“Alex, dear, you’ve been staring at the wall for thirty seconds.” Mrs. Stirling said as she went to grab more things to bring to the table. The Stirlings presented a very domestic atmosphere whenever the group came over for dinner, no magic allowed.

No magic at the dinner table didn’t extend to the topic of conversation, but it was an unspoken rule in the household that the topics would be given an air of mundanity.

“Sorry, I’ve been distracted all afternoon.” Alex blushed, taking a seat on the left side of the circular table between Becca and Mr. Stirling.

“We watched David Alvarez’s Lucky Day earlier,” Anthony explained.

“Ah, I remember Mark mentioning that he would likely be giving you all access. I believe you make up five out of the seven he’s allowing this year. You kids immediately went for one of the memories we want to keep away from students waiting for graduation the most.” Mr. Stirling said with a tinge of exasperation.

“I assume you noticed the achievement upgrade, then?” Mrs. Stirling said as she brought in a pitcher of fruit juice to finish the assembled meal. Alex hadn’t even noticed the sides brought in to accompany the ham when he walked in, but the aroma of roast asparagus and mashed potatoes was nearly enough to draw him away from the topic for a second.

Mr. Stirling really could cook.

“Yes, Alex is the only one caught up in it, though,” Becca said.

“You came up with a plan?” Mrs. Stirling raised an eyebrow at him.

“Uh, not really.” Alex stammered, “Well, kinda. I’m not sure about it though. I was hoping to do some research tomorrow before talking about it.”

Alice Stirling’s Domain unfurled out of her body. She pressed him slightly, telling him that this was a topic she treated seriously. It wasn’t a threat, just a reminder. He was talking to the city’s peak Tier 3 creation mage now, and the ban on magic was considered less important than this talk. His friend’s mother would return when they started to eat

“Just say what it is, son.” Mr. Stirling replied, a sad expression on his face. He waved his hand over the table to keep the food in stasis as they talked. His Domain remained retracted, but that might’ve just been because his wife was already pressuring him to remain truthful. “I assure you, we’ve heard worse.”

“Well, so we all get a Tier 0 achievement equal to the quality of our Mana Body, right?” Alex asked rhetorically, “I was thinking of trying to get the achievement upgrade for that.”

“It’s been attempted before.” Alice Stirling snapped, “I’m sure you know why it doesn’t work.”

“Yeah, an untiered body doesn’t have any Capacity,” Alex replied, sweat beading on his forehead. Why were they taking this so seriously?

“Yes,” Dylan Stirling replied, “Attempting to manipulate true mana inside the body, instead of the illusory fluff you use in training, will cause a rejection. Even with an emplacement ritual, you don’t have enough time. Your body isn’t ready to control magic until you enter Tier 0 and the Trialbringer gives you the first point of both Capacity and Connection.”

“This exact plan has been attempted before, back when the Academy was young,” Alice sighed, it looked like she was close to tears as she spoke. If Alex had known that this topic would be so upsetting, he would’ve stuck with his initial not really, “It was back when we didn’t understand things as well as we do now. We were newly Imprinted, and even David was still figuring some things out. We made a mistake, let a student try…” She drifted off at this, but no one spoke as her Domain solidified for a second. It wasn’t harmful, she wasn’t lashing out at them, but there was a heavy pressure that covered the room for a second before she continued.

“The problem is that the emplacement ritual is designed for Tier 0s, not untiered individuals. The effects aren’t predictable for the untiered. We had a student try it, and their body drew in more mana than expected. None of those present had enough control over their Domains to regulate the ritual’s mana, and it didn’t last long enough for her to form her body fully.” A tear ran down her face as she spoke, and Alex was reminded that while both Stirlings looked only a few years older than him and his friends, they had lived for more than 250 years. “The ritual offers you forty-five minutes to build a body, but we require you to complete the task in under thirty to qualify. The student who tried only had nineteen.”

They had watched hundreds of talented students rise in the Academy only to fall on the outside over the years. It was a humbling reminder, Alex didn’t process those well.

“Did you think that you were the first one to come up with such a basic plan?” Mrs. Stirling asked when Alex didn’t respond quickly, “You’re more insightful than that, Alex.”

“No, you’re right.” Alex replied, “I discarded the idea at first. Untiered mana rejection burns you out and leaves you an empty husk, I’ve watched the warning videos.” And dreamt about them, but a few nightmares were better than blowing yourself up so the Academy continued using the descriptions and examples that warned students off.

“But when I walked in here I remembered the story you like to tell about Micah tiering up in a trial,” Alex continued, “And it got me thinking.”

“The panacea,” Alice dismissed, “It’s been considered, the rejection cascades nearly immediately after the mana disperses while you have runes inside your body. The agony and disorientation make it impossible to focus enough to accept the prompt. Even with Dylan’s assistance, survival would only last seconds.”

