Calling Yaric’s schedule ‘busy’ would be like calling the weather outside ‘unpleasant’. Yaric and his friends ran from building to building, listening to their teachers or studying in their dorm.
The magical lessons required a lot of practice, repeating the same patterns over and over. Science classes required almost as much practical experience as the magic classes, as they couldn’t get by with simply knowing the subject matter, they had to understand everything they were taught. And despite the frigid wind and pouring rain, new classes were to be added after the Winter Solstice Tournament. Classes that they would be attending for the first time while everyone else took part in the Tournament.
Yaric was lucky to have a real aptitude for all of his science classes. He never found it difficult to understand what was going on, as far as he was concerned, they were simply learning how the world worked, and once you knew, you knew. The few times that he found himself feeling uncertain, Lauren always had the answer.
He also put a lot of effort into following Lloyd’s advice. Everyone needed to practice the many patterns that would one day be used to create powerful spells, but Yaric insisted on taking things further. As soon as he could manage to reliably form any specific pattern, he started trying to form two, then three, then four, adding more and more as his abilities grew.
When Lloyd heard about this during one of their periodic catch ups, he suggested forming patterns further apart, such as one over each hand. Yaric was shocked to discover just how difficult some of Lloyd’s suggested exercises were.
It didn’t take him long to get comfortable forming spell patterns of each hand simultaneously, even when forming more than one over each hand. But as soon as he tried Lloyd’s next step, forming different patterns simultaneously, things got far harder. It took Yaric over two weeks before he could consistently form different components at the same time.
By that time, Yaric noticed that the practice periods in class were almost trivial once he had a handle on a new pattern. He had held a significant advantage in every lesson, mostly due to years of practice with his affinity cubes, but now that gap was only getting wider. Yaric felt compelled to ask Lloyd the next time they met.
“But why aren’t we learning this in class?” Yaric asked Lloyd. “I’m much better at the normal lessons because of this.”
Lloyd took a sip of his tea before leaning back to look over Yaric carefully. They were in the staff break room again, getting served by attendants in the luxurious lounge area. Rain lashed at the windows and the wind howled outside, occasionally gusting hard enough for the pressure change to pull the air up the chimney faster. Every time that happened the fire in the fireplace beside them would leap and crackle loudly, working in concert with the storm to create a relaxing background while they ate, warm and dry, sheltered from the storm.
Yaric had even been dried off magically when he first arrived, soaked through by the storm. Lloyd had just smirked as usual, casually waving his hand, and Yaric had suddenly been dry again, wearing clothes that now felt as if they had been warming beside a fire. Like they soon were.
“Well, it’s not as simple as that,” Lloyd eventually answered. “Each student is different. You’re only able to learn these techniques now because you are able to master each pattern long before you learn the next one. Most of your class are only just getting each pattern before they start on the next one.”
“Shouldn’t someone at least give them the option though?”
“I’m sure they are,” Lloyd replied, now settled comfortably into his chair. “They have their own Sponsors, and it’s our job to give them more tailored advice. Just like I gave to you.”
“But no one else is meeting their Sponsor like this. We meet every three weeks. Lauren has only met with her Sponsor once since we had our break, and the others haven’t met at all.”
“Not surprising,” Lloyd responded, inclining his head in acknowledgement. “Not all mages and wizards are able to finish their duties quickly. Some just don’t have the time.”
“What are your duties?” Yaric asked curiously. He had never heard much about what Lloyd actually did, besides the occasional trip outside of the city.
“More importantly, they will learn those exercises next year anyway,” Lloyd said, completely ignoring Yaric’s question. “I’m just letting you move ahead. I’ve told you many times, these next two years are some of your most important. The stronger your foundation, the better the Wizard.”
“Or Mage. I don’t even know the difference yet, so I haven’t decided. And Mages look younger.”
Lloyd smiled in return, looking at Yaric like he’d just said something stupid.
