“Now, where was I? Oh! I’m onto phrenic magic, which is better known as magic of the mind. These mages are rare, as are divination mages. Phrenic mages use their minds to do impossible things such as telekinesis, memory projection, mind reading, and more. They are not strong by using brute force, but they are extremely cunning. Their magic is silver, almost translucent. Only one out of every one thousand mages is a phrenic, and seeing as the total living number of us is in the ten thousands, that’s some pretty small odds.”
She slides off the desk to grasp a marker, writing down a summary of all four types on the board. I’m so engrossed in it that I didn’t notice that other students were taking notes furiously until she spun back around, dropping the marker. I scramble to open my notebook and scribble information down before I become too far behind. When did this class turn into a full lesson?
“That leaves divination which is tied in rarity with phrenic magic wielders. Divination mages can see into the future, they are the seers of the magical world, and extremely vital to our continued success and survival. Once one is identified we do everything in our power to nurture that talent and guide the mage into adulthood safely, as divination comes with the risk of insanity if not practiced correctly. This magic has no color code except for the users eyes. They become as dark as a raven's wing when they glimpse the future.”
Her statement shocks me so much that I almost drop my pencil to the floor. My mother’s best friend, Seraph, is a divination mage. I didn’t realize they were so rare and powerful as she’s the sweetest woman I’ve ever met, and she hasn’t once told me my future no matter how much I begged. Even now I can picture her exact response whenever I asked.
Learning your fate will only change it, you should be afraid when a divination mage intends to speak of your future. It’s usually a matter of life or death.
Jonathan opens his mouth, but professor Elphane cuts him off, “Yes, Jonathan, I haven’t forgotten. The fifth and final class of mages, one that we no longer recognize due to its extreme rarity and danger, is delphic. Delphic mages, if there were any alive, would have many abilities. All of them equally terrifying. They have the ability to steal another's magic power, borrowing it in a fight with all of the mastery of the original wielder, and that goes for any magic, rare or not.
“Delphic mages can control hearts, or in other words, emotions, to a degree that no one would be able to resist them. They can also summon creatures from the ether, the otherworldly hell all mages learn of in their third year here, a place even adult mages know little about other than that it exists. It’s also known to the magical community that they present as weak, almost defective, mages until their true power is discovered in a time of great danger or emotional distress.”
She pauses to gage the mood of the room, and I’m sure it comes off as petrified. “But again, there hasn’t been a delphic mage in centuries, almost eons. Most of them, if not all, had been killed in the great war long ago. Even our council leaders, the most powerful mages in the world, are simply multi-affinity elementals.”
The room is so silent and for such a long time that I’m sure professor Elphane now regrets saying anything at all. My own mind had gone blank during her explanation, only focusing on one sentence. It’s also known to the magical community that they present as weak, almost defective, mages until their true power is discovered in a time of great danger or emotional distress. I’m not one of them, am I? A delphic mage? There’s no way, if anything, I thought I’d be a pitiful fire wielder, the most common and boring of all magical talents.
Jonathan sits forward, gripping the front of his desk, “What is their magical indicator? You know, the color!”
Professor Elphane smiles sadly, almost regretfully, before looking straight at me. “Gold, their power shines with the force of one thousand suns, blinding all who see it. Tricking them into believing in it, into succumbing to it.”
Chapter Six
Gold.
She said gold, right? I think to myself as I soldier down the crowded hallway to my next class. Professor Elphane has dismissed us shortly after finishing her first lesson, but not before assigning us the brief task of reading over the syllabus on our own time. Most of the students, including me, shuffled out of the room in a confused daze. How come no one had ever mentioned the true power of a delphic mage? I’ve heard the name before, but only that they were evil, uncontrollable. Now I understand why.
Being able to steal anyone’s power? To control their feelings? The summon demons from magical hell? What else do you need to rule the world? And she said gold magic. Gold. That can’t be a coincidence, can it? That preposterous thought makes me chuckle when I slide into a seat by the window, and some girls nearby give me weird looks. Ignoring them, I try to convince myself of just how crazy the idea of me being a delphic mage really is. The only time I had shown golden magic was once with Demetri. That’s it, and plus, it was only glowing on his skin so it had to be a fluke. Yes, that’s it, a fluke. Despite my positive thoughts, a little devil stands on my shoulder, whispering.
What if it’s not? What if you were born evil? Born to die at the hands of the very people who created you?
I shake my head vehemently, forcing the thoughts to clear. There’s only one way to know for sure whether or not it was a fluke. Seek out Demetri and touch him again, which is the exact opposite of what I actually want to do. He’s like the flame drawing all of the moths in, everyone follows him wherever he goes. It would be next to impossible not to be noticed, even when standing in his shadow.
My second class goes by in a whirlwind of lesson plans and introductions. I knew it wasn’t going to be that interesting, I mean, how intriguing could herbal medicine be? At least I know that I’m not a healer. There were some girls in class that seemed overly interested, and it made me wonder if they’re healers. If so, I’m glad they found their magical class so easily. Most times, students are well into their second year before discovering it.
