Chapter 6
The Class
True to Meredith’s expectations, time passed quickly during her training in Lacardia.
After a few swift weeks, she attributed that to everything going on around her. Practicing her magic and attempting to master her Soul Vision were mere pieces of the overall puzzle, even if it occupied the bulk of her time. The rest of that time was split between research with Matthew, sleeping, watching news stories and occasionally hanging out with Eddie and his new friends, who had taken to him like a fish to water.
The students of A-Class were largely accepting of her during their practice sessions or lunch hours, but as Meredith watched them, she could tell how far above her they truly were. That kind of thought would always lead back to Vivian and Emil, and was what led Meredith to watch the news like a hawk for any mentions of their whereabouts. Of particular attention, she watched the postings for the reopened Trial of Power, wondering if she’d see either of their names there as victors.
Not once did they show up.
Footage was shown of the tournament that made it up, and Meredith thought she saw Vivian’s familiar haughty stature one time, but as she never listed on the qualifiers, she could only pass it off as a trick of the mind.
Knowing that Vivian hadn’t gotten ahead of her in that department, Meredith doubled her training efforts with renewed vigor. She wasn’t alone in the help she received, something that Conrad made abundantly clear each time he practiced with her.
“It’s almost like a date! A guy and a girl, together, getting all sweat-” Meredith didn’t give him time to finish his torrid statement, proceeding with a typical connection to the wind magic core and blasting him over. His copy buffeted, Conrad’s main body recovered and walked forward with hands in his pockets. “Okay, I get it. Not interested.”
“That would mean something if you didn’t forget it every other day,” Meredith said that evening, shutting her Soul Vision off. A couple weeks in or so, and she hadn’t made all that much progress, at least as far as using other elements went. Conrad, her perennial partner in training, noted as much.
“It’s weighing on you, isn’t it?” the boy asked, fiddling with the glasses on his face. “You’ve started storing up magic power, know how to turn the tap on and off without leaving you exhausted, but you’re not doing anything different from when you started. You’re still sloppy.”
“Hey!” Meredith’s shout didn’t stop her from agreeing internally, though, and she sat on the courtyard bench with a huff. Conrad soon joined her. In the halls beyond, some giggling girls were passing by, waving at the boy, who gave a cocksure grin to them. Meredith glanced to her hands and emitted a sigh. “I just…I’m not doing anything different. I have this theory on how souls work, but I just can’t…”
“You lack concentration,” Conrad said. He turned, throwing his hands up to shield himself, but Meredith just watched him, waiting for him to expound. “In case you’re going to hit me, let me explain.
“You’ve gotten to the point of being able to control your flow of magic, but that’s basic, rudimentary stuff. It’s the first thing you learn, even if yours is a bit more complicated. However, making magic actually manifest after that requires even more focus and concentrations. My own magic requires that I focus on what I’m sending of myself, and that can be a drain. Yours seems to take from the world around you, so there’s a lot more you need to look at. As a result, you’re zeroing in on the things that feel familiar and are easy to use. To do more than that, you need to learn more about manifesting that magic.”
“Is that why you’re helping me?” Meredith asked with a wink. Conrad shot it right back.
“Maybe I just want a date.”
“Keep hoping, lover boy.” Conrad wiggled his eyebrows, as if he stood a chance, but Meredith’s mind was already gone away from there, focusing on all the other things populating her brain.
Manifesting my magic, huh…Similar thoughts occupied Meredith’s brain when she and Conrad ended their training session soon after and began walking towards the dorms, lost in their own heads. Looking up, Meredith could see that the sky had grayed over, as if a storm was imminent. The weather was changing. She breathed out.
Lacardia had already changed a number of things, not the least of which was how little she’d been seeing of Eddie, or how focused she was on something other than swordplay. Most consuming was her and Matthew’s research, each day finding a new tome or getting them closer to the truth. A lot of it went over her head, but Matthew had a handle on it, and by placing her trust in him, she could focus on her magic. Now, however, presented a new obstacle.
“You okay, Mera?”
