“I think I get it now,” he said, pointing his arm forward at the target, this time with his eyes open, projecting the most ephemeral of elements through him. But not as a bit of wind whistling through a tunnel. Rather, he lashed out with the wind as if it were an extension of himself.

Eyes widening as his target was suddenly blown right off its rocker and sent hurtling end over end with the powerful gust of air.

The mage was clearly surprised, but the only tell he gave was the soft, almost reverential timbre in his voice. “Well done, Jack. Well done. Now watch me embrace the element of water in exactly the same way. The water pressure can also be used to knock over opponents, though not so effectively as with Wind Gust, but the water created is permanent. This spell, if you have water element affinity, would be worth its weight in gold, in drought-stricken areas.”

But Jack didn’t say a word, not even when his father clapped his shoulder and told him he was going to check up on his mother. For he was completely in the zone, feeling the magics course through him as if is was but an extension of himself, his mind echoing with the lessons of countless young apprentices before him struggling mightily to tap into their elemental potential. Some failed, others succeeded, but none of them tapped into their power as deeply as he did at that very moment, flooded with the strangest musings and insights he both hoped and feared were memories of lives lived ages ago.

And when the mage’s demeanor grew even more focused with Jack’s father’s retreat, his student paid attention to every gesture and movement when the man shot out a stream of fire from his palm, scorching one of the clay targets for countless seconds before easing the flow.

And though it took a dozen attempts before Jack was able to grasp onto the wild, wonderful element of flame, the rush of sweet triumph he felt was beyond anything he could describe, streams of searing hot flame that hurt him not at all shooting from his hand.

Congratulations! You have gained affinity with Elemental Magics!

You have learned the Air Elemental evocation spell: Wind Gust at Novice Rank 1 - Knock your foes right off their feet! 5 mana per second to cast, chance of blowing man sized opponents off their feet, guaranteed to slow them down! Especially effective against flame, arrows, or flying targets! Increased efficacy and decreased mana expenditure with increasing ranks in this skill. Air generated is equal to spring fresh air at sea level pressure and is permanent.

You have learned the Water Elemental spell: Geyser at Novice Rank 1. - Summon a geyser of water to knock your foes off their feet, or fill up your tub! Water created is pure of all contaminants and permanent.

You have learned the Fire Elemental spell: Firestream at Novice Rank 1. - Summon a stream of fire to scorch your foes! Inflict up to 10 points of damage and 1 light wound per second you scorch your foes with flame! Continuous seconds focused upon same target at same location (or just hitting vulnerable spots) will increase severity of wounds inflicted! Cost to cast is 5 mana per second. You will enjoy increased potency and decreased mana expenditure with increasing ranks in this skill. Fire generated is real, and will grow normally in ideal circumstances, unless put out.

Jack stumbled to his knees, exhausted. His mana was slowly trickling back into his body as his fire puttered out. Yet the mage’s gaze was one of unmistakable wonder. Then he grinned.

“Well done, Jack. Well done indeed! I do believe you’ve broken countless records, boy. You certainly have a bright future as a mage ahead of you. Too bad you didn’t think to stop by 6 years ago, but there you are. Now let us see if we can learn the most basic of earth spells, and see if you have it in you to blossom as a full fledged Elementalist!”

Jack grinned. “I’m certainly game, sir.”

“Excellent! This next spell will prove quite useful for taking down small game, but I wouldn't dare any more than that, save for dire emergencies,” his instructor cautioned. “Still, you never know when it might come in handy, even for a bowman, and successfully casting it will reveal full elemental affinity.”

“Say no more, Master Silvercrest. I look forward to learning it!”

“Excellent. This basic spell will summon forth and expel a stone pellet at your target, much like a sling stone. A bit of practice, and it’s at least effective in bringing down small birds, if nothing else.”

Jack nodded. “So, it’s nowhere near as powerful as Firestream, but it has far superior range, and could be useful in knocking out small game and the like.”

