Chapter 4

The Practice

Night came quickly to Lacardia, and within the halls of its Academy, a raucous party had begun.

Meredith wasn’t sure how she’d gotten roped into the celebration, but she’d found herself inside Windy Hall, the dorm for students her age, partying with the very class that had been her exam opponents. One part of her couldn’t believe she was holding the laminated card that indicated her acceptance. The other part was just annoyed at the continued advances of the boy she could consider her new classmate.

“It’s always nice to have more female presence on campus. There just isn’t enough, I’m telling you!” Conrad exclaimed loudly. Those not part of A-Class looked suitably irritated at the boy’s outburst. He paid no mind to them.

“You mean there isn’t enough that haven’t turned you down, right?” Summer asked, her cold, blue eyes piercing across the table. She played a card opposite Felix, who screeched and upended his own cards. Autumn slapped the table with enthusiasm.

“Summer wins again! Yay, sis! Eddie, want a round?”

“I…don’t know the game,” Eddie said. His laugh was nervous, but Meredith smiled at his behavior. No matter how much he’d deny it, Eddie had gained a new confidence by passing the exam. He’d found his place, so to speak, proven with every step of their earlier tour. A sigh parted the girl’s lips.

“What’s on your mind, fair lady?” Conrad asked. His arm made its way not-so-subtly to her side, with full intention of draping itself around her. She headed that off by gripping his finger and pulling. Autumn saw and guffawed, legs kicking back and forth.

“Nothing I want to tell you.”

“Cold and aloof, I like it.” Meredith resisted slapping him.

“You didn’t like it from the last girl that was that way. I believe you remember what happened,” Felix said, organizing his cards for another round. Conrad began to splutter, offering Meredith the chance to look around the dormitory they were in.

She hadn’t been given the chance to really observe it upon entering, rushed straight into a state of “initiation party” that left Emil behind somewhere. Now that she had the chance, she could note its unique structure, just like the rest of Lacardia. Sort of like a multi-tiered cake, the rooms were fanned out…if the cake had been flipped over. Yet it held all the same. Some other classmates seemed to show respect to the partiers while others looked almost…jealous. The glares of envy reminded Meredith of the discussion between Emil and the hated Vivian back in the Sandshift Ruins, and she thought of asking a question.

The very thought felt like she was tempting fate.

“Vivian was a special exception and you know it, Felix! That girl was cold to everyone…” The mention of Vivian’s name sent silence around the room, bringing a pause to the card game. Eddie looked up, eyes flitting back and forth.

“You guys know Vivian?” Meredith grimaced, but the demeanor of the room didn’t change. Even some footsteps above the common room they were situated in pulled to a halt.

“Oh, we know her, all right. Stuck-up…” Autumn pouted, playing a card. The game resumed.

“She was A-Class before us,” Summer said, playing her own card next.

“Her and Emil, both,” Felix continued. “There were some other students, but it was quite the fuss when those two left. The remaining students completed their studies not long after. I hear they work for the research department now, but little else. Emil and Vivian were always the bigger story.”

“One’s a government brat that gets all the girls and the other is…well, there’s no way to describe Vivian,” Conrad concluded.

Meredith wasn’t as sure about that; she could think of quite a few words to describe Vivian Lacroix. More intriguing was the glimpse into Lacardia’s class setup. From their duel in the courtyard, it was obvious that all four of the students in A-Class were immensely skilled in the ways of magic. Yet before them had been Emil and Vivian, two clearly disliked students that had once been A-Class, themselves. Their departure had evidently allowed Felix and the others to climb the ranks.

It was a hierarchy, and not one she wanted to concern herself with. If there was any order she cared about, it was with the Guardian Corps alone.

So, as Felix changed the topic, Meredith decided to stand. “Eddie, since I think you should join A-Class in its courses, is there anything in particular you’re hoping to learn? I’m sure Professor Benjamin will be quite accommodating.”

Eddie made to answer, but Meredith poked Conrad instead. He gleamed at her. “Anywhere I can make a call?”

