Reborn- Evoker

by Luka Petrov

  “Here, let me show you,” said Walter, while he motioned over to me. He led me over to where he performed his ritualistic magic at the edge of the Enchanted Forest right before the protective barrier of the school. There I saw several rocks in various positions, a burnt piece of wood, and the almost complete circle drawn in the ground. “Here it is,” announced Walter. He continued “I have to draw in the runes of power for whatever spell we want to siphon. There are an infinite number of spells we can choose from.”

  “This is incredible,” I replied in astonishment. Taking all of the preparation that my friends completed in.

  As I thought about some of the magic runes, we would want to include for the type of magic we would be pulling from the power pool, I felt frustrated as nothin was coming to mind. As I thought about it, an idea finally came to me. “Walter, do you think we could complete the magic circle on some buttons?”

  “Buttons?” Walter asked.

  “Right. Buttons. You know, those clothing fasteners we all use to close our clothes?”

  “Oh, right. Fasteners,” replied Walter. He thought for a moment and then said, “I don’t see why not.”

  Cecily must have overheard my odd request, “We won’t know unless we try,” she suggested.

  Yves interjected, “Are you sure you would like to complete the magic circle over clothing fasteners? Couldn’t we find something better?”

  Walter came to my defense, “Ed wants us to make the magic circle on buttons. I think we should just try it.

  Walter pulled some of the gold buttons from his shirt. “Here, try these and see if they work.” He gave me seven gold, exquisitely molded buttons.

  “Thanks, Walter,” I replied, while he poured the seven buttons into my hand.

  I placed two of the buttons by the magic circle, where Walter would complete the circle. I then went inside of the structure, and I placed three buttons on the inside of the structure, evenly spaced. I placed the last two buttons on the outside and inside of the structure where the entrance way was.

  I placed the last two button right by the doorway. One on the exterior of the structure by the entrance, and one on the inside opposite the one on the outside. While I did that, Walter came over to me. “I see what you figured out,” he started. “You must know a thing or two about ritualistic magic.”

  “Why do you say that?” I asked. I actually had no idea how I came up with this idea, but I knew that I needed a way to turn the barrier shield on and off.

  Walter answered my question, “Because you needed a group of something to connect the barrier to itself. That’s why I gave you the buttons from my shirt, I had the most buttons out of everyone.”

  I had no idea Walter had thought of that before I did. “That’s exactly right,” I answered. Then I added, “I also wanted a way to turn the barrier on and off. And a button was the only way I could think of.”

  “Well, let’s find out if your idea works,” suggested Walter. He went back to complete the magic circle. “Wait here, I will tell you when it’s complete,” shouted Walter over his shoulder as he made his way back to the area where the magic circle was.

  A few moments later, Walter shouted, “Ed! It’s ready. Push the button in!”

  I pushed in the button right by the doorway. At first, nothing happened. The notion that we had done something wrong had crossed my mind. Walter was not the old Walter, where every single spell he performed ended in a cloud of smoke. Ever since Walter had found that ritualist magic was his calling, he had become an accomplished magic user.

  A few more moments had gone by, and I had lost all hope that our siphon would work. As I stared at the button by the doorway, pressed into our mud wall, I watched as a transparent, blue-silver shield come over the brown wall of mud and clay. By that time, Walter, Yves, and Cecily stood behind me as we watched the barrier engulf our structure. “Walter, look! It worked!” I turned and looked at him. I could sense the feeling of accomplishment coming from Walter as he smiled. I also noticed tears forming in the corners of his eyes. I was proud of him as well, he had come a long way, and this moment solidified that he found his place in this world.

  I turned to the rest of them and suggested, “Let’s see if this barrier will keep our structure intact as we practice our spells.” I pulled out the button from the mud wall, and instantly saw the blue-silver shield recede upwards. “Come on guys, let’s practice!” I said while waving them inside.

