Chapter 54

"Congratulations. I know you are all probably dying inside to figure out where you placed, but before that, rewards."

After Leon had gotten done speaking a cart with potions rolled out.

Alex's eyes locked onto a yellowish vial as he scanned through all of the potions.

'A lightning resistance potion. If I get enough, I can go through with my crazy plan.'

'To go straight to the source of lightning mana.'

"Each of you can choose one potion."

Alex followed the rest of the mages as they each picked out what they would take. He reached out and grabbed the yellow vial. After he lifted it another slid out from behind it taking its place.

"Now that that is out of the way we can begin with the placements of the top ten of the junior division."

One of the old men on the stage stood up before speaking. "Tenth place, Natalie of Trappersfield. Successfully created a poison-cleansing potion."

Those below couldn't hear it, but the crowd above was cheering loudly as they waited for their classmates to be called upon.

Another old man stood up before speaking. "Ninth place, Austin of Dukes. Successfully created a mid-grade poison cleansing potion."

Events repeated and another judge spoke up. "Sixth place, Joshua of Greensburg. Successfully created, a potion of elemental resistances."

"Fifth place, Marie of Holdensburg. Successfully created a high-grade mana potion."

An uproar broke out in the stands as mages began speaking about the few that were still left. Holdensburg usually held the top few positions in all events but even more so in potion brewing which seemed to be there strong suit, and yet one of their mages had only placed fifth.

"Fourth place, Damien of Tarksboro. Successfully created a high-grade strength enhancing potion."

"Third place, Taylor of Dalifield. Successfully brewed a high-grade potion of healing and regeneration."

Leon stood up before speaking and turned to look at Alex and Stewart.

"For the remaining two, we would like to announce that we had two original recipes created this year. One from a second year returnee and one from a newcomer. For both of these recipes we will discuss negotiations later on, until then…"

"Second place, from Holdensburg, and one of my very own students Stewart Gregory. He not only successfully created a potion of inferno which can temporarily increase a fire mages power, he also made the first recorded perfect-grade version of this potion."

"This last mage was definitely not expected, but having him here was a pleasant surprise nonetheless. First place, Alex Erebus of Dalifield. Successfully created a perfect-grade mind-strengthening potion. None of you may know this potion, and that is because it is relatively new, the first recorded recipe was only gathered by the potions guild a few years ago. Forget a high-grade mind-strengthening potion, we have even yet to come upon a recipe for the middle grade. This little devil even had the gall to label the potion as lesser mind-strengthening."

'Well… I didn't think it's effects would be that good. If only they knew that I had some… more potent potions.' Alex thought as he gave a soft smile.

"Congratulations, the assorted points will be calculated and added to your schools totals." Leon said before pointing to Alex and Stewart. "Alright fellas, follow me."

The two followed the instructor to a secluded room not far away from the brewing room.

"How did you do it?" Stewart asked as he looked at the student who had put him into second place.

"I changed nothing, I only perfected the refining process." Alex answered as he looked around at the room they had entered. Several runes for privacy surrounded the room, but even still Alex could feel that the giant dome was still watching.

"Should we both be in here at the same time?" Alex asked Leon.

"Usually no, but you both are technically members of the potions guild and giving out this information would have a good chance to get that privilege revoked." Leon said before flipping a switch on his desk.

Alex watched in amazement as the previous rune formation around the room moved. Not only that he watched as energy from beast cores ran through the mana lines and was used to draw short-term runes. All with the flick of a switch.

'Almost perfect. Whoever implemented this left an open hole for peeping, good thing I'm here.' Alex thought as he filled the void with his own temporary set of runes the invisible pressure from the dome lifting from their shoulders immediately.

"Stewart, I know your father has taught you well. In just one year you managed go from perfectly recreating the hardest available recipe, to creating your own. Here is the contract that we have written up in accord to how well you have performed."

A short moment passed as Stewart read the sheet of paper in his hands. He slowly pushed the paper down a look of disbelief in his eyes.

"Accepted into the main college for potion brewing?"

Leon nodded. "Staying here will do little to help your career in brewing. Up in Moonglow you will have access to all recipes and have many more resources than we could ever provide here and the money from your recipe would no doubt cover all costs for your time there."

"I didn't think I would be able to go so soon. When will I be heading off?" Stewart asked while signing the paper.

"After the competitions end, we can send you off. Just make sure to pack your stuff and be prepared as soon as possible."

"Alex, you are a special case. It's not every day that I see someone with your name that also excels in potion brewing. The only thing is, we have watched your brew multiple times and we cannot discover how you made your potion." Leon said while handing Alex a paper.

Alex nodded. "An invitation to the Founders Brewing University. With no cost. It's very tempting…" Alex said before looking down.

"But I cannot accept."

"If it has something to do with friends or family, I assure you that you will have no problems staying connected with them." Leon said trying to get him to reconsider.

Alex shook his head before waving his hand. A contract appeared in his hand.

"A binding contract, I cannot tell you anything without you swearing secrecy." Alex said before handing them to both of the people present.

Stewart was planning on just leaving the room but his curiosity was egging at him and he signed the paper before pricking his finger and placing it on the paper. He felt a cool sensation as a foreign energy entered himself.

Alex watched as the runes that were on the paper entered into the two. 'It feels evil but it's better than having you paint a mark on your own back.'

"First of all, it wasn't a normal method of brewing, in this world only I and one other could possibly create such a powerful mind-strengthening potion. Secondly, I cannot join your college because of who I am."

"The college doesn't discriminate, I don't see…" Leon was cut off as darkness and light flowed from both sides of Alex.

"I understand."

