Time passed like molasses.

Despite the fact that Philip was locked in the room, he was enjoying the peace and quiet. The pain he suffered for the past day had faded into a faint throb, similar to days he exercised too hard.

So, just like after exercising, Philip decided to listen to Priestess Emily's advice and relax. He laid down on the couch and started breathing exercises.

In and out. Take in a breath then release. Focus inward as you take a breath and feel the energy moving. Feel it expand and search for impurities. Exhale and release those impurities through your breath.

It is the simplest way to purify your core, if the least efficient, but it was Philip's favorite way. Unfortunately, Philip was unable to find comfort today due to his dulled core. He could feel his magic again but only faintly. It was like trying to grab something extremely slimy. It just slipped away once you thought you had a grasp.

The Priestess said to leave it alone for a few days. Let the core rest and heal after over exerting itself, so Philip didn't do the usual searching and purifying like he normally did during these breathing exercises. Instead he probed his core.

It was, as stated before, dulled. It's like touching an actual stone, but the stone was comfortably warm. Its surface was rough and sharp, feeling like it would pierce him whenever he touched an edge. But, from his lessons Philip knew this was an illusion released by the core so the creatures that had one would ignore it. Smoothing those sharp points and removing the roughness was the process of Cutting, and the smoother it got the faster the magic would flow around the core.

Or so Mel lectured to him.

When it comes down to it none of that really mattered to Philip. As long as his core was not damaged and he could still feel mana he was satisfied. His time when the core was inert was enough for him to be magicless. It was like losing one of his senses, where you know something should be there but it wasn’t. The thought of that happening again sent shivers down his spine.

Overall the spikes and rough texture felt familiar to him as he had done the exercises daily, usually alone in one of the unused lounges like where Lily found him yesterday. The hardest part was not falling asleep.

But during his scans something felt… different. He moved down into a valley between three spikes on his core, avoiding the edges.

In the valley was a groove he didn’t recognize. He spread his senses and took the entire shape into his mind. It looked like a crater had appeared at the base of one of the spikes, just above the bottom of the valley. It did not go deeply into the core but created a small overhang which was gathering small bits of magic. The stone itself was slightly warm with it being dulled, but inside this overhang heat radiated out. The sensation Philip got was the same warmth that he felt when the core was normal. He basked in the comforting heat for an unknown amount of time, but soon he heard a click.

Philip opened his eyes and shook his head to clear his mind. The first thing he noticed was the shadows in the room had changed. It seemed that a few hours had passed since he started his meditation. The second thing to come to mind was his stomach grumbling angrily as lunch had come and passed. Third, he felt refreshed. Basking in the warmth let his muscles he did not realize were tense relax.

Then the door opened followed by Emily and the Blackledge. The two were arguing over something, probably the thing in Blackledge’s hand. It looked like some sort of curved disk which reminded Philip of a pot lid, only without the handle. Though instead of being made of metal it was made of glass and had scratches all over it.

“He is my student so my word is final on how I shall teach him,” Blackledge hissed.

“And in this hospital my word is final. You can use it then you get out, that is final!” Priestess Emily growled, her robes swaying as she swung her arms down in frustration. “He is mine until I release him.”

“Omar has already given me permiss-”

“Omar can kiss my keister if he thinks he can steal one of my patients for another half-baked scheme of his!”

“There is no scheme.” Blackledge’s eyes were nearly popping out of his red face.

“There is always a scheme with the two of you,” Emily threw up her hands then moved fully into the room, locking her furious gaze at Philip. Philip gave her a small wave.

“Was lunch with Mel enjoyable?” He asked.

The anger seemed to disappear and her eyes turned gentle. “Oh, very lovely. That Melony is a very bright girl, though I sadly could not keep up with half her explanations.”

Philip nodded knowingly and chuckled. “You learn to just nod along with her until she finishes and hope she doesn’t ask you a question about it later.”

“That sounds very much like something you would do,” Emily sighed and turned back to Blackledge, her gentle gaze hardening into stone. “You use that thing and leave.”

“If that is all I am ‘allowed’ to do,” Blackledge matched her gaze and stood straight, towering over her. “Then I demand to do it privately with my student.”

“Fine, but for no longer than 10 minutes, starting now.” Emily whipped around, her white robes billowing behind her as she left the room in a huff.

Blackledge watched her for a few moments before sighing, his frustration evaporating away as his shoulders slouched. Philip wondered what happened between the two for them to be so hostile to each other. Then again that story probably delved into information that could pull him into some noble’s game or plot, so he erased the question from his mind.

The man turned and gave Philip a probing look before moving to sit in the chair next to Philip’s couch.

