by Roharp17
The Archwizard looked up at that, "She showed those to you?"
Danny flung out a dismissive had, "I saw it when I was little and remembered it. Now tell me what happened," the last part came out as a scream, and the three adult tensed waiting for another small hurricane.
"It was decided after that night that no one should speak of what happened, a decree from the head of the Diadem family," the old wizard said quietly.
"Then who can rescind the order and tell me," asked Danny.
The Archwizard shook his head, "You don't understand, Danny, the only people who know about what actually happened, were your mother and the previous head of the Diadem family."
"The current head of the Diadem family was not told the specifics but made to promise that this knowledge should not escape your mother as it somehow endangers us all. I wish we could tell you but we can't, and the only person that can will die if it is found out she told you," the Archwizard said apologetically.
Danny sunk to the ground and covered his head in silent frustration.
"Danny, why is it so important that you know," said the old man, as he hesitatingly put a hand on Danny's back.
"No one told me anything but I have guessed a few things and I have some sort of... innate knowledge. I can't explain," Danny said, looking up at the older man, "Based on what you have just told me, if I were to tell you, we would all have to die."
A note from Roharp17
Edited: Removed innacuracy of Danny having a water stone reference. Thanks flakes!
Chapter 26
The Archwizard handed Danny a cup of tea saying, "Here, drink this Danny it will help you feel better,"
Taking the cup form his hands, Danny sat in a chair at the small table in the Archwizard’s office. He stared into the contents of the cup as if they would give him the answers he needs.
The Archwizard squatted down next to Danny's chair and asked, "Danny, look at me. Out there in the glade, were you using mana manipulation?"
Danny looked up at the man with wide eyes. He paused briefly before slowly nodding.
The old man took a deep breath and said, "What level is yours at?"
"Seven," Danny said reluctantly.
The Archwizard actually fell backwards onto his rear, and thought for a minute before asking, "You’re a sorcerer... Is that how you beat the exams?"
"No, I only used spells because I was concerned about... being found out," Danny said dejectedly.
A confused look crossed the Archwizard’s face, "Why were you scared about us knowing?"
Danny looked up at him, "No one could do what I can do. Everyone uses spells. Your mana lines are ripped open with those ancient keys, and your maximum mana regeneration and flow rates are set. The mana moves through your bodies inconsistently and mana is stored the same way.
I, on the other hand, unlocked my own mana. My mana moves consistently through my body. My mana is stored consistently through my body. As far as I can tell, my mana regeneration and flow rates are increasing steadily as I use more magic. I was scared what you would... are going to do, now that you know I hold these secrets..."
The Archwizard spoke softly saying, "Danny we have known about how sorcerers unlocked their mana since the beginning. Decades of meditation and self-reflection, trying to sense the mana in our bodies. Danny the ones that succeeded were old men and women by the time they were able to unlock their mana. These ancient keys were discovered and gave us the edge we needed to survive.
Every now and then a sorcerer is born, like yourself. The last one was over one hundred years ago. The records state that when he was three he must have had become upset and buried his family alive. At first no one understood what had happened, when all that remained was a flat piece of land and the little boy. Then the boy started riding around on the earth like it was a horse. Before anyone could stop him he lost control of his magic and crashed into the side of a building, dead. The fact that you have survived this long, and stayed hidden, is nothing short of amazing! Especially since your family has been under random surveillance since your birth."
Danny wanted to tell the wizard everything, but if his mother would die for what happened before his birth... He was certain now that they were connected.
Danny looked over at the two women sitting calmly at the table before looking into the Archwizard’s eyes and said, "Storm, what is the Diadem government going to want from me now that they know I exist?"
The Archwizard took on a pensive look before sighing, "Danny, I am part of Diadem, just as you are. They are going to want you strong, just like they want me strong. Why? So that when the next problem arises, we can stand with them to face it."
Danny nodded, seeing the words between words. He was to become a weapon, or a shield.
"Alright, where do we go from here," Danny asked.
The Archwizard got back up and sat in his chair grabbing his cup of tea, to take a sip, "We are going to get you some real world experience. The best way to do that is with an experienced wizard in the field. We also need to find someone who we can trust. Fortunately you have presented us with the perfect alibi. Wizard Basalt is one of us. We work directly for Diadem in a less... publicly known capacity."
Realization dawned on Danny's face, he interrupted, "In other words your Diadem's secret intelligence agency. Sworn to protect the country. They will deny all knowledge of your existence if caught. That sort of thing, right?
"No... Well, actually, yes, exactly like that. Where did you get that information, Danny?"
Danny had difficulty replying with a mouth full of cookie, "Oh, ith's part of the dom't ask dom't die fing."
