The Changeling

by Whiskey Flowers

  “Then remember your place,” Russell said, and turned around. Russell grabbed the two girls Jonathan had been talking to, and walked them to the front of the line.

  “You should leave Lord Golad alone,” one of the commoner mages named Millie, quietly said. “People like him are much too important to have to waste their time dealing with the likes of you.”

  “He came after me,” Jonathan replied. “I didn’t do anything to him.”

  “Well stay out of his way then,” Millie said. “He has to worry about taking care of an entire duchy. And I heard the Tower Mage say Lord Golad was the strongest mage he had ever seen come through here.”

  “He is?” Jonathan asked. “How does he know; we haven’t been tested yet.”

  “Nobles already know how to do magic” Millie whispered. “They come into their magic sooner and have been trained how to use their magic, the word gets around quickly, just look.”

  Jonathan looked as Russell opened up his hand and light shone from it. Jonathan wasn’t sure if Russell was showing off or not but the light was so bright Jonathan had to turn away and cover his eyes. Jonathan could hear people in the room gasp, when Jonathan opened his eyes back up he could see spots like he was staring at the sun. Plenty of people were giving Russell good natured laughter about how they were all blind and how strong he was. Jonathan guessed that Russell had to use an insane amount of his magic to make the spell so bright. Jonathan thought about trying the same thing then he thought better of it. If he was not as strong, he would look foolish for even trying.

  Slowly the nobles in front of them were tested. All of them tried to outdo each other and make the brightest mage light they could. The only nobles who had anything to brag about Jonathan thought were Monica, Russell and his sister Farrah. Prince Xalen was strictly average in power and that was putting it nicely Jonathan thought. When the nobles were finished Jonathan was next.

  “Well hurry up and do whatever you can do” an older man with a long gray beard snapped. “If you don’t know what you are doing then take a seat until I finish with the rest of you.”

  “Uh, okay,” Jonathan said.

  “Well hurry up. I don’t have all day” the older man snapped again.

  “Look at your commoner now Farrah,” Russell said. “He is so stupid he can’t even follow Mage Winchell’s instructions.”

  “Just go sit down boy,” Mage Winchell said as a small amount of light came from Jonathan’s palm.

  “You know magic?” Farrah said looking at John.

  “This is even more disgusting,” Russell said. “He must have a mage parent that sold herself to some commoner with a little money.”

  “Go line up with the others boy,” Mage Winchell snapped.

  “You have nothing to be proud of with such a small amount of light,” Prince Xalen said. “Perhaps while you are here you will learn to work with what you have and use it in the defense of our kingdom.”

  “I will try Your Highness,” Jonathan said. Jonathan figured he would let them think what they wanted. He had gone out of his way to cast the smallest amount of light possible. Mage Winchell had just made him nervous by rushing him through it while being patient with everyone else. The two girls behind him, Minnie and Glenda both failed in casting magelight. They would have to stay in class with Mage Winchell. Jonathan could tell as soon as he cast the spell that Winchell hated him even more. Jonathan became very self-conscious as he went to the next class. Bill and Thurman were there and stood up as they all entered. Bill looked shocked to see Jonathan enter. He had assumed Jonathan came from a poor family, somewhere with no mages.

  “What is this then?” said Mage Erlanger. Jonathan knew this mage’s name because he seemed more approachable than the other instructors. “Looks like we have another one of you lot.”

  “His mother was most likely the mage and married his father who is a commoner with a little money” Prince Xalen said. “Now he thinks he walks on water and even challenged Russell to a fight.”

  “Is that so Your Highness,” Mage Erlanger said. “Whoever you are, if I were you, I would leave young Golad here alone. From the rumors I heard he has even more magic than most of the instructors in the tower. Of course you can’t believe everything you hear.”

  “I think I am as strong as most of you here,” Farrah said. “So let’s do this test.”

  “Well the test is not in here,” Mage Erlanger laughed. “I am going to take you outside. Before I do any of that though, I want to know how many of you can cast two spells at the same time. I know you all can cast magelight. Let me see each of you keep two of them going. If you know you can’t just move over to the side. The ones who can, I need your names because you will need extra training.”

  Jonathan saw only four of the nobles walked to the side, the rest were holding their hands out and trying to cast their magelights. Jonathan was surprised Monica was one of those who could only cast one spell. Russell threw his hands out and Jonathan looked away and covered his eyes, an intense light shone for a few moments from two spells then went away. Jonathan took the light a lot better this time, as Russell walked away smugly. Prince Xalen looked at Jonathan oddly since he was still standing in the line. Xalen turned around and started casting. It took him longer to cast than it took Russell. Slowly two glowing lights started to form. Jonathan knew it took some mages a lot longer to get two spells going than it did for just a single spell.

  “Well hurry up and stand to the side commoner,” Xalen said. “You have made it this far. So now you can go back and brag about that to everyone else who doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.”

  “As you say Your Majesty,” Jonathan said as two small points of light started shining from his hand. Jonathan wanted to smile from the gasps he was hearing in the room. Jonathan knew no one in the room expected him to be able to cast twice. Now that he showed it off he proved he was better than at least some of the other mages were.