“Any arcanist would benefit from the exercises you are doing, true, but once you move to become a full-fledged Wizard you will be thanking me,” Lloyd said confidently. “Wait until everyone else is starting to learn the exercises you are doing now; I’ll be able to show you new ones that will really push you ahead.”
“What about the others? Is there a reason that I can’t show them?”
“Who said you couldn’t show them?” Lloyd asked, again looking at Yaric like he’d said something dumb, though only half badly as before.
The rest of the meeting was much more informal, as Lloyd spent almost the entire time telling Yaric stories about his own experiences during the 5th and 6th year studies. Some of them involved a suspicious amount of offensive magic, that wasn’t taught yet, but Yaric knew better than to call him out on it. With the way Lloyd paused expectantly each time he mentioned something impossible, then looked disappointed when Yaric just waited in silence, Yaric was sure that Lloyd wanted just that. And that he would then be there until dinner.
As it was, he still had to run back to meet his friends in time. Once again soaked through despite his cloak, he waited at the door for everyone to join him outside. There was no point in trying to get dry yet.
They ran to dinner in a group, trying to huddle closer to keep out the wind. Li Na had managed to worm her way into the center, shielded from the worst of it. Sven had also joined them, at Yaric’s insistence, providing even more cover for Li Na.
Unfortunately, there was no one waiting at the door to dry them off, but the hall did have its own, oversized fireplaces. Even though older students were already seated at the tables right in front of the fires, the entire hall was comfortably warm, no doubt helped along by the spell or enchantment.
“What do you mean ‘special exercises’?” Lauren asked, looking slightly upset after Yaric had explained how Lloyd had shown him some extra ways to practice.
“They aren’t really special, it’s more that they are things we normally only learn next year,” Yaric explained apologetically. “Lloyd realized that I was learning the patterns in less time than we had, so he gave me some extra exercises so I could keep practicing while I wait?”
“And this is how you’ve got so far ahead of us?” Lauren asked, now looking slightly happier.
“No, it’s mostly from the cubes I’ve been using since I joined. I have years more practice just channeling arcana and moving it around. Without that I wouldn’t have the time to practice these other exercises.”
“Oh yay, let’s learn how to do extra work,” Li Na said sarcastically.
Yaric noted that she had still been listening excitedly. Li Na often joked about how she hated working, but Yaric constantly found her running through her patterns or going over her notes. It wasn’t much different to how she always made jokes at their expense, but if anyone so much as raised a fist to any of them, Li Na would be the first to jump to their defense.
Besides, who wouldn’t be eager to study magic, because, well – magic!
“If you guys can find the time, I really think it will help you. And there isn’t anything new to learn. The exercises are all new methods to practice the same thing,” Yaric continued, before he explained how to start adding multiple patterns, then move on to splitting them, before practicing with different patterns at the same time.
“That makes sense. We’ve already been told that spells are combinations of patterns. We need to be able to use them together before we can learn any spells,” Sven pointed out, finally joining the conversation after listening in silence.
Lauren was already testing one of the exercises, and Yaric had to hold back a smile when he saw Li Na doing the same.
“Hey,” Li Na said suddenly as her head snapped back up. “I want to try practicing with your cubes as well.”
“What?” Yaric asked, starting to laugh. “Why would anyone want to do extra work?” he added, using a poor imitation of Li Na’s voice. The last word sounded even less like her, as her boot connected with Yaric’s shin under the table. “They wouldn’t help,” he added, wincing, “they only helped me because I have been using them for so long. Using them now won’t make a difference.”
“I don’t care, I still want to try,” Li Na defiantly continued.
“Ok, ok, fine,” Yaric replied, giving in. “Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Is it even ok if she uses them?” Lauren asked in concern, looking around the table, before focusing on Li Na. “Those cubes are for fire and lightning affinities; you don’t have either of them.”
“So?” Li Na replied.
Yaric knew that Li Na had affinities to water, ice, earth and air. She didn’t share any of the same affinities at all. ‘Maybe channeling with the wrong affinities could hurt her?’
