Richard felt like banging his head against the table where he was currently studying. For two weeks now, he had been studying Runology and he wasn't having an easy time of it. The Runology textbook and his notes were in front of him, so it wasn't like he'd be hitting the wood if he did. Shaking his head, he picked up his pen and kept transcribing the runes. It wasn't a hard subject it was just that it was involved. There were at least three dozen primary runes and another several dozen or more modification runes. The real issue was in combining them all together.

Depending on what you wanted to do, it could take as little as two or three primary runes. But it wasn't as easy as etching the fire rune on something. Not unless you wanted something to be on fire until it burned to cinders. You needed to use the modifiers to change the intensity of the heat. You also couldn't just add the modifiers to increase and decrease the heat because they negated each other. So you added a modifier to turn one of them off or on. Then you had to add the same modifiers to the other side so that while one was on, you could make sure the other was off. But you also needed limiters to stop the increase and decrease runes, or else they just kept going. You also needed a way to interface with the limiters, so they weren't just always active... Richard thought about bashing his head again.

So far, he liked Potioneering and Alchemy much more. The ingredients and tools used in those could also have as many varying, negating, or boosting interactions as in Runology. But when brewing a potion, all he had to do was follow the recipe. But, if he ever did have to try to come up with a brand new potion, there were already entire books filled with each ingredient and its applications. Runology was more like the coding classes he had taken; and failed. He dropped his pen again and closed the books in front of him, he only had a few more minutes before lunch, and he couldn't look at those pages anymore. He put his new winter slippers back on and reshelved the book. He spent his last few minutes in the library watching the snowfall in the courtyard. Yelxidors flowers and bushes were hibernating, enchanted to not die for the winter.

When he and Yelxidor had talked about what he would continue to study after his return he had been thrilled when the elderly Elf had said he wouldn't have to use the concentration circle any longer. That was two more hours of the day he could study actual magic instead of just meditating with extra steps. Yelxidor had started him on some of the more powerful or complicated magics now that he felt Richard had a good understanding of the basic Elements. So along with continuing to strengthen his Elemental magics, he had added Force magic and Teleportation magic to his education.

Force magic allowed him to create and manipulate shapes made of solid mana. The first thing he had tried was making a shield of mana. After about a week of working solely on this one shape, he had managed to summon a solid chunk of mana that worked as a shield. After some testing with Nuvirlum, he had found that it didn't count as a shield towards his skills and abilities, which had left him a little disappointed. Now he was focusing on another idea he had. There were some very cool things he planned to test with this new branch of magic.

Teleport magic allowed him to transport himself, items, or others from one place to another, and while that would be extremely useful, it was also very complicated. One of the safest ways to Teleport was to have intimate knowledge of the area you wanted to get to. Random Teleports had landed other Mages in hot water, sometimes literally. Yelxidor had told him how one Mage had attempted to Teleport himself into a rival Mages lair at the edge of a Volcano. Richard shuddered, thinking about the ending to that tale. He had an idea he wanted to test for this branch of magic but was much more reluctant until he understood it better. What really excited him for this branch was the future ability to summon creatures and, eventually, a familiar.

Yelxidor had also started teaching him how to properly modify his spells rather than just force-feeding mana into them. It had been the way Richard had handled his encounter with the Wyverns that had prompted Yelxidor to decide he was ready for spell modification.

"You must never do that again." Yelxidor had said after making Richard go over his process of creating the ball of Plasma for about the tenth time. "You were extremely lucky in your endeavor. Throwing that much mana into a spell not designed for it could have had drastic consequences."

"What do you mean?" Richard asked, confused. "I thought that that was exactly how you make a spell stronger. More mana means more power. Right?"

"In the crudest of terms. Think of it along the lines of trying to demolish a brick wall. Right now, you wield a stick. Infusing more mana into a spell as basic as fire is the equivalent of getting a bigger stick. Yes, a big enough stick will take down that brick wall. But would you not rather use a sledgehammer? Or a pickaxe? Or any number of other options available to you?"

"Pick the correct tools for the job." Richard had replied flatly.

Yelxidor smiled. "Exactly, my boy. But more so even than that. There are dangers in wielding massive amounts of mana before you are properly trained to do so. Take our sledgehammer example. A seasoned mason might use one to knock down a wall with minimal effort. So too can a well-trained PyroMagi infuse their spells with enough Mana to cause them to burn white-hot. Whereas; a new initiate to masonry would just as likely cause more damage to the surrounding areas, if not to himself. With magic, it is similar. You could have burned your connection to mana out of yourself completely, given yourself mana poisoning. Or just outright channeled so much mana, you killed yourself where you stood. I was relentless in your training while you were in the Focus Enhancement and Training Array-"

"You mean the concentration circle." Richard interjected with a grin. He knew Yelxidor hated all the nicknames he had come up with for the overly complicated item names he had learned.

