Danny headed to the library after breakfast the next morning. He discovered that, unlike on half days, the library was usually packed during the day. More than one initiate was manning the front desk and Danny was pointed to a nearby bookshelf when inquiring about initiate level spells.

Not having really had time to look closely at the other bookshelves during his previous visit, he was surprised to find multiple copies of the same book on each shelf. With gaps between the majorities of the books he realized why. Since this had been described as the initiate bookshelf, he grabbed a copy of each book he could find. Looking around the library he noticed a lot of initiates, in their brown vests, but not as many adepts. Not a single table was unoccupied. Danny picked a table with mostly other initiates. The table had an open corner with an empty chair next to that. Danny sat down and opened the first book, going over the runes and concepts described. There wasn't as many runes as Danny would have figured. The books themselves were not very big.

Each book was split by element. In air he found two utility spells called "Magic Voice" and "Magic Wind." One he had seen the headmaster use. Anywhere the conjured wind traveled, your voice was carried there as well. Wind was just a light wind that could dry things or cool one off. The two attack spells were "Wind Blade," that created a spinning blade of wind for cutting, and "Wind Blast," which caused a rush of air intended to knock an opponent or object down.

The earth book was a bit thicker, it had a utility spell called "Raise Earth." It could be used defensively as well. This is where the majority of the bulk of this book came from. It described spells for square walls, rectangular walls, and varying shaped cubes. The spells created specific sizes based on their close equivalent to the meter. Danny realized how easy this made things to build uniformly. The rectangular shape of all their buildings and walls made more sense now. There was also a modifier rune for the inverse, removing earth from an area. Offensive spells in earth consisted of "Earth Spike," a thin spike of earth that rose up vertically from point chosen, and "Earth Rumble," which shook the ground in a small area to disorient or knock down.

The fire book contained two utility spells, "Magic Light" and "Magic Warmth. Magic light was self-explanatory. Magic warmth didn't warm objects it could be used to cook food. The offensive fire spells included "Magic Flame" and "Fireball." Magic flame could be used to burn a small area, or used like a flamethrower. Fireball was a condensed ball of flame that ignited targets from afar.

The Water book had one utility, "Magic Water." The majority used it were for filling containers, washing things, and watering plants. "Water Blast," was an offensive spell that shot compressed water at the enemy. "Magic Mist," was a defensive spell. Unfortunately anyone caught in the mist received limited vision as well.

The last book was for life affinity and it was the thinnest. It contained one spell, "Magic Heal." This spell targeted flesh only and would not mend bones or cure diseases. This was a disappointment. Danny wondered how would anyone train this. Though with so many initiates training dangerous spells, there probably wasn't a better place to be for a life wizard.

Danny went through them all by the time the lunch bell rang. The library suddenly came to life, like a nesting flock of birds suddenly startled. Danny got up with the rest of the students, returning his books to the initiate shelves. As he was walking towards the dining room he noticed an initiate a few years older than him. The boy was much taller than Danny, and had dark blonde hair. Danny waited till the other boy noticed him and held out his hand as they walked.

"Hey, I'm Danny Creek."

"David Shore...," the other boy said while shaking Danny's hand.

"Nice to meet you David, how long have you been going here," Danny politely asked.

"This will be my third year here," David said with a sigh.

"I just started and was wondering if the adept exam was as difficult as they say," Danny said sympathetically.

"Oh yes, it's different every time, so if you don't prepare for everything...," David trailed off, not having to explain further.

"How long does it normally take people to reach adept," inquired Danny.

"From what everyone's told me, and what I have seen, it's about three to four years. For the wizard exam it can be almost twice that long," David explained.

Danny missed his step and almost fell, "Three to four years!"

Laughing at Danny's reaction, David said, "Yep, expect to be here a while."

Danny was doing his best not to hyperventilate and start foaming at the mouth at the same time. He wasn't accomplishing something at fourth the rate of other students, it was more like an eighth!

"...and that's why most study in the library in the mornings before training," David said.

"I'm sorry, I was trying to get over how long it will take to get out of here. What was that about why everyone is in the libraries most morning," Danny asked apologetically.

"To compare notes mostly. The wizards all want us to learn but they will not give us many hints past the first year of obligatory lessons. They tell us it's to make us self-sufficient but everyone thinks they are just hoarding power so they can stay at the top, long past when we become wizards," David said with venom in his voice.

They arrived at the dining hall and grabbed some food. Danny noticed David didn't purchase any of the food from the stands.

"Hey, there's my friend Peter, come on," David said as he motioned Danny with his shoulder.

Peter sat at the end of a table with a few free chairs around him. He was between David and Him in height, heavier, with black hair.

"Hey Peter, I brought someone along with me, this is Danny Creek," David said.

"Hey Danny, I'm Peter Frond."

"Hey Peter, nice to meet you. So how long you been here for," David asked.

"This is my second year," Peter replied.