“Okay, our time is limited so best not waste it,” he said with a surprisingly calm voice. There was a strange tone in his voice, though. Almost like longing or sadness. Perhaps the hostilities between the Priestess and him did affect him more than the man let on...

No, no. Do not dig yourself into their drama. Focus on surviving the next few months.

“Shall I assume that is the thing you wanted to use on me.” Philip stated, give the device a suspicious glance.

“Yes, the Reader,” Blackledge set the device down onto the coffee table like it was a treasure. Philip gave it a closer examination and only was able to decipher the scratchers were actually runes carved into it. “Set your hand on this and I’ll do the rest.”

“Sounds too easy,” Philip mumbled.. “What’s the catch?”

Blackledge chuckled. It was unnerving to Philip, seeing this tall, dark man chuckling to what he said like it was a joke. Philip squinted his eyes to study Blackledge but the man gave no hint of mocking him in the slightest.

“There is no catch, Philip,” Blackledge said. He waved over the device like a showman. “This thing won’t harm you. It will show, in written form, your innate talents in magic. You will not be harmed in any way physically, magically, or mentally. At worst it’ll hurt your ego.”

Philip studied the device for a few moments before Blackledge coughed.

“Please, we are on limited time.”

With a sigh Philip did what the man asked and placed his hand on it. Blackledge opened his hands and strands of magic flew out of them, weaving into a cyclone of designs which plunged into the glassy dome. Philip’s hand was sucked onto the glass and rendered immobile. Philip tried to lift it but Blackledge coughed to get his attention.

“It must read your magic, so please don’t move. Once I break the weave you’ll be able to let go.”

Fighting the urge to snatch his hand back, Philip decided to listen to the man. It took only a few more seconds but a blue glowing screen appeared in front of the two of them.

[Core: Untouched | Unknown]

[Mana Purity: Dark | Dawning | Alert: Highly Malleable]

[Elemental Affinity: Air, Negligent 5% | Water, High 40% | Earth, Extreme 84% | Fire, Low 15%]

[Skills: Mana Control, Mana Weaving, Mana Reading]

Philip stared at the screen, the so-called status of him not making much sense. Though, while he didn’t understand it, the sudden alertness of Blackledge and his sharp mutterings meant that something unusual popped up.

“So, am I a mage, Professor?” Philip asked sarcastically when the man didn’t start talking normally for half a dozen seconds.

Blackledge blinked and shook his head, his eyes moved away from the screen and scanned over Philip. This was not like the probe beforehand. That one was like he was being judged like a child being judged for telling a lie. This scan was more like a man looking at a rare animal.

“You are far more than I could ever have hoped for,” Blackledge chuckled spiritedly. “Highly malleable mana along with an extreme amplitude for Earth magic? You are the find of a century!”

“Fancy words that mean nothing to me. My mana has always been malleable. And what do you mean amplitude?”

Blackledge gave the screen another look before cutting off his magic. The threads of mana fell onto the object before dissipating into the air. The screen disappeared and the Runes faded. Philip waited for only an extra moment before pulling his hand back and crossing his arms.

“I suspected you were a Quckcaster when I saw you leap out of the window,” Blackledge took out some glasses and wiped them before putting them on. He then pulled out a book and cracked it open to a pre-marked page. “You’re magic is extremely flexible so you can weave your spells with an ease most mages envy. I find it hard that nobody has noticed your talent before.”

“I don’t like to stick out,” Philip grumbled.

“I have noticed,” Blackledge laughed. “And if it wasn’t for your friend Lily I’m sure you would have been overlooked by everyone except the Groaws. And the only reason you’d be noticed by them is they take everyone they can get their greedy little paws on. Every flunk, every grunt, and every lackey. The family is great for filling out footmen, but it is a very barbaric house.”

“Quite a blunt statement, Professor. Talking about a Baron’s house could be considered an insult.”

“Perhaps to the uncultured it might seem that way,” Blacklege countered. “But the Groaws brag about it the most. It boggles the mind how they celebrate mediocrity… either way we should stay on topic.”

Philip chuckled and sat back in his chair.

“So what is so great about being a quickcaster?” he asked.

“It means you are the perfect candidate to have any cut,” Blackledge announced, “No matter what you’ll be able to adapt and use your magic to its best degree. No loss of flexibility, no loss of power. A Quickcaster is gifted that no matter what is done to your core you’ll always be able to keep control of your magic.”

“Except when I get magic fatigue?”

Blackledge froze and gave Philip a hard stare. “Never do what you did again, Philip. You’re mana won’t be affected, but a damaged core has its own problems. Though, I am curious… what cut were you getting?”

