3 Chapter 3: The Path Forward

Chapter 3: The Path Forward Andrew O'Kelley Available on Audiobook at http://tiny.cc/gettheaudiobook

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The sound of loud footsteps resonated down the stairs as frantic whispering voices echoed in nervous laughter, reverberating off the old stone. The noise was carrying far down the sloped hallway. The hallway itself was hundreds of steps long. The corridor wet and musty with age. The air was stale, making it hard to breathe.

Yet, none of that bothered the cadets, all prospective candidates to become Essence Weavers. Among them, the least worried of all was Daniel Richards, or Daniel as he preferred. His heart was pumping, full of excitement, and eagerness. Ready for the test, a test he had spent the last four years of his life preparing to take.

It had long been a dream of Daniel’s to become an Essence Weaver, just like his father had been, just like his grandfather. A desire to join the ranks of the legendary Essence Weavers of the Mage’s Corps and write his name into history. If he followed in their footsteps, he would one day become an Ascended One and be able to build summons, minions, and defenses from mere mana.

Gaining the ability to create the material from thin air rather than readily available components. His only concern and the only obstacle in his path was a generalist focus, rather than sole focus into one elemental power. Without a specialization, he would be unable to imbue his created minions with additional effects. All he needed to do was pass this last trial, this final test, and finally gain the use of more specializations in one of the elements of magic.

As an Ascended heir, as the children of Ascended Ones were called until their power manifested, Daniel could have chosen any comfortable position in the Empire. But none appealed to him in the same way that being an Essence Weaver did. Something about holding the very power of creation at the end of his fingertips appealed to him greatly.

Soon he would earn the Silver Shield that marked him as an Essence Weaver. Then and only then could he begin his journey to follow in his forefathers’ footsteps. But first, he needed to pass the trials. Eagerness and the anticipation were killing him.

However, in a moment of careless daydreaming, while he practically bounded down the stairs, Daniel lost his footing on the slick steps, his feet tripping against the stone and each other. With a bit of quick thinking and a faster reaction, he was able to save himself from a disastrous fall by grabbing on to the cold steel of the stairs’ safety railing.

Daniel’s cheeks flushed red in embarrassment. He cursed his clumsiness, angry that he had almost ended his test to become an Essence Weaver in early failure by injuring himself. After recovering, he continued down the steps, this time overly cautious in response to the fall. He clung to the metal bar, bracing himself as he continued, each step careful and measured as he descended the stairs to the testing site.

From behind him, Daniel could hear the ill-meaning jeers and mocking comments of his classmates, all of them enjoying his moment of failure. Daniel knew he had made a mistake, but it didn’t warrant them taunting him. He turned around and returned the mocking stares with a hard look of his own. The skin of his arm flashed with magic energy in a reminder of his pedigree. The laughing stopped, every one of them unwilling to match or meet his gaze.

"That's better," Daniel thought as he turned back around and continued walking down the stairs. "Immature distractions could be the difference between passing and failing tonight, and I will not settle for failure.”

Even with the fall and a careful pace afterward, Daniel was still the first to reach the landing of the bottom of the stairs. Even though it wasn't a race, he felt a sense of accomplishment. As a child of an Ascended One, it was on him to lead from the front. With such a distinguished legacy, he was not allowed to fall behind. Treasured bloodline or not, the Emperor himself had set down harsh guidance for Ascended Ones who were anything other than exceptional. They were, after all, kin.

Dismissing petty thoughts from his head, Daniel focused on the present as he stood on the landing. In front of him, he saw a sealed stone oversized round top double door with two Imperial Soldiers on each side, the soldiers stoic and unmoving in the traditional bronze cuirass and purple cloak of their position.

The door the Imperial Soldiers guarded marked the entrance to the testing area of the Mage’s Corps. The Elemental Dungeon, long ago subjugated by Mages and Essence Weavers of the Empire of Magic. Above the arch of the doorway, Daniel could see four lintels etched into the archway, fueling an inner sense of envy in him. Each of the etched lintel images showed the specialized elements of magic: Wind, Earth, Fire, and Water. Faintly, almost impossible to see, another image spanned across all four lintels. Upon closer inspection, Daniel was able to make out the symbol of the Arcane, the infinite Ouroboros.

Interrupting his examinations, one of the Imperial Soldiers who stood watch at the door called out to him and directed him towards a small outcropping. Each of the Soldiers was watching, waiting to intercept and giving commands to everyone who arrived, guiding them towards the holding area to wait until all of the prospects had arrived. The guards stated that once all of the candidates arrived, they would receive their additional orders.

Daniel, not one to waste time and opportunity, used the window to dust himself off and try to smooth out the few wrinkles he had already put on his Academy Cadet uniform. By most indicators, there would be fewer prospects during the Winter Solstice. A necessity of the Academy as movement of the required personnel and resources was more difficult during the winter months.

Without a large group to compete against, it would be more challenging to stand out on merits alone. Daniel wanted to stand out. With his grandfather being the Headmaster of the Academy, he knew there was talk of not truly having earned any accolades, and questions about his abilities and proficiency in general.

