A few Knights from the Hold escorted the 12 contenders into the middle of the training ground, overlooked by the spectators on the ramparts. People were still in an uproar over what happened with Amrin and the reaction the Headmistress displayed. Adalyn was also stunned at the event that unfolded before her eyes. She knew instinctively that Amrin was not who she thought he was. There was much, much more to him and she would find out one way or another.

“Now that that’s out of the way. We will see just how well trained you lot are. To make this quick I’m changing the rules of engagement slightly. Normally it would be one on one. But due to the sheer number of applicants, we are short for time. Therefore…” he paused and cast Amrin a gaze of rage and contempt.

“I will allow you to form groups and engage me in combat as you will. If you are incapacitated or give up, you are disqualified. The rules for winning stay the same. If you are able to disarm me, you shall gain entry into the Academy with my blessing.”

“But sir?” one of the contenders raised his hand.

“Yes, what is it?” he grumbled.

“If we win…I mean, assuming we’re lucky to disarm you, who gets to enroll into the Academy?”

“All within the party that remain at the time of my disarmament. Meaning, if you give up, or are incapacitated before I lose my weapon, you are still disqualified. Understood!?”

“Sir!” the group shouted.

Amrin was annoyed, he had confirmed that the Headmistress was in fact Elynara Aquinas, but since she held a position the likes of which she never had before, he couldn’t figure out an easy way to get her alone for answers.

“Hey, Amrin?” a voice from beside him called his attention.

“Huh?” he turned to see it was Sebastian.

“The array…what did you do to it anyway?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well…no one is capable of more than 3 elemental affinities, and the sound that came from it?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it’s defective?” he shrugged.

“Right…defective…” Sebastian wasn’t convinced. “Anyway, what say we team up and try to take Braddock? I’m pretty confident in my skills, and if you know how to at least hold a sword we might be able to pull something off.”

“I don’t mind it. But it might not go as you want. Just don’t hold me responsible though, sound good?”

“Don’t worry about that! Like I said, I’ve already been at this for 4 years, and at least this year I don’t have to pay for it! So let’s do it!”

“I’m in your care.” Amrin nodded and grinned.

With Amrin and Sebastian making one team, the remaining split into 2 other groups, each with 5. Since Amrin and Sebastian refused to join. The other contenders scowled at their refusal to join but were quick to ignore them afterwards. The first group was up. Braddock held in his hand a hand and a half sword, or Bastard sword as it was more commonly known. He was wearing simple leather training gear since none of the weapons were sharpened. The tips were rounded off to prevent stabbing and all the edges were ground down.

The first group of 5 was clearly unorganized and had zero semblance of teamwork. They were all in it for themselves and were dispatched one after the other. They were given the same training gear that the Knight’s utilized in their morning practices the leather armor and 1 handed swords and those who wanted it, shields, so there was no major injuries.

“What is this!? You fools wish to join the elite of Highleaf?! With this paltry level of skill you’d be lucky to join a mercenary guild for the odd job here and there!”

He intended the words to be a form of encouragement, making their anger drive their desire to keep him from talking down to them. But it was unfortunately the opposite. The first group’s spirit was all but broken and they all went down in a matter of moments. The last two instead of being incapacitated, for fear of too much pain, gave up.

“This is pathetic! Next! Do not disappoint me!”

The second group of five learned of the first groups mistakes and were led by someone that seemed to know his way around a weapon and command. He instructed the member of the party to take positions and attack simultaneously in twos, while the remaining 3 looked for openings and attempted to tire him out or hope for a lucky shot and knock the large sword from his hands. For a group of people that have never met before now or been in any combat together, their strategy was the best they could hope for on such short notice.

The leader of the group was very competent with his sword play, there were a few instances that with the aide of the two that attacked in unison he had made contact with the pommel of Braddock's sword. But being a seasoned veteran, the second he felt the force of his sword lifting from his hands, he raised his arms to compensate and kicked towards the assailant to gain some distance and throw him off balance.

They lasted substantially longer than the first group, but their initial plan to wear him out with numbers failed, and was instead turned onto them. Braddock had fought numerous battles and had stamina to spare. The longer the fight went on the more people were being incapacitated. After half an hour of combat, the group was finally just the leader, who knew when he was outmatched and forfeited the match.

