Nathan set his sight on the Tower’s first floor. It stole his breath. The ceiling was twice the height of a two-story building, and the floor was built of long, polished slabs of brown and dark orange granite.
The mage with the golden seams was now a dozen steps in front of him, yet Nathan didn’t move, afraid of dirtying the Tower with snow and mud. But looking down, he remembered that his boots hadn’t touched snow since yesterday, not to mention, in the city, all the streets were made of stone and not mud or snow.
And so, Nathan ran after the man, letting his footsteps echo through the Tower. When he caught up to the mage and slowed down to match his pace, he let his eyes wander, but not too much, afraid he might find himself in a dream.
To his right and left were great, giant, granite columns with hexagonal bases, smooth, cylindrical shafts, and entablatures on which scenes were engraved. On one frieze, a mage held a flame. On another, a mage, raised an earth spike, and so on for water and air.
“Each row tells one of the fifty-seven founding stories,” said the mage.
Nathan continued to admire the friezes. He had never heard of these fifty-seven stories.
“The founders of this Tower were exiles from the East and West. They knew that if they were to set up a Tower in the uncivilized North, they’d need to raise local mages. And so, as to educate these illiterate barbarians, they created these fifty-seven stories to establish and teach our history and values.” The man stopped in front of a column with a frieze which illustrated four mages carved out of brown stones, raising pillars out of the earth. “My grandparents were first generation mages; I can only imagine the awe they felt when they first walked through this floor and peered upon these stones. I’m glad they were able to be raised above their shameful past.” The mage turned back around and continued towards the centre of the Tower.
Nathan continued to look at the friezes. From what he understood, each entrance would lead one down a different tale. “What’s this story about?” asked Nathan.
“It’s the second passage, the passage those of us with an emblem employ to join the Tower. It shows, as you can see, the founding of the Tower. It was made to remind those like you and I of the Tower's origin. How it was built, and why we should respect the past and its customs. But it’s more tongue in cheek for us. You can only learn so much from illustrations, after all. If you want to know more, head to the Third Library and read the Essays on the Present Past by Arch Mage Zakarya.”
Nathan looked down the floor and saw a dozen or so more rows of columns … but as time passed the awe of the columns passed, and the emptiness of the floor struck him. “Why is there no one else here?” he asked.
The mage looked around, as to confirm Nathan’s statement. “It seems so, but it’s to be expected. This is the calm before the storm.”
“Does it get that busy during the general admission period?”
“It’s hell. They do no less than invade our palace. You should come here and look. I can guarantee you that you’ll leave within half an hour, if not half that.”
… For the next dozen columns, the pair walked in silence and Nathan admired the friezes. But as his neck grew tired, he thought of another question. “When I was in the city, a kid told me that he hasn’t tried to form a mana seed, but that the Tower would provide him with a beast that would be more compatible than anything he could find. How can you know what beast a person is compatible with?”
The mage let out a laugh and glanced back to Nathan. “We can’t. I wanted it to be a surprise, hence why I just said to come and see, but this place reeks of blood on the day of general admission.
Right now, many lower-ranked mages have been sent out to collect beasts for the ceremony. It’s a rather new practice as we didn’t usually accept so many new mages through general admission, but now there is a need to replenish our numbers. And as we cannot be content with a hundred mages with the hearts of rats, we must provide them with beasts.
In summary, we’re relying on numbers to find quality and although this brute force method won’t result in the same quality mages as nobles like yourself, it will have to do.” The mage stopped. They had reached the point where the rows of columns converged. It was a circle of fifty-seven giant columns, and passing between them, Nathan realized just how big they were as his head barely stood above their bases.
And as he breached the other side, his eyes set on the centre of the Tower. Down a small flight of stairs stood a large hexagonal platform made of white and grey granite.
“That’s the elevator, teleporter, transferer, ascender, or whatever you choose to call it, no one can agree on a name.” The mage stepped down the staircase and stood next to the platform, calling Nathan to his side with the wave of his hand. “We’ll transfer to the second floor, which is where all the personnel who deal with the ceremonies are preparing for the event. They should have more than enough time to complete your confirmation, but you will still be expected to attend the entrance ceremony in a few days.”
“That’s fine,” answered Nathan. He was looking forward to seeing who might become his classmates. Perhaps it was because the first person he’d met in the city was so nice, but his curiosity to meet more people of his age increased.
If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
Stepping on the platform, the mage said a few more words. “You won’t even notice the transfer. One moment you’ll be here and the next there. You might feel off, confused, or dizzy, but it’s all normal, so try not to puke.” The mage beckoned Nathan onto the platform.
When they were ready, the granite shined bright white, and Nathan’s self was thrown in the void.
#
“Oh! You’re back!” It was an ice wisp in the form of a woman.
“Who are you?” asked Nathan, confused and disoriented.
“Do you not remember me?” she asked. "I talked to you the other day!"
Nathan looked into the corner of his vision, trying to recount anything of the sort, but he couldn’t. “Sorry, I don’t remember anything. Not to mention…” he looked around at the scenery of empty fields. “I haven’t been on the island for at least a week, so we couldn’t have met.”
“… that’s because this isn’t Grival!” exclaimed the spirit. “This is another world, one born of my nature and past.”
Nathan took a few steps towards the wisp. “What’s your name, then?”
“It’s Yilgadef, the Spirit of the North, and I need your help.”