In the absence of rigorous competition, Daniel planned to use every chance afforded to stand out and every opportunity to make a better impression. He had to; if he appeared exceptional, maybe the Delegates would believe it.

Once all the rest of the candidates arrived, one of the soldiers came over and directed each of them into individual holding cells. Every prospect was instructed to wait in place until one of the guards came to fetch them. The intent was to keep candidates from observing or hearing aspects of the testing. In this way, the Academy had long sought to prevent candidates from gaining any sort of advantage.

Outside of the holding area, the two guards watched, making sure decorum and standards were obeyed by all of the prospects. None of the candidates were allowed to try to talk to each other from between the cells. The expectations and rules had been clearly set. All of the candidates were expected to sit in silence and wait in a pensive reflection of the upcoming test.

Daniel watched through the doorway as time passed. One by one, each of his peers was removed from the holding area by one of the guards until finally, it was his turn. Whether any of the others passed or failed, Daniel had no idea. Each of the candidates had been told beforehand they would be held over until everyone had completed testing. Then they would be released through the faculty entrance and corridor.

When it was finally Daniel’s turn to be tested, hours had gone by. The previous confidence he had tried to exude had managed to wane as he grew tired with the passing of the day, his turn coming after he was positive that he couldn’t wait any longer. One of the guards approached the holding cell he was being kept in. The guard instructed him to leave the holding area and wait outside the stone doorway of the Elemental Dungeon for further instruction. Without delay, Daniel did as he had been told, his arms and hands cold from having been kept in one spot for so long.

A short time later, Daniel was surprised to see a smaller door open near the dungeon entrance. He tried not to smile as he saw who was the stand-in for his grandfather: the Ascended Mage Barrydew. His grandfather Zekant, as Headmaster of the Academy, was forced by law to recuse himself from testing.

Unlike during the many daytime lectures he had attended with Master Barrydew; the man now adopted a stoic mask of unbiased judgment. That stoicism he showed was a responsibility inherent in the role. Daniel, knowing that even now he was under inspection, straightened up, aiming to appear both polished and posed.

He dipped low in a professional bow to the Ascended Mage, acknowledging a superior. "Master Barrydew, good evening," he said, as was Imperial custom. Having been acknowledged, Master Barrydew returned the curtsy with a bow of his own, completing the chain of authority.

Clearing his throat, the Ascended Mage spoke up. "Listen closely, Mr. Richards; the rest of the Delegates are almost ready for you to begin. When I go back through the door, count to 30, and knock on the double door. Wait to be acknowledged and then place both of your hands upon the door. It has been enchanted with a powerful dweomer that will can scan you. Be bold. Be brave. This is not a time to be timid. Good luck, and remember what we have strived to teach you, and you will do well on this day."

Daniel nodded his head in appreciation and thought he saw a faint smile of pride on Master Barrydew's face before he turned and walked away. His shuffling robes were making a dragging sound behind him. Quickly he disappeared back through the door from whence he had come. With a click, the door locked in place behind Master Barrydew. In his mind, Daniel began counting to 30, taking even measured breaths as he did, working to handle and dismiss his nerves, wanting to banish them to the back of his mind.

After the 30 seconds had passed, Daniel walked up to the door, knocking as hard as he felt was right, a knock that was almost a pound but not entirely. It hurt, leaving his hand aching and an angry red color. When he had done this three times to announce his presence, he heard a command come from the other side of the door, a booming voice that easily carried, even through the solid mass. “Put your hands on the door to be read.”

Daniel looked at the door and saw there was a slight groove that just barely held the shape of the palm of a hand and figures on both sides of the door, and as per the command, Daniel placed his hands on the door. Instantly, he began to feel an uncomfortable intruding feeling as if something was rifling through his mind. Instantly, he tried to pull away from the door, but was unable to; his hands were firmly stuck in place.

???? – Do not struggle. The scan will be over soon. If you continue, you risk injuring your mind, and I will be forced to impale your body to prevent this.

“Who are you,” Daniel asked out loud as he stopped struggling, looking to see if he could spot where the voice had come from. A voice that materialized in his thoughts, rather than was heard.

???? – The Scan has completed, now sending you and the delegates the results. Good luck in your coming test. Do not panic, the image you see is only in your mind.

Scan Results – Daniel Richards

Race

Human, Other, ????

Class

Essence Weaver – Essence Weavers are able to incorporate traits of fallen monsters they’ve absorbed into every spell and ability.

Ranking

Cadet - Imperial Position 197th

Traits

Ascended Heir - Ascended Heirs will eventually, with age, reach ascension, which allows those who possess this trait to add or create permanent effects to their abilities.

Mage Blood – Mage Blood dramatically increases the potency of magic-based abilities and the available pool of magic to use.

