"Mom, I'm going to be late, I have to be there before noon and it’s on the other side of town," Danny complained to his mother.

"I just want to make sure you have everything you need. Now are you sure you packed all your clothes, you can't be running back here whenever you want to," his mother said with a worried look in her eyes.

"Yes mother, I have everything packed, there really isn't that much so it should be an easy trip there," Danny said, not without a little exasperation in his voice.

"Bye Danny, I know Mary is going to miss playing with you in the shop," Barb said as she hugged me.

"I don't know how I'm going to keep up the amount of sales now that you won't be there," complained Sarah, with a smile.

Sarah hugged him and then handed him a small bag.

"Now, Danny, this is from all of us. The wizard academy provides you clothes, food, and a room. That money should help you fill it with most anything else you might need. Keep that hidden now, there are always people looking for an easy purse to snatch," Sarah warned.

"Thank you Sarah, I will spend it wisely," Danny promised.

"Well, you definitely earned it," praised Sarah.

His older sisters gave him a hug each, saying goodbye.

Gary tackled him to the ground, hugging him and saying, "See you next holiday, brother!"

Danny barely had time to sit up after Gary got off of him before he was tackled again by little Mary.

Danny couldn’t help but question, *Is Barb’s whole family naturally freakishly strong?*

"Please don't go, Danny," the normally shy Mary yelled.

Laughing, Danny hugged her and rubbed her back, "Don't worry, I will be back before you know it."

Becoming shy again, Mary walked over behind her mother.

His mother knelt and straightened his clothes.

"Now look here. You’re getting your clothes all dirty. You can't show up at the wizard’s tower with your clothes all dirty," his mother said with tears in her eyes.

After Danny stood up, his mother helped him pick everything up.

Danny and his parents said their last goodbyes and headed out. The trip through town was nothing new for him, until they crossed the river. They went through the inner wall and passed the arena. Surrounding the arena were a number of businesses, but after that it was nothing but one large residence after another. Some of the properties could have held all the houses on Danny's street, with room to spare. Then, there was the large building that Danny had been able to see from his home, the Council Chambers.

His parents had explained that the families that lived in the inner walls were very influential and wealthy, and thus were taxed heavier. The word they used to describe them meant something similar to nobility. Except any family that could afford a home, and the taxes, within the inner walls could become nobility. Like the wealthy merchants inside the outer walls, many generations would live in the same home. Generally the eldest born girl would take over as head of the house once their parents passed on or became unfit. In the Noble houses there were usually one or two Trios per generation that lived in the main house. Any other girls born in these families took on a new family name. His parents also pointed out that it was general practice for the Nobles to seek the most accomplished young wizards for their daughters. Those young wizards remaining were usually married to the wealthiest merchant families within the outer walls.

Danny could definitely see the power structure maintained here. He doubted it was very often a home within the inner walls became available. He also figured an already powerful family could buy any of the available houses for their third or fourth daughter, under a different family name, to create a permanent alliance.

Between the Council Chambers and the city wall, to the north, was the wizard's tower. The tower was a cylindrical, and while taller, was not as wide as the Council Chambers. The tower had a series of three rings of walls around its base. The top of the tower was flat with a ring of battlements. Danny and his parents reached the entrance on the south side of the wizard complex, where other parents were also saying their goodbyes to their sons.

His mom tuned to Danny, “Now, we will come pick you up, so do not come home on your own. I don’t want you getting lost or worse.”

Danny looked up at her and sighed, “Yes mother.”

Suddenly his mother gave him a big hug that lasted a few minutes, before she wiped her eyes and stepped back. She handed over something she had been carrying since they left home.

"Here, I made this for you, please use it well," his mother handed him a large bag with a strap to go over his shoulder. It was perfect for holding books or papers. As with all her creations it held an artistic scene. A lone figure sat with his back to the viewer, sitting on the edge of a small creek. The figure had his arms resting behind him, looking wistfully into the distance. Danny quickly realized the figure had his profile. The creek sat in a field of grass. If you looked closely the grass had waves in it from the wind.

"Thank you mother... I love it and you," Danny said with sincerity.

"I love you to, Danny," Hid mother cried and hugged him. She finally stepped back.

"Try not to blow up the wizard’s tower on the first day, son," his father joked while getting his own hug.

"Dad, you know I don't like to make promises I can't keep," Danny said and smiled at his dad.

Danny turned and entered the academy.

"Name... Name please," Danny slowly realized the wizard at the table on the other side of the entrance was talking to him.

"Danny Creek, sir," Danny said promptly.