The mage nodded. “Precisely. Now, I want you to focus on the element of earth, just as you have all other elements. But you’re not imagining a steady stream of fluid energy flowing away from you. It would be better visualized as a single chunk of your earthern potential abruptly breaking off and flying forward to strike your prey.”

Jack nodded, sensing the swirling energies within his mentor, striving to emulate that same flow of dark-brown earthy potential within himself. He gritted hard, imagining himself as a pillar of rocky potential, slowly reaching out with his fingers, feeling a strange pressure within him build and build until finally, with a resounding crack, it was released.

Jacks flash of exultation was replaced with a sigh of dismay. His spell had been successfully cast, but it had taken him half a minute of buildup, and he couldn’t find the stone. Not until his mentor pointed it out against the shallow ledge face of their practice area. Jack smiled, immediately sensing the stones connection to him. He had missed the target completely, and by the time his stone had flown off, he could have peppered his target with far more lethal arrows.

Master Silvercrest glared. “That sigh is most inappropriate, Jack Greenwood. You managed to cast in under a minute a spell it takes most apprentices months to master. Can you even conceive of just how remarkable that is?”

Jack winced. “My apologies, master.”

The mage snorted. “But your accuracy does need a little work. And your rate of fire.” The mage lit several lamps with what seemed a simple surge of will. “The afternoon wanes, but your training has just begun. From the top, Jack, and this time I want you to hit the target!”

Inwardly, an increasingly fatigued Jack wanted to groan, but he only nodded and did just that, all his fatigue washing away as the magic flooded through his soul once more. And this time it only took him 20 seconds to focus and release his skill, though he was still wildly off target.

A flaw he didn’t manage to correct until he had successfully cast the spell over a dozen times.

And it was a good dozen more attempts before he could hit the center of the target from twenty paces with any degree of accuracy, his casting time now reduced to 12 seconds, and he was almost certain that he could cast it faster, given enough practice.

You have learned the Earth Elemental spell: Stone Shot at novice rank 2. The perfect spell for bringing down small prey! Hurtle a tiny stone the size of your thumbnail at deadly speed. Range: 100 Yards. Damage: 5 Health, modified by critical hit. Cost to cast: 5 Mana. Time to cast: 12 seconds. Damage, range, accuracy and rate of fire are all level dependent.

You have achieved affinity with all 4 elements!

All Elementalist spells and skills will now be learned at 20% greater speed!

The Mage and Elementalist classes are now available to you, should you choose the Path of Peril!

Jack couldn’t help grinning. As it stood, Stone Shot was a terrible spell, there was no doubt about it. His damage, accuracy, and rate of fire were leagues better with his father’s longbow. But he had the sneaking suspicion that it was capable of a lot more than seemed apparent at first glance. Definitely a spell to skill up when he had the chance.

Master Silvercrest was beaming with pride. “Well done, lad. Well done! I must say, I’m nothing short of astounded. And Jack? You don’t even have to ask. Yes. As surprised as I am to hear myself say it, it would be a pleasure to take you on as my apprentice. Though I do fear you will have to put off tying the knot with your chosen for at least little a while longer. No more than half a decade, I assure you. Because with your exquisite potential and absolute dedication to mastering our arts, I believe we can forge you into an apprentice any master would be proud to call his own, despite your exceptionally late start!”

Jack flashed an apologetic smile, bowing his head. “I truly am honored, Master Silvercrest. You could pay me no higher compliment than those words.”

The mage’s genial smile slipped, revealing something hard and cold. Jack’s guts twisted in something uncomfortably close to dread.

“Are you refusing my incredibly generous offer, Jack Greenwood?”

“Not by choice. Believe me! Nothing would make me happier than to learn at the feet of a master! It’s just that, well, you see… I don’t know if you know the customs of this town, but on our 18th birthday, we’re expected to leave the valley, at least for a time.”