Alex frowned, “Hasn’t that changed, now that you have Domains?”

“We can likely prevent the mana from dispersing too quickly, and even add our own mana to the mix to extend the ritual. But specificity is impossible, untiered bodies react in unpredictable ways. I wouldn’t be able to guarantee you more than thirty minutes, probably a bit less.”

Becca spoke up at this point, “I received my cert after finishing my Mana Body in slightly under sixteen.”

Alice paused at that, and the gentle press of her domain slackened slightly. “Drawing that blueprint in sixteen minutes requires approximately Attuned standard mana control. All you’re missing is a mana type and you’ll reach that standard fully. It will grant you a Legendary Tier 0 achievement once you devise a feat that demonstrates your control.” Becca didn’t need any cheats. Her talent was so incredible that she would get ridiculous rewards no matter what.

Dylan gave Becca a surprised look while his wife spoke, “I hadn’t heard about your mana control reaching that point. How long ago did you do it?”

“About a month,” Becca replied as she looked down at the table, not wanting to meet her friends’ eyes, “I asked Instructor Martinez not to tell anyone because it doesn’t mean anything unless I get an mana type at Tier 0.”

Alex was stunned, he knew Becca was better than him after years of dedicated practice while he focused on his swordplay, but a gap of nearly 3 minutes was absurd. Those minutes grew harder and harder to shave off, after all. The rest of the table was similarly silenced by the admission.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

“Even then, it wouldn’t work,” Dylan sighed, “You would be penalized for our assistance. The achievement would likely return to Rare. We only attempted it the first time because we didn’t fully understand Tier 0 achievements.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” Alex replied, bringing up the other thing he’d noticed in the memory, “I don’t think the pre-Tier 0 achievements are mitigated by outside assistance.”

“Explain,” Alice replied, a frown on her face, “It’s not a topic we’ve explored.”

“Well, Plato’s mother is a high-tiered wolf somewhere out in the realm who managed to replace the boss of the trial with him, right?” Alex asked, “The story is that he was supposed to spend the months before anyone managed to clear the trial to grow to maturity and learn about our planet using his heritage.”

“Correct,” Alice’s face turned into a frown now, her sadness had been replaced with visible frustration, “You believe that the act of replacing the boss should be considered outside assistance?”

Alex nodded, “I don’t see how it would give him the full achievement otherwise. The boss is supposed to be the hardest part of a trial.”

Dylan’s hand clapped down on his shoulder, “You raise a good point, but you’re still asking us to allow you to risk your life. Forming your Mana Body in twenty minutes is a difficult task, and that’s already tightening the timeframe we give you to adjust to the soul attributes.”

Alex frowned, “I did it in nineteen for my certs.”

Alice rubbed her temples at this information, “What was in the water the year you kids were born? We haven’t had a kid break twenty on the Rare attribute body before they graduated since it was designed.”

Alex grinned, “I didn’t realize I was that impressive.”

Alice… no, Mrs. Stirling; her domain was fully retracted now, glowered at him, “Yes, Alex, you did.”

“Sorry, just a joke,” Alex winced at the failed attempt at levity. The worst of it was over, but this was still a delicate topic.

“We will consider your idea,” Mrs. Stirling stated, “And if it's approved by a few others, it might be allowed.” Technically speaking, neither of the Stirlings held positions of authority in the Academy’s program for untiered. In reality, if Alice Stirling thought something was a good idea, the people who made the decisions would quickly get on board.

“A warning,” Mr. Stirling said, “Dean did not approve of the initial attempt, and he was incensed at the death on campus. His authority over the Academy is significantly more consolidated after all these years. He will likely fight back against your plan, even if we can confirm your thoughts on the achievement bonus.”

“Enough talk about this,” Mrs. Stirling said, “We will decide and let you know if it will be allowed. Now, Muhammad, I heard your mother made a breakthrough recently. An eleven percent increase compared to her previous efficiency, I believe?”

Alex wanted to say more to convince them, but he understood that he was already lucky that his idea was being seriously considered. Further discussion would just alienate the people he would need on his side. He was surprised they had even talked about it at the dinner table in the first place. They took his idea very seriously.

“Oh, yeah.” Muhammad happily returned to discussing his mother’s achievement, and the topic quickly turned to how happy he was about her achievement. His thoughts on what she would be able to do with the opportunity were carefully phrased. Alex wasn’t the only one who had been reminded that the Stirlings weren’t just Anthony’s parents tonight. There was a tension left in the air after Alice’s Domain had been unfurled, a reminder that the domesticity was a facade.

A reminder that Mrs. Stirling was like many of the older instructors. It was hard to stay completely sane after watching almost everyone you loved die and the society you grew up in crumble.

