Chapter 33: The Apprentice

It's been 3 months since I started teaching Benny and only now, I appreciated how fortunate I was to have most of the fundamental understanding of natural philosophy, required to cast spells. Benny could not read, I discovered, and only had the slimmest understanding of numbers. So, the first 3 weeks of tutoring was reserved for correcting this. Once that was finished, we moved on to mathematics, sciences, and Etheric theory. 12 hours of each day was dedicated to study. The first 4 would be a combination of mathematics and the sciences. The next 4 would be Etheric theory. And the last would be spent on practicing control of the ether.For 68 days straight Benny studied diligently. Even when I suggested one day off a week, she rejected it. It was fortunate that I could bring up the texts I've read, and the lessons taught to me by Garrett so clearly. We have yet to begin actual casting, but she was getting close. The last 4 hours of training was spent with her in the middle of the room and with my eyes shifted to the ether. I would monitor the progress she made gathering the ether and offer advice. She knew that once she could see into the ether the next step was spell casting.The hunger to learn drove her on, in order to minimize time wastage, I took up the job of cooking. She still was the only one to go into the village but every meal we prepared was by me. I wasn't a good cook by any means, but food was food. It was late in the evening, and she was in the center of the room once more practicing. I watched as she compressed the ether into a single sphere. Then I watched as she began to separate it into two. Then the ether fell apart as she lost her grip on it."Enough, time for practice has ended." I said. She has been going for over 4 hours at this point and I refused to allow her to overextend herself. Dedication was good but overwork would affect her mental performance in the morning."But I'm so close. Just a few more minutes." Benny said, it was the same thing she said the last 3 times."No apprentice, you still have to practice more trigonometry in the morning, and I won't have you half asleep."She knew that when I referred to her as an apprentice that I was being serious, and it brokered no arguments.She was slightly deflated, but she acquiesced."Yes master, so what's for dinner?"I have progressed my cooking skills from making slightly edible stew to edible stew."Stew and I reheated some bread. Come let's go over a few things while we eat."We sat down at the opposite ends of the small table where I ladled out healthy portions filled with meat. Now that she was eating so well, Benny managed to lose that slightly gaunt look that peasants tended to have. I made sure that she bought a variety of fruits and vegetables, so she had something close to a balanced diet."I've finished preparing the spell I want you to study."I drew out the spell circuit along with all the supplemental information about the spell such as its underlying Etheric theory and Mathematics. It should be thorough enough for her to study and cast the spell herself."What spell?" she asked, through a mouth full of stew."Air Blast.""I don't think you have shown me that one.""No, I didn't, when you can see into the either I'll teach you this spell."I resolved to not leave Floxum until she had at least one spell she could use to defend herself with. By the rate of her progress, I estimate she should be able to cast air spells in a few weeks' time. I decided to focus her mathematical learning on the aspects that would aid in her air spells. Once she had a few spells under her belt that she could use in offense or defense. I would work to fill in the gaps in her knowledge, so she can learn spells on her own.Though weeks of constant book learning had to be tiresome for someone so young so it's best that she get some excitement."How about I give you a demonstration tomorrow morning?""Yes Master," she said, practically bouncing in her seat.The next morning, we broke our fast early and headed an hour into the forest. We found a reasonably clear area for a demonstration."You're getting closer and closer to finally learning casting so it's time you see the true extent of a mage's power. Power that you can wield sometime soon."She stood next to me as I began casting. I created the spell circuit for air blast and overcharged it to the highest extent possible. The circuit began to emit white lightning as it began to approach instability. Benny had a mad smile on her face as she no doubt started to feel the ripples in the ether that came off the circuit.While Benny was studying to learn her spells the last few months I focused on speed. Now practically every spell I could cast and over charge in under a second. with the exception of the single shadow spell. I've also begun attempting to add a third spell circuit but that was slow in progress. I knew the human limit was four, I couldn't even imagine the mental strain that would take.I released the blast. It flew a few hundred feet into the forest and detonated. A massive shockwave emanated from the center of the blast. There was a sonic boom as the pressure wave obliterated the earth and surrounding trees leaving nothing standing. The blast was so great that our radiant carapaces deflected the degrees even though I detonated the spell at its maximum range."Gods." Benny said as she stared at the devastation."That Benny is true power, power that you will soon wield. All you have to do is see into the Ether."I spent some more time showing her different ways that the spell could be used. Such as only releasing the blast in a semi-circle centered on the palm instead of an explosion. She was ecstatic as I sent a boulder flying hundreds of feet through the air with the spell."Let's get back, I need to study." She said her eyes glowed with determination.Before she was determined, now she was a girl possessed. Her hunger to learn that spell pushed her efforts to greater limits. Two