by Peter John
Horatio was already holding out the next book which I grabbed with eager hands but he held onto it and I quickly looked up at him. “This is an offensive spell. Please do not cast it when you have absorbed the knowledge.” He gave me a stern look, and I grinned sheepishly. I was a middle-aged man, and I felt like a teenager again.
“Fair enough, I will contain my exuberance” I responded solemnly, but inside I was as giddy as a school-girl. Whatever this book would teach me, and whatever else I learned I was so looking forward to exerting my full force of will on something. Many something's.
What followed was a steady stream of books. When the first pile finished, the scholar collected them and another pile was brought. All-in-all I learned just about twenty spells before Horatio called it a day. I had them all broiling inside me waiting to be unleashed and I was more than eager to get out from studies and move on to the magic range or whatever they called it. Instead, I was shown via a great deal of stairs to a room that had a pallet for sleeping and a meager but delicious meal of freshly baked bread, a type of butter, a piece of tasty cheese and several leafy vegetable greens that made me ache for home and a delicious hamburger. Sadly, there was no meat. Complementing the flavor was more of the tea we had been drinking earlier and my body eagerly accepted the nutrition. Studying magic was hard, hungry work!
I relaxed back on the pallet after “changing” my clothes to something more pajama-like. As cool as the denim and robe had been, it just pulled in all the wrong places when I lay down. I was eager to go through my character sheet.
Col. Petros Arkansas (Callsign: Armpit)
Class: PRODIGY
Species: HUMAN
Hit Points (HP): 1700
Mana Points (MP):1900
Attributes:
Strength:
17
Agility:
17
Intelligence:
19
Wisdom:
19
Stamina:
17
Luck:
15
Constitution:
17
I willed the magical page to show up:
Below the pentagram with the inner spinning Yin-yang symbol a list of known spells had formed. I looked at them admiringly. While many of them were beyond my skill level at the moment, it would just be a matter of time before I could access those powers.
Spell Listing
Light Magic
Light Level 1 - (Level 5 prerequisite) - Incantation: “Light the way”
A 5m radius lighting effect that glows with the intensity of the amount of Mana channeled into it
Light Level 2 - (Level 5 prerequisite) - Incantation: “Light the path”
An arc of lighting effect that glows with the intensity of the amount of Mana channeled into it. Angle of the arc can be adjusted. A wider angle and the effect will diminish less than 5 meters. A narrower angle and the effect will increase beyond 5 meters.
Force Barrier Level 1- (Level 5 prerequisite) - Incantation: “Shield on”
A barrier of magical energy constructed to deflect kinetic energy (Defined and shaped by the amount of energy the caster projects into the barrier).
Force Barrier Level 2- (Level 10 prerequisite) - Incantation: “Barrier shield”
A barrier of magical energy constructed to deflect radiation, kinetic and magical energy (Defined by the amount of Mana the caster projects within the barrier).
Healing balm (Does not work on caster0
A healing buff that superficially stops bleeding and heals lacerations, cures bruising and abrasions. Can only be cast while touching the intended target. (Does not work on caster)
Heal and Seal (Level 15 prerequisite)
A healing buff that heals deeply, mending damaged tissue from within. The amount of healing depends on the amount of Mana invested. Bone ailments, breaks, fractures, and dismemberment are beyond the scope of this healing spell. Can only be cast while touching the intended target.
Absolute healing (Level 40 prerequisite)
Holistic healing remedy, repairing and dispelling damaged tissue, destroying disease, curing poison and mending bone. Dismemberment is beyond the scope of this healing spell. Can only be cast while touching the intended target.
Cure poison (Level 5 prerequisite)
Curative healing spell that cleanses the body from all foreign ailments. Destroys foreign bodies such as bacteria, virus and fungal infections. Additionally, purges all poisons. Can only be cast while touching the intended target.
Warning: Does not heal the body from the effect of toxins and ailments.
Druid Magic
Tame beast (Prerequisite Level 5)
A calming vibe that endears the animal to your will. If the animal is especially disagreeable or willful, it may not work.
Calm Beast (Prerequisite Level 5)
An euphoric sensation that will confuse and in some instances endear an animal to your will. This spell should be used on an aggressive animal in order to distract it while you make your getaway.
Vicious vines (Limited to plants less than 10 earth years of age)
Allows the caster to manipulate plants branches to stab and rend at foes. Duration depends on willpower and Mana investment.
Animate plant (Limited to plants less than 10 earth years of age)
Allows the caster to manipulate a plant entirely. It will uproot and move to attack foes relentlessly. Duration depends on willpower and Mana investment.
Plant Grow (Limited to plants less than two earth years of age)
A growth spurt on plants allowing them to grow at a prodigious pace. Allows plants to grow beyond their usual size. The growth continues based on the Mana invested.
