Abby watched as the Head Proctor closed his fist as all the energy in the room collapsed in and condensed on him. Even the circle she stood upon winked out of existence as a white light flashed outward from the Head Proctor in a pulse. The pulse was an ability that sealed away the noise in the room, muting every single sound and voice except his own. "Whoever he is, he’s more than just an Engineer." Abby was awestruck.
"You all forget yourself." The Head Proctor snarled in anger as he whipped his head around in accusation. Ensuring that all knew they had fallen sort and grievously breached decorum. For those for whom his gaze fell upon lingered, there would be suffering and consequences. To challenge him again would be treasonous.
"I invoke the right of Carnuficor, the next one of you to talk out of turn, to challenge my authority, and my word is to be executed by my hand on the spot. Understand this. You will have no further warnings." The Head Proctor settled back into his position and released the spell that had overtaken the rest of the assembly. The silence replaced by rapid breathing and gasps of fear.
To Abby, the sheer display of power was terrifying. It took everything she had to not run away in panic, everything she had to steel her will to quell her trembling hand and quiet her beating heart. In her head, she repeated the mantra, "Never quit." Using it as a way to control her fear. Judging by the shaking and trembling bodies of the few Proctors she could see, Abby wasn’t alone in that fear.
"Child of Micah," Said the Head Proctor, a man Abby was finding herself gravitating towards, almost in recognition, knowing on some level he was her kin. Knowing that such a powerful man must have been a close servant of the Emperor. "You have been pulled from the testing grounds because it was determined you would have died within the testing room of the school of the Water. Those with an affinity for Fire would have been able to create air and absorb breathable air from the water. Those with an affinity for Wind would have been able to create a pocket of air to pass safely through the water. Those with an affinity for Earth could have diverted the water elsewhere, and those who an affinity for Water had nothing to fear. With no hope for success, you still did not quit, and this has been noted."
"But, you child." Scolded the Head Proctor, "You would have refused to acknowledge your own limits, putting your life in danger, and none of us would have seen until it was too late. Had it not become noticeable that you lacked the power to do so. Tell me, Child of Micah, and be honest, have you been able to bind an element to yourself?"
Abby bit her lip, not wanting to say out loud the secret she had been keeping to herself. "No, Proctor, I have not. Though I have been diligent in my studies and my training. I have been unable to bind myself to any of the elemental schools, even as many of my peers have bound themselves to multiple schools. I still am able to create constructs using the magic I have been trained in, and I am told I still have vast reservoirs of magic. I just have been unable to apply an element to it."
The Head Proctor nodded, casting a glare past her at the rest of the assembly, ensuring that none of them dared to break decorum. "I invoke the law of Secre. Let all who hear this. Take this secret to your grave. Let no gossip or rumor spread about this. For those who do, your life will be owed to the Emperor and gladly taken as this girl is to serve the Empire still."
Looking back at the girl, the proctor spoke up. "You have a good understanding of the fundamentals we like to see in Engineers, but not having an elemental affinity is a problem that cannot be overcome by will power and determination alone. I offer you in these sacred halls one opportunity. An opportunity that is not kind or comforting but rather cruel and vicious, Unbecoming to bequeath to a child, but I bequeath it willingly in the hope that you will accept the burden that comes with it. Child of Micah, Abigail Ruthiare, will you bind yourself to the service of the conflicts of the Empire in the school of the Arcane.?"
Her heart racing, realizing she still had a chance to be an Engineer. Abby responded without hesitation without needing to think it through. "Yes, I would bind myself to the school of the Arcane.
The Head Proctor nodded in approval as nearby figures tried to voice their disagreement without forfeiting their lives. "Then come forward and accept the copper gauntlet given to all newly appointed Engineers. Rejoice, for you have passed. But know this is not a gift I have given you, but a curse. A way to be a weapon on behalf of the Empire. Our enemies amass at our borders, and for you, Child of Micah, conflicts will be many. Do you accept this burden?"
