《Kingdom of Mallic》


 Prologue 1 - Leaving for the Festival

    First Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6769


    Watching my father craft beautiful carriages is something I always enjoy. His creations are works of art and grace. The newest one, a ''Noble Carriage,'' as my father calls it, is painted a glossy black and is covered in delicate silver scrollwork, including four magnificent silver lanterns with beveled crystal lenses at each corner of the carriage.


    It is an open carriage for formal processions. A forward-facing bench seat is set high in the back. The backward-facing bench seat is lower than the rear bench seat but above the driver''s bench seat. Each bench is made from luxurious black leather and stitched with subtle patterns matching the silver scrollwork.


    This morning father has hitched Sparrow, his prized black mare to it. Sam, my father''s best friend, and a master wainwright himself is helping. Sam will be posing as the driver and is in a formal black driver''s uniform. The two of them are still discussing the high price they will ask for the carriage today at the Mid-Summer Festival. Sam wants to set the price above the material cost, but below the full value with the vast number of hours of painstaking labor and very costly materials put into building it. They both agree it is a master showpiece made to advertise the business, but his father is arguing for their standard asking price, which is fifty percent above the full cost. It is an extremely high price that they both believe no one will pay. Father wants to ''set a standard of excellence'' price. Sam eventually agrees with his father that they can lower it to something more reasonable later if they''re going to sell it.


    From a side door facing the wagon yard, a woman calls out, "Hubert, it''s time for Hartson to get ready."


    Turning to me, my father says, "Go on. You heard your mother."


    Reluctantly I go inside where my mother is waiting to put me in my best clothes. "Mother, I can dress on my own. I''m almost five summers old, you know."The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Laughing, she says, "Fine, but I''ll be back soon to check on you." Then she leaves to find my sisters and begins hurrying them up.


    Sighing in relief, I fumble around while getting dressed without her. I muttered ''stupid long fingers'' to myself as I do so. Father calls me a bean pole because I''m quite tall and skinny for my age. He will not stop doing that no matter how many times I tell him not to.


    We will be waiting a lot today while Father is showing everyone his new carriage, that will be boring. So, I grab my books on magic and head back down to the wagon yard before Mother can catch me. I only have five books teaching magic as they are so expensive. I have the Kingdom Primer, of course, it was my father''s, and a Magic Primer which I''ve nearly worn out after I got it for finishing the Kingdom Primer. Lastly, I was able to buy three very used and damaged second-year books with the coin I earned in my father''s workshop. Mainly sweeping the floors or fetching things every day for months to get each one.


    Seeing that I''ve returned in my best clothes, my father picks me up and puts me in the carriage, saying, "Wait here for your mother and sisters."


    As I wait for the others, I watch a lot of people going by on the sidewalk. Most of them seem to be heading for the big parade field outside of town to the festival. All the people make me want to hide, but I want to be a Mage more.


    Two years ago, when the Kingdom''s mages tested my oldest sister Callie, she did not pass the test. Callie is always telling Jean and me that if you pass the test, they throw you in prison forever. My mother became very mad with Callie for telling Jean and me that and made Callie do extra chores each time she heard Callie repeat it. Not that it stopped Callie from telling every little kid she could. Callie is just mean most of the time. I''m not sure why she does not like little kids like me. Mother will tell me someday.


    No one I know has ever had passed the Mage''s test. I am worried I''ll have to wait two more years to take the test.


    I want to be a good mage. Being a mean person is not something I want to do because it would make mother and father very mad, as they often get with Callie.


    After father helps mother and my sisters into the carriage, Sam loads a basket of food into the carriage box and puts away the brush he was using on Sparrow. I can see the other men bringing the standard carriages and wagons are ready to follow us too.

 Prologue 2 - Callie

    Various people surrounded the parade field at the fairgrounds. The center of the area was open before the grandstand on the east side.


    A few people were upon the grandstand and were giving orders to the runners who came to see them before they ran away again or sat down on an extended bench, waiting for the next message. That had to be the councilmen who managed the festival. A few of them wore purple sashes across their shoulders, marking them as Kingdom Mages. All Kingdom Mages are required to wear the sashes as a matter of rank. The older man with the darkest purple and gold trim sash was likely the most powerful of the mages here. Non-mages can hold any position in the Kingdom as well. All posts were awarded based on testing and merit. They could not be merely given to an heir or even elected as in other countries.


    On the near south end were open pits with cooking fires and even some temporary stone ovens, the smells of the cooking food were making me very hungry. The grand tents in front of the cooking areas shaded hundreds of tables and benches. A good number of people were already eating and drinking there.


    Merchant tents covered the back of the parade ground. The tents of all sizes and colors stood in neat rows. Most of the tents are square or long. Others are foreign-looking, tall round tents with flags of very bright colors. Many of the tents have banners with Family or Kingdom coats of arms displayed. Noble merchants generally sold expensive items like jewelry, armor, and weapons. Many specialized in magical items of various types and lesser powers. More valuable magical things are often at the Capital''s Mid-Summer Festival. In part because long-standing noble families were rare, as a child or another relative of substantial merit were required to continue such a family line.


    At the far north end of the parade ground, the tallest tent stood nearly alone. It was of a rich purple with golden trim. It marked the location of the Kingdom''s Mages, here for the annual testing of the people.


    By kingdom law, every child must test after they learn to read and write from the Kingdom Primer.


    Callie was nine summers old when she tested. Some kids test when they are five summers, but most children take the test when they are six summers old.


    The line outside the tent was growing, and not with just parents and kids. Older teenagers and adults who hoped to pass when tested again were there as well.


    Everyone that wants can take the Mage test each summer. Sometimes the older people pass the test, but not often.


    Becoming a Kingdom Mage gained each person a minor noble title to go with the service to the Kingdom each would be required to provide.


    You could be a Mage not in service to the Kingdom, but not until you provided service or gold enough to cover the cost of your training. Because the price was quite high, few left the Kingdom''s service, even after the mandatory years.Stolen novel; please report.


    On either side of the Mage''s tent were the Kingdom Army and Kingdom Navy tents, where one could enter the service of the Kingdom as a soldier or marine. A fourth tent represented the Kingdom''s City Guards, which served all villages, towns, cities.


    By King Hamilton''s Decree, no matter where you go in the Kingdom, all guards must have the same in training, just as the mages, army, and navy services. Not only that, but the guards did not just serve the city they were in, they served the Kingdom. All services magically swore loyalty to the Kingdom, never just to the regions, cities, nobles, or the like. It was made this way after the ending of the last civil wars in the early years of our nation. Also, all Kingdom guards, soldiers, and marines were always changing posts every five years.


    As we circled the festival in the beautiful carriage, Callie demanded that we stop at the market tents so Mother could buy her a new dress.


    Mother sighed, "Callie, we had an agreement about your behavior, which you have broken many times. You will not be getting a new dress or anything else this year, and you know it."


    Callie''s face grew angry, and she was about to scream something at her mother when her father smacked her hand hard enough to make her yelp in surprise instead.


    Father''s tone was sharp but quiet enough for only the family to hear, "You will behave, or we will send you directly to Aunt Harker to wash dishes for the rest of the day! We just passed her cooking area, and it is already hectic, so do not anger us again."


    Jean and I both kept looking at the merchant stalls and not saying a thing.


    Sam turned the carriage into a space in the corner between the noble and the kingdom tents.


    Mother looked at father with concern, "This spot is surely too expensive for us."


    Father smiled, "It will be worth it this year, you''ll see."


    The carriage stopped, and we got down so father and Sam could set up its display after unhooking Sparrow from it. Mother handed over a sign of matching black and silver after Sam drove a pole into the ground. "Wainwright Perrin Presents Custom Carriages and Wagons"


    Father put a small nail in the top of the front wheel facing the grandstand to hang a little sign that amazed me. "Hartson Noble Carriage" was written in bold, silver letters on a glossy black background, just like the carriage.


    Callie could not keep quiet about this, "Mother, father has never named a carriage after me!"


    Father coldly looked at her, "If you work hard, helping me build a special carriage like your brother has, I will."


    "That''s not fair!" Callie growled before giving me a very hard shove to the ground.


    At that moment, I heard Callie give a yell. Callie had gone too far for father today. Father grabbed Callie''s arm and was dragging her away from the parade ground, directly toward a small cluster of trees. Father rarely punished us, but I am sure Callie was about to get the harshest punishment he had ever given.


    Turning from the scene caused by Callie, Mother''s voice was sad when she spoke to us. "Hartson, Jean, we''re going to the Mage''s tent. It''s time for Jean''s test."


    Before turning to follow mother, I sadly watched as father ripped a thin branch off a tree and stripped it of leaves and smaller branches, making a switch. He did this while firmly holding Callie, who was crying and struggling to get free.


    Mother turned me about, and the words she had just spoken caught up to me. As we began to walk, I had to beg, "Please, Mother, let me take the test."

 Prologue 3 - Mage Testing

    Mother smiled down at me, "Hartson, you are too young to take the test."


    Jean just smiled at me, and I began to hurry to the end of the line.


    Mother was still holding my hand as I tried to get there quickly. "Hartson, enough child, you''ll pull your mother''s arm off."


    I laughed at that and said, "Sorry, Mother." Then I began walking less fast, but still trying to pull her along quicker. She let us go when we neared the end of the line. Once there, I kept trying to see past everyone else into the tent and telling Jean how many people were in front of us.


    When we finally got to the entrance, a mage spoke to me after Mother told him that Jean would be testing today. He had a very pale purple sash, so he was of the lowest rank for a mage and just above the last student rank, according to my books. With a smile, he asked, "Excited to see your sister test today, little man?"


    "Nope! I''m excited because I''m testing today!" I proudly told him.


    He looked at Mother, who shook her head no.


    "Well, how old are you?" he asked.


    "This is my fourth summer, and I have read more magic books than Jean." I happily told him.


    He looked doubtful, "What books have you read?"


    I grinned and showed him the five books in my pack.


    Smiling politely, he said, "Okay, you''ve read them, but do you understand them?"


    I jumped a bit, declaring, "Yes! I want to study more, but my father says they are too expensive."


    An older mage came over to us with a dark purple sash, "Mam, if you would allow us to, we can test him to see how far he has gotten.


    Mother frowned at him but nodded her head.


    "Great, follow me then," he said as he motioned us further into the tent.


    I said bye to the mage at the door and followed the master mage. Jean and our mother accompanied me.


    Inside the tent, you could not see far. There were purple walls with cloth doors everywhere. Children and parents were either being led into dozens of rooms or out of the tent by other mages. What fascinated me was the mage lights hanging from ropes everywhere. Each one was brighter than a candle, but they did not flicker in the air currents like a candle would. I could almost hear the mages talking to parents and other children as we went to our testing room.


    The mage sat down on one side of a table and waved at a bench. "Please be seated, and we''ll start."


    Jean and I sat down, but our mother remained standing behind us.


    The mage introduced himself while pulling a sheet of paper from a box, "I am Mage Thomas. What are your names, please?"


    I looked at Jean. Father said girls had to go first, so I waited, barely.


    Jean spoke up proudly, "I''m Jean Perrin, daughter of Hubert and Audrey Perrin of Kohler city."


    Mage Thomas wrote ''Jean Perrin'' at the top of the page.


    "How old are you, Jean?" he asked next.


    Jean answered with a smile, "This is my sixth summer."


    Turning to me, "And you?"


    Proudly I said, "I''m Hartson Perrin, sir, and this is my fourth summer."This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    He smiled, printed my name and age too. Then he gave both of us a sheet of paper. "Please write down the following sentence with correct spelling. ''Evergreens grow proudly along a mountain lake of clear blue water which is cold and filled with fish I like to eat.''"


    Mother had us practice this kind of thing many times. I carefully wrote out the entire sentence.


    He looked at both of our papers quickly. "Good job. In your own words, write why is that question important today?"


    I smiled as this was an easy game too. I wrote the answer after just a bit of thinking.


    I answered, "First, you asked why it is ''important today'' the answer is because it needs to be answered with this mage test in mind, not about anything in the sentence itself. Second, it is a simple memory test to see if my memory skill might be strong enough to be a mage."


    Jean finished just after me.


    Mage Thomas smiled after looking at our papers, "Nicely thought out." Next, he showed us a board with a lot of numbers on it, "Please write the next numbers."


    The board had these numbers on it:


    1, 3, 5, 2, 4, 6, 7, , , , , .


    I knew this right away. There was not a lot of math in the books I had, but Father had me do lots of math in the workshop. I studied it carefully again before finally writing down my answer:


    1, 3, 5, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 8, 10, 12.


    Jean still had her face scrunched up when I finished. None of us did anything until she finished writing her answer.


    We answered many questions like these and more, and each one grew harder.


    Mage Thomas cleared the table of our papers. Then he placed a wooden circle on the table, saying, "You''ve both passed many memory and logic tests. Now we will see if you have mana."


    With that, he took a ball of glass out of his pocket and placed it on the wooden circle so it would not roll away. Pushing the glass ball toward Jean, he said, "Touch the glass and try to move energy from your body into the ball."


    I was wondering what it was supposed to do, Mother and Mage Thomas watched it silently while I wanted to ask questions so severely, I had to bite my lip.


    After watching the glass ball for a long time, something changed. Slowly a dim light, like the white lights hanging from the ceiling, began to glow. It did not get very bright, but it did shine a bit.


    "Well done, Jean," congratulated Mage Thomas.


    Sliding the ball towards me, he stated, "Now you Hartson."


    When I touched the glass ball, it felt cold. Like it did not know it was summer. I looked at it carefully, and I couldn''t see any light in it at all. Then I tried to move energy into it. The glass ball got colder and colder, and then it flashed brightly. That caused me to shout and jump back, blinking my stinging eyes. I watched the very bright glass ball with light, slowly fade as my breathing calmed.


    My mother turned me around and was worriedly looking at my face, "Hartson, are you all right?"


    "Yes, Mother." Turning to look at Mage Thomas, I saw he had a broad smile and was softly laughing.


    "What happened?"


    Mage Thomas, still grinning, said, "You moved a great deal of energy into the testing sphere quite quickly. That caused it to flash before the rest drained away."


    Mother jumped in, "Is he okay? Was he hurt?"


    Mage Thomas told her, "Yes, he is fine, just surprised like the rest of us."


    He looked at Jean with a smile, "Jean, you have a little magical talent. It qualifies you to become a mage, and with lots of hard work, you could do well if you should want to."


    Turning back to me, he seemed excited, "Hartson, your talent is strong, but it will still take lots of hard work to become a mage."


    Then he asked us both, "What would you like to do?"


    "Yes, I want to be a Mage!"


    Jean laughed at me and then told Mage Thomas, "I want to stay with Mother and be like her."


    I looked at Mother. She was looking at Jean with joy, and then she looked at me with worry.


    Mother turned to Mage Thomas with her worry, and told him, "He is too young to become a Mage."


    Mage Thomas spoke up, "That is not correct, Mrs. Perrin. Anyone of any age can learn to be a Mage if they can manipulate mana and have the desire, which Hartson indeed has."


    "Yes, I know, but he is too young to go away now," my mother pleaded with Mage Thomas.


    Another, an older, mage stepped into their curtained room. "Thomas, what is this boy''s age?"


    Mage Thomas quickly answered, "This is his fourth summer. And sir, he just lit up the nexus point as bright as day."


    The older wizard turned to Mother, "It is by King Hamilton II''s decree that the boy can choose without interference. Please understand that we will keep him safe as well."


    Mother nodded and looked sad, "Hartson, you must choose. Will you go, or will you stay here and grow more first as I wish?"


    I looked at her sad face, but I also saw Jean''s happy smile from behind her. "Mother, I will not be happy here like Jean will be, I will go."


    "So be it then," she said with a bitter smile. Turning to the wizards, she asks, "When must he be ready to go?"


    "Not until fair ends," the older wizard said with a smile.


    "Good, we must go and tell your Father about both of you." She said, hugging us both.


    "One moment before you go." Mage Thomas put a narrow light purple sash over my shoulder and across my body. "Now you are a Student Mage," he cheerfully said.

 Prologue 4 - Telling Father

    My smile was hurting my face. I grabbed Jean''s hand, shouting, "Let''s go. We must tell father!" Then I made her run back to the carriage with me. I could hear Mother quickly apologizing to the Mages and telling us to slow down, but neither of us listened.


    When we returned to father''s area on the parade grounds, we saw him with his back toward us, talking to another man near the carriage. Jean and I both knew it was against the rules to interrupt father when he was speaking to someone who might be a customer. So, we stopped and waited. From behind Jean, I was trying to hold still but was jumping up and down on my toes impatiently. Mother caught up with us and was now smiling as we waited for father.


    When father saw the customer looking past him and laughing a little at us, he looked back to see what was going on. Father talked a bit more and then shook hands with the man saying goodbye. Then he turned toward us finally.


    I wanted to tell father now, but I said to Jean, "You go first. Hurry. Please." That last part might have been a little whinny as Mother told me to be patient.


    "What going on, Mother?" Father asked, ignoring Jean trying to tell him something.


    Then Mother went crazy, "Why nothing, dear. How are you doing? Is everything going well?"


    "Father!" I shouted.


    "Are you interrupting a conversation Hartson?" he asked as he looked at me with a frown.


    I pushed Jean forward a bit, saying, "Tell him, please!"


    Father finally gave us a bit of a smile and kneeled in front of Jean. "So, you have something to tell me?"


    Then Jean started going crazy too and started telling Father about all the things we had seen and done in the mage tent.


    "Jean, tell him!" I shouted again.


    Jean turned around and was laughing at me, so were Mother and Father.


    "Father, make her tell you already," I blurted out.


    Jean shook her head no and moved over by mother.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Father then asks me, "So you have something you want to tell me? Did you cause a problem for your mother?"


    "I''m a Mage. Father, look, I have a mage¡¯s sash now." I said, showing him the narrow pale purple ribbon.


    Father said, "That is wonderful, Hartson!" Then he grabbed me, saying, "Bear Hug!"


    I struggled to get away as he crushed me, and I finally said, "I can''t breathe."


    He put me down and picked up Jean, "So now, what is your news, young lady?"


    Jean kissed him on the cheek and said, "I passed the mage test too. But I''m going to stay with Mother and be a midwife like she is. I made the ball glow, but Hartson made it bright like the sun. Then we ran back here, and we teased him so. That was fun. We should do more of that."


    She looked around, "Where is Callie? We should tell her too."


    Father simply said, "Callie is with your Aunt Harker, where she is going to stay for quite some time working in your aunt''s kitchens."


    The mage from before then interrupted us. "Hello, are you Hartson''s parents then?"


    Father put Jean down and offered his hand. "Yes, we are, Hubert and Audrey Perrin, at your service, sir."


    "Wonderful.¡± Then turning to me, the mage said sternly, ¡°Now before this matter gets too far out of hand, Hartson, you are not a Mage yet, you are a Student Mage. Understand?"


    "Yes, sir," I nervously replied.


    He chuckled a bit, "Sorry, Mr. Hartson, I had to get in on the teasing too."


    I beamed back at him, not caring one bit.


    The old mage spoke again, "Sir, I just wanted to reassure you and your wife, that your son and other children less than six summers have separate classes and dorms away from the older children to keep problems at a minimum. When they reach six summers, they will join their classmates. That means they may be a year ahead if they have done very well. Hartson actually could be two years ahead by his sixth summer, but it will be incredibly challenging to do that."


    "Thank you, sir," my mother said with a kind smile and a small curtsey.


    Jean spoke up, "Mother, we have to go tell Callie and Aunt Harker too."


    Mother looked at father and the mage.


    The mage nodded to mother, "Please, do not let me keep you from your family."


    Father said, "Go on, and come back through the merchant''s quarter to do your shopping."


    That made Jean cheer, but I hesitated. "Father, may I have my coins. I might find another magic book today."


    Father fished two pouches out of his coat and handed the larger one to mother. He shook the smaller one looking at me. "It sounds a bit empty, Hartson, but you have made your family very proud today, I will add a coin if you promise me you will spend it wisely."


    "Yes, I most certainly will," I said happily.


    He opened my coin pouch and dropped in a coin that I did not see. Hanging it about my neck, he instructed me, "Keep that under your shirt to keep it safe."


    "I will, Father." I turned to follow Mother, thinking maybe we could get some food from Aunt Harker.

 Prologue 5 - Deal Made

    After the family had walked away, the old mage turned to him to say, "Hubert, you have a good family."


    Smiling, Hubert said, "Thank you, sir. Is there something else you need?"


    Nodding, the mage continued, "I am curious Hubert. Do I understand that you made this beautiful carriage?"


    "Yes, sir, that is correct. It is a showpiece to help me sell other carriages and wagons."


    "How much would you want for your ''showpiece''?" The mage asked while walking around the carriage, admiring the craftsmanship.


    Hubert coughed, "It has far more hours of delicate work than my other carriages. Nearly a full year''s worth. Plus, other master artisans who have helped me, especially with the silverwork. That said, it is easily worth twenty-one thousand gold. But I''ll never be able to sell it at that price, nor do I ever intend to sell it. At least not until I need to make a better display if that ever happens. Even then, I will sell this one at a great loss."


    Shining a bit of the sliver with his sleeve where someone has smudged it, the mage responds, "You are mistaken. A carriage of this quality is easily worth that and more to a mage that enchants items. Once properly enchanted, it would go for five times as much in the capital where there are buyers for such things. If sold to the right mage, this carriage could make them quite a lot of gold as well."


    Hubert was nervous about what the old mage was suggesting. He had not been this tense since starting his workshop. Quietly he asked, "Would you be such a mage, sir?"


    Still looking over the carriage, the old mage smiled happily. "Yes, Hubert, I would be such a mage."


    Turning to face Hubert, the mage made an offer, and what an offer it was. "Hubert, I will offer you thirty-thousand gold for the carriage. I will pay you twenty-thousand now and put the other ten-thousand gold in the school bank for your son. Training to be a mage is mightily expensive, especially in the later years of schooling. This amount would cover many of those needs, but not the tuition, unfortunately. The education costs for ten summers would require you to sell a dozen or more carriages of this quality. Very few students can pay so much unless they come from wealthy families. Like nearly all students, your son will be beholden to the kingdom for years to come. With the coin I''m offering you, those years would be far from lean."If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Hubert just stood there, looking at the carriage while thinking through the offer. "Thank you, I can hardly believe what you are offering my son, but know that it is very appreciated. I accept your offer, sir."


    The mage was proudly looking at his carriage, shining more of the bright silver with his sleeve. "Of course, my good man, of course."


    "How might Hartson be protected from overspending?" Hubert asked worriedly.


    "Ah, fear not. We require that parents, and others, put any funds they wish to provide into a student''s school account. We limit all students to withdrawing up to five gold per month for each year they attend the school. To access more significant funds, the student must submit a proposal detailing how they will spend their funds and for what gain. A rotating group of five mages then reviews each project request to either approve or deny it. If approved, the student must have monthly reviews of their spending and progress. Then when students complete their schooling, they have the option to take all, some, or none of the remaining funds out of the school bank. Any remaining funds go to their debt."


    The old mage continued, "Now, if the student is unable to complete school for any reason, those funds will be drawn upon to pay any outstanding tuition and other debts incurred by the student. If funds remain after all the student''s debts are paid, the funds return to the family. However, if the student reaches sixteen summers, they are considered adult, and the funds belong to the student."


    Hubert nods, "Those rules are all valid and wise, sir. Thank you."


    Climbing up and sitting in the carriage, the mage answers distractedly. "Yes, of course."


    Hubert smiles, "I am willing to build more of these carriages if perhaps someone there in the capital will find orders for me to fill. For a generous fee, of course."


    The mage laughs, "Hubert, we are going to have a great partnership. As for your next order, make another ''Hartson'' with white paint, white seats, but in gold, not silver. It will be for me again, so no fee necessary. I''ll put another ten-thousand gold into your son''s account and pay you thirty-thousand gold at the next Mid-Summer Festival when I pick it up."


    Hubert reaches up to shake the old mage''s hand happily, "I do not even know your name yet, sir."


    ¡°My name is High Mage Thomas Saxon,¡± the mage replied with a kind smile.

 Chapter 1.1, 1.2 - Graduation - Assembly, Submittals

    Thirty-First Day of May, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    "Settle down!" One of the teachers shouted.


    The dean of the school stepped onto the lecture stage. "Hello, students. Today is the start of your Finals Week. You have the option of turning in a copy of your Finals Spell anytime this week for review. Let me remind you that if you do not turn in the required spell, you will be dismissed and start your four-year mandatory military service as a Minor Mage. So do not fail to get your spells and research notes turned in even if the spell is not working. You may still qualify for your graduation as a Mage based on your efforts."


    Many of the students murmured to each other about the status of their spells.


    Thankfully, I completed mine over a week ago.


    Holding his hand up for attention, the dean addressed us again, "Quiet, please."


    Once everyone quieted, he continued, "Those of you wishing to remain for High Mage training, you must submit your Research Request this week as well. Again, if you stay to train to be a High Mage, you will have additional mandatory military service to complete unless you pay back the kingdom''s investment in you."


    The dean dismissed us, saying, "For those of you that have already paid or will be able to pay off your debt to the kingdom. You still have the mandatory two-year military service to complete. The military representatives will be contacting you this week as well."


    <hr>


    Many of the students were anxiously talking about this last week as I made my way to the school''s main office. Most of them ignored me because I was much younger.


    Nearly all the graduating students were completing their tenth year at the school after starting on their sixth summer. They would be going to do their military service as adults of sixteen summers.


    I was able to start school in my fourth summer and finished all graduation requirements in only eight summers. I am the youngest to graduate this year at twelve summers old, and I was thrilled about it.


    Closing the main office door behind me, I was happy to see that only one other student was ahead of me. It was Sanders who was a very tall and skinny son of a wealthy merchant. He was one of the few who never ribbed me for my age, but he still had no interest in knowing me in the past.


    The receptionist finished filling out some paperwork that she handed to Sanders, "Thank your father for paying your tuition and enjoy your year in the service Mr. Sanders."


    He barely looked at me as he was leaving.


    "Mr. Perrin, what brings you here today?" Mrs. Reagan asked.


    Mrs. Reagon had always been kind and helpful, so I smiled and said, "Hello Mrs. Reagon, I need to turn in my Finals Spell and Research Request for a High Mage training to Mr. Roland please."The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Mrs. Reagon laughed a bit, "Well, I am not surprised that you''re here to do so."


    "Neither am I," Mr. Roland said after entering the office behind me. "Let''s go to my office," he said to me with a smile.


    Mr. Roland''s office was filled with slim books for each student, as he was the records keeper for the school. Sitting down behind his desk, he asked, "Please give me your spell scroll and research notes for the Finals Spell first. What is it called?"


    I happily give him the book which I have created for the Finals Spell.


    Looking at the book and back at me, he took it to examine it. He read the title aloud, ''Floating Caravan,'' and opened the book to see what was in it. He set it down on his desk and looked through its Table of Contents before flipping to several of the indicated pages.


    Mr. Roland examined the book for several minutes. "Perrin, you only needed to turn in a scroll copy of your spell and research notes. This entire tome about your spell. A few different versions of the spell, and organized research notes for each version and its purpose. Why did you do all of this?"


    Smiling, I tell him, "That is the original, which I hope will make it onto the proper library shelves and not the very cluttered research stacks. Plus, I have a copy I will keep referencing in the future. As to why, well, I think all Finals Spells should be available to other students to reference them in the future easily."


    "Do your spells work as intended?" he asked.


    Proudly I tell him, "Yes, all three of the different versions do."


    Placing the book aside with a smile, he said, "Very well. And you also have a Research Request for High Mage training?"


    Pulling a second, thinner book, from my bag, I hand it to him. "Yes sir, I would like to study magical runes and rituals in much more depth. This book details their past and current history and my desire to explore them in new ways. It was creating the different versions of the Finals Spell that settled exploring runes and rituals further."


