Danny decided the next week to request use of the individual training rooms after Wizard August was done with the instructional portion of the class. In the first week August had only taught them a handful of additional rune combinations and most days they went to the group training room and trained, perfecting their use of the spells.

Wizard August, who had warmed up to him since learning he already had three affinities, squinted suspiciously at him, saying "Why would you need the use of an individual room?"

Prepared for this question, Danny answered, "Since I have three affinities I wanted to try casting two spells at once. If I am in this room, I will certainly become distracted and lose focus."

Wizard August looked conflicted, while tapping a finger thoughtfully to his chin he replied, "I will allow this, but under two conditions. You will demonstrate this dual casting in three weeks, and you will also take the exam for adept by the time Fall arrives... For all three of the elements you hold affinities for."

Danny considered that it was now the second week in spring. August was giving Danny a little less than half a year to prepare for this adept exam.

Danny ask, "When do initiates usually take the exam for adept?"

"It usually isn't till well after their first year, some into their second. Then a similar timeframe for a secondary element, if they have one," August replied quietly.

Danny thought for a moment before replying, "What is involved with this exam?"

"I cannot give you too many specifics, but it involves a series of challenges that test your competency with the element you have chosen. You will not find it easy. If you succeed, you will be granted a new vest, one with the color of the element, or elements whose exams you have passed," Wizard August smiled, obviously waiting for Danny's reply.

"Why would you think I could do all this in half a year when it takes others four… no six times as long to accomplish the same," Danny asked with much exasperation.

"Look around, Noble blood runs through everyone’s veins in this room. Generations of wizard’s blood. Well that is, for everyone... but you," Wizard August said without disrespect evident in his voice. "I want you to prove to me that doesn't matter. Don't think I haven't noticed you mastering the spells I teach within a few hours. Most of the students in the other classes have to write down the runes we teach and practice drawing them while you learn twice as fast as the next best pupil in this room."

Danny immediately realized a few things. Either the noble boys in this class had a high intelligences like Danny, or the other boys had been taught the runes before they came to this school. The first time they had been told to cast with just the first part of the rune, was probably a test to trap Danny. To see if he had been taught before he came. Danny also realized that his high intelligence allowed him to process things at a near instant rate.

Even with this Danny was still confused, and asked, "Twice as fast, then why do I have to complete everything in a six the time it takes others?"

Wizard August smiled as he replied, "I could give you a year, and that would definitely be impressive. What I want is to challenge you, because I know even with you being ahead, you’re still taking it easy in this class." August's smile became slightly devious as he continued, "Plus, I want to be able to say that I was the teacher that led their peasant born pupil to reach adept level in not one but two elements in half a year."

Danny could tell this man had more than a few levels in persuasion. That was a textbook hard sell approach. Time for him to find out what August had forgot to mention in the fine print.

Danny said, "That's if I pass, what happens if I fail?"

August looked away for a second before turning back with a cold look, saying, "I would claim to have not approved of you testing so ridiculously early. You see, student's determine when they are ready for the exams, not teachers. It helps promote initiative and confidence. After you fail, I will request you be transferred to another teacher, as I obviously failed in my responsibilities. You would get to spend the rest of your time here with your own kind."

Danny now had two paths before him. The first, he accepts August's challenge, gains access to the individual training rooms during more than just free time, and uses not just spells to level his affinities. The other has him in this room, for who knows how much longer, casting nothing but spells. Which may or may not level his affinity now that he had raised it so high. One could lead to embarrassment not just for himself but for his family. The other probably wasted a year of his life, or however long Wizard August planned to keep them training together.

Danny knew nothing ventured, and said, "Lower the requirement to test only two affinities and you got a deal!"

The smile August sent Danny had him rethinking his counter offer.

"Excellent, you can keep the gloves for training fire and I will see you in three weeks," said August, dismissing him.

"Wait, aren't you going to teach me anymore spells," Danny asked incredulously.

Wizard August, turned around acting surprised that he was still there, and said, "Oh, you can find all the spells we will learn here in the school library. Here, I will help you, since I am your teacher... The library is on the third floor." Wizard August looked down at Danny, daring him to ask for more assistance.

Danny stared at the man for a few moments before turning around and walked away without a word. He wasn't going to give him the benefit of seeing him angry.

"Good luck Creek, you’re going to need it," laughed Peak and a few of his group joined him. Danny hadn't realized they had overheard his conversation with August.

Danny ignored them to and left to get himself a private training room.

Danny thought about going to the library but he needed to blow off a little steam. Heading to the healer on duty he requested a private training room. They were first come first serve. Most of the older initiates and adepts used these individual rooms most days. Instructing Wizards became advisors in subsequent years, having taught their pupils everything they needed to know. The second circle housed hundreds of train rooms. Danny learned from the healer that there were training rooms with specific elements included. There were rooms with sand floors, earth floors, stone floors, or different containers of water. Some rooms dipped further into the earth, expanding underneath to allow for wind wizards to practice in a more open environment. Some rooms had been designed to be colder to assist fire wizards not cook themselves alive. Training rooms were inspected after use and the floors and walls repaired if needed. This in itself was helpful for training purposes of those in charge of this repair duty. Danny was warned about the dangers inherent to individual training. Danny hoped that he wouldn't get to a point where he was hurt beyond the point of being able to heal himself.

Danny chose a generic training room and went to the designated numbered door. Once he got inside he saw there was an actual locking mechanism. This made sense as you didn't want someone stepping in right in the middle of a dangerous spell. Locking the door Danny turned around and stepped down into the room.

This training room was about a ten meter cube. Danny went into the center and sat down.

*One problem at a time*, he thought.

Holding out both hands, he focused on mana leaving both hands. Mana shot out of one hand then the other. This was not what he wanted. He needed simultaneous releases and eventually independent releases of his mana, from both hands. Danny practiced this all afternoon, until he heard a bell. Looking around, he couldn't figure out where it came from. Thinking it came from the door he walked over to it. There was nothing on the locking mechanism. When he looked up, there above the door was a small bell with a half dome stone cover that was open on the bottom. I guess if you still managed to break the bell and miss a meal that was your fault.

Danny went to supper determined to find some more initiate level runes in the library the next day.