Philip shook his head and said he never had his core cut. Nobody, outside of Priestess Emily, has ever gotten close to his core to cut it since he arrived at the University. He had even avoided any classes which taught ‘advanced’ magic exercises due to wanting to not be seen.

“That is peculiar, then.” Blackledge sat back in his own chair and pondered. “Your cut is categorized as ‘unknown’ and not ‘raw’, meaning someone has tampered with your Core. You have a few cuts to start the shape, most likely, but not enough for the Reader to recognize what the final product would be.”

“Will that be a problem?” Philip sat upright in his chair. Someone had worked on his core? When? How? Was it during his naps? Maybe it was earlier when he first came to the University? Or was it the man who scanned him at the Orphanage? When was the core cut, and how is it done?

Questions for another time.

“Not necessarily,” Blackledge answered Philip after noticing his tension. “Initial cuts follow the same pattern. If the Reader doesn’t know what cut you have then it is most likely in that stage.”

Philip let out a sigh of relief. His core wasn’t ruined by some unknown person.

“I’ll have Emily do a thorough scan of your core before you leave her care. It would be best to know exactly what type of cut they’ve started, or at least get a good idea on which direction they were going so I can make corrections later.”

“Corrections?” Philip became alert again.

“Yes, corrections,” Blackledge confirmed. “You are my student so you will be getting the cut I deem best for your growth. As a quickcaster, I would say a pear cut is the best option. But that decision will be made after I see what you can do.”

“Do I get a say in the matter?”

“Of course you do,” Blackledge gasped. “It is your core, boy. You will be guided to make the best choice, but the end decision is between you and your family.”

“But I don’t have a-”

“It is best not to dwell on the past, Philip,” Blackledge interrupted. He flipped through his book to another passage. “I will say I would be impressed with your Mana’s flexibility, but your affinity to Earth is phenomenal. Almost one hundred percent!”

“More lectures… Okay, I’ll bite. What does affinity mean?”

“Your affinity is how effective your mana is when you attune it to an element. If you have, shall we say as an example, only twenty five percent affinity to water then when you turn your mana into a thread of water you only keep twenty five percent of your original mana. That affinity is how efficient you are at using that specific element.”

Philip looked at the ground and pondered. “Then I waste almost no mana when I use earthen magic?”

“Correct!” Blackledge smiled and snapped his book shut. “You would make a great geomancer, but I predict there are even greater possibilities for you.”

Philip felt a prickling on the back of his neck and looked around. Was he being watched? His eyes fell onto Blackledge and he shivered at the man’s expression. Philip was an animal in his gaze, but not a pet. No, Philip was the prized cut of meat being sold.

Philip gulped and shook that image out of his mind.

“We can discuss that in another time,” Blackledge clapped and the book and glasses disappeared back into his robe. He took the Reader from the table and started to the leave. “If I had my way I would start testing you now but Emily would have the entire Campus burning if I tried.”

“I’m sure it would be a righteous crusade to rescue a single student previously diagnosed with minor to moderate injuries,” Philip snarked.

Blackledge paused and thought for a second before nodding. “Yes, that does sound like something she’d do.”

“I was joking.”

“And I am not. So rest well, boy. We’ll be working hard soon enough. And don’t ignore Emily’s directions or you might not leave this room until after graduation.”

Philip stayed silent as Blackledge left the room.

The sun was getting low on the horizon. The pile of papers which Lily was forced to deal with were finally neatly stacked in a pile at the corner of her desk, every one read, marked, and ready to send off with an acceptance stamp or rejection. Days of neglect completed, the budget proposals and propositions for supplies, activities, and parties can now be put out of her mind.

Until tomorrow when another stack of papers is shoved in front of her.

Lily sighed and rubbed her tired eyes with the back of her hands, then placed her quill pen into its holder. She then took a moist towel which a maid held out to her and cleaned the ink off her hands. Lily groaned and waved to a small mirror on the other side of the room. The maid scurried off to grab it as Lily stretched, her back popping multiple times due to her poor posture leaning over the paperwork.

When the maid returned Lily breathed a sigh of relief seeing she didn’t rub ink across her face. It wouldn’t have been the first time she would have done it, and Lily also bet it wouldn’t be her last. But today was a good one with her face still clean and fresh like when she started, if a little fatigued.

“Would the Miss like dinner before leaving for the night?” the Maid asked.

Lily waved the made away, shaking her head. “Not today. I will be retiring early, I think.”

“Very well,” the Maid replied. “The young Master wished me to give you this once you were preparing to leave.” She held out a small letter, the Cardaire’s crest imprinted on the wax seal.