The group watching the entire duel cheered and applauded their efforts. Even though they had lost, they had gained the respect of the Knights as well as Braddock for pushing him so far. It was finally Amrin and Sebastian’s turn. Braddock turned towards Amrin and glared hard at him.

“Hopefully you know how to handle a sword…I’m thinking Braddock is on the warpath, and he’s gunning for you.”

“Huh? Why?” Amrin said oblivious to the situation he put himself in.

“You serious? Well first, you caused the Headmistress to lose her composure and then you…you touched her.” He said timidly.

“Okay…and that’s my fault? I was just giving the array back to her is all. Her losing her composure wasn’t my fault. They should get that array thing checked.”

“I hope you’re prepared for the punishment fitting your behavior.” Braddock raised his sword and pointed it at Amrin. “Prepare yourselves, this will be a quick fight.”

Sebastian started to regret joining up with Amrin. But there was no helping it, he knew he wouldn’t stand a chance against him on his own.

“Hey Sebastian, you promise not to hold it over me if this doesn’t go as you plan?” he asked sincerely.

“Of course, I’ll be happy if I can at least land a single blow, if I can at least do that, then the last 4 years won’t have been a total waste and there’s hope for next year.”

“You’re quite the admirable one, aren’t you? I’ll try to stun him for a second, when you see your chance, make sure you take it. Ok?”

Amrin walked forward and took the training sword and twirled it around so that the blade was facing down and stood straight and faced Braddock, no defensive or offensive stance was taken. Seeing this, Braddock was furious, he was being taken for a fool. First he humiliates Her Grace, then dares to touch her bare skin. He’s dreamt of doing that for as long as he can remember. He quickly glanced at Elena and saw she was still staring at the array in her hands. It angered him even further. He was to the point of exploding.

Braddock lowered himself into a stance that Amrin has seen before, he was going to lunge, failing that it would most likely turn into a cross slash regardless of which direction he dodged. He was serious, this move was intended to kill and he showed no signs of holding back. Amrin couldn’t help but sigh internally and wonder just how obsessed with Elynara he was.

“Sorry Sebastian. Looks like this guy isn’t messing around. Not gonna have much of a chance to get him into a position for you to take him out.”

“Wha..? So you’re giving up!?” he exclaimed.

Amrin turned and frowned at him. Before Sebastian could ask anything more Braddock charged. He shouted as he darted forward faster than any normal human could, lunged the tip of his sword out and attempted to skewer Amrin’s stomach. As if it was as simple as breathing, Amrin turned to the side and the blade grazed across the fabric of his shirt. Taking into account that he would attempt to dodge left or right, Braddock began to change the trajectory of the blade with brute force and swing wide.

Amrin took the pommel of the sword he had in his hand and gently tapped the edge of Braddock’s sword with a light clinking sound. To anyone that was watching, the speed in which it happened was impressive, but what no one could tell was the force that was truly behind the maneuver. Braddock’s swing that was attempting to cut wide into Amrin's stomach was instead forced the opposite direction, pushing him back and nearly knocking Braddock on the ground.

He regained his balance and was stunned, casting a confused and angry gaze towards Amrin.

The onlookers gasped, Sebastian stood perfectly still, mouth agape not knowing what just happened.

“You! You bastard!” While normally calm and able to take most things in stride, Braddock lost his temper, it was bad enough that he had to witness someone being so forward with the woman he loved, but they were also taking him for a fool with the sword. The only thing he was truly proud of and excelled at. Braddock lowered his stance, and placing one hand on the blade began to chant something.

“Swift and unrelenting, gale force presence. Gather here upon my weapon to bring about absolution. Wind Blade.”

Wind began to whirl around the blade of the training sword and cause the dirt of the training ground to swirl.

Amrin narrowed his eyes and tilted his head slightly. Upon hearing this, the crowd began to clamor and question what he was doing. Elynara also heard these words and raised her head and quickly stood from her seat, coming to the edge of the platform, she feared for his life. Braddock wasn’t finished though.

“Steadfast, immovable and firm. Reinforcement to stand against the mightiest of blows. Bulwark!”

Amrin could see a faint greenish light envelope Braddock and look to solidify around his body. He had never seen it used like this before, but he knew exactly what he was doing. Braddock seemed to be loved by the elements, but using them in this way, someone would die. Luckily Amrin was not such a person to let this proceed any longer.

