The next several days passed in much the same fashion, the only notable difference being the attention Q and his friends received as the truth behind his parentage spread. Looks of interest and curiosity changed to contempt, and in some cases, anger.

You’d think my parents betrayed them personally, thought Q as he looked down the breakfast table, meeting several gazes in the process.

“His father got both him and his mother killed.” Q heard someone whisper at a level meant to carry.

Another voice, “I heard the king even offered to find her a new husband. A mage this time—maybe the king already knew the Edicts were coming and wanted to marry her himself.”

Q squeezed his eyes shut and focused on taking long, deep breaths, as Instructor Burns had shown him for meditation. Doing his best to cool the burning in his gut. The shame fighting to bring up the meal he’d just eaten.

Turning to his friends, he gently set down his utensils, confessing, “I think I want to take Burns up on his offer to test out of first-year.”

Cedric arched a brow and gave him a long look. Finally, he just shrugged. “I’m in. I’m going to miss flirting with Celeste in Physical, but I’ll figure out another way to see her.” Earning an eye roll from Ronan, to which he couldn’t fight a grin.

Shifting his gaze between them, Ronan asked, “You can’t be serious. Why would you want to do that?”

Q touched on his Elemental gift, and doing as his grandfather had shown him. Summoned a wind screen to surround them and give their conversation at least a little privacy. The use of his Gift didn’t go unnoticed as the light breeze it created could be felt by those sitting within a few feet of them. Those that knew what a windscreen was, stared on in nosy curiosity.

Looking down at his plate, he replied, “This place… isn’t worth two years of my life, Ronan. I’ve learned more from seeing what not to do from my fellow classmates than anything the instructors have shown us. Transmutation is a joke, with Highbridge spending the entire hour flirting with his students instead of teaching.” Shaking his head, he lifted his gaze and met both of his friend’s eyes. “I’d rather get this over with and move on, start my service in the Core and get it over with. Who knows, maybe I’ll even be able to help grandfather deal with the Drakovians.”

He felt his friends watching him, but that was all Q had to say on the subject. Letting go of the windscreen, they left him to his thoughts as they dropped off their dishes and thanked the cleaning staff.

Reaching their splitting point, Ronan stopped before doing so. “If you really want to do this, then you should. And I’m not just saying that because it means you’ll likely wind-up in my class.” The last being said with a small grin. “I know I haven’t known you long, and I don’t think this is what you’re doing—But, don’t make a decision like this just because you feel like everyone hates you. I’ve… been there and had less than pleasant thoughts at my lowest.” Ronan said, each word turning his small smile from one of amusement, to one of remembered pain.

Reaching out, he placed a hand on Q’s shoulder. “This won’t last long.” Forcing a grin, he continued, “You just need to make it through to when the first hook-ups and break-ups happen. You will be old news by then.”

With that, his friend beat a hasty retreat. He made it about fifteen feet when Q’s words, carried by the wind, reached his ears.

“Thanks, Ronan.”

*****

Deciding to eat the frog, Q planned to approach Instructor Burns the minute they walked into class. The man was always there when they arrived, and Q wanted to have the conversation before Izzy and Helena showed up. Their group dynamics the past week had been—strained.

They’d never recovered that easy communication from their first morning together, and Q still didn’t know why.

It’s driving me star-blasted mad, Q had thought on more than one occasion. If I’d planned to stay in a group with them for much longer, I’d call them out and get to the bottom of it.

The two ladies had chosen to ignore Cedric’s wave, inviting them to their table for the evening meal. The next morning in class, they’d hardly spoken. Instead, directing all questions to Burns. When their instructor requested Q and Cedric assist with an exercise, it was a disaster of one-sided conversations that only managed to irritate everyone, Instructor Burns included.

It’d become so bad, he’d flat out asked if there was a problem to which the ladies just said no. Whatever the issue, Q felt that it spawned from Izzy. During their time trying to help, Helena gave in, speaking to Q, and even giggling on occasion when working with Cedric. Earning herself a glare from the taller girl, who remained cold and entirely standoffish.

Burns was alone, meditating when they entered the classroom. Thankfully, he didn’t keep them waiting, his eyes opening by the time the pair reached his level.

Taking a cross-legged seat in front of their instructor, they waited for him to speak.

“Good morning, Mages Vaelmara and Valtieri. You’re here early.”

Trading a glance, Cedric indicated for him to lead with a small gesture of his hand. The universal rule of, “This was your idea, you ask,” going into effect.

Looking the older man in the eye, Q requested. “Instructor Burns, I do not mean this request offensively in any way, working with you has been the best part of our time here at the academy so far, but I—no, we—would like to take you up on the offer to test out of our first years.”