weeks later while we were sitting on the floor of her home in the middle of another session of trying to see into the ether she got it. she gasped as her vision changed and lost focus.I started laughing and clapping remembering my first time seeing the ether."Excellent work my apprentice. You are one step closer." I said, genuinely pleased with her results. She beamed with pride."It was so strange everything was blue." She said,"Indeed, that is how most see it."She ignored me as she looked around the room observing things in the ether."Wow, you're so bright." She said,"Yes, creatures with higher potential for magic glow brighter. So do objects, now look on my bed."She focused on my bed and her eyes locked on the pouch that contained my etheric gems."Bring it over." She got up, picked up the pouch and gave it to me."What's in it?" she asked.I dropped the 3 gems into my hand. They all glowed a soft hue corresponding to its attenuation. Air a soft white, water a deep blue, and earth a golden brown."Are those etheric gems?" she asked,"Ah, so you have been paying attention to my lectures." She blushed since at times she would doze off in the middle of it."Yes, they are incredibly rare, the air I got from the drake and the other two were from Suncrest.""This and Mithrite are the key to making amplifiers. I intend to go to the capital and find someone who can make them" I said.I put them back into the sack, her eyes following them as I put them on the bed. I wanted to plant the idea in her head that if I made them all into amplifiers no doubt, she would receive the air amplifier as my apprentice. And that's what I would do, the more she proved her loyalty to me the more I would reward her."Now get to reading." I said as I dropped the crude grimoire on her lap.Day after day Benny tried to assemble the circuit. So determined was she that she managed to convince me to allow her to focus solely on casting. She didn't take to controlling the ether as easily as I did. But hard work served as an excellent replacer for natural talent. Her greatest problem was the same problem I faced. Doubt. Her latest failure to stabilize the circuit drew some curses from her mouth."Take rest" I said. She kept opening and closing her fist, a clear sign that she was pushing herself."I know the sigils I know the math, but it just won't stabilize. How do I fix it? "She asked."It's simple, you need to will it to stabilize." I said.She looked confused as expected."It's one of the things you need to understand. The most important part of spellcasting is your will. Do not ask the ether to stabilize, do not hope that it stabilizes, do not worry that it will fail. Doubt your abilities and control of the ether will forever be elusive."She sighed and said. "This is the hardest thing I have ever done, even seeing the ether was easier than this.""Until your confidence in your abilities is absolute you will never be a true mage. I know you can do it. It's about time you started to believe it. My best advice is to keep practicing. Repeat the process over and over until you lose yourself. Until there is nothing else but you and the ether, let the world fall away."I sat down on the cold hard ground of the forest keeping a close eye on her circuit. She was close but had difficulty passing that final hurdle.A week later Benny stabilized the circuit.It took 93 days studying almost 12 hours per day to reach this point. Benny charged the circuit and there was a telltale pulse in the ether of the circuit stabilizing. She didn't even realize she did it. For hours every day for almost 3 weeks she was mindlessly creating spell circuits and dismissing them."You have it," I said.Her eyes popped open in shock as she examined the circuit floating in the air."I did it" she said as if she didn't even believe it.I hopped to my feet in excitement and told her "Now take aim and release."Benny pointed the circuit at a random tree in the forest and released the spell. There was a pulse and the compressed ball of air collided with a tree a hundred feet away. It detonated, ripping a massive chunk out of its trunk sending debris flying everywhere. Slowly with the sound of splintering wood the tree fell over, crashing to the ground.Benny looked at the fallen tree in astonishment, as if she couldn't believe she was the one who had done it.I started clapping with a broad smile on my face and said. "Congratulations apprentice Benny, you are now a mage."She beamed at the praise then suddenly she rushed over to me and wrapped me up in a hug. Squeezing so tight that she lifted me an inch off the ground. I returned it awkwardly and patted her head."Thank you." She whispered as she released me."You're most welcome Benny, now start practicing you need to get that to under two seconds."Three days later we packed everything needed for traveling, our plan was to get some traveling supplies from Fluxom and move on to Wigmore, the barony closest to Fluxom, Then Hearthaven, a small barony on the southern edge of Great Stormveil Sea which is what humans called the massive lake in the middle of the continent. From there we could charter a ship that could ferry us to the imperial capital.Benny and I stood outside her house, everything of value was packed into sacks that we intended to replace with proper bags in the village. Benny had a strange look on her face as she stared at her former home."I always hated this house. I'm glad to be leaving it" she said. Her grammar was getting better though she still had that peasant lilt to her voice."Well considering you're never going to live here again you could always just…..." I gesticulated blowing up the house.A grin spread across her face as she agreed with the sentiment. It took three air blasts for her to level the entire house."I'm nowhere near your strength, you could have blown that away without even overcharging.""That's where experience and practice comes in. Still can you imagine any human surviving even one of your blasts?""No, I imagine