"Creek... Creek... here it is. See those piles of vests, shirts, and pants? You are to pick one of each that fits you and grab a bag from the pile with a similar number.

"Than...," Danny began.

"Name! Yes... Yes you! What is your name," the wizard had already moved on to the next student.

Danny looked at the piece of paper handed to him. It read "Dorm #3." Danny went over to the pile of clothes and tried on a few before he discovered what fit him. Then shifting the things he brought he picked up the three bags and went in search of dorm number three. A sign clearly pointed, west, to the dorms, which were apparently in between the outside two walls. As he walked along he noticed that areas, not designated for pathways or buildings, were staged in different scenes from nature. There was a small stream running through one area with a bench. In another area was a number of trees grown close together to resemble a forest. The miniature forest with a path running into it. The dorms were all uniform looking, but the numbers were clearly printed above the main doors.

Entering his assigned dorm, Danny approached the front desk with an older looking wizard sitting behind it. The wizard was reading from a book and didn't immediately look up when Danny approached the desk. The older man had a bald head, large grey beard, and duster of grey and blue. After a few minutes of waiting Danny interrupted the man.

"Excuse me sir, I was told to report to this dorm for further instructions," Danny said politely.

"Wizard," Said the old man.

"I'm sorry," Danny said confused.

Sighing and putting down the book, the old wizard said, "The proper way to address a man in a duster, is Wizard, not sir. Only wizards are allowed to wear them. What did your parents teach you boy?"

"My apologies for my ignorance... Wizard," Danny kept his tone polite.

"Specifically, I am Wizard Dawn. I am in charge of this dorm and anyone who steps inside it. My position here is the Dorm Wizard," explained the wizard.

"I am Danny Creek, it is a pleasure to meet you, Wizard Dawn."

"Hhhm, ignorant but polite, we might get along," Wizard Dawn said with a smile. He immediately quit smiling the second he looked down at a page on his desk, "You are assigned to room twelve on the first floor. As you are an initiate you are on the first floor, if you are able to gain the rank of adept you will be moved to the second floor. The rooms are twice as big and you do not have to share facilities, as you will have your own. Classes start tomorrow at dawn, you are expected to get there on your own. So you know, there is a bell tower located at the dining hall that will sound when there is two hours and again when there is an hour away from dawn. The first is a call to breakfast and the second is a warning that classes start in an hour. Another bell will sound for lunch and supper. An older initiate will come by in a couple of hours to lead everyone to the small arena found on the north side of the inner and outer circles. Lastly, do not steal from your fellow students or the academy and do not fight with anyone on campus." He said the last while looking at Danny's staff. "If a severe enough punishment is warranted, you will not be expelled from the academy, you will be imprisoned. The city does not need untrained initiates, who have proven themselves untrustworthy, running around loose."

"I will be on my best behavior, thank you si... Wizard," Danny said.

Seeing Wizard Dawn immediately go back to his book, Danny decided he was dismissed. Walking down the hallway Danny quickly found his room in the direction he was pointed to, and entered. He halfway expected two or three beds. Instead there was just the one. There was also a small wooden desk, simple dresser, and sturdy looking trunk. In all, very Spartan provisions. His old and new clothes went into separate drawers of the dresser. He put his new bag and alchemy book on the desk.

Turning around he walked across the room and ran into one of two strings that hung down on either side of a hole. The hole was cut into the wood ceiling. He could see a crystal hidden within. Confused he pulled on the longer one and nothing happened. When pulled on the shorter one a panel closed over the hole shutting out the light from the crystal. Danny was impressed.

Going back to the trunk and found a key in the lock. Taking the key out and putting it back in, he locked and tested the trunk. It worked. Looking at the money bag Sarah had given him, Danny decided that the trunk still wasn't the safest place for the money. He went to the corner of the room next to his desk and created a cavity in the stone foundation of the buildings. He placed the bag inside then added a cover to the cavity with enough thickness to support someone standing on it. He decided to test that assumption by jumping on it himself.

Satisfied, Danny looked around to realize he didn't have much to do till called, so he decided to train. He sat on the floor in the middle of his room and began steading his breathing. The whole morning he had been anxious and he needed to calm down so he could focus. Looking around with his mana sight, most of the other rooms were occupied and he could see the initiates moving around. Their mana streams varied in size and their bodies glowed ever so faintly with stored mana. Looking up he didn't see anyone above him, and assumed the initiates were either in class or had a holiday.

After about an hour of training he saw someone else was coming down the hall. He could tell they were different by the amount of mana stored in their body. Assuming this was the older initiate he had been told about, Danny got up to go.