    Mr. Roland did not open it but looked at me intently. "Are you sure you want to add more years of service doing this?"


    I smiled until my face hurt. "Yes sir, I want to do the research, but it will not extend my service. I wish to do my two years of service here as a teacher. By the time of my sixteenth summer, I will have paid my service debt to the Kingdom for my schooling and have enough funds to pay for the four years of research."


    Frowning, Mr. Roland asked, "It is challenging for senior mages to get a staff position here. So how do you expect to become a teacher here?"


    Mr. Roland looked confused as I handed him a sheet of paper and explained it.


    "Kingdom law does not allow anyone to enter military service before their sixteenth summer. Students who do graduate early normally return to their families until they begin their service at sixteen summers."


    "What I found is that the service law changed years ago, allowing under-aged mages to take non-military positions in service to the Kingdom. The only mage positions that are considered non-military are here at the school teaching."


    "That change gives younger mages preference so that they protected and nurtured further. So, not only do I want to research runes and rituals, but I also want to teach students rune and ritual crafting. I''ll teach four years completing my initial obligation to the Kingdom and then use my earnings as a teacher to pay for four years of High Mage research as many teachers do."


    The document I had handed to Mr. Roland is a copy of the decree, so when he finishes reading it, he just shakes his head. "I''ve never heard of this before, but I''ll take this to the dean, but you might make some enemies doing this. I hope you are prepared."


    "I understand, but it''s my only option."


    As I got up to leave, Mr. Roland reminded me that I must move out of the student dorms and that teachers may live outside the school walls or in the teacher''s dorm.


    This option excited me. I had only been allowed to go into the city a few times with teachers and groups of students. Once I am a confirmed mage, I can go anywhere, live anywhere.

 Chapter 1.3 Graduation - Dean Weber

    The vast library of the school was amazing, especially to someone like me who loved to read and learn. Few books could leave the library as they were so expensive or the only copy. Thus, a significant number of study tables filled the center of the library. There were a few others like me, always in the library studying, often with a pile of books and taking notes.


    First Day of June, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    The next afternoon I was summoned to the Dean''s Office by one of the second-year students. It took several minutes to put away the books I had out and to gather my notes.


    "Hurry up. I want to go to lunch before it''s all put away," the second-year demanded.


    "My advice is that you should eat a large breakfast, skip lunch, and maybe dinner so that you can study more."


    The second-year give me an incredulous look, "Are you crazy?"


    With a shrug, I reply. "Nope. I am maximizing my study time. You should try it."


    "Anyways, I''m ready to go."


    We walked quickly to the Dean''s Office, where Mrs. Reagon sent him off to lunch. Turning to me, she said, "Please have a seat. Dean Weber will be with you soon."


    Nodding, I sat and took out the research notes I had just written to review. Most students would use cheap scrolls for their studies. I hated those. Paper scrolls were hard to manage in numbers and quickly tore. The school store sold simple blank books, each with a hundred pages. Thankfully, my father provided enough for me to buy as many as I needed. My room was full of several hundred after eight years of studies and research. Some sixty of them were my "idea books" with notes on spell changes to make or new spells to create. Most of the later ones were full of rune ideas as it had become my focus for almost thee years.


    Mrs. Reagon cleared her throat loudly, "Mr. Perrin, the dean is waiting on you."


    Putting the book back into my bag, I replied, "Thank you, Mrs. Reagon, sorry for not hearing you sooner."


    She just smiled and waved me to the Dean''s door behind her desk.


    The Dean''s office was massive and had a significant number of bookshelves. Many filled with old and worn tomes. Gods, I wanted to grab one to read.


    The Dean interrupted my thoughts, "Mr. Perrin, please have a seat."


    I suddenly realized I had stopped and was staring at the collection of books. Sitting down quickly, I said, "Sorry, Dean Weber, you have an amazing collection of books."


    He ignored that without a smile, "I have a few questions for you. Begin with you telling me what your purpose of the three different versions of your Finals Spell was?"


    "Certainly, Dean Weber. The first version is for ''Standard Casting,'' which allows for a highly efficient casting in mana and components. The cost is the longer casting time, which the caster is not concerned with."If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "The second version is what I think of as a ''Battle Spell,'' it allows the caster to cast the spell very quickly compared to the standard casting. The cost in mana and components are both much higher typically."


    "The final version is a ritual to create a delayed or greater version of the spell or even both. Rituals require a much longer casting time, more mana, and more components, depending on the desire of the ritual. In this case, it''s a small wooden token. When someone, mage or not, breaks the wooden token, the spell is activated just as if a mage created it at that moment."


    "The reason I created three versions is that I believe every aspect of every spell should be explored and explained," I added.


    The Dean sat there looking at me and drumming his fingers on the desk for a long moment.


    "Very well. You have successfully graduated with Honors, Mage Perrin. The examining board was quite happy with your well-presented spells and research notes. In the future, students will be encouraged to do the same, but will not be required." The Dean gave me a small smile then, and offered, "Congratulations Honored Mage Perrin."


    Before I could reply, he continued.


    "Now, your request to begin High Mage studies is granted. The governing board is interested in what more you can create. You will be required to turn in monthly status reports to your mentor and be subject to board review if they so desire. If at any time the board deems your progress as incompetent or failing to make progress, they may dismiss you, and you will not gain High Mage status. You will still be required to reimburse the kingdom for the training received. Is that understood?"


    I could barely contain my excitement sitting there with a massive grin on my face, "Yes, I understand Dean Weber."


    Frowning, the Dean continued, "As to becoming a teacher here at the school and how you have requested it." The Dean looked angry at this point, "I am not happy being forced into doing things, Mage Perrin. So, if you fail to teach even one student or otherwise embarrass this school, you will be simply be fired without review, and lose all your instructor wages. Is this clear?"


    Fighting to keep a respectful look and tone, I answered. "Yes, Dean Weber, I do understand and apologize for any discomfort this has caused you and the school."


    Slightly mollified, the Dean responded. "Very well, Mage Perrin, but know this, in the future, there will only be ''Student Teacher'' positions available with much lower pay to early graduates. Be sure to explain that to anyone who asks about your new job as a teacher. We have to honor your full mage position request at this time, but it will not happen like this again."


    I was sweating with the significant discomfort I had placed myself in now. "Thank you, Dean Weber. I will certainly relay the new limits to any that ask. Truly, I do thank you for this opportunity and look forward to working here."


    "Do be sure to speak to Mrs. Reagon on your way out." So, saying with a frown, the Dean simply returned his attention to the paperwork on his desk.


    As quietly as possible, I left his office and shut the door softly. Leaning back against the door, I closed my eyes for a moment to calm my nerves.


    "Mage Perrin, are you okay?" the receptionist asked.


    Standing up straight, I went to the front of her desk, my face red with embarrassment. "Thank you. The Dean said I was to stop to see you on my way out. Is there something I need to do?"


    With a wry smile, Mrs. Reagon said, "Do not worry overmuch, Mage Perrin. The Dean likes to make all employees think he is very stern."


    Offering me a packet of papers and a small polished box, she continued. "You will find all of your teaching credentials and schedules in there for the next term, after the summer festival. Your wages will be added to your school account automatically. Also, you now have no restrictions on access to your funds as well. There is a one gold per month fee for your account''s record-keeping now that you''re not a student any longer. Good luck, Mage Perrin."


    "Thank you, Mrs. Reagon, for all that you do and your kindness."


    I left the Dean''s office and returned to my dorm room a bit worried, rather than thrilled about my accomplishments today.

 Chapter 1.4 Graduation - Leaving the Student Dorm

    With four new traveling trunks, purchased from the school store, I loaded all my books, research journals, clothes, and a few personal effects from my student dorm room.


    The fourth trunk only had my dress clothes and a few personal effects. Should I be sad about that? I only need one set of daily clothes anymore with the cleansing and repair spells. I can even change the coloring if I want to. Besides, I''m still growing and will need bigger clothes again soon.


    My small dorm room is now empty of all my things. No need to wait any longer, so I began casting my Finals Spell proudly. ''Floating Carriages!'' A disk of golden light appeared under each trunk. The light expanded and adjusted until every bottom corner of each travel trunk was showing a small amount of light from the disk beneath it. Then they began to rise into the air slowly, stopping at my waist height. The space between each of the lights shrinks or expands until each barely touches the next.


    As I go out the door and turn to lock it, the four disks follow me into the hallway, never losing contact with one another. The first disk stops directly behind me, the next is slightly off to the side behind it, just as the third and fourth disks continue the pattern. Thus, they stop in a circle around me, as if they are on a path. Locking the door for a final time, I''m off to the front desk with the trunks following along through the crowd of students.


    I reflected on my years at school as I walked to the teacher''s dorm. I began school two years early on my fourth summer and only needed eight summers to complete the standard ten years of schooling. Others are smarter than me, but none worked as hard as I did. When others would relax and play, I studied or spent hours upon hours in the library reading. I love to read books, and I am always taking notes when reading, thus the massive number of research and idea journals I have.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    All graduates are required to enter the Kingdom''s Service for two years after finishing school. It''s mandatory. Then, unless you paid the tuition each year, you must pay all that back. If you only have to serve the Kingdom, it would take you decades to repay the cost.


    Not being required to start my service to the Kingdom until my sixteenth summer, I had four years to do other things. Rather than go home, or some other foolishness, I opted to request a teaching position. I hoped to teach students runes and rituals. Being too young to enter any of the service postings with the Kingdom''s service, I was able to get the assignment. So, when they told me I would start with runes for first-year students to see if I could teach. I was thrilled, and if successful, the school will let me teach students runes and rituals to higher grades.


    Teaching positions only counted for a half-year for each year served, which means that with four years of teaching, I would be able to complete my mandatory two years of service. Some postings counted for two, or even three, years of service for each year served due to the danger involved. Not many volunteered for those stations.


    Also, because of finishing in only eight years, the school refunded two years of tuition into my account.


    If all goes well by my sixteenth summer, I will be a High Mage, with all my Kingdom Service completed, and have plenty of gold for research.

 Chapter 2.1 Finding a Home - Key Delay

    Third Day of June, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    The walk across campus to the teacher dorms was much longer than I expected. They were hidden behind everything else by design, for when I reached the area, it turned out to be a park-like setting for the teachers and other staff. Three large dorm buildings were behind an administration building, with the park in the middle.


    Going to the front desk in the administration building, I noticed a large cafeteria area to one side. It was much more than the student cafeteria. All the tables had flower arrangements. Magical lights and good paintings made the space comfortable and calming. Servers waited on the diners. I was looking forward to having my morning meals here.


    At the counter, I introduced myself and asked for my room assignment.


    The reaction I received was not what I had expected.


    With a sneer, the gentleman told me, "These are not student dorms. Go back across campus and find out which dorm you''re supposed to be in."


    Bulling, yet again. I''ve gotten too used to this. Sighing, I spoke clearly, "Mrs. Regaon told me that you would have the necessary information to place me in a teacher dorm. I officially became a teacher yesterday, as my new sash shows. Please recheck your files."


    The man sat there looking at me doing nothing. Just another old game for me, so I simply waited.


    Finally, he responded, "I should report you for illegally wearing that sash. Remove it and return to the student dorms before you are kicked out of this school and thrown in jail."


    A voice from the cafeteria called out. "Now, now, Renfield. He is indeed our newest staff member. You should do well to accept that, or I''ll have to report you again."


    Turning around, I found High Mage Saxon approaching us.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Grinning at him brightly, I give a nod of my head in respect. "Mage Saxon! It is so nice to see you again. How are my father''s carriages coming along, sir?"


    Laughing, as he was prone to do, Mage Saxon returned my greeting. "Hello to you as well, Instructor Mage Hartson. I''ve just finished with the latest ''Princes Jean'' carriage, which I had sold before I even started on it. So, things with your father are going very well indeed."


    Mage Saxon made to peer at my sash overly much. "So, it is true you also graduated with Honors as well as becoming our newest instructor. Congratulations, young man!"


    "As if you did not already know, sir. Thank you very much, though. I am looking forward to the challenge."


    Laughing a bit, Mage Saxon turned to the man behind the desk. "So Minor Mage Renfield, did you find Instructor Mage Hartson''s room key yet?"


    Letting out a sigh of disappointment, Renfield said, "Yes, I just found it. Here it is, Mr. Har¡­"


    Mage Saxon interrupted him, "That is Mage Hartson, or even Instructor Mage Hartson, Renfield. Do please try to remember."


    Renfield''s face soured at being corrected, but he continued. "Mage Hartson, here is your room key. Do keep it clean."


    "Thank you, sir." I wanted to say more but held my tongue.


    Turning back to Mage Saxon with my key in hand, "Thank you for your help again. Is there anything I may do for you?"


    Mage Saxon was busy looking at the trunks floating behind me. "You did very well with this spell. How does it handle stairs?"


    With a proud smile, I answer him. "Easily enough, they keep at least the height of the user''s waist at all times, so they will look like stair steps themselves as they follow along, adjusting to the greatest height changes."


    Grinning at me, he nodded, "Well done and worthy of the Honors you received."


    "Thank you, Mage Saxon." Digging into my pocket, I handed him a flat length of polished wood with four circles lined up on one side. "Please, sir, let me thank you for all of your help these past eight years. Please accept this. It''s from the ritual version of the spell. Break it, and it will create four platforms that will last one hour."


    "Thank you. By the way, I will be traveling to your hometown for the summer festival again. Would you like to join me and see your family?"


    "Yes, sir, it has been a long time. I would like to join you on the journey."


    Mage Saxon waved at me as he walked away, studying the token I had given him. "I''ll get you the details soon," he said in parting.

 Chapter 2.2, 2.3 Finding a Home - Dusty, Searching

    Once I finally found the door for my new dorm room, I was already very suspicious about it. The dorm room was at the far end of the top floor. Thankfully, I didn''t have to carry the four traveling trucks up here.


    The first thing I noticed was all the dust in the room. Then the dusty smell hit me, nearly causing me to sneeze. Nothing had been cleaned in here in ages. It looked like a small storage room because of the disturbances in the dust on the floor. Due to the number of footprints and drag marks, it was clear that recently several items were taken out. An empty bed frame, a broken stool, and a broken desk were all that remained.


    More bullying. No surprise there. "So¡­"


    As I thought about my options, I quickly remembered that the dean told me that living off-campus was an option. After willing the ''Floating Carriages'' spell to place the four trunks on the dusty floor, I locked up the room and set off to explore the city.


    <hr>


    Taking the scenic route past the library, I looked for the closest campus entrance and exit. Between the library and a side entrance was another dorm building, one of the girls'' dorms. I walked out through the side exit to see what I could find.


    The street surrounding the campus was more extensive than most of the other avenues I had seen. Across from the ''Campus Circle'' was a busy street leading away from the school. The buildings there were four and five stories tall for the most part. I believed that the upper levels served as residences. The lower levels were for various stores and workshops.


    The first and most significant building, right on the corner, had its main doors facing the intersection. The sign above its door read ''Magical Emporium,'' that got my attention immediately. For the first time in my life, outside the controlled school store, I was able to shop on my own. All thoughts of finding a place to live disappeared from my mind.


    When I reached the entrance of the very enticing shop, I was surprised. A pair of guards were standing outside each door, and it was their greeting that made me jump.


    "Welcome, Instructor Honored Mage, to the Magical Emporium," said the rightmost guard while opening one of the doors for me.


    I was taken aback at the formal greeting from a man I had not even noticed as I fantasied about the shop.


    "Ah! Thank you. I¡¯m sorry, you surprised me." A blush heated my face as I stumbled over my words. "Thank you for welcoming me, sir." I nodded to him and went inside, where I was mesmerized again at all the fantastic things I could see within.


    Embarrassed again by being rooted to the floor, I moved through the aisles slowly, looking at everything offered. Nothing the festival merchants provided so long ago ever came close to what was on display here.


    I was not the only new shopper here either. A group of young mages looking into the glass cases were talking loudly about the beautiful things they could see within.


    When I got to the shelves filled with tomes, I was in heaven. Looking closely at each one, I lost track of time. These were texts on a wide variety of magical subjects. I was only able to find one small book on Runes on a bottom shelf. It had been there for some time, I guessed, not that it mattered, it was going to be mine now.


    The other young mages seemed to have left some time ago, so I made my way to the glass cases they were so interested in before. The cases held various components for casting spells, each seeming more expensive than the last. There were potions and scrolls for nearly any need. When I reached the magical rings, I was not interested in any until one description caught my eye. I had to reread it to be sure I understood its powers correctly.


    My love of reading and learning new things had one unrelenting enemy, sleep. It was the bane of my existence in the library while I was trying to read and take notes for assignments or personal research. This ring promised to reduce the hours needed for sleeping by seventy-five percent! It would grant me several more hours each day to study, learn, and experiment. Requiring only one meal each day and reducing the time wasted further.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Someone asked, "Did you find something of interest, sir?"


    Looking up, I found the shopkeeper looking at me from behind the counter. I responded, "Yes, I have, this ring that reduces sleeping and eating. Is it real?"


    The shopkeeper''s smile grew. "Yes, it is. Here let me get it out for you." So, saying, he removed the ring from the case and offered it to me to examine.


    The ring was of some silver metal with a single round black gem. I couldn''t see any runes or other markings on it, but I could feel the energy within it. "I''m curious, can a person waer two of these rings?"


    The shopkeeper nodded, "I understand that you would only need a couple of hours of sleep and a meal every fourth day. I''ve never spoken to anyone that has worn two, so there may be issues that I am not aware of."


    A quick check in the case showed no copies of this ring. I had to ask, "Would you be able to get another ring like this?"


    "Yes, sir," he nodded. "It would take quite some time. Perhaps six months or longer. Would you want that one now?"


    I had looked at the price before, it was quite high, but I did have the funds for two. If I did get both, I would only need to stop to rest and eat for a few hours every four days. Meanwhile, I would have so much more time to learn. There was always the option of making my own after figuring out how to.


    Looking at the shopkeeper, I told him, "I will take this one. If you get another, I may buy it as well. I''m just not certain at this time."


    The shopkeeper was looking quite happy with my willingness to buy this first one. "And you found a book that you would like to buy as well?"


    "Yes, I am interested in runes and rituals. Do you think you might be able to get more such books?"


    Looking at the book I had placed on the counter, he nodded. "I can keep an eye out for them and let you know if I get any other books like that one or another ring in if you like?"


    I was happy to hear this. "That would be wonderful. Please do."


    The shopkeeper wrote out a receipt and showed it to me. "Sir, this is the price of the ring and book today."


    Nodding, I said, "It is possible to transfer funds from the school account as I understand it. One moment please."


    I dug into my bag to find the authorizing slip for funds. It had cost one gold to get each copy of the magical document, but it was far more comfortable than carrying around a large bag of heavy coins.


    I wrote the amount due on the slip and signed it. The magic of the transfer glowed for a moment, without falling into ashes, thus confirming the value was valid for the given amount. I handed it to the man with all eagerness.


    The shopkeeper took the slip with a smile. He wrapped my new book in some paper with the receipt inside. Pushing the book to me and handing the ring over, he said, "Thank you for shopping here today. If there is anything else you might need, please come see me again."


    I slipped the ring on and felt the magic slowly building in my body.


    "I will, sir, thank you." I was about to turn and go when I remembered what I was supposed to be doing today.


    "Excuse me, sir, but I am looking for a room to rent. Do you know where I might find one near here?"


    Shaking his head, no, he replied. "The few rooms I have upstairs are taken. It will be difficult to find someplace close to the school, but I wish you the best of luck."


    "I understand." Remembering something he said, I had to ask another question. "You said that you didn''t have any rooms available upstairs. Does that mean you have something else that might be available?"


    Scratching his head with a frown, he said, "Not really. I had thought about partitioning off some of the basement to rent, just because the demand is so high, but I haven''t ever had it done."


    I had to ask, "Might I see it, and perhaps we could make an arrangement?"


    He shrugged and told one of his helpers he would be out for a few minutes. He led me down into the basement. On the left side were shelves filled with many things. The right side was a mostly open space of a dark basement without windows. That open area was at least four times the size of my student dorm room.


    "If I were to pay for the partition you spoke about, would you rent it to me?"


    He shrugged, "Possibly, but the cost is not the issue."


    "That is okay, I am a mage, so I would be able to wall it off and brighten it to make it comfortable enough for me.


    He scratched his head again, "How much space do you want?"


    "As much as you would allow."


    He nodded, "Let me talk to my wife tonight. Stop by again tomorrow, and I''ll let you know."


    "Thank you. I will be back tomorrow."

 Chapter 2.4 Finding a Home - Walls

    With thoughts of using magic to build walls and doors, I returned to the campus library. Unwrapping my new book of runes, I soon become lost in its pages. I was unaware that someone was speaking to me until they tapped me on my shoulder, saying, "Excuse me."


    It was startling enough to cause me to jump away, off the side of my chair, to land on the floor. It took a moment for my nerves to calm again, which was when I heard giggling.


    When I looked up, the giggling suddenly stopped. The girl was trying to hide her amusement while I was getting up. She did not do it very well.


    Focused on my mantra to ''keep calm,'' I asked, "Was there something you needed?"


    She nodded while I stood there waiting. I wondered silently if this was more bullying. I did my best not to show any emotions, "What is it that you need then?"


    "Are you a teacher?" she asked.


    Confusion hit me, "What?"


    "You have a teacher''s sash," the girl pointed at my chest.


    "Oh. Yes, I am a teacher." Seeing her look of disbelief, I added, "Sorry, it''s my first day. Did you need help with something?"


    "Great." She smiled and held out a sheet of paper to me. "Would you look at my spell work?" She turned to point at a table with some other girls sitting there, "They say it is wrong, but I don''t think so."


    The world fades away again as I sit down and go through the spell formula carefully. "Okay, I see what you''re trying to do. You want to hit a target from the sky with a lightning bolt. You''re on the right path. You just need to use more than ''air'' as the source. You''ll need to include how far above your target the lightning will originate from and what volume of air volume to use. Defining parameters to match nature can further increase efficiency if you work it out carefully. Doing so would help make this a powerful weapon."


    Handing the sheet back to her, I notice she looks slightly confused. "I''d suggest studying storms and how they occur before you continue."


    Nodding, she looks at her spell with a knowing grin. I suspect she has some ideas starting to form in her head already.


    Leaning forward, she gave me a quick hug and then said, "Thank you." With that, she hurried back to her group of girls, who were all staring at me.


    Mumbling, "You''re welcome," I shook my head in disbelief. I''m not sure what just happened, so I went back to my studies.


    Second Day of June, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    At some point late that night, I put my head down for a few minutes. When I woke up after what could only have been a couple of hours, I felt great. I was hungry, but I felt great. The new ring had worked. With a big smile, I started putting books away and gathering my things. In just a short time, I was off to the student cafeteria to grab breakfast. Once through the line, I went and sat at an empty table. Opening my notes from last night, I began to review the ritual I had created before falling asleep.


    "Hartson." Said someone said from behind me. They continued, "Staff does not eat at the student tables."


    I turned to find Instructor Bings standing there. I had never cared for him during my time as a student. I stood and greeted him as blandly as possible. "Good morning, Instructor Bings. I do not mind. Someone may have a question as well."


    Instructor Bings wanted to say something. But I was quite sure I knew all the rules for instructors far better than most of them. I knew I was not doing anything wrong.


    He nearly growled, "It is not seemly Hartson." He turned away without another word.


    I let out a sigh and sat back down. It was only going to get worse from here. Four years to go, wonderful.


    "He did not seem nice," a girl''s voice spoke from across the table.


    Looking up, I could see that it was the same girl from the library. I looked all around me just to be sure nothing else was going on. It seemed to be just her again. "Well¡­ um." I recovered myself and asked, "How can I help you, ah, student? I''m sorry, but I don''t know your name. My name is Instructor Hartson."


    She smiled, "Sorry, Instructor Hartson. I''m Sienna Green."


    She seemed nice and a year or two younger than me? "Thank you, Student Green. How may I help you this morning?"


    She sat down at the table across from me. "I don''t mean to be rude, but did you buy that book you unwrapped last night in the library?"


    Nodding yes, I waited.


    Hesitating just a moment, she asked another question, "Was it from the Magical Emporium then?"


    "Yes. Why are you so interested though?" Her smile lit up when I said yes.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "It is my father''s shop." Then in a rush, "If you happen to go back there, I don''t get to see my family much." Twisting her hands together, she continued, "I was wondering if I might follow you there. I can''t see them unless an instructor takes me, or they come to visit. Visits to the school are not allowed very often, you know. So, if you have some time when you plan to go again, please take me. Ah, if that is not too much to ask, sir."


    I took a long moment to think that if my family were so close, I would want to see them too.


    She started to get up, "Sorry to bother you, Instructor."


    "No, it''s no bother. I''m am going back later this morning. I asked your father, well, never mind. If you would like to go this morning, meet me at the gate at nine."


    Smiling brightly again, she said, "I''ll be ready." Then she took off.


    I think she might have tried to hug me again, but the table was between us, thankfully. Well, another hug would have been friendly, maybe? My breakfast was cold before I started eating again.


    After eating, I decided to go back to my room in the teacher''s dorm. I went around the admin building again and made my way back to the dusty room. When I went inside the room, I noticed right away that someone else had been in here. I''d put a trap in each of trunks, and someone had tried to open one. I could tell by the bright green splatter on the room in front of the first chest. Someone was walking around looking rather odd, wearing bright green paint. I was angry and laughing at the same time at that thought.


    One thing was clear. Staying here was not an option. I used my spell ''Floating Carriages'' again to lift all four trunks and set them to follow me.


    I headed directly to the staff admin building, not caring who saw me this time. I came from the hall behind Renfield''s desk this time with my key in hand. I held the key out for him to take. "Excuse me. I need to turn my key in Mage Renfield."


    He was a bit surprised at me handing the key to him. He reached up to take it automatically, with a bright green hand. We both saw the color of his hand at the same time. Jerking his hand back, he held it down out of my sight.


    Smiling brightly, I thought to mention something that I had run across a few years ago defending my things from classmates. "Looks like you have some paint on your hand Mage Renfield."


    He did not say anything, so I continued, "By the way, did you know that if you add the juice from certain elven flowers to dyes, it makes them virtually permanent? I do hope you did not run into something like that. Well, I''m late, talk to you again sometime."


    The stunned look on his face nearly caused me to break out with laughter right there, but I managed to turn about and walk away with only a huge smile.


    I got to the gate quite early, so I sat down at a nearby bench after putting the trunks down out of the way. I was still chuckling lightly to myself when Student Green interrupted my reading again.


    She quickly caught on to my humor and looked about. "What is so funny, Instructor?"


    Putting away my book, I stood, "I''ll tell you in a moment." Summoning the trunks to follow along again, we went to the gate guard. "Sir, please note that Instructor Hartson is taking Student Green to see her family this morning."


    The guard responded with a quick "Yes sir," and we left.


    I began my tale about the trunks, their traps, and a green hand on someone I had met. Once I told Student Green what I said to that person, we both were laughing hard. We were still laughing some as we walked into the Emporium.


    "Sienna?" Someone asked.


    Sienna hurried forward and hugged her father. "Hi, dad! Instructor Hartson was kind enough to let me visit today. Is mom home? Are you doing well? How is the store doing?"


    Noting that Sienna was able to talk amazingly fast, I just smiled and waited.


    Sienna''s father was happy to see his daughter, but also give me an odd look. "Yes, your mother is upstairs, mixing potions. If you can quietly visit your mother, you may go."


    We both watched her rush quietly into the back of the store.


    "Mage Hartson," was all he said until I looked back at him.


    "Good morning, sir."


    "I''m curious, how do you know my daughter?" He asked strangely.


    "She was in the library after I left here yesterday. She saw me unpackage the book and asked me about it to learn if it came from here. Then she asked if I would take her to see you sometime." I shrugged, "So I brought her this morning."


