Chapter 8 - Part 3

["I'm so relieved you still want to be friends with me, Tas." Once more, he looked over his shoulder, but this time to make sure that Vick, Kip, and Mav were nowhere near close, but he quickly spotted them sitting at another table with other people. Haide pulled a bit of Fios and raised a barrier around them to block the sound. Tasgal noticed it and his eyebrows creased. "There's something I need to tell you."]

The air outside seemed lighter and more refreshingly crisp than Haiden remembers. Maybe it was because a massive weight has been lifted off his shoulders, or that he consolidated his friendship with Tasgal, or both. He couldn't put his finger on the exact reason for his uplift in spirits, but he was grateful he mustered the nerve to open up. Haiden didn't know where to start so he just poured everything on Tasgal, except for a few small details he was adamant to avoid. Right from the very beginning, to Avlan forest, to Maree and Camila, to Master Rwoy's teaching, and finally to Regor's spirit. Almost everything was now in the open. Haiden was like the many history books in the Academy's library,, with masterfully selected bits of information to steer the reader as the author intended, glorifying the winners of wars and battles to the detriment of the loser. This made Haiden feel as if he was lying, but Tasgal, on the other hand, was seemingly happy for Haiden's burst of perceived truthfulness. He was very accepting to everything that Haiden had told him. Taking everything in, absorbing the information, and thinking it over. He would add in a few words here or there but never subtracting or dismissing Haiden's feelings or experiences. Haiden had made the right decision to trust him. He even handed over the book, on the Hundui people from the library, since Tasgal had more knowledge of the world than he did, and maybe he could just find out what they needed to help free Regor. After all Haiden already had it memorized by now.

The two had parted ways as Haiden had to go to a late lecture on different mote interactions led by both Master Omnelia and Master Rwoy, and Tasgal had to rush to his training that had already started. But, before they did, Tasgal made Haiden promise that they'll see each other tomorrow at lunch again. He could not help his rosy lips stretch ear to ear in a wide mile, his amber eyes light with a glint of fire, and his heart pitter patter in his chest with a swirl of emotions. He unconsciously hummed a soft tune as he walked the stone tiled way, absorbed into his own fantasies that if they were to be enacted or put to paper he would have certainly felt the wrath of the Disciplinary Order. Thinking about that Thau character in the plaza made him shudder.

He had to be careful. If someone would notice he'd be sure they would turn Haiden to the Disciplinary Order. But, at times, moments with Tasgal were so sweet he cared not for the petty plans of Bras and his goons, of being seen, discovered, or even Thau himself. Everything else just vanished to the back of his mind.

Shamelessly caught into his own thoughts, Haiden managed to take the long way around to the lecture that was being had in the white palace. The stone tiled ways, flanked by skeletal shrubs on either side, weaved through the massive grounds of the Academy, that were now devoid of any fellow students, who were probably attending the lecture. It led to a side entrance in the palace that Haiden had never used before. While still a few hundred feet from it, he was quite shocked to see Master Coner dragging something familiarly small, to what looked like a child, behind him. As he got closer Haiden recognized the small body. It was Mara.

Master Coner dragged the slave child by her hand towards the entrance. The girl squirmed and pulled to no avail, her face clearly distressed, filled with tears, but she dared not scream or voice her cries. Her thin malnourished feet planted vainly in the stone tiled ways as she had no strength to oppose a grown man, let alone a Master Wielder.

Haiden's gut sank with dread, he couldn't imagine what horrors the girl would be subjected to. She must know what awaited her, terror visibly filled her light tan eyes, much like Haiden's they glinted of amber fire. He knew that look all too well. He was certain that's the same look he had when he saw the creature that horrid night.

Haiden looked around for anyone else, someone who would say something, do something, but there was no one. Not one soul, except for him, Master Coner, and Mara. The sudden realisation that he was waiting for someone else to take charge and save the girl made him ashamed of himself. Didn't he swore he'd never be useless again? I'm not useless anymore! With this one thought ringing in his mind he decided to take action.

Haiden waited for a few moments before pushing through the door after them, closely listening for their footsteps to move away. Once they were, at what Haiden thought to be, a reasonable hearing distance, he went in. This part of the palace was dark, no light stones to be seen. Haiden's eyes had to adjust to the darkness before he could proceed, but the footsteps were now quite far away, if it weren't for Mara's squirming he would have lost their trail through the dark network of hallways and rooms of the palace.