“So,” Lauren continued, not backing down, “do you know what would happen if you used those cubes when you don’t have those affinities? What happens if it does some kind of damage?” she asked, echoing Yaric’s concerns.
“It won’t work, I’ve already asked,” Sven added quietly. He seemed oddly embarrassed.
“What won’t work?” both Lauren and Yaric asked simultaneously.
“You can’t create new affinities with those cubes. You can’t create new affinities at all,” he explained. “I think Lina wants to try and get more affinities by using your cubes.”
“You want to try what?” Lauren exclaimed.
“You’ve already asked someone?” Yaric asked Sven at the same time.
Yaric and Lauren looked at each other for a moment, before Yaric gestured for her to continue. She immediately turned back to face Li Na.
“Do you know how dangerous that could be?” she asked accusingly. Despite her tone, everyone knew she was just concerned for her friend.
“Do you?” Li Na retorted.
“No I don’t, that’s why I would never try. I can’t believe you would try to get Yaric to give you his cubes without telling what you wanted them for! What were you thinking?”
“The same thing as Sven, apparently,” Li Na grumbled, folding her arms and staring at the table.
“It’s not the same,” Lauren replied, “Sven found someone to ask. And he did that before taking any risks on himself.”
“It wouldn’t have done anything,” Sven interjected, trying to defend Li Na. “My Sponsor said it would be both pointless and harmless.”
“See?” Li Na added, not looking up from where she sat, sulking. “So it was a stupid idea, so what? I don’t see why you’re so upset.”
“You would be trying to channel arcana with Yaric’s cubes tonight if Sven hadn’t worked out why you wanted them.”
“I already told you I wanted to try using them. I don’t see how my reason for trying changes anything.”
Lauren paused. Li Na was right; she had said that she wanted to try using them. The thing that had really changed was the implications. Just trying out a device was one thing, but trying to use it to change something so important and so fundamental about yourself was something else entirely.
“You’re right,” Lauren conceded, pausing before she continued. “I’m sorry, I overreacted. But you weren’t planning to just try it out like you said, were you? You know this isn’t the first time you’ve tried to do something reckless, right?” she asked. Li Na remained silent. While she never backed down from a fight, Li Na was noticeably uncomfortable when the fight was with one of her friends.
“Well you have both affinities,” Li Na finally responded, trying to change the subject. “You try them.”
“No need. Unlike some people, my affinities are perfect,” Lauren replied, smiling.
Yaric knew that Lauren had affinities with both fire and lightning, like himself, along with air and water, which she coincidentally shared with Li Na. What he didn’t know was how he was now the target. Lauren might have been shocked to realize what Li Na was planning, and she probably overreacted to it, but over the span of 5 seconds they were both smiling together and ganging up on him now. Yaric felt like he had no idea what was going on.
“I still have two other affinities that are perfectly fine,” he pointed out, trying to defend himself. “Space and shadow are both very rare.”
“Someone with six fingers is also rare, you wouldn’t see me boasting about it,” Li Na retorted, making Lauren laugh.
“What? How is that the same thing?”
“They’re exactly the same thing,” Li Na insisted.
Everyone was soon teasing each other, stopping only when Lauren asked Sven about what he had said earlier.
“So there is no way to get new affinities?” she asked, sounding almost hopeful.
“No, there is no way. Yaric has two affinities that started to waste away, and those cubes are just helping him to build it back up. That’s why they call them ‘atrophied’ affinities. He isn’t gaining something new, just fixing something damaged. Just like if you were stuck in bed for a few months and had to rebuild your leg strength. But you can’t simulate a new limb and suddenly have one start to grow.
“Mersha said that you could fill an entire library with myths and legends about gaining affinities, but they’re all just that. Myths. Even those stories involve legendary artifacts or special help and spells from dragons. But she did admit that most arcanists dream of discovering some kind of method.”
