Nathan lay on his bed, completely exhausted from training the spiral deflection pattern. He had managed to cast it successfully after no less than eight tries, using up a large amount of mana from one of the cubic magic tools. The outcome of the spell was only marginal, though. When he applied it to the paper, he only saw it shifted by a few centimeters. However, he discovered that he could not just see and channel mana over longer distances, he could also control the mana to form larger spell circuits. He experimented with increasing the size of the patterns and was surprised by the results. Due to the larger spell area, the light was bent over a longer distance, significantly improving the spell's effect with the same casting proficiency. The only downside was that controlling mana in a broad area, to form complex patterns, was extremely tiring, so Nathan only cast the spell twice before falling into his bed. By now he knew that his ability to control mana over a wide range was abnormal and why the clerk in the magic store wanted to catch him. He was sure that he would end up as a valuable specimen in some magician's laboratory if his ability were to become public. As usual, when he overtaxed himself, he fell in a deep and sound sleep shortly after.

Nathan spent the following days in a similar manner and time passed on. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and the end of the year inched closer. The otherwise so quiet Apprentice Village became livelier as the yearly progression assessment approached.

“Why exactly are you all so anxious about this assessment?” Terran asked, slouched in his chair with his arms crossed behind his head.

“Because it pretty much decides if we can become research students later on. I don't understand how you can be so relaxed about it.” Devan answered.

Alina nodded vigorously without raising her head. As the date came closer she invested more and more time into practicing her first combination circuit of water control and micro deceleration, the ice wall spell.

“Ye really plan to become research magicians? That isn't payin' well and everything you develop 's owned by the school anyway, why bother?” Thomas asked.

“Yes. It's just a shit load of work without much return.” Terran went along with him.

“You really sound as if you only joined this school to date Sheila.” Revar, who was juggling three tiny rocks between his hands with acceleration and deceleration circuits, used this chance to poke fun at Terran.

“School life just wouldn't be complete without a girlfriend,” Terran answered with a smirk in his face.

“Hey Nathan, what about you. Wanna become a research magician?” He asked.

“Not really. I plan to travel around the world after school.”

“To look for information about that mysterious airship? Sounds fun, I'll join you.” Terran said.

Alina looked up from the diagram in front of her.

“You'll break Magister Duskvale's heart. Ever since you showed him that tiny modification for the spiral deflection spell he treats you as his precious treasure.” She giggled.

“Can't change it,” Nathan shrugged, “but I will probably return here anyways. It's unlikely I can deal with whoever destroyed my village. Even if I find out who's responsible.”

“Just give me the word and I will help you!” Alina answered in her rarely heard serious voice.

Revar also joined in, “Yeah, I'll take every chance to practice magic combat, so count me in too.”

“Guys. I appreciate it, but you really don't need to do that. I wouldn't want my problems to mess with your future.”

“No biggy,” Terran answered, “I don't want to be a research student anyways, and Sheila also isn't the type to research in some closed lab.”

“If that's your choice, I'll happily accept it. At least it won't be boring with you around.”

“I know, right?” The grin in Terran's face got even wider.

“But back to the topic, what do you guys think about the assessment?” Nathan asked, looking at Revar and Devan. Those two always had the most accurate information about events and gossip.

“Putting aside the individual academical part, we should be fine for the combat practice. The only problem is that including Sheila we're seven. The assessment is in teams of three, though, so one will be left over.”

“Don't worry about Sheila. She'll be in a team with her brothers.” Terran said.

“That makes it easier.” Revan took some notes out, “I asked some second-years a few days ago, and they told me the most successful teams in their assessments had a single member dedicated to defense, and two for attacking. Or one attacker and a supporter.”

“Guess I'd be considered a defender,” Alina said.

“And a very good one at that, if you manage to succeed with your ice wall spell,” Revar answered.

“I should be able to. I draw the circuit correctly, it can only be some trivial thing still missing.” She pouted.

“Great. Aside from Alina, Nathan and I should be acceptable at defense too. Devan is definitely an attacker, your sharp light spells are deadly. As for Terran, you and Thomas probably count as support. As far as I know, we will get two hours to prepare, in which we can craft as many magic tools as we can, this would be your job.”

“So, the main question is about who's our second attacker?” Alina asked.

“Pretty much, yeah. I'd say Nathan, because he also knows sharp light spells. They're some of the hardest to defend against.”

“Sure, I can be an attacker.”

“So, who wants to join Alina's team?”

Everyone raised their hands.

Alina chuckled, “Am I that popular, or is it my ice wall?”

“Let's just draw lots, that's the fairest,” Nathan suggested.

A few minutes later their teams were set. The first team was formed by Alina, Terran, and Devan, and the second team included Nathan, Thomas, and Revar. Upon dividing the group into two teams, the atmosphere became competitive. For the next few days, until the day of the combat assessment, both parties met in different buildings to prepare strategies and practice new spells. The academical assessment was an opportunity for the students to show their spells and research results to the Magisters. For exceptional students, it often ended with them being invited to a research group and was thus often seen as the more important part. Nathan, however, didn't care much about it. He didn't think magic research would avenge his family. After just displaying a single advanced spell of every category, sharp light, gravity control, and micro-acceleration, he left the examination hall. Nathan regarded the combat assessment as much more important because they rarely practiced combat in the first year. The only practice partner he had was Revar, who joined the magic school mainly to be able to defend his clansman.