Fire Magic
Fire flare (Effective range within 50 meters)
A sparkling flare that can either be used for illumination or offensive strikes. The burning flare effect continues for 10 seconds after being cast.
Fireball (Prerequisite Level 5 - Effective range within 100 meters)
The magical fireball is a 30-centimeter diameter ball of molten fire that upon impact bursts to a radius of 3 meters. Everything within the radius of the damage zone will receive equal amounts of raw magical and burning damage for a duration of 5 to 10 seconds. Damage depends on the amount of Mana invested.
Air Magic
Lesser Lightning Level 1 (Prerequisite Level 5 - Effective range within 30 meters)
A single arc of lightning directed by willpower. Easily grounded and requires an agile mind to control effectively.
Lesser Lightning Level 2 (Prerequisite Level 10 - Effective range within 50 meters)
Multiple arcs of lightning directed by willpower. Damage enhanced by the amount of Mana used to generate the combined effect.
Deadly Lightning (Prerequisite Level 40 - Effective range within 200 meters)
Single deadly and unerringly accurate bolt of lightning cast upon a single target within a 200m range. Magically changing the targets static ionic state and creating a potential difference with the sky above create the effect. This potential difference causes the bolt to materialize and smite the object of your desire. High willpower improves the casting time to a shorter duration. Can only be cast in open skies.
Wind - (Prerequisite Level 5)
Powerful breeze used to stir the leaves of trees or flutter sails that have gone limp. A draining spell of immense power that has the effect of a 20-meter front. Duration depends on Mana expenditure
Gale force - (Prerequisite Level 40)
Turbulent gust of wind that can unbalance foes, knock over trees and disrupt forward advances. It has also been used to fuel fires to new heights. Effect varies based on terrain, Mana expenditure and the experience of the caster.
Aqua Magic
Sterilize water - Cleanse
A pulse of magical force that destroys all life within a body of water making it sterile and thus safe to drink. Limited in scope to 10 liters maximum. Effective twice per day.
Con
dense a jug (Prerequisite Level 5)
A jug of water condensed from the air. Cool and refreshing. Effective once per day.
Ripple pulse (Prerequisite Level 15)
A pulse of water force used to subdue turbulent waves, disrupt floating objects, or propel a floating object. Limited in area of effect and scope.
I looked at all the various types of magic I had learned, and the corresponding corner of the magical pentagon glowed. So as I looked at the Druid magic list, the green Earth magic corner glowed and similarly the blue corner for Aqua magic. What I noticed was that I had something called Life magic, which seemed to affect the inner Yin-Yang symbol. The white part of the interlocking tear shapes seemed to glow. This led me to the conclusion that there were seven magical schools: Life and Dark were perhaps a combination of the outer five magic’s. I had yet to learn any magic from the dark side, and any from the metal side. I would have to ask Horatio about those in the morning. It was with these thoughts swirling through my mind that I at last, closed my eyes to enjoy a peaceful and restful sleep.
CHAPTER 16
A Mission Revealed
I awoke to the smell of apple cinnamon. It wasn’t my all-time favorite smell, but it was right up there with them. It was a heartwarming scent and reminded me of days past when as orphans we had been invited to rich people's homes to enjoy Christmas morning with them. Apple cinnamon Danish Pastries were often the main course for breakfast. Sometimes we were invited to join them for lunch too if we had not burned out their enthusiasm for orphans by that time. Good memories mostly and good times.
As I suspected there were a few pastries that had been placed on a platter at the foot of the pallet, awaiting my attention. I ate them with relish and wondered what was in store for me today. It was still dark outside my window, with a faint glow where the rising sun was about to make its appearance. I had to remind myself that I was an avatar here in this real world. A strange reversal of recent times.
Before I could dwell on that, Horatio arrived, and he ushered me out my room, along a passage and back across a bridge high in the tree to the library. I hadn’t realized it, but I had spent the night in the palace.
“Those were very plain rooms for a palace.” I mentioned offhandedly.
“Plain and unadorned is what you mean Petros, and please don’t take it the wrong way, but those were the servant’s quarters. In fact, the guest rooms for our servant’s guests. We are keeping you at a relatively low profile. There will be a time when you can come and go into the palace proper, but until then, we must play these games as my father dictates.”
I realized that while the king had shown me a modicum of respect and thrown all his hopes at my feet, he still did not believe in, nor trust me. A sentiment I could well understand. Especially as the man had lost his daughter and the cause of her loss was being attributed to a human. Specifically, a human prodigy.
“Can you tell me about this Prodigy who caused your sister to be captured?”
We were walking upstairs now, seeming to go higher and higher up the tree. I guessed instinctively that I wouldn’t be learning from books today. Instead, we would put what I had learned to use.
“His name is Alfred Malabourne. He has been fighting for our cause for many years. His skills are legendary and a lot of them thanks to my people and especially thanks to my sister, who took him on as a personal project.”