They began eating in the companionable silence that can only be shared between males when they begin inhaling large quantities of food. There was a real sense of shared determination. Eventually they began to slow down and Danny brought up a few more questions.

"So where you two from," Danny asked, while looking between the two.

"On the western edge of the outer wall," said David.

"Outer wall, near the entrance to the inner wall," said Peter.

"In the center of the outer wall near the Main Street," finished Danny.

Continuing with the questions, Danny asked, “What is your families' occupations?"

"Carpenter, logger, and mason. They build and repair homes for those that can't afford a civil wizard," answered David.

"Merchant, trader, and investor. My family owns a few stores and invests in others," said Peter, without any hint of bragging.

"Merchant, blacksmith, and leather crafter. My folks own a store that sells weapons and leather crafts," Danny finished.

This time it was Peter who ask, "What's your affinity? Mine is earth, level 2."

Danny didn't want to brag but he also didn't want to have multiple lies running at the same time. Eventually they would cancel each other out and he would get discovered or hurt someone’s feelings.

"I actually have three affinities. Earth, Fire, and air," Danny replied.

Peter's eyes grew twice their size as he yelled, "Wow, three!"

David looked like had grown another head, "Seriously? You’re joking right..."

"Shhhh, no, I am not joking. Yes, I have three affinities. How many do you have" Danny said trying to get Peter to calm down.

David looked dumbfounded as he answered, "I just have air. Level 3."

Danny smiled and said, "Great, we can work together and compare notes!"

David looked confused, "Wait which affinity are you going to go for first? What level are your affinities at anyway?"

Danny looked around and said, "If you can keep it a secret, I am going to try and go for two affinities at once."

Peter looked at Danny like he had just pulled off his own pants and stared eating them. Peter started to shout, "YOU CAN'T TAKE... You can't take two elements at once! That's like double the work" Danny barely managed to get Peter to whisper at the end.

"Well, I was going to go with fire and earth, but then I met two awesome guys who had earth and air. So I decided to switch," Danny explained.

David looked over at Peter, who just shrugged.

"Ok, but it is your funeral," David said uncertainly.

"You never told us your levels," Peter reminded Danny.

Danny looked around debating what to say but eventually decided to stick with his original story,” I am level one in fire affinity, level one in air affinity, and level two in earth affinity."

Shaking his head, David explained, "Most do not attempt the exams until they are level 3. Some have been known to pass at level 2, but they were very clever. Maybe you should rethink this, Danny."

Danny nodded, "It's already done so I guess I will have to be extra clever than..."

Wanting a change to the current mood Danny excitedly asked, "Alright, do you two meet every morning?

Peter replied, "Most mornings, except for half days."

"I will see you both in the library tomorrow morning then," Danny said with a smile.

The two nodded, and Danny left to start training.

Shortly thereafter, Danny entered another generic training room and sat down again in the middle. He hadn't figured out the secret to dual casting yesterday. He wondered if Wizard August had sent him down a rabbit hole of his own making.

Danny knew he could supposedly split his concentration in two easily now, but hadn't tried. He was being stubborn, trying to do it himself. He didn't have the time or luxury to figure it out on his own. Starting with something simple, something non-magical. Danny began trying to pat his head and rub his belly at the same time. Danny had been made fun of by his previous life's friends and girlfriends when asked to try this. In fact Danny was sure his old friends would contact his newer friends so they would know to ask him to do just that.

He started patting his head, and when he switched to rubbing his belly, he was suddenly rubbing his head as well. While starting over he tried to activate this dual concentration ability. He tried focusing first on what he wanted one hand to do before switching to the other hand. Nothing. He even tried telling Cranny what to do while he would do the other. Nothing, and he might be going crazy...

The little bell over the door chimed and Danny was dismayed to realize he had been at this for half a day. He tenderly checked his scalp to see if he had rubbed a bald spot into his hair. Breathing sigh of relief he collapsed to the ground and laid there for a while.

Getting up he laughed at the absurdity of what he had just spent his time doing and in a mimic of self-deprivations, he started to rub his belly and pat his head. Danny's smile left his face to be replaced with one of confusion. Looking up his head was being patted. Looking down his stomach was being rubbed.

Danny stopped his hands. Switching places he started again. This time he didn't think about it. Once again, his head was being patted and his stomach rubbed.

Danny held out his hands and focused a small fireball spell on one hand. It took the same amount time as usual and right before it did, a small sphere of wind was cast from his other hand. They both hit the wall to leave behind a scorch mark and abrasive cuts into the stone. Danny walked over to where they hit and almost reverently touched the wall.

"Ouch!"

Danny forgot the wall would still be hot so soon after hitting it with the fireball. Touching another part of the wall, he pushed his mana out to surround and repair the area. He had the stone wall absorb the scorch marks.

Too tired and emotionally exhausted from the afternoon’s efforts, Danny left for dinner. After eating with Peter and David, Danny confirmed their plans for the next day.