At the sound of Eddie’s voice, Meredith blinked, realizing she was outside her room in the dorm, hand on the handle. She turned and saw her best friend emerging from his own room, a towel over his shoulder as he prepared for a shower. Like herself, their couple weeks in Lacardia had changed Eddie. He’d grown as a magic-user, become more confident. Yet for all she understood, he never took center stage in class, only taking everything the others knew about the elements and applying them. She had to wonder why, but Meredith chose not to ask; he looked too comfortable to break that up.
“Totally. How about you, Eddie? Few weeks in and you fit this place like a glove.”
“Yeah, it’s great. I’ve learned a lot. I think I can do what I’m meant to do better now.”
“Meant to do?” Meredith’s head tilted to the side, but Eddie sent her a noncommittal smile.
“Just something I’ve been thinking about since the Sandshift Ruins. I’ll let you know later! Night, Mera!” Eddie walked away.
Shrugging at Eddie’s weirdness, Meredith opened the door into her room and found herself flopping upon her bed. She felt only a little tired, a far cry from her first days of training, but her talk with Conrad had made things painfully clear: her magic wasn’t yet suited for combat.
A light plinking of rain began outside, hitting the window as she lay there. It was soothing. Within it rested a soul of water, and its calming effects filtered throughout her own, drawing her into a sleep that was dreamless. When she awoke, it was still raining, a downpour that had only increased from the night before.
“Walking through that won’t be fun…” Felix commented as Meredith joined him to watch that morning’s news. A yawn graced both their lips.
“I can make a tree umbrella!” Autumn said, bouncing up and down despite the rain. Her sister yanked her back down and nibbled on a piece of toast at the slowest of speeds.
“Don’t waste magic. We’ve got Magical Matter this morning.”
“But that’s my specialty, sis!”
In response to the increased volume of the twins in the room, Felix turned the noise of the television up, its news reporting flashing across the screen, even as a peal of thunder reverberated. Meredith leaned closer, finding the latest results of the Trial of Power listed. Her eyes scanned it, Eddie joining her to do the same. Neither saw anything familiar.
“No news then, I take it,” he said, crunching into a toasted egg sandwich.
“Nope. Who knows, maybe Vivian vanished off the face of the earth. Wouldn’t that be a blessing,” Meredith said. Her eyes narrowed, no longer seeing the television. “As for Emil…meh.”
“He can stay missing,” Felix grunted. Meredith raised an eyebrow, but before she could ask, Eddie leaned in.
“He and Emil have a beef since Emil would always show him up,” he explained. “Doesn’t help that Emil got in by automatic recommendation but Felix worked the hard way.”
Meredith didn’t know how to respond; she’d have said it was petty, but remembering her own hatred towards Vivian kept her mouth shut. As she did, the news program changed, this time to a far more captivating story.
“Negotiations in Lacardia have finished today!” the reporter on the screen said. She shuffled her papers with enthusiasm and leaned towards the camera, drawing the three students to the screen. “After grueling weeks and numerous interruptions, the Guardian Corps and the Magic State of Lacardia have finalized an agreement bringing their forces together.
“Of note, Chief Commander Marcus and President Parradyne have made the official statement that with this partnership comes a wealth of possibilities. The press conference regarding the conclusion of the negotiations will take place tomorrow morning, though for now, all can rest easy with the people’s safety in the hands of those most skilled. Among the provisions made in the agreement are those for magical training at Lacardia Academy, a magical branch at Guardian Tower in the Metropolis, Lacardia’s access to magical items found, and the discussion of a grand t-”
“Hey, Felix! How about you shut that off?” Conrad yelled, dashing down the stairs with a jacket half-off. “Unless you want to be late. We still have to make it through this rain.”
“Ah, right. Eddie, ready to go? Looks like the twins are already ahead of us.” Whether he was or wasn’t, Felix grabbed Eddie and hauled him off. Meredith let a chuckle leave her lips and grabbed her own stuff, throwing her backpack over her head to protect her from the downpour.
Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled across the area. The second Meredith stepped outside, she felt herself getting drenched and she endeavored to use the little lights around her to guide her towards the main building. Part of her hoped that it would be worth it, going to the school today, or if Matthew had come up with nothing still. She brushed the negative thought aside as soon as it had come, letting the rain instead remind her of all the other weather events she’d been through with Eddie to get to the trials. The original goal in mind, Meredith pressed until she arrived in the entrance hall and dropped her sopping bag to the floor in surprise.