The cold deadly gaze softened into a look of aristocratic bemusement. “Ah yes, that quaint custom of your town. An effective way to weed out all potential ne’er do wells and traitors that would jeopardize the village and put it in peril. A single elder coming along, sworn to find the lad honorable apprenticeship if he’s not too bad a seed, and never reveal that it’s the boys own easy morals and forked tongue that effectively exiled him, not just the cruel whims of fate.”

The mage gave sad shake of his head. “It is a dire doom to put upon any lad for failing to live up to an idealized code of honor, but understandable. It does keep this town, and all of us who now call your province home, safe from those with ill regard. But you, boy, hardly seem like one constantly struggling against the temptation to steal from your neighbors or bully anyone that gets in your way.”

Jack flashed a sad smile. “I would hope not. And how such potent figures such as yourself and my parents managed to gain citizenship here must be quite the tale… but I won’t pry. I’ll only say that a dark heart isn’t the only burden that keeps youth from returning.”

This earned a surprised glance. “Jack. You aren’t saying what I think you’re saying..." The older man's gaze turned sympathetic. "But of course you are. How else to explain your remarkable. Nay, incredible feats. The act of a true savant. Or, perhaps, someone who’s done all this before. Memories eternally on the tip of recollection.”

Ignoring the flush on his cheeks, Jack carefully said nothing.

The mage shook his head. "To think, a twin-souled living right underneath our noses, and I never even suspected."

Jack realized there was no longer any point in holding back, and perhaps he could take advantage of the man's too knowing gaze, and learn what he could. “How common a condition is it?”

“Not that common, lad. Not that common at all. Once, long ago, according to some of the early accounts recorded by our kingdom’s historians, there was a virtual flood of adventurers in large part responsible for the current state of political affairs in the known world. Ancient empires forged and titanic battles fought. Epic feats of arms and magic against opposing armies, and vile powers it took the combined forces of three kingdoms to overcome.”

The mage grinned, shaking his head. “Before matriculating as a magus, I thought all those tales were legend, only to learn, over time, just how true they all were. Even today, there is a steady trickle of adventurers the world over. Not common. Not by any means. Though men and women with a knack for learning quickly and achieving fearsome mastery within any art they specialize in can still be found exploring these lands, often in small bands. All of them are unique, save their gift for entering strange regions long thought lost to legend and coming back with surprising treasures, or the skins and scalps of deadly enemies pulled whole-cloth from the lands of fantasia and dream.”

"Fantasia and dream?"

"Don't tell me you've never heard of overlapping layers of Regio? Not even in the tales the youth of this era so love to read?"

Jack peered curiously up at the mage. “Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but it sounds like you're saying there are lands adjoining our own that most people can’t get to, but these adventurers can?”

“Precisely. Though I’ve never born witness to such marvels firsthand, there were a couple who joined the academy in my day. True rising stars they were, for the months they attended. And then one day, the pair of them seemed to disappear, never heard from again.”

Jack blinked. “Wow. What happened to them? Did they perish?”

“No one knows, Jack. But I can tell you this, the masters sure missed them once they had left. No one had quite the knack for finding those sacred blossoms our alchemists hold so dear, difficult as they are to cultivate, save in the most mana-rich environments filled with arboreal wonders and perhaps a dash of peril as well. Places you’ll never find near the cities.”

“You mean like these? Jack asked, at last revealing the contents of his second gift, a pristine Crimson Blossom and Violetbell, looking none the worse for ware.

Magus Silvercrest’s eyes bulged. “By all the saints. You have crimson and violet both! And they are in pristine condition! If the environment is just right… maybe…” the mage licked anxious lips. “Dear Jack, I don’t suppose, perhaps, you would be interested in trading me those plants?”

Jack raised a curious brow, though inside he was beaming. “Trade these magical flowers? I had to step through regio to retrieve them, you know. Not an easy feat.”