“Like you have taken me on?”
“No. Not the same. Mala, as he has come to be known is from the United Kingdom, an Englishman who like you and all the others who fight with us, is an ex-Special Forces serviceman. He was not well liked initially by many, and according to my sister, was completely misunderstood. He became somewhat of an icon in the ASS. Excelling at infiltration. His missions caused untold damage to the Reaper FOP’s (forward observation post) and gave them severe headaches in their incessant process of searching out new sapient life to subdue and subsume.”
“When he went missing on a solo reconnaissance mission a few months back, my sister led another team to retrieve him. I guess she reasoned that as the last living prodigy, it was important that we recovered him. Sadly, the Reapers predicted a rescue mission would come and so captured my sister and her team. They went dark barely 10 days ago. We have lost track of them and my father is at a loss. Her rescue mission it turned out was unsanctioned, and it broke my father's heart because she went against his wishes. He did not take into account my sisters’ resolve and dedication to her Prodigy pupil. Nor her stupidity. Youthfulness brings brashness as I am sure you are aware.”
I took a moment to consider what Horatio had just said. Firstly that his sister, the Princess of the Elves was MIA (Missing in action) and secondly, the only other living Prodigy was also MIA. I was still the new guy on the block, so I kept quiet, waiting for Horatio to continue, smiling ruefully because I really didn’t like the idea that as a member of ASS, I had to excel at infiltration. The ASS acronym had to go. If we were to be taken seriously, we had to take ourselves seriously too and with statements like that we were (for want of a better word) “invading” Monty Python and Mr. Bean territory.
Horatio was brooding again, and I tried to lighten the mood by getting back on topic. “How are you different?”
“Eh?”
“I mean, how is it different you taking me on, versus your sister taking on Malabourne?”
“Oh. Well, firstly she didn’t give him VIP treatment, although she warmed to him after some time, and he has yet to see the sacred city as you have. His cruel streak kept us from revealing too much beyond what was necessary to further his abilities.”
He had revealed far more than he intended with his comments. I could surmise that Mala was probably a tough SOB like most of us military types. Second, he was one of those lone wolf types who preferred to trust themselves rather than others. Not ideal at leading teams, but good enough to keep the job, and great at getting the job done no matter the cost to life or limb. I had a phase like that during my Afghanistan deployment. The job had been all I was about. I had subsequently learned to rely on others, but just barely. What helped was my innate empathy. If I ever lost that, I would have become a monster. I hoped Mala was not at monster stage yet. I was beginning to get a picture of Mala and wished he were around to help my transition into this crazy lifestyle. It would be great to get ahead for a change rather than continually running to catch up.
We had reached the top of the tree; by far the tallest two trees in the entire world and as far as my eyes could see the massive forest stretched out far below and into the distance. Beyond it, I could see the large open plains of grasslands surrounding the forest, which became hills and then mountains tipped with snow in the distance. There were several more forest clumps out to the east amongst some hills with one at the very edge of the land as it appeared to meet a wide body of water, probably an ocean. To the north, west, and south the plains stretched to the massive mountain range creating a horseshoe shape around this exquisite landscape. So reminiscent of Earth and yet so different.
The white clouds tussled and toyed in the sky like fluffy candy-floss. The cool refreshing breeze brushing the leaves as it moved them across the sky. The sun shone down with a pleasant golden glow, warming my chilled exposed skin.
“Right! What are we doing up here?” I enquired, unable to hold back my excitement. I wanted to start using some of these spells I had learned.
Horatio beckoned me to the edge of a platform and indicated a large branch that extended out. There appeared to be a translucent barrier around the far end of the branch. Some manikins were mounted and some flat panels with targets painted on them. This was definitely the shooting range.
“Your offensive spells should be targeted towards those manikins. The barrier beyond will protect the rest of our world should you miss. You may begin after you have conducted the calming exercises and you have your focus finely honed.”
While we were talking, some soldiers had moved up behind us and the l
ead sergeant appeared to be waiting to speak to Horatio. I settled down and began the breathing mantra as he went about his business.
No sooner had I settled into the quiet of my mind and moved the flow of magic through my body when I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. It was Horatio. He quickly excused himself saying he had to attend to something but that one of the soldier’s would accompany me until his return. He introduced a thin-faced man in a brown robe, with a small sunburst insignia on his lapels. Introducing himself as Journeyman Robert, he stepped back, and I continued my prep.
The next few hours were extremely frustrating as I tried to channel consistently into my fire flare spell, fireball spell, and lesser lightning. The lightning spell being the most difficult to control as I just couldn’t seem to aim it.
Every time I shot it off, it would arc to anything within three meters of its forward flight. Journeyman Robert patiently explained that lightning by its nature, is unstable and that I should focus less energy into the spell, reducing its voltage and thus allow it to be more accurate over longer distances.
