Chapter 6:
As far as taking charge and getting answers, Lucas’s uncle William was a sight to behold. He didn’t hesitate to step between two of the most dangerous battle magi in the country and arguably the most talented professor of his generation.
“We discovered that one of this year’s contestants’ hails from the Warped Isles. That does not make him an assassin,” said Tempo.
“Then why would he lie about his name,” said Magnus Slade.
“I told you, Val’n isn’t a name, it’s a title and they don’t follow the same conventions as us. Anyone who serves a house takes on the family name,” said Tempo.
“Which means the Dare’s sent him. All the more reason to lock him up,” said Creed.
“Dammit Creed, did you not hear a word I said. You could be locking up the equivalent of a Prince,” said Tempo, “How do you think the Dare’s would react?”
“Enough,” said William, “Slade why do you think he entered the tournament?”
“I can’t be certain but I agree with Magnus Creed,” said Slade, “The man’s dangerous.”
“Magnus Creed?” said William.
“He has the look of killer, cold and dispassionate,” said Creed, “We shouldn’t risk putting him in the arena with your nephew.”
William chewed on his lower lip then he shifted one of the chairs at his war table so it was lined up perfectly with the table, “Magister what’s your take?”
“His people are stoic and proud. That does not make them killers,” said Tempo, “He could be here for any number of reasons. We should treat him as a guest, not as a criminal.”
“I agree,” said William, “We’re not imprisoning someone just for entering the tournament. Foreigner or not.”
“I implore you Promagnus,” said Slade, “We must do something.”
“Be careful Magnus,” said William as he tucked his spellrod into his belt then he walked back to his desk and took a seat, “I didn’t say I’d do nothing. Magister, can you escort my nephew to the arena, and send for Ms. Rios.”
“Yes sir,” said Tempo as he waved Lucas over, “Come on son. This is no business for a young man.”
Is it. Seriously is it. Because this conversation sounded like exactly what he needed to hear. Lucas shuffled the papers on his uncles’ desk to buy some time, then accidently dropped the entire stack of papers on the floor.
“Leave it,” snapped his uncle before Lucas could reach for a single paper.
He was about to snatch his schedule when Tempo snapped his fingers. The loudest sound he’d ever heard resonated inside his skull then he heard Tempo’s voice as if it was his own thoughts. “Wait for me in the hall.”
Lucas’s feet were moving before he even realized it. Whatever magic Tempo used it was more than a simple sound spell, or ability. There was a subtle persuasion buried under his words like a subliminal message. No wonder he was considered the top of his class. There was no point resisting so Lucas collected his thoughts and left the room.
The moment he entered the hall he felt his mind fully clear. Damn, that room, those people. They were in a league of their own. He survived, and that was a victory.
Translocation spell or not, he did not have a chance against his uncle or his generals. He flopped against the nearest wall and tried desperately to steady his breathing. He failed. No he didn’t just fail he felt his vision narrow, his chest tighten. What the hell did Tempo do to him. His heart felt like it was going to explode out of his chest.
The next thing he knew Tempo was kneeling beside him, “Relax, its alright. It’s alright, you’re safe,” then his voice resonated in his head again, “Calm down.”
His body obeyed without question and the next thing he knew he was walking down the hall a half step behind Magister Tempo. He tried to speak, no demand what was going on but the words died in his mouth. Anger set in and he tried again more forceful, his shouts came out as a whisper. In a panic he reached for his Blessing to use mana and add weight to his words but still they came out as air. It wasn’t until Tempo kicked open the front door to the mansion that he felt his chest loosen and his mind clear.
“What did you do to me,” asked Lucas a little louder than he intended.
Tempo stopped and spun around so fast that he put himself face to face with Lucas, “I did you a favor. You are my student starting today, so keep that mouth shut until I say otherwise. Understood?” when Lucas didn’t answer fast enough Tempo snapped his fingers and his voice resonated in his head again, “Understood Initiate?”
