Mage Mangler -(Crucible of Ascension)

Both Anso and Augur Garazal walked me to the Dean's office. It was deep into the evening, on Irala, and the grounds were devoid of life or noise beyond the crickets.

Unsurprisingly that meant there was no receptionist either, but Anso didn't seem to care.

When we arrived at the Dean's door he knocked like a bailiff with heavy knuckled raps that echoed down the corridor.

When no answer came he knocked again, possibly even louder this time.

"Who is that!" The Dean's voice yelled from inside.

"Warden Anso," he replied in a clear authoritative voice.

There was some scuffling and then, finally, the bleary-eyed Dean, dressed in a very comfortable-looking navy and blue dressing robe answered the door.

Her indignation and confusion turned swiftly to elation when she saw me.

"ADAM! You're alive?"

"I am," I agreed. "Just came through the portal a few hours ago and was quickly delivered back here."

If she picked up on my sarcasm she hid it well. "I can hardly believe it. News of your death hit us all very hard. What happened?"

"I'm sure there will be plenty of time for a full retelling," Anso said, bot bothering to hide his impatience. "But Adam is tired, and after having just returned from his ordeal it would be best to get him settled in his room."

"May I at least have a clue as to what happened?" She asked, glaring at Anso like she was ready to kill him.

"The Honored Squire was stranded on Marnis 12 for thirteen cycles."

Her eyes widened. "Incredible," she said breathlessly. "And your level," she looked pensive for a moment then laughed. "The top Level in your year is currently, 25! You are one of only ten students to reach such heights! What a rise to excellence you've traversed this past year."

"Thank you," I replied weakly, keeping my response minimal. I just wanted to get back to my dorm to see the others.

"I can hardly imagine the horrors you've faced."

"You wouldn't want to," I agreed. Only I wasn't just talking about Marnis 12.

"Again," Anso said. "It is late. Adam should rest. There will be an announcement tomorrow about the success of the latest mission to Marnis 12. Then I will contact you again to lay out what has happened and Prime Garazal's expectations for Adam over the coming cycles and the year as a whole."

I noticed a change in the interaction between Anso and the Dean. A souring of what I thought was a friendship. I wondered how much Garazal's increased sponsorship of the academy had to do with it. Then I remembered I didn't care.

"I would be appreciative of more information," The Dean replied. "I think the union as a whole is waiting to hear the result of the expedition."

He nodded and the Dean spoke to me. "I will have an attendant come and show you to your room. You'll be glad to know it hasn't been filled yet, though there have been covetous eyes on it.

"However, it has been left empty so the bed will need making and in the morning it will need provisioning."

I didn't know what she was talking about.

"I'll make the bed myself, it's fine. Just give me the dorm number."

"Dorm?" She laughed. "Oh no. You'll have your very own room this year."

The words stung. "Are the others in their own room?"

She gave me a patronizing smile like she was about to explain something to a child. "Unfortunately, we can only house certain students in private quarters. Prime Garazal was quick to acquire Aeloria's room for this year, when it came free."

Aeloria's room. Great.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"I'm happy in the dorms if someone else wants it."

Anso nudged me gently but remained silent as the Dean replied. "Nonsense! If anyone deserves their own quarters, it's you Adam Henshaw. You're a hero in this academy now. No small feat for a non-Archon."

I wanted to vomit in my mouth. I'd prevented the High council from giving me honors so this type of thing wouldn't happen. I was cursed and I was tired so I decided just to take the room, but spend all my time with the others anyway.

"It's fine. And thank you."

I turned to Anso. "Please thank Prime Garazal for me."

"I will let him know."

The Dean clapped her hands together. "I'll have the attendant make the room up."

I shook my head. "I still have my bedroll from the campaign. Tonight I'll sleep on that and we can sort the room out tomorrow. I'd really just like to sleep."

"Nonsense! It won't take a moment. We can't have you sleeping on a bed roll!"

"It's late and I don't want to disturb anyone else. I've spent the last thirteen cycles on a cramped cave floor with snoring Unalarans for company. Trust me, the polished floors of my new room will be perfect."

She looked to Anso who shrugged, and then she smiled at me. "Of course. I will take you along to your room."