    He seemed to relax, "Okay. Sorry about that, my daughter can be pushy. I hope you don''t mind."


    "No trouble, sir."


    Motioning to the trunks behind me, I said, "My apologies for bringing my things early. I had some more difficulties this morning, which required leaving sooner than planned. I still hope your willing to let me use part of your basement. Otherwise, I must be going to find somewhere else to live."


    Mr. Green hesitated a moment, "We want to have the changes completed before anyone moves in to make sure nothing happens to the merchandise down there. I hope you understand."


    I smiled, "Well, I might be able to help you out with that if that is okay?"


    Eyebrows furrowed, he asked, "How so?"


    "I will use magic to create the needed walls and doors, if you allow it, sir. I''ll need to buy a few items first, though."


    Nodding, "Okay, I''d like to see you do that. What items do you need?"


    "A wand''s length of oak for doors and a gram of your high steel powder for hinges."


    The shopkeeper quickly gathered the two items, and we headed to the basement.


    Setting the trunks off to the side, Mr. Green showed me where to put the walls and doors.


    It took nearly an hour to draw the ritual on the floor and place the necessary items in their proper place. After double-checking with my notes one more time, I started feeding my mana into the ritual. Once it started, the pull for more mana was intense. I gave nearly all the mana that I had before cutting the flow off. I watched the ritual build intently, looking for any problems that might have arisen.


    "It''s working," I said quietly.


    As we watched the floors, new walls began to grow upward slowly.


    "It will take some hours yet for the walls and doors to be complete, probably later tonight, sir."


    Mr. Green was entranced, "This is amazing."


    "I''m going to return to the library. Do you mind if I leave my items and return after dinner tonight, to see if it is complete?"


    "Yes, that is fine, but why will it take so long?" the shopkeeper asked.


    "I do not have enough mana to power the entire ritual myself, so I set it up to draw in mana from deeper in the ground. It will slow the further down it has to reach before it completes. Please make sure that no one disturbs the ritual pattern there in the middle of the floor. It will disappear when the ritual finishes."


    "Oh, before I forget, I''ll be back late this afternoon to return your daughter to the school." I wearily made my way up the stairs and back to the library. Maybe I''ll get another nap in.

 Chapter 2.5 Finding a Home - Student Aid Board

    The rest of the morning and afternoon quickly passed while doing more research on runes and rituals. A few students asked me for help. I did my best to help them come to the correct conclusions on their own, just like my best instructors had.


    Other instructors made brief appearances in the library, as was their habit. Some of the more likable ones did field a few questions from their current students, but most made excuses and left quickly.


    It was disturbing that students did not get much help here in the library. Sure, the librarians did help students find books they were interested in, but they couldn¡¯t answer many questions, not being mages. Why have I never noticed this before? Simple answer, I was too intent on discovering new knowledge myself and not paying attention to others. Should more be done? As an instructor, I assumed that my simply helping anyone that asked was what I should do. Many of the instructors did not do this outside of their classrooms. This behavior bothered me. Why not aid students here in the library where they seek to learn? Did the other instructors think that it made better mages to have this ''sink or swim'' attitude?


    How best to change this was the next question stuck in my mind. Having one or more teachers here could certainly help. I would continue to answer questions while here, but it''s evident that the other instructors wouldn''t be willing to do the same.


    Watching the other students about the library, I took note of a few groups trying to work together to help one another. Encouraging that activity would be the best solution, and it would not directly involve the other instructors.


    Over the years here, I had wandered through every part of this library, including the many side rooms. One of those rooms held a possible answer. I quickly gathered my things and stashed them behind the librarian''s desk, much to their surprise, but they did not stop me.


    Going to a group of older students, I made an offer, "I need the help of a few of you. Is there anyone here interested in making a few coppers?"


    A fair number agreed quickly. Earning extra coin here in the school was nearly impossible to my knowledge unless you took one of the student jobs provided by the school.


    "Excellent, leave your things here and follow me, please."


    Leading the group to what amounted to a storage room in the back of the library, I put them to work. "Okay, this big desk needs to be carried out to, hum, where to put this? Take it to the center of the study area, just outside of the sitting area under the big stained-glass window." Four of the students shrugged and started the task.


    "Now those two matching tables, the smaller ones." Off they went leaving me with three students to help with the last item.


    Motioning to them, I directed, "Move things about so that you can get to that big pinboard and take it out please."


    After they left, I closed the doors and followed them out into the study area. Most of the students and staff were watching all of us as we made quite a disturbance of ourselves.


    "Okay, those three tables are going to be in the way. Take them to the far end of the study area. There is enough extra space there for them. And all but one of the chairs too."


    As my helpers took care of that, I studied how to make this work best.


    When they completed that task, I had the students move the desk so that it faced the entry of the library and the large pinboard facing the back with the two small tables at either end.


    I directed them to complete the task, "Now go ahead and practice your cleaning and polishing spells if you have them. Please point out any damage you find, do the repairs if you can."This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    I happily watched as the group quickly had the furniture looking like new.


    With that, I counted out three coppers to each saying, "Well done, thank you."


    One of the librarian helpers was nearby, so I motioned him over. "I need some supplies here. A nice small wooden box filled with pins for the pinboard, along with a few stacks of those small slips of paper you use here, and several pencils, on each of those little tables. I''ll also need two blank poster boards and a coin jar. That should do it, for now, and I''ll give you a few coppers for your trouble."


    Noticing a few students still gathered around, I spotted one that has not yet helped me and offered another copper. "Miss, please ask the desk for my bag and bring it to me."


    Sitting down at the desk, I examined it to make sure it was empty of past items.


    With the return of my bag, I traded it for another copper.


    A group standing by due to my disturbance, so I shooed them along, "Go ahead and return to your studies, and things will be ready here shortly."


    Now what exactly to put on the posters?


    Title: Student Aid Board.


    Description: Post your offers to assist, or requests for assistance, here for help with solving problems and finding answers.


    Reminder: You need more than the answer, you need to know why the answer is correct, or not. Your understanding is subject to testing, not rote answers.


    Fee/Cost: Best to help one another if you''re willing, but some copper here and there can help both parties at times. Temporarily place requested fees in the ''Student Aid Board - Donations and Fees'' jar. Payments issued when the payee marks the request satisfied and signs it to avoid disputes.


    Rules: 1) Logging of all requests with the on-duty instructor or front desk librarian is required: Request date, student name, class, and instructor name if for a class, or your research topic. 2) All requests and offerings must be dated. Those without a date or older than seven days will be subject to removal. The on-duty instructor, or front desk librarian, must approve requests lasting more than seven days (Fee: One copper per week). 3) Not required, but tips are suggested to the instructor or librarian assisting you.


    I left the rest of the poster blank for now and hung it in the center of the pinboard.


    Cutting out a piece from the other poster board, I created a dual-sided ''Visit the Library''s Main Desk Please'' sign, folded it in half. Finally, I added one more sign to the top of the desk where students would see it, ''An Instructor''s Duty: Help others find and understand the answers, not provide them.'' Again, this sign was a dual-sided and folded in half. Placing the duty explanation at the corner of the desk, I tossed the ''Visit the Library''s Main Desk Please'' sign into the center desk drawer. Making one more sign simply labeled ''Student Aid Board - Donations and Fees,'' I attached it to the coin jar.


    Taking another moment to go to the pinboard, I placed a request of my own. ''Ongoing request by Instructor Hartson. Three coppers for each new (to me) reference to runes or rituals found in the library.''


    With that, I dropped several copper coins into the jar and sat down at the desk. Pulling out a spare blank book, I titled it ''Student Aid Board Log'' with a tiny bit of magic. Opening it up, I added my ongoing request with all the needed information.


    Setting the book aside, I returned to resume my research.


    Several students and librarians came to look at the pinboard when it was complete, but none dare to try to post anything yet. I''m sure it would happen eventually, though. I did overhear a few students talking about my request, and some of the junior librarians happily talking about coppers they might earn.


    Just before I left in the late afternoon, one young girl brought me a book shyly.


    "Is this for my rune and ritual request?"


    She nodded and opened the book to a chapter on runes before handing it to me. I had already gone over this one. I could see this book coming back to me a dozen times already.


    Taking a slip of paper out, I made a note, ''Student Aid Board: Rune and Ritual Information Reviewed. ¨C Instructor Hartson.'' Adding the date to it as well, I put the slip into the book and handed it back with three coppers saying "Thank you, I''ve read this one already, please return it to its place and enjoy the coppers."


    She nodded and went back to the bookcases looking for another one, I''m sure.


    After a while and a few questions about the Student Aid Board, it was time for me to go. I set out the sign to go to the main desk. Collecting the donation jar, logbook, and my things, I headed back to the Emporium.


    Stopping at the front desk, I set the donation jar and logbook down. "I''m sorry I forgot to ask about this earlier, but is the Student Aid Board acceptable as is?"


    The two librarians that were on duty both smiled. "Sure, now they won''t ask us so many questions, and we might earn a coin or two. Everyone so far is in favor of it."


    ¡°Good, feel free to keep your tips, but put the rest of the coins in the jar and use it for payouts please.¡± Handing over several silvers, I suggested that after work, they should all get a drink on me. To which they seemed happy and promised to do.

 Chapter 2.6 Finding a Home - Home Sweet Home

    Getting back to the Emporium to pick up Student Green, I was pleased to see her smiling happily after her parents sent her off with goodbye hugs.


    However, once we reached the street, she started asking about the basement walls excitedly. "Father told us how you made stone walls start to grow in the basement. We did not believe him, so he took us down to show us. How did you get them to grow like that? Will they stop growing? It''s not going to ruin the shop, is it?"


    Laughing, I said, "Slow down."


    "They will only grow to the top of the room. I was careful about making sure it would not do any damage, so please don''t worry about that."


    "Okay, but how?" she demanded. "You''re not even there, and the spell is still going."


    "I did not directly cast the spell, so I don''t have to be there to maintain and control it. You probably saw the ritual on the floor. Each ritual is designed for a specific purpose and under control by rules written into it. Think of it as a short-term enchantment if that helps."


    Going back to the same gate guard, I informed him that Student Green was returning to campus at this time.


    Stepping back into the campus, I told her, "Well, I hope you had a good time with your parents. I need to be returning to the library before I head home."


    She said thanks and took off to wherever she needed to go. I walked back to the library, slightly unhappily. It would have been nice to get another hug. Oh well, it was probably a mistake on her part.


    Back at the library''s front desk, I found that everything was going well and that only one person had posted a request for help. I smiled at hearing that, taking the jar and logbook, I returned to the desk.


    Almost as soon as I sat down, the same girl that had brought me the first book for my research request was back. This time she had two more and another girl with one. The first book was again one I had already studied. After adding a note to it, I looked at the other two. Surprisingly, they were both new to me. Not sure that they would contain anything I would find useful, that didn''t stop me from giving the girls three coppers each book. With another copper, I asked them to return the book with the note in it to the proper shelf.


    So far, this idea seemed to be working, but it needed more time to tell for sure.


    After reviewing the two new books and making a few notes from each, I flagged down a librarian asking him to put those two books away with the notes I left in them. Of course, he also accepted the two coppers I gave him for the task as well.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    As it began to get dark out, student Green showed up with her group of friends to look over the new board. Coming over to the desk, she asked, "Do we have to sign up to find the books you want or just bring them over?"


    "Just bring them over, if I''m not here, ask the front desk to hold them for me. Be sure to leave your names in the books on a bit of paper marking the location."


    Saying they would, they went off in search of the books I needed.


    After another hour, I had to send two more books I''d already reviewed back to the shelves with a note and three coppers each. On my way out for the night, I stopped at the front desk with the logbook and jar and asked them to hold any books collected for me with the student names.


    I got to my new home quickly and received a bit of a shock. The doors that I had tried to build into the walls had failed. The door built into my area was too small, and the hinges were barely attached. Neither did they allow movement of the door. They were both solid one-piece globs of high steel. I found this out when I pushed on the door to open it. Rather abruptly, the door broke off from the solid ''hinges'' and clattered loudly to the floor.


    The door to the storage area looked more like a trapezoid than a door. Also, it had two solid hinges on each side. Not that those mattered, the wood was wedged into the doorway so tightly that there was no way to open it.


    Mr. Green came down, apparently drawn by the noise I made earlier. "Was it supposed to be in there like that?"


    "No. The walls are correct, but my instructions for the doors were a bit off, it seems. Sorry about that, I''ve never built doors or hinges before."


    He laughed a bit, "I''ll have someone put in new ones tomorrow."


    "Fair enough. Though you might suggest bringing an ax too."


    Mr. Green laughed again, clearly not mad at me.


    Reaching into my bag for the pouch I had prepared, I handed it to him. "This is the payment for the next four years of rent. I''m going to go ahead and start settling in if that is all right with you, Mr. Green."


    He seemed to want to say something for a moment but only said, "Thank you. Have a good night, sir."


    The first thing I did was to clean up my new abode with a quick spell. It was a bit cool down here, so that was the next thing I tackled. On the floor in the center of my new room, I started planning out a new ritual. I wanted it to maintain a pleasant temperature and humidity level so that it was always perfectly comfortable, clean, and dry. It took me a dozen attempts to get it just the way I wanted. I tried setting it up for a year, but that was way more mana than I could supply. Lowering the duration down to only a week fixed that. Then I added a way for it to collect more mana from the ground as I had done for building the walls. If I remembered to add more mana each night before going to sleep, that should have the ritual lasting all four years soon enough.


    Just then, I realized that I had worked on learning runes and rituals for nearly three years just to be able to put this one mildly complicated ritual together. With that thought, I laid down on the hard, but now comfortably warm, floor to sleep for a couple of hours.

 Chapter 3.1 Research Testing - Preparing

    <hr>


    Third Day of June, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    Awaking from sleeping on a stone floor, even a warm one, was still not comfortable. Today I would have to get some furniture. But first I needed two more walls for a bedroom and a washroom. The first wall would just close off the far third of the main room. A second wall would split off a third of that space for a washroom. Add openings for three doorways, one to each room from the main room and one between the bedroom and washroom.


    From the previous rituals and notes, it only took minutes to set up the new ritual for the walls. Then by sitting there and slowly pushing my mana in for a long time, I was able to supply all the needed mana.


    With a substantial mana drain headache, it was time to get food and return to the library. I need to figure out how to do the ceiling and provide light somehow rather than this dim lamp. Then I''ll need to figure out how to create the washroom fixtures. A bath, sink, toilet, and maybe a shower? Control the water temperature too.


    Could I figure out how to do more? Create a roof? Build wooden furniture? If I could create all the rituals needed to create an entire house, how useful would that be? Where could I even attempt it?


    By the time I finished breakfast, I had a thousand ideas. The problem was that if I did it how I fixed the basement, it would take far longer to ''grow'' a house than just having one built. There must be a way in which to do this faster.


    I returned to the library later that morning, and the board had a few new requests for help understanding specific topics. A student had already completed one. The head librarian told me this saying that the system seemed to be working much better than he expected. I asked him to let me know of any problems if they occurred. I even asked him to suggest any improvements if he had any ideas.


    As I sat at the desk thinking about the rituals, it became clear that mana was going to be the real issue. Was mana the reason runes and rituals never improved and used? With that thought, I posted my second ongoing request for books with information on collecting and storing mana. I tossed another couple of dozen coppers into the jar just to ensure the funding was available for everyone.


    For the next several weeks, I continued to help the students and do my research nearly all day long, every day. My home had a door now, but I still had done nothing about the furniture, lighting, or washroom. I was busy. I even missed going to see my parents, though being gone for three weeks away from my research was not in my plans, to be honest. In another week, the new school year would start.


    <hr>


    Eighth Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    Today is my thirteenth birthday! I have graduated, became an instructor, and now work to become a high mage. My plans seemed to be going perfectly. To celebrate, I write to my mother and father a letter about the last month, like I do every month.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    <hr>


    Twenty-Fourth Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    With a week left, it was time to test my new ritual. That need is what drove me out of the library finally.


    First, I went back to Mr. Green for advice on how to buy some property to test my house building ritual. He sent me directly to a friend of his that would be able to help. That is how I found myself sitting in a richly appointed office, waiting.


    "Sir, Mr. Hox will see you now," the receptionist said.


    "Thank you."


    Mr. Hox''s office is even more richly decorated than the Dean''s.


    "Mage Perrin?" A portly man with graying hair asked while standing and offering his hand over his desk.


    "Yes sir, though I prefer my first name, Hartson, if you don''t mind."


    "Certainly, Mage Hartson. I understand you want to buy some property that is private and out of the way? Excuse me for asking, but you¡¯re a bit young to be doing this kind of thing, are you not?"


    "In a way, yes. However, I just graduated as a full mage and became an instructor at the mage school. I am also working to become a high mage as quickly as possible. Given my early graduation, I am considered a full adult in the kingdom. It¡¯s a rather rare event, but students can do it." I smiled and asked, "Will that be a problem, sir?"


    Mr. Hox just smiled brighter. "No sir, that will make things quite easy to process actually as Mages in the Kingdom do have some privileges in this regard. So, tell me more about what you''re looking for."


    "First, my reason for needing land is a private matter. Will that be okay?"


    Mr. Hox nodded quickly, "That will not be a problem. We can even set up a confidential contract if you wish."


    "Yes, that sounds best. How is that done?"


    Mr. Hox removed some papers from his desk and handed them to me. "This is a standard confidential, magically enforced contract. If it is acceptable, we just need to both sign it."


    Reading through the contact, I found it was just what I wanted. I signed it and handed it back to Mr. Hox. He signed it as well and gave me back the original, keeping a copy for himself.


    "Thank you. As to why I want the property, it is to test a method of building a house with magic. So being out of sight and not being bothered by anyone is of importance to me. Maybe lots of space to try different things as well. Would that be possible?"


    Mr. Hox seemed caught off guard by my need but nodded quickly. "Yes, I can find such property for you outside of the city easily enough."


    "Great, though I would want it to be within a day''s travel. I do not relish spending too much time traveling. Also, if there is a way to have someone take care of and watch over the property for me, that would be helpful as well."


    Mr. Hox nodded quickly at that request. "I''ll line up some properties for you to look at in the next few days if that will work?"


    I frowned at that. "Unfortunately, I was looking for something a bit faster. I must begin teaching classes next week, making it harder for me to get away from school then. Would I be able to leave this in your hands and have everything set up as quickly as possible? Including some guards to escort me to the location and back? I know this is asking a lot, but I will pay fairly for it."


    Mr. Hox sat there, thinking about it a bit before responding. "I can do that for a thousand gold if you are willing."


    "Good. I''ll make it eleven-hundred for your extra trouble and another hundred if it is ready in two days."


    Mr. Hox blinked, then nodded. "Certainly, sir, and thank you."


    I signed the transfer slip before leaving and told him to leave any message for me at the Emporium. Otherwise, I would be back early in the morning, two days from now.


    With that settled, I returned to the library for the rest of the day and the next.

 Chapter 3.2, 3.3 Research Testing - Oh So Unprepared, Decisions

    <hr>


    Twenty-Sixth Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    Mr. Hox had prepared well for my trip. Four armed and armored guards sat ready on horseback. An enclosed coach with a driver would take Mr. Hox and me to my new estate in just under four hours. A good part of the first hour was just getting out of the city.


    As the coach traveled, Mr. Hox went through a significant number of papers he had put together. First, he gave me all the signed confidential and loyalty agreements for the employees and their families. Somehow, I had just ended up with lots of them, and this was unexpected. I had not thought about what it would mean to have the property long term, especially the employees. Taxes and wages had not entered my calculations, or even my head, at all. And there was far more to it than that.


    During my education, I learned that Kingdom Mages were considered minor nobles. I just had not thought what that would mean concerning my land purchase. An unlanded minor noble was equal an Esquire, or Knight in training, in the Kingdom''s army. With the purchase of land, including a mansion, a small hamlet, and the surrounding farmlands, I jumped over Knight straight to Baron.


    Mr. Hox informed me that my status of ''Honored Mage'' and ''Instructor'' made getting everything done so fast possible. He congratulated me on all of my hard work paying benefits so soon.


    As a Baron, I now had four Knights, the gentlemen escorting us today. Each is to be supported by a portion of my barony. With a part set aside for me, it amounted to about one-fifth of my property for each Knight. These same four Knights were pledged to the Kingdom if called upon, at my expense. Mr. Hox advised that up to half of my Knights would generally be serving in the Kingdom''s army unless the Kingdom was at war. Even then, I might not be required to send all my knights to ensure peace and safety at home. Or I could hire and send mercenaries in their stead.


    Of the nearly one-thousand hectares I now owned, some six-hundred hectares were for farming. However, only seventy-six of the estimated ninety-three, farms were being worked. These seventy-six families would be under the protection of one of my Knights and myself. An additional twenty-two of thirty-eight families lived in the small hamlet providing essential services such as the blacksmith, leatherworker, clothier, and more to support all the farming families, the Knights, and the mansion. The hamlet and mansion grounds would stay under my direct control. My second-in-command, as it were, would be the estate steward.


    By the time we neared the mansion, I was a jumbled mix of emotions. I am a Baron, great! Oh, gods, I''m a Baron, and all these people depend on me!


    Then I asked the most foolish question of all, "Mr. Hox, is all of this, this barony, self-supporting?"


    He tried to smile and break it to me gently, but no, not self-supporting at all. The farms were doing poorly, so poorly that having enough food through the next winter was in doubt. Though just hired, the knights would need additional funds for their upkeep and pay. While the hamlet was small, it needed repairs and improvements. The mansion would need repairs and maintenance as well. One wing was partially damaged by fire, meaning a third of it needed rebuilding. He quickly added that I had gotten all of this at a fraction of the fair price.


    Grimacing, I asked, "And what is your estimate of the cost to maintain things as is each year?"


    Mr. Hox was forthright at least, "Some two to three hundred gold a year, sir."


    I had thought that my mana headache the other day was terrible. I was so, so wrong.


    Once we arrived at the mansion, which looked more than a little run down. Especially the east side with the not so ''wee bits'' of charred framing standing at odd angles. Mr. Hox introduced me to the new steward, Mr. Milbrey. Mr. Hox had advised me that the old steward was quite ancient, and not up to the duties any longer. I guessed that he should have a replacement years ago.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    I just wanted a place to test building with rituals. I, oh wow.


    With paperwork and introductions done, Mr. Hox was returning to the city. I thanked him for all that he had done and gave him the promised bonus before saying goodbye.


    <hr>


    Twenty-Sixth Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    After a quick tour of the mansion, Mr. Milbrey and I sat down at the dining room table, and I dug out two new books. The first one was a ledger, which I opened to the first page and wrote in the cost of the land, the rush fee, and the bonus paid. The second book was a journal for keeping track of everything related to the barony.


    "Mr. Milbrey, I first want to thank you for taking on this job. I''m looking forward to working with you as I am going to depend heavily on you to help manage this barony."


    Mr. Milbrey and I continued to discuss the needs of the barony well into the afternoon. I made the best decisions I could. Most of the time, I took Mr. Milbrey''s advice, but often I decided to take things a step further. That was how I remember my father telling me about his shop, ''pay for quality, expect quality.'' We set a budget for the year, including rebuilding the manor and taking care of many of the hamlet''s needs. I also appointed the Knights to rotate being the Magistrate each month for the barony''s small issues. More significant issues would come to me, or be turned over to the Kingdom, as was warranted.


    Security was also important, as well. Small-time bandits had been harassing the farmers and their families. I called in the Knights to get their input on the matter. The four of them thought that they would be able to handle the issue, but I had invested too much into them already and did not want to have to find more. Recalling some of the military histories I had read, I asked each of them to find and train an esquire and eight soldiers each.


    Each knight would be responsible for a squad of two five men teams, including themselves. We also set up training and patrol schedules that would have all teams training and working together. Once we had them rudimentary trained and proven worthy, we would start sending them off for Kingdom training a few at a time.


    Preferring safety first, working farms second, I advised the Knights to look for esquires and soldiers from among the young men in the barony, especially those without any other desirable skills. They would go back to the Warriors Guild if they needed to search beyond the barony. Mr. Milbrey would find more farmers.


    Of course, this brought up the need for a barracks building to be built. The placement of the new barracks would be between the hamlet and the manor.


    The plan was for forty soldiers, but room for an extra twenty in times of trouble would be wise. I also wanted all of them mounted to respond to problems quickly.


    Sixty horses required a stable. They were going to be expensive ''light horse'' too, not common plow horses, meaning they would need the special care of a stablemaster and a few stablehands. The soldiers would help do the rest.


    With sixty men and sixty horses, supplies were an issue, meaning finding a quartermaster with a few helpers was next on the list. Again, the soldiers would help do the rest.


    Going this far, I go ahead and plan for a weapons master to oversee training.


    The Knights and specialists did not want to share the barracks the men, so that''s a third building to add. It would also provide the administrative offices, a large kitchen, a huge mess hall, and a large storage area.


    To top off my visions of glory, I decided to build three barrack buildings, housing twenty men each and three stables, to shelter twenty horses each. So instead of two significant buildings, I would have six smaller ones to reduce the risk of fire damaging everything.


    With a simple ''U'' shaped building plan, a large parade field would be in the center of it all. We also made spacing plans for a wall to go around everything, but I would not commit to building that just yet.


    With all the plans laid, the Knights and I just hashed out a small fort. Did I mean to take ''security'' this far? It''s the right thing to do, but my pockets are never going to be full at this rate. With a sigh, I assign an eight-hundred gold budget to build the fort.


    By the time Mr. Milbrey and I had all the planning done, another twelve-hundred gold budget existed. Four-hundred gold to repair and rebuild the mansion. Four-hundred gold more would take care of getting the hamlet back into shape, including sewers and stone roads, of which there were none. No wonder everyone looked sick when we passed through. The last four-hundred gold was for the laying in of supplies for the winter and to repair and maintain the main road and access spur that serviced the barony. Thankfully, only the barony used the roadway that circled within it.


    Now that my family is no longer supporting me, it was also time to figure out a way to earn gold for myself. The barony may generate an income eventually, or so I fervently hoped.


    My instructor''s salary was to pay for the four years at the school to become a High Mage. Past that, I had no plans, yet. Well, that was not entirely true. I wanted to add a vast library to the manor someday.


    At this point, I''ve spent a lot more than I ever wanted in just three days. And there are still wages, horses, and equipment to account for yet.

 Chapter 3.4 Research Testing - Testing the Ritual

    Twenty-Sixth Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    Twenty-Seventh Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.Twenty-Eighth Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    Twenty-Ninth Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777

 Chapter 4.1 Returning to Problems - Dealing with My Rabble

    Thirtieth Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    Breakfast on the sixth day in my dining room at sunrise was, well, it was merely different. I did not dislike it, but it was almost as if someone was playing a joke on me, and I kept expecting to wake up. As I ate, my thoughts focused on the recrimination of myself. In the future, I must account for myself far better than I did when I bought this property so blindly.


    My carriage was ready, and two of my knights would provide escort. My steward directed me to go to a noble clothier he knew, as I needed to have my heraldry designed. Then I needed to go to the royal court to submit the documents Mr. Hox had prepared with a copy of my heraldry. These chores took several hours but were complete by the early afternoon.


    My mounted knights were already using heater shields, so that formed the base of my heraldry. The background color would be medium sky blue. Green ivy, symbolizing eternal life, started at the point and followed both edges to the top. An imperial eagle, the two-headed kind, was the symbol of ''fortitude and magnanimity of mind.'' It flew above a book, denoting ''learning and a willingness to listen.'' Below the book was an otter, representing one who is ''intelligent and industrious.'' The last touch was my family name, Perrin, written on the book cover.


    The carriage took me to the Emporium, where I dismissed the knights and carriage to return to the Manor. They would stop at a recommended armor''s shop and order sixty new heater shields with my heraldry painted on them.


    Thankfully, the leather worker in my hamlet was able to craft studded leather armor with the proper materials. The blacksmith was providing the metal studs, but most of the ready to craft leather had yet to be boughten.


