Chapter 15 - part 1

Life bloomed all over the Academy grounds in a whirl of rustling greens and colorful blossoms. Spring had fully come to Elo'yn, even beyond the Academy gates. The city brimmed with merchants from all over the Empire with exotic spices, foods, and animals to sell, ready for a new start now that winter had passed. The new flux of merchandise and food stuff came as a welcome reprieve from the usual stew and sweet buns that, even if they were delicious, everyone was sick of having the same lunch and dinner for the third week in a row. Luckily for the students of the Academy the servants had managed to acquire a variety of meats, fish, and vegetables from one of the far islands of Ham'su where the volcanic ash soil provides all the nutrients necessary for the most delicious of tastes. One of the most popular items on the Wielder's dining hall menu was the meat pie, which Maree was currently savuring while watching from the stands, eagerly for the match to start.

A pleasantly sweet breeze brushed Haiden's hair as he took a fighting stance and stared his opponent dead in the eye. He couldn't risk lowering his gaze. A dangerous tactic that Tasgal always seemed to use when sparring with Haiden was to lose his shirt, displaying his chiseled body and dark trail that ran down his leather fitting pants. His pale skin contrasted the dark patch on his chest. Haiden gulped. He had to stay focused.

"Ready?" Tasgal called out. Haiden gave him a curt nodd. This wasn't Tasgal's first sparring match of the day, and he could see the sweat dripping off his body. Haiden approached him cautiously, looking for an opening in his stance, but Tasgal was a seasoned warrior.

Around them, people cheered mostly for Tasgal, but that didn't phase Haiden. Maree and Camila were the loudest after all, showing their support with embarrassing rhymes and quirky cheers.

Tasgal inched closer and closer, deflecting every attempt from Haiden to grab his legs from under him. They circled each other, careful not to allow any openings. Tasgal lunged forward to grab Haiden but he swiftly stepped back.

"Your reflexes got better." he noted.

"Thanks, learned from the best." Haiden replied with a smug face. Tasgal gave him a quick wink, his boyish smile took over his face. Warmth began to swell inside Haiden's chest as he got taken by surprise. In the split second Haiden got distracted, with another lunge Tasgal grabbed Haiden's thighs and with no effort whatsoever, he lifted him up in the air and threw Haiden on the graveled ground. Leaving no time for recovery Tasgal topped Haiden pinning him to the ground. Tasgal's body was pressed against Haiden's, his smell intoxicating. Tasgal blew Haiden's jet black hair out of his eyes as blues locked onto fiery ambers.

"Seems like you didn't pay too much attention." Tasgal tightened his grasp on Haiden's wrists as he struggled beneath his weight. Haiden was sure his face was read as could be, but hoped everyone passed it off from the excretion. It was a probable cause, the man weighed like 200 pounds of pure muscle.

Another Ashen counted to ten as Haiden was pinned, but he would not let this end here. He was, after all, a Wielder. Haiden reached within and pulled on his Fios that quickly bubbled to the surface in a wave of static, making his skin prickle. He didn't want to do something simple, but also didn't want to accidentally hurt Tasgal. Just as the count came to nine Haiden condensed all the moisture from the air in tendril like liquid appendages that wound around Tasgal's waist and arms and with a great amount of force was thrown off of Haiden.

The crowd boomed with cheers and screams as Tasgal jumped to his feet in a swift fluid motion and regained his composure as nothing happened. His smile turned into an inviting grin, and with a motion of his hand taunted Haiden to come at him with all he got.

Not shying away from the invitation Haiden broke into a sprint and used a force blast to propel himself into the air with a cocked fist he flung another blast towards Tasgal which was easily avoided by a sidestep. With an elegant play of steps, Tasgal rotated around Haiden landing himself behind the young Wielder. With a jab to Haiden's side he quickly immobilized him and again he found himself under Tasgal. This time his legs were wrapped tightly around Haiden's torso and his arm was bent to an uncomfortable angle. Haiden's mind went blank in a moment of panic as his arm was pressed tight against Tasgal. Nothing else registered to Haiden and with a gasp of air he called out his defeat before anyone could notice his arousal.

Luckily for Haiden his cape was not too revealing as he pulled it tighter around himself pretending to dust himself off. Tasgal reached out for a firm handshake and smile.

"You're getting better and better. Soon you'll be able to defeat me, even if you use dirty tricks." He laughed.