+200% to Mana Pool, +25% Duration of Spells, +50% Output From Spells

Bloodline

Mother – Elisha Richards

Father – Zachariah the Firebrand

Elemental Affiliations

Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Bane, Holy

Elemental Specializations

Locked

Absorbed Essences

Locked

Available Constructs

Basic Creation – Allows the creation of basic and simple tools from base components or raw materials.

Available Artifacts

Locked

Available Spells & Abilities

Materialization – Reduces a non-living target down to base components.

Available Summons

Locked

Passive Abilities

Aura of Absorption – Reduces a non-living target down to base components.

After he read the words written in the report, it faded from his view and he once again was able to see the wall in front of him, though something had changed. His right hand was covered in a thin silvery film that seemed to have permeated into the skin. It was not painful, though it did itch a little.

“What is this? I thought I was going to get a Silver-Shield?” Daniel thought as he pulled his hands away, finding that they were no longer hooked to the wall.

???? – It’s a seed. A small portion of something much larger that will grow into its own in time. Give it a name. It will be your companion for life and a weapon like no other.

“What does it do? What is this weapon? Who are you?” Daniel responded as he stared straight ahead as his mind was engaged elsewhere.

Arcane– I am the spirit of this dungeon, my name is Arcane. This is a seed from my core. It will help you in time to manage the various powers you possess. A thrice-blessed is not so common. Give the seed a name and breathe life into it.

Looking at his silver hand, Daniel thought for a moment, he remembered the names of many of the weapons and shields warriors he had met over the years had possessed and searched for inspiration. Speaking softly, Daniel funneled portions of all the magical energy he had available into the silver coating his hand. “I give you the name, Luminaire.” Daniel watched in awe as the silver that coated his hand started to bend and spread as it reformed into a shield. A small silver buckler. Daniel looked at both of the nearby guards in wonder, but neither acknowledged what was happening, it wasn’t their place. “Amazing…” he muttered.

A sound came from the door as the grooves disappeared, only to be replaced by a newly emerged metal door knocker with connecting grooves that fed into channels carved throughout the stone door. The goldish glow Daniel observed denoted an enchantment belonging to the magical school of the Earth. An elemental magic of which he had only generalized in, rather than specialized in. Had he been specialized, he could have simply flooded the door with Earth mana to fuel the enchantment, and the door would move aside with ease. But that was not an option for him. When it came to elemental magic, Daniel could channel all magic as a generalist, but nothing intensive. If he was to get through the door, he knew he would need to take a different path out of necessity.

Though Daniel had been described as both a fighter and scrapper by those who loved him, neither of those qualifiers helped him to move the massive weight. Flustered, he put both of his hands on the knocker, spreading his legs in a weightlifting stance, ensuring he centered his hips and pulled again, this time straining as his muscles tired and bones creaked. This time the door moved slightly, but Daniel could not pass through it.

Daniel refused to quit, angry and furious with the stupidity of the door. He refused to lose and fail this early into the test. He just needed to think smarter and amplify the power he was already exerting. This was not a genius solution but a common sense one.

With one option remaining to him, Daniel accessed the innate power within him. One of a handful of abilities that separated Essence Weavers from every other magic-user. The ability to create by breaking down things to find the usable parts to reform and manipulate them as needed. An ability independent of any school of magic an Essence Weaver may also wield, Materialization, and Basic Creation.

Daniel raised his hand over the earth beneath him, magically shifting through it at an incredible pace. Looking through his mind’s eye at the layers of rock and matter, disassembling it with mana into raw material. From the material he had disassembled, he began to craft as an idea took hold in his mind. With no further prompting, he began to create. Elongating and molding the raw material into the form of a digging bar, a tool he had seen some of the peasants around the Academy using.

The iron bar dropped to the ground, new to existence, and perfectly unblemished as Daniel finished his work, summoning braces on his arms made of root components he had found, created so he could save himself from the strain and work without worry of self-harm. With a grunt, Daniel picked up the digging bar and shoved the tip of the bar through the small opening in the door and pushed.

Even then, with the braces and the digging bar, Daniel strained his body and tired his muscles, but overall, he was encouraged by his efforts as the door slowly began to grind against the ground, moving forward. He had found a solution. He would not fail here. When the door was opened far enough for him to pass through it safely, he did so. Jumping through the opening as fast as he could muster, fearing that it would close on him, rather than just close behind him.

The door slammed shut immediately after Daniel passed through it, leaving him in perfect darkness on the other side. The darkness completely obscured his vision, except for a glowing white circle on the ground a few feet in front of him. Understanding the prompt for what it was, Daniel approached the circle. Stepping into it, and when he did, Daniel could see a group of cloaked and covered figures ringed around him, observing from elevated posts.

"You have passed the first test, candidate," shouted the cloaked figure in front of him, a voice he did not recognize that carried a unique aura of authority, a voice he believed to belong to the head Proctor. “Though it was in poor form. You misunderstood the way to open the door, it reflects the mana of the last person to open it, all you needed to do was channel mana, any mana through it. A far more elegant solution to this…. Brutality. Regardless, congratulations on your newly acquired shield, now, announce yourself."