    The blacksmith could make decent, slightly curved, mid-length, sabers, and daggers strong enough to chop wood. I may have to buy some in the short term depending on how quickly the knights find soldiers to employ.


    My coin purse was significantly lighter by the time I returned to school.


    It was so lovely to be back in the library, just the smell of the place comforted me. I stopped at the main desk to pick up any books that had been set aside for me over the last five days. To my surprise, there was a cart full of them. I pushed the cart to the ''Instructor''s Desk'' only to find another instructor sitting there.


    Smiling, I said, "Good afternoon, Instructor Gable."


    The older man did not look happy, and I did not receive a smile back. Gable then growled at me, "It''s about time you showed up. Where have you been?"


    The ''keep calm'' mantra was already being repeating in my head. "As I informed the front office, I was away to test some spells that could not be tested here in the city. What seems to be the problem, Instructor Gable?"


    Gable looked incredulous, "What is the problem? You created this mess, and then you just disappeared."


    "Please explain what the issue is, and perhaps I can fix it, sir."


    Gable made a harumph sound and spat out, "The students started to complain that there was no instructor available here in the library, that¡¯s what. Why in the world did you start this? Now the brats are pestering us with questions all the time, and we have other things to do, you know."This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    I simply nodded then looked at the open logbook on the desk. "You''ve answered two questions in the time you''ve been here today?"


    Gable glowered at me, "Yes, I had to be here since lunch when I have had other things to do."


    Keep calm. Keep calm. "So, were you assigned to this duty today?"


    "Yes, damn it, I was!" Gable shouted at me.


    "By whom? I had this arranged as a voluntary duty with the head librarian."


    Gable was getting red in the face now, "By whom? The Dean, of course. Your rabble kept asking when another instructor would be available. So, the Dean assigned us to four two-hour shifts every day. And it does not matter what you set it up with the librarian, again, because of your mob."


    "Just four instructors?" I had to ask slightly taken aback.


    Gable shouted again, "No, you nitwit! Every instructor has to take a two-hour shift in rotation."


    I was staying calm on the surface, but this was getting ridiculous.


    I spoke slowly. "You''re upset because you ''might'' have a two-hour shift each month. To assist students as a paid instructor."


    Instructor Gable was now sitting there gaping at me. He did that for thirty-seconds before his brain worked it out. Red anger changed to red embarrassment. "Well, well, you¡¯re here, I''m leaving!" And with that, he quickly got up and walked out of the library.


    After the door banged shut, I sighed.


    To my left, someone started to clap softly. Quickly turning, I saw that it was Dean Weber clapping. There was no smile on his face. He stopped clapping and walked over to me with the head librarian following him.


    I took a deep breath before speaking. "Good afternoon Dean Weber, Head Librarian Moss."


    "Good, you say?" The Dean asked in a deadpan voice.


    Quickly thinking, I said, "Thank you for arranging the help for the student''s Dean Weber. This effort to help students shouldn''t cause issues. For that, I do apologize to both you and Head Librarian Moss."


    The Dean studied me for a long moment. "Next time you want to start a project¡­" the Dean trailed off, looking at my sash with its new heraldic symbol. He started again, "The next time you want to start a project that affects others SIR Instructor Mage Hartson, you will first get permission from me."


    Copying my knights, a bit, I responded, "Yes, sir. I will certainly do that, sir."


    The Dean nodded and then frowned as he looked at my sash again. "I understood you were testing spells these last few days, not whatever this is, SIR Hartson," he said, waving at my sash while still emphasizing ''Sir.''


    "Yes, sir, I did complete my testing. It was necessary to have a private, out of the way place where no one would be hurt. I went to a highly recommended man about finding such a place and, um, well, he took it a bit further than I had intended. He set me up with a full barony, with four knights, and over one-hundred other people, that I''m now responsible for."


    The Dean started to say something, then stopped to look at me a bit longer. "Are you a fool Sir Hartson?" Thankfully, no emphasis on the ''Sir'' this time.


    I flinched at his question, but he was right, and I knew it too. "Yes, I was foolish in this because I did not ask enough questions ahead of time. I won''t be having that problem again, I assure you, sir."


    He nodded. "That would be most wise, Sir Hartson."


    It hit me then that without a doubt, I would be hearing a lot more "Sir Hartson" honorifics than necessary for some time to come.


    The Dean looked at the pinboard and back at the desk set up before saying, "Well done." He then simply walked away.


    The head librarian and I just looked at each other for a bit, neither quite believing we herd the Dean correctly.


    I again thanked Head Librarian Moss for his help and patience.


    He told me it was no bother and that he had not had so much fun in years. He was particularly happy that all the "old geezer instructors" were so "riled up."


    I''m confident I did not find it amusing that the other instructors were so "riled up," as he put it. I was, in fact, sure that they would remind me often and painfully, of the many difficulties I had imposed upon them.


    The students in the library had not said a word until I sat down. It was evident that they were whispering about what happed to each other quite unapologetically.

 Chapter 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 Returning to Problems - Letter Home, Dragons Tougue, Self Recrimination

    <hr>


    Thirtieth Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    No one seemed to want to bother me just yet, so I got started on another task that was both worrying and exciting to me. It was time to write another letter to my parents.


    Before I started to write the letter, I used a bit of magic to make a few pages of paper extra white and perfectly cut. Then at the top third and center of the first page, I raised a full-color copy of my heraldry symbol. Below that, I raised print saying, ''Willingness to Listen. Eternally Learning. Industrious Intellect. Magnanimity of Mind.''


    Once it was complete, I used a second sheet to make a copy of my "letterhead" for myself.


    Then I began to write a letter. I simply told my parents that I had become a landowner with the rank of Baron. I left out that it came about in ignorance. I told them about the Manor, the hamlet, the farmers, all the repairs to do, and even the bandits. I spoke of my new steward and four knights. Plus, getting more soldiers that would soon be patrolling my lands with them to make it safe for all. Finally, I invited them both, our extended family, and Father''s employees and friends to move to the Barony of Perrin. I''d build Father a new shop however he wanted. He would have direct access to the capital for better materials and prices. I asked if Mother and Jean if they would like to be midwives and caregivers to a whole community. If so, it was theirs. I even offered to build a clinic in the hamlet if they would want one. Lastly, I included a basic map that would get them to the Manor from the main road and the most direct route to the city.


    Finally, I signed it, "College of Magic Instructor, Honored Mage, Hartson Perrin, Baron of Perrin." I did not have a signet ring yet, but it was easy enough to paint such a small image beneath my signature magically.


    Folding the two pages of my letter carefully, I put them into an envelope I fashioned. Sealing it shut with a stamp of my ''signet ring.''


    On the front, I placed another copy of the letterhead symbol and motto I had just created. Then I added both parent''s full names and their address. I used another spell that sealed the letter and would only allow my parents to open it.


    Looking at some older boys who did not seem to be studying all that hard, I asked, "Anyone want to run a letter to the post for me?"


    One jumped up faster than the rest, leaving them gripping. I handed the letter over with instructions to have it sent by all possible speed to my parents. I discreetly handed him two gold coins as well. "You may only say that you mailed a letter to my parents, nothing more. Do this quickly and share the change with the post girl."


    Running was not allowed in the school, but he was walking quite fast when he left the library.


    <hr>


    <em style="color: rgba(223, 224, 228, 1); font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0">Thirtieth Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    After finishing the letter to my parents, I began going through the books on the cart. Many of them were books that I had been through before. I quickly left notes in those and piled them to one side of the desk. Then I sorted through the remaining books for short entries that may be repeating things I already knew, or I could note the information quickly. Finishing up those, also piled on the side of the desk. I claimed the last fourteen books and set them on the desk. I loaded the completed books onto the cart. Placing a note on the cart, I offered a copper for every book put away correctly. I pushed the cart over in front of the pinboard and left it there.


    I was just getting into making notes from a book containing new information on rituals when two boys checked out the sign on the cart. They pulled the sign off and started pushing the cart around the library to put the books away.


    It was then that I noticed an unfamiliar instructor had arrived. He was in his thirties and looked rather average, with brown hair and eyes. Was his face that gaunt because he never remembered to eat? He sighed, "I''m here to do my shift."


    With a smile, I offered him a way out. "Thank you, but if there is something else you wish to do, go ahead, I don''t mind."


    He looked confused, "You want to do this?"


    "Yes. I am the one who set this up because I thought it would help the students. I am sorry that the Dean decided all instructors should help. I had hoped for a few volunteers, but while I was away recently, no one else stepped forward, and the Dean got involved. So again, if you are busy with something else, I can handle it."


    The instructor looked around curiously, "Just what are you doing here?"


    "Well, I spend a lot of time in the library. I answered some questions one day, and the next thing I knew, other students were also asking questions. It only slowed down my research for a few minutes, but I enjoyed helping them. That is when I decided to formalize things with this desk, and then I took it a step further when I remember seeing that pinboard unused in a back room. Now anyone that wants help with something can come here to ask an instructor when one is available. Or they can post requests for help or offers to help each other on that pinboard."Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    "Okay, that sounds like it should help." He walked over to the pinboard and looked at the requests and offers.


    On his way back, he grabbed a chair from a nearby table and sat down at the end of the desk. "So, your Instructor Hartson? The one with the runes, rituals, mana collecting, and mana storage, um, I don''t know, quests?"


    I nodded, "I am indeed Instructor Hartson. I don''t think we have met before, what is your name, please?"


    He smiled, "Jim. Well, it''s Jeremiah Lionel in truth, but I go by Jim."


    "Nice to meet you, Instructor Jim. When you''re not teaching, what is it that you like to do?"


    Jim grinned. "Potions. Well, magical plants are what I prefer to work with, but I use them to make potions."


    Hum, an instructor that is, nice? "Oh? What plants do you like working with the most?"


    He scratched his head before he answered. "I''ve never really thought about a favorite before. The one I must work with and use the most is Dragon''s Tongue. It''s challenging to grow, and I am always trying new ways to make them grow faster. They''re challenging and frustrating at the same time. If you know what I mean?" Jim had a hopeful look on his face.


    I could understand that and nod in agreement, "Yes. Though for me, it is runes and rituals that are my source of hopes and frustrations. I''m curious, what do you use Dragon''s Tongue for?"


    Jim''s smile grew. "It is the base ingredient of most potions. Other potion ingredients only have the barest hint of mana in them. The addition of a distillation of Dragon''s Tongue will make other ingredients have stronger effects. Now Dragon''s Tongue will sprout just about anywhere. Finding it is always difficult, but it''s everywhere. Forests, deserts, mountainsides, marshes, grass planes, underwater, and even underground. It makes no difference if it is shaded or well lit."


    Yep, Jim had fallen into lecture mode, but I was a willing audience.


    Continuing, he relayed, "It''s called Dragon''s Tongue because, like a dragon, it can show up anywhere. It also looks like a common fern. That''s where the tongue part of the name came from as far as I know. Dragon''s Tongue is known to live for decades without getting bigger than a tiny sprout just out of the ground. Those are never worth harvesting. In a very few special places, they grow fast enough to be harvested every twenty to forty years. It''s the main reason potions are so rare and expensive."


    "I did not know of Dragon''s Tongue before this. I wonder why we are not taught about it when we are students?"


    Jim looked at me with a frown for a moment, and then he checked to see who was nearby, before softly explaining it to me. "That''s simple, what mage do you know that admits to any weakness or no control over everything?"


    With that being the attitude of most of the instructors here, I sighed. "What other important things do we not know because it''s ''inconvenient,'' I wonder?"


    "Right," Jim whispered.


    Looking at him, I wondered. "How do you ever get enough Dragon''s Tongue to make potions at all?"


    He smirked. "That''s why the city is here. There''s a large lake deep below us where it grows well. The Dragon''s Tongue there can be harvested every thirty to forty years, so by carefully only taking a little each day, so there is a constant supply. The castle stands over the only entrance. I''ve never seen it, but that is where most of what we use. Some of it comes from people who find it in some wilderness, or maybe they have a small private area where they harvest one-hundred years or more. Just three centimeters can bring over ten gold. It can take fifteen to thirty centimeters per potion depending on how strong a potion is."


    Sitting back in my chair, I take a moment to digest that information. "And no one knows what determines how fast it grows?"


    Jim frowns and nods, "Sadly, that is the problem." With a rueful smile, he adds, "But if anyone figures it out though¡­"


    "Wealth, unbelievable wealth."


    With a laugh, Jim agrees, "Indeed. Thus, my eternal frustration growing the blasted plant."


    Pondering Jim''s words, I must wonder if the difficulty everyone has with rituals is related to the growth of Dragon''s Tongue. The Collection Rune I found in that old book is the only reason I''ve been successful. That book is the only place I have found that rune, never once have I seen it in the library.


    After both of us sit there in silence for a time, I must ask, "Jim, does Dragon''s Tongue collect mana or create mana?"


    Shrugging Jim answers, "No one knows. Is there something in the ground where the successful growing plants grow, or is there more mana in that spot to collect? The answer is in constant debate as the question has never been answered satisfactorily."


    <hr>


    Thirtieth Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    After my conversation with Jim, I dove back into my research just to focus on something other than what I''d learned. By late that night, I had gone through all fourteen books that had been ready for me. I gleaned a few more bits of information on runes, but nothing significant on mana. Anyway, as I looked at it, rituals needed far more mana than anyone could quickly provide. Especially rituals that did substantial things. In the past, only a group of mages could complete slightly moderate rituals. More exceptional rituals required large numbers of mages to work together.


    It was only due to the Collection Rune that I had any success by myself. With it, any number of mages could add their mana to a ritual because the ritual would quickly grab any offering. If no mage offered mana, then the Collection Rune would reach out further and further to find it. My rituals had not failed due to mages not having enough mana as would be reasonable. I had not suffered any backlash when I did run out of mana as I should have. How did I miss the incredible importance of this rune?


    The answer was, it was in a book, and I had assumed it was known to others.


    Because of the lack of that one rune, no one was interested in pursuing runes or rituals. No one wanted to bother reading about them, researching them, nor getting the backlash from them.


    Expect for a foolish mage like me.


    It hit me then. The research approval board did not expect me to succeed at all. The school would get my money, and I would have nothing to show for it. I would not become a High Mage. The uppity mages would sit back and laugh at me. No, they were already laughing at me.


    What else had I foolishly missed? More importantly, what would I do now?


    Sitting at the instructor''s desk in the middle of an empty library extremely late at night, I was mad at myself, the school, and all the other mages. I needed to get out of the library for a while. On that thought, I packed up my things and left, leaving the fourteen library books on the main library desk. The librarians can put them away. To hell with the other students too.


    Getting back to my basement home, I was facing sleeping on the floor after not having gotten myself a bed. Or any other furniture for that matter. Hell, I still did not even know where to find furniture. Just salt in the wound at this point.


    I laid on the hard-stone floor, thinking for a long time before I was finally able to sleep.

 Chapter 5.1 No Surrender - New Plans

    <hr>


    Thirty-First Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    When I finally wake up, I''m stiff and sore from sleeping on a rock bed. Oops, silly me, no bed, just a rock-hard floor. I was not in a pleasant mood. And my sarcasm sucked.


    Tomorrow is to be my first day working as a teacher. Nothing at this moment required me to go back to school today. For which I was very thankful.


    Last night I had dozens of ideas on how to fix my situation, none of them good, most of them unbelievably bad.


    I could share the ''collection rune'' with everyone, but I''m not so sure that would help either. Someone else came up with it, and I do not steal and especially don''t want to face all the problems that would bring.


    If I give up becoming a High Mage now, I will have to wait until I turn sixteen and to do my years of service.


    Nor would I be allowed to research something else. Minor changes in High Mage research projects are allowed, as somethings just don''t go as planned, but no significant changes.


    With a growling stomach, I headed away from the school to buy breakfast in the city for the first time. Was I just too young to be attempting all of this? Instead of doing normal kid things, which the mage school barely allows, I had been hyper-focused on becoming a mage as fast as I could. Here I am, considered an adult after only twelve summers, instead of sixteen. Buying an entire estate and becoming a baron at twelve summers, who does that?


    While I was waiting for breakfast at a nearby inn, I began to wonder what I wanted to do next. What would I do after school? Magic, of course, but no longer here at the school. The library was open to graduates for a fee, so I did not have to work there either.


    Teaching was supposed to get me out of military service. Not that military service would be that bad for a year if I quit now.


    After a large breakfast, I finally asked about a furniture store. In no time, I had a bed, an armoire, table, chairs, ice chest, kitchen cabinet, stove, and three doors to be delivered and installed today.


    Returning to my place, I sat on the floor with no idea where to go next. Pulling all my runes and rituals notes out, I started slowly going through every single page, looking for something.


    Try as I might, my mind kept going back to the collection rune and what to do with it. How to build without it was the question I kept asking myself.


    A knock on the door told me that the furniture was here. Mr. Green had let them in through the back as I had asked. It did not take them long to place all the furniture, and the carpenter went to work installing the doors.


    Sure, it would have been smarter to have doors on hand than trying to build them with magic. Wait. What?


    All I wanted to do was to put a building together fast. Creating all the materials out of nothing was insane.


    Just bring everything to a site and have the ritual be the carpenter and workers putting the building together. And it would be fast, at least that is what I estimate would happen, it needs testing.


    As the carpenter was leaving, I asked him any extra lumber he might have on hand. Sure enough, he has some. I paid him two gold to have him pack it in for me and to leave me plenty of nails. For that amount, he was happy to do it.


    I moved the trunks to the bedroom and pushed the table and chairs against the wall. In the middle of the room, I had a pile of boards and a small bucket full of nails. Now, what could I build that would be small and be something the military would use. An outhouse came to mind, but that was just stupid. A catapult? No, not sure I have that much wood, though I could build it smaller. Working models? Those would work. I could carry those.


    And not having a full-sized catapult stuck in the middle of my basement home would be even better.


    Still, the issue of not using the collection rune must be solved. What is needed is a way to be able to add and store mana from any number of mages for a ritual without a mana backlash.


    Add some mana from a mage, then put everything on hold until another mage is available. A ritual ''suspension'' rune. Not the correct name for it, of course. I don''t want to give anyone hints about the ''collection'' rune that I''m saving for myself.


    Going through my rune notes like mad, I put together a new ''Mana Backlash Protection'' rune.


    Now to test it. A light rune with the protection rune? No! Protection rune first, then light.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Realizing I''ve gotten overly excited now, I make myself slow down and carefully review the new rune. Make some small corrections and done.


    Picking up a short piece of lumber, I quickly paint on the runes. With a small bit of mana, I begin feeding the ritual. After a moment, the suspension rune begins to feed the light rune. Light is shining from the rune, and I stop adding mana. As soon as the suspension rune drains a bit more, the light rune goes out. Both runes are holding mana. They just are not doing anything now. Slowly I add more mana again.


    "It works!"


    I leave it off while I search for the Basic Military Engineer book. I know I have one. Once found, I push all my mana into the ritual. The light comes back on and holds steady for a while, even after I''m out of mana because the light rune slowly uses it.


    I let the light ritual sit while I go through the engineering book after grabbing several sheets of paper. Using a copy spell to get the images correct, I soon have ballistae, catapults, shield walls, and scorpions copied.


    Adjusting each plan to one-tenth size takes little time. With the new Working Model plans in hand, I make ten copies of each and store the originals I made.


    Grabbing some lumber, I quickly use magic to create forty wooden coins, now to mark them.


    A quick check in the military books and I find the map symbols for each Working Model. I quickly burn those symbols into the wooden coins, ten of each model type. I finish by spreading out the forty copies of the plans I made in a large circle, and then I place the proper wooden coin onto each.


    Soon it the ritual is ready to produce forty wooden coin tokens using the plans and materials available.


    I''m excited about the possibilities if this works. Still, I review everything again and once more.


    Slowly I start adding mana to the ritual. I can see it collecting the needed mana, but it is not enough to do the entire job yet. For a moment, I stop my mana flow, and there is no backlash. The protection rune is working.


    I shout for the joy of it, "No backlash!"


    Sitting down beside the ritual, I push all my mana into it. Even though I have no mana left, the rune stopped the backlash. No, that''s not right. It seems I still have a fraction of mana in me. I must use all my mana nearly three more times before the rest of the ritual lights up. The protection rune just dumped all the stored mana into the ritual when it was enough.


    The best part, not a single moment of backlash! No mana headache!


    The ritual is quick to finish absorbing the materials and plans once it receives the mana. A moment later, the tokens all blaze to life for a moment, and then it''s done. There are now forty wood coin tokens that can create working models.


    I must test it out myself, picking up one of the catapult tokens, I toss it on the floor away from other things. There is a flash of light and the tortured sounds of all the materials coming together extremely fast. Then it''s done, a working catapult model is sitting on my floor! I put it on the table to check that it is all there. Thankfully, it seems to be in perfect working order!


    While my mana regenerates again, I grab a new book and begin creating all the instructions to create the working models. Then I explain every bit of the ritual process, how to prepare the ritual, how to include the gathered supplies, and finally how to place the plans and token.


    Then I explain the ''Mana Backlash Protection'' rune, how it works, how to draw it, and how to use it.


    Closing the book, I leave it on the table with the model catapult. Getting a small bag, I collect all the tokens and place them on the table too.


    There are some lumber and nail leftover. I''ll get rid of that mess later.


    I sit down and consider what to do next.


    I don''t want to go to school with this. It''s too important of an advantage for the military. Even I can figure out you just need to carry a pocket full of catapults to war, toss them down when needed, crazy awesome.


    I need to go directly to the military. There is a military liaison office at the school for students. They would know whom to talk too.


    But two things first, well three. First, I clean up and put on my best clothes and sash.


    Second, I create another ritual that builds a stone box into and under my floor. Once it is complete, all my research books go in. The only things I have left in my bag are the new ritual book and a bag of tokens. Another ritual restores the floor leaving no sign that anything is there.


    Third, I head up to the Emporium. In a short time, I have two signed confidentiality agreements that the Greens will not tell anyone about me building the walls in the basement with magic.


    With new confidential agreements, I head to the school to find Sienna. Thankfully, I see her in the library. I don''t want anyone to think anything is suspicious, so I calmly walk up to her table.


    "Hello, Student Green. How are you doing today?"


    She smiles at me, "Hello, Instructor Hartson. I''m doing very well. Is there something you needed?"


    Perfect. "Mind coming over to the desk for a minute. I believe I miscounted the books you collected for me."


    She gets up, saying, "Sure."


    Once we get to the desk, I quickly note a book received from her in the logbook.


    Speaking softly to her, "I''m sorry for the pretense, but do you remember discussing walls recently?"


    She nods a bit confused.


    "This is especially important, have you told anyone else?" I ask.


    "No. My dad mentioned keeping it quiet. What is going on?"


    "I need to be careful about who knows what I did. I wish I did not need to ask, but would you please sign a confidential agreement?"


    Sienna nods, and her smile returns, "Sure. I don''t mind."


    We both sign the document, and my copy quickly goes into my bag.


    Holding some coins as my Father would, I offer them to her. "Thank you, Sienna, and this is for the book and your trouble."


    Dropping several silver coins into her hand, I excuse myself. "Unfortunately, I''m in a hurry, Sienna. Maybe we can talk again sometime?"


    She blushes for some reason, but tells me, "Sure."


    Maybe I gave her too many coins? Oh, well.


    Waving bye, I say, "I''ll see you soon. Bye."


    Trying to avoid other instructors, I make my way to the liaison office as calmly as possible.

 Chapter 5.2 No Surrender - Offerings to the Kingdom

    <hr>


    Thirty-First Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    It is not too late in the afternoon when I finally reach the military office and ask to see the ranking official there. After a short wait, I get to speak with Major Tomalin.


    Major Tomalin is a tall older man that appears to be in excellent shape. He wears a military dress uniform here at the school and seems friendly enough now. "Hello, Sir Perrin. How can I help you today?"


    Making sure the door is closed, I nod. "Good afternoon, sir. I have something confidential to speak about, would you consider signing a confidentiality agreement just for what I want to discuss with you regarding the military?"


    Sitting back in his chair, he studies me a bit. "So long as it is nothing that will harm the Kingdom, then yes."


    After he signs the agreement and we both have a copy, I sit down. "Sir, with your permission, I would like to put a barrier around us before we speak further."


    With his nod, I cast the spell and maintain my mana feed to it.


    "Thank you, Major Tomalin. What do you know about magical rituals?"


    Shrugging, he claims, "Not much. People have tried using them before but without a lot of success."


    "That would be correct, Major Tomalin. What I want to share with the Kingdom''s military is the process of creating successful rituals." Handing the bag of tokens to him, I ask, "are you familiar with building these items of war?"


    He looks through them and nods at each. "I''m not an engineer myself, but I understand the concepts."


    Standing, I look beside his desk to ensure the floor is unobstructed. Major Tomalin looks as well, then at me.


    "Major, please take one of those tokens and through it on the floor there. It will make some noise and light for a moment."


    The Major only hesitates a moment before selecting one and tossing it down.


    After the noise and light flash is gone, there is a one-tenth sized catapult sitting there on the floor.


    "That major is the result of a ritual I have put together to build working models quickly. With tokens prepared ahead of time with the full-sized versions, do you think they would offer any advantage to the military?"


    Moving some things from his desk, the Major picked up the miniature catapult. He scrutinizes it, even going so far as to prepare it for firing for a moment. Sitting there, he stares at it for a time. "You can do this with the full-sized versions?"


    "Yes. All you would need are all the materials, a copy of the plans to build, one or more mages, a copy of the ritual, and the token to be enchanted. With it, you would create a token that can be carried to battle and constructed as needed in just a few moments."


    "If you wanted to go all out, you could use a plan for a fortress, so long as all the needed materials are there when the ritual begins, it would create a token. Toss the enchanted token down where you want the fortress, and you will have it. As a larger building, it might take a little longer to construct, regardless it would be constructed in a small fraction of the time compared to normal."


    Grinning, I ask. "Would this be worth something to the military, sir?"


    The Major looked at me like he was seeing a ghost or something for a time. Then he finally nodded. "You need to go to the castle."Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    "Yes, Sir, but I do not know whom to take this to. I have confidential agreements with everyone that knows even a little of what I''ve created, so it''s important to see the right person, I imagine."


    "Yes," was his reply, then he stood and handed me the bag of tokens and said to follow him. We went quickly to the stables where he had a carriage hooked up as soon as he could. With him driving, we left the school and headed for the castle.


    I followed him quietly from office to office within the castle, getting ever deeper into the building. Finally, we find ourselves in a large, very beautifully decorated room. It looked more like a sitting room than another office. I still did not say anything as we waited; neither did the Major.


    After a time standing there watching the low fire burning in the fireplace, someone entered the room. It was a much older gentleman in dress uniform with the rank of General.


    "Major Tomlin, it is good to see you again. How is your family?" The General asked with a smile.


    Major Tomlin smiled back, "Good evening, General. My family is doing very well, Sir. My oldest plans on entering into service next summer, Sir."


    After nodding to the Major, the General turned to me, "Sir Hartson Perrin, Barron of Perrin. A newly created barony just a few days ago after the purchase of a failed barony. Said barony is quickly being put into proper order due to your efforts and coin, which you did not barrow or seek from the Kingdom. Your plans to protect your barony have been noticed and highly regarded. Most new barons hardly know which side of a horse to get on, so your peers already are wondering how to deal with you."


    Hardly slowing, he started listing school maters. "You graduated recently with Honors due to impressive work on a spell. As we speak, your spell is undergoing field testing by the Army''s medical staff as a stretcher. So far, the reports filled ''Thanks'' and credited with saving many lives already. "


    Taking a breath, he continued, "At the Kingdom''s Mage College, you''re an Instructor due to ingenious research and planning."


    And on he went. "You''re seeking to become a High Mage in a field that all others have given up on as a worthy pursuit."


    Sitting down in one of the chairs, he added. "And this is only your twelfth summer."