“Ray! What’re you doing here?”
Framed in the light of the brazier-lined entrance hall, Meredith’s brother turned. His robes flapped out behind him, obscuring the woman he was speaking to. For her part, the astonishingly blue-haired woman nodded and then stalked away towards the faculty office’s, her large hat jiggling as she walked and her earrings jingling. Meredith watched her a moment but snapped back to Raymond as he approached.
“You heard that the negotiations finished today, right?” he asked. When he finished approaching, and she’d nodded, Raymond clapped a hand on her shoulder. “Well, part of it has to do with Lacardia Academy. That’s what I was here for, with Headmistress Unda, there.”
“Okay…but what are you doing here?”
“Guest lecturing!” Raymond announced. He placed his hands on his hips, looking prouder than she’d ever seen him. It looked ridiculous, and Meredith couldn’t hold back the snort that followed.
“You? A teacher?”
“Don’t talk back to your brother!” Meredith’s laugh bubbled out, and she lifted a hand to ruffle her brother’s already mussed-up hair. She then grabbed her bag and began walking towards Matthew’s office once more. Another peal of thunder sounded. “Mera!”
“Okay, Ray, if you say so! Good luck, ha, ‘teaching’.” Leaving her indignant brother behind, Meredith picked up her pace and was soon sliding into her instructor’s office; an office that looked even more like a storm had blown through it. “Uh…Mr. Matthew?”
“Meredith, that you?” The tumble of books and bearded head popping out from behind the desk caused Meredith to stumble back. “Sorry, been up almost all night. I’m close…very close…”
“You found something?”
“I may have.”
Meredith dropped her bag and drew close, seeing the new scrolls and tomes that were strewn across the desk. They looked older than she imagined, with ancient lettering that she had little sense of. “Looks like gibberish.”
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“I’m using some linguistic books. Not a perfect translation, but I can’t help that,” Matthew said, groaning as he pushed himself up on his desk. Meredith offered a hand, but he didn’t take it. “Spoken language may have been the same when the Weapons were created, but I’m not sure if written was…That or they used code. I’m deciphering it now, but I feel this has the answer we’re looking for.”
That was a positive, but Meredith only let out a sigh and slumped into one of the chairs. “Great…”
Matthew straightened, watching his pupil as she blew some of her hair away from her face. Looking out the window, Meredith could see the unceasing downpour and flashes of lightning. It reminded her of her brother’s magic, and the way he would change the shape of his blade. Giving another sigh, Meredith raised her hands, thinking to all her sessions and how she couldn’t manage anything more than the familiar. The subsequent creaking of the desk brought her attention back to Matthew.
“Something on your mind?”
“Just magic stuff.”
“Hmm…” The silence was long, and then Matthew groaned again. “How about you attend A-Class’s Magical Matter course?”
“Wait, what? Why?” She had left her seat before she even realized it, staring at her instructor with wild eyes. He kept his usual kindness as he sat in his own seat.
“I don’t think you’ll be much help here, and I think you’d enjoy the class.” Meredith raised an eyebrow, unsure about whether she’d actually enjoy school, but she didn’t argue against it. “It’s just a morning class. Come here at lunch and I might have something. That’s your homework for today. Go on. Go!”
Meredith watched her instructor a moment longer, but in that moment he became fully absorbed in his work, shut off from the rest of the world. She waved a hand in front of him, but Matthew didn’t react. Chortling, Meredith chose to heed his orders and head out of the office and back the way she came.
The halls had grown silent, students back in their classes with few wandering the halls on account of the rain. It didn’t stop the thunder from echoing on the stone walls and causing the flames to flicker. Nor did it deter Meredith on her path to the class she knew Eddie and the others were taking. Despite not having the classes herself, she navigated her way to a stairwell and climbed it until reaching one of the largest rooms on the second floor. She knocked on the door and, without further prompting, it opened on its own.