"Just because I have decided you no longer benefit from further training with the device, does not mean I am incapable of making you spend an entire afternoon in it. Reading poetry." Yelxidor had threatened, raising an eyebrow at Richard.

"So you were saying about the Focus Enhancement and Training Array?" Richard innocently asked.

"Mhmm." Yelxidor said with a firm look on his face. "I no longer worry about you getting distracted while casting and harming others unintentionally. That does not mean you are no longer a danger to yourself. I am not fool enough to believe you will not push your boundaries. I can see too much of myself in you for that. I only ask you to be careful."

Richard nodded at his elderly master. "I understand. I won't try to brute force my way through a spell again."

The bells chimed in the hall, bringing Richard out of his reverie. Leaving his notebooks and pens where they were, he left the library heading to the dining area. Yelxidor was already at the table, readying a small salad. Richard sat across from his teacher, sliding out of his slippers.

"Those robes are... interesting." Yelxidor said, looking him over.

Richard looked down, honestly not sure which robes he had grabbed in his morning drowsiness. They were a deep shade of purple, with emerald green trim. It was one of the newer articles of clothing he had purchased for himself with some of the coin he had earned from the Wyvern hunt. He couldn't keep expecting Yelxidor to provide him with everything after all. He chose to take it as a compliment.

"Thank you. They're some of my favorite colors." He replied happily.

"How go your studies?" The Elf asked, picking up a fork and digging in.

"The same." Richard said, collecting a small plate of vegetables of his own. "I'm trying. It's just something that I've never have been very good with." He placed a forkful of his own salad in his mouth.

"It has also only been two weeks. Do not be hard on yourself. Most Mages take much longer to make anywhere near as much progress as you have thus far. Frankly, I am a little relieved to find something you do not take to like a duck to water. "

"Well, I'm happy my failure can help you feel better." Richard told him, eating another bite.

"I understand your frustration, Richard. But it will come. Magic is difficult."

Before Richard could clarify that he wasn't being petty with his previous statement, just his normal sarcastic self, one of the bells on the wall rang. It was the one for the front door. Sighing, Richard set down his fork, his salad not even half-finished. Wiping his mouth, he left the dining area and made his way to the front door. Opening the door to a blast of cold air, he covered his eyes from the glare of the sun on snow.

"Richard Reeds?" A Gravely voice asked.

Richard had to look down as the short Gnome in front of him barely even reached his hip. He was dressed in a well-made suit and had a leather satchel slung over one shoulder.

"Yes. Can I help you?"

Sliding his hand into the satchel, the Gnome pulled out a thick envelope and handed it to Richard, who groaned as he noticed the seal of the Council stamped in wax. Snapping the wax, he skimmed the letter there in the doorway, ignoring the freezing air blasting through the entryway. His mouth tightened, and he grew angrier the further he read. A small cough caught his attention, and he looked down again. The little Gnome was still standing there with his hand held out.

"Did you need something else?" Richard asked, attempting to keep the anger out of his voice.

"It is customary to tip the delivery man, sir." The Gnome said with a practiced customer service smile.

"Look, I know this is in no way your fault." Richard said, waving the parchment slightly in front of himself. "But you're asking me to tip you for bringing me a summons to stand trial for crimes against the Guild."

The little Gnome froze, his face losing its smile. "Ah... so no tip this time then?"

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"Read it to me again." Yelxidor said, still at his place at the dining table, lunch set aside as they discussed the letter.

"Stupid anti-theft enchantments." Richard grumbled before smoothing the paper out again.

"'Mr. Richard Reeds,

It has come to the attention of the Council of Mages that during your previous job, in which you were to accompany and assist a group of experienced adventureres, that you broke several rules of the Adventurers Guild. On top of these crimes, you are being charged with aggravated assault on one Krr'rrk son of Gorg, Slayer of Lek'razoq the spider queen, Conquerer of Klobseessai, Saviour of Bolgarum City, and Captain of the Council of Mages armed forces.

You are being called to attend a hearing at midday on the 1st Day of Winter 1328. You may bring one adviser to assist you during your hearing. We will see you then.'

And then just a bunch of signatures and emblems and stuff." Richard said, frustratedly throwing the paper down on the table. "They're never going to leave me alone, are they?"

"Not so long as you are in Bolgarum, my boy. Their influence does not extend beyond the woods, but it is not that you are likely to be treated better elsewhere. But, 'The Free City of Bolgarum, where it does not matter who you are.'" He quoted and then scoffed. "It is a load of absolute hogwash. You are 'free' to do what those in power say unless they decide you are a threat to them and their positions of influence."