"Dirty tricks or not, I don't think anyone here can beat you, Tas. You're too good." Haiden looked away pretending to look for Maree and Camila.

"Nah, just got to find the right moment to strike." he made a quick jab in the air. "And in the right spot and boom. Your win."

"If only it was that easy."

"Practice makes perfect, Haiden. Practice makes perfect." Tasgal took a moment to look at Haiden's body head to toe, making Haiden a bit uncomfortable, but curious. "Looks like the training we've been doing is paying off. Your body is getting stronger."

Haiden gave him an awkward laugh. His ears were burning red. He was happy that Tasgal had noticed, he himself had noticed as well and was quite proud of the slightly more toned body he had acquired during these few months of training. Tasgal had planned a whole routine for Haiden that not only involved sparring and combat lessons, but also weight training and running, which he had to admit he more than hated each moment. But, at least he could see Tasgal and grow their friendship even if Haiden bore feelings for the man, he was happy just being near him.

"Let's go meet up with Maree and Camila, today it's a freeday and we wanted to hang out in the garden."

"Sorry, I can't. Promised ....... I'll help out in the armory this afternoon. But I'll see you tomorrow, right?" Haiden was a bit disappointed, he had been skipping some of the lunches in preparation for the break in in the Headmistress' office and had been missing Tasgal quite a bit.

"No worries. Yeah, see you tomorrow." Haiden gave a quick wave to which Tagal replied with a genuine smile.'

"And no more sneaking around." Tasgal said in a serious whisper, his face suddenly going from a relaxed smile to concern.

"No more sneaking around." Haiden cleared his throat and said "I'd better go." and jogged to his friends from the stands.

"You were amazing Haiden!" Camila clapped her hands enthusiastically. "I never knew you could do that with water!"

"Definitely a seven this time." Maree added."But still lost so I'll give you six point five."

"Seven indeed. Where did you learn that trick?" Camila questioned further.

"Oh, just by accident when I was practicing in my room." he laughed nervously and quickly changed the subject to food.

Good save. Screech whispered in his mind. Haiden felt guilty for lying to his friend but he had no choice. All Masters have been patrolling the grounds regularly ever since the break in and the curfew had been set as soon as sunset. If they'd find out it was his fault they would sure be angry, and in truth, he wasn't sure how they would react to this or understand his reasoning behind it.

Tasgal had asked Haiden if it was him the day after, since this was something that he had discussed with him in the past. Haiden had no choice but to tell the truth. He told Tasgal about the folder investigating him and about Master Coner's request. Haiden was happy to see that Tasgal's reaction was not like that of Wielders when it came to slaves. He did not take the death of Mara, even if he never had met the girl, lightly. And one of the most important aspects that Haiden had noticed was that Tasgal did not call slaves "it". Up until now Haiden had never heard anyone properly addressing a slave besides him. It came as such relief and hope that Tasgal might help him do something, but he didn't have the courage to ask that up front. He guessed that he would take baby steps in bringing in Tasgal to help him out, with what exactly? he didn't know. But there was one thing he was certain of. He could not turn a blind eye. He still was not sure if the reasoning behind this was because he was a good person, he certainly did not feel like one, or Regor's death, or the woman in the plaza, he simply felt the need to do something.

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The air felt clean and pleasant. Haiden sat down on a stone bench relaxing with Maree and Camila while eating a meat pie that Maree had saved for him. Both Maree and Camila were invested in a deep conversation, or rather gossip, about Bras Ameral. The most powerful student in the Academy, not by power, but status. The sole son of one of the Councilman that help run the Empire and third in line to the throne. Being the child of a Councilman already gave him an extreme status above anyone else, but being related to the Emperor by blood made him untouchable. No wonder not even the Master Wielders interfered when Bras ganged up on Haiden that night. He will never forget it, how easily he broke through his shield. The only one that had enough courage to stand up to Bras was Master Rwoy who gave Haiden his only chance of surviving the rivalry with Bras. In front of everyone Master Rwoy had proposed to Bras to fight Haiden in the Trial of the Three Sisters at the end of Summer. If Haiden manages to win the Trials he will be given the title of Esquire. Although it is the lowest rank, and the sole rank that an authority other than the Emperor himself can bestow upon a commoner, it would be impossible for Bras to kill Hadien. Even the Emperor's relatives must respect the Creator's laws that state no highborn shall slay another. Even if he was not technically a highbron, that he knew of, Haiden would be protected by the technicalities of the title.