“Not in the dorms. There’re some phones on the edge of campus, near where you came in from. Want me to escort you?”

“Pretty sure I’m fine. I need a walk anyway.” She patted him on the shoulder. He shrugged in response.

With a light yawn, Meredith flung herself over the couch she was seated on. Eddie was absorbed in his discussion of classes, with topics ranging from Magical Matter to Elemental Balance (which was the only topic that seemed to get Summer excited). Knowing he wouldn’t miss her, she made fast tracks for the exit from the dormitory and out into the crisp air of Lacardia. Regardless of her earlier exhaustion, the air that was boosted by the magic core made Meredith lighter than ever. She shoved her hands in her pockets and walked towards the road from the Academy.

The lights from the city beyond were inviting, illuminating her path where the moon, stars and school lights didn’t. With her magical vision randomly activating on her walk, Meredith could see the mass of souls that were out there, but couldn’t pinpoint or identify them. The prospect of learning more tomorrow, though, put a spring in her step. In no time, she reached the edge of the Academy campus and the line of phone booths that weren’t in use. She entered one.

By rote, Meredith touched the screen that brought up the numbers and she punched in the ones towards home. The line began to ring, and for a moment, Meredith found herself distracted, looking towards the government sector and wondering what Ray was up to at this point of the evening. The very thought made her nostalgic, which doubled as the other end of the line was picked up.

“Well, well, Mera, you decided to call after all,” the voice of her mother resonated. Meredith snapped her gaze back, offering a smile. Her mother wasn’t alone for long, the clattering in the background soon followed by her father appearing on the screen.

“How’ve you been, favorite mechanic?”

“You make it sound like I’m an employee, dad!” Meredith whined. Her parents laughed, the static cutting in a bit, but not diminishing the sound. “How’s the shop?”

“It’s good, as always,” her father said. He leaned closer to the camera, but his wife pulled him back. “We’re more interested in you. How goes our little traveler?”

“Little traveler and companion have come all the way to Lacardia, actually. We got in the Academy!” Meredith added a wink in at the end, which almost made her laugh at the wide-eyed, blinking expressions of her parents. “You mean Ray didn’t tell you?”

“Hold on.” Meredith’s mother shifted her stance, folding her arms with pursed lips and a glare usually reserved for her husband. Meredith grinned, trying to look anywhere else but at her mother. Doing so allowed her to catch sight of a familiar shadow walking down the road to leave campus. She did a double-take but focused on the phone screen before her mother chewed her out. “Are you saying you ran into Ray and learned magic?”

“Maybe. You’ll have to ask him!” Meredith quickly looked for the call cancel button. Her mother didn’t look too happy about that.

“Don’t you defer this to your brother, Mera! I’m going to get the truth out of you!”

“I’ll write you a note when I’m a Guardian. Sorry, saw a friend. Gotta go! Love you!” She heard the hurried return of the sentiment and then ended the call. Her feet stepped out of the booth and her voice rose to grab the attention of the departing boy. “Emil! Didn’t see you around during the party. Leaving so soon?”

Emil stopped, visible in the light of the city. Wind whistled through the air as he hitched his bag on his shoulders; his intention in departure was obvious. “Yeah. Just did some catching up with Professor Benjamin and some other staff members, so now I’m off. Don’t really feel like sticking around the Academy to watch you learn. No offense.”

“And your parents?” She hadn’t meant to ask that, but with her own still on her brain, the track of conversation was inevitable. Emil stiffened a bit.

“Screw ‘em. I’m not sticking around long enough to see either of them,” the boy responded, a snarl on his lips. “Taking the next boat out of here, past the northern mountains, and I don’t plan to see them for a very long time, if ever.”

Meredith folded her arms and leaned against a nearby lamppost. “Why do you hate them so much?”

“I told you, didn’t I? They’re control freaks. The only reason I got into the Academy was because of them, from a very tender age. Automatic admission.” Emil spat on to the ground. “All while there are people who…

“Anyway, they have work. Can’t interrupt something as precious as that and bring disgrace to the family, can I?”