“That sucks,” Li Na mumbled, obviously still hoping to find something. The other two were more shocked to hear Sven talking about his Sponsor on a first name basis.
“Everyone wants to be the next Apprentice Storm,” Sven acknowledged sympathetically.
Yaric looked up excitedly. “Rebekka? Lloyd said that she has nine affinities!”
“Yes, she’s famous for how many affinities she has. My Sponsor even won money on one of her fights. She predicted which affinities the Apprentice would use.”
“Do you know what her affinities are then?” Yaric asked, hoping to find out some more information about Lloyd’s only other apprentice.
“No, she didn’t say,” Sven replied, turning to Lauren and Li Na.
Lauren shrugged. “I don’t know,” she replied, sounding uncharacteristically subdued.
“Head Ivers only ever talks about High Wizard Chen,” Li Na informed them. “She’s never spoken about anyone else. But,” she added, smirking as she leaned forward, “she did tell me why High Wizard Chen is so respected.”
Li Na looked around at her friends, still smirking, until Lauren eventually rolled her eyes. “What did she tell you Lina?”
“His power rating is 18.8.”
Sven dropped his fork.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Their table was completely silent for a moment, until Sven finally managed to respond. “Mersha once told me that anything over 19 was also a myth. His power is almost impossible,” Sven stammered. “He could be as powerful as an Arch Wizard.”
“Funny you mention that,” Li Na said, obviously enjoying herself. “Because Head Ivers told me exactly the same thing. High Wizard Chen is already as powerful as many Arch Wizards. And one day he will be the most powerful arcanist alive.”
No one spoke about anything else for the rest of the evening. They even forgot about the exercises Yaric had shown them. Yaric made a mental note to bring it up the next time he saw Lloyd, before saying goodnight and leaving to work on recovering his affinities further.
----------------------------------------
It was still dark when Yaric woke up the next morning. The weather hadn’t changed at all, with the sheets of rain being driven against his windows by the wind. Not that it changed anything. Hiawatha didn’t care what the weather was like, and his morning training would continue as normal. Practicing in weather like this only helped train you for fighting in weather like this.
The new styles that Hiawatha now taught Yaric were difficult, but Yaric couldn’t deny that Hiawatha knew what he was doing. Getting in so close to your opponent was not something that Yaric did naturally, but once he was inside his opponent’s guard, and using the techniques Hiawatha had taught him, Yaric found himself doing much better than he ever had before.
Very few martial arts had techniques for fighting at such close range, where Yaric was often a single hand span away, and those that did usually had techniques suited to grappling, which didn’t work very well against the style Yaric was being taught.
The other style was much more, well, Yaric’s style. He found it natural to keep a more reasonable distance, and he was far more comfortable using kicks and punches than elbow, hip and shoulder strikes. Unfortunately, this style was also entirely new to him, so he actually struggled. Worse, his opponents were all used to fighting at that range as well, so he was at a disadvantage. Still, he persisted.
His sword work was coming along nicely as well. He was already at the point that he could practice with others, and the constantly changing swords actually made the practice more interesting. But it was Yaric’s newest lessons that he most looked forward to. Besides his magic lessons that is.
The first class-based lessons were always law. He had never had lessons on the subject before, so almost everything he learned was entirely new to him. And where he and Lauren did particularly well in the sciences, especially Lauren, here Sven was far ahead of the rest of their class. Which made sense, considering what they had been learning recently.
“This class is mostly about the what and the how, not the why,” High Mage Sniders began in her usual way, once everyone had taken their seats. “However, I know many of you have questions about why some of these laws are in place, and why some things are done the way they are. So let us start by answering those questions.
“Malvec has had different systems of government in the distant past, and very different laws to go with it. There are also many other nations that do things differently. If you compare the laws and system in place in Malvec today, with any other laws or system from the past, one thing will become immediately obvious…
“They’re all just as flawed,” she informed, drawing a lot of murmuring from her class.
“So why don’t we use a better system, you ask,” she continued, watching many of the students nod in confirmation.
