“Does that mean that anything I do wouldn’t reflect badly on me as an instructor?” Jonathan asked.
“Not as far as I am concerned,” the Tower Mage said and narrowed his eyes. “Why?”
“Because I have been dying to shut a fat mouth,” Jonathan said. “Only reason I haven’t is because it just wouldn’t be right.”
“You talking about Initiate Tobin?” the Tower Mage asked.
“He is an ass that is lucky I was an instructor or I would have sorted him out a long time ago,” Jonathan said. “I was the first official commoner that held an instructor position, I didn’t want to jeopardize anything for any commoners coming after me.”
“I thought I heard something about you two already having it out,” the Tower Mage said.
“He is not stupid enough to attack me again,” Jonathan said. “I was within my rights to put him down and do it hard. But he keeps running his mouth, he knows I won’t attack him so he tries to get to me.”
“So what are you going to do?” the Tower Mage asked.
“The same thing I would if it was Gerald Morningstar talking to me with no respect,” Jonathan said. “I won’t kill him but I am sure he will fix his mouth around me in the future.”
“This doesn’t come back to me,” the Tower Mage said. “Mage Red has raged to me about how disrespectful this initiate is but I told him what I am sure what many nobles would. Many see him as a less brash version of Jonathan Thunder.”
“I have never done anything like that,” Jonathan said.
“Oh yes you have,” the Tower Mage said. “He is what a lot of people picture you would be if Lord Russell or Prince Xalen were not about.”
“I try to mind my own business,” Jonathan said. “Those people came at me, first with maiming my friends and then with my father. If people think that is nothing to be worked up about then tell them I am right here. They can wind up like Quevin Wilson.”
“You don’t snap at me!” the Tower Mage said and bopped Jonathan on the head with his cane. “I am telling you how it is, whether you want to hear what I am saying is your problem. Now you better not kill that initiate.”
Jonathan rubbed the back of his head but smiled at the Tower Mage as he stood up. Tobin had done and said all sorts of things to get to him. Jonathan didn’t care what he did with Cara, it was his reason for doing it. Jonathan had just returned to the Tower, he wasn’t even there for an hour yet and was about to get into it. Jonathan smiled thinking about it, Tobin probably had never dealt with anyone who wanted it with him. Well not anyone who wanted it with him and could back it up. Jonathan walked out of the Tower and dusted off his robe. It was a Mage Corps. robe which meant he didn’t care if it got torched or destroyed. The area he used to clear out for etiquette classes was busier than he remembered it. More than just commoners and mundane rich girls were there.
“Johnny Thunder!” Red said as he saw Jonathan coming towards him. “I thought you were fighting barbarians or something.”
“I was,” Jonathan said. “But I am back.”
“Well glad to have you,” Red replied. “You see this place has gotten popular.”
“I see,” Jonathan replied. “Where is Tobin?”
“Right across from you trying to put the moves on Wendy,” Red said.
“You may want to watch this,” Jonathan said as he spotted Tobin.
“You wouldn’t,” Red said as he stood up.
“I am not an instructor anymore,” Jonathan said. “This is for both of us.”
Jonathan walked over to Tobin who looked at him and laughed. Tobin turned back to Wendy as Jonathan cleared his throat.
“Wendy why would talk to a coward like this?” Jonathan said. “I thought you had better taste than an idiot like this.”
“Who are you talking to?” Tobin said as he stood out of his chair and right into a slap. The slap made him stumbled into his chair which made him fall backwards on his behind.
Tobin shot up and got another slap for his trouble. Jonathan had his shield ready when Tobin threw a punch and gave the boy another slap. Jonathan could see Tobin trying to concentrate, a big magebolt came out of his hands and impacted Jonathan’s shield. Jonathan thought it had good power considering what Tobin was capable of. Against Jonathan it was like throwing a cup of water on an inferno. Jonathan backhanded Tobin and waited for the boy to strike him again. Tobin started using his fist to break Jonathan’s shield and was surprised when Jonathan dropped it for a second and caught Tobin full in the face with his best punch. Tobin stumbled backward but did not fall, Jonathan stood and crossed his arms.