    Then he asked, "Is that all correct, sir?"


    Swallowing hard and blushing, I nod, "Yes, that is correct, Sir."


    All I could think was how in the world does he know so much about me? And what did he mean about the other barons? The Kingdom uses my ''Floating Carriage'' spell to save lives? There it is, the confirmation that I chose the worst thing to research, rituals. I think my head is spinning.


    The General smiled at me. "Relax, young Sir. If why you''re here this evening is as important as the Major claims, the Kingdom will continue to hold you in high regard."


    I just stood there because he did not ask me a question.


    The General finally broke the silence. "Please be at ease and have a seat. It''s good you know how to show respect. That is always an essential thing, young Sir."


    Leaning forward, he asked. "So, you have something to show me? Please go ahead."


    "Yes, I do at that, sir." Just as I had explained to Major Tomalin, I explained to the General and handed him the bag of tokens. "You just need to pick one and throw it on the ground away from you. It will cause a flash and some noise."


    Picking out a token, the General does just as I instructed. A moment later, a small working model scorpion is sitting on the floor.


    I picked it up quickly and handed it to the General, saying, "This is a one-tenth sized working model of the Kingdom''s standard scorpion, Sir."


    The General scrutinizes it, even testing its tension.


    With a smile, he congratulates me, "Extremely well done, Sir Hartson."


    Looking past me, he says, "This is the Royal Mage Sir Hartson. Would you please show him this book you have created concerning this demonstration?"


    "Yes, of course, General." Taking the book from my bag, I hand it to an ancient man with a highly decorated mage sash. "It is missing light and sound suppression when activated, but everything else is in there, Sir."


    Merely taking the book and nodding to me, the Royal Mage takes a seat and begins to study the book. He slowly turns the pages as he is intently reviewing every word I have written. After what seems like the entire night has passed, he closes the book. "General, the work is very well done as expected. It allows one or many mages to prepare nearly any construction ahead of time. The materials still must be available, and the token materials need to scale to the power of the ritual. Otherwise, as Honored Mage Hartson has stated, it only needs two adjustments without further testing. The most amazing thing is that he has found a way to ensure the safety of mages using any ritual. For that alone, this is wonderful work. His application of it to military matters is very appropriate. And as Mage Hartson has worked to keep this very private, this is well worth a great deal regarding security for our Kingdom."

 Chapter 5.3 No Surrender - Wish List

    <hr>


    Thirty-First Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    I was trying extremely hard to remain calm after the Royal Mage''s kind words about my work. Inside though, I was jumping around and laughing like a fool.


    "Mage Hartson, how long have you been working on runes and rituals?" the Royal Mage asked.


    "Nearly three years, Sir."


    Nodding the Royal Mage seemed to speak to himself. "And your High Mage research is on this same topic."


    Before I responded, the Royal Mage addressed the General, "General, as of now I am granting Mage Hartson, Honored High Mage rank. Two ranks below my own, though I do expect him to become an Arch Mage someday. Considering his accomplishments here today, I suggest that his military service be complete, so there is no chance to lose the High Mage to some military blunder. Finally, to avoid more troubles at the school, he is now granted an Independent Instructor for Life certificate and may freely choose to accept students as he determines."


    The General laughed briefly. About the blunder comment? "Done."


    Turning to me, the General stated, "Well, High Mage Hartson, you are due some further compensation, I am sure. Do you have any ideas about what that might be?"


    I look at all three of them, stopping at Major Tomalin. "Sir, are they serious?"


    All three of them laugh and smile at me. It is the Royal Mage that speaks next, "High Mage Hartson, this ritual will provide the Kingdom a very great advantage on the field of battle. It is indeed worth a very great deal to the Kingdom."


    I closed my eyes to think for a few moments. A worthy request from the Kingdom? What more could the Kingdom possibly give me? Another title? I''m not ready for that, at least not yet.


    Taking a deep breath, I answered. "Thank you so much for what you have already granted me. I don''t need anything else today, but in the future, if I can find a place on the frontier and have the resources to do it, might I claim a Dukedom? If that is not too much to ask, Sir?"


    All three were silent for a time before the General answered, "Youngster, you ask for much, as many others have done before. But you asked in a manner that puts the burden on your shoulders to accomplish, not the Kingdom to do and give away, which is far nobler than most other requests I''ve heard. So, I will personally deliver your request to the King with those conditions, young Sir."


    "Thank you very much, General. And please tell the King ''Thank You'' for even considering my request."


    "Done." The General spoke. "Major Tomalin, please escort the young Baron home tonight. "High Mage Hartson, we will send your updated documents to you tomorrow morning." Stepping forward, the General offered his hand, which I shook with a painfully broad smile.


    I left the tokens and the book in their hands when we left.


    The Major finally got us out of the castle and stopped at a great restaurant. "Dinner is on me, Sir Hartson."


    We did enjoy a good dinner with the conversation about how far I thought the catapult in the Major''s office would be able to fire. He was going to get some standard small shot for it as he expected they would fire well. I was hoping he would be impressed.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    One thought bothered me on the way home. "Would I have to teach tomorrow? Do I even want to teach now that I have other options?"


    Major Tomalin did not know about the teaching issue either. I would have to wait until I received the paperwork in the morning to know more.


    Once back in my basement home, I cleaned up the place and put everything back in order. I was going to unpack more, but I am not sure I would be staying here much longer. I had a much more comfortable Manor to live in now.


    Putting those thoughts aside, I reopened the box and prepared a letter with the reduced sound and light ritual for the High Mage. I had it sealed and ready to give to whoever delivered the promised documents in the morning.


    With nothing else to do but wait, I went to bed for the night, on a real bed even. Again, I was thinking about things for a long time before I finally went to sleep.


    <hr>


    First Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    When I did wake, I discovered it was just before dawn. I went back to the inn for breakfast and only returned to the Emporium upon its opening. I had told the General that I would be there for the early part of the morning. Mr. Green was not about, but some of his staff were. With a wave to them, I began going through the books offered. This time I was looking for more subjects such as magical plants, potions, histories, and even some autobiographies about leadership. There were a few books on healing and one for midwives. I was stacking them on the floor without paying much attention.


    Someone spoke, "Sir Hartson?"


    Turning, I found myself looking at a pair of castle guards. "Good morning, Sirs. Yes, I am Baron Hartson Perrin, how may I help you?"


    "We are here with a delivery, Viscount Perrin." Stepping aside, another man stepped forward, offering a nearly half-meter long, varnished wooden box. In exchange, I handed him the letter for the Royal Mage.


    Accepting the box, I said, "Thank you, gentlemen."


    The guard that had spoken nodded to me, and they all left.


    "Viscount?"


    Turning, I saw that Mr. Green was behind me with an amused smile.


    "Um, possibly?"


    Mr. Green just laughed, saying, "I''ll set your books aside, and you can come to get them later, Sir."


    "Thank you, Mr. Green, I''ll be back soon." I walked confusedly to my basement home and sat the box on the table beside the catapult. For a time, I just looked at it. Should I open it? It''s not something horrible. If it were terrible, they would have arrested me, not given me this.


    Finally, I open the box carefully. On top is a new sash of a darker purple that denotes a High Mage. On the outer edges, there is a broad golden border marking me an Honored High Mage, which I still can''t believe. Next, inward from both sides, there is a wider than standard instructor bands of white. Again, their borders have a gold trim with a pattern of leaves. They must denote the Independent Instructor rank. The sash shows my heraldry, but now it is framed by the Kingdom''s border in silver. So, the ''Viscount'' title is a thing. I go ahead and change to the new sash feeling incredible to have earned so much.


    Next in the box are several official documents. Honored High Mage and Independent Instructor certificates are on top. Both are awarded and signed by the Royal Mage, which just about makes me burst with happiness.


    A Decree from Count Ward grants me the title, Viscount of Westcroft, which contains three Baronies, one of which is my Perrin Barony. A letter from the Count invites me to see him in ten days for dinner at his mansion here in the capital.


    From the General, there is an appointment to the rank of Major in the Kingdom''s army. Looking at my sash again, I do see that military rank. It''s not part of the Kingdom''s border as I initially thought, just placed below it. Rather obvious now that I think about it.


    Then there is a deed to the Viscount of Westcroft Manson here in the capital. Included is a map of the city with the location marked.


    A copy of a letter from the Royal Mage to the College is in the box. It informs them of my changes in noble and military rank. And that my teaching and service obligations have been satisfied in full. I do notice that the letter does not explain why this has happened.


    Lastly, there is a Confidential Proclamation from the King. It details that I will be awarded a Dukedom upon establishing a new frontier area that satisfies a long list of requirements.


    It takes me a good hour just to process all of this. Knowing I dare not turn down the rank of Viscount, I accept that I will be far too busy to work at the school even if I still wanted to do so. Let alone the impact all of this will have on my magical research time.

 Chapter 6.1, 6.2 A New Life - Restart, Leaving the School

    <hr>


    First Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    After reviewing all the documents a few times, I finally put them away and placed the box in the middle of my table.


    I had missed a page in the General''s letter the first time through. It was an introduction to the Royal Bank and relayed that I would receive monthly stipends for both my rank as a Major in the Kingdom''s Army and as an Honored High Mage of the Kingdom in addition to some other funds.


    The army stipend was only twenty-five gold a month, as I was not active. It was the mage stipend that left me in shock. Five-hundred gold a month plus another one-hundred gold for being an Honored ranked.


    It also informed me that one-tenth of all instructor fees collected would be going to the mage college. Any worries about my barony costs were gone, though now I''m sure there were more significant problems. Why do I think I just gained far less than I thought?


    After putting my just cleaned and repaired, needed or not, dress clothes on again, I placed the letter to the bank into my bag. My crappy school bag. First stop, the Emporium.


    It was nearly three hours later when I returned to the Emporium. Mr. Green must have been watching for me, for as soon as I stepped in, he was motioning me over to the counter with the books I had selected earlier. At least I think so. I don''t remember selecting so many.


    "Viscount Hartson?" Mr. Green both greeted and asked me at the same time.


    "Yes, that is correct, Sir. Also, I''m now a Major in the army, but more importantly, an Honored High Mage and an Independent Instructor. It all still seems impossible."


    Mr. Green''s eyebrows had risen at my response. Then he just shook his head in amazement. "That is quite a rise in rank, Sir. Do I take it that this is the result of our private conversations recently?"


    "That would be a wise conclusion, but we must leave it at that, please."


    Returning to a serious expression, Mr. Green nodded, saying, "Yes, that is not a problem, Sir."


    Holding up my old school bag, "Do you have something, that is, just much better?"


    Mr. Green laughed, "Yes, I certainly do." Waving me over to another counter, he shows me pouches, satchels, bags, and packs. Each one is more costly than the last. It''s not long before I pick out a satchel with a sizable carrying capacity. I can hide its strap under my sash and have access to it with my left hand.


    With it, I transfer everything from my old school bag. Placing all the new books into it is impressive. That is when Mr. Green gives me a small cloth pouch saying, "Take a look."


    In it is a ring that, at first glance, is oddly shaped. It is a pair of rings that link together, so they appear as one. There is only an empty circle at the top where a gem might go. I can feel magic in it, but I do not recognize it at all.


    "Okay, what is this?"


    With a grin, Mr. Green asks me for my Life ring.


    Handing it over, he takes the three rings and somehow fits them all together with a small snap. The two new pieces now wrap around the older, now center ring. It now looks as if the band is now wider while holding the same black stone.


    "Is this the second ring I was asking about?"


    Mr. Green nods. "I had a chance to speak with the mage that made your other ring. Not only could he make you a second, but he could also improve it further. As we discussed before, the second ring will allow you to sleep for two hours and eat one meal every four days. It''s the third part that is much more. If you always feed a little of your mana to the ring, you will only need two hours of sleep and one meal every ten days. Though you may sleep or eat more if you wish."


    "Wow!" I try to curb my excitement, "Um, how much?"


    Grinning Mr. Green says, "Normally two-thousand-five-hundred for each piece, but today is worth celebrating, so only two-thousand for each. For the two new parts, only four-thousand gold."


    Money is getting tight, but I can''t refuse. I take them both to complete the set very happily.


    "Thank you, Mr. Green, I do appreciate your effort."


    <hr>


    First Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    Returning to my basement home briefly, I added the case of documents to my new satchel. Then I emptied all the books still in the trunks into it as well. Leaving the hidden rune and ritual notes and the rune book under the floor, I made my way back to the school library.


    As I approached the gates, the guards saluted, causing me to stop abruptly. "Please excuse my ignorance, but why are you saluting me?"


    The guards grinned, and one spoke up. "For two reasons, Sir. First, your rank is Major, requiring a salute as you have a greater military rank. Second, you have become known to us due to your spell, helping the wounded. Thus, you have earned our thanks and respect, Sir."


    What does it mean that the guards offer me respect because of a spell? I feel proud, but I need to give them back the respect they offer me. Noticing I''ve blanked out for a moment, I quickly try to copy their salutes. "Thank you, gentlemen, I''m delighted to help in such a way."This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Before I leave them, I ask a question. "Sergeant, do you have a moment to teach me how to salute correctly?"


    The sergeant was happy to help me, and we stepped away from the gate, in ten minutes, he had me properly saluting. After thanking him again, I headed to the library.


    The guards were not the only ones taking notice. Several students had to take a second look at my sash and seemed to be confused by its new markings. None stopped to ask me about it as we both had somewhere to go. I just nodded to those that met my eye.


    Stopping at the main desk to ask for Head Librarian Moss, I looked around at the many new faces.


    With a genuine smile, Moss greeted me. "Good morning to our newest Honored High Mage and Independent Instructor, how can I help you today, Sir?"


    I''ll get used to hearing those titles someday, I hope. "Thank you, Head Librarian Moss. I''ve never investigated it before, but is it possible to get copies of the library books?"


    Nodding, "Yes, certainly. We have to charge the same prices as buying each book to avoid profiteering by those who would sell the copies made here."


    "Excellent, I will not be around as often with my new duties, so I will update my requests on the Student Aid Board to take the books to the main desk for copying. Would you be able to send them to me, say once a week?"


    Moss quickly agrees. I give him a book listing all the books I have, save one, and fifty gold to get things started. He is to send the copies to my new Viscount of Westcroft Manson here in the city.


    I make my way over to the Student Aid Board and nod to another instructor sitting at the desk, but he seems more asleep than not. I take down my old postings and write out a new request with a smile. After updating the logbook, I drop a handful of coppers into the jar and head out.


    Just as I leave the library, I hear my name from a familiar voice.


    Sienna does not have her usual smile, "Instructor Hartson, is it true you''re no longer going to teach here?"


    "Yes." Why am I unhappy to see her frown?


    Now she is staring at me. "Was there something you were needing?"


    Suddenly she is back to speaking too fast. "I wanted to take your runes and rituals classes. I mean, we, mostly students you''ve been helping in the library. Everyone likes learning things from you. We signed up for your class as an optional course. Now they canceled it."


    "Oh. I''m sorry about that. I didn''t know that was an option, probably missed hearing about it yesterday. Maybe I''ll be able to after I get some things sorted out. If you''re still interested?"


    With a smile, she asked, "Really?"


    "Yes, I could still teach you. I just don''t know when right now. Maybe on seven-days? If you still wanted to."


    "What about the next one?" She asked, hopefully.


    "Maybe. I have to leave the city soon." Embarrassed, I quietly added, "I''ve got to figure out three baronies and my viscount lands."


    Sienna brightened, "I''ve never been out of the city. Maybe you could take me to see them?"


    "Um, sure. Yes, I could do that if your schedule allows." Why did I just say that? "The coach ride is nearly four hours, so I could teach you about the runes and rituals if you like."


    "Great, let me know when you''re going." She said, blushing again, then looking away. "I''ve got to get back to class. Bye." And with that, she hurried away.


    Why did she leave so fast? Never mind, I''ve got other things to do.


    Now, how did Jim say to find his nursery? When I finally found it hidden away behind other buildings, it was nearly opposite from the library across the campus. Once the large glass structure came into sight, there was no mistaking it.


    Opening the door was surprising due to the rush of humidity and warmth that pushed outward into me.


    Behind me, the heavy door swung shut with a bang, but I barely noticed. The glass building was overflowing with green plants of every kind it seemed. Some were pushing against the glass ceiling even. There was a path wondering into the greenery, but no one was in sight.


    "Jim!" I called out loudly. No one answered, so I followed the path further into the sea of green.


    Calling for him several times, he finally answered, "Over here!"


    Following the sound of his voice past some tall thin plant numbering in the thousands, I found him scooping handfuls of moist dirt into a bed before mixing it in. Then I got a whiff of the wet soil, horse dung.


    I silently told myself to remember not to shake his hand right now.


    "Ah, Hartson. How are you today?" He asked after only a glance at me and went back to work.


    "I''m doing well, Jim. Yourself?" It looked like he is about to complete this plant bed, which measured one meter wide and seemed to be ten meters long.


    "Good. Be right with you once I finish this bed off. Then I just let it sit for a few days, turn it again, and it might be ready for planting."


    I continued to watch, "What will you plant there then?"


    Jim sounded quite happy when he answered. "Carrots. I love carrots, eat them by the armload. Don''t you? Want some?"


    "No, no, thank you," I answered, hoping not to upset him.


    He laughed a bit then, before standing, "Just pulling your leg Hartson."


    "Good to hear, I thought maybe you''d start turning orange."


    Jim muttered something, and all the dirt fell away from him, leaving him spotless.


    After a moment, Jim asked, "So Hartson, what can I do for you today?"


    "I wanted to buy a few Dragon Fern sprouts if that would be okay? I want to study them some myself."


    He shook his head, "No need to buy the blasted things, we have hundreds sprouting here all the time. I must send batches to the castle every week. They are easily damaged, so if those metal headed guards are lucky, they might get half of them to take when they replant them. I''m fairly certain they just shove the things into any place they can squeeze them into and walk away."


    "Seems kind of wasteful, though, don''t you think?"


    Jim starts to walk away, "Follow me." Then he responds, "Yes, it''s a bit wasteful. The Kingdom supports the school, and we could not do it without them. So, we give them all the spouts they could want."


    Another section of twenty beds is where Jim leads me. "Here, this bunch will be off next. How are you going to carry them?"


    I open the flap to my satchel, "In here."


    Jim pondered a moment, "Is that one of those magical ones?"


    Somewhat surprised, I answer, "Yes. Is that a problem?"


    Nodding, he tells me, "Won''t work. They die in there if you just put them in." Looking around, he spots something and goes to get it.


    Jim came back with an oddly wide jar that looks more like a bowl with a glass lid. Setting it down near the plants, he started to dig out sprouts with his hands. With a handful of dirt and all, Jim set them in the bottom of the jar. Once it was full, put the glass lid on.


    "The way to beat those bags is you have to cheat a little." With that, he began casting a mending spell causing the glass lid and jar to become a solid piece. "There you go, now it''s airtight, and those sprouts will last a week at least in there. Hells, they might just live on forever inside there knowing them."


    With that, he cast another cleaning spell and handed me the spotless on the outside, glass container?


    I carefully put it into the dimensional space without any problems. "Thank you, Jim, that is very considerate of you."


    He grins at me, "Now, if you should happen to find a faster way to grow those, just remember Jim here got you started."


    I laughed, "Thanks, Jim. We''ll see what happens."


    We talked a bit more as we left the nursery. Then we used the cleaning and repair spells, taking away all the humidity and grime.


    I took the nearest exit off the campus. Walking around the school for a bit, I eventually turned down another street to the clothier.


    They greeted me properly when I went in and told them that I needed more outfits and listed off what I needed. A dress military uniform with the rank of major, and attire suitable for a viscount, but conservative. I told them that I am trying not to attract notice.


    They quickly got to work, and soon more gold coins were gone.

 Chapter 6.3 A New Life - Royal Bank

    <hr>


    First Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    The bank was a large marble building that demonstrated how much money the bank had, hoping that would impress. It works, but not really to my taste.


    As I walked in, a young woman spotted me and walked over. She smiled and greeted me. "Good afternoon, Viscount. How may we assist you today?"


    With a smile, I returned her greeting, "Hello. I have a letter of introduction from the Royal Mage for one Edelman Crane. Do you know where I might find him?"


    She stood a little straighter, "Yes, Sir. Please follow me." Leading me up a full flight of stairs, she took me to an office with large double doors leading to a larger office, I''m sure.


    "Karissa," the young woman said to a much older, professional woman, "the Viscount has a letter of introduction from the Royal Mage for Mage Crane."


    Karissa thanked the young woman and turned to me standing. "The letter, please, Viscount."


    I grinned and handed it to her politely. Karissa then slipped into the doubled door office, closing the door behind her.


    A few minutes later, she reappeared and held one door open widely. "Mage Crane will see you now, Viscount."


    Saying "Thank you, Karissa," as I walked past her, I entered the office.


    Mage Crane was an older man with black hair and a goatee. He came around from behind his desk to greet me with a handshake. "It is a pleasure to meet an Honored High Mage, Sir Perrin."


    I smiled and shook his proffered hand, even though mine was smaller and awkward. "Thank you, Mage Crane. I do hope I''m not disturbing you. I can come back later if you''d prefer."


    "Nonsense now is fine, Sir." With that, he motioned me to take a seat in a comfortable chair facing a fireplace.


    "Great. I do appreciate all that the Royal Mage and you are doing for me." I sat in the proffered seat. I was curious to see what was going to happen next.


    "Our pleasure, Sir. Would you care for some wine?" He asked.


    "No, thank you. I''d take some water if you have it available."


    Bringing me a glass of water, he sat down with his own. "So how can I help you today, Sir?"


    "I am new to many things, Sir. The honors that were recently given to me come with several new responsibilities that I was not expecting. So, saying, I need some advice about what accounts I might need and how to use them, if you don''t mind, Sir."


    He smiled at me. "If only others would start as accepting as you, our lives would be much more comfortable."


    He paused for just a moment and began to count off his fingers. "You will need at least two accounts. The first account is for your private funds, and the second is for the management of your lands and taxes collected. Many open a third account to set aside taxes and other fees to be paid. A possible fourth account is a campaign account for your soldiers'' pay and upkeep. Some use this account when receiving pay for battle spoils as well. Finally, you may need one or more business accounts for any business you would prefer to keep dealings separate."


    The banker waited why I thought about those suggestions before asking. "How are the funds tracked?"


    "We use a set of magically linked ledgers. We keep one, and you keep the other, some even have a third copy for a business manager or the like. Writing something is one is visible in the other."


    "How do you know when I want something done then?"


    Nodding, the banker explains. "When you record transfers of funds between different sets of ledgers, it happens automatically."


    He continued, "When you make payments to someone that also banks here, the bank will take care of it. You simply write in your instructions on a few lines, enter the amount, and sign the note. When that happens, our copy of the ledger will gain a soft glow until it acknowledged. Payments to you follow in the same manner."The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    "Further, magical slips work the same as those from the college. Only transfers of hard currency would require a trip to our bank."


    "That will work well. Tell me, what are the fees? What would it cost me to store a large amount of gold here?"


    Mage Crane chuckles, "If you have a large amount of gold here, we charge nothing. We may even issue you payments for storing lager amounts here as we use it to make wise loans."


    "Thank you for explaining things to me. Is there anything else I should be aware of?"


    "Yes. General Angelo has already had your campaign account set up some time ago. He has been making regular deposits with what the General terms as a ''Floating Carriages'' fee. I''m quite curious as to what this ''Floating Carriages'' is and why you''re receiving those ''fees'' as he calls them."


    I laugh a little. "Yes, Sir. I can explain that. For my Finals Spell, I created a spell with that name. I intended people to transport luggage and other things with it. I used to carry four large trunks behind me when I moved to my new residence. The trunks floated along behind me at waist height. Unbeknown to me, the military uses it to transport wounded soldiers quickly. It has been quite successful from what the General and others have told me."


    He looked concerned, "I''ve never heard of such a thing. To my knowledge, the military does not pay fees for any spells. Why this one?"


    Nodding, "I wondered the same. It was not official at first. The soldiers themselves were taking up collections for me. Unasked for, I assure you. These collections caused a bit of an issue until the General leaned why. He then made it officially paid by the Kingdom so the soldiers could keep their pay. The military pays when the spell helps someone."


    In wonder, the mage asks, "Is this how you earned your High Mage rank then?"


    "No, Sir, that was for another project that I am not allowed to speak about, my apologies."


    Mage Crane shakes his head, "Not needed. I''m not one to question the Royal Mage and highest-ranked General in this Kingdom. I''m happy to hear it was for real contributions. I commend you for your work. Thank you."


    Quietly I say, "Your welcome."


    Mage Crane laughs again. "One moment, please, Sir."


    Going to the doors, he asks for my ledgers.


    Turning back to me, he offers me a stack of ledgers saying, "The ledgers here are just as I spoke of earlier, at no fee."


    Taking them, I simply put them into my satchel for now.


    Mage Crane grins, "Now, did you have any special instructions for us?"


    "Yes, please direct the military stipend and spell pay to the campaign account. The mage stipend should go into my noble account. Please automatically transfer the taxes owed for those incomes to the taxpaying account."


    "May I transfer my funds at the college to my private account?"


    Mage Crane returned to his desk and is writing notes as I speak. "Take a college slip and instead of an amount, write in "Transfer all remaining funds and sign it. Oh, and if you have any other collage slips, I can refund the cost of those as well. Anything else?"


    I follow him back to the desk and sit down in front of it while talking.


    "Yes. Please send a third copy of the business ledger to Head Librarian Moss at the College Library with a note to record all books copied for me into it. I''ve given Moss fifty gold already, so please make a note of that in there as well. I''ll need to transfer another two-hundred gold from my personal account to my, let''s call it ''College Library'' account."


    I waited until Mage Crane finished his notes before asking another question. "One more thing, is it possible to set up each barony with a ledger copy that requires my approval for each of the barons when spending my money?"


    Mage Crane nodded again. "Yes, we can do that as well."


    "Good, I''d like to set up three more accounts then, one for each barony with three ledgers each."


    I waited until he finished writing another note. "Next question, where can I find a good accountant to hire to help me with all of these books? I''ll need a new ledger for each account for that person as well. And do please charge me."


    He added more notes before he answered me. "I''m intrigued, why go to all this effort? Very few would even attempt it."


    "Easy answer? I''m a mage that pushes for every gram of efficiency in spells that I can find and will do the same with the funds entrusted to me. The hard answer is, I''m the new Viscount of lands that I must straighten out after they have suffered for some time."


    Sitting back in his chair, Mage Crane thinks on that for a moment. "Ah, yes, I am somewhat familiar with those lands. I do wish you the best of luck. It''s going to take some time to get them earning gold as they should. If you should need a loan, please come see me about it."


    Steepling his fingers, Mage Crane continues. "As for a good accountant and secretary, I would recommend my granddaughter Cari. You met her when you entered the building, and she brought you up here. Bank policy prevents her from working here as a family member. I''ve pushed that rule a bit by having her help with nobles that come in. But this does not let her do any accounting. She is looking for a good job, and she is capable, but many job offers have had strings attached that she wishes to avoid. You don''t strike me as such a man."


    It takes me a moment to understand what offers she may have gotten, which would be unacceptable to her.


    "No, Sir, that is not how my father raised me. I will speak with her on my way out. Thank you for your help today."


    "Your welcome Viscount. I will enjoy watching your progress in the future."


    On my way out, I did stop to speak with Cari. We settled on a salary for the position here at the manor in the city. While she went to tell her grandfather, I flagged down a coach for us.

 Author Note for Chapter 9+

    Written May 15, 2020


    Hello Everyone.


    Thank you all for your support and input. It''s given me lots to think about and further ideas.


    I had reached the end of Chapter 8 a couple of weeks ago, and I''ve been chewing on everyone''s comments and advice.