Some might argue that Abby did not know what she was agreeing to, being too young or too naive. Still, for her, she knew exactly what she wanted out of life to be an Engineer, and this was the only way to do so. In her heart, she knew turning down the offer would be the end of her dreams.
"I accept and understand Head Proctor," Abby responded solemnly, trying to avoid letting her teeth chatter from the cold, trying to not show her giddiness or excitement over finally getting her gauntlet. The gauntlet that would allow her to finally begin her journey. The gauntlet that would allow her to quick cast constructs and allow her to store blueprints in a way that automated and even randomized the magical processes. E
The Head Proctor looked at her, a smile on his face as if he had secured for himself some degree of victory in an otherwise impossible situation. The smile was a lapse in decorum, but Abby was positive after his show of power that no one would correct him. "Come forward then Child of Micah, so that you may receive the branding of the Arcane, the symbol of the Infinite Ouroboros. As the eldest Arcane user in this room, I will deliver the branding,"
Chapter 7: The Lengths of Family
Late into the night following the graduation ceremony of the winter solstice class of Engineers, the Headmaster of the Mason Academy, the silver-blood Porthos stared at the name on the top of the paper before him. The list of those who had passed their tests, a list given to him by the Emperor’s Chamberlain, Leon. The implications made his stomach turn with worry. At the top of the list was the name of his granddaughter, Abby, and next to her name were the assigned orders.
By the light of a flickering candle, the Headmaster scribbled a letter underneath the name on the piece of parchment he had been staring at. Doing cross-comparisons between the paper given to him by the Chamberlain, and the letter he was writing. Secretive and cautious, as if he was terrified of being discovered. Casing furtive glances around the room at every passing shadow and sudden noise. He needed to make sure no one could see what he was doing or interrupt his work.
A knock at the door startled him as the Headmaster hurriedly folded the letter into three pieces and placed it into a leather envelope. Sealing the letter shut with the wax seal of the Mason’s Academy and his personal seal alongside it. Thus, marking the letter with his authority as a Silver-blood and ranking member of the Empire, and on his authority as the Headmaster. The orders inside the envelope were one of the first sets of orders he would draft that night on behalf of the needs of the Empire and by the directive of its Emperor.
"Just one moment, I’ll be with you in a second." The Headmaster shouted irritably, making sure his voice didn’t betray any of his unease he felt as he heard a second impatient knock at the door. A knock of light rapping mixed with the urgency of youth. He recognized the knock and his fear lessened, allowing him to somewhat relax. The Headmaster looked at the sealed message on his desk with an expression of worry and moved it aside out of view while the seal cooled and hardened.
"Come in, granddaughter. Come in out of the cold and tell me about your day," The Headmaster called out in fondness. There was only one person he trusted to visit him at this hour. Any other visitor would have been cause for great concern. The Headmaster already knew what this late night visit was about.
His granddaughter, among the score of new graduates of the Academy, was making her final rounds to say goodbye before reporting in at the stables in the morning to the caravan authority. Her current orders unknown to her, only that she was to ship out according to the needs
of the Empire. Needs that he knew would take her directly into harm’s way. The Headmaster had seen the reports. Enemies were massing for an invasion of sorts, and only a few old men retained the power to defend the nation. Too many of the young had perished during the rebellion.
The Headmaster watched as his granddaughter tentatively opened the door and flashed him a smile. A girl, showing all of 14-years of her life, walked through the door, somehow different then she had been in the morning, standing taller, straighter, and full of pride. A cooper gauntlet on her hand that thrummed with a glow of arcane energy and illuminated a soft purple. She shook a light blanket of snow out of her red hair, leaving the night cold behind as even her breath still showed the cold. A sheepish look on her face as she realized she'd made a mess on the floor as the snow melted into a puddle.
In dramatic exacerbation, the Head Master waved her over to come close. "It's fine, Abby; just shut the door. You're letting the warm out, and at this rate, we will both die of the cold. I take it the test went well?”