“I am not an instructor anymore,” Jonathan said loudly. “Which means if any of you idiots want it with me I will smash your ass into paste. Go ahead and say something stupid so I can show you why they call me Jonathan the Lightning.”
“I think he has had enough,” Red said as he grabbed Jonathan’s shoulder.
“What about you Davin?” Jonathan said looking around. “I know you are here somewhere.”
“You haven’t been back for a half day and already you are starting trouble,” Monica said as she landed.
“And you plan on making something of it?” Jonathan said.
“I am not one of these initiates,” Monica said. “Now leave these initiates alone. You have proven whatever point you wanted. Russell wanted me to talk to you about something when you got back here.”
“Then say it,” Jonathan said.
“Not here,” Monica said. “Somewhere else.”
EPILOUGE
Jonathan sat down in his chair and pulled out his spell book, he had been working on it a lot lately. Monica had told him that Russell wanted Jonathan in Golad to work for Duke Golad as the Captain of his guard. Jonathan had rejected it, the money was too good and it didn’t come with any restrictions like being married or betrothed. As soon as Jonathan rejected it another offer came in from Prince Jeffrey of all people. He wanted to place a mage on Prince Jordan’s guard detail and had offered more money than Russell did. Jonathan wasn’t sure what was happening but decided to decline that offer as well.
None of it made any sense to Jonathan, why would those two offer to make him rich? The money they were offering was more than it should have been. They were worried was the only thing Jonathan could think of. Jonathan thought that maybe his fight with the Donalians had scared some people. Jonathan knew between the dragons, the Raelin and now the Donalians that someone had to be keeping track of him. Or maybe they weren’t, it still didn’t make any sense. So now Jonathan was locked away in the Tower with nothing much to do except write. Jonathan had started writing an autobiography about his time growing up, losing his father and of his many fights and battles. Jonathan skimmed over a few things, he saw no need in making a bigger enemy of Princes Jeffrey and Xalen. Jonathan thought the book would sell, anyone who was interested in his life would probably think it was a good read. The spell book would be different.
The first part of the spell book was filled with nothing but the battles Jonathan had taken part in and what spells worked. It went into detail some of the battles Jonathan was in that his autobiography just touched on. Some of what he wrote about was common knowledge to any mage, like how to fight a mundane. What was different is that Jonathan went into how each group was different, no one went into how to fight a group of archers or how the Raelin differed from the Donalians. John was sure his part on dragon fighting would get read the most, it was what he was famous for. The second half of the book went into what spells he could cast and which were the best ones at mage fighting. Some of them went into life or death situations while others were just sparring. Jonathan peppered his fighting philosophy all throughout the book and wondered what people would think out it. Jonathan closed his book just as he heard a knock on his door. The person behind it didn’t even give him the chance to answer it but instead just walked inside.
“Instructor Manchin,” Jonathan said as Monica walked into his office. “How can the Mag
e Corps. help you today? Do you want to join? I am sure a position can be found for you.”
“I came to see you Jonathan,” Monica said.
“You even called me by name, this must be good,” Jonathan said.
“Tobin is planning on being with Wendy,” Monica said. “You missed your chance.”
“And what would that have to do with me?” Jonathan asked.
“It should have been you,” Monica said. “Russell would have taken care of you if you went to the mountain.”
“You still trying to sell me on being Russell’s bootlicker?” Jonathan asked. “Noble or not, I lost respect for Russell right when he saw that idiot Gerald torture a few people and did nothing to stop it.”
“You didn’t do anything either,” Monica said.
“I stopped it eventually,” Jonathan said. “Russell was only angry when I beat the pit out of Gerald. Russell and his sister were the two strongest mages in the school and neither of them tried to help heal Red or Terriel. Neither did you, I tried what I could but I am no healer. I am a fighter, a good one.”
“Who do you think you are to judge a future Duke?” Monica asked.
