The Magician

It was dark out, Marcus was sitting around the fire eating rabbit skewers. Nick had managed to hunt several rabbits along the way after they dealt with the bandits. Because they were a little behind schedule he didn't have time to hunt when they stopped since it was already dark out. The wagons were oriented in a circle with the fire in the middle to help keep the light from being seen from too far away. Roger and Ronan were on watch while everyone else was eating, they would eat after their watch was over. Most of the merchants were also sitting around the fire along with the wagon drivers enjoying the meal.

Marcus was thinking over the events that happened earlier. Along with the broadsword the bandit also had twenty silvers in a pouch. Marcus could use the sword as a backup, but he wasn't confident in it's quality, so he figured that he'd sell it once they arrived in Clearmount. The head merchant, who's name is Travis, said that it would take two days to offload their goods. Then they would load up with more, then head back to Jakarta. So Marcus would be free for those two days.

"Excuse me Mister Marcus, Sir Lucius would like to speak to you in the lead wagon." Travis had approached Marcus while he was eating.

"Lucius?"

"Yes, the magician that is traveling with us. He is awaiting your arrival." Travis said. Magicians held a high status, likely higher than a merchant, thus the sir that Travis put before his name.

"Why would he want to talk to me?" Marcus asked with a questioning look on his face.

"I do not know. He just requested your presence."

Standing up and patting his pants to remove the dust, Marcus made his way to the lead wagon. He had no idea why the magician wanted to talk to him. He had stayed cooped up in the lead wagon, nobody had even seen his face. Marcus didn't even know if he left to use the bathroom.

The lead wagon was a little bit more luxurious than the others. This one had a little two person cabin for the leader of the caravan. The leader was usually the owner of all the wagons and goods, so most of the time they would sacrifice a little storage space for some luxury. Knocking three times on the door to the little cabin, Marcus waited for a reply.

"You may enter." A deep voice sounded from inside. It was an older voice, maybe from someone that was nearing their sixties.

Marcus opened the wooden door, it opened soundlessly, the merchant must have oiled the hinges regularly. Stooping down so he didn't hit his head, Marcus entered.

"Please, take a seat." Lucius said, indicating to the bench across from him. Lucius was an elderly man, with a head of thick gray hair. He was in surprisingly good shape, he had a sharp jawline and very little body fat. He was slightly taller than average at five-feet nine inches tall, and was wearing an expensive looking blue robe with symbols embroidered into it.

Marcus took a seat, it was a tight fit, the cabin was barely big enough to allow him to fit. He wished that Lucius would have wanted to talk to him outside.

"Travis said you wished to speak with me." Marcus started the conversation, he wanted to get out of the cabin quickly, he was feeling quite cramped.

"Yes, I did. I'll cut to the chase. I witnessed what happened with the bandit. I was wanting to know what sort of magic that was. There is a very rare school of body strengthening magic, not many people know of it." Lucius said with a look of anticipation.

Marcus was a little surprised that such magic existed. Unfortunately, Lucius was going to be disappointed because Marcus couldn't use magic. Ever since he learned of magic from Issac and Mary he'd been trying almost every day, but to no avail.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you but that wasn't magic. In fact I can't use magic." Marcus said while stroking his beard.

"I know you may not want to divulge the secrets of body strengthening magic so I won't ask about specifics. I was just wanting to confirm it's existence. The only records of it are in the Academy, no one that I know of has actually seen it." Lucius seemed to not believe Marcus when he said that he couldn't use magic. As far as Lucius knew, even children could even use some everyday magic, at least a little. There was never a case of someone not being able to use magic.

"I'm sorry, I really can't use magic. I've tried over and over again, I don't know what it is but I just can't do it" Marcus said with a dejected look on his face. He would love to be able to use magic. In this world, the more you knew about a natural process the stronger your magic would be. That's why many magicians were researchers trying to reveal the natural processes in order to increase their own power. That was also why this world was so stagnant in technology, no one would share their findings, who would want to empower someone else.

"Nonsense, everyone can use magic." Lucius looked a little annoyed.

"If you wish not to talk about it just say so. There's no need for deception."

Marcus didn't like being called a liar, so he held out his hand and said "AQUA!"

Of course nothing happened. Lucius's eyebrow raised slightly as he leaned forward.

"Try again."

"AQUA!" Marcus said again, putting effort into trying to materialize something. He was thinking that maybe Lucius could help him explain why he couldn't use magic.

"Interesting, very interesting." Seemingly now believing him, Lucius started to question Marcus even more.

"Could you never use magic? Or did something happen? An accident maybe, or a curse? Not many people know how to curse others, so if it was that you must have offended someone very powerful." Lucius looked deep in thought, almost looking like he was enjoying himself now. In fact he was, there was nothing more exciting than the unknown, and right now a huge question mark was sitting right across from him.