“Because there is no such thing. What benefits one will always be to the detriment of someone else. Sometimes a duty that is objectively reasonable can be subjectively oppressive. Just look at what we have learned so far, and compare it to the Kingdom at large.
“In the past, anyone could hold hereditary titles. Arcanists took over so quickly that there are no records of unconnected ever ruling during this time. And that might not sound like a problem. The rulers all had centuries of experience after all, so they should be much better, should they not?
“Except, that isn’t how it worked out. There were many issues during this period. One of the least obvious was stagnation. The same leader, ruling for centuries, is never likely to change much. It might not sound like it, but over long periods you can easily see the difference periodic shuffles in leadership can bring.
“Then there are much more obvious wars. If political power is open to arcanists, then it is only natural that some would desire it. And yet, all positions of power are already filled by immortal arcanists. The only way these individuals can take such a position is if the current ruler dies. Now look over a timespan of centuries, and you are almost guaranteed to have someone try to take the throne by force.
“Add in the fact that the ruler of your Kingdom is not only immortal, but in his position due to his personal power, and you have a situation where power is the qualification for rule, not the ability to rule. Not to mention the resentment that builds amongst the unconnected, who inherently have less power and far shorter life spans, and are now ruled by immortal powers. The majority are ruled over by the few, none of whom see the day-to-day struggles of their subjects in the same light or with proper understanding.
“Simply removing arcanists from eligibility cleared much of the issue. Frequent changes in power continually brings in fresh perspectives. No arcanist tries to take power because no arcanist would ever accept them. And those that do rule are pushed to do the best they can, as their continued rule is dependent on the will of their subjects, all of whom are ruled by someone who understands their issues far better than any of us could. All the while, those of us with centuries of experience still benefit the Kingdom, but as advisors.”
Most students were looking around now, as many had never heard of the problems that had arisen in the past.
“Is that fair? No, of course not. Why shouldn’t you be allowed to become King or Queen? Would any of you have ever done so if these laws didn’t exist? Unlikely, unless you became one of the people these laws protect the rest of us from. As I said in the beginning, no law or system is perfect.
“What about the requirement for all arcanists to fight in any war? Is that law fair? Again, no, of course not? Does that make it wrong? You tell me.
“Are you forgetting that the unconnected also get called up in time of war? If the Kingdom is facing invasion, all able-bodied citizens are subject to conscription. But there is a difference. You will likely be centuries old when you fight your first war, with centuries between each one. For those that get called up, who’s lifespans are measured in mere decades, they risk having their lives cut to mere moments relative to our own.
“And don’t forget how much firepower arcanists can bring to the battlefield. Malvec has fought many times when outnumbered, and still prevailed. However, if half our arcanists were to decide not to fight, while the other side fielded everyone they had, we would likely be crushed. Never forget that both arcanists and unconnected are people. Could you step back and watch while others died to protect your way of life? The laws states that it is the duty of arcanists to fight to defend the Kingdom, while I would argue that it is our privilege. Many of you might not agree. Many of you will not agree. And that is not wrong. Neither viewpoint is right or wrong.
“It is much the same for business. In the past, many industries were dominated by arcanists. Centuries of experience and knowledge became an unassailable advantage, pushing the unconnected out. And the result was very similar to the issue of rulership.
“Unconnected were relegated to working for arcanists, no matter how well intentioned those arcanists were. Those unconnected came to resent us, as we were already immortal and overwhelmingly powerful, and now controlled most major trades as well. Economically, the unconnected were second class citizens. This is despite already having trades that can only be fulfilled by arcanists anyway.
“What happened when arcanists were barred from those trades that caused these issues? Well, we were fine. We have all the time in the world to accumulate wealth, and so many jobs that can’t be filled by anyone else. The unconnected stepped in, and they did the jobs we had left behind just as well as we had done. Only, their far greater numbers and greater turnover gave them a vast pool of experiences and perspectives to pull from, creating a large jump in innovation. Perhaps their shorter life spans helped push the improvements we saw and still see, who knows. Regardless, the entire economy leaped forward, and the populace in general was far better off, without any real handicap to any of us.
