by B. T. Narro
Basen came to the corner just as the last of the warriors finished the turn. He let himself go wide, ensuring he would not be tripped by any of the mages he passed.
With his body sweating and burning, Basen increased his pace even more. His determination kept him going as his eyes found the blond warrior who had caused the mess at the last corner.
Basen passed more of his fellow mages. His chest heaved as he fought to draw air into his lungs.
Then he passed his first warrior.
He was pushing himself too hard to feel any pride, knowing it would come later. Instead, the accomplishment just drove him to go faster, to pass more of them.
He came up behind the blond warrior and formed a quick plan. He didn’t want to risk instructors seeing him push anyone, so he passed around the warrior properly and then came back to the edge of the grass, putting himself in the warrior’s way. The warrior cursed and picked up speed as Basen had hoped. He came around Basen’s outside shoulder and went for a shove. Basen slowed and extended his foot.
The blond warrior tripped over it, his eyes flashing in shock before he crashed down onto the grass.
Basen jumped over the warrior’s legs as he rolled. Then Basen licked his dry lips as he saw ten more warriors just ahead of him. His quick pace took him around them as his heart slammed against his chest. A couple of the huffing men tried to increase the speed of their jog to keep up with Basen, but their exhaustion quickly squelched their pride as he passed them.
But one, unfortunately, did manage to shout a warning to the other warriors, “Don’t let the mage around you.”
A dozen warriors ahead of Basen flashed a look behind them. A few made an effort to get in his way, but he was just too fast for them to do anything besides blatantly tripping, and even they weren’t stupid enough for that.
Relief came over him as he spotted Penny only a quarter-mile away. Wanting to pass as many warriors as possible in the short distance remaining, and telling himself he could collapse as soon as he finished, he pushed himself to his utmost limit.
He passed by two warriors, then three mages, then five more warriors, and then nearly tripped as he made it to Penny.
He was done. He hadn’t counted how many warriors he’d passed, but it was more than enough to be proud of, especially considering the blond instigator was one of them.
Basen changed his mind about collapsing at Penny’s feet as he’d intended. He didn’t want the warriors to think he’d given up after just two laps. No, he would make sure they knew they were lapped by a mage. The blond warrior especially.
Basen tried to stand straight and hide the shaking of his legs. He put his hands on his hips and leaned back, closing his eyes as he sucked in painful breaths. It was the only pose he could manage that didn’t involve hunching over.
“Simply finishing as the first mage would’ve proven the same thing,” Penny told him, sounding disappointed at how well he’d done.
Perhaps I’ve underestimated what my “dangerous” spell did to her thoughts of me, and now she’s actively hoping for my failure.
He wanted to explain that he had complete control with that spell just as he did choosing his pace in this challenge, but it was taking all of his fortitude just to remain standing.
However, he did regain enough stamina to at least point at the blond warrior when he came around.
The warrior seemed more confused than anything else as he huffed by. Then the man’s face turned sour as the realization set in that Basen had lapped him.
Basen was elated as more warriors ran by and realized the same thing. He pushed out a derisive smile at them through his exhaustion.
“Go to the dining hall for dinner, Basen,” Penny chided. “The day is over for you.”
That was it? Not even a hint of a compliment?
He walked off wondering how many people actually would know what he’d accomplished. It didn’t behoove him to brag, so in order for word to spread, it would take those he’d lapped to speak of it.
Something told him that wasn’t going to happen. Even if people do speak of it, I’ll still be Tegry Hiller’s nephew longer than the mage who lapped warriors.
The ache of his body seemed to double as he slowly made his way to the dining hall.
CHAPTER TWELVE
All of the chemists and psychics were already in the dining hall for dinner, while Basen was the first mage. There were a few warriors, Cleve being one of them. The impressively muscular young man was quite possibly the most conspicuous student in the Academy. Sitting across from him was the psychic, Reela.
Still feeling proud from his accomplishment, Basen found some bravery and brought his food to their table.
“May I join you two?”
Reela extended a hand to the spot beside Cleve while the warrior regarded Basen with shock.
“You finished quickly for a mage,” he said as Basen sat.
He gave Cleve a wink before filling his mouth with a bite of delicious beef.
“You must’ve been the first mage to finish,” Cleve said.
“Aye. What about yourself?”
“First as well.”
Shock made Basen’s water go down his throat the wrong way. He sputtered out coughs as he tried to speak. “You were…the first…warrior? You?”
Cleve slapped his back a few times, too hard for Basen’s liking. He forced himself to stop coughing just so Cleve would retract his hand.
“Why does that surprise you?”
“Because look at you! If my legs had to carry as much weight as yours do, I’d be lapped by many warriors.”
“Cleve must be the best at every competition,” Reela said in a teasing tone. “Otherwise he’ll have a tantrum like a child.”
“Not even when I was a child did I act like a child,” Cleve said defensively. “You can’t actually think that’s true?”
She smirked. “Well then what’s the real reason? I’ve never seen you lose, so I’m forced to guess.”
“I accept defeat graciously.”
Reela forced out a laugh. “And then swear under your breath to best your opponent the next time, I assume, foregoing sleep and food if necessary?”