Meredith wanted to say something. Argue something about having him stay. Annoying though he was, she still considered him, well, a friend. Instead, she sighed once more. “Where will you go, then?”

“Next trial, maybe? Or just travel around. See more than Lacardia, that’s for sure.” His hands plunged deep in his pockets and he breathed out, misting in the air. “Don’t mean to leave you high and dry but…”

“No problem with me. You take care of yourself,” Meredith said. She, too, put her hands back in her pockets and began to stride away. Only a singular wave followed. “I’m going to learn more about my magic. Let’s meet up again and battle it out.”

“Yeah, sure. I wouldn’t mind winning another fight.” Meredith stuck her tongue out at him. There was a moment of silence, and then both turned away from one another. “See you later, Mera. Tell Eddie I said bye. Until we meet again.”

Meredith didn’t look back. Didn’t repeat the unneeded sentiment. She and Emil just walked away from each other, on their own paths. Their own goals had diverged and taken precedence once more. Meredith continued on and by the time she had returned to the dormitory and turned in, all thoughts of Emil had fled, replaced only with those of sleep and the studies to come.

Morning brought with it an occurrence Meredith never thought she’d experience again: getting up for school.

While she’d only attended on and off back home, owing to working at the garage, and despite Lacardia being very different as far as schools went, waking up in the early morning to go to class was not an experience she was happily familiar with. Eddie, naturally, was the exact opposite.

He had fit right in with the crowd that was A-Class, buttering toast together and talking about that day’s classes. Meredith was far less interested in the basic dorm life, stifling yawns and watching the news that Felix was engaged with. There was nothing of any particular note, other than more details of the repair work at the Metropolis. This resulted in Felix switching it off after a few moments and beginning to pack his things.

“A-Class! Time for the classroom!” Felix’s call led everyone else to finish shoving down their breakfasts and grab their bags. Eddie was right behind them, as was Meredith.

The campus was busier than it had been yesterday, most students going to the main building, chatting like no one else was around. A-Class was no different, and Meredith took the chance to inform Eddie of what had occurred last night. He didn’t look surprised.

“So, Emil’s gone, then…” he said, finger on his chin. “I’m sure we’ll see him again somewhere. But for now, we’ve gotta focus! He gave us an opportunity here.”

“Yay for opportunity!” Autumn interjected. She slid right between the two friends to hook Eddie’s arm. Summer was on the other side, doing the same thing. “Come on, Eddie! To class we go!”

“I’d…like to see more of your multiple element magic,” Summer concurred.

“Sorry, Mera! We’ll talk later!”

She doubted that as her best friend was wheeled away by the twins. Giving a sigh, Meredith turned in the direction of Matthew’s office, having been informed of its location the day prior. She gave a single look to the Violent Staff and then moved along towards where less students were until she arrived outside the mahogany door that wore a placard with Matthew’s name on it. She knocked.

“Come on in, Miss Meredith,” the voice called. She pushed on the door and entered, only to stop short in an attempt to not knock over a stack of books that teetered at the entrance. “Ah, sorry about that. You’ll have to pardon the tomes.”

“Looks like a library in here,” she said in observation. Books were stacked everywhere and anywhere, scrolls littered some desks and most of the room’s features were obscured by the amount of research materials that lay strewn about the floor. The only things not concealed were the windows and a large map hanging above Matthew’s cluttered desk. That drew Meredith’s eye.

It was a bigger map than she expected and one that looked very different from her own, revealing massive continents and a sea far beyond, scrawled handwriting on its side saying it was “uncharted”. It held her attention until she reached the main desk and looked down to see the scrolls that Matthew was wrapping up.

“Take a seat,” he said. She did as asked, looking at one of the scrolls and seeing a diagram of the staff drawn on one. That was soon hidden from view. “Sorry, I was doing some Weapon research late last night. Your interest in the Violent Staff got me going on it again.”

“You said you learned a lot about it?” Meredith asked. Matthew nodded, combing some of his hair back as he finished tying the scrolls. Moments later he grabbed a book from the side and slammed it in front of Meredith. “You want me to read this?”