Although Nathan had become meek due to what he lived through in the mining compound, he knew nothing good came from helping strangers without reason. “What is it you need help with and why should I help you?”
“It’s to restore the Grival islands to the state they once were. When the beasts could live without fear of being hunted to extinction.”
But just as Nathan was beginning to listen, he tripped on his feet and stumbled forwards, just barely staying up. His eyes were becoming heavy and his mind fuzzy. Holding his head, he sat down. “And how can I help…” he ground his teeth? “And why me, I’m not even a Seer.”
The spirit flew down and hovered in front of Nathan, who was now half conscious. “Hey! Stay awake. You just need to accept my contract and can talk here as long as we want!”
“Why me…” Fatigue wouldn’t make him fold.
Panicked, the spirit rambled on. “I don’t know! You were just the first person I could contact—I’ve been watching the island for the past decade without being able to do anything—I can make you stronger—Don’t worry about strength—Just sign the contract!” It blurted out. But it was too late, and Nathan started to fade.
“Hey! Don’t leave!” She reached out, but Nathan’s body was but a wisp. “At least remember this conversation, so we can keep going! Even if it takes fifty tries, I will keep asking you—"
And then he disappeared from her dimension.
#
“How do you feel?”
Nathan keeled over; his hands pressed on his knees as he forced himself to stay standing. The transfer didn’t last but an instant. Not to mention, he seemed to have had some sort of dream—
“Well, if you aren’t puking, it’s all good. You’ll get used to it.”
The mage’s footsteps grew distant, but Nathan couldn’t move. Droplets of his sweat fell on the ground. He wiped his forehead with his hand, and his body was burning up. But not wanting to be left behind, he took two deep breaths and walked after the mage.
The mage didn’t get far before stopping and knocking on a door. “Mage Bistro,” he called out. “We have a beginner mage of noble birth here to take the entrance exam.”
The door opened and on the other side stood a middle-aged man who sported a scruffy and patchy beard which covered his cheeks and jawline more than his chin. Mage Bistro looked down at Nathan, the boy wasn’t tall, but neither was he short. His hands were ravaged by bright blue crystals, and his eyes were devoid of anything. He was a good noble. Another travesty of a child. “What’s his name?” He asked.
The gilded mage looked down at Nathan. “It’s de la Cortella, he’s from the South.”
Mage Bistro could do no more than nod. He barely knew half the families of his own Tower, so he was none to know a Southern family. “Very well, come in, come in,” he invited Nathan in, and the other mage remained behind as no one, say for the noble who examined him, was privy to the information of a noble mage’s power.
Like most rooms in the Tower, it was small, hexagonal shaped, but cozy and warm.
Sitting down on the smallest chair, Nathan couldn’t help but exhale. For the first time, his breath had been taken away not by a blow, but by comfort. The chair’s pillows wrapped him in a cocoon he could remain for the rest of his life.
Stepping around a large, and dark red wooden table which took up most of the room, Mage Bistro sat down opposite him. “It’s been a tough life.” He said as if understanding.
Nathan closed his eyes and let his body sink deeper into the chair. He was just about to forget the past. This cocoon would take him away to a place filled with bliss and nothing but bliss.
And Mage Bistro who had scooched in too close to the table gave the boy all the time he needed to collect himself while he reached out to a small shelf, rearranged his books and documents, and then took a fist-sized black cube.
Nathan reopened his eyes. Although this chair was unbelievably comfortable, he found that sitting with his eyes closed wasn’t.
Mage Bistro took the opportunity to speak, “This is a composite cube made of layered mithril sheets and other rare metals. When you pass your mana through it, it will make the mithril shine. Depending on your type of mana the path used by your aura will change. Of course, there is more to it, but those are the essentials. If it interests, you, I suggest you become a scholar.” Mage Bistro placed the cube on a small square stand in front of Nathan.
“Do I just channel my mana through it?” asked Nathan, reaching for the cube.
Mage Bistro nodded. “But first I must complete the ceremony and awaken your first mana path.”
Nathan pulled back his hand. He had forgotten that mages weren’t supposed to be able to use magic before arriving at the Tower. “Oh … yes,” he stuttered.
“It’s no problem. Curiosity is no sin, and remember. It’s in your best interest you don’t say how powerful … or weak your mana may be. And remember, the circuit path you will see in your mind is for you, and you alone to know, not even I can see it. For if anyone does, they may use it to control you. The lines which make up your soul and grant you the title of mage can just as easily be used to rip you to shreds.”
Nathan’s head swelled, leaving him with a headache. The room was hot, cramped, and a mounting sense of dread grew in his heart. Ever since leaving home, his expectations had gone up and down without end, and now he didn’t know how to feel, as living in the Tower somehow already felt familiar. Why? He didn’t know yet, but he was certain that he’d figure it out soon enough.
“Give me your hand.” Mage Bistro held out his hand and Nathan took them. He was somewhat surprised that the mage didn’t react to the crystals, which must have been pricking him. “Close your eyes. I will pass mana from one hand to the other. It’ll awaken your mana circuit.”
Nathan closed his eyes and was waiting for Mage Bistro to say the task was over so that he could say that he saw a circuit and proceed with the procedures. But unexpectedly, a purple dot appeared, and then dragged across the black screen, creating a small purple line before disappearing and reappearing a bit further; repeating to form a dotted circle.
“I see a circuit!” Yelled, Nathan.