I waited until almost everyone had left before rising to make my way to the cafeteria for lunch. The halls are practically empty when I make my way through them. Since we’re on a college schedule, class one at nine and class two at ten thirty, lunch is shortly after that, around noon. Then most of us will have two final classes in the afternoon in this same building while I’ll be in the third year building sticking out like a sore thumb.
The cafeteria is in its own looming structure, the room is so large and loud that I have the urge to run in the opposite direction. But I force myself to step inside anyway, moving toward the snaking line at the back of the room. My mouth is watering at the smells in here, and it makes me smile to myself as I remember my dad's one piece of advice about the academy.
The food is fantastic, that’s all I can remember from the time I visited. They might be known as a good educational institution, but they should be known for the food too. Don’t miss a meal!
Sage slides up behind me, bumping my shoulder. “What are you smiling about? Did you see Demetri again?”
“No! I was just thinking about my dad’s advice is all,” I replied, scowling.
“Oh stop being so grumpy. And god I’d love to meet your dad. My parents said he’s hilarious, way cooler than your mom.” I give a surprised laugh, and Sage covers her mouth with one hand. “Oh my god! I’m so sorry if that was rude.”
I grip her arm, still laughing. “No, that’s alright. It’s true. My dad is fun, easy going. My mother on the other hand is a piece of work. She was raised in an important family. But my father wasn’t. That’s the difference.”
She smiles tentatively back at me while dropping her hands. “Yeah, I get that. My family isn’t well off either.” She pauses, a faraway look in her eyes. “That’s why so many people look up to your dad. He’s proof that anyone can become a success story.”
I fall silent as we shuffle forward in line, getting closer and closer to the front. My dad is a hero to low class mages. Most likely because my mother had outshined him
for his entire life since they met. It makes me sad for him, and I wonder if that’s how he feels about it. Probably not, that’s just the kind of man my father is. Too wrapped up in everyone else to give a damn about how people see him.
We’re finally at the start of the line and I let Sage go first, too distracted to think straight. It takes me four tries to ask for pizza and a Caesar salad. Thankfully, the server raises one eyebrow but says nothing about my bumbling mannerisms. Right as I step up to show my meal pass, Demetri steps in front of me, scanning his own for an apple. I ignore him as I pay for my own meal and walk toward Sage’s table of friends. He follows, taking one giant juicy bite of the apple while grinning. When I glance over the juices are trailing down his chin, and I have the strange urge to wipe it off for him.
He leans forward, looking at me too obviously for me to ignore any longer, so I glare instead. He chuckles, “Good morning to you too, El. I’m doing fine, thanks for asking.”
“What are you doing here right now? It’s the first year lunch period,” I say, rolling my eyes.
He shrugs. “I wanted a snack, plus, the teachers let me leave whenever I want. It’s not like I really need to study anyhow.”
I sit, trying not to leave room for him, but the girl to my left scoots over to let him in, practically swooning when he slides down next to her. My insides boil with rage, but I don’t show it. It’s not the poor first years fault that Demetri won’t take a hint and leave me alone. Plus, half of them would look at me like I’m crazy if I said I don’t like him. Only a total social outcast would refuse Demetri.
“What makes you so special that you don’t have to study as a second year?” I ask while taking a big savory bite of pizza.
He watches my gross display of chewing as pizza sauce drips down my chin. Out of the corner of my eye I see Sage’s petrified face, and I have to hold in a laugh. If only Demetri was looking at me like that. Instead his expression is almost adoring, with a hint of longing. What in the world do I have to do to drive him away?
“You haven’t heard? I’m a level eight phrenic mage. I’ve surpassed my lessons in most classes, at this point the academy is simply a formality until I can join the council.”
The girls at the table give a collective sigh, as if his power level is the dreamiest thing about him. My mouth had dropped open, but not because of his power level, I always knew he was strong, it’s the manner in which he talks about it. The way he said it wasn’t pompous, he wasn’t bragging. He stated it like any other fact in the world.
Maybe he isn’t the same self-centered young boy from our childhood.
The table is awkwardly quiet for a few minutes as I mechanically chew while staring at a tiny speck sauce that had dropped onto the table. All I can think about is what his phrenic abilities could be. Can he read my mind? Control it? The possibilities are endless as a level eight mage. That makes being around him even more dangerous. If he can read minds he probably already knows that I’m a zero among seven and eights. Unless that crazy notion of me being a delphic mage is true. The girls try to strike up conversations with Demetri or each other, but they pitter out like a dying flame each time, proving that first years have no idea how to act around upperclassmen.
After what feels like hours, I glance up to find him still observing me, a small amused smile on his lips. Was he watching me this entire time? How embarrassing.
“Wow, you’re quite sure of yourself,” I mumble through a mouth full of salad, shock still lingering at how mature he had sounded.
He grins, showing off his overly white teeth. “So I’ve been told.” He pauses, looking down at my now empty tray. “Well, you inhaled that. Shall I walk you to your next class?”
The girls around us giggle as my face bursts into flames at his jest. I shove up from the table and grab my bag, Demetri follows, his movements unhurried and languid. He takes my empty tray for me and deposits it by the trash as we leave the room together, me being three steps ahead of him. If everyone in this room didn’t already know exactly who he is they might have thought I was being chased. I burst out the doors of the cafeteria and begin to fast walk again when Demetri grasps my collar, halting me.