Burns’ face remained neutral, and not showing a hint of surprise. Shifting his focus to Cedric, he asked, “This is what both of you want?”

“Yes, Instructor Burns, it is.” Cedric said with a level gaze.

Nodding, Burns looked at them both, asking. “You realize what this would entail, don’t you? The consequences of skipping your first year?”

Exchanging a final glance, “We do.” They said in unison.

Instructor Burns peered at the ceiling in consideration. “The headmistress is usually available around the mid-day meal. I can try to get us in to see her then. Unfortunately, today is testing day for first-years, and you will still need to complete at least the physical portion this morning.”

It was then that the classroom doors opened and Izzy and Helena entered. They froze only a few steps into the room as if they could sense unseen tension permeating the space.

Standing, Q and Cedric took their usual seats. Saying good morning to their fellow students, they received a small smile from Helena but only a slight nod from Izzy by way of greeting.

One of these days I’m going to figure out what we did to offend them. Q thought, staring a little too long as the young woman reached up to touch, first the corner of her mouth, and then her hair, before scowling at him.

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“Good morning, students.” Burns said, rising to his feet. “You will be doing something a bit different today. Instead of your usual classes, you will be completing your first set of assessments.” Walking over to his satchel, their instructor returned with a stack of papers, one for each of them. “We try to get this done the first week. To give each student a baseline for where they begin.”

He went on to explain each of the tests and their grading criteria. The day would be separated into two parts. The physical portion taking place that morning, was broken into four different tests meant to demonstrate their strength, endurance, agility, and finally, a combination of all three.

Q and Cedric traded glances, groaning. “Please, do not tell me there is an obstacle course,” asked Cedric.

Burns smiled, “I see you are familiar with them. The fourth and final test for the physical portion is in fact, an obstacle course. It brings together all of the aspects tested in the earlier assessments.”

As he began to explain their first test in more detail, Cedric whispered, “Well, at least we know we’ll do fine on that. There is no way their course is any harder than the ones your grandfather put us through.”

Q nodded his agreement but turned his attention back to Instructor Burns.

“The test of strength will be simple. Once in the exam room, you will see weighted stones lined up in a row. One by one, you will each lift the stone into three positions: Off the ground, to your chest, and above your heads. You will not have to do this to every stone, but you must complete all three positions with at least one, for it to count as a starting point to grade. For example, if you get stone four overhead, but only manage to get five to your chest, your final score would be four-and-two.” Pausing for a moment, he asked, “Does anyone have any questions?”

When Q entered the testing chamber, he could see the last students from the first group exit the opposite door. The room itself was just as Burn’s described.

A row of stones, numbered from one to ten, with metal bars for hand holds imbedded in the sides of each stone. Q guessed that the lightest weighed close to that of a small child, and increased to stones likely weighing double his own weight.

Indicating the ladies should go first, Burns moved to the side and waited to record their results.

Izzy stepped forward as the first to make the attempt. She skipped the first two stones and approached the third. Bending over, she gripped the handles on each side and, with a grunt, lifted it a few inches off the ground. After a moment, she dropped it back to the floor and stepped back. She shook her head and moved to the second stone. This time, Izzy bent down with her knees into a squat and gripped the handles. With another grunt, She stood up, lifting it to her chest and pressing it over head. She held it for a moment before releasing the stone and stepping back. It dropped to the ground with a loud thud.

Q was impressed. He didn’t think many of the women he’d met could have even lifted the third stone, let alone choosing to make it their first attempt.

Izzy walked silently to where they waited. Burns gave her a small smile and said, “That was fantastic, a good start to the year. Congratulations, Mage Thorne.” He turned to Helena and waved. “If you would be so kind, Mage Wakefield.”

She stepped forward, considering the first two stones. Choosing the heavier, she copied Izzy’s technique and bent her knees. Gripping the stones as close to the ground as she could. Pushing with her legs, her face turned red, and her breath hissed out from between her teeth. Pausing when she hit her full standing height. She took a couple of deep breaths before bouncing her knees, once, and pressed it over head. Helena tried to hold it like Izzy had, but her arms started to give and she stepped clear, letting the stone fall.

Burns gave her the same smile he had Izzy, but Cedric, unable to contain himself, offered her a loud whistle, earning a smile that she tried to hide.

Giving the stones an appraising look, Cedric walked over to the fourth, which reached halfway to his knees. He squat low and lifted it to his chest without much difficulty. Holding it for a moment, he shook his head and dropped the stone to the floor. Shuffling over to the fifth, he moved into position. With a burst of energy and a grunt, Cedric shot up with the stone to his chest. Letting it bounce as Helena had and pressed it over his head. Stepping back, he let it drop to the dirt where it rebounded once with a hollow whump.