"Oh yes, well, sounds like you don't need much of an explanation of the risks involved. Makes things easier... This is a lifetime position. Once you join, and you ever choose to leave without approval, you will be hunted down and your family held in close observation until your termination. As head of our wizards, you will be reportable to me. You being a sorcerer will have to be kept as a secret to the public. You will still be called Wizard Creek. You will come with us to our training facility, where you will be paired with a Trio. We can't have more oddities popping up around your training areas. Also, I would rather you learn to use your mana manipulation affectively, than stay here and potentially stunt your growth. The Trio you will be paired with has been trained from the age of seven to be part of our order. We have never had a wizard begin training with us this early, as we seek out potential recruits from promising adepts with three or more affinities. Being as you are a sorcerer, you are a special case. You will train with the assigned Trio until you are ready to assist Wizard Basalt. Without hindering his work, of course."
Danny waited for the pause in the Archwizard’s explanation to ask, "What do you mean by "paired" with a Trio? What kind of work will I be taking on?"
"Oh, for all intents and purposes, you will be contractually bound to this Trio. As for work, it is probably as you expect. Highly dangerous, or of a very sensitive nature. To be more specific, I was impressed with how you took on some of the targets in your air exam. That is one way we look for promising recruits."
"So, I wouldn't get a say on who I get to marry," Danny asked upset.
"You will be paired with a Trio, under a trial period. If you do not work well together during your trial period, then we will select a different Trio. Think of it like a marriage interview, except you will get more time to learn about them than you would in a couple of hour long meetings with your parents present."
Danny had forgotten for a second that that's how marriages were arranged here. Looking up he asked, "What happens if I refuse."
"We will ask that you not say anything about anything we told you here. Then we will follow up with decisive action, should we discover you have said anything. You will go back to being a student, get an apprenticeship with someone less talented than Basalt. After that would be up to you. We would also have to ask that you not use mana manipulation, especially in view of others. As
you guessed, people would not understand. Others would believe your unique ability to unlock your mana could be easily duplicated. They would quit testing their sons for mana and our country, weak, would fall to the other races. Those with your abilities in the past have tried and failed to help unlock another's mana. One person cannot affect another's mana directly."
"I will be allowed to use mana manipulation if I agree to work with you. What if our work has me needing to use it in front of others," Danny asked.
"We have the people and resources needed to cover up any issues that arise. Most people won't recognize what you’re doing when you use mana manipulation. If you were to reject our offers and be caught, you would not be able to keep it under wraps for long. Just like how the attendee at the training facility discovered you."
Danny wanted more time to think, but he guessed this was a onetime offer. If he accepts, and he gets to become stronger, stronger than he would by himself. The acceptance will come at the cost of a loss freedom. He declines and he could end up being a great wizard, but he would be stuck using spells. Exchanging one prison for another. There was the option to try his luck with the other races. The beastmen were probably not an option, too much animosity. The dwarves sounded unfriendly and reclusive. The elves might take him in... He doubted the Diadem government would let someone as potentially powerful as him just up and leave...
Danny looked around the room in thought. Finally he turned towards the Archwizard, "I accept."
The Archwizard smiled, while he reached out and shook Danny's hand, "Excellent! Welcome aboard. Now let's begin with introductions." Turning to indicate the two women. "As you will be traveling with Wizard Basalt, you will also be traveling with these two ladies and the other member of their Trio. Danny, this is Brianna and Wren Basalt."
Danny smiled and exchanged pleasantries with the two women, who just earlier, had almost cut him into pieces.
The one introduced as Wren said, "Our husband would not shut up about your exam performance."
Chuckling Brianna added, "Yes, even after we threatened to kick him out of the house unless he stopped. It's good to know you wanted to apprentice under him."
Danny had worried they would keep on those emotionless masks all the time. Embolden by their sudden friendliness, Danny jokingly said, "I'm glad you two will be coming along. Wizard Basalt is very powerful and I can imagine he can be quite a handful."
Both the women smiled knowingly and Brianna added, "Our husband tends to act that way when he is not on a mission. He says it helps him unwind."
Wren just rolled her eyes.
Danny looked over to see the Archwizard drinking tea and smiling at their affableness together. Setting his tea down, the Archwizard said, "Let's go meet up with everyone else."
After grabbing Danny's things from his room, he was quickly led out of the wizard’s academy. He wanted to say goodbye to his friends but was told they didn't have the time. He decided that he would send those letters explaining his sudden departure.
They led him to an expensive looking restaurant near the city arena. The area was busy with shoppers and people traveling between the areas of the city. Danny had only ever bought food at the food stands at the market within the outer wall, so he was excited to see what it was like. As they walked in a woman appeared from the side and directed them towards a hallway in the back. The restaurant was evidently popular and the Archwizard waved to a few other wizards and women that Danny guessed were influential in the city.
They were led into a private room. The walls of were lined with mirrors and a large table was laid out with dishes of delicious smelling foods. Danny started to sit down when Wren grabbed the collar of his vest and hauled him back up to keep walking with them. Danny pilfered a roll from the table and looked back to see the woman who led them in waiting at the door they entered. The door was closed and she was leaning back against it.