A mage of balance, in other kingdoms would be hailed and trained until they could one day lead the kingdom. However here, it meant a death sentence. If Alex wasn't killed as soon as he was noticed and gained strength, the kingdom of light would go at war against him. The hate against all that was "unholy" was imprinted into the minds of all people.

"Does this mean you have met up with them?"

Alex nodded.

"Very well, I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors." Leon said to Alex.

"And may god help you in your path." He added.

"You know how to use these right? If you are ever targeted because of me, break them and I will be able to help." Alex asked.

"Runic markers, we definitely know how to use these." Stewart answered.

"So you are also a rune-writer. I can feel your energy in this." Leon noted.

"I am."

"I'll see you around then." Leon said before speaking again. "Thank you Alex, you didn't have to tell us, but you did."

After the temporary runes disappeared Alex left the room and headed back up to the bleachers after storing his remaining potions.

"Alex, you have done very well." Duncan said as he walked up to Alex.

"Thanks." Alex said with a soft smile.

Alex made his way back to his seat as he put on a smile and accepted everyone's congratulations.

"You managed to get more 'good jobs' than me." Taylor said as Alex sat down.

"A real accomplishment, I'm surprised myself. So when do the older mages get to compete?" Alex asked.

"Not sure, they should be coming in at any moment." Taylor said as he watched the doors.

After a minute both doors, the ones below and the ones to the stands opened up. Alex watched as several hundreds of students poured in. 'I guess that the older classes aren't required to be here. It makes sense though, the stands would be packed otherwise.'

Alex watched down below and smiled as James entered and waved in his schools direction.

Alex watched as the last few people entered and what had happened to him happened to them.

'I suppose her sister isn't in to potion brewing, maybe that is why she also isn't here. Maybe she managed to convince her instructor to let her watch her sister compete.' Alex thought to himself as he tried to find some reason.

After a minute of watching others brew their potions Alex stood up. "I'll be back in a bit, save my seat will ya."

Taylor nodded as he watched James bring his ingredients to a boil with his own flames.

Alex walked over to the exit. Opening the doors to the exit, and walking up to the entrance of the potions building.

He was about to open the door when the door opened. 'Tori's si… Michelle.' Alex thought as he watched Tori's sister, Michelle enter.

"Oh, uh, hi." Alex said as she put a bow away before turning to look at him.

He froze as she looked at him with the same look as yesterday and continuing passed him.

Alex sighed and opened the door.

"I haven't missed too much have I?" She asked before he went through the door.

"Not too much, they have just begun." Alex answered without even turning around and continuing out.

A buzz filled Alex's head as he walked. He felt like thousands of voices were screaming back and forth. He walked behind a building before leaning back against the wall and sliding down until he was seated.

'Stupid. Who is to say that she would be here? If she isn't, then is there any reason for me to be here?' Alex thought as he rested an elbow on his knee and held his chin on his fist while gazing out with a glazed over expression.

"Not everything goes according to plan." A voice said in front of Alex.

Alex looked up as a ghostly apparition appeared in front of him.

"Sorry for butting in, but I was able to sense you all the way from my resting place. You look like you have had a rough day." The gray mist said as it took a seat next to Alex.

"No everything went perfectly fine. I managed to do some things I would have never imagined possible when I was younger." Alex said as he continued to look out into nowhere in general.

"Don't kid yourself kid, I can feel it. In all of my life I have never felt so much pressure and pain."

"Then you got lucky. So many people live their lives up until they die never fully being able to rid themselves of this pain. Maybe I'm no different from them and one day I'll join them." Alex replied.

"Well, maybe I did get lucky. Up until my best friend decided to take everything from me, I honestly believed there was no evil in this kingdom, or even this world. Even after I had died though I never hated my friend, and yet here I am stuck here barely a living conscience." The ghost said before continuing.

"So tell me. what aches you so badly?"

Alex exhaled before speaking. "Long ago, there was a boy he would stand still in a corner for several hours when he did anything wrong. When he turned around he would be yelled at. When he got the courage to speak up he was beaten. The memories of his childhood were a corner. he spent every night praying to god. To take him away. To end his suffering. To tell him why. Why was he so unlucky? It is hard, very hard to rid yourself of memories that stick to your brain like an adhesive."

Alex looked up. "He never got an answer. Instead he saw light for the first time, and the light came in the form of a girl. She would tell him stories, and he would listen. When he tried to distance himself from others she would walk over to him. Never in his life had he seen such kindness."

"But happiness isn't eternal. He was torn from that world, pulled back into the darkness. Hoping that one day that light would return. He spent everyday training, growing, and hoping that it would be worth it."

"A terrible situation for anyone to go through, and I understand where all this pain comes from. She was supposed to be here wasn't she?"

Alex nodded.

"A word of advice from this old soul, don't put all your books on one shelf. That shelf will crumble and break under the weight. People change over time, what felt like heaven to you probably felt like just any other day to her. You have come a long way since that place as well. Look around you, you have people that care about you surrounding you. Make more shelves to carry your burden, old ones will tumble when the world turns."

"You have helped me to finally understand why I'm still here. The last thing I ever thought while dying was why. Why? I guess my time here is over. If you are ever in need of help again feel free to call me over again." The ghost said before standing and walking away.

"Thank you." Alex said as he watched the mist fade.

He stood up and wiped the grass from his pants before heading back over to the potions building.

——————

"Theo." A voice called.

A mist appeared several miles from where Alex was. "I'm here. Who is it? Where are you?"

"You've done a good deed today, and we're lucky that we've been watching. If you want we can grant your last wish."

Theo covered his eyes as a bright light shone from above. Surprised he looked around at the cloudy plane that he had been trapped in since his death. For the first time the clouds had been drawn back and he could see his own hands.

He looked up and saw a hand reaching down from above. He reached out and held the hand as a look of realization filled his face. "So that was why she did it."