"Put on one of your new shirts, pants, and vests! You have half an hour or until I get tired of waiting to be ready to leave! If you are not ready by then, you will be left behind! Get dressed," a voiced yelled from the hallway as he banged on their doors.

Danny quickly changed, throwing his dirty clothes in the cloth sack he brought to carry his clothes in. He went outside and waited by his door. Soon the rest of his fellow initiates came and stood outside their respective doors or walked down the hallway to where the older initiate was waiting.

Taking the opportunity while waiting, Danny asked the older initiate, "Where do these light crystals come from?"

Looking at Danny like he had just crawled out of a hole, he replied, "You have never seen light crystals before? The dwarves mine them from deep within the darkest parts of their mountains. They are not very common so they are expensive. Or at least that’s what the dwarves tell us..."

The older initiate didn't wait for more questions, and looked around saying, "Is this everyone then? Yes? No? I don't care, let’s go."

As they were leaving out the door, Danny heard a few stragglers hurry to catch up. Wizard Dawn sat at his desk reading his book, and didn't spare them a single glance. Traveling along the outer circle they passed many other dorms. Apparently in a fit of altruism, the older initiate pointed to a larger building Danny guessed was half way between the dorms. It looked like it was due west from the tower.

"That is the dining hall, where all our meals are provided. Some of the prominent families are allowed to sell food at different stands. It's better fair than what is normally served for free," the older initiate said helpfully.

They soon arrived at a wall that ran between the middle and outer wall. On entering though an opening Danny noticed that this area encompassed the area from the middle to outer wall. He could see an entrance from between the inner and middle wall as well. The wizard’s arena was inside this area and was significantly taller than the walls circling the tower.

Instead of heading into the stands on the outside, the older initiate took them out onto the floor of the arena. As they entered, another initiate took their names and checked them off a list he had in his hands. They were told to sit wherever but leave an arms space between anyone else. After sitting down a few people started talking. Not feeling particularly chatty, Danny kept to himself.

The Archwizard appeared soon above in the stands, on the side they were told to face. At his appearance everyone quickly became quiet.

Looking out amongst the crowd, the Archwizard began, "Greetings, newest initiates. Today marks the first day of the rest of your lives. Over the next couple of days we will begin truly unlocking your powers and potential. One of my colleges will be by shortly to begin the first step in your training. Before that though, I would like to tell you that you represent the future might and power of our great city and nation. Without intense training and dedication we would not have the respect of the other races. Train well, learn what you are meant to be, what you want to be. Battle-wizard, Healer, Civil-wizard, Teacher, and yes, even Archwizard. There is no one role for wizards in our society, so while you are here find the one that best fits your skills and passions. Please be always respectful to your fellow wizards. Know this, your power is not something to lord over our fellow citizens, it is a gift. A gift we are responsible for sharing with them. Together we grow stronger, apart we are weak... Good luck my pupils."

With that the Archwizard returned to the stairs and disappeared, but not before a new figure quickly took his former position. A tall and thin man with long black hair in his middling years stood before us. His duster was blue and he had a stern look on his face.

Lifting his head the wizard began, "I am Wizard Verdant, I have been tasked with teaching you to access your mental sanctuaries. Now, up till this point no one should have mentioned the existence of such a place." At this he looked across the crowd, before continuing, "Now, that doesn't mean that some of you have not been able to access this location on their own. Before continuing has anyone done so already, please raise your hand?"

Danny looked around and didn't see anyone raise their hand. He did not want to be singled out as unique, just yet. It could be that this was a trap to locate family members who spoke about the sanctuaries beforehand.

After a lengthy pause Wizard Verdant continued, "From this moment forward, until supper is called, we will continue this exercise until your sanctuary is unlocked. If for some reason you are unable to do this by then, you will report back here tomorrow at dawn, and continue to do so until you have unlocked it. I fully expect the majority of you to be back here tomorrow. This next process will require you to be calm and focused. Do not think we are rushing you, because we are not. This requires you to be calm and relaxed. Once you have unlocked your sanctuary please raise your hand and follow the instructions of the initiate that comes to you."

If Verdant's tone was serious before, it became grave as he continued, "Before we begin, know that you are not to speak of the mental sanctuaries with any child, boy or girl, before they are tested for magic or go to an academy. Girls will be taught to access this at the girl’s academy, but it is impossible for those that have gone to the boy’s academy to access their sanctuaries. It is better that they have never experience what they have lost. Long ago we discovered that only roughly one in five people tested with the ancient keys unlocked their magic. Since men already made up one in four of our population, we agreed to exchange the chance at the benefits of the mental sanctuaries, for the chance at even greater power. For you see if everyone was to be tested, then only one in five of our people would gain all, while the rest would lose everything. Our people as a whole would be weakened. Those that speak of these things to an underage child will be punished as seen fit by the Grand Council. Most punishments for this offense are not kind."