“Excuse me for interrupting,” Meredith said, walking in. Her eyes instantly sought her best friend and his classmates, each of them standing in a wide space. Conrad winked at her while Felix stood straighter. Meredith nodded to them before looking up to the front of the room, near a blackboard, where Benjamin and (to her surprise) Raymond were standing. She didn’t let that stop her. “Mr. Matthew sent me to class here as homework.”
“Class as homework…that’s the dream,” Conrad said, sighing out. Felix hit him on the back of his head.
“Focus, Conrad! This is no time for lollygagging!”
“Come in and join the class, Miss Meredith,” Benjamin said. Unlike usual, Meredith noticed his hands were outstretched, bindings of darkness wrapping themselves around the pair of boys. “Welcome to Magical Matter.”
“Yeah…what is that?” Meredith asked, dropping her bag on a desk and walking up next to Eddie. In answer, Benjamin angled his head towards his bindings.
“Making magic manifest in shapes and forms. That’s why I’ve brought such a prominent figure in the Corps here as a lecturer. As I didn’t have time to introduce him…”
“Captain Raymond Childs of Tempest Squad,” Raymond announced, stepping forward with a grin. “I use Metal Melding Magic.”
“That’s complicated stuff,” Summer said, folding her arms. Next to her, Autumn was bouncing up and down. “I take it you’re going to demonstrate.”
“Yes. However, I’m well aware you’re the top class at the Academy, so my focus for this class will be less on manifestation and more how to make it accurate and swift.” Meredith knew the others were filling in the unspoken blank: he was here to tailor magic for combat. “I’m also aware that most of you have magic perfectly suited for this class, so we’ll make this short. A demonstration, and then straight to a practice session.”
Considering talk cheap, Meredith watched her brother step forward and draw his sword. Energy crackled in the air in the form of blue lightning. Each student was transfixed on the sight of it. Raymond’s blade became loose, almost liquid, as it swirled with the electricity that shot off, scorching the ground and walls. Then it changed form, becoming an axe that gleamed as the lightning faded inside but continued outside. Raymond swung it and planted it in the ground.
“Changing the form of matter or creating matter with magic using only the barest of thoughts; that is what we of Tempest Squad are able to do. Now, show me your magic.”
Meredith’s lips twitched. It was like a test, being put right on the spot. Even worse, none of the other classmates had a problem with stepping forward to show off. Most especially was Autumn, who jumped forward and pounded a hand on the ground. It was effortless and flawless, her vines crawling up from between the stone and intertwining together. Past them, Raymond could be seen nodding.
Then, Eddie stepped forward. Meredith took a step back.
It took a few seconds longer than Autumn, but Eddie soon created a flaming halberd in one hand and a sword made of pure ice in the other. He slashed them both forward, cutting away the vines before stomping his foot to the ground. From there, small plateaus rose in the stone. Raymond could be heard clapping and Meredith stared at her friend’s progress. It wasn’t just little stones or a small stream of water anymore.
No chance to praise Eddie came, because Felix had taken the stage, wings of pure wind sprouting from his back. That was of the least interest as multiple Conrads soon appeared, tapping both teacher and lecturer on the shoulder with a knowing grin.
“Impressive, all of you. Swifter reaction times than I expected,” Raymond said, walking closer to the center of the room. His eyes lingered on Summer, but the colder girl said nothing, like both parties knew that her Temperature Magic was never going to make actual matter. “Miss Autumn, your reaction times are some of the best I’ve seen. So are yours Mr. Conrad. Either one of you would be a lock for any combat.
“Mr. Felix, I know you’ve practiced a lot, but treat your wings as a true extension of yourself. My comrade, Jay, rides the wind, himself. He treats each blade he creates as an appendage. I’m aware you know this, but it bears repeating. Your magic reaction is quick, so make the physical manifestation of it quicker. And Eddie…well, just keep working on picking up time. Form is good but you have the opposite problem of Felix. Magic needs to be one with you for the swiftest moves. Part of one body. One soul.”
“Get that from the Chief Commander, Ray?” Meredith asked without thinking. She acutely remembered that she was in a classroom setting as the other students looked to her. So did Raymond, his eyes playful but commanding.
“He’s an inspiring individual. Not unlike yourself at times, Mera. Now, let’s see what you can do.”