Lost in thought he drifted from subject to subject while admiring the gorgeous arrangements of flowers, shrubs and trees that were thriving in the garden. In the end his thoughts settled on the book on Advanced Spells that he stole from the Headmistress' office. It was a hefty book with complicated explanations and Fios heavy techniques and spells. He was able to understand the first couple of pages as they tied with what he had been learning from Master Rwoy and Master Omnelia about Compounded Spells. Compounded spells were indeed more complicated than Simple ones, which only dealt with a single process or function. Compounds combined the Simple spells into intricate and complex spells. The book dealt with Spells that were beyond everything he had even imagined. Water manipulation was a simple limited version of Matter manipulation. Haiden reasoned that if focused on this specific Spell he would be able to come up with a plant to beat Bras as that was the spell he used to break Haiden's shield. Water was easier to manipulate due to its specific mote configuration that resonated with Fios, while matter it referred to all matter. From water, earth, to air, to wood and even flesh. It was a powerful spell that if applied wrongfully could do a lot of damage, however, the magnitude and range depended on the Wielder's strength.

Haiden thought back at his confrontation with Bras. The stone spikes proved that Bras was not fluke. He had control, power and above all knowledge. Haiden only had power, but now with this book he will too have knowledge. At least a basic understanding to maybe block his spells. But who knows what Bras has been learning so far. No doubt he was under the tutelage of a powerful Wielder, getting ready for the Trials. Even so, Haiden was glad Bras had taken a break from the Academy, this meant that he and Maree can roam really without relying on Camila's status for protection. Haiden felt bad for Maree, he had been bullied since day one, or even before that, since their rich families socialize within the same circles. But even with the outcast status, Maree was protected from death due to the money his family had. And Haiden had none, no title and no money. Just some anonymous sponsors he knew nothing about just that they were probably from the Red Keep.

He sighed deeply as he finished his pie. He decided to push this line of thinking to the side and focus on what spell should he try nex. After much internal debate Haiden decided that he should try a body enhancement spell. Maybe that would give him the upper hand in battle.

Scratch, you there? He asked.

Yes. the creature whispered in his mind.

Let's review that one body enhancement spell we saw on page 32. I think I might be able to do it. He said, trying to remember what it implied.

Body enhancement. The voice echoed in his mind. Dangerous. Screech not want return.

It's not if we start small until we figure it out. I will do it even if you help me or not.

Fine. it said spiteful.

What's with the atti-

"Haiden? Hello?" Camila shouted at him. Maree then slapped his arm.

"Hey, dungbrain!" Maree shouted.

"Auch! What!?" Haiden snapped. It was as if he had his eyes closed and lost the notion of time, the sun was already setting.

"What's with you today?" Camila asked concern reaching over to grab Haiden's hand in comfort. "You can't expect to win against someone who has been training for so long. You barely just started."

"No, it's not that." In truth, he would have preferred it if Tasgal would have been here. The fight from earlier today will remain in Haiden's memory for a long time. "I'm just worried about Bras." he confessed.

"Fuck that sour looser. I'm glad he's gone. Good riddance." Maree said and spit on the ground.

"Manners!" Camila slapped his arm. "Well...what Maree said. You don't need to worry about him, you're a great Wielder. I'm sure you will pass the trials and beat him."

"I don't know that's true. Is it? He's probably out there getting trained and learning all kinds of advanced spells from some amazing Wielder while I just have the bo -" Haiden froze.

"You have what?"

"Nothing, Maree. I'm going to my room." Haiden grabbed his cape from the bench and left his friends behind.

"What's crawled up his pants?" Haiden heard Maree ask as he left.

Shouldn't do that. Screech said.

Why not. It's not like they're going to help me with anything, are they? They can't even consider slaves human.

Screech went silent. Haiden hurried to the Wielder dormitory, hurrying down the stone tiled ways. He wasn't the only one hurrying back, as the sun was setting so the curfew was approaching. Among the multiple groups of Wielders he saw a head of light brown hair and a pair of green eyes. It was Bras. Haiden was certain of it, but once he double checked the young Wielder was gone. Haiden's stomach lurched.

He's planning something. He told himself and broke into a run to his room.