“No doubt. No doubt!” The tall mage bent closer, his gaze almost conspiratorial. “Long before I ever arrived at Hidden Valley, I was something of a specialist in forging protective magics. My goal at the time was constructing highly efficient, balanced spells that were nonetheless significantly powerful for the modest degree elemental mastery needed to wield them. You won’t find spells quite like these at the arcane academies, I assure you. I destroyed all my notes before I was forced to leave!”

The mage blinked and collected himself, as if only realizing the significance of what he had said just now, quickly clearing his throat. “Listen, Jack. It’s a dangerous world out there. Far more dangerous than you might think. And one bad mistake, should you find yourself suddenly over your head, could easily spell your demise, especially as a novice adventurer with no contacts within the outside world. Yet."

Silvercrest flashed a none-to-subtle wink.

“Unless, of course, that adventurer should happen to have at his disposal two master crafted defensive spells that even the most humble of apprentices could learn, given sufficient time.”

Magus Yohan Silvercrest has offered a trade! 2 Magical blossoms for the opportunity to learn two Tier 1 masterwork spells he personally forged (along with who knows how many other spells!) by methods so questionable he was forced to flee his former domicile. Do you accept this trade of otherworldly blossoms for potentially forbidden knowledge? Y/N – You have chosen yes!

For long moments, Jack gazed at the man before him, sensing that the trade was far more singnificant than a simple matter of convenience.

It was a trade that would shape him in ways he couldn't yet fathom.

Two priceless herbs gathered from a mystic realm only found within the garden of a woodland druid that a part of him recalled being no more real than legend, just a handful of hours ago, for all that, right now, even this wizard accepted the presence of that gnome. Accepted and had a long and not altogether harmonious, acquaintanceship with the druid. As if, somehow, Alex's choices had given that dream of possibility reality. Or, perhaps, allowed his life story to cross the gnome's own, in an existence not quite so causal as the one he had left behind.

And the Crimson Blossom and Violet bell in his now trembling hands would, should he choose to keep them, serve as the beginning to his future alchemical garden. One so potent, it would open his own tiny gateway to Regio. A marvel that would assured his entrance into the most renowned of alchemical institutions and a very rewarding apprenticeship culminating in a grand shop of his own as he pursued ancient paths of knowledge that would one day reward him with marvels undreamed for centuries.

Somehow, he was certain that if he surrendered those blossoms, he would be surrendering the key to a path of unparalleled alchemical wonder.

Yet where one path of power would close, another would open.

A path incorporating not just a novice's spells but the works of a master who, in the midst of his own madness, stopped at nothing to pursue breakthroughs that could be Jack's own, accelerating his understanding of the Elemental arts to an unparalleled degree. Putting him on the fast track to familiarizing himself with spells put together so perfectly he would instantly recognize another masterwork when he found it. And one day, with the insights and power he would gain, studying those masterworks, he would be in a position to forge his own.

So, with no small amount of regret for a branch of possibility wilting off the tree of his life, he took comfort in the glorious fruit of elemental knowledge that would soon he his to savor, giving an abrupt jerk nod of his head, and surrendering his seeds before he could change his mind.

Magister Silvercrest flashed a relieve smile, a hand crackling with arcane energies Jack only now sensed turning into an eager hand clasp as he gratefully shook Alex's hand.

“Wonderful! You will not be disappointed, lad. Now, if you’d be so kind as to assist by planting them right here, where the mana flows through the garden are strongest… wonderful! Now just a gentle surge of your wonderful spell... perfect!"

Jack paused to gaze as the strikingly beautiful pair of flowers that almost seemed to glow in the heart of the magi’s garden. He didn’t know if the mana level was sufficient for them to cross-pollinate, but certainly they seemed in good health, even if the hyper reality that had seemed to infuse them in Regio, or Arcadia, or wherever he had been, had faded to the general saturation and detail with which he viewed the rest of mundus.

Either way, the mage beamed with pleasure, before carefully plucking several leaves and handing them to Jack. “What a wonderful edition to my garden. Now come this way. I believe we can both agree that fortune has smiled upon us this day.”

