by Ian Rodgers
“Archsage? The Archsage?! Oh no, what should I do, I’m not properly dressed for this!” Petrus uttered under his breath, panicked.
“Who is this man?” I whispered up at the mage, who calmed down enough to answer my question.
“Arnolt Cantos, also known as the Lord of Magic, Slayer of the Dragon of Weeds, Champion of the North, and Master of a Thousand Rituals, is an X-ranked mage and head of the Academy! He runs it all and hardly ever meets with anyone!”
“I’ve never personally met the legendary headmaster before, but he could shake his head in disapproval once and utterly destroy the future of anyone who displeased him,” Petrus explained to me quickly.
“As long as you don’t make a fool of yourself by panicking I doubt he’ll do anything to you,” I hissed back, and my rational words caused the thin mage to take a deep breath and collect himself.
“Greetings, Archsage. I’m honored that you accepted our invitation,” King Tiberius said with a respectful bow of his head which was echoed by everyone else, family and servants alike.
Varda and Rene did so as well, though the former was expressionless as always while the latter had a strange smile on her lips, as if she knew the man in front of her before he’d been so powerful and was remembering tiny embarrassing stories and details.
“It was a pleasant surprise, and an excellent chance to get out of the office for a bit,” Arnolt replied with a small shake of the head. “Could have done without the fanfare though. I get enough of it back at the school.”
He swept his gaze over the assembly, his piercing gaze lingering on myself and my owner for a moment. That look then was given to Rene, who exchanged a wink with him. The Archsage’s stern look faltered at that and he unconsciously reached out and rubbed a small gold and silver band on his left ring finger.
Oh! So that was their connection!
He recollected himself quickly, and the old mage cleared his throat.
“When you wrote that you wished for me to observe your daughter’s talents and find a place for her in my school I was curious about the abilities the Duchess of Destruction might have bred into her child. I vividly remember her own time at the Academy. I pray that the princess has better control over herself,” the Archsage said with a knowing look at the queen. She responded by blushing, huffing, and looking away. King Tiberius nodded his head with a smirk on his lips and turned to escort their final guest into the castle.
We made our way towards a room where tea had been set-up, with myself hopping up into Liliana’s arms to avoid walking.
“Regardless of lineage, know that we do not often accept students before they are adults. Only exceptional talent and circumstances let me dance around the rules,” the ancient sorcerer continued, stating without actually saying that Liliana would have to work hard to impress him to earn a spot in the Academy.
“My wife and I feel that Liliana would not only be safe at the Academy but her burgeoning talents would blossom in that environment,” Tiberius began only to be cut off by a snort from the old man.
“Your daughter has a tongue and she is right beside you. Why not let her tell me what she wants to do.”
Everyone stopped walking, frozen in mid step. For a moment the Archsage’s annoyance had bubbled up and almost felt like a rush of killing intent. It had faded as soon as it had appeared but left everyone, even the stoic Dire Swords, shaking slightly.
Swallowing a nervous lump in her throat, Liliana turned to face Arnolt, locking gazes. I too looked up at him and fixed him with determination. Even held in her arms I would hold my own against this man. Our futures hung in the balance, and it would be for the best if we showed him what we were made of.
“Greetings, Archsage Arnolt. I am Liliana Augustine Roan, First Princess of Varia. I wish to attend your school in order to improve my magic and pursue the knowledge I seek. I can pass any test you give me,” Liliana said, starting off with a bow before introducing herself. It seemed to please the headmaster as he fiddled with the braiding in his beard for a bit.
“And what is it you wish to study? While you will have to take general classes, it is up to students to choose a subject and not just learn about it but to explore it to the fullest potential.” He waited for her answer, expressionless.
“Oozes. I want to study Oozes. I want to learn about their habitats, their diets, their migration habits, their magic, and their uses. I want to explore these creatures like never before,” Liliana claimed, sparing a brief look down at me before matching Archsage Arnolt’s gaze.