She gulped.
All eyes were on her, waiting for her to make a move. Waiting for her to produce something. Meredith swallowed and let her Soul Vision switch on, the familiar hues and lights now visible. Her breathing slowed, audible in her ears. Connect…Faster…Connect…
Mera…use my soul. The voice entered her head, even if it wasn’t spoken aloud. She turned and saw Eddie’s soul there, but he wasn’t alone. The others were there, each of their souls offering themselves to her, asking her to use them. To make them real. The theory she had earlier was possible now.
Her ghostly hand reached out, taking hold of the souls, of the unfamiliar magic.
“Mera, make it concrete. Imagine what you’re making,” Raymond said in her ear, little more than a whisper in the world she was a part of. “See it as a form, envision it.”
Meredith did just that, the hands of her soul touching to the form of both Eddie and Autumn, their different magics caressing her. Like the stone beneath her feet, she knew what kind of magic they had and the form she wanted to create. So, scream.
“Then let’s try it,” she said aloud, and she thrust her hands forward. There was a rumble, and then a great branch erupted from the ground, encrusted with icicles that spit out from its sides. Meredith’s vision shifted to the stone, its own faint soul speaking of the history of the Academy, and of the earth that rested within it. Pulling her fist up, small spires of stone shot up to pierce the ice and branches. Then she let go. “It worked…”
“Nice,” Eddie and Conrad said simultaneously. Meredith’s Soul Vision shut off, a smile gracing her face. It looked inelegant, like a mess rather than art, but the combination and ability were enough. The stone spires crumbled away quickly, made from an obviously weaker material and soul. It offered more information, but not nearly as much as Raymond, clapping a hand on her shoulder.
“Very cool, sis, but you need to get faster.” Meredith knew that, but Raymond wasn’t done speaking. “You spend a long time connecting your magic to the physical world. Your lips were puckered without you realizing. If you want to be a Guardian, you need to get faster at that. It needs to be an instant between thought and reality. If that means taking hold and pushing with force, do just that.”
“Got it.” She wasn’t quite sure how to use that advice, but Meredith still took pride in it being possible. Swiftness would come with time, just like sword training had.
“Now, let’s go again!”
A long and grueling class followed. While Eddie and the others of A-Class had no problem keeping up with Raymond’s pace, Meredith struggled at meeting her brother’s timing. Bit by bit, it wore on her stamina, her magic connections getting sloppy towards the end. In spite of that, she felt she’d improved. Her timing had shortened a little (if still unfit for combat) and her connections to everything else had informed more of her power. Still left her exhausted, though.
“Well, I think that’ll be enough,” Raymond said as class came to its end, the rain still torrential outside. “You all have potential. It’s truly one of the most difficult things to reconcile the magical with the physical. Making it instantaneous is for the best, and if not, finding a way to use that time lag to your advantage is just as good.”
“Thank you for the lesson, sir!” Felix said, bowing low. His teacher chuckled at his formality.
“Yes, it’s most appreciated. Your time in the Corps informs your experiences in this matter quite well,” Benjamin said. He addressed his class next. “That said, you all have things to work on for next class. Dismissed. Remember, Magical Theory is after lunch. We’re touching on desertification today!”
“Ah, a class I can actually get excited about.”
“Come on, Summer! You’re just fine!”
“Mera, joining us for lunch?” Meredith was halfway out the door at Eddie’s question, her damp bag hanging over her shoulder.
“Nope. Have fun without me. Thanks for the class, Ray!” Meredith tapped the stone on the wall, sensing its warmth and gratitude, and then she tore off down the hall. Exhaustion left her, replaced with the curiosity of what Matthew had found. That attitude allowed her to slide down the banister to the first floor, hitting the stone running as she tore down the passage to Matthew’s office.
The voices coming from inside indicated he wasn’t alone, and Meredith pulled up short.
“It’s a consideration only, Matthew,” a female voice spoke. “Just until things become more stable.”
“I told you, Unda, I’ve no problem with it,” Matthew responded. Meredith leaned a little, catching sight of the woman Raymond had been speaking with earlier. “I seem to have gotten back to teaching recently, so handling a few classes will be no problem.”
