The Source of Magic

 Even after getting a grip on the layout of the premises, it was somewhat of a challenge to find the correct lecture hall. In the end they had to run to make it in time and they panted as they took their seats. Arianwen waved to them from her seat and Yorath tried to get her to stay still. The lecturer entered the moment the bell rang and the excited chatter of the classroom died.

“Greetings dear students, my name is Carys and I will be your lecturer for the basic magical theory class.”

The feeling of excitement for learning about the great magical power mixed with a frustration at not being able to use any of it. They would have to endure several weeks of theoretical lessons without ever even touching the power itself.

“The first thing all of you need to understand is that magic is not power that comes from you but rather a gift that you receive. I mean that in a very literal sense.”

It was somewhat different to what Samuel had expected given his experience with magic.

“The source of all magic are the mighty eternal beings known as the Nefara. The manifestation of magic in the world is nothing else than us partaking in part of the power that they choose to bestow upon us. I imagine many of you have not had the chance to experience what that feels like yet but in most cases this manifests in the form of artefacts. Those are items with the capacity to contain the power given by the Nefara. In principle any item has the potential to hold that power, yet some materials have a greater inherent capacity than others. Specifically this seems to be an attribute of rare materials such as precious metals and gems. As such they are worn in the form of jewellery by wizards. In fact the artefacts as you have seen them are for the most part composed of the active and passive parts. Meaning that only for example a central jewel of a ring is what grants the magical abilities, unless of course multiple artefacts are joined together,” she explained as she showed off one of her artefacts. “That is the most basic form of magic. Any questions so far? You in the back.” Carys nodded towards Samuel, who had raised his hand.

“What about the cost of using magic? And does the artefact ever run out of power” Samuel asked. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself but couldn’t help himself.

“The artefacts draw the energy required for their operation from their users. You will be able to witness this fact soon enough. In general, an artefact will never lose its effectiveness. Therefore, the limit of its operation will be the wizard.” The lecturer went on an extensive tangent. “In order for the artefact to recognise a user as its owner, a seal of blood is required. You can look forward to it when you start the practical exercises.”

The theoretical lessons included everything from the history to ethics and philosophy of magic. While they were all interesting in their own right Samuel couldn’t help but feel they were not terribly relevant to him. References to historical battles and important events were lost on him and despite taking extensive notes it became a struggle to follow along after the first few days of lessons. Not to mention having to relearn writing with the other hand. Lessons became more interesting, yet no easier when different applications of magic were explained.

“There are even some forms of magic that have gained the status of legends, as even some wizards have begun thinking they cannot be really achieved, for example the ancient portal magic, which is said to not only allow instantaneous travel but in its ultimate form can connect different worlds altogether.”

That perked up Samuel’s ears. Could it be? A way back home. A portal would explain how he had got to the new world. Through the months he had already spent there he had subconsciously accepted the fact that he might never return home. He had to force himself to remain calm.

“Of course it is important to note that wizards are not the only users of magic. On one hand we have the Cyrhil warlocks and on the other we have the sorcerers. Many of the more powerful magical abilities or rather their more powerful forms are only available to them.” That drew gasps from some of the class. Samuel looked around and saw the transfixed expressions. He had no idea what that was about.

“Well what are sorcerers?” he asked.

“Hmph, you again? Do you know nothing boy?” Carys said and aroused giggles from some of the class. “That’s what apparently some of you expected me to say. Let me dispel that illusion. None of you know anything. He has been the one to ask many basic questions but I’d bet most of you couldn’t answer him either. You snigger at people showing ignorance while not being able to reach beyond your own pride and admit you don’t know much either.” The entire class sat in shocked silence. “Can I expect you all to ask questions from now on?” She waited for a moment. “Well?”

“Yes madam!” the whole class said after regaining their wits.

“Great. Now to answer your question. While wizards depend on the power of artefacts for their magical abilities. More advanced magic users in tune with the Nefara can transcend that need and become natural conduits for magic. In other words, they no longer require the artefacts to use magic. It is a rare gift to be sure, yet many of the higher positions at the faculty are composed of such people.”

Samuel laid his head on the table of the refectory and groaned. Madoc, Yorath and Arianwen sat next to him.

“It’s so difficult. I feel like my head is going to explode,” Samuel complained.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it. Cheer up!” Arianwen said. Samuel looked at her and was about to smile at her encouragement, when he saw Yorath’s mocking smirk and his mood darkened.

“What?” he asked in a biting way.

“Oh, just thinking about what is yet to come. You do understand that we will be tested on our knowledge?” There was both confidence and delight in his voice.