“Yes, yes I heard you,” snapped Lucas as fast as he could. Hot damn, Tempo seemed like such a quiet and gentle man. How wrong he was.
“Good, now follow,” said Tempo then he turned on his heel and walked down the front steps of the mansion, “I wish you had not heard what was spoken earlier but such as it is. I will not waste time excluding you from my agenda.”
“Which is,” asked Lucas with hesitation.
“We are going to speak to this Val’n Dare,” said Tempo, “Your presence will help to add weight to this meeting.”
“I’m sorry, add weight?” asked Lucas.
“Your father made a pact with his people to end hostilities,” said Tempo, “I want to know if he’s here to honor the pact or to violate it.”
“And I’m supposed to do what?” asked Lucas.
“Give him a proper greeting, then keep your mouth closed and let me do the talking,” said Tempo.
Well fuck you too Tempo. It was nice to be away from his uncle, but Tempo was turning out to be a real cock sucker. The worst part he wasn’t shy about using his power to push him around. Well if that was the game he wanted to play.
Lucas may have had a half dozen reasons to hide his skill around his uncle William, but there was nothing stopping him around Tempo. Based on the last few minutes it seemed like Tempo and his uncle weren’t close. On top of that Lucas was not about to have two people using him.
“No,” said Lucas then he slammed his eyes shut and grasped his spellrod, “Lumina maxima repente.”
The spell sent a chill up his arm, but it took hold. A moment later a blinding light shot into the ground. The perfect spell to blind someone and escape.
Or so he thought. Tempo clamped a hand around Lucas’s wrist, then with a wave of his spellrod, he extinguished Lucas’s light spell.
“You’re going to give me quite the headache if you keep that up,” said Tempo.
“How’d you,” said Lucas as his mind raced to comprehend how Magister Tempo snuffed out his spell.
“How’d I what? Interrupt your spell,” said Tempo, “You are not the first troublesome student I’ve had to deal with.”
“I’m not troublesome,” said Lucas.
“No?” asked Tempo, “Unfinished projects, incorrect mana conversions, sloppy spell translations, and yet just now you performed a perfect third-year light spell. Oh, and that’s not to mention your usage of Gershwig’s terra habitus this morning. A spell that I personally had removed from our curriculum two years ago.”
“That’s… what are you accusing me of?” said Lucas but he knew the truth. If Tempo was suspicious, so was his uncle.
Tempo stopped walking, and clutched Lucas’s shoulder, “Nothing son, nothing. I know where you come from, and I’m aware of the difficulties you face,” then he held up his spellrod, “But don’t think me a fool.”
“I don’t think you’re a fool,” said Lucas then he looked at Tempo. For a moment he thought to spill his guts. Tempo was powerful, he could protect him from his uncle. And he would have been lying if he said he didn’t want someone to lean on. His mother was always there for him to provide comfort, but she was never burdened with the truth of their family. And he refused to lay his problems on her shoulders.
“I know,” said Tempo, then he let Lucas go and continued to the west lawn, “put the spellrod away.”
Like it or not, Tempo had control of the situation, so Lucas stowed his spellrod, “Sorry,
I…”
“No need to apologize,” said Tempo.
“Okay,” said Lucas then he stowed his spellrod and dropped into something that made him feel right at home. Silence. To his credit Tempo handled the silence quite well. Still as soon as they reached the west lawn, he was the first one to speak.
“You know I can keep you quiet if I want to,” said Tempo.
“I am aware,” said Lucas.
“I’d rather not, so if you want to be involved, tell me what you know about the house of Dare?” asked Tempo.
“Not much, my uncle calls them pirates and brigands. Although they’ve ruled the Shifting Seas since the continent was first colonized, and not once have they attempted to expand their base of power,” said Lucas.
“And who do you think ferried most of us here?” asked Tempo.
“The Dare’s fleet,” said Lucas.