“Why?” It was a simple question, but it would decide her fate. I knew this, and she did too. She took a deep breathe, steeling her nerves, before replying.
“Do you see this figure in my arms? This is a Royal Ooze. And he is my dearest friend. When I found him, he was just a regular Ooze in a pet shop. But he quickly became so much more than that to me. And to others. He found a Rose Worm infestation that could have hurt the gardeners if left unattended. He saved me and an entire party from a poisoned cake. And he fought and won against a cultist of the World Rebellion. He has nearly died for me.” Liliana paused for a moment as emotions clogged her throat, but she pressed on, buoyed by a supportive tendril I laid across her arm.
“I want to understand him more. I want to know more about what he is, where he comes from, and why he is so unique. Jelly has done so much for me, and that has only made me more curious. From what Petrus has taught and I myself have investigated, Oozes are actually fairly lacking in extensive study. The common ones are so basic they need no real research, and the rare ones are found in dangerous places so few can study them. And yet they provide so much for us! They can be ‘milked’ for special fluids to make countless potions and their cores can be processed into magical gems! I want to change what the world knows about them, and how they are seen.” She looked up at Arnolt, proud and almost defiant. “That is why I want to learn about Oozes.”
“Purpose and conviction are the two things a mage needs. More than mana, more than vast repertoires of spells. Without those, they will never achieve their full potential.” The expression of the Archsage did not change, but a pleased glint danced in his eyes for a moment, before he turned his searching gaze onto me.
“And what of you, Ooze? Tell me, what do you seek in my Academy?”
“I want to find more ways to protect my princess,” I responded, speaking up for the first time today. I wasn’t really surprised that he had figured out I could talk. “But I also desire to learn more about my kind and this world. I have been alive for less than a year, and I know there is more for me to see and explore. If I can control my innate powers and become smarter and stronger I can not only help others but help myself.”
“Why?” Again, he inquired as to my deeper reasons.
“That’s it. I have no greater goal, no deeper meaning to my existence. At least, not yet. I know so little, that until I can learn more I am less than a blank slate. In my pursuit of power and in my duty of protecting my princess I feel that I can find greater meaning to my life. I need to grow, Archsage. And I believe I can do that beside my owner at the Academy.”
A long silence filled the hallway we had found ourselves in. I had no eyes with which to maintain eye contact with, but I focused intently on his eyes none the less, and got my meaning across. Slowly, he began to nod, fiddling with his braided beard once more.
“Only a truly wise man can claim that they know nothing and understand they still have so much more to discover. There is much worth in what you seek, Ooze.” Another glimmer of brightness flickered in his eyes and he reached out, patting me on the top of my head.
“I expect to see the two of you at the Academy before tenth of Seeding Month for obtaining your quarters and planning your classes. Lessons begin on the fifteenth of Seeding. I’ll write you up a list of items you’ll need before arriving and pass it to you before I leave,” Archsage Arnolt said, sliding his hand up to pat Liliana on the shoulder. “I expect great things from th
e two of you.”
“Oh, and I’ll also be sure to give your parents the tuition bills before I leave,” the aging sorcerer said with a teasing tone in his words, looking over at the king and queen as he did so with a sly look in his eyes.
“Bills? As in, plural?” King Tiberius asked, confused.
“Of course. I have two new students that need to be paid for.”
“Jelly is a pet,” Queen Amdora tried to argue but was cut off by a chuckle.
“He can speak, form coherent sentences, has hopes and dreams, and can cast magic. Ooze or not, he’ll be learning from my teachers and using up my resources. That is a student in my books.”
A wicked chortle escaped the Archsage which was soon echoed by Rene Bluemont as she reminisced about her ex-husband’s old habits. Their laughter only grew louder as they saw the horrified look on the king’s face and the disbelieving ones for the rest of the adults.
And that was how my owner and I met Archsage Arnolt Cantos, Lord of Magic, Headmaster of the Royal Varian Mages Academy, and infamous Great Miserly Mage, a man who would fight for every single coin he could scrounge up and would even extort the rulers of a nation for money if he could get away with it!