“Will you calm down? You’re acting ridiculous. People are going to think you’re a freak,” he admonishes.
We lock eyes, mine blazing with anger, his calm and cool, as always. “Don’t patronize me,” I spit, yanking myself out of his grip. “And what if I want them to?”
He moves away from me and shoves his hands into his pockets before looking back. “Then you’re in for a hell of a time here. This is the ocean, El. You’re either a predator or prey. You don’t have your mommy to protect you anymore. Try to remember that.”
I straighten while marching past him. “I don’t need my mother or anything, and lord knows I’ve never asked or wanted her help.”
“Yes, and that’s the most interesting thing about you,” he murmurs beside my ear.
He catches up to walk beside me, and I try to hide the shiver crawling up my back. How in the world does he know the exact thing to say sometimes? That only further proves my theory of his mind reading abilities. That, and him hanging out with me since day one. There’s only one reason someone like him would do that, and it’s not because we used to be childhood friends. He’s on to me and my embarrassingly low power level.
So why won’t he say anything? Is he waiting for the best time to humiliate me? Ugh. The one thing I need to keep away from everyone slipped from my mind to his without a second thought. It’s cruel. It’s devastating. It’s. . . Not confirmed. I take a deep breath to calm myself. Nothing is set in stone. Perhaps he just enjoys teasing me like old times.
He bites his lower lip as we near the third year building, and I try not to follow the sensual movement. “I’m so jealous that you get to take a class with Professor Jacobsen.”
The name jars me, and I nearly groan. “That guy? I’m not excited. I met him the other day when I was roaming around looking for my classes on my own. He led me to my third year classrooms.”
Demetri stops me before I can climb the marble steps, gripping my shoulders. “You met the greatest phrenic mage of all time? What was he like?”
His fingers tease my skin, coaxing the mysterious golden magic to fill my chest, but this time I’m able to hold it inside. Progress, perhaps?
“Yes, I met him, I just said that. Besides, he’s a dull grouch anyhow, you’re not missing anything,” I say while physically detaching him from my skin, my insides vibrating with the magical energy from the contact. Demetri’s eyes shift to something behind me, and his face drains of color.
“A dull grouch I may be, but I am your professor, and you’re late. Come along now,” utters a sardonic voice from behind me.
My face flames as I turn toward him, but he’s already striding away quickly, forcing me to run to catch up. Demetri tried to say something before I ran, but I didn’t catch it. I’m too embarrassed to care about what he has to say anyhow. It’s my first day and I’ve made fun of a professor to his face. Will he punish me? Give me detention? Drill into my brain with his phrenic powers and melt it into nothing? My palms begin to sweat as nervous energy swirls in my chest, mixing with the golden magic that has yet to drain away.
He arrives at the classroom first, striding in without hesitation. I go in much more slowly, edging around the room until I can slide into the last available seat which happens to be directly across from the teachers chair. Apparently no one wanted to be subject to his stare, and I wish I wasn’t either. Professor Jacobsen sets down his things before removing his cloak and draping it across the back of his chair. Several third year girls swoon at the tight fitting black button up shirt he’s wearing that shows off his ripped physique.
The more I look at the male in front of me, the more I wonder how old he really is. What kind of professor is so young looking? So hot? So buff? His eyes slide to mine as those thoughts run through my mind, and I almost squeak in surprise. Can he read m
y mind like Demetri? Well, maybe like Demetri. That still isn’t clear. Oh hell, who knows.
“Welcome to phrenic testing. This class is for students who have shown a promising ability for phrenic magic. Here we will test to see if you really are a phrenic mage or not. Do not think of this class as a graded course, in fact, most of your classes will not be after first year. It’s all about honing your craft, learning your trade, and perfecting it. Got it?” he asks, looking each and every student in the eye.
We nod in unison, most of us too starstruck to speak. He’s so confident, so up front, but his words are confusing. Who told the academy that I’m showing signs of becoming a phrenic mage? I’m not showing signs of anything! Unless. . . Levitating one penny isn’t enough to show promise as a phrenic mage, is it? That’s the only thing I’ve ever shown my mother that could be even remotely conveyed as phrenic in nature, and it was done using blood magic. Damn!
“For the first several weeks I will show you the basics of telekinesis, memory projection, and mind reading. These are skills not all phrenic mages possess, especially mind reading. Do not get discouraged if you cannot complete a task. This is a watch one, do one, teach one course. So you’ll learn first by watching, then doing it, and then by teaching it to another classmate in a presentation at the end of the semester. Whatever your ability.”
The room is silent as he finishes speaking, and the entire class is staring at him, enraptured. At least the girls are. Is he using mind control right now? Or is he just so hot that it’s impossible to resist? If so, his charms clearly don’t work on me. He turns to look at me sharply, as if he had heard my thoughts, aw hell, he must have. If he’s the greatest phrenic mage of all time like Demetri claims him to be, then he can certainly read minds.
A Charmed Mind: Mage Paranormal Romance (Illusions Academy Book 1) Page 4