“Indeed,” said Tempo, “When the colonies split, there was no ruling family better suited to conquer the continent than the Dare’s, yet they did no such thing. They stuck to their little isles and ruled the seas with brutal efficiency, but that is all.”
“So why get involved at all?” asked Lucas.
“Excellent question,” said Tempo, “I’ll get there but first tell me what makes them so special?”
“They are the sole holders the Insatiable Blessing,” said Lucas.
“Close, they are the only ones who have been able to live a full life with a tier four void blessing like Insatiable,” said Tempo, “There have been others, but they usually die within a year or two.”
“Did you have a point?” asked Lucas.
“They are arguably the most capable ruling house on the continent, so why come here at all? Send an assassin to kill your brother in the middle of a public arena, unlikely,” said Tempo, “Even more unlikely, that the assassin is also a prince.”
“They need help?” asked Lucas.
“Perhaps,” said Tempo, “I don’t know much about the Warped Isles but from all accounts it is a brutal culture. A show of strength before asking for help seems logical.”
Lucas stopped and motioned toward one of the mini stadiums that were used for the preliminary duels. Sure enough, Val’n Dare was engaged in a duel at that very moment. Though to call it a duel seemed wrong, because all he did is dance around while his opponent peppered him with mana bolts, “That is a show of strength?”
“Keep watching,” replied Tempo.
The show went on for several minutes, and somehow Val’n Dare danced away from damn near everything that was thrown at him. The few bolts that he could not dodge he deflected by striking them with his charged spellrod. The display was something Lucas had never seen, and if nothing else his athleticism was impressive.
The duel made it clear he was extremely dangerous in close quarters but, he showed no aptitude for spellwork, enchantment or mana control. Given time, skill in those areas was far superior to any martial ability. As he watched the duel the only reason Lucas wondered about Val’n’s strength was the simple fact that Val’n Dare’s family held a rare and powerful blessing.
Then Val’n won his duel with a single manabolt. It was nothing special, no homing spell, no acceleration spell. His attack was a simple midlevel manabolt but his opponent was so drained of mana that he didn’t even try to dodge. The bolt caught him in the center of his chest and even though it was a weak bolt, his opponent conceded defeat.
“If I was supposed to see something, you best tell me now,” said Lucas then he pointed in the direction Val’n was headed, “Because he’s leaving.”
Tempo looked like he was about to say something but only for a moment before he walked over to the stadium’s exit. Lucas followed him in silence but as soon as they reached the exit Tempo found his words, “Regardless of your opinion of dueling; he is in essence a prince. I expect your best behavior.”
“You should worry more about what you will say,” said Lucas, “And less about me.”
As soon as he finished speaking Val’n stepped into view. He paused, took one look at Tempo and continued toward them at a slow steady gate. His face looked like a statue but that didn’t stop Tempo from moving to block Val’n’s path.
When Val’n was within ten feet, Tempo dropped to a knee and dipped his head, “Val’n ko Val’ken von Dare,” then he took a knee and raised his hand toward Lucas, “Lord Lucas ko Waylon von Santi.”
Val’n slipped his hand through the loop of leather on his spellrod and let it dangle from his wrist, then he placed his hand over his chest and made the slightest of bows, “Kel’von, Lord Lucas von Santi.”
“Kel’von,” said Lucas even though he did not know what it meant. It was a greeting of some sort and as a rule of thumb. It was always more polite to use someone’s native language.
“You are a true testament to your people’s strength,” said Tempo as he stood up and dipped his head, “In recognition of your skill we would like to wish you luck in today’s tournament and I personally would like to extend an invitation to tour Waystar Academy.”
“Thank you,” said Val’n, “I will consider this offer.”
“You’re welcome,” said Tempo then he stood up, “There is also a bit of business that we would like to discuss. In private.”
Val’n stared at Tempo for several seconds, his face emotionless and unyielding, then he turned to Lucas and looked at him from head to toe, “No.”