After that Wizard Verdant went into a lengthy description on the process of meditation. Not long after the arena was quiet as everyone began attempting to meditate. Music began playing softly behind them, and Danny looked back to see three women on stringed instruments playing a soothing melody. This did well to drown out the sounds of hundreds of boys breathing and shifting uncomfortably where they sat.

Danny wasn't sure what to do. Should he train? He got the impression that these wizards had nothing that compared to his mana sight, or they would have discovered him by now. Maybe they didn't think to use it yet. He probably took a risk earlier in his room when burying his money.

Danny thought, *But, then why did they use the stone for the testing? Because it was flashy?*

Looking through his mana sight he quickly checked Wizard Verdant. There was nothing different about his eyes. Initiates wandered the grounds helping anyone not visibly meditating. Danny quickly started meditating before he would be singled out.

Deciding not to train, he focused on his surroundings. Unfortunately he couldn't use mana sight with the mana stored in his eyelids blocking his view. After a long hour of sitting there he heard a commotion to one side. A boy had raised his hand and was being lead to the side. In the next hour a few more boys were lead off. Danny noticed that their clothes, while the same style and colors, were made of better materials and seemed to fit them better. He decided these must be the sons of nobles and rich merchants. They would probably be placed in the same group, unless they were all to be trained in this arena, but Danny doubted that. They were probably taught enough by their parents to not get in trouble. There is no way to confirm something that is only in another's mind. Unless there was magic for that Danny didn't know about. Deciding they would receive a better and more advanced education than the later groups, he decided to risk it.

Opening his eyes Danny raised his hand. As a nearby initiate noticed him and started walking over, Danny noticed the scrutiny of Wizard Verdant. In his brief glances when the other boys where leaving, he never noticed Verdant looking at them this way. Was it his clothes? Whispering, the initiate asked him if he had accessed his sanctuary. Then he asked him to describe it to him. Danny was not asked to go into detail about his skills, so he omitted that information. When he had heard enough the boy raised his hand and motioned for Danny to follow.

Danny was led out of the arena and over to where a number of boys were standing next to a wizard of averaged height. This wizard had short black hair and piercing grey eyes, and he wore a duster with the colors red, grey, and blue. His duster didn't hide the fact that he was physically fit, and Danny guessed he had some form of martial arts training. After dropping Danny off the older initiate walked back to the arena. The wizard was talking individually to the boys and everyone was quiet listening.

"-is your affinity levels," Danny caught the end of the wizards question to one boy.

"I have a one in earth but I have level two in fire," A tall and handsome boy with dark hair and brown eyes bragged loudly.

The other boys in the group started taking excitedly, some were obviously jealous. The wizard repeated this through the crowd. Most boys had acquired level one in only one or two affinities. There were a few boys who had life affinities and the wizard mentioned future healer roles. Danny didn't realize that they would not have any affinity in the rest of the other schools. Maybe his previous education affording him insights into the affinities these boys’ uneducated early childhoods wouldn't. Wouldn't the other affinities show up later? Then the wizard’s eyes fell on Danny and his eyes grew suspicious.

"What is your name initiate," asked the wizard.

Danny looked around. He hadn't asked any of the other boy’s names, why was he asking his. Maybe the already did that before he walked over.

"Danny Creek, Wizard," said Danny, remembering not to say "sir."

"I am Wizard August," stated the wizard. "I don't remember their being a major family by the name of Creek?"

Danny figured he was asking if Sarah was the eldest daughter, and replied, "No Wizard August."

Wizard August made a look of disbelief, "And you were able to acquire access to your mental sanctuary on the first evening?"

Danny decided to go with the partial truth, "I was a nervous child and discovered breathing slowly would make me feel better, I didn't know it was called meditation."

Wizard Augustus looked skeptical. He didn't mention that any further. Danny knew it was because it would obviously draw attention to the fact that the other boys around him completed the task before him.

"Well, then I assume you saw your affinity levels. What were they," asked August.

Danny didn't want to stand out but this man's obvious contempt for Danny's family's station seriously pissed him off. Danny quickly picked which affinities he wanted to train the most, but lowered them to the other boy’s levels.

"I am level one in fire affinity, level one in air affinity, and level two in earth affinity," Danny said calmly and loud enough to just reach Wizard August. He was angry but he wasn't going to brag loudly like the tall boy. Some of the other boys had to strain and lean in to hear him.

