Phase

The world faded away for Ares after he took the pill. He had already taken out the Spell book before swallowing the pill and now sat cross legged in the middle of Solis office. The room felt like it was pulsing as projections of stars and planets phased in and existence around Ares.

Solis stood to the side observing the events and thinking to himself how special this child had to be to have this sort of connection with Space magic. He had been around for hundreds of years and this was the first time he truly felt like he was in the presence of a genius. For gods sake the kid figured out the Void spell on his own and now he was trying to figure another one out. Somehow the idea of another Space spell made the heartache from the loss of the pill fade away.

The events in the room continued with Ares looking at the second page of the book. Whilst this one was similar to the first page the golden ring of the second was already almost complete in his mind. It appeared that his prior understanding already helped him progress.

During the trance he traced the outline of the golden circle with his finger again. His eyes were unfocused as he felt closer and closer to realisation. After one hour the feeling had built up so much that his whole body was shaking and sweat was dripping down his face. Solis looked concerned from the side but did not intervene; he didn't want to harm Ares chance of a breakthrough. Ares got closer and closer to completion and after a few seconds there was an audible click as his finger completed the circle and the book glowed slightly.

Ares didn't notice but Solis saw that the palm on Ares Hand glowed brightly as the spell completed. Looking closer Solis eyes narrowed as he saw the outline of a magic circle. Nevertheless Solis did not say anything and his eyes soon returned to normal.

Ares could not tell what was going on however as the spell completed it flew into his body and he understood the spell immediately. Its name "PHASE." Unlike the Void spell this one had an effect on his own body. When he cast it he would be able to move quickly "PHASING" to a different area. It was almost instantaneous. When the spell was more developed it would also allow him to move through some other objects.

Ares felt the spell building as he cast its first full incantation. "The world is nothing, I am nothing. Phase." He said as he disappeared from the spot and re-appeared a few meters away. Completely forgetting his first experience Ares then ran to the corner of the room where he promptly threw up.

Solis having initially been ecstatic about the spell was somewhat annoyed that his office how smelt mildly of vomit. After Ares had recovered enough to sit down his eyes glittered as he was happy about his second Space spell. Not only that but this spell replaced his need to learn Gust as this was a movement spell. Now he just had to learn Slash and he would be far more rounded.

"You have done well. I would offer you more spells in exchange for this one but seeing as you haven't completely learnt the ones you already have I have something else to offer you." Solis said looking at Ares.

Solis went to the back of the room and again reached into his desk. He reached into the same drawer he had retrieved the pill form and pulled out a black material like mask.

"This the thousand face mask. It can turn you into someone else whilst also hiding your magic core output. There are others out there powerful enough to see your core at a glance, there are also artifacts to scan you. This can protect you from anyone up to Warlock. Beyond that I can't help you."

Ares began to respond thinking the try and bargain some more money when Solis added.

"Before you say anything, I know that you have been targeted by the Dark guild they will be on this exploration trip in far higher numbers then us. Think carefully before you turn this down."

Ares realised that perhaps this was Solis way of looking after him. Afterall even though Solis was a Warlock he was far from the strength of the Dark Guild.

"Thankyou Warlock Solis." Ares said taking the mask and sitting down. Solis retrieved another parchment and after Phasing whilst holding it Ares handed the spell back to Solis.

"You may leave now." Solis said after its receipt his eyes fixed on the spell barely looking at Ares.

Ares left and went back to the dormitory where he consolidated his foundation and planned for the exploration. Knowing how dangerous it was likely to be he packed anything he could think would be of use, whilst looking around he found the ornate lantern which he had received from the Castle. His research in his free time had provided no answers for either the lantern or his magic circle, either way perhaps this trip may help solve his issues he thought as he threw the lantern into his bag.

After finishing packing Ares sat on the bed and pulled out the mask he had received from Solis. Its material was soft and he decided it was a good idea to use it to hide his identity. He placed it onto his face and the material melted as if it was part of him. He felt his whole aura dim a little as it started to work. He instinctively knew that with a thought the mask could morph into any face. This was a good artifact worth the spell he thought to himself.

The day was practically done and tomorrow he would leave with the others; he closed his eyes and soon the world faded away as tiredness took him.

Nox arrived back at the manor house and waited for Lance to arrive. He knew Lance had progressed massively and his employer Lances family were now focusing much of their resources on him. He had even heard through the grapevine that Lance had contracted a three eyed basilisk.

Either way he was only here to report his findings. They met in an open courtyard and after walking in wearing an ostentatious purple robe Lance took a seat on a bench.

"Tell me what you found." He ordered.

Supressing his annoyance Nox reported his findings.

"The kids name is Ares, he joined the Space guild around 3 months ago. He has level 10 talent in Space magic. It looks like he was an orphan but he was brought up in a family called the Jackers."

"Ares" Lance muttered an evil look in his eye.

"Continue." He ordered again.

"It looks like the girl we caught is his sister, the one that got away is his friend. It seems like a coincidence though. There is no evidence they know of your plans."

"His sister… good, I can have some fun with this then. When will she be ready?" Lance seemed delighted by the news.

"She will be ready for the first test in a month or so." He replied.

"Keep her in good condition until then, I don't want anything to go wrong. What of the Adept you failed to solve?" Lance said a teasing look in his eye.

Nox stared back flatly.

"His name is Mars. I will solve this issue myself." Nox said, he still felt insulted by the Adept who had escaped his grasp.

"See that you do." Lance said turning to leave the room, a grin on his face.

"I have an expedition to prepare for." He muttered as he closed the door.