“That, I’ll admit to.”
Basen chuckled with Reela. He still couldn’t tell if she and Cleve were a couple like Alex and Effie. It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise based on their behavior. But Basen liked not knowing. It provided chances for him to make jokes and use his lack of knowledge as an excuse if they went awry.
Soon Alex sat beside Reela, thunking down his plate as if it were as heavy as a steel breastplate. His tired expression became surprised when he looked up to find Basen. “You finished before me? Or did you run here from Warrior’s Field?”
“I walked very slowly from Warrior’s Field.”
“He was the first mage,” Cleve said.
Alex whistled long and low. Then he seemed to get an idea as he waved his fork between Basen and Cleve. “You two should race.”
Cleve shrugged and looked to Basen for an answer.
“You must be joking,” Basen told Cleve. “You’d be willing to run three more laps before being forced to again next year?”
“We could do it the day after evaluation week is over,” Cleve said to Basen’s shock. “We have the day off if you weren’t aware.”
“You’re mad!” He waved his hand. “You win. I don’t care. If you’re willing to do that again, that’s enough for me to admit defeat. God’s mercy, I’m still going to be sore at the end of the week.”
Anyway, he was looking forward to visiting Alabell at the castle that day. He also needed to see how his father was faring. Hopefully he’s found work at the capital.
“God’s mercy…” Reela said after a chuckle. “Are you religious?”
It was because of opportunities like this that he’d chosen not to ask if they were a couple. “I don’t believe in abstinence before marriage, if that’s what you’re asking, Reela.” He raised an eyebrow at her.<
br />
But the uncomfortable look that Reela and Cleve shared made him regret it.
Alex laughed and pointed at them with his fork. “They’re together.”
Basen leaned away from a very stern looking Cleve sitting next to him. “It was a joke anyway.”
“It seems like most things you say are,” Cleve commented indifferently, not giving Basen a sign as to whether this bothered him.
“To answer your question, Reela,” Basen said, “I’m not religious like many are in Tenred. Aren’t there people here in Kyrro who are religious?”
“They’re rare,” Reela answered.
“I have to stop using Tenred expressions,” Basen thought aloud.
Someone came from behind him and shoved the side of his head. It was done playfully, though verging on malicious. When he looked up and saw Effie, she grinned as she pretended to scowl at him. She walked around the table to sit beside Alex.
“I asked Penny who finished first in our group.” Effie shoved a forkful of food into her mouth and chewed as she spoke. “She tol’ me you finish before all udder midges. Is tha’ right?”
“Aye. What about you?”
“Third in our group. I don’t know in regard to all mages, probably twenty or thirty. Much better than last year when I got lapped by Cleve.” She squinted at him and pursed her lips. “I still regret not jumping on your back.”
“That would’ve ended badly for you, little mage.”
“Probably for both of you.” Reela always seemed to hold the same sly smile when Basen looked at her, as if she was privy to something that maybe psyche was telling her. “What about the rest of endurance day, Eff?”
“She did very well,” Basen answered for Effie.
“He’s always competing with me,” Effie told them. “And never coming close.” She showed him a taunting smile.
“I was close plenty of times.”
“Only when I let you be.”
“Does anyone see Steffen?” Reela asked, looking around.
Basen hadn’t heard the name before, so he didn’t glance around the dining hall with the rest. He guessed Steffen was the fourth roommate of Effie, Cleve, and Reela.
“Probably with Chemist Master Jack.” Effie spoke in a nasal tone, no doubt imitating Steffen’s voice. “Steffen’s always talking about going to see him or having just come back from a meeting with him. It’s like Steffen’s an instructor already.”
“Then I suppose I can tell him this when we next see him,” Reela said. “I just hope it’s before he comes back to our house to find Annah Varra already there.”
Everyone stopped eating and looked up at Reela.
“That’s right,” she confirmed. “Annah Varra is going to be living with us.”
“What?” Effie and Cleve blurted at the same time.
Basen couldn’t help but laugh. They all stared at him curiously.
“I saw Sanya at lunch,” he explained, “and she told me she was going to ask Terren to move Annah somewhere else so she didn’t have to be alone with the woman. I was laughing at how quickly Sanya’s gotten her way. It’s quite amazing, actually.”
Reela tilted her head as she glared at Cleve. “The woman you’re spending extra hours training is responsible for a potential traitor coming to live in our home.” Although her tone made it clear her comment was mostly in jest, there was definitely some seriousness to her words.
“This makes no sense,” Cleve said. “There isn’t even room for her.”
Reela sighed. “It does make sense. Terren wants to put Annah with more people so they can keep eyes on her. But there are no houses for four that have vacancy, and he figured I could move into your room or you into mine.”
“And you told him that was all right?”
“Your uncle offered me no alternatives. I thought it would be better to accept than argue, and we are more suited than most to watch over her and keep ourselves protected in case anything happens.”
Cleve’s uncle is the headmaster? Basen wasn’t too surprised, he supposed. There was some similarity to their features and especially to their size.
