Trey and his fellow guardians were back at it the following morning, the crisp air filled with the sounds of clanking armor and the sharp commands of their instructor. Frye stood at the center of the training ground barking orders and curses alike as the trainees dashed across the terrain in their armor, each piece rattling with every hurried step.
“Halt!” Frye’s voice boomed, cutting through the morning haze. The trainees immediately froze, caught mid-stride. “Drop and give me ten!”
Trey grunted in response, breathing hard as he hit the ground, his palms pressing against the cool earth as he began his push-ups.
Before long, the group transitioned into weapons instruction, the atmosphere shifting from grueling physical exertion to the thrill of combat training. Karl handed out round bucklers and short swords, his words harsh as he guided the trainees in the proper stances and techniques. Trey took his weapon and spent the next bit sparring with Nora, keeping her quick tongue silent with a flurry of vigorous strikes. Nora danced around him, initially deflecting his blows, but as Trey pressed harder, she struggled to keep up with his relentless assault. Their laughter could still be heard occasionally as they engaged in their friendly rivalry.
At lunch, the banter continued. Nora leaned across the table, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she playfully chided him for his rough treatment during their sparring match. “You know,” she said with a theatrical sigh, “I would prefer you take your aggression out on me in a different way.”
Trey smirked. “Are you complaining that the training is too hard? It’s too bad you’re not a mage, you could’ve had it so much easier.”
Nora slapped him on the shoulder.
After lunch, they settled down for their history of magic class, which Nora struggled to sit still for. Once the lecture concluded, Trey made his way to the artificing class. Professor Leek started the week off by introducing the different components needed to craft a Starlight Scope.
Trey tracked Kronar down after class. “Have you thought much about joining a capture-the-flag team?” he asked the dwarf.
“Not really,” the dwarf replied. “I went to the kickoff event. It was entertaining to watch the teachers show off their magic.”
“Some others from the Intro to Magic class are forming a team. We are looking for an artificer to join.”
Kronar scratched his beard as he considered the idea. “You can count me in. I can’t promise I’ll be any good.”
“I doubt we’re looking to be very competitive anyway,” Trey admitted, “though don’t tell Skye I said that.”
Having taken care of his recruitment assignment, Trey went to the dining hall, hoping to grab some dinner before the crowd rolled in. He was surprised to spot Dana stowed away in her usual corner. Her presence radiated an intimidating aura, enough to deter any unwelcome socialites who might have dared to approach her. With a chuckle, he decided to join her after filling his plate.
Dana briefly glanced at the tall guardian taking the seat next to her. “Ah,” she said, “thanks for reminding me.”
“Reminding you?” Trey replied, raising an eyebrow.
“I need to schedule your disappearance.”
Trey laughed. “Have you figured out your capture-the-flag team yet?” he asked, having noticed the reserved mage’s interest in the sport.
“Today, actually,” she responded. “Apparently Derrick creeped some guardian girl out – no surprises there – and she was more than happy to have another competitive option.”
“That’s good,” he said, glad that the Lizzie situation seemed to be improving. “Do you feel—”
“I don’t want to talk about me,” she interjected. “Tell me more about Professor Kalo.”
Trey shook his head playfully. “He shares your fascination with interrupting me.”
The dark-haired girl shrugged. “I’m not used to engaging in conversations. I usually ignore rather than interrupt.”
“I’ll consider myself special then,” Trey jested. “The almighty Dana has graced me with her voice.”
“And instantly regretted it,” she added.
“Why do you want to know about Marvin?” he asked.
Dana hesitated. “He’s the best-case scenario for someone like me.”
Trey scrunched his face. “What do you mean?”
“We’re not talking about me,” she reiterated.
“Right,” Trey said, trying to sneak past her guard, “which is why you were telling me about Marvin.”
She scoffed at her lunch neighbor, but he tickled the right spot. “Professor Kalo wields powerful dark magic that evokes both fear and fascination. His shadowy background and enigmatic ideology do not conform to the traditional ideals of virtue, often placing him at odds with the so-called ‘heroes’ of the realm. Yet, he is held in high esteem, a figure whose morality is never questioned. Why? Because of his immense power and the extraordinary feats he has achieved – accomplishments so remarkable that they leave no room for doubt or dissent regarding his character. In a world where strength commands respect, Professor Kalo represents the one path I have to rise above the mire that I’ve been stuck in my entire life.”
Dana found herself leaning toward Trey, staring at him as she finished her passionate tirade. Upon noticing her position, she quickly returned to an upright posture in her seat and her face reverted back to its aloof default.
“I see,” Trey said after a moment.
“Aren’t you going to say something philosophical to change my mind?” Dana asked.
“No,” Trey said simply. “Outside persuasion cannot sway misguided conviction. Only internal growth can do that.”
The mage snorted. “There it is.”
“I’ll help you on your quest to find out more about Marvin,” Trey said.