    I see a few things I want to change, namely Hartson''s age. I had picked ten years for the schooling out of the blue, not thinking then how someone younger than sixteen years old would impact the story.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    A few readers have advised me to continue writing and not to go back to do a full edit just yet. And MarkM had some excellent suggestions in his review on 4/30/20, as well.


    So please note that I''ll be making changes to Chapter 9 and forward:


    1. Primarily the mage school will now last for fifteen years, no longer ten. Thus the mage school will usually begin during the student''s sixth Summer go to their twenty-first Summer.


    2. Hartson will still graduate two Summers early after his two Summers early start. Instead of graduating during his twelfth Summer, it will be his seventeenth Summer. With his birthday being in July, this means that he will be 18 years old when he is to begin teaching. And Sienna will be 17 years old at that point.


    Thank you for your support and understanding.


    And as always, enjoy!


    Brian

 Chapter 6.4 A New Life - Viscounts Mansion

    <hr>


    First Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    When the carriage dropped Cari and me off at the Westcroft Mansion, we were both taken aback. The yard was overgrown, the Mansion still stood and was not half burnt down. It showed it''s age though, needing paint and repairs.


    As we stood there, just taking it in silently, a City Guard greeted us. "Hello. Do you have business here?"


    I turned to face the guard. "Yes. I''m the new Viscount of Westcroft, and unfortunately," I wave to the run-down mansion, "this is mine."


    The guard kept a straight face at my words and saluted me, which I promptly returned. "Yes, Sir. We have been keeping an eye on the place for a few years. It will be nice to see it put back in order, Sir."


    "Thank you. It may take a day or two before I can get my guards set up here. I would please ask the City Guard to continue your vigilance. It is appreciated."


    "Yes, Sir. We''ll do that, Sir." He gave me another salute and continued his patrol.


    Turning back to the coachman, I paid him well and asked him to return in one hour.


    "Well, Cari, let''s go see what is inside." So saying, we walked to the front door, which was not locked. It appeared broken. Pushing open the door, we found an empty mansion. The whole place was nothing but bare walls and dusty floors. We discussed what some of the rooms would be for and some furniture that would be needed.


    We only waited a few minutes when the coachman returned. Then we dropped Cari off to hire carpenters, maids, and cooks while I went on to the Warrior''s Guild.


    The Westcroft mansion grounds included a stable and coach barn, which also needed lots of repairs. Thinking about it, I decided to have the stable torn down before building another barracks and stables like those planned at the Barony of Perrin. Each would house twenty men and twenty horses. Most likely, I would be doing the same at the other baronies.


    At the Warrior''s Guild, my first request was for an experienced stablemaster and two experienced Knights. The three of us went to have lunch together and discuss what was needed. By the end of lunch, my new stablemaster, Winfield Hancock, would be shopping for horses, tack and other needed equipment, a wagon with two draft horses, and a coach with two draft horses for the mansion. The Knights accepted my squad organization with four soldiers to every esquire or knight.


    The two Knights would hire a weapons master and quartermaster. They already knew the weapons master they wanted and would find the other. They would also pick up more esquires and soldiers. I had heard from Milbrey that the Knights there had only recruited one esquire and six soldiers, so they Knights here would be filling those empty spots too.


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.Then I told them to push the numbers to eighty total. Sixty for the barony and twenty for the mansion.


    They all would try to get everyone organized and ready to leave for the viscounty in two days. I would leave a junior knight, esquire, and eight soldiers at the mansion. The rest would be going to settle the bandit issues and tour the rest of the viscounty.


    Grabbing a coach back to the mansion, I began some other work there.


    The mansion had a round wooden tower on one corner. It was four floors high while the rest was only three stories high. The top of the tower is a study with tall rounded bookshelves built into the walls with a rolling ladder. I claimed it for myself.


    Cari was already proving to be a great hire. On my way into the mansion, I went through a front door with a working lock. Maids are cleaning rooms, where the carpenters were not making essential repairs. Some furniture is coming in as well, a table, chairs, and bedroom fixtures for the new staff.


    When I reached the tower study, I found it repaired and cleaned. New heavy curtains, a desk, and a comfortable chair were waiting for me. The first order of business, unload all of my books.


    What attracted me to this room was the access door to the attic. I was small and under the pointed roof on top of the tower, barely a storage space. For me, it was going to be a testing site. I had picked up a small marble cutting board for potion work to use here.


    After closing the drapes, I sat at my desk and laid out a new collection rune onto the marble with a bit of ink. Once I was sure it was perfect, I very slowly began carving into the marble surface with my magic. It took over an hour, but I had the carving just as it needed to be. Next, I took a small pouch of very light blue sapphires thinking that if this works, the expense will be worth it as sapphire often used with air magic. Focusing my magic again, one by one, I crush the gems into a fine powder. With the fine powder, I fill the carved lines until they are packed full.


    Very carefully, I applied a cleaning spell to the top of the marble. Pushing it aside for a moment, I pull the glass jar of Dragon''s Tounge sprouts out of my bag. After setting it on the desk, I proceed to cut the lid off and widen the opening even.


    Switching back to the carved marble, I slowly soften the glass lid and pour a thin layer of glass over the entire surface, stopping it just short of touching the desk.


    While the glass cools, I place the glass bowl of sprouts into the attic and push them to one side. Carefully I repeat the process with the cooled marble rune.


    Climbing into the attic, I proceed to remove several of the floorboards in the center of the floor. Once the cavity between this floor and the ceiling below is open enough, I carefully put the marble rune inside. Once it''s in place, I slowly add mana to the rune bringing it to life. The blue sapphire dust begins to glow brighter. Stopping my mana flow, I watch as it continues to remain active. "Perfect."


    With great care, I replace the floorboards and repair any damage I did before cleaning the attic of any evidence the floor has been disturbed.


    Pushing the sprouts across the floor to where the rune is hidden, I slowly relax. Putting my hand into the air above the little sprouts, I feel the mana slowly collecting. The new rune is pulling mana from the air in a narrow cone that extends above the clouds, drawing from an ever-larger area as it goes upward. But this rune does not store mana. It maintains it''s own function and pulls mana down, only to push it back up into the air.


    The mana will pass through the Dragon''s Tounge in a constant swirl. If this works, it nearly proves that the plant is only collecting mana. At that point, I can test the opposite by starving the plants of mana.


    My theory is that this will work, leaving me wondering where mana comes from or how to make it. That I fear is the real mystery.

 Chapter 6.5 A New Life - Forward March

    Second Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    Without needing to sleep and eat just yet, I was able to study all the new books I picked up while waiting to leave for the viscounty. Taking many notes as I learned new things.


    I did check on Cari and the knights. Everything was coming together. The soldiers were taking down the old stables today with a lot of banging things and shouting good-naturedly at each other. I told Cari to lay in a good dinner for all of them with a small keg of beer. I did not want them unable to travel tomorrow.


    Cari sent my letter to Sienna for me. I included a note excusing her from school to visit her parents tonight and to leave the school for other training temporary. I told her that she should be here at the mansion at sunrise tomorrow if she had permission from her parents.


    All-day long, I forced myself to ignore the attic muttering, ''just give it time'' to myself.


    The bank ledgers had intrigued me a great deal. If I had copies of my notebooks stored somewhere, I would always have another copy if something happened to the original. That many books were the only downfall of the idea.


    What I want is a bag of holding inside a book so that it would have a nearly unlimited number of pages. I could just copy every book, tome, or grimoire, I want into the ''Endless Book.'' Then I''d always have access to anything in my portable library.


    But no, that is not the best idea. I do not like to copy or make notes of things that are speculation. I only want the information of fact or valid theories in my Endless Book. I''d need to be able to update it, move pages, insert, and remove pages.


    With the proper ritual, I could combine an enormous bag filled with thousands and thousands of perfectly cut high-quality blank sheets of paper with a pair of ledger type books. Add a copy of how to organize a library accurately to the ritual, and perhaps the Endless Book would do that work for me too? Speaking of ledgers, I wonder if I could use the Endless Book to absorb all my copies of ledgers and still work as the bank intended.


    Or just copy nearby books? Now that would be a feat. Walk into the College Library and just copy hundreds of thousands of books. I get a chill thinking about how wonderful that would be.


    An extremely complicated ritual like this would need a massive amount of mana to make it work and a lot of costly items. What kind of book can become an Endless Book? A tome made from dragon skin or some such?


    Such a book would also need protections of all kinds so that it is not easily lost. Water, fire, bugs, maybe even attacks from weapons and magic? Never able to leave me?


    Deciding to dedicate one of my new books to this project, I record all these thoughts and questions that will need answers in time.


    Hearing the soldiers singing loudly, I go to look and see that they have a large bonfire going and are enjoying the meal and beer Cari has put together for them. The old stables are entirely down, and it''s early enough that the men will recover in time. Getting started at daylight should be possible.


    I wonder if Sienna will be able to go. Speaking of which, I need to create a primer of runes and rituals for her. Returning to my study to get started on the introduction, I lock myself in for the night to get the primer done.


    <hr>


    Third-Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    By morning I have completed the primer for Sienna and even made a copy for myself.


    It''s before dawn yet, and I can hear the soldiers getting ready to go. Taking a moment, I climb the ladder climb into the attic again. "Yes!"


    The Dragon''s Tongue near the center of the bowl has grown the most, being around six centimeters tall. The sprouts on the edges of the jar look to have only jumped one more centimeter in height. Those sprouts closer to the rune have received more mana. Then I realize why. The rune is just beneath the center of the jar, and the cone surface there is not significant. I need a stand to raise them higher into the funnel of mana.


    I quickly go down to where the carpenters were working and take a few boards. Cobbling them together quickly, I make a half-meter tall stand and take it to the attic. Hopefully, it will not break apart. More of them should be affected by the rune by placing the plants upon the short stool where they will get more mana.


    By the time I get back, there should be a small crop to harvest. Might I even move the rune to the floor of the study to have a larger growing area? Or somehow diffuse the mana throughout the attic?


    Locking up my tower study, I head down to the main level to check on everyone''s progress.


    I get a report from one of the knights that they are just about ready when Cari brings Sienna to the back of the mansion.


    I''m happy to see her, "Good morning Sienna."


    "Hello." Eyes wide at the number of men getting ready to go, she asks. "Wow, what is going on back here?"


    "Sienna, this is Knight Mayer. He oversees security here at the mansion and will be protecting us on our trip to the Barony of Perrin. These men will take up station there provide its safety for the barony."You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    "Knight Mayer, may I present Student Mage Sienna Green. Daughter of the owners of the Magic Emporium and my student during this trip."


    The knight bowed his head to her. "It is an honor to be your protection on this journey Mage Sienna."


    Sienna grinned. "Thanks!"


    A soldier approached, "Sir, everything is ready."


    "Sienna, let''s get in the carriage before they leave without us," I say with a grin and lead the way.


    The riders mount up as we climb into the carriage. Mayer and the rest of his squad take the lead before my carriage.


    Sienna and I are the only passengers in the carriage, and everything we need is the magical bags we have, so there is no luggage. The stablemaster is driving my ''city carriage'' from the mansion.


    Following us is a large wagon. It''s full of supplies and gear under an enormous tarp. Driving the supply wagon are the Weapons Master and Quartermaster.


    Behind them are another fifty-four mounted riders that will fill out the complement at my barony. They include two more knights and five more esquires.


    This time though the city, we move quickly in the early morning hours. And with a large force, it seems to make people not want to be in the way this time.


    Displaying my coat of arms on sixty-four heater shields, the sides of the carriage, and wagon, I imagine we are an impressive sight. At least a tiny bit.


    Sienna and I talk about the school, students, instructors, and the library for a time. But once we get outside of the city, there is far less noise.


    "Sienna, I have written a ''Runes and Rituals Primer'' for you. It''s your copy, but I would prefer it not be shared right now. It represents nearly three years of my research, except for a few advanced concepts that I did not include. I want to take the field further before its release to others. I hope you understand."


    She took the book from me with a huge grin and was hugging it as she listened to me. She nodded, "I will keep it safe, Instructor Hartson. I promise."


    Smiling back at her reaction, I must stay professional. "Thank you. Why don''t you start reading and let me know when you have any questions or just want to discuss some point."


    With that, she started studying the book intently. While she was doing that, I began to work out how I could flood the entire attic with mana so there would be consistent growth. Sienna stopped to ask questions several times. When she did, I took out my copy of the book and noted what explanations needed updates as we discussed it. As we both focused on these things, we lost track of time. The carriage came to a stop as we were talking about the importance of specific shapes needed in runes.


    The door opened with Knight Mayer grinning at us. "We have reached your mansion in the Barony of Perrin, Sir."


    "Wonderful, that was a quick trip."


    We both put our books away, and Mayer helped Sienna down. When I followed Sienna, I was happy to see a construction crew working on the mansion. It looked like they would have the new roof on soon.


    "Thank you, Mayer, please have your men break for lunch and rest the horses. Then meet me in the dining room after lunch." I return Mayer''s salute before he leaves.


    Turning to Knight Bradley, we trade salutes. "Please take charge of your six squads Knight Commander Bradley and after lunch, bring all of the knights to the dining room. And we''ll discuss the status of things around here to decide what to do next."


    Knight Commander Bradley looks delighted with his promotion. "Thank you, Sir. I''ll make you proud." He saluted me.


    Saluting him back, I add, "I know you will, Knight Commander."


    "Come on, Sienna. Let''s get you some lunch and see how much they have gotten done inside."


    "Sure," Sienna said, looking around at everything going on and the mansion with new wood showing here and there on the older portion, while the right side is all new construction due to the fire.


    As we reached the door, Milbrey met us. "Hello, Sir. Welcome back."


    "Thank you, Mr. Milbrey. Let me introduce Student Mage Sienna Green." Turning to Sienna, "Sienna, this is Mr. Milbrey, the steward for this barony."


    Milbrey grinned and offered a warm welcome. "It is good to have you here, Mage Green. Please let us know if you need anything."


    Sienna nodded back, "Thank you, Mr. Milbrey. I will."


    "Milbrey, Sienna needs some lunch and a room prepared for her."


    Nodding to me, he assured her lunch would be ready very soon.


    "After lunch, I would like you and the knights to meet with me in the dining room to discuss the next steps to take, please."


    He answered with a quick, "Yes, Sir," before leaving the room.


    Sienna and I took a quick tour through the mansion. A great deal had been put right during the last week.


    Finding that Sienna''s lunch was ready when we returned to the dining room, we sat down and continued our discussion of runes while she ate.


    In no time, the seven knights join us.


    "Thank you for joining us, gentlemen. I received the report that the young esquire you have hired knows where the bandits are camping. And that there were nineteen of them at that time. What would you require to handle them and ensure that none escape?"


    Bradley, the new Knight Commander, speaks up. "I suggest we leave a squad here and another squad at the fort site. Knight Mayer has already agreed to stay here. So that would have one platoon of five squads to hunt the bandits. So, of the seventy men here, we would attack with fifty.


    "Knight Commander Bradley, take your platoon and crush the bandits. If you believe any of them have important information, bring them here. Kill all of the others. Please check for any other information that they might have. If there are any hostages, do what you can to get them out safely. Get them to their homes or bring them here if they have none. Bring any wounded here as well, as I can offer some treatment."


    "Finally, if you need me to go with you as a mage, I will, but I fear I''d hinder you more than help. Just tell me honestly, which you prefer, Sir."


    The Commander responded, "Thank you for your trust in us. We have enough men to deal with these criminals safely, Sir."


    "Very well, Commander. I wish you great success. Proceed as you will."


    Bradley saluted and headed out with the others following him.


    I turned to my steward, "We must get crossbows for these men as soon as we can. If we can''t find someone to bring in to build them soon, I''ll have to start buying them. Other than that, do you have any other need of me until they return?"


    My steward shook his head. "No, Sir."


    "Very well. I would see the stone house again. Please fetch me the key."


    Turning to the remaining knight, "Mayer, we''ll need a couple of men to escort us to the meadow behind this mansion."


    Milbrey simply handed me a key while Mayer told his esquire, that he and his team were responsible for safety here at the mansion. Mayer''s team was ready to escort us in just a few minutes.


    I turned to smile at Sienna, "Sienna, let me show you what it''s possible to do with a real ritual."

 Chapter 6.6 A New Life - Back at the Barony

    <hr>


    Third-Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    Sienna had been silent while in the mansion with a team of four soldiers and a knight. As she followed me out of the back of the house, she asked a question.


    Quietly she asked, "Hartson, um sorry, Sir Hartson. Have you done that before? Send men out to kill, I mean."


    Looking back, I see that Mayer and his men were giving us some space.


    She was looking a little pale. "No. I''m sorry, I should have excused you from that. But please understand that I''m not happy about this. Those bandits have been killing, raping, and stealing. Under Kingdom law, they face execution if brought in for those crimes. There is nothing to gain by having my men risk their lives to bring them in. What I ordered today was not my idea, its some of what I''ve picked up from biographies and history books I''ve been reading. That goes for nearly all of my ''noble'' decisions, I just doing what worked before."


    "The regret that I have is that I did not understand what I was setting in motion when I went to buy land for testing rituals. I ignorantly burdened myself with a barony. My promotion to Viscount has simply made me responsible for three baronies now. All of those people will now depend on me for protection and more. I will even feed them if I must."


    We stopped walking at the edge of the meadow, looking at the stone house. Shutters now covered the windows, and a door stood in the doorway.


    Sienna was looking at me oddly. "But no one else does what you''re doing. So why do you?"


    "I would have to say because of my father. I helped him build a carriage, not that I did a lot when I was that little. Father always talked as he worked. He would tell me stories that I heard before. The difference was that he would ask me questions about the stories. I asked him why once. He said that I have to think for myself, not just do what others want.


    Also, my father always made sure to take care of the men who worked for him and their families. He called it kindness and investment. He would respect and be kind to them, and they would work hard to do a good job for him out of thanks and respect."


    Sienna smiles, "I think my mom and dad are like that too."


    "Yes, our parents deserve our respect. They have given us life and shown us how to live."


    "Oh," Sienna is frowning now.


    "Is there something wrong, Sienna?"


    She kind of smiled, "No, it is something I remembered I need to do." Looking closer at the stone house, she says, "You built that."


    She did not ask me a question. She was just saying it as a fact.


    "Yes, it took a collection rune and five days of constant mana drains, but yes."


    "Hartson! That is so dangerous. You must never do that again."


    She seems angry with me now.


    "Oh. Well, I have sorted out that problem for rituals." Remembering her concern, "And I won''t do spellcasting like that again, I promise."


    She relaxed a bit but was observing me like I might do something like that right now.


    I decided to move on from this, well, whatever this was. "Come on. I want to take a closer look to see if anything has changed."


    I led her around the building, looking at the walls carefully. "Everything seems good. Let''s go inside."The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    I unlocked the door and opened it wide. Stepping inside to the windows, I opened them as well.


    "Wow. Hartson, this is fantastic spell work. The fireplace is lovely to look at too. I''ve never seen one like that before."


    She paused, looking around. "What is that over there?" She asked, pointing at the stairway wall that would keep someone from falling.


    "It''s a stairway to the cellar." I quickly threw some light about so that we could see more. "Come look down here."


    She smiled, "Okay."


    I watched her go to the stairs and look down. Casting more light ahead of her, I waited for her.


    She slowly went down the stairs looking at the stone walls, running her hand along the railing wall that sloped down.


    As we got low enough, I tossed lights further into the cellar to light it up completely.


    Sienna cautiously looked at the stone above her. "Is the floor above us safe? Will it fall?"


    I laughed. "Only if you can break twenty centimeters of solid stonework that has been reinforced by the magic I put into it."


    She saw that the stairs had nothing holding them up, just that they extended out of the wall. "I can''t believe you did this in five days."


    I was smiling at her when someone called. "Sir, there is a rider here with a message."


    I think I may have gone whiteish. "Oh no, something bad happened." Rushing up the stairs, I hurried out of the house.


    Sienna was not far behind me.


    A man I did not know was letting a horse graze nearby, as he held the horse''s reins.


    Knight Mayer spoke up, "Sir, this man has a message for you."


    Hearing this, the man turned to look at me. "Are you Hartson Perrin?"


    I nodded, saying, "Yes, I am. What is your message, please?"


    The man smiled. "I was sent ahead of your folks. They should be here in a few more hours with all of their people."


    I could hardly believe him, "My Mother and Fater are coming here?"


    He nodded with a grin, "Yes, they and a daughter. There are nine families following them."


    "Okay. So who are you then?"


    He laughed. "I am one of the guards your father hired to make your mother comfortable traveling with their daughter. Or so he told us when we hired on."


    "Wonderful. Are you staying here or riding back to my parents?"


    He shook his head, "I''m to stay here after trotting quickly to reach you. My horse needs some care after our long ride."


    "Mayer, would you mind sending this man with the rider down to the stablemaster? That would be the best care we can offer."


    "No problem, Sir. Jacobs, go ahead with him. You two walk the horse down to Hancock. He''ll take good care of her."


    "One more thing, how many people are coming, guards, and all?"


    The horseman, already starting to follow Jacobs, called back, "About seventy-five, Sir."


    Turning to Sienna, "My parents are about here! I''m going to have to figure out where to put them all. Did you know I have not seen them in eight years?"


    Sienna started laughing. "Now you sound like me, so ''slow down'' as you tell me."


    I rolled my eyes at her with a big smile. "Come on, let''s get back to the mansion." I grabbed her hand and dragged her along.


    I was calling for Steward Milbrey as soon as we entered the house. He quickly came and asked what was needed.


    "My parents, nine other families, and guards will be here in about three hours. We need to get things ready."


    Mr. Milbrey just smiled at me. "We will be ready, Sir."


    When I just looked at him like he was crazy. So he continued. "Remember that you sent me a notice that you have invited them? We''ve been getting ready ever since."


    Now I was flummoxed. "Wait. I only sent my parents that letter four days ago. How did they get here so fast?"


    Sienna laughed. "They left before you sent the letter silly."


    I stopped to think about it. The trip was two weeks long by carriage. They would be going even slower. "They must have left just after the summer festival. Why would they leave then?"


    "Didn''t you say Instructor Saxon was going there for the summer festival to talk to your father?" Sienna asked.


    I was looking at Sienna as I thought about it. "Yes, but that was before I became a baron. I wonder where they were planning on going when they get here?"


    She shrugged her shoulders. "Does it matter? They are still coming today."


    Now I was smiling like crazy. "Right! My parents will be here soon. Should I feel so nervous? I bet Mother and Jean will like you right away."


    Suddenly Sienna blushed bright red and said, "I''m going to my room for a bit." Then she nearly ran up the stairs.


    "What happened?" I asked no one.


    Mr. Milbrey chuckled, "Sir, you mentioned your family approving of her. Now she is worried that they will not."


    "Oh. Well, I''ll go tell¡­"


    Mr. Milbrey interrupted with a smile. "Sir, it is probably best that you let her have some time to sort things out. I''ve three daughters myself, sometimes it best to let them be."


    "Are you sure?"


    Mr. Milbrey nodded.


    "Okay."


    Then he added, "You should probably go outside, sit down in the shade, and wait for them. Your parents and your girl."


    "Sounds good. Wait, what do you mean by ''your girl''?"


    Mr. Milbrey was already going to the kitchen and did not stop.


    That is so weird. I did take Milbrey''s advice to sit under the big shade tree to wait. Once I got comfortable, I went back to work on fixing the attic mana issue.

 Chapter 7.1 Getting Settled - Horrors

    <hr>


    Third-Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    After a while, Sienna sat down beside me with her Runes and Rituals Primer after we both simply said hello to one another.


    We heard the horses before we could see the soldiers. It turned out to be Knight Commander Bradley and his squad.


    They were leading another horse with a terrified woman and two kids. I could see blood on their ragged clothing. In front of the woman was a sleeping girl, maybe eight or nine years old. Behind her was another girl, maybe ten or eleven years old. All three were bruised and cut, none of them look like they''ve eaten in a while.


    Putting my notes away, I stand and go to meet Bradley. Sienna is right beside me.


    "Sienna, this may not be pleasant, please go inside if you wish."


    Sienna just shook her head no and took a deep breath. "I''m okay."


    Bradley saluted, and as I returned it, he started speaking, "Sir, we found and killed nineteen bandits. None of our men were seriously hurt." He then nodded towards the woman and children. "We rescued these three. They were treated harshly and had nowhere to go. They need some medical treatment as well, Sir."


    "Thank you, Commander, tend to the men. If anyone is having issues with healing, you send them to me."


    "And Commander, we are expecting a caravan of nine families, and possibly more, yet today.


    "Yes, Sir."


    I turned to the woman. "Hello mam, I am Viscount Hartson. If you would please come inside, we''ll get all of you some food and treat your wounds."


    The woman had a disbelieving look for a long moment, but then nodded, "Thank you, my lord."


    She turned to the girl behind her, "Emma, get down."


    Emma was struggling to get down without falling. Thankfully Sienna quickly stepped forward to help her.


    I stepped forward to take the little girl. The woman looked very worried. "I''ll just hold her while you get down if that is okay?" She gently handed the sleeping girl to me, allowing me to step back so that she could get down.


    As the woman got down, I cast the cleaning and repair spells on the little girl and her clothes. Hearing me do this, I heard Sienna do the same for Emma.


    The woman looked at us in great surprise. I offered the little girl back to her, but she did not want to take her for some reason.


    I could see Sienna supporting Emma, so looking at the woman, I nodded toward the mansion, "Please follow Sienna.


    Sienna, please take us to the dining room."


    The woman then stepped forward to take the little girl, and I carefully passed her back. When the woman had her, I softly cast the cleaning and repair spells on the woman. "You''re all safe now. Please come inside."Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Turning, "Mr. Milbery, please have some broth prepared for them." He nodded and quickly went into the house."


    I went ahead of the women and held the door for them. The woman looked at the doorway like it was a trap, but she finally walked in.


    They sat down at the table, and a maid brought in glasses of water, "The broth will be ready soon, Sir."


    Sitting down beside the woman slowly, I asked, "Mam, what is your name?"


    She answered softly, "Ava, my lord."


    "Thank you, Ava. I would like to use magic to help you heal. Will you let me hold your hand for a moment?"


    Taking a deep breath first, she placed her shaking hand on mine. I gently put my other hand on top of hers without a gripping and closed my eyes. I had never used this spell before, so I calmly used it, thinking of slowly and carefully healing the woman. I could feel mana pushing into her and finding damage in her hand, a few small cuts. As I concentrated, I could feel the wounds heal. I was slowly sending mana throughout her body to repair any harm. I hoped I was not blushing when I could sense specific injuries, but I continued to heal her. When I could find no more, I stopped and let her hand go.


    "Hartson!"


    The next thing I knew, Sienna was holding my hand while I laid on the floor with a fading mana headache.


    Sienna seeing I was awake, smiled, and said, "Dummy."


    I grinned, and we both got up, "Thanks."


    The woman was looking much better, but the girls still needed help. I turned to Emma. She was sitting beside Ava and holding onto her arm tightly.


    "Hello, Emma, would you please hold my hand so I can help you?"


    Ava spoke to her, "Go ahead, he will not hurt you."


    Just as slowly as Ava, Emma took my hand and held it. Emma did not shake, but her eyes had so much fear in them.


    Doing as I did before, I started with Emma''s hand and then slowly spread to heal other injuries.


    I had gotten upset in the past, mad even at my oldest sister. That was nothing to the rage that was interfering with my concentration now as I healed this little girl of the same intimate wounds as Ava.


    I had not used too much mana on the girl as she lacked many of the bruises and cuts Ava had. Ava also had injuries to her organs such that I don''t think I could ride a horse, let alone have the strength to walk into the house.


    Looking at Emma, I asked, "Are you feeling better now?"


    She nodded but did not say a word.


    Turning back to Ava, "What is her name?"


    Softly she said, "Olivia."


    I gently took the sleeping girl''s hand and began healing again.