Oh, and we got to attend the greatest school for magic users in the world. Which was neat. It was an exciting day, all in all.
The rest of the day passed by quickly, as much of it was taken up with setting up the Archsage in his quarters and some minor housekeeping matters for the birthday feast.
Liliana and Julius -and by extension me as well- spent the remainder of the afternoon with Varda who took the time to stroll through the chilly garden.
“Heads up!” A patch of fluffy white appeared on the back of Vard’s black hood, and he slowly turned to look at the guilty prince who’d hurled the snowball.
Julius’ grin faltered when the Headsman bent down and deftly made a much larger snowball of his own.
“Heads up.” With a squeal of fear Julius tried to run but he barely got five paces before he was nailed by the orb of frozen water.
“Take this!” Now it was Liliana who tossed a missile at the larger man with a wide smile. He chuckled and proceeded to craft a second snowball. He didn’t have time as two of them sailed forth and struck the pair. Eyes turned to me and I waved my two tendrils in a jaunty wave.
“Combat has been joined!” I cried and a smirk lit up Varda’s face. He threw his half formed projectile while Liliana furiously made her own.
“Traitor!” She replied as I began to rapidly grow extra tentacles and craft half a dozen snowballs at once.
“Quick Jelly! To me!” Julius shouted and I leapt, joining him behind a snowbank and the two of us began to our wintery battle against the other two.
“My tentacles are good for some things, but sadly making snowballs is not one of them,” I complained.
After being playing around for a while, we decided to head inside obtain something warm to chase away the chill.
“At least you have a lot of them. You really pelted them! It was like a blizzard out there!” Julius cheered, making his sister stick her out her tongue at us.
“I still cannot believe you’d betray me like this, Jelly!” Liliana pouted, mock disappointment in her voice. I gave an approximation of a shrug.
“All is fair in love and war,” I replied. Huffs and a roll of the eyes were my response.
“Here.” Our talk was interrupted as Varda presented a trio of mugs full of cider. We all grinned at the hot, frothy fruit juice and eagerly took the offering.
I sighed in contentment from the warmth that filled me as I drank. The days were still cold and my body was still more susceptible to it so having something hot melt the ice that had formed here and there on me was more enjoyable.
“Delicious. I am so glad Cynthia gave me the ability to taste things as well as speak,” I murmured.
“I still cannot believe you couldn’t taste things before that. I mean, besides potions,” Liliana said, patting my head in sympathy. “It must have been hard.”
“I can safely say that I fully understand why people are so enamored with this sense,” I admitted, finishing off the cider.
I was finally able to enjoy food as a normal person. I silently hoped for strawberries to start growing. The first thing I’d ever tasted was a healing potion which had tasted of strawberries to me thanks to my connection with my owner. Soon I would be able to sample the real thing!
“There’ll be plenty of things you can sample soon. After all, dear sister’s party is tomorrow! They’ll have plenty of goodies to try,” Julius promised me and my owner nodded.
A tantalizing aroma filled the air and attention was drawn to it.
“Now Jelly, try not to hog the entire cake this time,” Liliana scolded as our gazes fell to the large pastry that was being formed in a different section of the kitchens. I merely bobbed up and down, not deigning to respond to her joke. Julius at least got a laugh out of it, though there was an undercurrent of fear that surfaced in the two children as they remember the last cake they’d seen.
“Don’t worry, you two. A professional assassin never tries the same trick twice,” Varda spoke up, trying to comfort them. I just shot him an incredulous burst of annoyance. Was that really the best he could come up with? Gods help us if he ever had offspring of his own.
Thankfully, before any more unhelpful remarks could escape the Royal Headsman’s mouth, Julius’ maid Jean walked up to our tiny group that was hiding near the kitchens. She shot our guardian an annoyed look for taking her master out of her sight.
“Dinner will be soon, so perhaps it would be in your best interests to get ready for it?” she sternly informed, and we all nodded hastily. We did not want to try the patience of the queen or Rene by not being properly dressed in front of the legendary X-ranked mage.