Braddock raised his sword above his head and began to charge towards Amrin.

“Commander Braddock!” Elynara yelled out. He could faintly hear it and it made his heart jump for joy that she would yell his name with such fervor. But he failed completely at realizing why she had yelled at him.

“You idiot!” Amrin was furious. The ground began to shake violently, as if there was an earthquake happening.

Braddock saw in his eyes what he could only describe later as the gaze of death himself. He disappeared from sight, and before Braddock or anyone else could determine what was happening, a loud metallic thud sound echoed through the courtyard. The wind blade and light surrounding Braddock shattered and dissipated.

Amrin stood behind him, when only a fraction of a second prior, he was in front, with his hand firmly grasping the back of Braddock’s neck. While being held up, the spectators could see the state of the metal breastplate that he wore was smashed inward, if not for that piece of metal, the damage would have been immense. Braddock’s eyes rolled into the back of his head and his body went limp, the training sword slipping from his hand and fell clanging onto the dirt ground. Amrin let his neck go and the unconscious body fell limp beside the blade.

He turned his gaze towards Elynara and frowned, he wasn’t angry, just disappointed.

“So this is what it’s come to? This is how you use it?”

Elynara’s lips began to quiver, tears fell from her eyes and she again clutched her dress with her hands. She lowered her head quickly and turned to exit the courtyard. Amrin sighed and shook his head in frustration. Throwing the training sword to the ground, he turned to the entrance of the Hall and left. With nowhere in particular to go he just walked away. The silence in the Hall was unbearable, the only sound was the pitter of feet running down the stairs from the ramparts. Adalyn wasn’t about to let something like this go unanswered.

She had lost sight of him already. She frantically asked anyone in the area if they had seen a long gray haired young man walking this way. After asking numerous people and going down a number of streets she was finally able to see him. She ran as fast as her legs would carry her and dove towards him. Jumping straight onto his back, she latched onto him with all her might, her arms wrapped around his neck and legs wrapped around his waist.

“Got you!” she exclaimed. “Now, I have some questions for you, mister!”

Amrin grimaced slightly and turned away from her.

“Oh no you don’t, I’m not letting you go no matter what!” she squeezed her arms and legs tighter around him.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah!”

“Aren’t you wearing a dress?” he asked calmly.

“So what?”

“Oh, no reason. I’m just sure those behind us are being treated to a wonderful show is all.”

Her eyes widened after realizing what he was getting at, she quickly looked down at her thigh, and sure enough, the dress had hiked up above her waist from the jump and position of her legs. Her panties were in full view of everyone. She yelped and immediately released him, kneeling down and holding her dress in place, her face flushed red.

“What do you want anyway?” he continued to walk, ignoring her dilemma.

She quickly regained her composure and was thankful she was wearing simple underwear today and there weren’t too many people on the street to have seen it. Hurrying to his side she walked in time with Amrin.

“Nothing in particular.” She clasped her hands behind her back and walked casually beside him.

“Nothing huh? Why do I not believe you?”

“You can believe what you’d like I suppose. But if you want to talk about it, I’ll listen. I’m a great listener. My mother use to…use to say that I was a great listener.” Adalyn’s voice trailed off.

“When did she pass?” Amrin asked gently.

“How did… A few years ago. She became very ill and there was no medicine we could find that helped. Father was devastated, but he was able to get himself together thanks to Uncle.”

“Kessler? How’s that work?”

“When he found out that she died, he showed up every day. Of course he would never admit it, but I know he would do all those stupid fights outside the tavern to bring customers, make sure that father was doing ok and had something else to do than think about mother. Even though he’s pretty rough around the edges, I’m really grateful to him.”

Amrin had to remember to change his impression of Kessler. Even though he was obviously a troublemaker and pain in the ass, he put family first. Which is a trait that Amrin held in high regard.

“I see. Quite admirable.”

“So yeah, if you want to, you know…let it all out. I’m here. You don’t have anywhere to stay tonight do you? Want to come back to the tavern? I’ll talk with father and see if we can cut you a break on the lodging.”

“I appreciate it.”

They walked for over an hour, totally silent, just wandering. Amrin, never having been in this city before had no idea where he was going so he just looked in random directions and walked to something that looked interesting. He noticed a large tree in the far distance on top of a hill and headed towards that. Adalyn noticed the direction they were going, but kept quiet. When they came to what looked like an entrance to where the tree was, Amrin noticed it was a graveyard. He sighed and felt like an idiot.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” He looked to Adalyn who had a thin smile.