“To answer your questions, yes, I do know some things about the Weapons, but let’s save that for later,” Matthew said. His eyes had gone from kind to stern. Meredith knew her lesson had begun, proven when he sat down. “For now, no, I don’t expect you to read. I have the contents memorized. I do want you to look at a few things to help you understand your magic.”

“You mean…Soul Magic isn’t common, right? No class taught on it?”

“Common? Meredith, Soul Magic is the rarest form of magic there is!” Matthew insisted. He reached over and opened the book to a bookmarked page. Meredith leaned in to see the image on the page. It looked exactly as she saw when she slipped into what she decided to term as “Soul Vision”: lights hovering all about with ties and connections. “The best way we can still describe it is a mutation of Light Magic, perhaps in its purest form. Light is said to be the progenitor of all other elements, so it makes sense.”

“How many Soul Magic users have you seen?”

“None.”

Meredith almost fell off her chair, but righted herself in time to lean forward. New questions, yearning for answers, bubbled out. “Then why do I have it? What makes me so special as to have the rarest kind of magic? I mean, I always thought I didn’t have any…”

“An erroneous assumption. All have magic; it’s just a matter of unlocking that potential inside. Being around a friend such as Eddie, who seems to have the same natural affinity that the twins do, can’t have made that easy.” Matthew flicked through pages again, this time to a diagram that looked focused on more basic magic. “I can’t pretend to know things about Soul Magic, but I do know magic, and I know you’re not alone. Could I say why you developed it? Not really. Magic can often be a luck of the draw, but it’s what you have.”

Meredith scooted forward, feeling a little better, as she studied the diagram. It confirmed what she knew about magic taking the body’s energy, and how that was restored over time. Turning through the pages herself, she could see all the different forms and how they applied to the elements. “So…Soul Magic is special. Like its own element. Not affected by the cores?”

“Not in the traditional sense.”

“And what did you mean by not being alone? You said you’ve never seen another Soul Magic user.”

“I haven’t, but I’d imagine the principal is similar to a number of other magics,” Matthew said. He leaned back now, propping his feet on his desk as he stared across to Meredith. “The biggest difference is likely in what it can do. What have you experienced?”

“Er…sensing souls? Talking with them?” Meredith said, her fingers ticking down with things she mentioned. “Connecting with them…?”

“A Soul Scream.” Matthew flicked one more time to a page that showed a person, connected to the six elements, letting out a roar of each.

“Yes, that’s exactly what it was!” Meredith couldn’t help the grin. Matthew shared in it.

“It must require an immense amount of concentration and energy. Not only do you have to focus on your magic, but then drawing out from another’s soul…”

“No, it was more like I asked and it delivered. Like…” Meredith paused, looking up at the map, then to Matthew. His own soul was becoming visible in her concentration and she could hear whispers from him. “Like my body is the conduit of magic. I ask for help, and it passes through me.”

“So, the ‘element’ is taken from an external source…” Matthew tapped his chin now. “Fascinating. No wonder it isn’t affected by the cores, and you do this through connection. That could have a number of effects, maybe even mutations in the way it’s used.”

“I’ve only used it the one way.” Another pause. “My biggest issue is turning it on and off. Sometimes I’ll see the souls. Sometimes I won’t. Sometimes I’ll connect to them without realizing, ever since I unlocked my magic. I don’t always realize I’m doing it.”

“A common problem with high-concentration magics. Mine is no different.” Meredith cocked her head to the side, curious as to whether he’d reveal more. “Time Magic. Speeding up and slowing down within a radius. If I’m not careful, I could make things happen I don’t want to. Yet, after all these years, it’s second-nature.

“That is what I meant by ‘you’re not alone’.”

Meredith sat back at the information. Having known Eddie all her life, she thought everyone with magic found it as easy to use as breathing. Yet here was the exception. A man who needed to channel his magic, keep it tightly locked. It made sense, now, why unlocking her magic had been so difficult in the first place.