they would just die." A small smile started to crawl across her face."Come let's head to the village, it's about time I saw Floxum".It was a relatively small village of no more than 20 buildings all clustered together. It was too small for a tavern or inn and there seemed to be only one general store."Well, this is something." I said, most of the humans were dressed in homespun clothing and had the gaunt half-starved look that the poorest of peasants had."Yes, it's shite. Come on, I'll show you to the general store." Benny said.The humans stared dumbly at me as we walked through the dirt street. They would give us a wide berth throwing questioning glances at Benny the entire time. I followed her to a wooden building with a sign so faded I couldn't even read it.An obese man of about 40 with a balding head and large bushy beard greeted us as we walked in. "Well, if it isn't my best customer, what can I do for......…"He paused as he locked eyes with me. I was used to this, so I ignored him and began perusing the items on offer. It was sparse at best, composed of common things a household would need. Everything from kitchen utensils, seasoning, nails, clothing for both men and women, lined the shelves of his shop. As my apprentice it was her job to take care of things I couldn't be bothered with."We need clothes, good boots and food for the road and any cloaks you have." Benny announced as if this was something she did often."Is that an elf?" The large man whispered to Benny, but these ears heard everything."Yes, I'm his apprentice." She said proudly,"Apprentice what?" he asked."Mage," she said.At this the man started barking out in laughter and this continued on for half a minute before he stopped. Clearly, he thought she was being ridiculous."Yer still on that Benny?" Benny grinned and summoned a spell circuit. His eyes nearly popped out of his head.The man's face drained of color he looked at Benny as if she was a dragon that suddenly walked into his store."Now about those boots." Benny said grinning maliciously. I said nothing and let her have her fun.Half an hour later we walked out of town with more supplies that we actually needed. Benny practically robbed the man with how much of a discount she forced from him. Apparently, he was the one supplying us for the last few months and overcharged her with the pretext that he wouldn't let It spread that she had a source of coin.Benny had a satisfied smile on her face for the last hour after we left the town."Had fun, did you?" I said."Ah yes, he was a right prick to me for a long time. You're not upset are ye" she said."No, I couldn't care less what you do to some random peasant. I would have done the same.""I'm a peasant too, you know." She said,"No, you are a mage and my apprentice. Do not demean yourself or feel bad about using your power to get what you want." I said."So, because I have power, I should do what I want?" she asked, as if it left a bad taste on her tongue."Essentially, yes. The only ones who can stop you are those with more power. Why do you think nobles get away with so much." I said."So power is the only thing that matters?" She asked."Knowing how and when to use your power is most important. If killing your enemy is more beneficial than showing them mercy, then kill them. The reverse is also true. Lie or tell the truth. Threaten or cajole. Purchase or steal. They are valid options. You must choose the right one and know how to manage the consequences."She seemed to be contemplating my words as we walked along the dirt tail towards a main road that would lead us to Wigmore. The sun was high, and it was thankfully mild weather."Have you ever lied to me to get what you want?" She asked."I've omitted things I'm not sure you're ready to learn, perhaps in time you will, but everything I have told you has been true. I've lied to everyone I have called an ally because I couldn't trust them. They had loyalties to people other than me. Gardenia, Sten, Breala, Sarah, they used me as much as I used them.""So, what made me different?" She asked."You have no one else in the world and neither do I. So, I can put my trust in you without fear of betrayal.""But you said that if something benefits you like stealing or lying you should do it. What's to stop you from throwing me away if a better apprentice comes along." She asked."Loyalty would stop the thought from even entering my mind. I am honest with you because I want true loyalty to bloom between us. One that can stand the test of time. One that can endure through the hardships we may face. That is something beyond priceless."She stopped walking. I turned to look at her curious as to why she decided to stop. She had an inscrutable expression on her face as I locked eyes with her. Then her expression turned into a smile, and she said, "Ok master I understand now. There's us and then there is everyone else."Then she kept walking leaving me slightly confused about what went through her mind. I shrugged and followed, at least she understood my intentions.A few days later we reached the gate of Wigmore. Over the course of travel Benny managed to learn all 4 air spells that I knew. Air Stream, Air Blast, Air Wall, and Air suction. Even she thought that Suction was useless. Now we were working on learning the primal and water spells since she didn't know all the sigils.Wigmore seemed to be a poorer barony as the road leading to the gates were ill kept and there were no guard patrols. I didn't know anything of the ruler's reputation and Benny didn't even know if they were a man or a woman.The amount of humans increased the closer we got to the city. Many carried crude weapons and had suspicious eyes as we walked along the road. We waited in line at the gate for over half an hour before we got a chance to enter. The guards were dressed in ill kept armor, and they seemed to be taking tolls to enter."Look what we ere boys a knife ear." One of the guards who were taking tolls said. I was considering how to handle the man before Benny blasted him with an air stream. He flew at least 30 feet through the air before landing hard on the cobblestone. By the way he was screaming in agony, no doubt he broke some bones.Everyone drew weapons after a momentary stupor, and some even drew crossbows. 