“It’s ok. Since I’m here I’ll go say hello.” She walked through the entrance to the graveyard and Amrin followed silently.

The plot was relatively large, headstones of various sizes, designs and elegance dotted the grassy area. After walking for a few minutes they came upon a simple stone plaque half buried into the ground with the words.

*Here lies Mary Beth Sindell*

Loving Mother and Wife

Taken before her time

But never to be forgotten

Adalyn kneeled down and brushed off the plaque and rested her hands on the inscription. Amrin could do nothing but stand in silence and wonder what he could say. He saw her shoulders begin to quiver slightly and her breathing become erratic. She was most likely trying not to cry.

Adalyn stood up and turned, while wiping traces of tears from her eyes, with a smirk on her face. It wasn’t a reaction he was expecting. She chuckled.

“Sorry, I just…”

“You don’t have to apologize for anything.”

Amrin looked towards the tree that was much closer than before. He then noticed there was a stone bench beneath it and started heading towards it.

“Let’s take a break.”

Adalyn followed and they both sat on the, warm from the sunlight, stone bench. Amrin stared out over the city, with the sunlight cast along the rooftops, it gave the city a serene appearance. The graveyard was atop a large hill at the highest point within the city walls, so the view from the bench was picturesque to say the least.

“You said you were a good listener right?”

She didn’t answer, but only looked at him with serious eyes and nodded.

“Well, where do I start then?” he let out a heavy sigh. “My name is Amrin Endrane. I don’t know where I came from or how I came to be. I just woke up one day in the middle of a forest, just…woke up there. I didn’t have any memories of how I got there or why I was naked.”

She couldn’t help but blush slightly at hearing that part. And also remembered the time in the tavern room.

“After that day I just wandered the world without any real purpose. Just…wandered. I met all manner of beings, animals, beasts and monsters. Some that would make your skin crawl and make even your worst dreams seem pleasant. But never in my time did I find anyone like me. I met some that looked, similar, but only that. Which made me think I was the only one of my kind.”

“But you don’t look any different than normal.” She said puzzled.

“Oh, right. I didn’t always look like this.” he answered succinctly, making her dare not ask what he meant. “I traveled alone for centuries…millennia. I’ve seen the evolution of life. The changing of the world’s lands, mountains and forests. I’ve seen the rise of empires and the fall of entire peoples. I’ve met hundreds of thousands of people in my time. But they were all the same." He added absentmindedly.

"No, not all. After wandering alone, having very few people that I would ever deem true friends, I stumbled upon someone that, to this day I will love with all my being…and as of now, hate with all my heart. That was over two thousand years ago. She was the first of the ones you call ‘Sages’. And with her, we were able to find five more just like her. I don’t know how to explain it, they just…were different. Like you, I suppose." he added. "Elynara Aquinas. She is one. But she goes by the name Elena Aqua now apparently.”

“Millennia? Two thousand years ago? The headmistress?!” The look on her face made him aware that he was losing her, and fast.

“Oh, sorry I forgot to mention it I suppose. I’m immortal.” He said it like it was the most normal thing ever.

She had so many more questions flood her head just then, but she let him continue. “And yes, the Headmistress. I was able to confirm it earlier, as you no doubt saw. She is one of them. And through her I will find the rest, and when I do, I will get the answers I seek.”

His fists were clenched tightly and shaking. The sound of his voice was filled with anger and sadness

“W-what happened that makes you so angry?”

“I was betrayed. I gave them everything. And in their greed, they took more than I had to offer. One thing I learned in my life is that no matter how much I want to believe…how much I hope and trust, you’re all the same. Greed, you will always be driven by greed! It’s never enough!” Amrin stood and turned to face Adalyn, his face filled with grief and sorrow. “Why can’t you ever be happy with what you have!?”

“We are not all the same!” Adalyn stood up and walked right up to Amrin and stared right at him, since she was a head shorter she had to look directly up from his chest. “Not everyone is the same.”

“What do you know, you are but a child!” he turned away and dismissed her.

“We’re not! Even if you are ancient, can you tell me that you’ve met every single person in the world? Spoken to, interacted and truly got to know them?”

“No, of course not.”

“Then how do you know!?” she was getting upset.