Intrigued, Meredith peered intently at Matthew, his soul coming into sharper focus within her mind. Within that realm, she reached forward, placing a hand on that light, feeling its magic and sensing its benign intentions. It was a soft, warm blanket. Matthew chuckled.

“You’re connecting with my soul, aren’t you?”

“You don’t mind, do you?”

“Not at all,” came the chortle.

Sucking in a breath, Meredith pushed on, her soul tying to Matthew’s. She could finally feel what he was talking about, the ticking clock inside his soul that showed his magic, along with the confidence and mindfulness that kept it from going out of control. There were memories there, as well, focused on how he tamed his magic. Her own soul pulsed, magic starting to leak into her veins, and she knew she could use that same time magic…but it felt wrong. Not without asking.

She pulled back.

“Anything wrong?”

“No, I just…I don’t want to use someone’s soul without permission,” Meredith answered back. Her breath hitched a moment, but she didn’t feel too exhausted. “Their soul is theirs, and my magic…it’s like it could strip them naked…I don’t want to do that.”

“That’s rather kind of you,” Matthew said. He sounded relieved, breathing out. His legs soon left his desk as he stood. “I have an idea.” Meredith looked up, blinking, as her teacher moved to stand in the light streaming through the windows. Beyond him, the courtyard was just visible. Even without magic, she could tell what he was thinking. “What do you say we work on finding out just how far your magic can go? After that, perhaps we can work on controlling it. I have just the student in mind that can help with that.”

“All right.” Not that she felt she had any other choice. Matthew was already sweeping from the room. She stood and went straight out after him, closing the door as she went.

The halls had fallen silent except for a few pops and bangs that resounded from the upper floors. Their wing of the establishment was empty, passing through a row of offices that were unoccupied and back to the entrance hall. The pair, as usual, glanced to the Staff but moved on to the next hallway. Meredith made herself even with Matthew, having a guess as to where they were heading. Knowing so, she could take in more of the hallway and the classes that lined it. If she squinted she could swear to seeing Eddie and Summer standing opposite each other, showing off magic.

That vision was gone soon as it came and the duo arrived in the courtyard, less populated on the fringes than it was the day before. The magic core was still giving a silent swirl, adding to the peace. Not that they were alone.

“Conrad, don’t you have class?” Meredith poked her head around at Matthew’s words, locating the dark-skinned boy as he read a book, leaning against a statue. He looked up and snapped the book shut.

“Multi-elemental class, which I’m not enrolled in,” Conrad answered. He took a moment to wink at Mera, but otherwise made no change to his demeanor. “Thought I’d take the time to read up on magical concentration. The more copies I create, the harder it is to keep them of the same mind.”

Meredith brought a halt to her steps and focused her magic in. Conrad’s soul became visible, a blindingly white light that belied his purity. Recalling Matthew’s words, she understood even more that she wasn’t alone. Conrad was the same as her teacher: a magic-user that required the utmost of concentration when it came to his abilities. Feeling a kinship, Meredith asked a question. “How many can you create?”

“Oh, about ten or so,” Conrad said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I can only do it if they’re all focused on acting the same, though. Any more and it falls apart. Less and I can give my own degree of control. Have to be careful not to split in two without thinking, though. Takes a drain on the magic.”

“Is that how you go on all your disastrous dates?” Conrad’s glare wasn’t to be ignored. Nor was Matthew’s throat-clearing.

“Meredith, if you’re done questioning him about his romantic life, or lack thereof…” Meredith grimaced and made to join Matthew. Conrad was right behind her, watching with vague interest. Both of the teens saw Matthew touch his hand to the swirling core, its surface bubbling with the displaced wind. “Yesterday, you used this core’s power. Was it on purpose?”

“Yeah. I asked it for help and it answered,” Meredith said. Her arms folded around her figure. “I think…something similar happened in the Sandshift Ruins, when I touched the magic core there. I saw things.”

“Cores are ancient magic, a concentration of it. There’s no doubt the soul of magic that is contained within could hold memories, perhaps.” The explanation made sense.