The dark tall stone walls loomed with thick darkness overhead. He could barely see the shapes of console tables, glass cases, random chairs here or there, and tapestries that filled the hallways. He had to be careful not to make any sound and avoid anything that could give him away. Haiden stuck the corners and tried to make himself as small as possible while debating what he could actually do. He wanted to help Mara, yet he was up against a Master Wielder so powerful he healed Tasgal from the brink of death with not even a sweat. He didn't know what he'd do or if there was anything to be done at all. Haiden questioned his decision to follow, but despite all common sense pointing to turning back and pretending he never saw anything, he pushed forward. Even if he didn't know what plans Master Coner had with the poor girl, he didn't want to risk letting another one die. But Mara was a slave. What could he do to save her? He clearly could not battle a Master Wielder, and a Master of the Academy nonetheless. It would get him thrown out, or worse killed. He had to think this through.

Following the two, he saw the desperation in Mara's insistent tries to free herself, she was not giving up, and so was not Haiden. Soon the palace walls became decrepit and empty of the usual luxuries. The darkness intensified to the point where it forced Master Coner to hover a light stone so that they could at least see where they were going. After a few turns their way was cut off by two massive metal doors that were inscribed with geometric ridges so fine, they would have been invisible were it not for Master Coner's light stone casting moving shadows on the doors.

The sudden stop made Haiden's stomach churn in anticipation. If he had to do something, now it would be the case. He had no idea what could be behind those doors. But what could he do? Master Coner was working something on the door, a mechanism that he couldn't see properly how it operated. Stuck into a flurry of thoughts going through everything he knew, but nothing seemed to be able to help him out in this situation. He didn't even notice the static that overcame the room until the temperature dropped to the point where he saw his own breath.

Haiden turned around as he felt a presence behind him. Standing a few feet away, viscous and darker than the blackest black, was a shape so near to his heart, he immediately knew who it was. Regor. Unsure what he was doing here, now of all times, he impatiently looked back at Mara whose whimpers were now tepid, she had given up on resisting. Her whole thin body trembled in fear. He turned to face the figure again and froze.

His heart stopped for more than a second and it took every ounce of power he had not to jump and scream. Regor was now inches away from his face, with bulging red eyes his whole bloodied face distorted into a snarl.

FEED ME he yelled into Haiden's mind. The next thing he knew he felt static surrounding him from his own Fios surfacing through his whole being and being absorbed into the figure that stood before him. Haiden felt how his stamina was being drained, becoming so weak he could barely draw breath.

Just before he could give into unconsciousness the loud click of the massive metal doors' mechanism resounded in the empty stone hallway and at the same time loud footsteps approached. As soon as he became aware of his surroundings again Haiden saw Master Rwoy approaching Master Coner. Or what he hoped to be Master Rwoy, thinking that only he could help the slave.

"What are you doing here? Don't you have somewhere else to be?" Master Coner said unconcerned of the whimpering slave beside him.

Haiden's eyelids closed and opened with exhaustion, he didn't hear the man's full reply but he strained every ounce of strength to remain conscious ".... reserved the salve for later, but I couldn't find it in the den." The man said. Haiden could see him smiling but his blurry vision gave way to blobs and shapes. Who he hoped to be Master Rwoy was ignoring the terrified child whose hand was bruised from Master Coner grip. Not even once looking at her.

"Ah, I didn't know you had reserved it, there wasn't anything in the logg." he said suspiciously.

"It was rather impromptu, couldn't deal with all the logistics, Coner."

"Well, tough luck, It is going with me." he said in a forceful manner. Haiden could barely pay attention to the conversation, his head spun around. He heard the mysterious man sigh deeply and forced himself to pay attention but coudn't. He had missed his next words only to, again, hear the end of his sentence.

"... and how expensive they are."

"Fine! Take It." Master Coner spit angrily and threw Mara on the ground. The girl didn't say anything and laid there for a moment before picking herself up and taking her place behind the man.

"Thank you for your understanding, Coner." And with that they left Master Coner retreat behind the metal doors and they went into the darkness disappearing from Haiden's view.

As soon as he could gather the strength to walk, Haiden, followed them towards the exit only to find Mara alone just beyond the palace door.