“Well, there will be some training involved. Once those details get worked out, I’ll let you know.” Matthew’s grunts served as acceptance and Meredith heard the clopping of heels. They stopped as soon as they started. “Oh, and how are your projects going?”
“They’re going.” A pause. Meredith pulled back.
“Well, keep up the good work. Your history studies will hopefully yield something soon.” The conversation ended, the female speaker left the room, each sound of her heels getting closer. She passed through the doors, clipping down the hall, leaving Meredith with only a look of her blue locks before the woman vanished in a jingling haze of droplets and light.
The teenager blinked, recovered and then walked through the doors, herself.
“What was all that about?” she asked. Matthew grinned at her before she even finished the question.
“Oh, just administration stuff. Looks like Lacardia Academy is about to get busy,” he informed her before sliding a dusty tome across. “Your quest, however, is leading you away from Lacardia, I think.”
“You found something?!” Meredith said. Her hands balled with excitement and she jumped over to the tome, finding a large passage with very few drawings, transcribed in a code she had no want or need to understand.
“I found answers, but only part of one.” Matthew’s finger pointed towards a passage in the book. “What I found the answer to were first-hand recordings. The Legendary Weapons of this world were forged in an era long past, with pre-existing weapons. However, that wasn’t what made them legendary. In order to get the required result, I’d presume the human souls you’ve been sensing, two materials were required.”
“And you know what they are.”
“I know what they are.” He gave a pause for anticipation. “A Flame of Identity and the craftiest metal known to man: Vincio Metal. One to make sure the soul inside could have its identity retained and the other to make sure the weapon held together under all circumstances. How your blade broke, then, I have no idea, but those two items would restore it, so long as the sword is intact.”
“And where are they?” Meredith was gripping the edge of the desk now, driving her nails into its surface. Lightning crashed outside, but both teacher and student remained focused on one another.
“I’ve no idea.” She nearly fell over as Matthew laughed, a hand behind his head. “I can take a guess, however, on the Vincio Metal: the alchemic forge to the west. The material they work with and the skill of their craftsmen is unparalleled. Rumor even once had it that they held a Legendary Weapon in their tenure, which is what made their skill rise to such fame. If anyone has the metal in such an ore-rich region, it’s them. Though they’re rather reclusive; no stunning new weapons have come out of them in years…”
“I’ll figure something out,” Meredith said, a finger now tapping her chin. The path was set before her…partially at least. “And the Flame of Identity?”
“That, I don’t know, but we both know of someone who may. Someone who was there at the time the Weapons were made.” For a second, Meredith’s brow creased in confusion before clarity overtook it. She couldn’t believe the thought had never occurred to her and she slapped her forehead.
“Of course! The Violent Staff!” On impulse, Meredith spun and left the room. Matthew’s appearance at her side, however, told her it was a natural reaction. The jaunt was short until the two were skidding into the slick entrance hall, but they were far from alone. Raymond was there, staring up at the staff with interest. “Ray, I thought you’d already headed back.”
Raymond swiveled his head and smiled. “I talked with Mr. Benjamin a little about some things and came here to admire the Staff. Em has mentioned that it holds a special significance to Lacardia.”
“It does,” the teacher-student pair confirmed. Meredith opened her mouth to say something more, her eyes stealing a glance at the Staff, when another peal of thunder and lightning reverberated through the air, illuminating the shadow of someone running into the hall.
“Captain, sir!” As if he had summoned her, Emily ran forward, waving a communication pad, its screen lit up with news of some sort. Water dripped from her hair on to the tiles, drawing all attention to her. “You’re needed. Tempest Squad has a new assignment.”
“Already? I thought we were returning to base?”
“Situation’s changed.” Her brother’s subordinate thrusted the device in front of him and pressed a button. Intrigued, Meredith and her teacher moved closer as the video played.
Horror set in immediately.
Flames were blazing on the screen, a town devastated with no evidence left behind. Houses were caved in and bodies littered the screen. The news reporter was saying something, but Meredith didn’t hear it. She didn’t need it to know.
The black haze on the screen said everything.
The Beastmaster was back. Her stay in Lacardia was no doubt over. Things were on the move once more.