"As far as I know I've never been able to use it. I don't think I've managed to piss anyone off that could put a curse on me."

"Really? That would have been the most plausible explanation. Maybe you just don't have that much magic power inside you. Here take this and hold it in your hand." Lucius took a small stone from the inside pocket of his robe. The stone was glowing a white light, illuminating the cabin slightly.

"What's this?" Marcus asked as he took the stone in his hand.

"It measures magic power. Just try to cast a spell while holding the stone, It will change color depending on the amount of power produced. Even a miniscule amount of power will change the color." Lucius explained.

"Alright, here it goes. AQUA!" Marcus tried to cast some water magic on the stone. As he expected, the stone didn't change color. It was still the white light that was emitting when Lucius first brought it out.

"Do that again." Lucius said as he leaned forward, furrowed his brow and stared intently at the stone.

"AQUA!" Marcus repeated himself.

"Amazing, just amazing. I think I know what's happening. Now, instead of trying to cast magic, try to take from the stone. Think about absorbing its magic power."

Not knowing what Lucius was getting at, Marcus did as he was told. He started to imagine that the stone was a cup of water and he was drinking from it. Surely enough, the stone actually started to dim ever so slightly. Next, Marcus thought of the stone as a garden hose, and he was drinking as fast as he could from it. The stone visibly dimmed, and continued to dim.

"That's enough. I don't want you to ruin my ability stone, those are very expensive." Lucius said as he snatched the stone out of Marcus's hand.

"You said you might know what is going on with my magic?" Marcus was very anxious. He wanted to know why he didn't have the ability to cast magic, and maybe Lucius could give him answers. If he knew why, then maybe he'd be able to find some way to fix it so that he could cast it.

"Now this is just a theory, so it may not be the case, but I think your body is absorbing magic power from your surroundings!" Lucius said with a smile and a sparkle in his eyes.

"Ok then, well how do I fix it then?" Marcus said, not understanding why the magician looked so happy.

"You don't understand do you? Every living creature, be it magical beast, humans, or even plants produce magic power not absorb it. That's why if you run out, you'll be fatigued until your body can produce more, everyone is different in the amount they can produce, but they all produce it. It's how potions get their power, from the plants that they are made off. Magic herbs are just like regular plants, they just naturally produce more magic power." Lucius took a deep breath and continued.

"But you, you are the first being I've ever seen or heard of that absorbed magic power. Now I don't know everything, and will be the first to admit that, but I'm certain there has never been a case like yours before!"

"So that means I'll never be able to use magic right?" Marcus asked in a sullen voice, his shoulders drooping. Marcus had never heard such bullshit before. He was in a magical world, with beasts and adventure, but could not use magic. Magic that everyone else with no exception could use.

"Don't look so down. This is an amazing discovery! I would love to run some more experiments! What do you say? I'll make it worth your while, I'll pay you handsomely!" Lucius looked almost frantic. He was practically drooling.

"I'm sorry, but I'll have to pass on the offer." Marcus had no intention of being someone's lab rat. If he had no other way to make money he may consider it, but right now he wasn't nearly desperate enough.

Now it was Lucius's turn to be very disappointed. Snapping back out of his excited state he said "I'm a researcher from the academy. I specialize in lightning magic and I'm going to Clearmount to study the storms that ravage the region at the end of every summer. The lighting in those storms are very destructive and strikes happen regularly. I'm hoping to gather some insight on the phenomenon. I'll be there probably until next spring. If you ever find yourself in Clearmount come find me. I'd love to look over your situation in greater detail!"

"If I have the time I will be sure to do so." Marcus didn't want to say that he definitely would, but didn't want to offend him. He figured that if he ever needed help from a high status that he would have a connection, no need to burn bridges.

"Great, I'm happy to hear that. My full name is Lucius Tallester. You can find me at Clearmount's auxiliary academy building, that's where I will be staying."

"You're not heading back with us?"

"Oh no. I only came along because they were heading to my destination. No merchant would say no to the protection of a magician." Lucius said with a smug look on his face.

"Plus I still get paid, so it's a win win for me." He added with a wink.

Marcus couldn't decide if Lucius was a good person, or was just friendly because he wanted to experiment on him. Still, he put on a friendly face and said his goodbyes as he exited the cabin. As soon as he set foot on the ground and closed the door behind him, he stretched his limbs. He was very stiff at the moment from being scrunched up in that tiny space.

Marcus had a lot to think about now, his disappointment was immeasurable and his day was ruined. He'll never be able to use magic, he gathered that much from Lucius. Never be able to throw fire, never be able to shoot lighting from his fingertips. But it also answered some of his questions that he had. Why was his strength so monstrous, why was his stamina the same? His healing was also extremely fast, if he focused on absorbing magic power could he make it faster?

With these thoughts Marcus made his way back to his bedroll. He'd have about half an hour before his watch started. He just wanted some quiet time to himself so that he could think.