“It’s not a quest,” she argued. “I just want to know how he got people to not hate him.”
“In Lovarn,” he responded, “the townsfolk put up with him because of all the zucchinis he gave away. Have you tried gardening?”
A smile almost broke on Dana’s face. “It’s hard to imagine one of the most formidable dark mages pulling weeds in a garden.”
“Oh, he didn’t pull weeds,” Trey corrected her. “He made me and Skye do that.”
Dana rose from her seat, somehow finishing her food during the conversation. “I may postpone your disappearance,” she said with a straight face.
“I take that as a sign we’re friends now,” Trey shot back with a grin.
“Absolutely not!” she retorted, her tone firm.
“Have you ever postponed anyone else’s disappearance?” he asked, a smirk on his face.
Not willing to dignify his question with a verbal answer, she shot him a glare sharp enough to cut through armor. After giving him a proper lashing with her hazel eyes, she turned on her heel and marched away.
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Trey cocked his head to the side. “That went well,” he said to himself.
***
Bree was running through an array of fire magic fundamentals with Trey, her voice a mix of enthusiasm and focus as she demonstrated a few spells. Trey absorbed every word and action, his eyes wide with curiosity and admiration for Bree's expertise.
As they reviewed the finer details of the fire affinity, the world outside their practice room faded away, and hours slipped by unnoticed. Finally, as a yawn escaped Trey's lips, they exchanged glances and realized the late hour.
“Was teaching at Windrake always the dream?” Trey asked as they departed the training room together.
“Definitely a goal,” Bree responded, “but maybe not the end goal.”
“So you might not be here for too long?”
“You could say that,” she said. The fire mage looked as if she wanted to say more, but she bit her tongue.
Trey studied her. “If you could stick around for the next three years, I would appreciate it.”
Bree’s head snapped around to meet his gaze with disbelief. “You can’t seriously be thinking about hiding out as a guardian for three years?!”
Trey shrugged. “I hope our… objective doesn’t take that long. I don’t mind the null guardian training, though. I figure it can only benefit me.”
The teacher groaned. “Marvin’s got your mind all addled.”
“It’s not all Marvin’s fault,” he said. “I am here voluntarily.”
“You were practically begging me to make you do fire magic last week,” Bree shot back.
“So maybe I don’t completely agree with all of Marvin’s methods,” he replied.
“Why are you hiding?” she asked pointedly as they stepped out in the cool night air.
“Oh, Professor Adams,” Trey playfully chided her. “It’s only our second date.”
The teacher chortled.
“What’s next after Windrake?” Trey asked, continuing the conversation
“Changing the subject on me,” Bree said. “Classic Marvin.”
“That was the original subject,” he countered, “and you don’t know Marvin well enough to know what ‘classic Marvin’ is.”
“I’ll tell you what I plan on doing after Windrake when you tell me what you plan on doing after you get caught.”
“It depends on who catches me,” Trey said slyly.
“The Grand Oracle is going to use his mind magic on you one of these days,” Bree warned, half-serious.
“Hopefully not before I learn to do a proper Infernal Vortex,” he said, keeping the mood light.
The fire magic teacher laughed. “We better schedule your next lesson then. Are you open the day after tomorrow?”
Trey nodded.
“Don’t get caught before then,” she said with a smirk, then broke away from his side, heading to the Arc.
“Good night, Bree.”
***
The following day, Trey found his usual seat next to Skye in their Intro to Magic class. “Kronar is on board,” he reported proudly.
Skye raised an eyebrow. “I was just about to remind you,” she replied with a smirk. “Maybe there’s hope for you becoming an adult after all.”
“I’m older than you,” Trey retorted.
“I’ve been thinking about that,” she mused. “We’re just trusting that Papa revealed our true birthdays. What if he mixed them up and I’m actually the older one?”
“Why would he do that?” Trey asked.
“It’s Papa,” Skye stated matter-of-factly. “He enjoys being mysterious for the sake of it.”
Trey caught a glimpse of Professor Mavery walking to the front. “How do you explain my higher level of maturity then?” he smugly jested at the black-haired sorceress.
“What?!” Skye exclaimed.
“Quiet down class,” the command came from the professor as she began class. “Today we will be learning about spellcrafting.”
Skye pinched his arm in a final act of defiance before turning to pay attention. Trey chuckled to himself as Professor Mavery welcomed the class into the enthralling world of spellcrafting with the start of her lecture. “Spellcrafting holds significant importance in the world of magic. It involves the ability to channel mana and shape it into spells, a skill that is crucial for both mages and sorcerers alike. The foundational spells you are currently learning in your introductory magic courses were all created by ancient magic users. However, as you advance, you may reach a level where you can begin crafting your own spells, pioneering a new path in the magical frontier.”
Trey noticed that even Nora, who was sitting beside him, was diligently scribbling notes as she absorbed the teacher’s every word.