The evening meal was larger than usual, as there were three additional guests to eat with, and the smaller, more private dining room usually used by the royal family was replaced with a larger area that had more space and a wider table.
“Do you really think our Lily should have wine? I mean the strong stuff,” Queen Amdora worried.
“She’s nearly an adult, dear. Besides, if she goes off to the Academy I have no doubt the ‘strong stuff’ will be all she can find. Best to wean her onto it now,” King Tiberius pointed out, placing a bottle of fine looking vintage on the table near her.
“If you weren’t so handsome I’d be more put off by your flippant attitude,” the queen said dramatically. My owner’s father just winked and the princess gagged at her parent’s flirting as she took her place at the head of the table.
The rest of the family and guests gathered quickly, the allure of free food drawing them quickly. Conversations started to suffuse the room in a pleasant hum.
“How has the Tower been since I last saw it?”
“It remains standing. Now that the slimy weasel paper pusher is being transferred I expect to see efficiency increase several fold,” Varda claimed, informing the king of the various issues at the legendary prison he operated.
“And what of the… other matter?”
“I am fine. I will get over it.”
“We are here for you, Varda.”
“So, Rene, I was hoping you had some ideas for Julius’ lessons once his sister heads off to the Academy. It would be a shame if his concentration were to drift at that time.”
“Oh, not to worry, your majesty. I’ve done this before, and I have a few good ideas for the Crown Prince.”
A shiver ran through Julius’ spine, and he looked towards where his etiquette tutor was plotting his upbringing.
After a wary look at the women he turned back to the side of the table where he, his sister, Petrus, and myself were conversing with Arnolt Cantos.
“…And that is why the Alchemist’s Guild no longer uses powdered Mandrake in hair regrowth potions.”
“Did he ever recover?” Liliana asked with genuine concern and the Arc
hsage nodded.
“Oh yes, once we managed to shave all the excess hair from the places it wasn’t supposed to grow. And take care of the ingrown hairs,” Arnolt assured, taking a bite of soft white bread in-between sentences. “He actually got married a year later to a woman who didn’t mind the whole ‘Lumberjack crossed with a bear’ look.”
“Really?” I asked, incredulous. Humans were weird.
“There’s someone for everyone, little one. I learned that, if nothing else in my long life,” Arnolt stated.
“You’re X-ranked, correct Sir Arnolt?” Julius inquired. The man nodded as he swallowed a mouthful of stew.
“Indeed, I obtained that lofty rank in my younger days. And you can just call me Arnolt, or Archsage if you desire formality.”
“Yes, of course Si- I mean Archsage Arnolt.” The ancient mage heaved a sigh but continued to listen without interruption.
“You’ve clearly seen a lot. What can you tell me about when you slew the Dragon of Weeds?” Julius continued and the old man looked his age for a brief moment.
“It was the most terrifying battle I have ever experienced. You face a few Wyverns and Lesser Dragons and expect to be able to take on a real dragon. But those earlier fights were just warm ups at best. A true dragon has a mind shrewder than a dwarf and magic stronger than an elf. But worst of all, they have the battle lust of an orc and the desire for wealth and power that surpasses a human.”
“Its name was Yalmoro, and it was a Green Dragon able to grow forests with a swing of its tail and every exhale spewed spores and seeds of toxic plants that would choke and strangle.”
“Why did it attack Brune?” Liliana asked and the Archsage scratched his chin.
“Because it wished to claim the Dullwilds, one of the most ancient and magical forests in Orria, for itself. Brune just so happened to be nearby.”
“And how did you slay it?” I leaned in as I inquired.
“There were at least a hundred other adventurers from C to A-rank, with half a dozen S-rank there, myself included. Half of them perished in the battle, and in the end it was I who sealed its movements with my spells and dealt the final blow. I earned the adulation of the survivors and the praise of Brune and Varia. But I lost all but one of my companions in doing so.”
