Jeb made his way back to the desk that more and more felt like his. Once there, he picked up his school supplies and took a moment to think about which Skill he wanted to work with. As he glanced through his now emptier Status, one Skill stood out to him in particular.
Walking out of the Stacks, Jeb was only slightly surprised not to end up in the front of the Library again. Instead, he found himself in the Glass Shop. Or, at least, the furnaces and glass on the walls implied that. The fact that he saw at least a dozen other students and a few Professors blowing glass only fortified that view.
Reveling in the dry heat of the shop, Jeb took a punti and picked up a small piece of glass. Remembering that some of his courses were going to require that he not use his Skills, Jeb focused on not working with Glassblowing, instead just working with the skill he had developed while working to earn the Skill. Working mostly on autopilot, Jeb blew and spun a quick window. After trimming it to size, he considered what to make next. The lute on his back gave him an idea that he knew would likely fail.
Carefully reheating the pane of glass he had made, Jeb slowly shaped it into the bowl of a lute. Another piece of glass served as the soundboard, though he did not have anywhere near the dexterity that he would need to carve out the sound hole on it. Shrugging, Jeb moved to add a piece of glass to represent the neck of the instrument. Unsurprisingly, he failed to join the neck to the body and ended up shattering the entire project.
Shrugging, he swept up the broken pieces of glass and looked for a disposal. When he found it, he dumped the shards of glass into what was clearly a large furnace for recycling plain glass. As he went to leave, someone tapped him on the shoulder.
“What were you working on?” the young man asked. Something about him seemed familiar, though Jeb couldn’t quite place him.
“I was mostly just playing,” Jeb admitted, “but if it hadn’t broken, the goal was to make something that looked like my lute but in glass.”
The boy’s dark blue eyes widened. “What were you going to do with that?”
Jeb shrugged. “Probably the same thing that I ended up doing with it after it broke: recycling it for parts.” Remembering that he needed to start learning names, Jeb spoke again. “I’m Jeb, by the way. What’s your name?”
“Oh, I know,” the boy responded, then blushed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. We’re in the same Theoretical Enchanting course, and so I heard Professor Bearson ask who you were. I’m Declan.”
“Nice to meet you, Declan,” Jeb said, holding out a hand.
Declan’s smile returned and he grasped Jeb’s hand, shaking it vigorously. “So if you weren’t planning to Enchant your glass lute, why were you making it?”
“Like I said,” Jeb replied, frowning slightly, “I didn’t have anything else to do today and it’s been a while since I’ve done any glassblowing. I mostly was just looking for something to occupy my day and practice my skills a little bit.”
Declan nodded hesitantly. “So are you not in the College of Enchanting? I haven’t seen you in the dormitory or any of the other seminars.”
“Oh, no, I’m in the Remedial College,” Jeb replied. Seeing Declan’s shock, he continued, “what?”
“It’s just, um, you don’t seem-” Declan paused, clearly trying to consider how to respond, “well it didn’t seem like you were lost during class, and you certainly know how to blow glass well. I guess I’m just wondering why you’re in the Remedial College.”
“I don’t have the Enchanting Skill,” Jeb said, and understanding dawned in Declan’s eyes.
Before Jeb could continue, Declan jumped in, “and so you have to be in Remedial College until you Tier Up. That makes sense, I suppose. Well, I need to get back to work,” he said, gesturing to the orbs that he was clearly blowing. After taking a few steps away, he turned and called back, “I don’t know if you already have one, but would you want to be lab partners tomorrow?”
“Sure!” Jeb replied happily. Declan’s smile broadened as he turned back to his furnace. Jeb’s smile took him to the cafeteria, where he ate a quick meal and went to sleep.
In the morning, Jeb once more woke up before the fifth bell. When he got to the cafeteria, he saw Dean Aquam finishing his meal. “Dean Aquam,” Jeb called as the Dean stood to leave.
“Jeb,” the Dean replied, nodding, “how was your first day of classes in the Academy?”
“It was fun,” Jeb said, “I’m excited for Theoretical Enchanting, even if it does seem a little arcane right now. I had a question, though.”
“I assumed as much when you stopped me,” the Dean replied happily. “How can I help you?”
“Is there anyone else enrolled in the Remedial College right now?”
