—I can simply agree to grant you the credit.”

“Oh…thank the Traveller, that’s a relief,” Alex said. “So, I'll take my other exams when Hobb schedules them for me.”

“Splendid.” Baelin said.

“…we can call defeating the Ravener my post-graduate work for the Art of the Wizard in Combat,” Alex grinned.

“Hah! Then you will have to ‘study’ hard!”

Alex thought about his plans for the lab.

“I plan to, Baelin. Believe me, I plan to.”

###

Several weeks had passed since the chancellor had returned.

Winter had fallen away and spring was nearly in full bloom; the hills of Greymoor had turned from snow white, to mud brown and—at last—were covered in verdant flora as plant life sprouted. Constant streams of birds flew up from the southern seas, returning to their homes, as other animals emerged from their dens and burrows.

Life was returning to the land once more…a land in chaos.

As snowflakes finally gave way to spring rain, Ravener-spawn behaviour had grown more bizarre and confusing. In some parts of the land, their rampages had grown to overwhelming heights.

Entire encampments or towns—of soldiers—were wiped out in a single night. All of a sudden, forests would teem with dungeons in the space of a day, spawning armies of Ravener-spawn that threatened to overrun the land. The Heroes—including Alex—Bjorgrund, Asmaldestre, the Generasians and the Thameish army, focused their efforts on these areas, trying to prevent the Ravener-spawn from taking over those parts of the kingdom.

When they hurried to these turbulent spots, thinking that the Ravener had at last shown its hand and the battle they were facing would be the final one, it never was.

No matter how many dungeon cores they destroyed, or how many Ravener-spawn they killed, there would always be more, springing up like weeds.

On some parts of the island though, the monsters were behaving quite differently, not rampaging but instead, helping any mortal who crossed their paths, bringing them food, providing shelter, and saving them from feral beasts.

These acts of altruism were always temporary: at times, soldiers would be saved from some threat by a horde of Ravener-spawn, only to be attacked by a different horde later that same day.

Confusion soon spread through the Thameish ranks: soldiers wondered if aid would be offered to them, or death. They were in a constant state of apprehension, never knowing what to expect. However, Ravener-spawn were not the only outside forces offering aid.

There were the Traveller’s miracles as well, growing more numerous with each passing day. Hannah was growing stronger.

And she was not the only one offering them aid. Another outside force had also come to Thameland’s aid.

“Hurry up, you layabouts!” a bald wizard barked in the courtyard of Greymoor. “Every heartbeat we waste here is a heartbeat our competitors can use to get ahead of us! You want to get paid, don't you? Well, if we don't hurry and get those cores, there won’t be any pay for anyone!”

“Yes, sir!” cried the small army of Generasian mercenaries. They were obviously a high-priced warband—decked out in the finest magical armour while bearing powerful, finely crafted weapons. Each one of them was mounted on a winged stallion that stood in orderly ranks lined up in the courtyard before their employer, the man sat astride the back of a trained wyvern.

“Then let us fly!” the bald wizard commanded. “Come now!”

As one, the mercenary army soared high above the keep, winging their way north to join the war effort. They were not alone. Alex watched from the Research Castle’s battlements as more Generasi mercenaries and private armies flooded out through the gate and over the hills of Greymoor.

They moved with determination, urgency…and greed.

“Look at all of them,” Theresa whispered beside Alex.

“I hope…they know what they are getting into…are they really here for coin?” Claygon asked.

“Coin and desperation, since Kartika lifted the ban,” Alex said. “Toraka said that’s not surprising, it’s what happens when folk realise that a valuable resource could soon be scarce.”

“I heard word’s going around the city that we’re close to getting rid of the Ravener,” Theresa said.

“According to Baelin and Professor Jules, Councillor Kartika purposely let that information get around,” Alex said. “Once anyone with a spirit of adventure and a desire for coin heard dungeon core substance could be a finite resource soon, they started scrambling, desperate to get their hands on as much as they could.”

“They're calling it the ‘Dungeon Core Rush’ in some places.” Theresa shook her head. “They're no more than vultures: they don't care about us, they just want to grab as many resources as they can.”

Alex shrugged. “Let them,” he said. “It helps us: the more people are here, fighting dungeons, the more we can focus on what we need to do. Ugh, I understand what Baelin meant about wanting to be in multiple places at once. Anyway, after today, hopefully, I’ll have one big task wiped off my list, because tomorrow: I challenge the Exams for Credit.”

“Do you think you will…succeed today…father?” Claygon asked.

“Yeah.” Alex glared across the hills. “It’ll give the Ravener something to sweat about. But, we’ll need our guest to be able to finish the next preparations.”

He looked at the position of the sun. “Looks like it’s about time to go get them.”