“Is it fair that you are barred from certain careers just because you were born with the ability to channel arcana? Absolutely not. Is it fair that the unconnected are barred from certain careers because they can’t channel arcana? Absolutely not. Yes, one is a choice, the other is not. But try changing that choice. Whichever way you look at it, someone will be unhappy. In this case, it was decided that the unconnected would benefit far more with things the way they are, while we would barely be inconvenienced. Again, is that fair? You tell me.
“There are also some essential duties that fall to us, as there is simply no way for any unconnected to perform the task themselves. Who can give me an example?” she asked, looking around the class.
Yaric could think of several, but they had all been mentioned already. Although now that he thought about it, anyone could do those duties, even if they couldn’t do them as well. There were a few things that only arcanists could do, things like long distance communication, but Yaric didn’t think any of those could be considered ‘essential’.
Lauren’s hand quickly went up.
“Yes, Prospect Silver?”
“The Abyssal Fields,” Lauren replied simply.
“And what about them?”
“Only very powerful Mages and Wizards can defend the Kingdom from the creatures that spawn inside.”
“That is correct. Entire armies would take frightful casualties if they tried to push some of the abyssal creatures back, and there are behemoths there that require nothing short of an Arch Wizard to put down. Sometimes several Arch Wizards. This is yet another duty that falls to us, and this time it is because there is simply no one else.”
Most of the lesson became an open discussion, with no textbook in sight. There was a lot of back and forth, and even Yaric quickly noticed how different some opinions were. More than one student revealed that they were barred from their family’s business, with some accepting it and some being very unhappy. Sven was the only member of the nobility in the class, but he was surprisingly in agreement with the law.
“I don’t want to take over the family title and become the last in our line. I would rather step out of the line and let it continue,” he explained.
Sven also accepted that he would never run his families horse breeding business, nor any of the related workshops, though he did seem more disappointed about that. Fortunately, the law didn’t stop him from working in a lower position within those businesses, and he did talk about how he was looking forward to spending some time doing just that.
Lauren almost seemed melancholic, as she had been very clear that she had never wanted to be a seamstress, but also didn’t seem to like the thought of her family’s business not being continued. There wouldn't have been any issue if Lauren planned to take over herself, but there would be obstacles she'd need to overcome if she wanted to own the business without working there. It wasn't impossible, just difficult.
Li Na was almost enthusiastic at the prospect of actually being barred from working in a tannery. Until she found out that she wasn't, and the only easy way for her to one day own the family tannery would be if she did work there.
Even with everyone else voicing their own opinions, Yaric chose to keep quiet. His mill had been built by his parents, and it was all he had left. Lloyd had already arranged for it to be looked after, and he had brought it up several times since, but no one had ever said he couldn’t own it.
‘Does this mean I can’t keep the mill in Clery?’
Yaric was afraid that the answer would be no, so he simply didn’t ask. Instead, he added it to the things he wanted to bring up with Lloyd.
With just a few minutes left before the end of the lesson, High Mage Sniders called for everyone’s attention.
“I started this lesson by stating that this class is not about the why, and then I proceeded to discuss the why for the rest of the lesson. There are two reasons for that. The first is simple. Some of you don’t agree with a few laws, or are upset by them. I hope that by understanding why those laws are in place, you can more easily accept and enforce them. Even if you still don’t agree with them.
“The other reason is far more important to me. So long as you know and understand what you learn here, you will be able to pass your exams and become full students. Good knowledge will also enable you to fulfil many duties outside of the Academy. You don’t need to know why these laws are as they are.
“However, not all of the things you encounter off campus will have direct or specific laws to guide you. Sometimes, knowing the downsides to current and previous laws, or the impacts they have, will be all you have to help you make difficult decisions.