"You lie," declared a blond hair boy near him.

"I am not lying and can prove it," Danny said, turning to the boy accusing him.

Wizard August shared the boy’s expression of doubt and said, "Yes, well, initiate Creek can demonstrate his plethora of affinities when we begin spell training."

The other boys looked at Danny suspiciously before ignoring him completely.

A bell rang in the distance and an initiate walked up to our group, "That's everyone then, no one else will be joining you."

"Thank you initiate, everyone gather around. That was the bell for supper. Tomorrow at dawn I expect you all in my lecture hall, room number seven, by dawn. You will find I do not take kindly to tardiness. Good night initiates," Wizard Augusts said, and turned and strolled toward the tower through the entrance to the inner circle.

Danny was turning to head towards the dining hall when he heard his name.

"Creek, wait up," the tall boy with the two affinities.

Danny paused and turned to look at him warily. A number of the other students from his new class followed behind him.

As he reached Danny, he stuck out his hand amicably and said, "Hi, I'm Harold Peak."

"Nice to meet you Peak," Danny said following his use of last names.

"Since we are all going to be in the same class why don't we eat together," smiled Peak.

"Sure, why not," Danny said as he tried to think up with a very reason not to.

They began walking towards the dining hall in a large group. The other students from the arena were all moving in smaller groups.

Peak moved up alongside Danny and asked, "So where does your family live?"

"They live off the main street halfway between the city gates and the inner ones," Danny said.

"Interesting, I haven't spoken to too many kids outside the inner walls. So your mom came from the Creek family? I think I heard they were moving up in the city," Peak guessed.

"I'm honestly not sure about moving up in the city. My mother joined a Trio with Sarah Creek. My family runs a store along the main street near our house," Danny replied.

Another boy butted in shocked, "Your mother isn't even the head of your family, just a Trio member!"

"Yes, that's right... She is an accomplished leather crafter. If I understand correctly, her leather bags are currently popular with the women within the inner walls," said Danny, defending his mother.

Another boy's eyes grew big, "Your mother is that Creek! Do you think you could get her to make a bag for my mother? I need to get back in my mother's good graces and I overheard her saying she wanted one, but they are hard to get."

Danny was about to reply when Peak interrupted, looking annoyed, "You can talk about bags with Creek later. I heard about your mother too, now that I think about it. I heard you have a brother that could sell the Grand Council their own Council Chambers, and have them believing it better than it was before. I hear many of the great families are looking to snatch him away as soon as he comes of age. Maybe I could be persuaded to introduce him to some of our... lesser branch families."

"I seriously doubt I could sell the Council Chambers back to ALL of them. Oh, and I appreciate the offer for assistance in introducing me around. The head of my household said I'm already booked up on offers from families from the inner walls. Well that was before I became an initiate," Danny said, pretending to be bored and ignorant to Peaks personal jabs. If this pompous noble wanted to belittle someone, he was going to have to look elsewhere.

Peak face lost all subtlety and turned harsh. Calling out so the others in his group could hear, he said, "Well, I suddenly remembered that mother said that I when I came here. I shouldn't associate with any of the outer wall trash. Sorry Creek, but you will have to eat on your own, the smell from the outer walls is upsetting my stomach."

Peak didn't wait for my response and started walking ahead. As Peak and his group walked off, the boy who wanted a bag from my mother looked between me and the retreating group. He sent me an apologetic smile and ran after Peak's group.

Danny stood there rolling his eyes, wondering what he had gotten himself into, arguing with children... He walked into the dining hall and noted it looked similar to a food court. There was a buffet style line for the free food. Peak and his gang were already in line for one of the fancy stalls set up along the side of the wall. Women and men were serving prepared meals. Peak noticed Danny walking over to the free line, and gave a smug smile.

*Ignore the seven year old boy*, Danny said to himself.

His turn came and he grabbed his portion of what looked like a bowl of porridge with chunks of meat, and a hunk of bread. There was milk and different teas set out. Danny poured a random tea and after trying it, remembered the name listed on the card in front of it.

Looking around the hall he saw quite a few empty spots and sat at one of them. No one sat next to him and he didn't mind. He was full up on social interactions for the day. He ate slowly, actually enjoying the porridge. He didn't know what animal the meat was from, but it tasted like pork. After finishing the last of his tea he got up and returned to his room. The sun had fully set by the time he got to his dorm. Larger light crystals now illuminated the darkened paths between buildings. Inside, the dorm hallway was lit as well, with small light crystals on the walls. Closing the light in his room, he removed his clothes and climbed into bed.