“Then there’s more than just human souls out there. I saw souls in the trees, the stones, the cores. When I can’t turn it off, I just see little lights all over the place. Humans seem to have the largest, but they’re not alone,” Meredith said. She was figuring it all out as she said it, and Matthew was looking giddier by the second. “Is it possible that trying to connect to one might force a connection to something else instead?”

“It’s all in how you concentrate,” Conrad said. He’d leaned in, pressing his own hand against the sphere of air. His touch was hesitant, like he thought it would burst out at any second. “Your magic is yours. If you want to keep it in, believe you’ll keep it in. What was your trigger?”

“Trigger?” Meredith blinked, but figured out what Conrad was asking. Memory of that one moment, of using her magic, rose in her mind. “To protect others. To go to my limits and break them for another person. To be a Guardian.”

“Then use that. If that triggered your magic, make that wish your secondary trigger,” Conrad said. His gaze was sharp and instructive, a far cry from the flirt he pretended to be. “For example, I unlocked my magic when I wanted to help my mother out. Helping my closest friends. When I think of that, I can use my magic freely. Otherwise, I lock it down. I tell myself it’s not time. Most days, that’s enough.”

“In other words, your connections to other souls are yours alone, Meredith,” Matthew concluded. The older man stretched his hand forward and took her wrist, guiding her to the surface of the core. “Use that belief and confidence to give yourself an on-and-off switch. Use it to reach a soul.”

Meredith swallowed, staring at the two advice-givers. Their eyes were understanding, encouraging. Neither had been asked, yet they knew just what she was scared of. Lock it down…use my dream to fuel me…

Eyes sharpened. Meredith nodded. Unfamiliar or not, she’d come this far. Learning this, it was all for being a Guardian to protect people, and that meant the two next to her. The key turned again, letting magic flow, and the souls became visible on command. Laughter bubbled out from her and she plunged her hand into the core.

It felt familiar, the memory of the flames licking her skin, surfacing. Yet it was different, due to being a breeze around her. The biggest difference lay in how much closer she felt, how much sharper she was seeing things. The soul swirled with green and white, and though Meredith knew she could touch it, she stopped. Ties connected them and a silent question passed. Then a silent nod.

Letting her wish flow, her magic went with it and touched the soul of wind.

Images appeared, some searing in her brain and others representing the world that was around her. As the flame had, there was a history here, long remembered by the traces of magic that had gathered. Meredith could see how the school was in its past days, even catching glimpses of what looked like a younger Matthew, speaking with a woman that had dyed her hair blue. Further back, the Academy changed form, becoming smaller, and once had been a pile of rubble in which two people stood, lamenting a loss. They almost looked like Matthew, but the feeling of memory was overwhelming, and with a breath, Meredith shut the tap off.

The memories faded and the magic core stilled.

Breathing slowly returned to normal, and with it, Meredith’s Soul Vision faded, placing a seal back over it. Conrad’s helpful words of assistance allowed her to calm herself and her energy returned to stable levels. Once it had, she turned to the two in the courtyard with her.

“Nothing weird happened, did it? Did you guys see those things, or did I make anything weird happen?”

“I didn’t see anything,” Conrad said, shrugging. He was turning away now, going back over to his statue with a smile on his face. Meredith looked to Matthew.

“Other than the magic core reacting a little, everything was calm. That’s a good thing. It means you’re managing to stabilize your magic instinctively.” Meredith beamed at Matthew’s words and the older man offered her a toothy smile. “Well, I think that meant it went rather well. What do you say we head into town to discover more?”

“Town? Why?” Meredith asked, despite her feet turning to him. Looking closely, she could certainly see his familiar features from the memory.

Matthew turned and smiled, eyes vanishing behind his thick eyebrows. “Let’s see how many souls you can sense. And you wanted to know about the Legendary Weapons, right? To do that, there’s one place we have to visit: Lacardia’s very own magical forge.”

Those words were enough to make her follow, right towards the heart of Lacardia’s town.