15 guards surrounded us. Benny had another spell ready, seeming eager to blast someone else. It was amusing that most were pointing at her. With the radiant carapace on her they didn't have a hope of actually causing her harm. The peasants who were close by ran away as soon as they realized someone had angered a mage."If you Idiots don't want to die today, I suggest you fetch your guard captain." I said.A few ran no doubt to fetch said captain. Benny seemed to be enjoying scaring them as they would shrink back every time she pointed at them. A few minutes later a woman in marginally better armor surrounded by the same guards that ran off approached us.She was a tall red-haired woman with angry gray eyes and what seemed to be a poorly healed broken nose."What all this mess." She said angrily as she approached us."Captain Fennec this mage just attacked Carn." One of the men said. At this point a few humans were attending to said man.The captain looked beyond angry then she turned her attention to us. She stomped forward until she was a few feet away from me ignoring Benny and her spell circuit. She was clearly braver than most."Why is my guardsman injured?" She asked me. She was all fire and fury with her words, but it did little to sway me."My apprentice blasted him with air, gravity did the rest" I said calmly. My nonchalant tone angered her more."Can you not control your apprentice?" she said."Your guardsman insulted me; she acted exactly as expected. It's not her fault the man was too much of an idiot to realize who he was insulting." I said completely unapologetically. She looked ready to strike me. I just maintained my bored and unconcerned expression even as she breathed angrily."Now can we get on with our business Guard Captain my patience grows short." She flinched at that statement. It was a threat that if she tested me, I would have to follow through with. She visibly got control of herself before realizing the situation she was in."How long will you be in the city?" she asked."2 maybe 3 weeks." I said."You have one month if you're not gone by then I'll throw you out myself." She said,"And don't cause any more problems," she added."So long as no one is stupid enough to call me knife ear the city will remain intact."She flinched at the threat."Guard Captain, is there a bank within the city?" I asked her."Of course, there is.""I'll be visiting so do make sure that we have access."She didn't answer, just kissed her teeth, and walked away while shouting. "Let them through." A few guards followed behind her."You" I said looking at a random guard."Y-Yes Lady Mage"Benny sniggered, and I just rolled my eyes."Where is the bank and the best inn in the city?""Uhhh the bank is only a quarter hour walk up the road and the best inn is Drake's Nest in the noble quarter."The Bank wasn't in the noble quarter? That was strange. I shrugged and entered leaving the guards behind. Most of the cobbles that made the streets were cracked and needed repair, so were the buildings. Where the streets of Vernon were lively with vendors and merchants. Wigmore was tame as most merchants had burly guards giving people the stink eye. Beggars lined the streets seeking coin many of them being children and the elderly. The city was clearly an indication of a barony in decline.Since most people gave us a wide berth, I decided to ask Benny why she attacked the guard."I didn't approve of your attack on the guard." I said to benny."But he insulted you?" she asked, clearly confused."What If I didn't want him attacked or I was planning to use him in another way what would you have to say to me then."She paused considering my words."I have no problem with you putting idiots in their place, I would have done the same if not worse. But look to me first before you act, I'll give you a nod if I approve.""Oh, ok master I'm sorry" Benny said."It's a minor thing but do keep it in mind. "I said."What if you're not around and someone insults either of us." She asked."By all means do what you wish. Just make sure not too many people die in the process." I said.Her eyebrows raised at my answer, seeming surprised. I didn't really want her to be paralyzed with indecision if I wasn't around to give her guidance. We walked up to the bank. It was the same stone building as both Suncrest and Vernon. But for whatever reason it wasn't built in the noble quarter. 30 minutes later we walked out with 500 geldings hidden in a crude leather satchel. Now I have a little over 11,000 in the account. Benny carried it like a mother with a newborn babe."So, what are we buying?" she asked excitedly."Some proper clothing and armor, I intend to enjoy a good week of luxury. Then I will look for a bounty or partner with another mercenary company for a single contract." I said."Why? you already have so much coin?""It's simple, really we need to get you some practice and you are going to take your first life." I said.She played a bit as we kept walking."But before that we need to pamper ourselves, visit a salon or a spa and eat some fine food."She perked up at the sound of that."Can I pick out my own armor?" she asked."Of course, as a mage we have an obligation to dress in overly ostentatious armor.

How else would people know we are mages?"

We walked towards the noble quarter and the guards at the gate let us through without even stopping to ask who we were. Soon enough I found Drake's Rest. It was a large well-appointed building. As we walked up to the entrance a guard stopped us."Oi, we don't take no peasants here, go squat somewhere else." granted our clothes were rather poor. Since I didn't know where a good dressmaker was, I decided to head here first.Benny looked at me, I smiled and nodded.