“The most thrilling spellcrafting is accomplished by specters and exceptionally skilled sorcerers,” Professor Mavery continued, glancing at Jeremiah. “With their access to multiple affinities, they have the unique potential to blend different types of mana, leading to the creation of entirely new and unprecedented spells.”
The professor delivered the rest of her lecture and reminded the students of the spellcrafting club led by Professor Lokia. Once class wrapped up, Nora turned to Trey, her voice animated as she tried to persuade him to join her in the light magic class. With each argument she presented, her persuasive techniques grew bolder, leading to a few lewd innuendos that caused Skye to blush furiously. Trey wasn’t particularly interested in learning how to craft a Starlight Scope, so he finally relented.
Together, they made their way to the classroom in the Elspy. As they approached, Trey recognized the elegant woman from the capture-the-flag event. She maintained a graceful posture, her gaze sharp and welcoming as she guarded the entrance to her realm of magical instruction. Trey followed Nora through the threshold, ready to dive into the world of light magic.
“Who successfully practiced the spell from yesterday?” the teacher asked, scanning the room.
A student raised his hand.
“Jeremiah,” the teacher called out. “Could you do a demonstration for the class?”
“Yes, Professor Jiva,” Jeremiah replied, eagerly making his way to the front while dragging a spear behind him. With a decisive thrust, he sent his streamer high into the air, and an orb of light burst into life.
“Excellent work,” Professor Jiva praised. “How’s your tracking coming along?”
Jeremiah began to pace back and forth in front of the classroom. At first, the orb wobbled slightly, but soon it stabilized, following his movements as he walked.
Professor Jiva nodded. “Does anyone else want to demonstrate?”
A couple more mages ventured to the front to show off their progress before the instructor continued. “Our next spell to learn is Quickening. This one can be tricky because to cast it on yourself, you should not use your streamer.” The light mage professor shared tips on successfully performing a Quickening spell and then walked through how to cast it.
Nora leaned over to Trey. “I’ve got this one down,” she whispered.
“I know, you cheater,” Trey responded. Nora’s eyes went wide before she brought her hand to her mouth, stifling a giggle.
Trey sat through the rest of the class, and then spent his free time before dinner searching through the library. He discovered some supplemental reading materials from the spellcrafting class, allowing him to dive deeper into the subject. However, the persistent growling of his stomach soon became impossible to ignore, prompting him to make his way to the cafeteria.
Jeffers found Trey at dinner and arranged a personal training session for later that evening. Trey arrived at the training grounds after his meal, eager to learn from the master guardian.
“Have you given much thought about what primary weapon you will focus on?” Jeffers asked as they strode onto the training ground.
“Yesterday’s training felt the most natural,” Trey answered. “The sword and shield combination felt right.”
"That's a great choice," Jeffers affirmed. "Many guardians prefer that setup. While it's important to master various fighting styles to adapt to different situations, let’s concentrate on your primary style tonight."
They walked over to the wooden office and selected a pair of shields and swords.
“Let’s warm up with some sparring,” Jeffers said when they returned to the center of the training ground. The sound of metal clashing against metal quickly filled the air, rhythmic and intense.
Jeffers began in a defensive stance, allowing Trey the chance to test out his offensive maneuvers. After Jeffers deflected and dodged many of Trey’s jabs, the instructor shifted gears. With a sudden change in posture, he advanced on Trey, unleashing a rapid sequence of strikes that kept Trey on his toes.
Trey's heart raced as he struggled to react. Each swing from Jeffers forced him back on his heels, and despite his best efforts, he found it increasingly difficult to keep up. The master guardian's movements were fluid and precise, reminding Trey just how proficient his opponent was.
Jeffers wore Trey down sufficiently and then finally called an end to their sparring. “You’ve been improving,” he said, wiping sweat from his brow. “After just one week of training, you have much better control over your movements. That’s impressive progress.”
“I’m still nowhere near your level,” Trey admitted, panting slightly. “What do I need to work on?”
“Continue to harness control over your raw strength,” Jeffers instructed, his tone steady and thoughtful. “Work on drills that enhance your balance. Regarding your fighting style, remember that your shield can be used as a weapon as well. Use it to push back against your opponent – it can play a crucial role in launching a successful counterattack.”
Jeffers continued the training by instructing Trey on how to wield an onyx steel shield, teaching him its use for deflecting magic and engaging mages in close combat. While Bree was undeniably more attractive to look at, Trey found himself appreciating the focused one-on-one time with his guardian instructor, though not as much as he enjoyed his fire magic lessons.
Once their session wrapped up, Trey bid Jeffers farewell and headed off to wash up. Upon returning to his room, he was taken aback to find a naked blonde lounging in his bed. “You were out late last night,” Nora said with mock accusation. “You’re going to have to make it up to me tonight.”
The stirrings in Trey’s lower region signaled that he was more than ready to accept her challenge.