Lily gave a tired nod and placed it inside her bag to read once she got to her room. She felt a brush of another letter inside, which sparked a memory from earlier today. She pulled out the third invitation she received with Melony, the unknown crest and old parchment seeming at conflict with the fresh and clean surroundings of her office.

“Oh my,” the Maid gasped. “An Archmage seal! My lady has given an impression to someone important.”

Archmage? One of the Headmasters of the University? Why did Lily get a letter from one of them? How did she not know an Archmage’s seal immediately?!

Lily pushed learning more about the noble families higher on her priority list.

She quickly opened it and read it. Lily had been invited to have some tea at the Peak Observatory at her earliest convenience. Lily groaned as she looked outside at the low sun and cringed. She will have to make a very good excuse to push a simple meeting like this so late. She could use Charles. Using him as an escape goat would be worth it just to watch him squirm under the gaze of an Archmage.

Lily folded up the letter and returned it to her bag and bid the Maid farewell. She bade goodbye to her colleagues, the usual polite ritual of greeting, small discussion about nothing, and leaving with the lower ranking person giving the higher one a slight bow. Ironically, Lily had to bow to everyone despite holding the second highest position in the Student Council because of her commoner status.

“Waste of time,” Lily muttered under her breath as she finally left the mansion.

A cool breeze hit her and she breathed it in. The heat of the day was gone and the chill of the night was creeping in. It was a relaxing time for Lily. She could unwind, relax, and read in the privacy of her room. Since it was spring most of the parties were tea parties or small gatherings, and she could avoid most of them due to her lack of status. So this time of year was perfect for either getting ahead in her studies or practicing a hobby or extra interest.

For tonight, though, she was invited to an event. One which was bound to be important.

Lily rushed off to her room and flung open her closet. She had a few dresses gifted, or bribed, to her by friends and colleagues. She pondered for a few moments before grabbing a dark blue one. It had a few trims around the hips and bust, but overall it could be considered a plain outfit. This would emphasize humbleness to the Archmage, but show off she was not unfashionable. The next part was to pick a few select pieces of jewelry to compliment the dress. Ruby with silver felt perfect. They didn’t fade into the dress and helped emphasize her skin. She was young and youthful, and a perfect candidate if the Archmage was considering picking her during the Adoption ceremony. Someone of the Archmage’s status would be able to have enough pull to take her from any of the lower houses.

Nodding in satisfaction she set off after fixing up her hair and grabbing a small handbag for her invitation. Simple, elegant, and humble. The perfect girl for expanding the power to one’s house.

Lily moved as quickly as she could through the campus, but never at a run. Doing so would mess up her dress and hair. A speedwalk was perfect to keep her fresh and energized enough to make the evening enjoyable–

Lily paused once she reached the stairs. Her eyes widened as she followed the winding trail up, and up, and up to the peak. She had heard of the location but had never been there, but to hear it was the ‘peak’ and to actually see the way to reach it were two different things.

She looked over her shoulder toward the sun. There was still time before dusk would begin but it was getting dangerously low. Lily did not want to be on these stairs once darkness hit.

She cursed herself for neglecting the letter. She should have done this tea party during the afternoon, not now when everyone was getting ready to rest.

But the damage was done. Lily would bear with her choices, as she had always done. For better or worse she would succeed, and come out on top.

Lily took in a breath and started up the winding staircase. Up and up it went, the chill of the wind getting more biting as she rose higher and higher. Soon she passed the levels of the Guard Keep, the Aviaries, and even the airship docking bays. The buildings and mansions of the Upper City became smaller and smaller and the edges of the island also became clearer as she rose into the sky. Billowing clouds washed outward as far as she could see, an ocean of white and blue. A small spec in the distance could also be seen once she arrived at a small walled terrace.

The Great Forest Island, one of the few wild islands of the Kingdom. Soon, she will be going there. That was the location of the Familiar Hunt which would take place in a few months, and would be the final factor proving her worth to these pompous, arrogant nobles.

A gust blew across the terrace making Lily shiver. She pulled out a few strings of mana and weaved a bubble of warmth around her as well as a bubble of solid air. The gust was cut off and was replaced by a small strain against Lily’s mind.

She had come far from when she was a helpless child in the orphanage, but Charles had made it very clear today that she was still far too weak. She had to get stronger to not be forced to become someone else’s chess piece. She would become a player, not a pawn.

She pat her hand bag which held the letter. To gain strength she needed connections, and connections was what she was going to make tonight.

Archmage or not, Lily would use them until she was safe in a position of power.

As Charles said: “Might makes Right.” And Lily hated being wrong.

She turned to gaze toward the Peak. She had only passed the halfway mark and the sun was finally reaching the horizon. She scowled and continued the climb toward her destiny.