  “That means nothing commoner,” Russell said. “Being able to hold two small magelights would not protect you from a mage with more power at their disposal. You will get put in your place in this next test.”

  Jonathan looked at Thurman, who gave him a wry smile. Bill kept his face blank during Jonathan’s test, but it was probably due to the chattering that was going on. Many of the nobles were outraged Jonathan could perform as well as he did on the test – because he had bested them. They cursed his mother for being such an idiot. Some even insulted her looks without knowing what she looked like. The consensus was that she could have married a noble with a lot more money and had noble children. Instead she'd given magic to a commoner who would most likely use it for evil. By the time Jonathan followed the group outside he was called everything from a future bandit to someone who was probably going to get lucky by marrying his magic talent into a noble family.

  “Alright I have two tests for you overall,” Erlanger said. “Casting spells and shaping your magical energy or aura. Some spells call for you to keep your aura as pure as possible. Spells like shields use pure aura. I am going to have all of you put up a shield. If you can take three full on hits from a mace you will move to my other test. All you have to do in the second test is slide a metal block I have set up on a platform the length of an apple. Wind magic works best for the task, it is the easiest spell to use for the purpose and those with only slightly above average power can get it moving. To make everything fair I have a future army hopeful here to deliver the blow with the mace. Young David is a noble and is the only one in his family who didn’t get the gift of magic. He is quite upset at the sneers and looks of pity he has received from mages. Since he was a little boy he has been honing his body and mind to fight with various weapons. I know he looks young, David is only twelve. But I assure you that he knows what he is doing. Now who is going to be first?”

  Russell stepped up first and his shield snapped into place after a second. A young angry looking boy came over holding a weird looking mace. He slammed the m
ace into Russell’s shield as hard as he could then repeated the gesture two more times. Russell’s shield flashed every time it was struck but it held fast. Farrah went next and Jonathan thought she didn’t have too much trouble keeping her shield up either. One by one the nobles went up. Slightly less than half of them were successful. Jonathan began to feel a little good about himself then. Many of those who didn’t pass took forever to get their shield up. Jonathan wasn’t sure if their shield failed because they didn’t know how to keep it up, or because they just didn’t have the power. Jonathan looked at the young boy with the mace and braced himself.

  “Here comes the end of the road for your commoner, Farrah,” Russell said laughing as Jonathan’s shield snapped into place. “I bet he can’t even take a single blow.”

  “Enough of that Golad,” Erlanger said. “Away from Magus Mazuli you are big news, but here you are just a student. Pick on each other away from my hearing or sight. And before you ask, that means you too, Your Highness. If you had a last name I would be calling you by that instead. Now go on and hit the boy's shield David.”

  Jonathan took the first blow and felt his shield give a little. He was not pouring everything he could into the spell. But he thought he had his shield the same thickness and brightness as other shields he had seen pass. Jonathan purposely kept it on the lower end of passing. If he thought the nobles hated him before, it seemed as if they now wanted him dead. By just using enough skill to ensure he passed, he had landed himself in the middle of the pack. He had passed two tests that some noble mages could not pass. And now the angry nobles were whispering among themselves and shooting him blistering looks. Russell went first again in the final test. He put so much wind magic into it that he blew the heavy iron block off of its platform.

  “By the gods!” Erlanger screamed. “I have only seen two people move that block like that. The Archmage and the Tower Mage. Do you know the significance of what you just did Golad?”

  “Russell is going to be the next Archmage,” Xalen said. “The only competition he has is Farrah, and she doesn’t want the job.”

  “Well I see what the hype is about,” Erlanger said. “Alright Lady Golad, let me see what you have.”

  Jonathan watched her pour almost everything she had into her spell. The block moved and was at the edge of the platform but it did not take flight the way it had for Russell. Xalen was not able to move the block the required distance and a lot of the mages who came up did not have the power to move the block at all. Despite not being able to work two spells, the Monica girl had enough power to move the block the distance needed. Jonathan figured from her body language that she and Russell were either a thing or she wanted them to be. Jonathan came up last. He noticed there were no insults directed at him. The nobles all showed worried faces as they watched to see what he would do. He briefly thought about trying to blow the block off the platform and thought better of it. He restricted his wind magic and the block moved just enough for him to pass the test.

  “Who is your mother?” Erlanger asked. “For her to marry a mundane and give you this kind of power, she must be very strong.”

  “Or she had a love child,” Farrah said. “A love child she wanted to be kept hidden.”

  “My mother is Sara Thunder,” Jonathan replied as he knew his secret would get out anyway.

  “I don't know any Sara Thunder,” Xalen said. “If she was anyone important then I would know who she is. I along with Russell was trained by the Archmage himself. I would have at least met her in passing.”

  “Your father must be very rich to get a mage of that caliber to be with him,” Erlanger said. “That business of his must make a lot more money than anyone here thought.”

  “I should put him out of business,” Xalen said. “He robbed the crown of having a mage with actual skill. If she would have married another mage then he would have been stronger and would not just be a lucky commoner.”

  “How many siblings do you have commoner?” Russell said as he looked at Jonathan.