"M-mara?" Haiden called out. The girl turned slowly to face him, she looked terrified, her whole body still trembling. "Mara, where's Master Rwoy, did he leave for the lecture?" he asked. She simply looked at him and shook her head. "Then where is he?" The girl just shrugged and ran away.

-----

"I'm telling you! He has a clone!!" Maree insisted.

"Don't be daft, it must've been someone else. Haiden, you said you were feeling woozy, maybe you mistook Master Rwoy for someone else. I'm more concerned on what was Master Coner doing with a slave."

"I don't know, Cams. He always seemed a bit perverted to me, but to go as low as a slave. I would rather fuck a chair." Maree said nonchalantly while throwing his arms in the air in a shrug.

"Shut up you idiot! You know it's forbidden by law to..." Camila lowered her voice. "Have relations with a slave. Besides," she reverted back to her normal voice. "Makes my skin crawl just thinking how dirty those things are."

"Which reminds me. Before I started at the Academy my father got into an argument with the trader for the lack of immature slaves. Said there was a huge shortage."

"That's very strange, I must admit. My family is acquainted with some breeders and they always make sure they have plenty of progeny before selling them off. Good thing that whoever that was didn't let that slave go to waste, it should rather valuable now if there's a low supply and being the only one at the Academy. Second years will be fighting who gets dibbs." Camila then went on to detail a particular deal her father made with the slave trader that made them a fortune

Hearing his friends talk about slaves like they were mere commodities, objects that could be traded, abused, and discarded at will, made Haiden sick to his stomach. How could they treat other human beings like this. In his eyes they were no better than the slaves, just that his friends happen to be favored by the Creators to be born into rich families. This gave Haiden a massive headache. He forced himself to keep quiet while they were discussing their disgusting antics. He already was different from the rest in more than one way, and to top it all he painted a big target on his forehead the first few weeks, he didn't need to draw more attention to himself. But he knew it was already too late. Bras hasn't made a move in some time, but he was certain he was planning something bigger. Haiden just had to be cautious and keep an eye open at all times.

"And here we are," Maree said with a flourish of his hand. "torture."

"Stop being so dramatic." Camila said, going for her usual seat.

Haiden took his seat without saying anything and as always his mind drifted off, ignoring his friends. Soon Master Rwoy barged into the classroom with a loud boom eliciting surprised gasps from everyone. He didn't give them a chance to register what happened and he began.

"Right, everyone! From today we're getting ready to swimm with the big boys!" He announced immediately as he walked in, in an overly excited voice. Haiden pushed other grimmer thoughts away and forced himself to pay attention. He had came here with one goal in mind and lately, he had let it slip away from so many distractions. He was here to learn how to use his powers to help people. And Mara had helped him remember that.

Haiden, already accustomed to Master Rwoy's startling entrances, grabbed a piece of parchment from his bag to take notes without even blinking twice.

"As maybe some of you already know there are three tiers of spells. While other scholars of Wielding acknowledge there are actually five tires, nowhere in the world has a Master Wielder ever exceeded these three levels. Minor spells, that deal with the basic principles of Fios, focusing on motes; their properties and attributes. Like a force blast." Master Rwoy flicked his hand at the open door and it flew shut. "Standard spells," he continued. "that build upon those principles to deliver complex and intricate effects. Like this growth spell." He took a pot of dirt from his desk and held it up to the class. Haiden could feel the heavy static flowing off the Master Wielder. From the dirt a single green stem sprouted. Once it got to the around two feet long, Master Rwoy placed it back on his desk and with a flourish of his hand the plant grew so big eventually it tipped over from the weight. It's big green leaves were each paired with a flower that unfurled in front of everyone. Deliciously sweet aroma wafted throughout the class.

Everyone, including Haiden, gasped at the display, making Master Rwoy smirk with pride. He gave the students a few minutes to gawk at the plant and enjoy the smell before moving on. "I see you all like the Hiber'mia Alfencis or the Sweet Death." Master Rwoy revealed in the gasps that the name of the plant evoked from the students. Though he didn't disclose that simple fact that it refers only to the small flies and crawlers that get trapped on it's sticky leaves, while to humans they are a great delicacy, especially made into spreadable jam. Rwoy made a note to ask the cooks to make it for him this week since he found himself in the possesion of a few seeds from from the market.