"So, just like everywhere else." Richard said as he flumped back in his seat and did nothing to hide his exasperated moan.

He was startled when he felt a touch on his shoulder. He hadn't heard Yelxidor stand and approach him. The old Elf had placed his hand there gently and was smiling down at him. "We have several days still to work out a plan. For now, you should continue your training in as normal a way as possible. If I am not mistaken, I believe Nuvirlum has been waiting for you to continue your physical training. You should not make him wait any longer than he already has. Do not worry, my young apprentice. It will take more than manipulative, power-hungry individuals to wrest you from my tutelage. After all, I was playing their game when their great-fathers great-fathers were in swaddling." He said with a malicious twinkle in his eye.

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Richard walked down the street, wrapping his new winter cloak around himself a little tighter. The hooded cloak was made of silk dyed a dark blue, the hem falling just above the tops of his boots. It was some kind of specially treated, and frankly rather expensive, silk that would keep warm as wool even in the coldest part of the year. His winter boots were simple leather lined with wolf fur, no enchantments had been placed upon them, but they still kept his toes quite toasty. Over his shoulder, he had a leather bag with a change of clothes, armor, and any other equipment he thought he might need.

The snow wasn't a problem on the streets of Bolgarum. Upon reaching a specific temperature, the roads were set so that they would warm themselves enough to melt any snow or ice that had accumulated. Previously unseen runes glowed periodically along the sides of each road, creating the heating effect. It wasn't enough heat to make winter gear unnecessary, but it was enough to make sure no one slipped and injured themselves.

Entering the center section of the city, he took a street opposite the one that would lead to the Guild and City Guard barracks and approached a wide squat building. This building was where Nuvirlum performed Richards training. It had surprised Richard the first time he had seen it, never expecting to find such a place in this fantasy setting; a Gym. Entering the building the smells of sweat and dirty bodies accosted his nose. He couldn't wait to finish learning to alter his Wind magic so he could create a bubble of fresh air around his face when he came here. All across the building there were fighters, barbarians, monks, and many non-classed citizens all working out or training themselves in some way.

Nivurlum was waiting for him off in one of the front corners. He made his way over to his Dwarven trainer, whose bright orange hair had been pulled back to allow him to see better. It still amazed Richard that the tough little Dwarf never managed to tangle himself up in that knee-length beard.

"Bout bloody time you got here, lad. I was starting to think you bloody forgot we were training today."

"Yeah... I'm sorry I'm late. My mind's been a bit preoccupied." He took a moment to explain the letter he had received to Nuvirlum.

"Those lousy, gravel sucking, talc for backbones, metamorphic headed, sludge brains!" Nuvirlum growled loudly enough to draw attention from some of the closer members of the gymnasium.

Richard couldn't help but grin at the support his friend was showing him. "You know, I think that's the longest sentence I've ever heard you say that didn't include the word bloody."

"Sometimes your favorite bloody word just isn't bloody strong enough." He said, grinning back at Richard. "Course Yelxadors bloody right. Nothing to bloody do till you gotta go in." He pointed to the section of wall behind him and Richard went to lay his equipment bag down. "Today, we're going to start working on your physical form."

"Really?" Richard had thought they'd continue with sword training. He pulled out his guild crystal and gave his skill list a quick look. "My skill in swordplay still says beginner, though."

"Aye, those bloody things are handy for giving you an idea about your skill level, keeping track of your stats and all. And they do allow you access to a lot of bloody good abilities you wouldn't have otherwise. But they're not the bloody end all be all, lad. It's best to use those as a guideline and keep working on things regardless of what they bloody well tell you." Richard hadn't heard that line of thinking from anyone else. Even Yelxidor hadn't said not to rely on the Guild Crystal too much. Shrugging, he stuffed the crystal back into his shirt, folding his cloak down over the top of everything before joining Nuvirlum in the training area.

Nuvirlums idea of training was vastly different from Groggs had been. Grogg would tell Richard what he wanted him to do, then berate him until he had it done correctly. Nuvirlum would instead show Richard what he was supposed to do, then correct his form until the Dwarf was happy with the way he performed the maneuver. Richard figured he must not be too bad with the sword if they were going to change things up after only two weeks of corrections.

"Alright, now I figure you're so bloody bad with the sword because you don't know how to handle your bloody body in the first place. So, I'm going to start guiding you through some bloody basic body routines. We'll build up to actual fighting in another week or two, depending on how bloody well you do." So much for Richards thoughts of being decent with a sword.