“Personally, I’ve once come across a fellow Mage who had opened his own business through the use of unconnected friends. He had been running the business for decades before I found out, and had already taken over much of the market in that city. Now here, there is a very clear law against what he did. But do you maybe sympathize with him? Would you still enforce the law? Or would you look the other way while one man put dozens of families out of business?
“And what of a situation with no such law? I was once assaulted by an unconnected woman just after I had announced my presence in her town. She had just lost her husband and two sons in an accident. There were no arcanists around at the time, and they succumbed to their injuries before anyone arrived. No one was at fault for the accident. No arcanist was meant to be on duty in the area. I myself had nothing to do with the issue besides simply being an arcanist.
“And yet she was hurting. And as most people do in situations like accidents, she was looking for someone to blame. Did her accusations make sense? No, they didn’t. Did she have the right to attack me? Absolutely not. Did I have the right to defend myself? Of course.
“But I also understood that she had just lost everything. And it is very hard to accept a tragedy being caused by circumstance or chance. It is far, far easier to believe that something happened due to the actions of another. Most people already assume malice over mistake.
“She could not cause any real injury, and so I did nothing. It was my choice, and I chose to allow her to vent, and then I privately ensured that her remaining family was not taken advantage of and that they had all the support they needed.
“Some choices will not be guided by who you are or what has been done. Some choices are guided by who you want to be. Or by what impact you want to have on those around you.”
The High Mage was forced to pause when other students began rushing past the door, with the lesson over and other classes already rushing to their next one.
“As I have told you, these classes are about what and how,” she hurried to conclude. “But I want you to always try and look at the 'why'. Not just the 'why' of these laws, but why did you make the choices you did. Why did you come to Lekton? Why do you want to be a Mage or Wizard? Why do you want the future that you want? Because when it comes to making choices about how to implement what you learn in my class, the answer to why is often the only thing that really matters.”
----------------------------------------
The storms soon disappeared as true winter set in. Clouds were replaced by clear skies, and rain by frost. Soaked students became frozen students. Only the wind remained, though even it now seemed to carry hidden knives as the biting cold cut any exposed skin.
Changing weather brought with it the Winter Solstice Tournament, and with it, the change of year. Everyone in Yaric’s class were now considered 6th years, and they had new classes to go with it.
Time had become something of a luxury, but Yaric never once complained. Sure, some of the new classes looked boring. Customs and Traditions classes looked like they were going to be an uphill battle if the textbook was anything to go by. As usual, only Lauren seemed unconcerned.
Studying Malvec’s history looked interesting though, and continental history was certain to include many things he had never even heard of. But more than anything else, Yaric was most looking forward to starting Fauna, Flora and Fiends. Learning about the plant life found around the continent looked interesting, and Yaric had already read a few chapters on the birds and animals that roamed the lands.
Most importantly, however, were all of the creatures that they would be studying in depth. Many of the things High Mage Strenger had covered during their expedition was dealt with in great detail, and even more creatures were brand new. There were monsters that stalked their prey at night and magical beings that haunted quiet places, along with magnificent beasts that hunted in broad daylight. Entire categories of creatures such as the undead or insectoid had their own textbooks.
“Next year we start studying military history and strategy as well,” Sven informed him when Yaric started showing him some of the books they would be studying.
The Tournament was the next day, so Sven had gone with Yaric to get their new books. Both Lauren and Li Na already had theirs, as Lauren had rushed to pick hers up as soon as they were available, while Li Na had been dragged kicking and screaming behind her. Literally, if anything Li Na said was to be believed. Which it wasn’t.
“Ok, but that’s only next year?” Yaric replied, not getting Sven’s point.
“Yes, but I thought we should go and ask Battle Mage Trokhym some questions about it.”
“What? Why?”
“You’ll see,” Sven replied, smiling faintly but refusing to explain further.
Classes were much shorter the day before a Tournament, so they had plenty of time to run down to the training fields. Here too, training was greatly reduced, in order to have everyone in top form for the fights they would have the next day.