The dinner passed slowly, the atmosphere was brittle to the point where Alex almost regretted bringing up his idea. It lasted forty-three minutes, Alex knew because he was counting after a bit. Mrs. Stirling was distracted, probably thinking about the last attempt to form a Mana Body before beginning the path. Mr. Stirling would normally act as a buffer when she got like this, but he had a haunted expression on his face the whole meal.

This left the conversation to be driven by Muhammad and Jess. Anthony was preoccupied throwing concerned glances at his parents, trying to be subtle in his concern. Becca was nervously futzing with her food, probably worrying about how the others would react to her withholding her crowning achievement in mana control.

Alex felt guilty but pushed through to engage with the conversation. When Mr. Stirling finally pushed his chair back, they all stood nearly immediately. “Thanks for coming by, kids. I know it wasn’t our best night, but Alice and I are always happy to have you over. It’s encouraging to see how talented the upcoming generation is, I just hope you’ll live long enough to fulfill your potential.” He paused at this, and Alex held his breath as he felt the man’s hand clap down on his shoulder, “It’s important to remember that talent isn’t always enough, you feel immortal because you’re young. But you’ll have to learn to be careful if you want to grow old.”

And then he was gone, along with all the empty dishes.

Anthony saw them to the door, but decided to stay back in the tower despite how early it was, “I’ll see you guys tomorrow, library?”

“Of course,” Becca agreed.

The other four of them walked out. Muhammad and Jess made eye contact before Jess turned back to Alex and Becca, “We’re going to head back to Muhammad’s. You guys can come with if you want, but you’d have to return to campus in time for curfew.”

The underlying message that the two wanted time to themselves was clear, and Alex just nodded, “We’ll see you around.”

Then it was just the two of them, walking aimlessly away from the tower.

Alex’s thoughts turned to the early days at the Academy when it was just the two of them coming from an orphanage and adjusting to a new life with no one but each other. Before they befriended Muhammad and Jess. Well before Anthony got over himself and accepted that he didn’t have to be the best at everything just because his parents were Tier 3s.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about reaching the Attuned standard timing,” Becca spoke up after they had walked in silence for a few minutes, “I just… I didn’t know how to react when Instructor Martinez told me about it and I…”

“You were worried I’d take it poorly when I learned how far ahead of me you are?”

“That’s not true, I’m only ahead because you focus on your sword so much.”

Alex chuckled ruefully, “That was my first thought too. Listening to you say it, it sounds like an excuse.”

Becca frowned at him, “I never thought I’d have to say this to you, Alex, but you’re pretty amazing. Focusing on something else doesn’t make you less talented in mana control.”

Alex grinned at her, “No, but maybe I’m not less talented. Maybe you’re just more talented.” he leaned down slightly to bump her shoulder with his as he spoke.

Becca frowned at him, “That’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever… oh, whatever. So you’re not mad?”

“Well, I’m a little sad you didn’t tell me,” Alex replied, “But I know you would’ve gotten around to it eventually.” Their aimless wandering eventually found a destination. A hill on campus that they had spent several evenings and nights lying on while they dreamed of the future and stared at the sky.

They lay down next to each other, like they had so many times before. Alex couldn’t help but remember his conversation with Marlin to start the day. His resolve to wait and focus on other things seemed so stupid in moments like this one when it was just the two of them.

“Do you think they’ll let us do it?” Becca asked him. She was fully onboard, but that didn’t surprise Alex. She was plenty ambitious in her own right.

“The Stirlings sounded interested,” Alex replied, “I might not get to do it through the Academy, but if they want to try, they’ll find a way.”

“Mmm,” she replied, “I’m cold.” She snuggled into his side after saying this, Alex’s arm wrapped around her shoulders on reflex as she did.

They lay there, just staring at the stars, for a while. Alex lost track of time, just enjoying himself with the most amazing person he’d ever met.

“How’s Marlin doing?” Becca asked suddenly.

“Oh, he’s alright,” Alex was surprised by the unexpected question, “He’s been a bit annoying recently.”

“Any reason in particular?” She asked.

Alex turned to face her at this, “Are you looking for a particular reason?”

Becca’s dimples appeared as she grinned at him. It was an incredible sight, “What would you do if I said yes?”

Alex sighed, settling back, “So you’re behind his recent obsession?”

“Yes, Jess is still convinced that you’ll crack eventually.”

“Becca, I…”

“No, Alex, I know all of your excuses. I know you think we have all the time in the world. But you saw how serious the Stirlings were tonight. We’re probably about to try something incredibly dangerous.” She rolled over on top of him, “Maybe we do have all the time in the world, but just in case we don’t, I’m going to kiss you now.”

Alex didn’t protest her plans for the evening.