It was the look of a wolf before it struck a pack of sheep. The way a predator sized up its prey, or a bully searched for his next victim. As small and weak as he might be, Lucas was not a sheep, or someone’s prey. And he was most certainly not going to be bullied.
Lucas moved aside to let Val’n walk past them then glanced at Tempo. He was frozen in place as he watched Val’n leave; helpless to do anything. If they were going to stop him, Lucas would need to come up with something fast.
Chapter 7:
As Val’n Dare walked away his display in the duel suddenly made sense. He was not in the tournament to make some show of strength. He was there to test them. He wanted to see if they were worthy allies. The best way to stop him from leaving was to give him what he wanted. To do that, only one spell came to mind, but it was not something Lucas had practiced. The mana cost was way too high to perform at his current level. He would need to use his Blessing to enrich his mana just to have a chance at success.
There was no other optoinn, so Lucas moved farther into the walkway to put space between himself and Tempo then he activated his Blessing and channeled every ounce of mana he had into his spellrod.
“Obex Proxima Incendio Infernale,” said Lucas then he jerked his spellrod from left to right in a straight line. The spell took a full five seconds to activate but as soon as it took hold a wall of flames sprang up in front of Val’n. Demon flame to be exact, one of the few types of magic that a void blessing could not dispel. At his current level the spell would not hold for more than a few seconds but that didn’t matter. The message was in the execution, not the duration.
Val’n’s two strengths were useless, no dodging, and no dispel.
Tempo clearly did not find it funny but Val’n Dare on the other hand cracked a sidelong grin, “Lord Lucas von Santi,” then he turned to Tempo, “You are a testament to your people’s strength,” and back to Lucas, “Where is it you would like to speak?”
Lucas tucked away his spellrod, and said “Magister,” without looking up. Then he took a deep breath and prepared himself for the inevitable mind-numbing headache. Within seconds it hit him and all he remembered was Tempo catching under the arm.
Vaguely he recalled Tempo leading him and Val’n into a medical tent and sitting him down.
The first portion of the conversation was almost entirely a blur, because his mind was too shattered to make sense of anything.
He could just barely hear over the ringing in his ears and his vision was too sensitive to the light for him to focus on any single point. Without a doubt if Magister Tempo ha
d not taken the lead in conversation and Lucas had not looked so young Val’n Dare would have been insulted.
As his mind started to clear the first voice he heard was Val’n Dare, “I have spoken on the matter Magister.”
“Please reconsider,” said Tempo, “If you truly want help this is not the way.”
“It is my way,” said Val’n as he stood up to leave, “And I do not want help, my people are in need of capable sorcerers.”
“Well I fear that if you proceed you not only risk your life, but you also risk the opportunity to form an alliance,” said Tempo.
“The future is unknown. I do not fear the unknown, and nor should you,” said Val’n then he dipped his head to Lucas, “Kel’von.”
Lucas lowered his head, “Farewell.”
As soon as Val’n walked away Magister Tempo dropped the soundproof bubble he had created and cursed under his breath, “I need to get you to the arena.”
“Give me a moment,” said Lucas, “My head is still spinning.”
“Serves you right,” said Tempo, “Casting that spell was beyond reckless,” then he grabbed Lucas’s auraband.
Lvl. 5 Human Male: Lucas Santi
Exp. 2,134/2,441
130/130 Health.
3/298 Mana.
72/93 Stamina.
Transcendent Blessing
Mana type – Spirit
Inherent Ability – Transcend
“Bloody hell,” said Tempo, “You don’t even have enough mana for the spell.”
“I had enough to use my blessing to enrich the mana,” said Lucas.
“How much did you channel?” asked Tempo.
“I’m not sure I had to calculate it on the fly, around 520,” said Lucas.
“Be careful young man,” said Tempo, “Your mana limit is there for a reason. You channel beyond that limit and it causes damage. Irreparable damage.”
The Whetstone Fist 3 Page 4