“Instructor!” Sven called, approaching the Battle Mage while he watched a small group of students as they ran around the fields.
“Ah, Prospect McDavids,” Hiawatha said, turning around with a big smile on his face. “Are you looking to arrange more private lessons?”
“No sir, I’ve used all of my credits. I’ve come to ask for some advice.”
“I will help if I can. What is this about?” he asked, looking from Sven to Yaric.
“It’s about our strategy classes, sir.”
“You won’t have those until next year,” Haiwatha immediately replied.
“We are aware, that is why we are here. We only have 6 months until our last competition, but we won’t have any lessons on strategy until after. I wanted to ask you some questions first.”
“Ha! You are missing the competition already? Good! But do you not think that the lessons would be held earlier if we thought they would be beneficial?”
“Sir, I have no idea what the lessons would even entail. But I do know that I have some questions from our last competition, and no strategy instructor to ask.”
Yaric was now the one looking from Sven to Hiawatha and back again. The topic had taken him completely by surprise. They had only been back for 3 months, and Yaric definitely wanted to put it behind him. There was also still 6 months before the next competition.
“What questions were you looking to ask?”
“Well sir, the first one is about the forts. I’ve already worked out that they’re designed to be terrible, and that we aren’t meant to actually stay there. But if we build our own fort somewhere else, would keeping all flags inside for 72 hours count as a win?”
“HA HA!” The sound of Hiawatha’s laughter boomed over the training fields.
“The forts are designed to be terrible, but what made you think that you weren’t supposed to defend it?” he asked, still laughing.
Even Yaric was taken aback, as he had made the same assumption, though Sven looked shocked.
“Because they are almost impossible to defend? Why would we choose to stay somewhere that bad? Surely the point is for us to go somewhere better?”
Hiawatha had tears in his eyes when he finished laughing.
“No, Prospect, the bad locations are only done to make an assault possible. With even numbers and a good location, no one would be able to launch a successful attack. And to answer your question, yes, you can build your own stronghold. But it has to be entirely enclosed, and if an opposition team sets so much as a foot inside, or even sets it on fire, the time will reset. You have to control the building for 72 hours.”
Yaric and Sven stared, only now realizing how impossible their plan would have been.
“But we can ask the porters to bring materials? Bricks or things like that?” Sven asked.
“You can ask them for anything, they are participants too. They just aren’t allowed to fight.”
“Wait,” Yaric interjected. “I know they also have medallions, but they are full participants?”
“Of course, what did you think they were?” Hiawatha asked, still very amused.
Yaric thought back to the ambush he had witnessed, when his team had been cut down along with their porters. He also remembered how nervous some of them seemed, even though they had all taken part many times before.
“So if we attacked them, deliberately, that would be allowed?” Yaric asked, pushing for clarification.
Hiawatha looked between the students, clearly enjoying himself. “I just told you that they are full participants, didn’t I?”
Sven looked at Yaric, comprehension dawning. They were both quiet for a moment, thinking over the implications. It was so obvious, but they had never thought to ask.
“Then my other question is, what do you think we should try to learn before the next competition, especially when you take my plan into consideration?”
Sven then laid out his plan, giving a broad outline of his strategy and the thoughts behind them. Hiawatha refused to make any comments on the plan, but he did give some advice on a couple of skills they could try and pickup before the competition.
Half an hour later, Yaric was walking next to Sven as they made their way back to the dorms.
“What was that all about? The last competition isn’t for another 6 months, and we have so much to do without worrying about it now. Besides, we spent 3 months in that stupid forest, I’m not exactly looking forward to doing it again.”
“My feeling as well. Which is exactly why I wanted to talk to the Battle Mage.”
“I don’t get it,” Yaric said, still confused.
“You know how we were stuck there for 3 months?”
“Yes?”
“Well next time I want to win. In less than three. Less than 3 weeks, that is…”