292 Arch-Mage
"Ah, there you are." a calm and even voice asks from behind Michael as he was returning to the library to return a book, causing him to turn around to see what trouble he'd gotten into now. "Er, Arch-Mage? Did you need something?" he inquires, wondering why the leader of the college seemed to have been looking for him.
The Arch-Mage himself was an old Dark Elf that stood at an average height for his race, just a head or so shorter than the average Nord or High Elf. Despite that though, his presence was clear and obvious to all who encountered him.
He stood with a calm, casual posture, but even then Michael couldn't help but feel tense when around the man, as if he knew this guy could destroy him relatively easily. He wore the typical Arch-Mage robes with the hood pulled up, his bright red eyes glowing slightly from the shadows on his face.
The man nods at Michael's question, resting his hands behind his back, "Yes, the other day I found myself watching for new arrivals with a scrying spell, and much to my surprise, I witnessed magic I haven't yet encountered. That was you, was it not? The one who cast that Thunderbolt spell?"
...
Another scrying spell? Were most powerful mages just perverts that used magic to watch everyone in secret? Loutiel had done it, the Arch-Mage had apparently done it... Who else had been perving on him without his knowledge?
Michael slowly nods, wondering what he wanted... As far as he knew, it looked simply like an overcharged Thunderbolt spell that most experts at Destruction magic could cast. At least, that's what Farengar had said.
The Arch-Mage, seemingly catching his thoughts, chuckles slightly, "Oh, you might be able to fool the common rabble, but to me, the difference between a traditionally cast Thunderbolt and the one you cast is remarkably large... One might even say, they were two completely different spells..."
...
While Michael was trying to think of a reasonable response, the Arch-Mage continues, as if he were just making audible his own stream of thought. "Ah, forgive me, before we discuss the intricacies of magic introducing ourselves should come first... I am Savos Aren, Arch-Mage of this institution."
...
Upon seeing the Arch-Mage's imploring gaze, Michael is knocked out from his thoughts as he makes his own introduction, "I am Michael Tahlin, a student of your college, a pleasure to meet you, Arch-Mage."
The man nods, "Now, as for my question... What magic did you cast? And please be truthful, this is a subject very interesting to me."
Michael was stumped on whether or not he should tell the truth... By all rights, nothing bad should happen from revealing his unique magic, but, what if it did? He'd had enough of being hunted, and had spent a good amount of time in this world making sure something like what happened in Halkeginia didn't happen again.
Letting out a sigh, he decides to just come out with the truth, surely hearing of new magic would interest this Arch-Mage, maybe enough so to put them on good terms, or maybe even aquaintances. "That was magic unique to myself, I don't think anyone else would be able to use it as... It's more instinctual than what is taught in the college.
"Hooh?" the Arch-Mage murmurs, curiosity striking his features as he waves a hand, causing a booklet to float behind him as a quill begins writing something into it. "Instinctual magic you say? Would that be anything similar to the racial traits some are able to use? A Nord's Battlecry, or Dunmer's ability to combust themselves?"
"Er, maybe? Probably not though? I'm not just limited to a single spell, I have a whole repertoire that I'm able to use." Michael explains, not wanting the man to conclude that he was a different race not native to Tamriel... That wouldn't go down well.
The Arch-Mage strokes his beard in thought, "Is that so? Then, you wouldn't mind demonstrating some for me? I would compensate you for disrupting your studies of course."
Did he want to? Did he have a choice?... Hmm, actually, he might be able to take advantage of this. "Sure, but before that, I'd like to ask whether or not you'd agree to assist with my friend's research."
The Arch-Mage smiles, "Research? On what subject?"
"The Thu'um."
...
"The Thu'um... Now that's not something I've heard in many years. What is the aim of your friend? To learn the Thu'um? To find how it works compared to traditional magic?" the Arch-Mage inquires.
"To learn it, I think. And before you reject her, know that she's already able to use it to some degree. Merely a month or so of studying the Dragon Language and she's able to utilise it. I'm sure you can see how talented she is... And, I reckoned Urag would be happy to add discoveries of the Thu'um to the Arcanaeum." he says, trying to convince the man.
The Arch-Mage chuckles, "My, if your friend had just presented her findings to me then I'd have agreed to work with her regardless. If what you say is true, I'm sure we can come to some arrangement... For now, would you follow me to the roof and display your magic?"
Michael nods, "Happily, Arch-Mage."
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Michael follows the Arch-Mage up the tower steps which go over the Arch-Mage quarters and onto what some might call his 'private-rooftop', as no one else had access to it. The sun beamed down on them, warming them slightly despite the ice-cold winds that blew in from the Northern Sea
The Arch-Mage steps to the side and waves his hand, causing a portal to Oblivion to open and... Reveal a blue translucent chair.
...
"You summoned a chair from Oblivion?"
The Arch-Mage lets out a low chuckle, "Indeed, this was actually my first successful conjuration spell... My aim was for the Dremora who was apparently sitting on it, but my spell acquired the chair instead... This began my hobby of summoning random furniture to see just how annoyed I could make the residents of Oblivion before they started to retaliate. My most favoured victim begged me to stop, as I'd apparently ruined more than one meal of there's but summoning their table."
Michael can't help but laugh at the man's words, the serious, professional Arch-Mage had a hobby in stealing people's furniture out from under them? "Have they retaliated?" he asks, honestly curious.
The Arch-Mage grins mirthfully, "No, but whenever I summon a Dremora they attempt to bargain with me to stop... I'm apparently quite famous now after many years of furniture swapping."