With a smile, she shut the door behind her. "I made it Abuelo. I made it. I’m an Engineer now." Holding up as she spoke, the cooper gauntlet she was wearing bearing the mark of the Mason's Guild. Proof bestowed upon her, the gauntlet both a sign of both power and authority. "I didn’t do so well during the test. I didn’t think they would listen to my petitioning to join them. I didn’t think the Proctors would approve me to graduate and join the Engineers after my poor showing. Especially not after they found out I don’t have an element."
The Headmaster nodded in approval, careful to keep his thoughts to himself on the matter. his smile wide, showing a toothy grin. "Yes, yes, you did my chicatica. I'm so proud of you, and I know your parents would be proud of you too. Oh, if only they could only see you now. It's no failure, only a minor setback. I'm sure the others all see your potential. Just like I do, you deserve this honor. Graduate! An Engineer at last. A mere cadet no longer."
"And…. " Said the Headmaster as he started drawing out the moment while reaching towards his granddaughter’s Engineer gauntlet. "Judging from this purple hue, you bound yourself to the Arcane. I do not envy you, granddaughter. You have chosen a hard path to power. I hope it bodes better for you than it did your father."
"Thank you, abuelo, and I know it will be hard. I just need you to know, I’ll be ok. I promise. You've always been there for me, but this is something I need to do for" Abby responded, with sincerity, her tone one of gratitude and pride in her accomplishment as she wrapped the Headmaster in a hug.
"So tell me, my little one, how does it feel to finally be an Engineer?" Asked the Headmaster, lightly teasing her, eager to hear her thoughts, and just as eager to change the subject.
"It feels amazing abuelo." Abby said in excitement, moving her arms and hands as she talked. "All that training and all those lessons finally paid off, I graduated, I can finally serve the Empire just like you do. Even if I’m still a little lacking, I know I can find a way to make up for it."
The Headmaster smiled sadly and lied to her, "Yes, yes, you can my chicatica, but I have wanted so much more for you then to aspire to grow up to be an old servant of the Empire like me. You know this position was bestowed upon me, something given only to Engineers who have served in times of great strife or war. It is an honor I'd prefer to skip you. Apologies, granddaughter, let an old man have his wishes. But also let me give you one thing, a present."
Abby frowned, not really sure how to respond to his comments. "Its ok Abuelo, I know you're worried and just trying to take care of me. It's just been the two of us for the longest time. You’re going to have to find a hobby Abuelo. Anyways, whats this present you have for me?"
With a laugh, Master Porthos tried to dispel his melancholy. "Of that, you are correct. I'm glad you stopped by tonight. I've been given permission to go ahead and give you your first set of orders and didn't want to try and track you down later" The Head Master grabbed the sealed envelope and reached into his desk, grabbing a small stack of glowing papers, and handed the papers to Abby. "These are blueprints. One for an Arrow Tower, one for a basic wall, and one for a labyrinth. They should serve you well."
Abby grabbed the papers, which disappeared in a flash of light, absorbed by the gauntlet. "Awesome grandpapa! So tell me about my orders? What are they? Is it the Goblins? Or the Elves acting out again? I'm ready, you know." The girl could hardly contain her excitement to deploy towards the front before being chided.
With an edge of seriousness, the Headmaster responded, "As my granddaughter, you'll need to work twice as hard to get half as far. Give them no reason to say I have given you too much favor."
"Yes, Headmaster." She replied docilely in obvious irritation. Hoping to appease him by agreeing, even though it was apparent, the warning was lost on her.
With a sigh, the old man handed his granddaughter the envelope. "At dawn, you'll need to head out with the rest of the graduates. I'm charging you to deliver this letter to an old friend of mine. He is an Artifact Builder though he has not bound himself to any school except the Arcane. Still, I had heard rumors he was researching ways to bind himself to the schools of Wind and Fire. He should help you with some of your training. Make sure to give away the things you can't carry with you to the remaining Cadets. The more you carry, the more it weighs you down."