    Did I think I felt rage before? If I knew that those men still lived, I would kill them myself as painfully as possible. This little girl had the same horrific injuries, but someone had also hit her in the head, hard. Healing that wound, I feared I''d run out of mana again. I treated the ''bruise'' to her mind slowly and carefully, hoping I was not doing more damage.


    When I finished, I was exhausted and could barely manage to sit in the chair.


    Sienna was there checking on me again. "Hartson, are you okay?"


    I just nodded and closed my eyes for a bit. Or maybe a bit longer than that.


    "Hartson, eat," Sienna told me.


    Opening my eyes, I saw a bowl of broth in front of me. Near me, both girls were slowly having some themselves while


    Ava kept telling them to eat slowly.


    I smiled at them, especially Olivia. It struck me that Ava and Olivia both should be dead.


    When I tried to pick up my spoon, I found that Sienna was holding my hand tightly. I turned to her, "Thank you, Sienna. You''ve been great."


    She blushed and let go of my hand and muttered, "Your welcome."


    Eating the broth did seem to help get my energy back. Perhaps I had stopped putting mana into my ring? It seems likely.


    I excused myself and went looking for the Commander.


    I found him outside talking with Mayer. "Gentlemen, are all of the men well?"


    Bradley, "Mostly scratches from thorns and branches. One boy is limping after falling off his horse, but is okay, Sir."


    I asked growling, "And those damned bandits?"


    They both understood. Bradly replied, "Sir, they are all very dead. One of them was, ah, with that little girl. The men and


    I might have gotten a little out of hand. I don''t think we left many pieces bigger than my boot."


    "I would have done the same, I imagine. You and your men have earned their rest. Have a good evening Bradly."


    He saluted before leaving to go back to the fort area.

 Chapter 7.2 Getting Settled - Light Games

    Third-Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    Sienna found me sitting outside under the tree again. "They would like to rest, but not in your house. I think they are still afraid of people. Is there anywhere they can go?


    I nodded and stood. "Yes, let''s go help."


    We went to the house and found Milbery. "I would like the stone house furnished for our three guests. Can you take care of that for me?"


    Milbrey nodded, "Yes, sir, I''ll get it done quickly."


    "Thank you, Milbrey."


    "Sienna, let''s go talk to them."


    Back in the dining room, both girls were sleeping. "Hello, Ava. Sienna tells me that you don''t want to stay here. That is fine. There is another, very private house close by, would you like to see it?"


    Ava gives me a small smile, "Yes, my lord."


    Standing, she hands me Olivia to carry and picks up Emma.


    Olivia is sleeping comfortably and has color in her face again. "Very well, this way, please."


    Sienna and I led Ava to the stone house behind the mansion. "Sienna, can you hold Olivia while I get the door open?"


    Sienna nods and takes the little girl.


    After I unlock the door, I step back to let Ava go in. Taking Olivia back from Sienna, we follow Ava in.


    Ava is having a hard time speaking, "My lord, this is too much, we can''t live here."


    I am thinking hard about this when Sienna responds, "Of course you can. It''s a lovely little house that he built. It''s perfect for you and your girls."


    Ava shakes her head, "No, I can''t pay for this."


    I have an idea, "Ava, can you garden, raise chickens, maybe milk a cow?"


    Nodding yes, Ava says, "I''ve done that and other such things. But we never had a cow."


    "Excellent. I would like you to garden, raise chickens and other things, for my kitchen. In return, you''ll have free use of this house and meadow to do with as you wish. Now it will not be completely free. I''ll get you everything you need to get started. Mr. Milbrey will buy things from you at market prices. Vegetables from your garden, eggs from your chickens, and maybe chickens too. Then you can buy what you want from the hamlet. You''ll have to save up to buy a goat or cow.


    Once you do, you can provide milk to your girls and sell some to the kitchen if you want.


    With that, I offer her the key to the door.


    Ava is just standing there silently, looking at the key when I hear men outside.


    "Come on outside for a bit. My men are bringing in some furniture for you now."


    We watch as a table, chairs, and a bed is carried inside by the men. Women follow them, bringing some essentials, a pot and frying pan, a few bowls, plates, wooden mugs, and flatware. Then blankets, extra clothing, and finally foodstuffs.


    A few men are stacking firewood by the door as well.


    Olivia is awake now and is watching everyone fearfully from behind Ava.


    I hold the key out to Ava again, "All you have to do is accept this key."


    Ava took the key and curtsied, saying, "Thank you, my lord."


    I smile, "We''ll let you get settled in just a moment. There is one more thing I want to add to the house. Going inside, I cut runes between the door and the windows. Then again between the windows and end walls, finally I match the runes on the door side of the house on the far side, for a total of eight runes. Then I add eight more to the cellar in the same pattern. Sienna has followed me down the stairs and is watching intently. None of the runes have mana.


    When I finish the last one, she asks, "What will those do?"If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    "These are some of the advanced runes that are not in your primer. Now come over here and here and help me do a few rituals."


    With that, I sit down under the stairs and wait for her to sit beside me. "First is a wind spell that crates a bubble to stop anyone from clearly hearing what we say. It''s one of the advanced mage spells you''ll learn in school."


    Once the bubble is working, I nod, "There now no one can hear us."


    "The things I''m about to show you are Kingdom secrets. Just know you can''t share these with anyone, ever, or you''ll face a charge of treason. Do you understand?"


    Sienna''s eyes opened wide, but she nodded yes.


    "The first ritual we''ll use will cause the floor to open and create a stone box underneath this floor. The technique I''m using allows mages to provide mana safely to rituals. It is information that you must not share or write down anywhere without the permission of the Crown."


    Sienna nods, "I understand."


    "Okay, this first ritual is ready. I''m going to add just enough mana to it so that it will be nearly active. Then I want you to ''slowly'' add mana to it. The ritual will try to grab your mana and pull it too hard and fast for comfort. You don''t want that to happen."


    After I put a small amount of mana into it, I motion for Sienna to continue, she gets a look of surprise when she feels the pull. Then she grimaces as she fights the pull. I did not know her scrunched up face could look so cute. She glares at me when she sees me smiling and nearly laughing. In just a few more moments, the ritual flashes just a bit, and Sienna sits back to watch a hand-sized square of stone sink downward.


    "We only need enough room to put a ritual down there. When we fix the floor, the "box" will have a one-centimeter high space. Now, this is an incredibly special rune we are going to put down there. Any guess as to what it will do?"


    Sienna sits there looking at the hole for a long moment. "You put runes on the walls where you would put torches, but they did not give any light. So somehow, this rune will make them work."


    "Correct, but what is the ''somehow?''"


    She studies me for another long moment. "You''re going to store a lot of mana here for the runes."


    I chuckle a bit and shake my head. She punches me in the arm.


    "Okay, Okay. Your almost correct, remarkably close. Any other thoughts?"


    "The runes need mana to work. You''re not going to store mana here. So that means you''re getting mana from somewhere else? How can you do that?"


    Without thinking, I blurt out, "Damn, I like a smart girl."


    Sienna blushes but does not punch me in the arm this time.


    "Sorry." I clear my throat. "What we will put down there is a ''Collection Rune,'' it will pull mana from the earth below us."


    Sienna just looks at me like I''ve gone crazy. "That¡¯s not, you can''t. Oh." See looks at the stone room, where she sits. "You used that rune to build this house, didn''t you?"


    Nodding at her with a smile, I confirm her thought, "Yes. With this ''Collection Rune,'' I did not need to gather twenty mages to supply the mana a standard ritual would take to build it, nor was I at risk of injury. I just needed time. Putting all the mana in that I could. Over and over. I survived because the ritual always has somewhere else to draw mana from."


    Sienna is still looking at me oddly. "Is this why your suddenly an Honored High Mage and everything?"


    "In part, yes. I will tell you more about that later. Right now, we need to finish this."


    Slowly I create the rune and double-check it. "This kind of rune can be dangerous, so it must be crafted absolutely correct and have the right parameters. Okay, it''s ready. Go ahead and feed it a small bit of your mana, but you only want to give it enough to activate. You''ll feel it when it happens, so go slowly."


    Sienna leans over the rune and concentrates. In just a moment, the rune gives off a soft flash of light and then glows weakly.


    Sienna is excited, "I did it!"


    "Good, now here is another trick to learn. Place your hand near the rune, and feel what is happening with the mana."


    She frowns, trying to find the ''feeling'' I described.


    After several long moments, her eyes go wide, and she looks at me with a huge smile. "I can feel the mana moving through the stone!"


    Which is quickly followed by, "No one knows about this, do they?"


    Shaking my head, "You¡¯re the only person I''ve ever shared this with Sienna."


    She loses herself in thought, looking at the rune again.


    "We need to finish." I quickly perform the ritual to close the floor over the ''Collection Rune,'' leaving no sign that anything has happened there.


    Sienna smiles, "That was incredible!"


    I laugh and help her up. "I''m dropping the bubble, and we need to go upstairs."


    When we get upstairs, Ava is running her hands across the table and chairs as if she is only now believing that they are real.


    "Okay, we finished in the basement, Ava. Let me explain what we''ve done. First, there is nothing here that will hurt you or your girls."


    She nods and waits.


    "Each of these symbols," I point to them around the room, "are like torches, but a little brighter. There is no fire. There is no smoke. There is no danger. Okay?"


    She is looking at the runes cautiously.


    "When you need light," I step over to a rune by the door, "just tap the symbol like this." I simply tapped the wall once, and the rune began to glow, shedding light a little brighter than a torch.


    I look back at Ava, and she is standing there astonished. So is Sienna.


    "If you want to turn it off, just place your hand over the symbol and snuff it out like a candle." I placed my palm over the glowing symbol and held it there a moment. Taking my hand off the wall, you can still see the symbol is still there, but it is no longer glowing. Showing her my palm, she can see I was not hurt.


    Seeing that Ava is still looking scared, I ask Olivia, "Would you like to light one, Olivia?"


    Shyness was gone for the moment as she ran over to a symbol on the far wall. Before Ava even has a chance to stop her, Oliva reaches up and taps on the symbol. Which quickly begins to glow. Oliva giggles and puts her hand on it to cover it and laughs when it is no longer glowing. Emma goes to another symbol pushing a chair, and cautiously tests it. In no time, the girls are making a game of turning them on and off all over the house.


    Ava looks like she might laugh, watching them.


    Catching Sienna''s eye, I motion to her to leave and open the door. I follow her out quietly, and after I close the door, we head back to the mansion.

 Chapter 7.3 Getting Started - Family

    Third-Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    On our walk back to the mansion, Sienna asked, "I love what you did, but why did you do that for them?"


    I laugh just a little. "I enjoy it. But what you''re probably asking is how did that come about? When I was little and still at home, my older sister, Callie, was mean and a bully. My mother and father would discipline her, yes, but they would also discipline me if I tried to get back at her. Father told me that the only true way to deal with a bully was to leave them in the muck and make my own life better. Then when I got to the Mage College, I was so much younger than all of the others, it made me a perfect target for bullying. It''s probably why so much of my time there was spent in the library.


    What was worse is that several of the teachers blatantly did nothing or did the bullying, Instructor Bings is that way to every student unless you pay him not to be. It was either go to the library or go home. It did not matter though, I was going to be a mage, and no one was going to stop me. Sometimes I would see someone else picked on and would help if I could. The people I''ve helped have been at least friendly toward me, if not real friends, like you. I keep moving forward and those I left in the ''muck,'' most of them are still there. Like Bings."


    Sienna was quiet afterward.


    I was nearly dusk, and there was still no sign of my parents. I stopped to speak with Mr. Milbery, "As late as it is getting, would it be a good idea to start cooking and be ready to feed all of them?"


    He nodded. "I''ll speak to the cooks about it, Sir."


    "Thank you, Milbery."


    I went to sit in the study, looking out the window at the road.


    Sienna sat down nearby and was studying the rituals and runes primer again.


    I am not supposed to need sleep with these rings on, but it must not cover emotional stress because I had fallen asleep again. I discovered this when Sienna was shaking me to wake me up.


    "Sienna, I''m awake."


    She laughed and hugged me for no reason. "Come on, sleepy. They''re here."


    It was nearly dark out, but I could see a real caravan out there.


    "Let''s go." Somehow, I managed to grab her hand and drag her outside.


    There were only a few lanterns with hardly any light. I dragged Sienna over to the tree we sat under earlier. The first time I sat down there, I did so on a flat rock that was not quite big enough. I got out my brush and green paint and quickly built a ritual. Okay, I may have been a little excited and wanted to see them. When I finished, I grabbed Sienna''s hand again and went looking for my parents. Sienna was not helping, and she kept trying to look at the tree.


    There were a lot of people stopping to look at the tree, so I yelled. "Mother! Father! Jean!" a few times until I heard Mother shout, "Hartson!"


    I dragged Sienna further until I found Mother. "Hello, Mother, I''ve missed you."


    She wrapped me in a bear hug. "We''ve missed you too." Then she stood up and looked at me, Sienna, and our hands."


    She smiled like she did when being tricky. "So, who is this Hartson?"


    I suddenly realized I was holding Sienna''s hand and let it go. "This is Sienna. Sorry, Student Mage Sienna Green."


    My mother gave her a hug saying, "It''s lovely to meet you, Sienna."


    "Hartson!" Jean grabbed me in a big hug then let me go pointing at the tree. "Did you do that?" she asked accusingly.


    I looked back at the tree. When I left it just a bit ago, it was only just beginning to glow. Now, however, the entire tree was shining brightly, every leaf and branch. Now, this was no ordinary tree. It was a giant of a white oak nearly thirty meters tall, and the trunk was almost two meters in diameter. It was bright enough at one-hundred meters away that I could see everyone around me even though it was very nearly dark.


    Sienna laughed, "Yes, that was the Honored High Mage himself!"


    Father had walked up as she said this. In a very stern voice, he said, "Hartson, what have you done?"


    I knew they were teasing me this time, so I just smiled back at him. "I missed you too, Father."


    He grabbed me up in a bear hug for a moment.


    Then I heard Mother say, "Jean, this is Hartson''s ''sweetheart,'' Sienna."


    Father let me go as I was trying to see Sienna, I thought she might run away or punch Mother. But when I turned around, Sienna was grinning a lot and blushing at the same time. "What?" I said softly.


    Father heard me though they didn''t. Then he was introducing me to everyone as his son, the baron.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    "Father, wait." He was not listening.


    "I''m sorry, Father, but I am no longer a baron!"


    He turned to look at me, genuinely concerned, "What happened? What did you do to lose your title?"


    Oh yes, it''s time for a little revenge.


    "Father, it''s kind of hard to explain."


    Father''s frown grew more serious. "Hartson, I''m so disappointed, but I''m sure you can get your title back."


    I kept a serious look on my face. "Please let me explain."


    Mother then asked, "Hartson, what happened?"


    "Well, it''s kind of embarrassing around all these strange people."


    Father tried to lighten the air, "You were always running between most of their feet, you know them."


    Jane even asked, "Did you kill the king or something?"


    "No, nothing like that, I swear."


    Suddenly everyone could hear a lot of horses coming toward us fast. I knew who they were, though.


    "I''m sorry, Father. They''ve come for me."


    Mother was nearly in tears, so I had to stop this. With a huge grin, I asked, "So this is how you all felt teasing me? I think I quite like it."


    Jean figured it out first and started laughing, which caused Sienna and I to burst out too. Mother and Father looked confused. Especially, Father.


    Father was starting to look cross, "Hartson, you said you were no longer a baron. Did you lie?"


    Jean was now on the ground laughing so hard she was gasping for air. Sienna was almost as bad.


    I looked directly at Father, and with an earnest face, I told him, "I am no longer a Baron because the Crown raised me to Viscount. I now have three Baronies to serve."


    I watched Father''s face as he went through a mix of emotions, then he was laughing and wiping tears from his eyes. He stopped laughing but was still crying and grabbed me up in another hug.


    "Father, it''s a good thing, you don''t need to cry."


    "Hartson." Sienna placed her hand on my shoulder, and I turned my head to see her, she said, "He is proud of you."


    "Thanks, Sienna," and then I was hugging Father as tight as I could and crying too.


    Soon Mother was hugging us too. When we broke apart, I noticed that Mother had her arm around Sienna as well.


    Sienna had been hugging me too.


    Knight Commander Bradley said, "Excuse me, Sir, but is everything well?" I looked to see him holding his bare sword down by his leg.


    "Yes Bradly, this is my family, have the men stand down, please. And I''m sorry for disturbing you all with the light."


    "Yes, Sir." He quickly turned and began giving orders.


    I noticed Jean looking as white as a ghost.


    Jean asked, "Hartson, how many soldiers do you have?"


    "Seventy here, more in the other two baronies and the city."


    Jean squeaked, "Seventy?"


    I need to make her relax. "Yes, Seventy. So, no more teasing me or pissing me off. Or I will have you thrown in the biggest damn mud puddle available!"


    Jean looked like she just heard the most horrible thing ever possible. Sienna was trying to hide her smile but turned close and put her face into my chest, laughing while hugging me. It was a lovely feeling.


    Jean finally worked out what I had just said, and she started grinning. "Well, brother, you''re certainly not four years old anymore."


    Sienna suddenly stepped back, but we still had an arm around each other. "Um." She looked at Jean. "I''m not sure," she said, pointing at the bright tree, "sometimes he can be."


    That got a laugh out of everyone. I even grinned proudly.


    "I like her brother. She can be my sister."


    Both Sienna and I were blushing but still smiling.


    Mother spoke up then, "Don''t worry, Sienna, at least he knows when a girl likes him, his father was just, a rock."


    Everyone was laughing at Father now.


    Mr. Milbrey interrupted when the laughter it slowed. "Sir, the food has been put out by the very bright tree."


    "Thank you, Mr. Milbrey. Mother, Father, this man is my steward, Mr. Milbrey. Mr. Milbrey, these are my parents Hubert and Audrey Perrin. Mother, Father, If I am not around for some reason, Mr. Milbrey can help you."


    People started moving toward the few tables we had, but now there were several logs around the tree for people to sit on too.


    "Excuse me, Sir," Stablemaster William said to me.


    "Yes, William?"


    "My lads and I will take care of their animals tonight. They''ll be at the Fort when they are wanted, Sir."


    I smile, "Thank you, William, that is a great welcoming gift."


    After Mother and Jean ate, I asked to speak to them privately. They both knew something was going on. "I''m sorry we pulled you away, but I am hoping you''ll look in on a woman and her two daughters. I healed them as best I could."


    Sienna broke in, "You healed their bodies completely."


    "True. Anyway, the mother is Ava, and the girls are Emma and Olivia. There is no easy way to say this. The bandits were using all three. My men slaughtered all of the bandits and brought the three of them here. "


    Mother and Jean both blanched at that news.


    I took a deep breath. "The little girl and the mother both had severe damage. If I hadn''t helped them when I did, they would be gone. They barely tolerated me to help them this afternoon. What I''m asking is for you to look in on them. Make sure they are all okay, maybe get the girls talking."


    Mother grabbed me in a fierce hug and said, "Of course, we will, son."


    "Thank you."


    "Jean, are you using magic to heal?"


    Jean saddened, "No."


    "Well, when I healed them, I saw, I knew everything about their bodies." I cleared my throat and looked at Sienna. "And despite the teasing, I''m probably more like my father than you think if you ask Sienna." Sienna smiled at me and nodded.


    "Thanks for that." I smiled back at her.


    "Anyway, Mother, I was not joking when I say that when using magic to heal them, I saw everything, of all three. I repaired the damage. So, I feel like I did something bad, and I need to know about other stuff."


    I was no longer embarrassed after admitting things, but Sienna blushed.


    Mother kissed my forehead with a smile and then looked me in the eyes. "You did absolutely nothing wrong, Hartson, you helped them. Don''t confuse what you did with the evil the bandits did. You helped, not harmed. And I''m proud of you for doing so, no matter what you saw."


    She stepped back, "Now, the three of us will go talk to those poor people tonight and hopefully give them some comfort. And tomorrow, you speak to your father about the ''other stuff,'' and I''ll talk to Sienna about it as well."


    "Thank you, Mother."


    Sienna was scarlet now and looking at the floor. Not sure why, but I leaned forward and kissed her cheek. Then I went back to the tree to find father.


    When I sat down beside my father, he asked, "Is everything okay?"


    I leaned close to him, "Yes. I asked Mother to check on a woman and two girls who were being used by the bandits that died today."


    I could see my father getting mad when he understood. "The soldiers saw one bandit using the little girl, and they all became furious. None of the bandits survived, I assure you."


    Father nodded and let go of his anger.


    I was still leaning in close and whispered. "There''s one more thing. I had to heal some horrible and ugly wounds with my magic. Could we talk tomorrow about, well, that kind of thing between ''normal'' people?"


    Father put his hand on my shoulder and said, "You¡¯re a good man, son. And yes, we can."

 Chapter 8.1 How Could This Happen - Move Fast

    Fourth Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    Last night when people began to leave the dining area to go settle in for the night, I headed to the study. At some point, Sienna sat next to me, sad and tired from trying to help the bandit''s victims with Mother and Jean. She tried to read from her primer but ended up falling asleep against me as I studied. By morning she had shifted and was using my lap as a pillow. I was still studying and very reluctant to disturb her sleep though I did enjoyably rest my hand on her shoulder.


    "Oh, that is so cute," Jean whispered from the doorway. I smiled back at her and went back to my book. A few minutes later, she handed me a hot cup of tea and sat nearby.


    Whispering, we began to chat.


    "Jean, when did Mother and Father decide to move?"


    Jean smiled, "About five minutes after you left. They would have too, but Father could not bear to abandon his employees so abruptly. They talked about it whenever they thought no one could hear them, so everyone knew they would someday."


    After some more tea, she continued. "At this last summer festival, Mage Saxon told us you would graduate early, and that he was going to see to it that you served your two years in the capital to keep you safe."


    "But then Father got the letter you sent to get to us quickly. Somehow it caught up to us on the road here. The envelope with a Perrin Coat of Arms flummoxed father. He was suddenly afraid something had happened to you. Mother took the letter from him, tore it open, and read it instead. She was so delighted for you and laughing so hard that Father stopped the wagons. After he read it, he showed it to anyone that wanted to see it. Finally, everyone convinced him they seen it. I think he is still carrying it in his pocket now."


    Shaking her head at me, "Now we get here, and you¡¯re a Viscount. How?"


    I smiled and told her about my spell used by the soldiers to help save lives. "That earned me the Viscount title."


    Sienna seemed disturbed by something, and I looked down at her. Jean and I watched as she snuggled tightly against my leg. Her breathing evened out. Looking at Jean with a smile, she smiled back at me, saying, "She has it bad."


    Starting to feel concerned, I asked Jean, "What does she have?"


    Jean giggled as quietly as she could with both hands covering her face.


    "You know I don''t know Jean. What does she have?"


    Shaking her head at me, she seemed to take pity on me. "Hartson, she has fallen in love with you, at least she hopes she has. If you''re not very careful, you could hurt her badly. Be kind, and take things slow."


    She was frowning then, "I thought I found someone like she thinks she has with you. Promise me that if it does not work between you two, you will still be kind."


    I smiled at Sienna and looked back at Jean. "It will not be necessary to make that promise. I do promise I will always be kind to Sienna."


    Standing at the door, mother and father must have heard us because our mother said to father, "He is so much better than you. Rock."


    We all were laughing at that, waking Sienna. She was lying there comfortably and said hi to Jean, who was sitting across from us. Jean smirked again and said, "Good morning."


    Sienna suddenly realized ''who'' she was using for a pillow and bolted upright. "I''m sorry!"


    We all started laughing again. But before Sienna could run away, I grabbed her hand and gently pulled her back to sit close to me. She relaxed when she realized no one was upset with her, especially me.


    Father spoke up, "Is it time for breakfast?"


    Mother shook her head, "See what I mean? Rock."


    We all stopped laughing when our father grabbed her for a long hug and kiss.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Mother was smiling, "Well, not always a Rock."


    We went to the dining room for breakfast while everyone chatted as a family should. After finishing, we were still sitting there and started talking about mother and father''s plans when Mr. Milbrey interrupted. "Sir, the Commander would like a word with you."


    I invited him in to sit with us. "Good morning, Commander."


    "Good morning, Sir. I wanted to talk to you about something found yesterday." He stopped, waiting.


    Getting up, mother said, "We have a wagon to unload Father, Jean." They followed her out of the dining room.


    I looked at Sienna to see what she would do. She simply said, "I''ll stay."


    "Very well. What did you find, Commander?"


    He sighed, ¡°After dealing with the bandits yesterday, we found a well-used path that heads north."


    "Are you thinking there are more bandits?"


    He nodded. "That is a possibility, Sir. However, the only thing in that direction is the Cullum Barony."


    "Do you think they were hitting both Baronies then?"


    The Commander continued with a frown. "We spoke to a lot of locals yesterday. They report the problems here are just a bleak as there. Possibly worse, because they still have a Baron that is making things hard on people. Others that have families in that barony swear that some of the bandits here are guards there."


    "I''ll be burning in the hells," I snapped.


    The Commander grinned a bit and nodded.


    I closed my eyes to think about this a moment before responding.


    "I have two options here, believe the bandits were raiding both baronies, or that the other barony is, or was, giving the bandits shelter at the least."


    "Yes, Sir."


    "What is your opinion here, Commander?"


    "You have not been here long, just eleven days, but you have been working fast to make improvements. You sent men to wipe out the bandits and did. They know we had three rescued victims that returned alive. That has never happened before. From what I gather, those bandits have been, ''Collecting Taxes'' for several years. Together, that means these people have a reason to lie to us. I believe that it is very likely that the baron is involved."


    Sienna asked a question, "You''re their Viscount now. You can just order them to stop, right?"


    I shake my head and answer her. "The baron is very likely to have broken laws of the Kingdom by attacking another holding of the Kingdom. That is treason against the Crown, which is a death sentence for that baron."


    The Commander nods, "That is correct, my Lady."


    "If I send you to ''follow'' the tail to find more bandits, it would be a thing of mutual aid for our baronies. Also, as Viscount, my duty requires me to track down further bandits on ''my'' lands. I can inform the Crown of the actions I plan to take and be well within the law."


    The Commander was grinning at me. "Yes, that is correct, Sir."


    Sienna queried, "Why do you have to tell the Crown before you do anything?"


    I smile at her, "Because of politics. ''The higher one''s rank, the greater the bother.'' Meaning if we do not take the proper actions, then someone will likely use it against us. Such things can end very badly."


    "Very correct, Sir," says the Commander.


    I start drumming the edge of the table with my hands. "We need more men here fast before the other baron learns of loosing nineteen men."


    Stopping, "Commander, do you know anyone to contact for another sixty men that could be here by tonight?


    The Commander frowns, "Just the Warrior''s Guild, Sir."


    "I have to think this through quickly."


    "We have seventy men here now. We need at least one squad to defend the mansion and fort area. We would assign the wounded and least trained to that squad.


    "That leaves sixty men, an oversized platoon."


    "Send forty with you, Commander over the trail quietly to scout and surprise."


    "Take another twenty with me as an official visit guard. Meet somewhere in the middle.


    "I have ten horses in the Capital right now."


    I''m drumming on the table again.


    "For another oversized platoon of sixty men, I would need at least six knights and six esquires. Need to hire long term to get a fair rate. They could serve the second barony, or break them up between all three baronies as replacements over time."


    "I''d also need three more specialists, a stablemaster, a weapons master, and a quartermaster to duplicate the forces here."


    "The weapons master could be one of the ten."


    "That would be one good fighter, six knights, and three esquires out of the duplicated force I have now."


    I continue drumming for a moment more and stop.


    "Commander, would you want those men or others?"


    The Commander has easily kept up with me. "They would do, but if you were to get ten good scouts with bows, it would be better."


    "Hells, I missed that!"


    "Commander, the question I have for you now is, do you want to ride back quickly, get those men yourself, and ride back here yet today? Or do you feel safe trusting my Knight there in the city to get or send men you can use?"