“That’s enough for me today. I’d need a healer if I tried for number six.”

Trading places with his friend. Q felt the muscles in his legs tighten as he squat low. The metal handles, warm from where Cedric gripped them, were roughened by whomever made them, to improve the student’s grip. Flexing his thighs, he pressed into the ground through his heels.

The stone had a respectable weight, and Q could see why Cedric would have hesitated to try number six. He controlled the weight, lifting it to his chest and pressed out overhead. He held for two breaths before dropping it back to his chest, then his thighs, and finally, the floor.

He wiped the dirt from his hands and turned, meeting Burns’ flat stare.

“Are you not going to go for number six?”

“No Instructor, I am fine where I’m at.“ Having no reason to push for more.

Watching him for a long moment, Burns just sighed and moved on.

The requirements for the second test were simple, run as many laps around the training field as they could. A single circuit was roughly half a mile in distance. Walking outside, Q saw members of the first testing group still running.

Burns followed their gazes, saying, “It’s fine. We tend to overlap on this test, don’t worry about it. Go ahead and get started. Good luck.”

Fifteen minutes later, he called, “That’s four laps, Q. Keep it up!” on his way past the instructor.

He was breathing hard, but felt like he could sustain his current pace for a little longer. Q planned to stop once he saw Cedric quit running.

Not much point, not if I’m going to test out. He thought, waving to Izzy when he passed her panting silhouette. He didn’t bother hiding the enjoyment he got out of her exhausted frustration.

The exchange helped keep Q’s mind off their upcoming meeting with Headmistress Moonscar.

At the start of their run, Burns sent a note with a passing servant, along with a silver from Q for his assistance. He’d come back with a return message from the woman, accepting their request, just before he’d finished his third lap.

The hate he was receiving from his fellow students… wasn’t pleasant. But what he’d told Ronan at breakfast was the truth. He was disappointed by what the Academy had to offer.

His grandfather had warned him that most mages were born knowing they were going to be mages. Even norm-born women knew they had a fifty-fifty shot at being Gifted. It was understandable that most wouldn’t take up a martial study as he had. What did surprise him, was how so few of them had truly experimented with their Gifts after they’d manifested.

It seemed they would learn how to do a few basic workings with their magic. Mostly small things like conjuring an elemental flame, summoning water, levitating objects, or increasing their speed and strength, but stopped there. As if they learned only enough to show off and nothing more.

Q was aware that the Mage Academy was meant to prepare mages for their service in the Mage Core. If they wanted to truly harness their Gifts, they needed to join and learn from the Mage’s Council. To Q, it just felt like a disappointment.

Running past Burns once more, he saw that Helena had stopped, and he suspected Izzy would soon as well. He also noticed the testing group behind theirs enter the training field. Q didn’t recognize any of them, except for the mousy-haired mage from Transmutation. The narrowed eyes and sour expressions making it clear they knew who he was.

Eat my trousers, you snobby pricks.

Q finished one more lap before he saw Cedric was finished. He slowed down, ready to do the same. Waiting for him, his friend held out a fist for him to bump.

The remaining test went as smoothly as the first. The third exam consisting of a maze built with tight turns and sudden stops, that required quick changes in direction. All of it meant to test the student’s agility.

Burns explained that the course was built new for each testing, with the older students completing it first. Their scores were then used to create the grading criteria for the first-years, judging them accordingly.

The pair completed it easily, moving on to the final test, the obstacle course.

Staring at the monstrosity before him, Q felt his stomach shift uncomfortably. Whomever designed the thing, had done a terrible job. With some portions being far too easy and others being almost dangerous in their difficulty.

Q watched as Helena made her way across the rotating pillars one leap at a time. Wincing as she bashed her shin, jumping a gap that had been made a little too large. The mishap nearly making her fall into the water below.

Turning to Burns, Q couldn’t help but ask, “You weren’t the one to design this, were you, Instructor Burns?”

Without looking away from his charge, the man replied, “No, it was not me. Why?”

“To be blunt, because someone could be seriously injured by this—thing. The mage that devised this course has no idea what they are doing.”

As soon as Helena cleared the finish line, Burns blinked several times before rubbing his forehead. “I know. We usually try not to let this instructor do the course design, considering he has no Elemental magic, nor does he understand that not everyone has Physical magic to rely on. The best we could do was have a healer on hand.” The last was said, indicating a mage in grey robes that Q had not noticed sitting on the room's raised dais.

In the end, both Lizzy and Helena made it through with only bruises and a few scratches. Q and Cedric took their turns, clearing it without issue due to their experience. It helped that both were highly motivated to get it over with, and learn what the afternoon had in store for them.