Brianna reached up next to one of the mirrors on the back wall and fiddled with something Danny couldn't see. The mirror swung inward and they kept walking down a flight of stairs. They eventually reached a corridor guarded by a woman dressed nondescript, like Brianna and Wren. The woman silently nodded to them and they continued on their way. The corridor was long and they walked for quite a while. Danny thought he heard the Archwizard grumble something about old men and long distances. They eventually turned a corner and a doorway opened up into a large cavernous space. The majority of it looked natural. Danny realized the corridor must have been sloped downward and he never noticed. In the distance he could see other doorways cut into the walls. The space was illuminated by numerous light crystals. Danny could see at least a hundred people either standing around talking, moving, or performing some sort of martial arts training.
His group moved towards two people talking by the people training, one Danny recognized. The Archwizard called out, "Wizard Basalt! There you are, I have brought your future apprentice and our newest member."
Wizard Basalt turned to them with a huge grin, "Storm, you brought him, good! I was hoping to get a new apprentice. My last one kept getting lost and I got tired of searching for him. I heard a rumor he decided to become an elf!" The large man laughed putting a hand on his stomach.
"Basalt, don't scare the boy before we can see what he is really capable of," the Archwizard admonished him. "Now come walk with me so that I can catch you up on some recent developments. Danny, you meet the other member of the Basalt family while I update their husband."
Danny watched them leave.
"So, is this him," asked the new woman while smiling at Danny. She looked noble, much like the other two women, except she had dark blonde hair instead of straight black.
Brianna introduced the other woman to him, "Danny, this is the other member of our Trio, Arya."
"Nice to meet you, ma'am," Danny said politely as the woman nodded to him.
Arya looked at the other two asking, "Is he what we've been looking for?"
Brianna nodded while looking around, saying, "Yes, the Archwizard said he didn't have three like we were told, he had five. He also is a sorcerer."
Danny wasn't sure how he felt about being discussed when he was standing right there. He frowned, then again he was only seven and a half.
Arya looked impressed at what Brianna said, and turned to Wren, "What about you?"
Wren just nodded.
Arya let out a puff of air, "Alright, I will talk with Umbra."
Arya left towards one of the doorways. Before Danny could ask any questions the other two women engaged Danny in conversation, asking about his family and academy. The two wizards returned and Basalt came over to Danny shaking his hand, which shook Danny's whole body.
"My new apprentice, I can't wait to begin once you are done here! Train as hard as you can so we can begin the real fun!"
Danny rubbed his hand saying, "Yes, Wizard. As much fun as one can have while endangering one's life."
"Oh, come on now boy, death is always waiting around the corner. It's more fun to go find him and kick him in the shin when he's not looking!" The man laugh echoed around the cavern. The instructor training the group in martial arts looked over annoyed at the disturbance. Now that Danny could see them, they were mostly girls with a few older boys thrown in here and there.
Arya appeared at that moment and didn't look happy with her husband. Pulling down on his ear like a child, the large wizard winced in pain. "With all your noise, you will bring the whole cavern down on us, and then who will be around to laugh at your 'jokes'? Come on everyone Umbra will see us."
They all moved towards the door Arya came out of. It lead to another long corridor.
"Who is this Umbra," Danny finally got to ask.
Brianna turned to him and answered, "She is the head of our order. She is the third daughter of the Diadem family. Anyone you meet here, that is not a wizard, is a third daughter of their noble family. All noble families are required to contribute a child this way."
Danny was
shocked to hear this and wanted to go back. More nobles...
Brianna continued, "Our order assigns Trios based on who works well together. Then later the Trio is paired with a promising wizard selected from the academy. Here station and political maneuverings are not important. What is important, is how well they all work as a team. Our nation faces many threats and these teams are able to turn the tide of battles."
Danny asked, "Are we officially part of the military?"
Brianna replied, "No, but they are aware of our presence and will follow our orders. If anyone else asks you are part of the family you are married to."
The corridor they had been traveling down ended at a door with alcoves on either side. As he passed, Danny noticed they were occupied with guards. They walked into a room with a large table in the middle. The table had a map in the middle with small figurines placed all over it. As he watched a woman walked over and moved one around. There were desks along the walls with people working. Danny recognized men in dusters here and there working alongside the women in the room. They continued to the back of the room, through a pair of doors, and into what looked like a conference room. At a long table sat a woman Danny figured was around the Archwizard’s age. She had a serious air to her.
"Come in and sit down. The others should be with us shortly. Adept Creek, please come sit down here next to me," the woman patted the table to her right.
They all sat down with Danny and the wizards on one side and the Basalt Trio on the other.
"Adept Creek, I am the leader of this order. You may refer to me as Umbra. Archwizard Storm, as you might have guessed, is in charge of identifying and overseeing the development of any young wizards that join our group." Umbra turned toward the Archwizard who sat on the other side of Danny and asked, "Now, I am told Adept Creek has even more potential than we previously thought?"
Clearing his throat the Archwizard replied, "Yes, not only is he a Pentacle, but he is a sorcerer who unlocked his magic at a young age, which allows him to use mana manipulation."