  Yves, Cecily, and Walter entered while I stood by the doorway, to engage the inside button and set the barrier. “Ready?” I asked. The three nodded and I pushed in the inside button. Energy flowed as the structure vibrated while the barrier came from the dome ceiling cascading down to the ground. Providing a protective barrier from the roof of the structure down the walls.

  “You said Headmaster Wavernjack wanted to inspect our structure after we completed it?” Yves asked.

  “That’s right, he did,” I answered.

  “I think it’s ready. Walter inscribed the protection spell with runes around the magic circle. I really think he did a great job,” iterated Yves. “We should have him inspect our structure tomorrow.”

  “I think you’re right. Let’s perform a duel first and test it out to make sure the barrier withstands the forces coming from our spells,” I suggested. “Who wants to go first?”

  “I will,” Cecily said while raising her hand.

  “I have a new way we can duel,” I started.

  “All right let’s hear it,” taunted Cecily.

  “Rather than one of us cast a spell, and the other cast a counter spell and then an offensive spell,” I began.

  “I’m familiar with our normal dueling rules. What do you propose?” Cecily countered.

  “Like I was saying, we will each decide on a spell at the same time. The best offensive spell chosen, wins,” I explained.

  Cecily cast her first spell.

  Cecily had initiative.

  She opted for the Lightning Chain spell, which had become one of her favorites since I taught it to her. “Torquem fulgar!” Cecily shouted.

  Cecily cast Lightning Chain.

  Spell: Lightning Chain

  School: Evocation

  Skill Level: 3rd-Level

  Effect: A bolt of lightning bends toward a directed target within range. Then three bolts leap from the target to as many as three other targets, like a chain, which must all be within fifty feet of each other. More bolts can be added as the higher the level is of the user.

  “Clipeum!” I shouted. A blueish-transparent, curved disc appeared over my left arm.

  Edward dual cast Shield and Spark and made a successful saving throw.

  The Lightning Chain diffused instantly when it hit my shield, making the spell useless. I, in turn thought of the runes and manipulated the glyphs to cast a bolt of lightning to surge across the floor.

  Edward silent cast Spark.

  Spell: Spark

  School: Evocation

  Skill Level: 3rd-Level

  Effect: A spell that causes lightning to course across the ground aimed at a target, rendering lightning damage.

  Cecily failed her saving throw and was knocked on the ground, unconscious.

  I ran over to Cecily to see if she was all right. She was coming back as I had bent over her, tapping the sides of her face. Her eyes fluttered open, “Ed! You changed the rules in your favor,” she whined.

  “Not really,” I answered.

  “You dual casted a defense along with an offensive spell,” she argued. “That was cheating. When you first gave me the rules, I thought it would be one spell each time.”

  “Well one spell, unless you can dual cast,” I challenged. Cecily laid her had back on the ground in defeat. Good thing, she gave up on the argument. She was not going to win with me.

  The following day, I made my way to Headmaster Wavernjack’s office before class. “Good morning, Headmaster,” I said while I knocked on his door, peering in to see if he was busy
.

  “Come in,” he replied, not lifting his head, just stacking scrolls of papers on his desk.

  As I entered his office, I could hear his loud breathing, the constant reminder of Seaster Wavernjack’s halfling breed. Something appeared to be bothering him. “Excuse me, Headmaster. I know you wanted to inspect my structure once my friends and I completed it,” I said, feeling as though I was interrupting something serious.

  “Edward! Right! I must inspect your structure. Is it ready?”

  “Yes, yes, it is ready for an inspection,” I assured.

  “Well, I will assemble a group of professors and meet you over there shortly,” replied Wavernjack, staring directly in my eyes, which seemed to oddly pierce into my soul.

  I was surprised by the lenses of urgency the Headmaster demonstrated when I requested for him to inspect my structure. Obviously, something was amiss, but I had no idea what it could be. For someone seeming so flustered about something, he seemed as though he could pull away from it at a moment’s notice. I nodded, in response to him, and darted off toward the structure where my friends were.

  “Hey guys! They’ll be here any moment!” I shouted, running up to the structure.