The Dean looked up as though thinking. Jeb absently noticed that his glass of juice had started shaking. “No,” he said after a long moment. “Why do you ask?”
“One of my classmates in Theoretical Enchanting mentioned that he hadn’t seen me in the dormitory, which made me realize that I hadn’t seen anyone in my dormitory.”
“Well,” the Dean said, stretching the word out, “on the bright side, you should not have seen anyone, so the fact that you did not is a good sign.” Before Jeb could question why he would be seeing someone if no one else was in the dormitory, the Dean continued, “but if you would rather room with one of the Colleges, I could look into transferring your room. It would not happen before the end of the term, unfortunately.”
Jeb shook his head. “Truthfully, it’s kind of nice to have space completely to myself.” He thought about how well sound had carried in his home and then imagined a hundred of him all practicing their own, loud, activities at all hours of the day. Jeb grimaced when he thought about how much of a nuisance he must have been to his family. The thought of his family made him realize how long it had been since he had talked to any of them. “Also, while I’m here,” he said, shaking his head clear of the thought, “is there a way that I can send mail back to my family?”
Dean Aquam shrugged. “Given how far away your family lives, the most reliable route would typically be sending a letter with the Censusmaster to deliver at the next Census. For obvious reasons, I will not suggest that. With that in mind,” he paused speaking, flicking his fingers around. Jeb noticed small lights popping off, as though the Dean used casting Spells with his hands as a way to think. Finally, the light show ended as the Dean started nodding. “Right! You should be able to send letters through your local Librarian.”
“Why wouldn’t you suggest that right away?” Jeb asked. “The Librarian always seemed like he had an up to date record of everything.”
“Your Librarian does,” the Dean agreed, “but he is fairly unique in that regard. Have you already eaten?” Jeb looked down at his plate of food meaningfully.
“It will be there when we get back,” the Dean said. “Come on, we are going to pay a visit to the Library.” Dean Aquam strode confidently through the doors, and Jeb hurried to follow.
“Good-” Kaitlyn checked the clock, “morning, Dean Aquam, Jeb. How can I help you today?”
“Can you send a message to the Humdrumville Librarian?”
She took her glasses off and let her hair down. She began rubbing her eyes, clearly trying to find the correct way to phrase whatever she wanted to say. “Technically. I would really rather not, however.”
“Why?” Jeb asked.
“I do not dream of spending the rest of my life in the Stacks of the Academy Library, even though I do enjoy this job. Communicating with him,” she glared meaningfully at the Dean, “will do nothing but hinder my future chances of advancement. That being said, I have no grounds to object to doing so.”
“Hmm,” the Dean said, stroking his thin beard, “are there any Librarians who have no desire to leave the Stacks?”
Kaitlyn responded as she tied her hair back. “Margaret seems to enjoy her work, but I would ask her before volunteering her to do anything.”
“Of course, of course,” the Dean said mollifyingly. He turned and left Kaitlyn’s office. Jeb looked between them, unsure if he should stay or follow.
“Go with him,” she said, flicking a hand. “For what it’s worth, though,” she said as he started to go, “if Margaret is unwilling to, I will help you stay in touch with your family. What happened to you is unconscionable.”
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
“Um,” Jeb replied, lost for words. “Thank you.” He quickly followed the Dean into the Stacks, where he started calling out for Margaret. Jeb didn’t hear any echoes, which made him wonder if the bindings on the books did something to prevent resonance. After a few minutes of calling, Jeb heard footsteps rapidly approaching from behind them and turned.
“Jeb, what are you doing delving the Stacks?” Margaret asked, voice raising in panic. “Don’t you know that-” her voice froze as she saw the Dean standing behind him. “Ah, Dean Aquam. Welcome back to the Stacks. Is there something that I can help you with?”
“I heard that you are happy to remain in the Stacks,” Dean Aquam replied.
Margaret’s concern shifted immediately to anger. Her hair started lifting as she spoke, “Dean, if you are threatening my position-”
He held up his hands. “No, not at all. Jeb here,” he nodded towards Jeb, who gave a little wave, “was hoping to stay in touch with his family. He was wondering if you might be willing to send messages to the Humdrumville Librarian.”