Shortly thereafter, the mage led him to a clay kiln, of all things. “Now don’t be alarmed, Jack, but I’m going to have to put some clay over your body. Is that acceptable to you?”

“So long as I can breathe, and it won’t hurt me, and you’ll let me free by the time my father returns, then sure!”

The mage grinned. “A carefully worded answer. Well done, Jack. You never know what types you’ll encounter in this great big world of ours. Hopefully you won’t find this too intrusive.

At which point the mage began taking slabs of clay and carefully molding it over various parts of Jack’s anatomy, requesting that Jack hold each piece in place himself, and try to focus on the shape and feel of each piece of clay that, now that Jack thought of it, was being shaped in the image of period pieces of armor, most especially the helm with the t-shaped slit allowing for full range of vision and air flow.

“What do you think, Jack? Do the pieces feel comfortable upon you?”

Jack nodded. “What are they for?”

“Ideally they’re placed on a specialized harness, though they can just as easily be fastened upon hooks you’ll find on most suits of boiled rawhide favored by your father’s former mercenary band.”

Jack frowned, both startled by the mage’s knowledge, and realizing he knew exactly what the man was referring to. “A way to adjoin steel or bronze plates for added protection.”

“Precisely. There are other methods, of course. Most using hauberks of chainmail. But such does us mages little good.”

“Wait, you’re saying we can’t cast spells and use metal armor?” Asked a suddenly alarmed Jack.

The magus nodded. “Precisely. Well, for steel, anyway. You can wear bronze, of course, and good quality hammer-hardened bronze is both sturdy and expensive, and still not as good as quality steel. But it’s a far sight better than nothing.”

The mage grinned. “Of course, we have other tools at our disposal. Now watch closely, Jack.”

With that, the magus held the clay breastplate to his own chest, and Jack thought he could all but feel earth mana infuse the clay. Then he opened his eyes. “Focus on this part, Jack.”

Ever more power was infused into the clay mold. Jack was awed by the potency pouring off the man and into the object he held. And a second later, the clay breastplate was gone.

Jack blinked. “You’re making pieces of clay disappear?”

But when he looked again, he saw that the clay breastplate was exactly where it had been.

“Now it’s your turn, Jack. Hold the breastplate against your chest. Feel all the power and potential of the earth coursing through it. Then, when you sense it holding all it can, draw the shape of it into your mind. So clearly that you can sense every tiny detail of the simulacrum you have made. it your own.

Jack closed his eyes and did his best to do just that.

Yet despite his intense focus, feeling the breastplate form within his mind’s eye, seeing it in all its dull clay-colored glory, when he opened his eyes and found the breastplate gone, he truly was shocked, not honestly having expected even that first step to work at all.

“Now what?”

“Now close your eyes and visualize it pressed against the tunic your wearing. Imagine it as a stalwart Earthern defender, able to absorb your enemy’s blows with ease.”

Jack nodded, doing his best to do just that, surprised and frustrated that it didn’t come to him nearly as easily as the other spells he had practiced had.

He felt the strangest chill when he finally understood why.

Master Silvercrest himself said this was a custom-made spell.

He didn’t have the memories of previous lives to draw upon as Jack now realized he had for pretty much everything else he had accomplished since he had gotten there.

He was learning this spell for the first time.

And that ralization flooded him with a sense of awe, or perhaps relief.

He was finally treading a path he never had before.

And when he was finally able to visualize that breastplate of clay and draw a sense of it into himself, his whole body tingled with a fierce sense of wonder and accomplishment, and he just knew he had a stupid grin on his face with the way Magus Silvercrest was staring at him.

But he did nothing more than smile gently and nod his head in approval.