“My mother was the kindest, strongest, and most loving and caring person I have ever known! She never asked for anything. She would bend over backwards to please everyone and to hell with what would happen to her! She was the best of us. She was the best!”

She began to cry, it was her turn to shake from grief and sorrow.

“She became ill because she wanted to help a village a few hours ride from here that became stricken with a sickness of some kind. She was the only that would help! She took provisions, medicine and took care of those too sick to take care of themselves.”

“No matter how much my father yelled and pleaded, she refused to abandon them! It wasn’t long before she contracted the same sickness. Even on the worst day of the illness she told me not to cry, for she lived her life the way she wanted and she regrets nothing!”

“Are you telling me my mother is driven by greed!? Are you saying that she is just like all the people that make you lose faith in everything?!” the tears were streaming down her cheeks, her eyes bloodshot and her voice cracking trying to keep from sobbing uncontrollably.

Amrin was in pain. His chest hurt, he remembered the pain. It was the same he felt on that day.

“I’m sorry.” He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly “I’m so sorry.”

Adalyn wrapped her arms around his back and clutched hard to the back of his shirt while she cried uncontrollably. He knew full well that humans, or mortals in general, weren’t all bad. He knew and yet, the anger and pain took over. He was being childish and letting the anger he had for specific people transfer to those that weren’t involved.

“Your mother sounded like an amazing woman. One that I only wish I had the pleasure to have met.”

She cried for a few moments longer until she finally managed to regain what little composure she could.

“I’m sorry…I didn’t mean for you to see me like that…or to yell at you.”

“No, I’m the one that should apologize. I shouldn’t have lost myself like that.”

“What happened that made you hate so much?” she asked as she sat back down and wiped the tears away.

He sighed and sat back on the bench and pondered.

“Well I suppose I’ve already told you more than I should have, so what the hell…they’ve stolen my life. I don’t know why, but that’s what I intend to find out.”

“Stole your life? Were you royalty at the time or something?”

He looked at her puzzled for a moment and realized he didn’t explain well enough.

“Ah, no. Not that kind of life. I meant it literally. Portions of my very existence were ripped from me so that the ones that imprisoned me could live eternally.”

“So can you really not die? I mean, I know there are races that can live for a long time, but…you’re actually immortal?” he nodded in confirmation.

“I’ve tried killing myself once, been in multiple battles and wars. No matter how fatal the wound, I would begin to regenerate and in a matter of moments as if it never happened. Like some kind of…monster.”

“So did that make the one that…took your existence, immortal?”

“No. Immortality isn't anything that can be taken. They’re still able to die. But they can live thousands of years, never grow old or ill. Elynara, for example, she’s Fae, right?”

“Well, I’ve only seen one of two Fae in my life, but she looks like one. But much taller.”

“Very good. I thought the same thing, the only thing I can think of that caused it was the energy that was taken from me. Maybe it alters their body in unforeseen ways? In her case, it looks like she grew, I’m sure she was ecstatic for that. She filled out quite nicely as well.” He said absentmindedly. Adalyn narrowed her eyes and glared. “Sorry. In any case, how long do Fae typically live?”

“It’s said they live for a few hundred years…I see. You met her over two thousand years ago.” She fell silent. “Wow…she’s old!”

“Hey!” he turned to her with furrowed brows.

“Oh, sorry. Well you’re a guy, it’s different.” They smiled at each other and chuckled softly.

“Well, what’s done is done. Now I need answers.”

“What makes you think she’ll know where the others, assuming they’re alive, are?”

“Oh, she’ll know. Or at least have an idea of where I can start. And I know they’re alive…I just know.”

“And if she refuses to answer?”

“She can’t refuse me.” Adalyn looked slightly concerned.

“What do you mean?”

“Each of the ‘sages’ entered into a covenant, or pact, with me, therefore I’m their master.”

“They’re your slaves!?” The Six Great Sages?!” she was astounded. “That’s…not possible! I mean…they’re the most powerful Chanters in existence, the very foundation of magic was based upon their teachings! And you’re saying that you’re their master?”

Amrin looked at her in the corner of his eye and shrugged.

“Just who…are you?” she was speechless.

“Right, remember when you were explaining incantations, spells and magic? While you need to have an affinity for these things and require a, what did you call it? Magic power? We just called it talent, but regardless, they’re no different in that respect. I’m a little different. I just…use it.”

