Hundreds of pages of notes. Failed theories and runes. A book I had spent five years with. How is it here? Opening it up a small note had been written on the back of the cover.
‘Little extra payment for letting me play with you. Note, I added a little extra to its enchantments just for you.~ Don’t tell anyone.
-Love, God’
With a scowl on my face, I put the notebook down. All I can feel is anger, why would I be grateful to that old man. How pretentious… there are other gods in this world you! However I will use it, I’m not one to turn away something so powerful. The only thing I’m worried about is, how am I going to keep this a secret. This is a very, very, very big book.
Walking up behind me Ianna pats me on the head.
“What’s wrong why are you so angry all of a sudden.”
“-nothing. This book…”
“What’s wrong with it? It’s just big.’
“Do you not see it?”
This book was not only big but gaudy. The cover was trimmed with gold inlays and patterns with glossy silver accents. An image of vines and flowers coming from the corners enticing the eye towards the center where a glowing drawing of a fairy sleeping in a spell formation lay.
“It looks normal to me, now let’s get you dressed.”
She can’t see it? That might be the gifts he gave me, or not. Honestly I never really used it for too much other than notes…. Analyzing it never crossed my mind and honestly I can’t see any enchantments.
…….
Arriving at Master Ens study I plopped the giant book down as I sat. Master En looked up in surprise as the sound resounded throughout the room. I took it with me because the only thing I know what to do was take notes with it. I’ll disguise the automatic writing by just scribbling with a pencil.
“Got an upgrade I see. I know you like to write lots of notes but ain’t that a bit overkill?”
With a small chuckle, he rose from his rocking chair to stand. The small runes dimmed as it came to a stop quickly, ‘How fancy for a chair’. Walking over to his bookshelf Master En deliberated over what today’s lesson would be on.
“Well, I guess we can clarify different types of techniques and magic in the world.”
“Haven’t we already done that?”
“The different aptitudes people can be born with is different. I’m talking about general terms like blood magic and the names of stages.”
Pulling out the book he placed a small trinket atop it. The words and images on the page being displayed in the air. Clearing his throat he began the lecture.
“Now then, to begin with, classifications it would be good to talk about the names of stages. You already know that every 5 circles is a stage. Every stage has a name, however, there is no real concrete system as it changes not only between warriors and mages but even different kingdoms. Since we have never had a time of true peace they are called many different things.”
Flipping the page he focuses on a diagram titled mage titles. A tower was depicted with 8 different sections. Each held a name and an intricate drawing to represent them.
Summarising Master En’s words, Iceborn follows the naming system made by the board of magical education. Apprentice, Junior, Mage, Wizard, arch Wizard, Sage, grand Sage, and finally Ancestor. Spells and magicians follow the same guidelines to separate them by power. There are clear distinctions in the power between stages however if careful and talented enough it is possible to use the magics of a higher stage.
“Now then blood magic is a separate issue. It’s better to not even call it blood magic as this classification is just a catch-all for any magic that is illegal to practice.”
“Did it just start with blood magic?”
“Not really actually… it’s more just hate to Shamans.”
“Shamans?”
…
Walking through the halls Ianna headed to the king’s office. After leaving El with Master En for his studies she had been called upon by a small silver bead. Although they may not b able to record long messages, a few seconds was enough. While very useful they were extremely difficult to make. Only those of wealth had access to them.
“Why didn’t I use this to tell the King and queen when El was in his trial. They are faster than me running…”
Sighing at her own forgetfulness she eventually arrived in front of the office room door. Before she could raise her hand to knock on the door it swung open. On the other side behind a desk, the king was reading a report.
“How is El Ianna.”
Off to the side Elena who was sitting on the couch leaned in to hear as well. Pushing her hair out of her face as she listened.
“He seems to be doing a lot better. He talked a bit more than usual today, however, I’m still unsure as to what his gift is.”
“That’s fine, to be honest. He doesn’t necessarily have a need to use it but it’d be good to practice.”
“Well, that’s not really the problem. He does practice it but it’s generally when he is alone. The few times I’ve seen it being activated was when I walked in to drop clothes and stuff.”
Leaning back in his chair Requille sighed rubbing his thumb and finger together. He didn’t understand why El was so apprehensive to the use of it. It was so big and the demonstration he gave made it look powerful. Training in secret made it seem like he was hiding something bad.