“I am Jonathan Thunder,” Jonathan said and put some pride in his voice. “The older I get the more I realize that there are people who do not deserve my respect. Feel free to add Farrah and yourself to that number. You can tell Russell he never has to worry about me making any plays for Farrah again. It boils down to whether or not I could stand to have any of my future kids raised by people who get off on watching weaker people tortured. I cannot and I wouldn’t marry a woman who would.”
“That was a nice speech,” Monica said rolling her eyes. “But I don’t want you and neither does Farrah. We are the strongest mages in the Kingdom, why fight? Russell offered you a chance to make good money and you turned it down. You could have married well and had a Duke for an ally. So what we didn’t help some commoner, he knew the rules and he wanted the fight.”
“Terriel quit,” Jonathan said. “And that idiot Gerald cut him from ear to ear. You did nothing until I beat the snot out of Gerald.”
“He did quit,” Monica said. “But that is between him and Gerald.”
“What do you want Monica?” Jonathan asked. “I don’t like you and you know it. The less I am around you, the easier it is for me to see what kind of snake you are.”
“I am going to be Duchess one day,” Monica said. “Russell cannot get out of his own way to realize it yet but I will be. Russell is looking for the strongest woman he can find and I am it. Having a Duchess for an ally could mean a lot to any children you may have. This could happen quickly for me if I could get you to do what you are supposed to be doing.”
“And what is that?” Jonathan asked.
“You could be in Golad,” Monica said. “Your little apprentice Charles will be there in a few years and so will Tobin. I am not Russell or even Xalen, I am going to crush you Thunder. I don’t do things underhanded or sneakily, I want you to know it is me. Or you can stop all of this and we can be friends, it is your move.”
“You do what you want,” Jonathan said. “When this is all over, you let me know if it worked or if it was worth it. I haven't forgotten your sneering and laughing when my parents died. I am a strong mage, you are nothing Monica. You cannot crush me anymore that a bug can crush a lion. Whenever you want to settle this permanently, you where to find me. Russell does not scare me, Xalen does not scared me and you do not scare me. You could become Duchess tomorrow and you still would not have me frightened. Any future children I have will never look to you as an ally and I wouldn’t want them to. Now stop threatening me, either do something or shut up. It is just me and you in here.”
Reader,
At this point I wanted to end the book and just put it out there. I decided not to. I know many have been waiting for more Jonathan so here it is. This book was originally going to be called the Archmage and the one you just read was going to be called The Instructor. Hope you like the two for one deal, now let’s get back to Jonathan.
CHAPTER 1
Welcome Back
Jonathan looked around at his new room, he was back in the Tower, sort of. Since the Tower moved last year he hadn’t spent much time there. Jonathan spent most of his time with the Archmage doing various tasks around the kingdom. They were always big tasks, things that would make Jonathan stand out and Jonathan thought they had made his legend grow. Jonathan the Lightning was a name many people knew, he was more than just the Queen’s Champion. Jonathan the Lightning was the Champion of the common man, Jonathan couldn’t remember the last time he had bought his own meal when he was out on a mission. His traveling had made it hard for him to teach in the Tower, he taught maybe four classes all of last year and this year would be similar.
There had been rumors that the Downians had been seen amassing on the border, no one knew what to make of it. No dragons had been spotted yet but that meant nothing, dragons could fly in and out before the kingdom could react. Jonathan shuddered thinking about the dragons, they were a worthy foe and had killed dozens of mages. Dragonfire could overwhelm a mage shield and Jonathan had personally seen mages killed this way before. Some of them were friends, some of them were not. All of them tried to protect the Kingdom and gave the ultimate sacrifice because it. Dragons were the one enemy that temporarily united noble and commoner mage alike. Noble mages looked down on commoners because nobles were stronger on average. Most nobles were not strong enough to fight a dragon though and many of them had died just like commoner mages did. Jonathan had killed a dragon before but was not under any illusions, he was lucky and was at the right place at the right time.