  “Who are they?” Yves asked.

  “Headmaster Wavernjack and a few other professors,” I answered.

  “I wonder how many are going to come and inspect our humble structure,” replied Yves, appearing to be worried.

  “Don’t worry. Walter really outdid himself on this. He’s come a long way with his magic. I actually admire him,” I whispered to Yves. She nodded in agreement.

  Exiting out the main back entrance of Draererth, I caught a glimpse of Headmaster Wavernjack and two other professors walking in our direction. “Here they come!” I announced to Walter, Yves, and Cecily, who were sitting and talking while I kept watch by the doorway. My nerves were slightly elevated, but I had confidence in the magic Walter performed, for once.

  I kept watch as they came closer, and I could make out Mistress Lathurna and Professor Dubh accompanied Headmaster Wavernjack.

  “You went with mud walls?” Wavernjack asked as he looked at the exterior of the structure.

  “We did. Walter seems to lean toward Nature when he performs his ritualistic magic,” I explained. Walter nodded in agreement of my explanation.

  “You’re a ritualist?” Wavernjack asked Walter.

  “That’s right. I could not master the Arcane and prepared spells. As I delved into self-discovery, I found that rituals based on Nature came the easiest to me. The Earth Element is a protective element in itself, grounded in wisdom,” explained Walter.

  “I see,” answered Wavernjack as he looked around the structure and the outline of our dueling square. “It seems to be quite usable.” Wavernjack took a moment to look fully at the dome structure while the other professors observed the walls. Kyna touched the walls with her palm.

  The Headmaster then turned in my direction and asked, “So, Ed. I’ve been puzzled ever since you spoke to me in my office a few weeks ago. Why did you want to build a structure around a dueling square when after we had to rebuild Draererth, we spent a great deal of attention to the dueling squares, making them better than before?”

  “I wanted to test spells here, away from everyone,” I answered, hoping Headmaster Wavernjack would not push me further into my response.

  “Ah! I see,” he said, turning to Kyna. “Kyna, what do you think of this, uh, this shelter?”

  Kyna turned around from inspecting the mud walls, and answered, “I like the shape and the construction appears to be sound, however, it would not withstand heavy magic and particles moving at heightened speeds.”

  “Oh contraire fair maiden,” injected Walter.

  “It’s mistress. Mistress Lathurna, thank you,” Kyna shot back. “Now, what were you saying?”

  “Oh, right. Mistress Lathurna, I have already addressed that!” Walter continued.

  “Oh! Well, let’s see your solution,” replied Mistress Lathurna.

  “Ed! Would you please do the honors?” Walter shouted at me. I nodded and went to the interior button and pressed into the wall. This activated the magic, and the structure vibrated as the shields engaged.

  “The barrier has been engaged,” I announced to the inspectors.

  “Let me see that!” Kyna stated as she stomped over to the gold button that once was on Walter’s shirt was neatly pressed into the mud of the wall. She examined it for a few moments and then turned around and asked, “Who thought of this?”

  “We all thought of it, together,” I responded looking at Cecily, Yves, and Walter who looked proud at our accomplishment. Quickly, I interjected, “Well, I came up with the initial idea,” I added.

  “Dubh, what do you think of this barrier shield being activated by a clothing fastener?” Kyna said to Professor Dubh.

  “Huh?” Dubh replied to Kyna, cupping his hand around his ear.

  “Look, Dubh!” Kyna shouted. “It’s a clothing fastener that activates the siphon of the magic pool to make a barrier.”

  Dubh joined Kyna over at the button mechanism. As he examined the button pushed into the mud, he replied to Kyna, “It’s definitely a new way of doing things. This is a different way to think about magic pools and siphons. That’s for sure.”

  Wavernjack asked Dubh, “Will this siphon take too much away from our power pool and drain it too quickly?”

  “No, it’s not sticky,” answered Dubh.

  “Not what I asked,” shouted Wavernjack.

  “Then speak up!” Dubh shouted.

