3 The Road

"Recite to me the four truths of magic. Then, tell me the nature of the main elements. THEN we can go."

It was finally time for them to leave and Michael wanted nothing more than to do so. It was, after all, his first step towards vengeance. The system had even confirmed it! Instead of complaining, he just did as he was told. Better to get it over with.

"Magic is everywhere. The world and everything beyond it is comprised of magic. Magic is powerful. Since it's everywhere, it can affect anything. Magic has a cost, usually mana. There are those who can affect magic, known as mages or magicians, and are most commonly born with the ability."

Michael took a deep breath before he continued.

"The six main elements are water, earth, air, fire, light and darkness. Water flows, earth protects, air carries, fire burns, light shines, and darkness consumes. Any other magic is made up these main elements."

"Very good! Remember, however, that magic may be everywhere, but it cannot affect everything. The dead can be reanimated, but not revived and your life essence can never be stolen. Well then, get to it. This cart isn't going to pull itself!"

The old man hopped on the back of the cart containing all their worldly possessions. Well, mostly his worldly possessions. Michael's stuff had pretty much all burned in the fire and his master had only bought him 1 change of clothes, saying he'd get more when they reached their destination.

"What do you mean I have to pull the cart? Didn't you get a horse? I can't carry all this," Michael cried in desperation. Who could expect a 7-year-old to pull a cart on a journey that takes a man on horseback a month?

"Well, you'd better figure it out if you want that revenge of yours! You already know everything you need to make this work." And with that, Michael's master pulled out a book and started to read—something called Masterwork Spellcrafting: A Conversation with Magic.

Michael sat there, frustrated and stumped. He clearly couldn't ask for outside help because no one else was going to Ilkhorn. Besides, nobody else had a horse to lend them. Still, his master had never given him a task he couldn't handle. He was stronger than most boys his age despite his small size and he had the brains to match. There had to be a way.

Thinking back, the only hint his master had given was that he already knew what he needed to succeed. The only other thing they'd discussed was…magic! That had to be the answer.

Master Robin had drilled him on the principles and characteristics of magic elements. Water flows, but it still needs to start somewhere. Earth protects, so that'd hardly be useful. Air carries. That's what he needed! He needed air to carry it so he could get started! Then maybe he could use water to keep it going.

He had some practice trying to sense the elements. It'd been really hard at first, but his parents' lessons had actually helped him a lot. When he wanted to sense water, he'd imagine a rushing river. When he wanted to sense earth, he'd feel for the vibrations of the earth. When he needed air, he heard birdsong—and that's what he needed now.

In moments, he had built a connection to the air magic around him. Still, he had never tried to tell it what to do. He built up his connection, stronger and stronger. When he thought he almost had enough, a voice called out, "hey brat! Hurry up! We haven't got all day!"

And just like that, Michael's connection broke. "Master, what are you doing! I was just about to start going! Please be quiet so I can focus."

"Focus? You wanna talk about focus? Imagine being surrounded by ogres trying to bash your brain in and then talk to me about focus! Now get moving!" Master Robin sounded especially cross at Michael's attempt to talk back to him. Giving up on the conversation, Michael focused on the air magic again.

And again, right before he tried to apply it, his master called out, causing him to drop the spell. It happened again, and again and again until the sun was high in the sky. Even worse, he got berated more the longer he took. By the end of it, he could have sworn his master was using a sound spell.

And then he felt the magic lift the cart. He'd succeeded! And amid his celebrations, he lost the connection and the cart came crashing back to the ground.

"What's the big idea? If you've got the magic figured out, get going! I want to make the next village by nightfall."

Michael carefully reconstructed his spell and applied it to the cart. Keeping it going, however, required his full attention (and mana). Giving up on the idea of using water magic, too, Michael began to pull the cart. It was far lighter than it would have been normally, but it still gave Michael trouble. Once he got going, however, it became much easier.

As the townsfolk waved them off, Michael took no notice. As the town faded out of sight, it had already left his mind. He had only two tasks. First, keep the magic going (and boy, that was getting harder by the minute). Second, follow the road.

They went on like this for hours until eventually darkness started to fall and Michael fell to the ground, exhausted and out of mana. Master Robin picked up the boy and placed him in the cart next to him. Then he cast a spell and they were off again to the village that had just come into sight.

Michael couldn't exactly remember what happened once they reached the village, but he found himself placed on a bed beside his master's, their belongings safely stored away. And then he felt the bliss of sleep.

…

Michael awoke with a groan to the shaking of his master. "Come on boy, get up. You're young. Young people recover quickly. It's time to get moving unless you fancy sleeping in a monster-infested forest. No? Then let's go."

His entire body hurt. In the countless hours of physical training he had endured, Michael had never hurt like this. Even his brain hurt.

[System has detected debilitating physical fatigue and mana drain. Should system deploy regenerative functions? * Note: Costs 1 IP (Intellect Point) *]

"Al? That sure sounds good. Do it for me, would you?"

Sure thing kid, but it'll cost you. The system doesn't like people who don't pay their debts. If you don't want to get dinged, you'll have to pay it back ASAP.

"Yeah, yeah. Just hit the button for me." As soon as he said this, he began to feel better. Energy filled his veins and his headache disappeared.

[Host is at maximum health restorable. Pay back your debt of 2 IP within 3 weeks or suffer a randomly selected punishment. Have a nice day!]

Michael was a bit worried about the whole debt and punishment thing, but he could deal with that later. For now, it was time to hit the road!

The day passed much like the previous, save for the embarrassingly slow start. When he reached his limit, he was placed back in the cart. This time, Master Robin began to read out loud to him. While he understood little of it, it did manage to gain him 1 IP.

They continued on like this for 28 days, until they finally arrived in the cobblestone streets of Ilkhorn. They came across no dangers, even in the monstrous forest, which led Michael to believe his master was scaring them away. Either way, they were safe.

About halfway through the trip, Michael had begun applying water magic to speed up their progress. He was awarded a full 5 IP for the endeavor, which quickly went to clearing his debt with the system. Though he arrived at the gates to the academy physically tired, his mind had grown stronger and his mana had grown exponentially. More importantly, he had a full 3 IP to spend (though he really had to ask Al how to do that).

"Halt! You have reached the gates of Ilkhorn Academy. Please present your invitation," a guard called out to them.

"You see a 7-year-old pulling a cart to the academy gates and you really think you need to check if we're qualified? Very well, here's mine." Master Robin produced a letter with an Elk-shaped seal on it while Michael was still busy wondering how the heck they were going to get inside. His master never mentioned an invitation!

"Ah, Master Robin! I apologize for the hold up. Please proceed!" The guard seemed to have changed completely from bored to kissing up to Michael's master. It stunned him so much he almost forgot to walk forward.

Upon walking through the gates, Michael had to stop and look around in wonder again. What had seemed to be a simple building (albeit a rather nice building) now appeared to be the size of a town. A grass courtyard was in front of him and to his left he saw several students practicing magic or dueling. But what amazed him most was the building directly in front of him.

Across the courtyard sat a castle the likes of which he'd never seen. It was tall and majestic, and streams of people seemed to be flooding into it.

"WELCOME TO ILKHORN ACADEMY!"