A chill swam down his spine. My uncle and Cleve’s led armies against one another less than a year ago.
Suddenly he didn’t feel so comfortable at the table.
“When does she begin living with us?” Cleve was clearly annoyed.
“She’s bringing her belongings there tonight,” Reela said. “And one of us should help her.”
Neither Cleve nor Effie volunteered.
Reela cleared her throat and took on a stern tone. “I don’t think it would be right for it to be the very psychic who called her words lies.”
“We’ll make Steffen do it,” Effie said.
“I like that plan,” Cleve agreed.
But Reela folded her arms and stared at Cleve.
“Fine,” he grumbled out in his deep voice. “Did Terren give you the number of the house she’s leaving?”
Reela clicked her tongue. “Damn, I forgot to ask.”
“One thirty-two,” Basen said.
They all shot him a look of curiosity for the second time, making him want to challenge himself to see if he could earn a third before the meal ended.
“Are you just blurting out random numbers?” Effie asked.
“No, that’s Annah’s house number. It’s the same as Sanya’s. They live right next to me.”
“All right,” Cleve said with a sigh. “I’ll go there after I eat. Is she strong enough with psyche to sense that I don’t want her in my house, Reela?”
“She’ll know.”
Effie dropped her fork against her plate. “Well, this is going to be great.”
Nick came to the end of their table. “Sorry to disturb you all,” he said with a playful smile that showed he knew he wasn’t disturbing anyone. “I came to tell my roommate and the rest of you that one of my friends is hosting a gathering at his house, two fifty, to celebrate the end of endurance day. There will be food and drink of the highest quality because his rich family has nothing better to do with their money than have things delivered to their son at his whim. His words, not mine. He would love if the famous roommates of house two thirty-nine were there.”
Effie stood and thrust her finger out at Cleve. “I told you we should keep the same house. Did you hear Nick? Famous!”
Cleve shrugged. “I can’t go. I have to help Annah.”
“And I have to move my belongings out of my room,” Reela said.
Effie took Alex’s arm and lifted it. “We’ll be there, Nick. So long as the drink is free?”
“It is.”
It was nice to see that Nick and Effie already knew each other. Basen had a passing thought that all of the second-years probably did by now.
“Wherever there’s free drink, you’ll find us,” Alex added.
Nick smiled as he looked to Basen.
“Unfortunately, there’s something I need to do,” he said with disappointment. This was the first chance he had to recreate the spell he’d cast at the training center, a desire that was beginning to torment him. He couldn’t let it fester any longer even if it meant missing his chance to drink with Nick, Effie, and Alex, as well as missing out on meeting other beautiful women. I have to stop thinking about it. I’m practicing the damn spell.
*****
It wasn’t as quiet inside Basen’s campus house as he’d hoped it would be. It seemed as if there were many gatherings to celebrate the end of endurance day, and at least one of them was near enough for him to hear hooting from time to time.
The sight of his bed made him want to forgo casting, so he turned away from it, his legs aching with each subtle movement. He looked around his room to ensure one last time that there was nothing that might catch fire, then he drew his wand.
From what he could recall of the spell, he’d strained his mind to scrape off dust from the sartious pellets in his wand, but there hadn’t been any there. No doubt he’d latched onto something else. It felt l
ike he’d pulled on bastial energy, only this was heavier and more stubborn.
He clenched his teeth and tried to reach for it again. Searching, reaching, grasping, his mind was a hand wandering around in the dark.
He felt nothing except foolish.
He removed the tip of his wand and poured the sartious pellets into his hand, then carried them to Nick’s room, set them on the bed, and closed the door on his way out. Green mages, who had great ability at manipulating sartious energy, could gather the amount of SE necessary for a fireball from the air around them. But Basen didn’t possess anywhere near the skill of a green mage. With the sartious pellets far from the reach of his mind, he shouldn’t be able to make fire.
Back in his room, Basen attempted to make a fireball with his empty wand just as he had at Worender Training Center. Holding bastial energy in a cluster near the tip of his wand, he then strained his mind to move sartious energy into it like before.
Nothing happened.
He let the hot BE disperse.
He didn’t feel close to grabbing anything. What had it looked like? He remembered a small circle forming at the center of his bastial energy cluster. Something seemed to be burning within it, but it looked far away, as if he’d been glancing through a window at a distant campfire.
Basen tried for at least an hour and succeeded in nothing but making himself more weary and frustrated. He took a rest, pacing back and forth from his room to Nick’s.
Rain had begun to fall. Basen looked out his window but could see nothing. The night was too dark.
He tried recreating the spell for another hour but made no progress of any kind. It felt like he was trying to familiarize himself with a dark room, yet he’d felt and heard nothing after all of his walking around.
Worry set in that he’d imagined what he’d seen and felt at the training center. He could feel his dreams of discovering a new energy fading. It was the same with his will to keep practicing.
He went back to Nick’s room, but seeing his sartious pellets gave him the kick of determination he needed to try once again. He moved them to one corner of Nick’s room and stood in the other, finding no point in walking all the way back to his room. One tug of his mind was all it took to confirm that the sartious energy was too far away for him to move from there.