Amrin held out his hand and in the palm of it a spark of flame popped into existence. He snuffed it out by closing it, and when he opened it again, there was a perfectly spherical ball of ice that took its place. Adalyn was dumbfounded.

“You call that a little different?” the shock and sarcasm were heavy. “That’s incredible! So does that mean you can control all of the elements? How does it feel? To control all six?”

“Feel? I don’t know how to answer that. I’ve always been able to do bend them to my will, or at least they let me. But what do you mean all six?”

“Well the prime elements. Earth, Wind, Water, Fire, Light and Dark. Those six are the elements all Chanting and magic are based on.” She raised an eyebrow after hearing such an odd question.

“Is that right? Huh. Is that what they teach in Highleaf?”

“That’s right, some of the most elite in the Academy are able to control three elements, but not all six.”

Amrin couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What, what’s so funny?”

“Adalyn, there’s more than just six elements.” She looked at him like he had grown a second head.

“I, don’t think so. If that was the case I’m pretty sure someone would have noticed by now.”

Amrin bent over and plucked a couple blades of grass from the ground and held them in his hand.

“Ok, so then if I were to let this blade of grass go,” he held one up in front of her “it would do what?”

“Get blown around by the wind, obviously. What are you getting at?”

He let the blade of grass go and sure enough, there was a gentle breeze that picked it up and blew it around in the air.

“See, told ya.”

“Ok, and if I were to tell you that I could alter what you perceive to be fact with an element that you believe to not exist?”

“This I have to see…”

He held up the other blade of grass and let it go, before it could blow away Adalyn felt an incredibly heavy pressure take over her body. She felt as if there was some unseen force trying to push her to the ground and made it hard to breathe. She watched the blade of grass plummet and crash into the ground with a thud. Then the overwhelming pressure was gone. She immediately began to breathe hard.

“W-what…was that?” she looked at him terrified.

“Gravity.”

“Gravity? That’s not possible. You must have imbued the grass with an earth attribute that made it heavier than normal.”

“Ok, you pick one and drop it.” Giving him a sidelong glance she bent over and plucked a blade of grass and held it up. The second she let it go the same overwhelming pressure took over her and took her breath away, and once again the blade of grass fell to the ground with a thud. Then it stopped.

“That’s…that’s amazing!” the spark in her eyes showed Amrin that she was finally starting to believe. “How does nobody know about this!?” she laughed out loud. “But you said there were a lot more, what else is there?”

“The rest are a bit…dangerous.”

“Really? And being able to produce a ball of pure fire in the palm of your hands isn’t? Or how about being able to hurl giant boulders as if they were pebbles? Those aren’t dangerous?”

“That’s different.” He interjected.

“Prove it.”

“Yeah, like it would be that easy to trick me.”

“If you don’t show me at least one I’m going to tell father that you saw my panties and showed me your manhood.”

Amrin’s eyes shot wide open and whipped his head to face her.

“You wouldn’t!” she raised her eyebrows and gave him a look that said she most certainly would. “You’re a monster…Fine. But only one.” He looked around for something he could use, he then saw a decent sized rock, then picking it up it placed it between them. “What’s your element affinity?”

“Earth and some water. Very, very little water.”

“Perfect. Split this rock into three pieces for me.”

She placed her finger on it and closed her eyes, then mumbled something he couldn’t hear and the rock cracked into three evenly sized pieces. He nodded in approval.

“Ok, now with this one, do whatever you can to erase its existence.”

“What do you mean? Just pulverize it into dust you mean?”

“No, I mean completely eradicate it from this existence. Leave no trace whatsoever of it ever having been in this world.”

“Ok…I’ll try.” She once again closed her eyes and mumbled some words, she furrowed her brows, eyes still closed and she began to strain, the rock was vibrating and rattling in place, thousands of tiny cracks appeared on it and it exploded into tiny particles of dust. She opened her eyes and began to pant heavily. “It’s not possible! The most you can do is turn it into a fine dust!”

“Ok, with this second piece, what elements would you suggest I can use to try and erase it?” she pondered a moment and knowing he was able to use multiple elements she came to a conclusion.

“It would have to be a couple, earth to crush it into a powder and then fire to burn them?”

He was impressed, the logic was sound, so he held it in his hand and used earth to pulverize it into a fine powder and in a fraction of a second set it ablaze with fire.