“...to defend our friends, our families, our countries.” Magister Roheim had just finished his opening speech for the combat assessment. He looked down from the Magisters balcony to the applauding students which gathered on the overhanging gallery surrounding the large open courtyard, where the battles would take place. After seeing the satisfactory reaction of the students, Magister Roheim raised his arms to stop the cheering. His gaze wandered across them and finally rested on the participants of the assessment waiting in the courtyard.

“We have invited several officers of Moria's military to observe today's examination. If your wish is to join the army, navy or even airforce, then this is your chance to show them your capabilities! For those who do not wish to join the military, please don't disregard this assessment. Even the most peace-loving magicians might arrive at a point, where they have to defend their own lives or that of those dear to them.”

He sat down and Magister Kennen took over.

“My little students. Most of you are probably already aware of the procedures, but for those who aren't, I will explain it with a few words. The courtyard you're standing in is your battlefield. The students of my magic-enhanced martial arts club will be arranging the environment and some obstructions so that your little skirmish won't be held on an open field. Before the battles, each of you will receive a two hour preparation time with free access to magic resources. Use them well! Good magic tools can make a big difference in the outcome of a battle. You will also receive a magic protection armor for the duration of the assessment. If you channel mana along the patterns engraved on the surface, it creates a shield that can protect you from most harmful spells. It's coupled with a sound pattern, it will ring once when you activate it and a second time when it's deactivated or broken. Familiarize yourself with it, you are required to keep it active for the whole battle! If we hear it ring you're eliminated! Now to the rules of the skirmish itself. The goal of the assessment isn't just to beat your opponents, but also to do so in a beautiful way. You can use every spell you know, so be creative and efficient. There is no need to hold back, the armor will keep everyone alive, and if the armor is deactivated, a referee will shield that student and remove him from the courtyard. Now then, please go to the preparation hall. I'm excited to see what you all have to show us!”

The first-year students were escorted through a gate in the courtyard that led to a big, brightly lit hall. Its center was dominated by rows of tables with a large number of mana ores and crystals as well as cans full of mana essence. Some tables had compartments for standard parts like blades, small essence tanks, various handles, bracelets, and others. On the sides of the hall, several dozens of doors could be seen, which lead to small rooms where the teams could prepare for the battle.

One of the second-year students leading them turned towards the crowd. “This is the preparation hall. Feel free to use everything you see and make the best out of your time.”

As soon as he finished the sentence some students rushed towards the tables, Terran and Thomas included. Nathan was relaxed. He only knew the basics of crafting and certainly wouldn't be able to craft anything useful within two hours, so he just went over to Thomas and helped him carry the items he picked. A few minutes later Thomas seemed satisfied and they hurried towards one of the smaller rooms.

“Did you get everything we need?” Revar asked them.

“Nearly,” Thomas answered, “we won't be craftin' the screecher, but the rest should be ok.”

“Great, can we help in any way?”

“Nah, I will ask ye if I need somethin'.”

Thomas took out several stacks of paper, each full with different spell circuits, most of which Nathan never saw before. Whenever Thomas was done assembling a tool, he took one of the papers, put it on a surface of the tool, and started to trace the patterns with a small knife, leaving thin lines on the material. Then he took out several carving tools and started to broaden and deepen those lines. One magic tool after the other was finished until he had a collection of 14 tools lying in front of him.

“All done,”

He handed three similar-looking tools to Nathan. They were built from two flat, rectangular plates, connected together with small springs. They had a small gap as thick as a thumb between each other. A removable stick was inserted in the gap to prevent them from moving.

“This is the micro-'cceleration tool, that ye requested. As soon as someone steps on to it, every particle will be 'ccelerated 'pwards, 'xcept for the students themselves.”

“Thanks, this will help us a lot! I wish I could cast this without a tool.” Nathan said.

“Ye will get there. I just hope it'll really work how ye're expectin'.”

“We will see, they should.”

Nathan examined every pattern on the tools and compared them mentally with the diagram he copied from one of the micro-acceleration books from the library. When he found that everything was as he had envisioned he put them away.

Revar got six spheres with the size of a chicken egg from Thomas. Each of these spheres had a smooth metallic surface, with a small symbol that was different for each sphere.

“Yer tools were quite hard to make. I hope I made them well 'nough, that they really trigger. If ye hit yer target with the symbol, then a drop of mana 'ssence from the small cask in the middle should fly towards the inner circuit and 'ctivate their 'ffects”

“What spell circuits were you able to carve into them?” Revar asked.

“I only could use basic patterns, its two 'lectric stun and two explosive patterns. I'm not yet able to layer patterns, so I've been makin' two more with macro-acceleration backward. The other four are basically throw and forget.”

Revar juggled the spheres in his hand, seemingly deep in thoughts. Without paying him any more attention, Thomas pocketed the other five tools, took out some beef jerky and started to eat. Nathan was too nervous to sit still or eat, he paced through the room and looked at the clock on the wall every few seconds. Five minutes before the preparation period was over he indicated his teammates to follow him and left the room.