    The Commander only thought for a moment. "As much as I want to pick them myself, there is one other worry. The baron could attack us."


    "Ah, hells again."


    "That settles it. Thankfully, I can get a message to Cari quickly. Do we need any other specialists at this time?"


    The Commander responded by spelling it out. "You''re setting up for protecting the baronies from bandits and fools, with fast horses and good men, they can deal with those kinds of problems. Your out to put your baronies into order, not a real war. If it were war, then there is a host of men I would want."


    "Makes sense. ''First Platoon Commander,'' let''s get some men watching that trail and the road to that barony to warn us if needed. Preferably, keeping them out of sight."


    Standing with a smile at the update in his title, the Commander says, "Yes, Sir," and hurries out the door.


    Sienna squeezes my hand worriedly. "How will you let Cari know?"


    Grinning back at Sienna, I tell her, "By telling her to spend money."

 Chapter 8.2 How Could This Happen - More Soldiers

    Fourth Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    Placing ledgers on the table, I begin to write a note to Cali in the campaign ledger. Beside me, Sienna''s eyes go wide as she reads the balances and how fast I''m now spending it all. I was transferring large amounts from my personal funds to the noble account for more improvements and campaign account for more soldiers and equipment.


    "Cali. We have a significant situation here." I proceed with instructions to get Knight Terrence to the Warriors Guild and immediately send twenty mounted scouts with bows as soon as possible. Once he has them on the way, he would become the new Second Platoon Commander. I then instructed him to start building another oversized platoon of sixty men, horses, and gear, including himself. Plus specialists and support.


    Once that is done, I proceed to relay a confidential letter for Cali to send to General Jackson. I detail the facts that we have and then what we suspect. And then the actions I''m planning to take.


    Sienna asks me after I pile the ledgers beside me, "What do you think is going on, Hartson?"


    "I suspect the Crown is taking advantage of someone who foolishly bought a barony unseen, marches in defenders, and starts cleaning up the place. No one ever expected anyone to do that, and it has surely surprised some people. The Viscount of Westcroft has remained unfilled for too long."


    Sienna still looked a little confused. "Let me put it like this, there is a ''rat,'' and I''m either the ''bait'' or the ''cat.'' And I don''t know which yet."


    Sienna grabs my hand and looks me in the eyes, "Can''t we just leave and go back to school?"


    "I''m doing things to help people, just like I did in the library and what I''ve been doing here. Sienna, you seemed to become interested in me because I helped you and was kind to you. And maybe because I was helping others. Would you still be happy if I did stop helping others?"


    Looking down, Sienna shakes her head no.


    Squeezing her hand, I say, "Good. Let''s keep trying to help people and each other. Who knows what we could manage next?"


    Sienna smiled, "Okay, we''ll do that."


    "Great, we''ll keep each other honest and working hard, especially learning to do more with magic."


    Sienna smiled weakly, "I''d like that." She looked away nervously, biting her bottom lip.


    What is that? Then I understood, "Something else is wrong."


    Sienna nodded and whispered so quietly I almost could not hear her, "I did not go to my parents and ask them about coming along as you wanted. They think I''m still in school."


    I pulled her closer in a one-arm hug while we sat at the table and said, "Oh, hells."


    For some reason, she thought that was funny and started giggling.


    After holding her for a bit, I asked, "Are you staying here or going back?"


    Sienna looked thoughtfully at the table for a long minute. "I barely passed this last year, and it''s only going to get harder for me. You keep showing and explaining to me how to do more with magic than I ever understood in class. I want to stay with you, Hartson. I don''t want to go back."


    I pulled the campaign ledger open again to write, "Cari, I need you to send another letter for me. Also, see if you can get some non-ledger linked books to share with my commanders and stewards, a set of ten if it''s possible. Have nine sent here as soon as possible, and you keep one. Please consider taking the steward job there at the city mansion. It''s yours if you want it."


    I got a quick response, "I''ll take it, thank you. Whom am I writing to this time? The King?"


    I wrote back with a bit of snark, "Worse, Sienna''s parents." And I got punched in the arm.


    Cari, "She did not tell them, did she? Sir, have you met Sienna''s mom? The Battle Mage, known for her unstoppable rage? And her only child, her daughter, is there with you, a boy, outside the city, away from supervision?"


    Reading this, Sienna paled and started to look scared and worried.


    "Oh, hells Sienna."


    I wrote back, "Well, hopefully, your employment lasts longer than your prediction."


    It took some time, but we both wrote letters for Cari to copy and send to them. Sienna spoke a lot about spending time with my mother and sister. To her father, I explained what was supposed to happen and apologized for not speaking with him directly about the situation. Then I ordered three more Life rings just like mine for Sienna. Well, not as wide a band as she had smaller hands.


    The rest of the morning and afternoon was a long wait. I was sure that more bad news would come fast. Mother and father had decided to take the mansion as I''d asked. I did have more than one. The rest of the ''family'' would be building homes on the other side of the mansion from the fort area. Father would build his new workshop directly across the road. They liked the idea of being out of the city and were enjoying the ''backwoods'' as they called it.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    I''d contacted Cali again, requesting four construction crews.


    When Cali wrote back, she advised Sienna''s parents where on the way. And somehow they were riding with the twenty new scouts, for which Sienna''s father wanted an explanation.


    I let Sienna know, expecting her to get upset. She just said, "Okay," with new confidence and kissed me on the cheek.


    Meanwhile, I advised my father what was going on while burning out tree stumps for the new houses. He began to laugh and sat down. I went to start on the next stump burning. When he caught up with me, he confessed that the same thing had happened with him and my mother years ago. However, he did note that they were older. He was able to help me understand many things that afternoon while working with him again.


    When we heard the horses arrive from the city, we went back to the mansion. I met the twenty scouts and ordered them to the fort area to report to First Platoon Commander Bradley.


    Behind the scouts was my carriage from the Captial, with Sienna''s parents. Mr. Green helped a small woman down. Sienna and I stood there waiting for them, everyone else giving us plenty of space.


    Mrs. Green looked at both of us with a smile, hugged Sienna, and turned to me, "So she ran away for you?" Looking me over, she patted me on the cheek and said, "Good, you¡¯re a strong one." Then she put her hand on my arm, "You do have a lot happing here, don''t you? But I want to see why you started here. Lead the way."


    I glanced back at Mr. Green and Sienna to see them both standing there dumbfounded. I had to smile at that.


    They trailed after us as I walked Mrs. Green around the mansion and back to the stone house. I stopped us ten meters away. "Sienna, would you ask if you can show your mother around, please?"


    "Why not you?" Mrs. Green was quick to ask.


    I smiled, "Out tenants, Ava and her two daughters were recently rescued from bandits and are nervous around others, especially men."


    Sienna smiled, "Come on, mom, I''ll introduce you."


    Sienna and her mother went to the house to speak with Ava. Soon the two of them entered the house.


    Mr. Green cleared his throat.


    "You warned me that she could be pushy. I should have been looking out for what happened. My apologies, Mr. Green."


    He chuckled, "I used to worry that she would be like her mother, but Sienna is kinder and more optimistic."


    I smiled in agreement. "Sienna wants to leave school, sir. Though, I believe she will allow me to continue teaching her."


    He nodded, "Not surprising. Sienna has been struggling, even though she thinks her mother and I don''t know."


    "She is finding it much easier to learn with me without the distractions of a classroom. She has been progressing well and asking good questions."


    "Good." He looked at me carefully, "Are you going to be teaching her some of your new magic then?"


    "She has taken quickly to it and is doing well already."


    He nodded again. Looking right at me, he asked with concern. "When do you plan to marry Sienna? How are you going to take care of her?"


    I knew he was going somewhere and thank the gods that father and I had time to talk earlier. Smiling, "I''ve not discussed it with Sienna yet, though I would be inclined to wait until she is sixteen or more. And I will provide for her with the magic, of course."


    The tenseness seemed to go out of him. "Good. That''s good to hear."


    "Mr. Green, we are just starting in our relationship. I''ve only just turned thirteen, and Sienna is just nine months younger. We are in no rush."


    He laughed, "We''ll your not. Rita was saying, oh." He had a distant look in his eyes.


    "Oh?" I asked.


    He shook his head, a little pale. "You''re soon going to face my wife in a battle of wills Hartson. I was going to say she was already discussing grandchildren, stay strong, son."


    That took me a moment to accept before I let out a deep sigh. "Sienna is not the pushy one then. Well, this is going to be fun."


    Now we both just stood there looking at the stone house and thinking about our futures. I had to wonder if Sienna was aware of her mom''s plans or not?


    Ava, Rita, and Sienna came out of the house smiling and talking happily. After giving each other goodbye hugs, Ava went back inside.


    "There they are, kill them all!" A man roared from behind us. Turning around there were, three or more men running at us with drawn blades wearing rags. A fourth with a crossbow was aiming at Mr. Green or myself when he fired. I pushed Mr. Green away just before the bolt went flying past us.


    Gathering my magic, I formed an arc of air hurling out toward the men, as it flew it compressed the very air into a tiny wire moving at incredible speed. I''d not studied a lot of battle magic, but what I knew was powerful and fast. It cost me an expensive, hard to get, a necklace made of diamond chips embedded into a wire of immense strength. The jewelry disappeared from under my shirt. Then nearly all of my mana was gone, just about dropping me to the ground, but you could not deny the effects.


    As the arc shot forward and widened, it hit the front man''s sword first. Still, picking up speed, the arc pushed the sword, causing it to slash deeply into the man''s chest. At that moment, the sword slowed enough that the arc finally just cut through it before going through the man at the bottom of the rib cage.


    The arc also created an explosion of sound that boomed forward for kilometers. Anyone not killed by the cutting arc would suffer from the boom, breaking eardrums and possibly organs depending on how close the victim was. The power I''d released was an army killing spell.


    The other three men suffered the same fate of suddenly being into parts. The bodies didn''t fall. Their bodies blew apart, scattering the remains into the destroyed forest behind them. Cracks, groans, and crashes from a widening swath of countless trees followed. But this was not heard by me, as the only sound I heard was Sienna''s name called out in terror.


    "Sienna!" I turned to see Rita holding Sienna, clutching her chest where the bolt had driven into her. I began to run to her on my wobbling legs. There was blood coming out of Sienna''s mouth, and her face was pale. She was looking at the bolt and blood, trying to comprehend what had happened.


    Recovering slowly, I finally managed to slide to a stop beside Sienna. Without thinking, I drove my mana into her body to heal it. There was not enough mana to even reach the wound, causing my heart to break. I did not tolerate bullies, not any longer. Not consciously knowing, I withdrew flat rock from my bag. I''d placed a collection rune on it and was planning to test another idea. I slammed the stone into the ground with my hand directly on the rune, and then I put my other hand over Sienna''s heart. Then I pulled the mana from the rune with all my soul. Mana hammered into me in an immense flash of pain as if every nerve ending in my body was burning.


    Nearly passing out, I gritted my teeth and fought back until my focus returned. I flooded Sienna''s body with healing mana. The bolt simply dissolved away before the wound healed, not even leaving a scar. The massive volume of healing mana was flashing through her entire body, fueled by my desire to save her.


    She was safe.


    That last satisfying thought was all there was before the excessive mana roared into me, throwing me into darkness.

 Chapter 8.3 How Could This Happen - Sienna

    Fourth Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    Sienna''s Point of View


    Mom helped me walk back to the mansion because I was unsteady. I can''t think well. I was trying to remember what was going on.


    We just came out of the house when I was shot in the chest by a crossbow bolt. It had yellow fletching, and it hurt. A lot!


    I coughed up blood, and it tasted horrible.


    Blood had bubbled out of my chest. Blood shouldn''t have bubbles, ever.


    Mom was crying and saying ''no, no, no'' over and over. Mom was trying to hold me and warm me up because I was getting so cold.


    Then there was a noise, it was loud, but I did not see what it was. I was getting sleepy then. Why would you get tired with a crossbow bolt sticking out of your chest with bubbling blood? It didn''t make any sense.


    Then Hartson was there, doing something that warmed me up a tiny bit. I saw his face then, he was angry. Not just upset at something, but furious angry. The scary kind of anger. He was not mad at me. I knew that. It was someone else that made him so angry.


    Another confusing thing was that when mom helped me up, I saw that someone had chopped down a lot of trees. Like they just cut them waist-high, everywhere. I could see a nearby hill now that the trees weren''t in the way. It looked like someone tried to chop down the hill too. There was a long line of dirt scattered everywhere upon it.


    Dad was carrying Hartson, who was sleeping. Hartson never wants to sleep. He just wants to study and learn. He''s weird that way.


    "I like to sleep with my head on his leg, mom."


    Her mom was looking worriedly at her, "Yes, dear, let''s go get you laid down until you feel better."


    "It''s really com. It''s really comfortable because I really, really, like Hartson, a lot mom."


    Rita smiled, "Yes, you do. When Hartson brought you home to visit that first time, he is all you talked about, all afternoon. You did not want to talk about anyone or anything else."


    "Yes. Hartson''s a really nice boy, mom."


    Other people started talking and shouting. It was too noisy, and I was tired. Then I was in my room.


    "Mom, I have a secret. I have a room at Hartson''s mansion."


    When her mom didn''t say anything, she asked, "Did you hear me, mom?"


    Rita replied, "Yes, dear. Because you like him a lot, right?"


    "Yes. How did you know?"


    Rita laughed a little at her daughter, "You told me silly."


    "Oh."


    Rita pulled back the covers and helped me lay down.


    "Hi, daddy. Is Hartson tired too?"


    Her dad nodded, "Yes, he needs some quiet. He can lay down by you, but you have to be quiet hon."Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    "Mom, daddy is really nice. He brought Hartson to me."


    Rita shushed her daughter, "Time to sleep Sienna."


    Fifth Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    Sienna''s Point of View


    I turned and snuggled against Hartson. It felt like I had had the best sleep ever and would just sleep a little more.


    Hartson''s breathing was slow and calming, and I drifted off again.


    Sixth Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    Sienna''s Point of View


    I stretched and yawned. Then burrowed into Hartson once more.


    "Someone looks like they are comfortable," Jean said from a chair beside the bed.


    I did not jump, not about Hartson and me, not anymore. I looked around and saw Jean. I sighed. "Yes, very."


    "Ah, my throat is so dry, and my mouth tastes awful."


    Jean got up and helped me sit up, handing me a glass of water. "Do you remember much?"


    "I remember getting shot and Hartson saving me somehow. How did he do that? I should be dead, Jean."


    Jean smiled, "None of us know how he did it. But we are all glad you''re okay."


    The taught struck me. I was going to die, really die.


    I drank some more water and was feeling much better.


    "So," Jean asked, "did you like sleeping with your man?"


    I turned and looked at Hartson, still sleeping so peacefully. "Yes, I did."


    Jean laughed easily.


    Raising her eyebrows suggestively a couple of times and nodding her head at Hartson, Jean asked, "So, you going to take a look?"


    I laughed, "You''re just rotten."


    "When will he wake up?"


    Jean shrugged. "Your mom thought it might take a while. She said that he healed you with the mana he took from a rock or something, and then the magic backlashed on him. She is not sure."


    Jean smiled, "Your mom has been checking on you both quite a bit. I''m not sure she has slept much. She keeps thanking him for saving you too."


    I just looked at Hartson for a while. Then my stomach gurgled hungrily.


    Jean laughed, "I''ll go get you some breakfast. You stay here and watch him." With a conspiracy tone, she whispered.


    "Get a good look."


    "Thanks, Jean."


    Mom must have seen Jean because she rushed in to hug me. "Oh, thank the gods. How are you feeling?"


    "Mom, I''m fine. I feel great."


    "Will Hartson wake up soon?"


    Her mom sighed and went to feel his forehead. "He seems fine. He also has those rings on, so he will not get hungry or thirsty. I just don''t know."


    "Mom, I remember getting shot, but what happened?"


    Her mom shook her head. "Hartson used a war spell to destroy the bandits as best we can tell. It nearly finished him, casting such a massive spell by himself. The foolish boy."


    She came and sat down by me then. "He ran to you, even though he could barely stand. He tried to heal you, but he didn''t have enough mana."


    "He was angry, mom."


    She was nodding, "Yes. Hartson could not stand to see you die, and he would do anything to save you at that moment. And that''s what he did, somehow. He just pulled magic out of that rock."


    "That makes a little sense then."


    Her mom had her brows furrowed. "What makes sense, Sienna?"


    "I''m not supposed to tell you, so you have to keep this a secret mom. Remember the stone house. You asked where the magic was coming from for the magical lights, and I said I didn''t know. Well, in the basement, Hartson opened the floor and put a special rune down there to pull mana from the ground and put it into the stone somehow. He is doing amazing things with runes."


    Her mom was lost in thought for a while when Jean came in with a tray of food. "Here you go, Sienna. Mother said you should eat slowly for now."


    "Thanks, Jean. Thank your mom for me too."


    Jean shrugged, "Sure, it''s not like your pregnant or something. Right?"


    Mom started laughing at that.


    I threw a piece of toast at Jean smiling. "You''re just rotten, Jean."


    After I ate a little, I was not tired, really, but I just wanted to lay down and relax.


    Mom and Jean left, and Jean said, "No, peeking."


    Laying down beside Hartson again, I noticed something odd about him. Did he look a little older?


    Hartson was still sleeping when mom came into the room again. "Sienna, quick, do you have some good clothes with you?"


    "Yes. What''s going on?"


    "One of the barons is out front looking for the Viscount." She said quickly.


    She was pulling out my clothes and said, "Quick, put that one on. I''ll fix your sash."


    Mom had Hartson''s sash and was coping the Coat of Arms on to my sash. "Everything but the military rank. That will do it."


    "Mom, what are you doing?"


    She quickly handed me the sash, "Here, put it on. And we need to do something with your face and hair." Mom stopped and just looked at me like she saw something different.


    "Mom?"


    "Sorry, dear. Here you go." She used a spell to fix my hair and make it look like I had makeup on."


    "Mom, what is this?"


    Mom smiled and curtsied, "Well, my Lady Perrin, you have a visitor to entertain."


    Glancing at Hartson, she said, "You''re going to have to fill in honey."

 Chapter 8.4 How Could This Happen - Vistor

    Sixth Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued


    Sienna''s Point of View


    Sienna could hardly believe what her mom just told her. Hartson was needed, but he was still asleep. She would have to be the noble for him. Reaching the front hall, Rita motioned her to stand up straight and into the study. Head held high and her coppery hair up in a bun that made her look a bit older, she walked in wearing a beautifully simple green dress.


    Stepping into the study, she could see the four men. The oldest was in his fifties and wore the worn clothing of an impoverished noble. The three men with him were his sons. None of them wore smiles, but the older one looked hopeful.


    "Good morning, Gentlemen. I am Sienna Green, Betrothed of Viscount Hartson Perrin. How may I be of service today?" I''m going to marry him. It was a fact. She hoped they could not see her big goofy smile when she thought that and she hoped Hartson would not be upset about her telling people.


    The older gentleman nodded to her while his sons looked on doubtful. He spoke up then, "I''m Baron Billy Sing, of the


    Barony of Henry. Thank you for seeing us. Would the Viscount be available?"


    Hartson said that they would be truthful, and so she would. "I''m sorry, he suffered an injury two days ago saving my life, and he has not yet recovered."


    The three younger men scoffed or looked disappointed, "This is pointless father," said the oldest.


    The baron lifted his hand for silence. "I''m sorry to hear that. Was he gravely wounded, my Lady?"


    Sienna shook her head, "No. He cast a great spell to protect us from an unknown number of bandits just two days ago, before evening. I expect he will fully recover soon."


    The four of them looked at each other, the baron going a bit pale. "Was that the great noise we heard then?"


    She nodded. "Yes, the Viscount is an Honored High Mage and was quite angered. I''m afraid he might have overdone it a bit." She did not lie, but she did not tell them which casting had affected him so.


    The oldest son looked on in disbelief. "If he is such a great mage, how is it that he can''t come to see us personally?"


    Baron Sing snapped, "Robert, don''t be a fool."


    Sienna was mad now at the disdain that Robert had for Hartson. "Robert, is it? Well, Robert, please follow me, and you shall see." Sienna stepped out into the hall and waited.


    The four men followed. Was the baron was frowning unhappily about what his son had said or my reaction?


    Seeing that they were indeed following her, Knight Mayer offered her his forearm politely. That''s when she noticed that four other armed men were waiting nearby.


    Starting to walk out the back of the mansion, Sienna said, "To the meadow, Sir Mayer."


    The knight knew what she was about to show these men. He still could not grasp what his Lord had done with one spell.


    In a short time, they all stopped in the meadow where Sienna turned to look at them, waving at the destroyed forest, she calmly said, "This is the result of my Lord''s single spell but two days ago."The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Not only did the four men stand agape at the shattered woods, but there is not a way to clean up everything after four men are torn asunder and scattered across the scene.


    Robert had gone pale and quickly stepped away to lose his breakfast.


    Sienna did not remember it being so horrific, but she was determined not to fail Hartson.


    She turned away from the scene and asked, "Baron Sing, shall we go back to the study to discuss the matter you wanted to talk about today?"


    The baron was scared. The damage they could see destroyed acres of trees and had torn into a hill with considerable power.


    Nodding, he said, "Yes, Lady Perrin, please."


    She retook the knight''s arm and walked back to the study with the now quiet Robert in the rear of the group.


    Sienna sat down in a chair and kept her back straight. "Please, sir, be seated. And would someone please bring some water."


    After the baron sat down, looking older now. Sienna smiled, "Now, sir, how may we assist you today?"


    He bowed a bit toward her. "My Lady Perrin, we heard rumors about your arrival two weeks ago and had to come to verify the truth of it. This area has not had a Viscount in quite some time." He looked around nervously and wet his lips.


    Sienna held up a hand. "Baron Sing, we, my Lord and I, are new to nobility and this area. Please feel at ease. What is it you want to tell me?"


    Relaxing a little, he began again. "Thank you, Lady Perrin. For years this viscounty has been run by Regent Michael out of the town Mikaela in my barony. To my knowledge, he was never invested in the role, but is simply the son of the last Viscount."


    He continued, "Two weeks ago, Baron Perrin showed up and started putting this barony back together and left. Now he has returned as Viscount Perrin with large numbers of soldiers used to wipe out the bandits in this barony, bandits that worked for Baron of Cullum. No one from Mikaela is saying a word, but they are sending their men out to claim taxes and harvests for the ''Defense of our Lands.''"


    The baron thanked a maid who set a glass of water beside him. After taking a drink, he continued. "We came to see if these rumors were true. Then we encountered a host of soldiers constructing a fort and patrolling the roads here." He cleared his throat, "Plus, plus the woods," he added nervously.


    I nodded, "Sir, my Lord, as he recently put it, ''simply wants to help people that need it.'' In his way, this is how he became a Viscount. He helped others who needed help." Clearing my throat, I continued, "That is not to say we came into this situation knowingly. Originally my Lord wanted some land so he could study magic in peace. When he arrived, he learned of the issues here, and simply set about to fix them as is his duty. He is not asking for anything. I''m not sure how he will do it for the entire viscounty, but I am sure he will make things better."


    The old baron visibly relaxed. "Please tell my Lord that we will return to our barony and serve him faithfully. I can''t do much for my people, but I will tell them help is coming soon."


    I paused, "Do you think you will be able to return home safely, sir?"


    He replied, "Yes, we will be safe enough."


    Sienna was thinking about what Hartson would want to do right now, and then she had an idea. "Sir Mayer?"


    He responded promptly, "Yes, my Lady?"


    "Would you please take the baron to the Commander. I bet the Commander would have some questions about these town soldiers."


    Sienna looked at the old baron, "If that is okay, sir?"


    The old baron grinned. "Yes, I''d be happy to talk to your Commander, my Lady."


    She stood saying, "Thank you, Baron Sing. Please answer any questions you can to help the Commander."


    The baron and his sons bowed and left with Sir Mayer.


    After they were well and gone, Sienna dropped into the chair, shaking like crazy. "How does Hartson do these things so easily?"


    Her mother came in, "You did great, honey."


    It looked like her dad was shocked. He just watched her, saying nothing.


    "Dad, are you okay?"


    Her dad dropped into a chair, "Betrothed?"


    After her mom started laughing, Sienna did too.


    Jean stuck her head in the room, "So? When already?"


    That just made her dad put his head in his hands, and the rest of them laughed more.


    Sienna returned to her room and began to change clothes again. After a moment, she stopped, staring at Hartson. No, she would not hide anything from him. She wanted to be seen by him. So even though he was still asleep, she changed her clothes without feeling any guilt at all.


    Laying down beside him, she put her head on his chest again and listened to his slow breathing until she fell asleep.

 Chapter 8.5 How Could This Happen - Awakining

    Seventh Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777


    Hartson''s Point of View


    When I woke, it was dark, and I was in bed. Someone was with me, it is Sienna, of course. She was rocking nearby and reading.


    I began to think about what had happened. How long was I out? Did I heal Sienna enough? Not wanting to wake her, I gently pushed some healing mana into her body again. Everything was fine.


    But what had happened? After healing her, the magic that remained in her came slamming back into me while I was still pulling more from the ground. That''s the last thing I remember, that moment when those two waves of mana crashed together.


    What did all that mana do to me then? As I did with Sienna, I slowly added healing magic to my body. Most of my body was in good shape. The rest had small breakdowns that were slowly spreading and growing worse as I watched.


    The backlash should have killed me instantly. Now it looks as if the healing mana saved me then, and I''m dying now?


    When I had healed Ava and the girls, there was nothing like this. But neither did I throw every ounce of mana I had into their healing.


    What I did to heal Sienna, I did that in mindless madness. That should have killed us both. I shuddered. Losing control like that, it can never happen again.


    Bit by bit, I found all the damage and fixed it. I felt bruised and battered, but I was able to breathe better. I had not moved in days and could not because my mussels seemed to be locked. Slowly, I became well again, hole, and my body relaxed.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    I would have to investigate this further, but only after finding a safe way to do it.


    The morning light was starting to brighten the room.


    "Hey"


    Her smile is excellent, greeting me.


    "How are you feeling now? Do you need anything," she asked.


    Smiling back at her, "You''re safe and well. That is all I want right now."


    We went downstairs. It was early morning, but Rita was there with hot tea already.


    "Hartson!" she shouted in happiness. "Oh, I''m so glad to see you up, you damned fool of a boy! "


    "Uh?"


    "Uh? That''s all you''ve got to say about casting that damn war spell. What were you thinking? Did you even think at all?


    What if those bandits would have attacked from the direction of this house?"


    Behind Rita, I saw Sienna smiling, finally glad it was someone else getting the ear full, but her smile disappeared quickly, replaced by horror as her mom continued to shout at me.


    "Did you think of that? Ever think about your target area? You could have killed your father, your sister, Sienna''s father, and everyone else here! What if you faced your new fort area? All of those poor soldiers would have died! Then what would you do about your barony and everything else? Never mind the Kingdom executing you for killing all those innocent people!"


    I was crushed, but when Rita paused for a breath, I jumped in. "I thought I would lose her! Everyone! I didn''t know what else to do!"


    Rita grabbed me and pulled me into a hug, crying.


    Rita spoke softly, "We''re all okay. Everyone''s safe. Sienna is safe."


    After nearly another minute, Rita calmed and released me.


    "I''ll train more, I promise."


    Suddenly Rita grabbed onto this idea. "Train? It takes more than training. You will be out with your soldiers on missions." Her voice was now cold and deadly. "You will become a real war mage so you can protect her, or you''ll never see Sienna again."


    No longer am I talking to Sienna''s mother, no this is the war mage I was warned to fear.


    "Of course."


    Sienna found her voice, "Are you going to leave?"


    "No, I''m not leaving. I''m going to go ahead. I''ll go to the frontier, make a safe, and build our own home there, just for us. When it is ready, I''ll come back and get you to live there with me. Then we will grow our own family."