“Ha! See, now there won’t be anything left. Erased.” He smiled at her innocence.

When the smoke cleared he showed her what remain. There was still minute particles that the fire did not burn. Minerals that were most likely incredibly heat resistant, although they were incredibly tiny, there was still a trace of its existence.

“Huh…see I told you it wasn’t possible.”

Amrin picked up the third and final piece of the rock and held it in his hands. Then as Adalyn was watching she felt a shiver and a dread wash over her the likes she never felt before. As if there was something crawling all over her skin. She watched as a small black sphere formed just above the rock and what looked like tiny tentacles of pitch black slowly wrapped around the rock, picked it up off his palm and enveloped it.

As if it was a sticky tar like spider web was wrapping its prey. She heard cracking and crunches from the rock being crushed, the closer to the center of the black sphere it got the smaller the rock became. Now totally covered in the inky black substance, it was finally sucked into the sphere causing it to immediately disappear. The creeping feeling Adalyn had also dissipated.

“T-that…was terrifying.” She swallowed hard. “What was that anyway?”

“Void. In the total absence of all things, it’s all that’s left.”

“You were right about it being dangerous. Is that as large as it can get?”

“No. To be honest, the largest I’ve ever been brave enough to try was probably the size of, hmm…” he looked around and pointed at the curtain wall surrounding the city. “That section of the cities wall.” The wall he was talking about was at least 40 feet tall and half that in depth.

“I…I see. But it can be larger? Not that I’m asking you to show me, but…if need be?”

“Yes, as far as I know, there is no limit.” The thought of that small sphere being large enough to swallow an entire section of the wall, no, the entire city terrified her down to her core. Just the feeling she had from the tiny fraction she saw made her hope she never had to feel that again.

“You don’t have to show me, but how many others are there?”

“Mm…4 or so? One that I vowed never to use again though.”

“Does that mean it’s worse than Void magic?”

“It’s not as intimidating, but it’s…it’s hard to explain. I used it once, but one thing I’ve found was that no matter what I tried…some things cannot be changed. No matter how much you want them to. No matter how much power you have. Some things you can’t control.”

The two sat in silence for a moment, Adalyn trying to absorb everything she had just seen and heard. Everything she thought she knew had completely changed. There was an entirely new world in front of her and it excited her, and terrified her at the same time.

“So…can I ask you something?” she asked timidly.

“Sure, at this point I don’t have much to hide.”

“Why are you telling me all of this? I mean…this is some pretty serious stuff. Stuff that you wouldn’t normally tell people, isn’t it?” she asked concerned.

“Hmm…you know…I really don’t know.” He leaned back on the bench and pondered for a moment. “I suppose it’s just because you’re different? Maybe?”

“Is that good, or bad?”

“Good. I think…” he paused. “Yeah, good.”

“Wow, that’s reassuring.”

“Look, you’ve known me for all of what, 3 days? And in that time you did nothing but show me kindness, help me with things that I didn’t ask for and…” he couldn’t think of the right words. “I can’t explain it, but being around you makes me feel comfortable, you calm me for some reason. A familiar presence…it sounds weird, I know." He said as he stared across the quiet cemetery. “And besides, after you’ve lived for as long as I have you kind of get a feel for people…granted sometimes that feeling can prove wrong, but only rarely.”

Adalyn took in everything, her heart was beating rapidly, she was excited, scared, happy and confused all at the same time.

“Thank you. You know…for trusting me.” Amrin nodded. “So wait…even if you went to the Academy, not only would it not be worth your time, but everything they would teach you would be wrong. Well, not wrong, but incomplete! Are you still going to go?”

“I will. But not as a student, like I said, I need answers. And Elynara…sorry, Elena, will provide them.”

“But how will you gain an audience with her? No one is allowed into the Academy without permission from the Commander, and we know how well that’ll go.” Amrin grimaced and rolled his eyes. “Or from the King, or if you’re a student or teacher.”

“I’m sure it’ll work out. Anyway, it seems to be getting late in the day and I’m starting to get a bit hungry. You?”

After mentioning it, she realized that she was indeed hungry, they both stood up and stretched. Not realizing it, they both stretched their arms out to their sides, arched their backs and stood on the balls of their feet at the same time.

They looked at each other after finishing and began to laugh.