Dragons shook off most spells and could kill a mage within seconds. Jonathan had hit one with his lightning and killed it, it gave him a false sense of hope that was soon quashed. The second dragon he hit shook off the bolt, Jonathan didn’t know if it was because he was too far away or low on power. What Jonathan did know was that it didn’t work and that was the only thing that mattered. Jonathan did not look forward to fighting the beasts again, he felt like a coward for being so scared but it couldn’t be helped. Jonathan put on a robe, it wasn’t his Champion robe or even his instructor robe, just a robe designating him as a commoner. Jonathan’s robe was black, he figured that it went with his persona and ran some oil through his hair. The result was that Jonathan’s hair looked wet; unlike most mages Jonathan wore his down over his dark eyes which made the look complete. Jonathan knew a lot of mages hated his gaze, he was the dragonslayer and had a reputation for fighting anyone, anywhere. His dark eyes made noble mages pause when he was in the room. Jonathan did not discriminate and no longer gave the initiates a pass.
Ever since Tobin Mountain went through the Tower three years ago, Jonathan had stopped caring about his job. Tobin was a street rat that had terrorized the Tower while he was an initiate. This included Jonathan since Jonathan didn’t want to hurt the commoner too bad. Tobin had taken advantage of the situation and kept picking at Jonathan until Jonathan finally pasted him every time he got a sour look or comment from the initiate. Tobin of course stopped and married a mundane noble from the mountain named Wendy. Jonathan thought it was stupid Tobin took the last name Mountain, as a street rat he didn’t have a last name but Jonathan thought he should have taken something other than Mountain. Jonathan’s legend grew since then, newer initiates told the older ones to leave him the pit alone. It never worked the first few days but soon everyone got the idea. Today was the first day of class for a new group of initiates in the Tower, Jonathan was sure he would be in a couple of fights.
Jonathan was part of the Big Four, a group of mages who gained legendary status for being the strongest in the Kingdom and for fighting blood priests and dragons while initiates. Everyone wanted a piece of the Big Four, they wanted to see how they stacked up. No one would challenge Russell and it was doubtful he would accept. Jonathan thought if someone was too disrespectful that Russell would beat them se
nseless with his two hands. Russell was a giant, Jonathan was taller than most people and Russell still had him by a head. Russell was also in line for a Dukedom, no one wanted him for an enemy. His sister Farrah was the second member of the Big Four. Because she was Russell’s twin no one went out of their way to face her either. That and she was seen as the second strongest mage in history. The last member of the Big Four was Monica Manchin. Monica was not a high noble but many initiates on first meeting left her alone because she was a noble and from a noble mage family. After they had lost to Jonathan is when they then went after Monica thinking she was a weak link. They would learn to leave her alone quickly, Monica set people on fire and was brutal about it. But for first meeting, a commoner who everyone said wasn’t even the strongest in his class was an easy call out. Jonathan knew he was intimidating but most saw through it, after the fighting was done they then avoided him.
Jonathan knew the students were already seated and going through orientation. It would be just like every other year, he would walk in and some loud mouth would begin yelling. Jonathan would handle it quickly, then invite them outside. Some would go, after the first fight many would back away and stay backed away. Jonathan entered the assembly area and could see Russell had just finished his speech. It was probably him telling everyone how great he was. Jonathan was glad he missed it, his sister had just taken over and locked eyes with Jonathan. Jonathan wondered what he had ever seen in her.
“Hello initiates,” Farrah said then hesitated as she looked at Jonathan who was walking down the aisle. “I am Lady Golad and like my brother I was called to fight and defend this kingdom while in the Tower. This is a good time for you to find friends that will last a lifetime, you never know when your back is against it and you need help. Even the strongest of mages need allies, never forget this. Talking has never been my strong point so I am making this speech short. I will be available after your orientation if anyone wants to say hello or hear stories. I am sure many of you are curious about fighting the undead or battling it out with a dragon. Now let me introduce the third member of the Big Four, Jonathan Thunder.”
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