"You will need to travel to the town of Quincy in the East. My old friend will help you from there, you just need to track him down. You’ll be needing to investigate some rumors of monsters on the front. Once you arrive, you’ll need to take your orders from him until your probationary period is over. You’ll be informed when this is. Remember, his name is Nicodemus, and Nicodemus is a stickler for rules, so old friend or not, always refer to him as Nicodemus."
"Yes, Abuelo. Why do I even need to go though? Can't you teach me or have me join a more local team? That should be easy enough. I know you have the authority to make it even. I’d be ok even being on one of the scout times so long as I could still focus on advancing my abilities." Abby responded dubiously and uncertain about how her grandfather was acting.
"Because as Master, I am ordering you to do it, Abby, and that should be enough, and because the Emperors Chamberlain has ordained it." Replied Master Porthos with finality. His heart broke when he saw his granddaughter's face harden towards him, but there was little he could do about it. There were some things he couldn't save her from and some things she needed to learn, even if the learning hurt her.
Without saying goodbye, she turned from him, storming out of the study in anger, leaving her grandfather behind to stew in his regrets.
The Headmaster could only stare in worry as he watched her walk away,
The words "Be safe chicatica," carrying on the wind behind her.
Chapter 8: Last Goodbye
Abby ran with tears of frustration in her eyes. Going straight from the Headmaster's quarters on the edge of the Academy grounds into the dormitory. As she ran out into the snow, Abby heard her grandfather’s words but ignored them. Enough had already been said. If she had any regrets, it was that she had given so much of her time before leaving to her grandfather while making the rest of the people she cared about wait. The hour was already going to be too late to say goodbye to everyone else she wanted to. Abby had thought she would have the rest of the evening to make sure she parted on good terms with the remainder of the staff and give away her things to the underclassmen.
She could still say those goodbyes but no longer had any desire to do so, not after the way the conversation with her grandfather had turned. Abby knew her grandfather was just trying to look out for her and impart on her helpful advice. But if she could rewind the last few hours, she would have chosen to say her final goodbyes to her friends and skip the talk with her grandfather altogether. It had been the second-lowest point of her evening.
Head downcast as she pushed through the door of her dorm building, she bounded up the stairs. Ignoring all of her classmates that clustered in t
he halls and their low whispers about news from the fronts. Abby was just barely able to catch the headline. "Clivesdale destroyed by monsters." If she had been feeling less angry, she might have bothered to ask about it, but instead, she ran straight to the room that had been hers for the majority of the last four years. The congratulations and well wishes of her peers were wholly lost on her in the foul mood she found herself in.
Once safely inside her room, Abby slammed the door shut behind her and locked it, enjoying the silence. Hoping it would help her to quell her thoughts. The last thing she wanted was to talk to anyone. She didn’t wish to be disturbed. Abby let herself fall over and laid across her bed, hugging the pillow into her face as she screamed in frustration into the covers to muffle the noise. It was a short-lived cry of born of doubt. Talking with her grandfather had only touched on the real issue. Despite how happy she had pretended to be, Abby felt like an imposter. She knew she didn’t deserve to be an Engineer.
Today should have been a day of celebration, and for many of her classmates, it was. But Abby didn't feel like celebrating. She was the only Engineer that didn’t have an element. The Arcane hardly even counted. She would be unable to use its power until whenever she could manage to get to the front lines and see some action. In the meantime, it was useless to her. Meanwhile, her peers could put their abilities to use immediately.
Of all the elemental schools, she had an affinity for none. Though Abby could still raise towers and constructs, they were mostly useless. The school of the Wind would not increase the effects of winds to speed her attacks. The school of the Fire would not provide its flames to her arrows. The school of the Water would not soak the ground and slow her enemies or add frost effects to projectiles. The school of the Earth would not rend the Earth and stun those that come against her. She had nothing.
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