  “None of your business,” Jonathan said. Inwardly he winced and wished he could take his words back.

  “You want to have a go with me?” Russell said. “You have some power but you are not on my level.”

  “Answer his question commoner,” Xalen said, looking at Jonathan.

  “None,” Jonathan said. “I am an only child.”

  “What is the name of your father’s business?” Xalen asked. “A man like him should be punished for what he did.”

  “My father doesn't own a business, Your Highness,” Jonathan said.

  “Liar,” Russell said.

  “You all made the story up. My father does not have a business,” Jonathan said.

  “Lying to the crown is punishable by death,” Xalen said. “As a mage you will be thrown in the arena where you will have a chance to fight for your innocence. The Archmage will be your opponent, consider this your only warning.”

  “My father does not own a business though,” Jonathan said. “He is a mage like my mother. They taught me my magic and how to read.”

  “Two commoners,” Xalen said. “Whenever I am king, I am going to prevent such a thing from ever happening. And who have these commoner parents of yours picked out for you to marry?”

  “No one,” Jonathan replied. “They told me not to marry a commoner because of all the negativity I would receive.”

  “Well at least they have some sense, although they should have followed their own advice” Xalen said.

  “Well Thunder,” Erlanger said. “You have some knowledge of magic. Less than five percent of all the classes I bring out here pass every test. The test you just took is rarely passed by a commoner. I think I am going to remember your name.”

  “He won't be anything special,” Russell said. “Just because he has two mage parents makes him think he is an equal to us when he is not. We will see how the school year plays out, especially when we start mage duels.”

  CHAPTER 3

  “You are being summoned,” Bill said as he shook Jonathan awake.

  “Summoned for what?” Jonathan asked. “It is the middle of the night, leave me alone.”

  “Gerald Morningstar wants you,” Bill said worried.

  Jonathan jumped out of bed after hearing that name. He had tried to keep his distance from the nobles since he had gotten to Magus Mazuli three months ago, but it had proven hard to do. John held back enough of his power so he wouldn't seem like he was anything special, but that wasn't enough. Mages often said nasty things to his back and to his face. This was the first time though that he had been called out. Gerald Morningstar was almost like the royal henchman. He had challenged many people to fight on Xalen’s behalf. Despite being average in power he could cast two magics and combine them. Gerald also had a great mind for striking where the enemy was weakest. It was the reason he had won four private mage duels.

  Mages could legally duel at the Tower, as long as it was done under the watchful eyes of one of the instructors. No noble wanted to duel Jonathan, however. Russell said facing him was beneath him. His sister Farrah said it would be pointless since she had already shown herself to be the second strongest in their year. Jonathan had not showed anyone his full ability but what he did show put him about fourth or fifth in his class. Jonathan doubted seriously that he had more raw aura than Russell did. Jonathan had pushed himself hard before he came to Magus Mazuli and knew he was not on Russell Golad’s level in terms of strength. Jonathan thought if he put everything together and gave it his all that he had as much power as Farrah. But none of that mattered now. What did matter was that he would have his first mage duel against Gerald. Jonathan knew what awaited him if he failed.

  Gerald had fought Red as soon as Red became decent enough in reading to learn some spells. Gerald took Red apart slowly. He burned him almost like someone would do meat over a spit. Jonathan wanted to break it up, but Thurman held him back. There was no help in a mage duel, someone had to quit and Red was much t
oo proud. Red now carried horrible scars all over his body. Morningstar received no discipline. The Tower Mage thought it was a good teaching moment for the commoners to get to know their place. Gerald had practically tortured all who went against him. When a commoner mage was called out by one of the nobles, running away was not an option.

  Edgar Worthington had refused to fight Gerald. He wanted no part of a duel with him, especially after what had happened to Red. All of the nobles including the females started to make Edgar’s life the pit. He was attacked constantly even Bill and Thurman joined in. But their attacks only looked like they hurt. Every commoner in the room with Jonathan knew their attacks were flashy but not painful. The unwritten rule of the tower was, if a mage was challenged, then they had to fight. Edgar eventually took the fight with the plan that he would just stop once the pain became too great. Only Morningstar refused to stop until Jonathan entered the ring and pushed Morningstar off of Edgar. That was probably the biggest reason he was hated by the nobles currently.

  Gerald should have challenged Jonathan soon after. Instead he challenged Bill and almost killed him. Gerald didn't escape unharmed though. While he was trying to torture Bill, like he tortured Red, Bill surprised him by having enough awareness to catch Gerald in the face with a spout of fire. Gerald was very particular about his face and relented instead of beating Bill some more. Gerald’s last fight had been with Terriel Byrd, a commoner mage who shared their dorm. The fight was only two days ago and it had been less a fight and more of a maiming. Among first year commoners the only person superior to Terriel was Jonathan. Gerald only went for big stunning attacks like his mage bolt since he could get off attacks quicker than Terriel could. When Terriel fell, Gerald took a blade and sliced his face. Even with magical healing the scars would remain. Now Terriel looked like he had a wide sinister grin. Gerald had cut him from the corners of his mouth all the way to his ear.