  “Do you think it’s too much of a drain?” Wavernjack shouted.

  Dubh took a moment to think, and then answered, “No, this miniature siphon will not drain the power pool that much. We can afford it. This here siphon is just a little guy and will not diminish our great power pool. It will be just a blip when I get tomorrow’s readings from the scribes. I doubt I’ll even notice it.” I tried not to be offended by Dubh’s description of our siphon that we had worked on to make work, but if it meant that I was closer to getting this little project approved, I could withstand the criticism.

  As I was sure we were going to get the stamp of approval from the Headmaster, a messenger waved at the doorway through the transparent blue-silver barrier.

  “Ed, disable the barrier,” commanded Wavernjack. “I’m waiting on some news.” I sprang into action, briskly moving toward the button that was pressed into the mud wall. Both Kyna and Dubh watched as I pulled out the button. The structure vibrated as the shield receded from the ground back up to the ceiling.

  “Remarkable,” Kyna muttered under her breath. “Fabulous demonstration of magic.”

  The messenger entered the structure, appearing to be tired and dirty. “Headmaster Wavernjack,” the messenger panted.

  “Yes, Neils. Is it what I have feared?” Wavernjack stated, appearing worried.

  “Worse.”

  “Tell me.”

  “The Demon Lord’s forces have descended on Arne. It’s not looking good,” reported the messenger.

  Cecily slapped my arm to get my attention. “Ed, where’s Arne?” Cecily asked, whispering under her breath not to disturb the Headmaster.

  “From what I remember from geography class, it’s a tiny coastal town, about three days ride from Gilmore,” I answered.

  “This does not sound good,” whispered Yves to Cecily and I. “Seems like Abraxas has returned.”

  “So it does,” I muttered. “So it does.”

  Chapter Five

  “Gather at the dueling squares, now. Tell everyone you see on your way,” commanded Headmaster Wavernjack with immediacy in his voice to me and my friends. The sound of his voice sent shivers down my spine as I nodded, wide-eyed at news of the return of the Demon Lord.

  “Kyna, Dubh, alert the Counsel to gather the students of the school,” Wavernjack commanded to his accompanying professors.

  “What do you think is going on?” Yves whispere
d to me.

  “I haven’t a clue,” I answered.

  As Headmaster Wavernjack passed by me to leave our structure, he muttered under his breath, “Keepers of the realm of the dead, postpone Hamon’s departure until I can escort him with safe passage, if today is his day.”

  Hamon! Did I hear Headmaster Wavernjack correctly? Hamon is recovering in Arne? He must be. “Did you hear that?” I whispered to Yves.

  “Hear what?” she asked.

  “I’ll tell you later,” I whispered back. “Let’s join everyone at the dueling squares where the rest of our school is assembling.”

  She nodded and said to Cecily and Walter, “Come on guys, you heard the Headmaster. Let’s go!” We bolted for the dueling squares, telling everyone we passed on our way to follow us.

  As we neared the dueling squares, most of the school was there already, thanks to Kyna and Dubh for getting the word out.

  A few moments later, while the dueling squares filled up with all of the students of Draererth, Headmaster Wavernjack entered the area. As the stoic half-orc, cloaked in a white and ivory robe came to the center of the dueling square, all the students quieted down and stood at attention. My friends and I were in between crowds of students, some older and some younger, and all had the feeling of worry over their faces and waited to hear from the leader of Draererth of what this was all about.

  “Students! It is with great distress and alarm that I must inform you that the Demon Lord has once again crawled his way back from the depths of the Abyss,” started Seaster Wavernjack.

  An audible gasp came from the crowds, and panic that seeped out of their pores permeated my body as well. “Oh no!” one student muttered right next to me. I saw another form tears in her eyes. Just the mere notion that the Demon Lord was back was enough to send the students of Draererth cowering in the fetal position, inconsolable.

  Seaster continued, “We have been given word early this morning, and I was able to confirm that the Demon Lord is in fact descending on the tiny coastal town of Arne.”