“Good. Very good. That’s the first step! The second is this: Visualize taking that piece of Earth enhanced armor you have visualized so perfectly, the weight in your hands, the smell of the Earth all known so intimately, and imagine that cuirass wrapped snugly about your torso. And don’t worry. It will fit snugly upon whatever you’re wearing. Even worn over other armor, our Earthern breastplate will allow you an even sturdier defense! Though as you are now an apprentice magus, I recommend you avoid wearing any traces of cast iron or steel. A quilted gambeson is most comfortable, excellent for catching blades, bodkin arrows, and cushioning blows, and synergizes with this spell quite nicely. Of boiled rawhide or even bronze will do as well. Even worn against naked skin, this wonder of a spell could well save your life!”

Mastering this second part of the spell took even longer than the first, and Jack was grateful for his mentor’s gentle patience, certain an entire frustrating hour had past, Jack having taken more than one break with tears of frustration, afraid it would prove to be utterly beyond him, for all that his mentor was smiling with such approval. Even Jack’s father arriving, thankfully looking in no hurry, didn’t interrupt him, for all that he felt the pressure mounting even more.

“Relax and focus, young Greenwood. Relax and focus.”

And as trite as his mentor’s words sounded, Jack did his best to accomplish just that, putting the intent gaze of his father, the sense of time running out, firmly out of mind as he finally felt the arcane energies click into place, wrapping gently around the visualized front and back pierce of armor that would protect his entire torso, visualizing it into place between one eye blink and the next.

He was momentarily dizzy with the feat, and surprised by how much mana that first casting had drained.

He was both bemused and relieved to see that this spell, like his Summon Killer Bee spell wouldn’t expire any time soon, anchored as it was to his mana pool, a full 20% reserved.

You have learned the Masterwork Earth Elemental spell: Earthern Defence at Novice Rank 1. (Masterwork spells allow mortal casters to transcend their normal limits, incorporating strands of magic normally requiring an additional Power Tier in the Elements they manipulate!

Earthern Defense will absorb 1 full Wound Tier against any direct hit in the area protected (back and torso) in addition, most glancing blows will deflect off the armor, not piercing it at all! You enjoy an additional 5 point reduction in all damage to the area protected by the armor. Damage reduction increases with increased mastery of this skill.

You also gain protection against Earth & Air magics! Protection dependent upon skill rank achieved with this spell. Note. This spell reserves mana per piece of armor summoned. Strength of Armor and amount of Mana reserved are skill rank dependent.

Jack’s father grinned. “My son the magus. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Jack chuckled under his mentor’s stern glare. “Thank you, dad. I have a few more shapes to master and one more spell to learn. Is everything okay? Are we needed in the town square right now?”

Jack regretted the words as soon as the slipped off his tongue, hoping he could stay longer. He still had so much to learn, and this might be his only chance to do so. But if his father needed him….

Fortunately, his father waved off his concern. “No need, son. I’m happy to say a few friends and I did a discrete inspection of the wagons. We saw no trace of treachery or foul play. Hopefully, whatever culprit was involved has already fled for good, and you can rest assured we’ll keep a lookout for any surprises hidden in wagons before we give anyone permission to enter the town in the future.”

Jack nodded his head in relief, though Master Silvercrest frowned. “It is best never to underestimate a potential threat, James Evergreen. I think, perhaps, as soon as Jack is finished his lessons, the town would profit from my own intervention.”

Jack’s father was diplomatic enough to hide any reaction save a bob of his head. “I am sure we would all be grateful for whatever assistance you can render the town, esteemed magus.”

“Quite,” the mage agreed, before turning to Jack, the slightest trace of impatience marring his otherwise serene countenance. “You are doing extraordinarily well, Jack. But I fear we must needs increase our pace ever further. Quickly, now. Impress the other shapes upon your mind’s eye, so they may take comfortable roost forever more. For I still have 1 last spell to show you and time, as you know all too well, is fleeting.”

Jack gave a quick nod, feeling more pressure than ever. But much to his relief, absorbing the additional clay shapes was almost effortless once he mastered that first hurdle, a good five minutes spent on each one and he sensed that they were now a part of his repertoire forever.