“Why would you ask me and not Kaitlyn? She is the Librarian assigned to Jeb and the Remedial College.” The Dean opened his mouth to speak, but she held up a hand to stop him, “right, the political optics of talking to him. If you can guarantee that my position in the Stacks will not be risked for talking to him, I would be more than happy to pass along any messages for Jeb.”
“You know that I cannot promise that,” the Dean replied. “First, the Library only takes recommendations from the Academy Deans. Even on top of that, I am only a single vote in the Faculty Senate.”
A book dropped in front of them. “Actually,” Margaret said, picking up the book. It opened as she lifted it and she started reading, “by the mutual agreement of the Deans of two Colleges of the Academy, a Stacks Librarian may be kept, even at the expressed displeasure of the Library, assuming consent from the Librarian in question. The Library will not penalize, and so on.” The book slammed shut and she tossed it absently into the shelves. “And you, Aquam, are Dean of two Colleges. According to the founding documents of the Academy Library, you have complete ability to keep me in the Stacks.”
“Have you been reading up on Academy by laws?” Dean Aquam asked, seeming impressed.
Her hair suddenly fell as confusion took over her face. “Huh? No. I am a Stacks Librarian. One of my Class Quests at some point was learning any potentially relevant laws and exceptions to my position.”
“And you just happened to remember that?”
She cocked her head. “No, that’s why the book dropped. I could never hope to remember precise wording for documents.”
Jeb cut in, seeing the miscommunication. “I think that Dean Aquam is mostly confused that you remembered that there was a provision which would allow you to remain in the Stacks if he wanted you to.”
“Oh! Do you not remember things?” she asked.
“I think that this is a conversation best saved for another occasion,” the Dean cut back in. “Jeb, I will leave you to write a letter to your family.” He took a left into a hole in the book cases that absolutely had not been there a moment before.
“Thank you!” both Margaret and Jeb called to him.
When his footsteps had faded from their ears, she turned back to him. “So, what do you want to say to your family?”
Jeb’s Status Sheet at End of Chapter:
Jeb Humdrum Human Age: 16 Class: Wizard Level: 3 Experience: 775/204
----------------------------------------
Total Statistic Load: 623 Physical Load: 228 Strength: 52 Dexterity: 53 Endurance: 54 Vitality: 55 Presence: 14
----------------------------------------
Mental Load: 395 Intelligence: 78 Willpower: 85 Magic Affinity: 84 Mana Depth: 74 Charisma: 74
----------------------------------------
Mana: 1755
----------------------------------------
Glyph Attunement: 31 Least Shape Earth (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Hold Earth (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Create Earth (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Destroy Earth (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Shape Earth - Efficient (Modified) Tier 3 Spell Lesser Shape Earth (Modified) Tier 3 Spell Least Shape Water (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Shape Water - Efficient (Modified) Tier 3 Spell Lesser Shape Water (Modified) Tier 3 Spell Least Hold Water (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Create Water (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Conjure Water (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Conjure Water - Efficient (Modified) Tier 3 Spell Least Destroy Water (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Move Air (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Hold Air (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Create Air (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Destroy Air (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Move Fire (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Hold Fire (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Create Fire (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Destroy Fire (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Least Create Mud (Modified) Tier 2 Spell Attune Earth Mana (Modified) Tier 0 Spell Attune Water Mana (Modified) Tier 0 Spell Attune Water Mana - Efficient (Modified) Tier 2 Spell Attune Air Mana (Modified) Tier 0 Spell Attune Fire Mana (Modified) Tier 0 Spell Attune Sand Mana (Modified) Tier 0 Spell Least Create Sand (Modified) Tier 1 Spell Attune Sand Mana - Efficient (Modified) Tier 2 Spell
----------------------------------------
Bard Songs Known: 1 Lute Enforcement
----------------------------------------
Skills: Meditation Spell Glyphing Gift of Gab Identify Soil Savvy Animal Handling Fertilizing Lute Playing Singing Musician Pollination Brewing Distilling Smithing Wood Identification Woodworking Soil Improvement Glassblowing Magic
----------------------------------------
Achievements: Focused Meditator Student of Magic Glyph Specializer
----------------------------------------
Quests: Major: Slay the Dragon of the West (Progressive)