"And lastly we have Greater spells. Now, I won't be able to show you a display of Greater spells as there are only a handful of Master Wielders in the Empire alone. One, in our very own Academy. Headmistress Helena Vice, a general war veteran, is one of the most powerful wielders in the Empire." the students gawked at Master Rwoy, to think that such a great Wielder was their leader at the Academy brough great pride to them.

Haiden remembers how easily the woman placed a strong barrier across the vast Academy grounds. She definitely earned her title as Headmistress and Great Master Wielder.

"If we're lucky, we'll see a display from the Headmistress in the Trials of The Three Sisters this Summer." The students around Haiden began to whisper and mumble between eachother of how incredible it would be to see a Greater spell in person. Their chattering soon turned to who will win this year which some arduously insisted that it's going to be Bras that brings the trophy home for the Wielders this year. While others gave up in the face of the Ash'en

"Settle down, now." he waited for the chatter to quiet down. "I said if we're lucky." Master Rwoy chuckled. "And even these three levels are segmented into two tiers of their own. Simple and compounded spells. You lot, as up until now, focused mainly on control," he made sure to enunciate the word "control" for them to understand they are only at the very beginning of their Wielding careers, "and simple spells. Now, who here can tell me what is a simple spell and what is a compounded spell?" He asked, looking at the students before him with a raised eyebrow.

Haiden's classmates made themselves meek and tried not to do anything that would draw Master Rwoy's attention, except for Malticia, who eagerly waved her hand in the air, groaning.

"Yes, Malticia." Master Rwoy sighed.

"Thank you, Master Rwoy. As everyone should know Minor Compound spells combine the Minor Simple spells to create new more complicated spells with different effects. For example one easy spell would be Icicle. It uses the Condensate Minor Spell to draw moisture from the air, shaping it in this case, in the form of a spear, using the principles of force blast, then with the aid of the Frost Minor Spell it turns into solid ice. And lastly, with another force blast we propel it towards the target." Maliticia said with a proud smile on her face. Looking down at her fellow colleagues.

This drew Haiden's attention, he remembered Bras' ability to use this more advance spell back when he saved Maree.

"Very good, Matlicia. I see your private tutors really did a great job. Can you do a quick demonstration since it's so easy?" He knew he shouldn't tease a student but he couldn't help but want to knock her a notch off her high pedestal.

"A-a demonstration?" she asked back in disbelief, her smug smile cracking.

"Yes, unless...." he trailed off.

"No, no. A demonstration is fine. Just perfect!" Malticia braced herself and pulled on her Fios. Haiden immediately felt her Fios as gentle static, or rather mild. He couldn't decide if she was confident or just weak. She closed her eyes to concentrate. After a while sweat pooled on her forehead only to be quickly drawn into the shapeless form of coalescing water above her hand. Haiden felt the air was drier, he immediately felt the need for a drink of water. The form of water struggled to shape into a spear, oscillating between shapes. Maliticia's body soon began to tremble. She couldn't hold it anymore and collapsed in her seat. The water fell to the ground only to stop inches next to Malticia.

Weak, Haiden decided.

Master Rwoy felt guilty for taking such pleasure teasing someone like Malticia, especially since now he held the position of teacher. But, nevertheless, this was a win for the underdogs, those who suffered at Malticia's cackle consisting of two other girls desperate to climb the social ladder. He drew in the water that hovered still in the air. It elongated in a long tendril of liquid until it poured all in Master Rwoy's hand. He instantly shaped the form and the spear turned to ice in the blink of an eye. The students awed. He then turned it back to water and poured it in the pot housing the Sweet Death.

Haiden felt for Malticia's humiliation but the satisfaction he got from it overpowered any feeling of pity. She needed to be put in her place, if this was the way to do it, so be it.

Master Rwoy went into more detail on the importance of Minor spells, without which, nothing bigger is possible and told his students that by the end of next month they would need to master all Minor spells. Those who would fail would not touch even the easiest of Minor Compound spells and would have to attend extra classes. He then wielded a stack of thin books on the desk of each student that summerized all Minor spells they had learned so far and a few more on top.

Before he let them go early Master Rwoy left them with some words of anticipation. "Next Secondday classes will be canceled and all of you will be helping Master Coner harvest the ripe Plumpberries from the backwoods. I want each of you to take a notebook and find at least one awakened and describe it in detail. They are plenty small ones in the backwoods!"