“Tested?” Samuel gasped.

“What did you expect? This is the Academy. We are here to learn.”

Samuel rested his head in his hand. Even in that he felt the absence.

“I’m afraid he’s right,” Arianwen said. “But hey, if I’m to become the greatest wizard ever, learning a little bit of theory couldn’t hurt. Besides, I’m surprisingly good at taking notes.”

“I wish I had your confidence,” Samuel said.

“You wouldn’t deserve it,” Yorath interjected.

“Well we’ll just have to see after we write the test. Won’t we?” Samuel felt compelled to challenge the man. He regretted saying it within mere moments. Only his pride kept him from taking it back. Great, now I have to take this seriously. Wait, what happens if you fail? He vaguely remembered something about it in the contract but it was one of those things that he hadn’t managed to absorb at the time.

“I’ll look forward to it.” There was a mean smile on Yorath’s face.

“Come on boys, no need to fight,” Arianwen said.

He walked the winding hallway back to his room to get his notes and study. The number of people had increased ever since the classes officially started, yet even as he passed by them he couldn’t help but feel that there still weren’t that many. Even their class had only about fifty students in it. Not a small number in itself. Still, that represented the entirety of the people who would start receiving magical education that year. So why is the tower and the Academy itself so huge? It was hard to think that even if he had started in an unusually barren year, that the academy could produce the numbers that the tower could accommodate.

Studying proved a difficult task. His mind would begin to wander from the fantasies of power, the yearning for his home and his old friends. He still didn’t know whether any of them were still alive. They could be wandering this world, or are suffering in captivity. Maybe they are in a different world altogether. If there is one fantastical world, why not more. He had tried pushing for more information on the portal magic that Carys had mentioned during one of the lectures. Nothing ever came of it, even as he tried his luck at the library. Even as an official student, he didn’t have access to most of the materials hidden there.

“Good news dear students,” Carys said. “I have already graded your tests ahead of the schedule.” A groan echoed through the lecture hall and she looked around the room at her victims and sighed. “At least you understand your standing. Since this was the first test, you will have several opportunities to get back on track, this was just the first battle. The war still awaits. Still, I advise you to take these matters seriously.”

Samuel was nervous but reasonably optimistic about the results. I don’t know how good Yorath is but surely my results are nothing to scoff at. He looked at the test papers as they were flown around the class and caught his results. His heart sank. It was just bellow the passing grade. He couldn’t believe it. He knew there was a question or two that he hadn’t known the answer to. At the same time he was confident that he had been correct on most of the others. The rest of the lessons passed him by in a daze.

During lunch he dreaded meeting the others. Nothing for it. I’m just getting used to the new system in a new land.

“How did you guys do?” Samuel asked with a nervous smile. Each reacted in a different way.

“It was all right,” Yorath exuded nonchalance and absently flicked his fingers. It infuriated Samuel. Especially since that obviously meant that Yorath had done much better than he had.

“I see,” he said.

“Oh yes, nothing too special. It was just the first test after all, so it was bound to be easier to allow us to get used to the system.”

Samuel was sure that Yorath didn’t really know whether that was true, yet it was a chilling thought. It will get harder. He felt sick.

“So?”

“Oh you know. I managed to get a perfect score. As I said nothing exceptional. I’m sure you also did very well.”

Samuel blanched. Am I stupid? Dismissing some people as geniuses who can’t be compared to the regular folk was something he had done before in school, yet that was the difference between just doing well in school and winning international competitions. Yorath tilted his head in anticipation of the answer.

“No, it didn’t go so well for me,” Samuel said. His eye twitched at Yorath’s smug smile and he turned his attention to the other two before he started arguing. “How about you two?”

Madoc muttered before answering. “Just waiting for the practical lessons.”

“Fine, fine,” Arianwen said. “I’m looking forward to the next lessons and tests.” She was smiling all the while but somehow it didn’t seem right. The skin under her eyes was just a little dark and puffy, the eyes a little too red. It could be because of all the reading we have to do.

Samuel didn’t want to pry to deep into either one of them. Maybe Yorath is the exception after all. “How about we study together? If nothing else, it could help with our motivation.”

“No thanks I’m good,” Yorath said.

“That’s a great idea,” Arianwen said at the same time. This time her smile seemed genuine. Yorath glared at Samuel but didn’t say anything.

“How about it?” Samuel nodded towards Madoc, who had still been brooding.

“Huh? No thanks. I think I’ll try need to concentrate on my own.”

“Suit yourself, tell me if you change your mind. Arianwen, let’s meet up at the library after the final lessons.”