He took exquisite delight in being able to summon them at will with a few moment’s concentration, though the earthern helmet did get caught in his hair, earning a rueful chuckle with the impromptu haircut he was forced to endure.

You have successfully incorporated mental blueprints for Curiass, Forearm Guards, Upper-arm Guards, Greaves, Chausses, and Helmet! Earthern Defence is now Novice Rank 2.

“I suspect you won’t be growing fine golden locks during your adventuring years, but I’m pleased to see that the spell is a complete success!” Magus Silvercrest enthused.

Jack grinned, still amazed by what he had managed to accomplish that day, though in truth he did find the vambraces a marvel, protecting elbow as well as forearm, and he could just imagine usin his elbows to deadly effect should anyone try to grapple him to the ground. Of course, now was no time to test it out with so much else he still had to do before calling it a day, or perhaps a night, his mentor hurriedly going over the final spell he would teach Jack.

And much to Jacks relief, he found this spell surprisingly easy to master. And the strane look in his mentor’s gaze, accompanying the odd feeling of familiarity Jack had with this spell made it clear that even the rarest spell had probably been discovered at least once before.

Or many times before.

Jack tried very hard not to think about just how old this universe was, and how long he might, or might not, have been exploring it as he almost effortlessly summoned the nearly transluscent shield of perfectly circular shimmering ice exactly three feet in diameter.

You have learned the Masterwork Ice Elemental spell Ice Shield at Novice Rank 1. (Masterwork spells allow mortal casters to transcend their normal limits, incorporating strands of magic normally requiring an additional Power Tier in the Elements they manipulate!

Ice Shield will completely absorb 5 damage from any and all intercepted attacks at your level of skill. Note. Your shield is brittle! Should maximum damage be surpassed, the blow will be absorbed, but the shield will shatter! Your shield is especially resilient against all attacks involving ice, cold, or Water, absorbing 10 damage at your skill rank from all attacks with zero chance of shattering. It is also effective against fire attacks, though this will degrade your shield. 10 damage or 1 Wound Tier, whichever is greater, will be absorbed by your shield before melting completely.

This spell reserves X mana. Amount of mana reserved and potency of shield are skill rank dependent.

Jack nodded in curious satisfaction, despite the mage’s apologetic grimace. “I commend you for quick mastery of a spell I had spent many months perfecting. Unfortunately, at the lower skill ranks...”

“It is very brittle. But that’s okay. Once I skill it up, I get the feeling it will be a very potent defense indeed. And best of all, it’s almost translucent. I can see right through it, which gives me a tremendous edge, allowing me to completely guard my face at all times.”

The mage gave a relieved nod. “Yes, yes indeed. Let it never be said that Yohan Silvercrest’s masterwork spells were anything less than ideal for the aspiring adventurer, or warrior-mage.”

Jack and his father bowed before the man in concert.

“Thank you for taking the time to teach my youngest so much of your arts,” Jack’s father said.

The mage smiled. “You did well with this boy, James. My only regret is being unable to teach him for more than a single afternoon.”

The mage frowned up at the starry night sky, nightfall having cloaked the land in its embrace, magic alone giving the mage’s magnificent garden and training area so much ambient light. “Though noon has long since past, and time waits for neither mage nor apprentice.”

Jack’s father bowed. “Thank you again, Master Silvercrest.”

“No, James, it is I who thank you and your boy for spotting and taking care of those vile goblin scouts. If they had managed to pierce the village’s defenses.” The man’s genial gaze hardened. “You’ve done your part, now let me do mine. If there’s any chance enemies lurk beyond what your own investigation and that silly druid in the woods have uncovered, then rest assured, they will be dealt with.”

Jack couldn’t help grinning at how fierce the man now looked, surrounded by a shimmering corona of energies Jack just knew were advanced level defensive wards, a ball of ebony fire held almost negligently in one hand.

“We will leave you to it, good mage,” said Jacks’ father as they finished their circuit around the grand manor, ready to make their way to the town center before being interrupted by a panicked man charging toward them.