"You?" I asked, baffled and embarrassed. "Honestly, I'm happy with a room number and a key. I'll find it."

"The halls are dark, and the part of the campus unfamiliar. I will take you. I also quite like the idea of no one knowing you're here until I can break the news in the morning."

Before I could reply, Anso bowed to the Dean. "Then I shall leave Adam in your capable hands, Dean Erstine."

As she bowed back he turned to me and thrust out his hand. "Until next time, Honored Squire.

"Until next time," I repeated, shaking the offered hand. A hand that contained a slip of paper.

I took it covertly, in the nature it was given. Warden Anso and Augur Garazal left the room with the latter offering nothing more than a customary bow to the Dean.

Then we were alone.

The Dean stood and watched me for a long moment looking troubled, before smiling. "I will throw on something more suitable, and then we shall go."

The Dean chattered almost nervously as we walked the dimly lit hallways.

"The Academy is full again this year. After the buzz from winning the tournament in record time, and with your attendance along with Ellaazi and Ressa, those of Non-Archon races seem more inclined to send their prospective Warrior-Mage children here. Plus an influx of those from families friendly to Garazal. This new year one may well be the most diverse we've ever had."

I bet it's still less than ten outsiders, I thought bitterly.

"That's good news," I replied. "Can you give me my friends dorm room number so I can pop in and say hello before I sleep?"

She shook her head.

"Torma and Yoru share one room, Ressa and Ellaazi another."

Not really an answer. "Ah, that's fair. I'll take both room numbers then. I'd very much like to see them and let them know I'm alive."

"It's late Adam. Tomorrow I will call them, and send them to your room before class. How is that?"

I couldn't really say no. It was late, and I was dead tired and furthermore it wasn't really a question. She wasn't telling me those room numbers tonight.

My room was at the back of the old building on the second floor and when we arrived, the Dean produced a token and waved it at me. "This works like a Vault Mark. It will absorb into your palm and allow only you to open the door. I retain a key for all rooms in case of emergencies but rarely have cause to use them.

I took the proffered token, too tired for a verbal dance, and mentally acknowledged receipt of it as soon as it was in my hand.

It sunk into the skin, then as I'd seen Aeloria do in her previous room I gripped the door knob.

I could feel the connection, and as I twisted, the door opened without issue.

The Dean followed me in to the pitch black room. "You will need to access the lights, Adam."

"How?" I asked running out of the will to use more words than necessary.

"Wave your room key hand in a circle, clockwise. It's anti-clockwise to turn them off. For individual lights, you can wave your hand over the specific light and it will activate."

I did as instructed and marveled as the lights came to life. Then I marveled again at how incredible the room — or rather rooms — were.

"I shouldn't be in here," I muttered.

"Nonsense. And I won't hear another word about it." Then she looked at the bed. Are you sure you won't let me have a room servant come up?"

"I've never been more certain about anything in my life," I replied.

"Very well. Then I shall leave you to settle in for the evening, and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow to hear all about this ordeal."

"I'm happy to share. The more people know about the Xeo the better."

She paled but nodded. "Quite right. If they ever make it to Union worlds then we may all be called up again. Young and old."

With an awkward nod she finally left me alone and I sagged. I suddenly felt more overwhelmed than I'd been since my initial capture.

Too much flooded in now I was alone. I felt the loss of Oro and Enil and their easy way most keenly. We'd been tied at the hip almost constantly since being abandoned on Marnis 12 and without them or even my friends here to anchor me, I felt alone and directionless.

I pulled out my storage enchantment full of useless things I'd never need now I was back in civilization. Apart from the bedroll tonight at least. I pulled it out and tossed it on the floor before sitting down and removing a ration cube which I ate slowly.

With the act I felt a little normality settle on me, but when I looked around again I was still alone.

As I chewed the meaty cube I remembered the note from Anso and removed it from my pocket.

Take care Adam.

There are forces working against you in the academy. Elasin Garazal is indifferent to the dangers that you face. He believes that if you are truly worth our stewardship, then you will resolve the matters yourself.

But, you have earned my respect and I do not wish to see you harmed or betrayed by those you should be able to trust.

I do not know which of your friends have been working against you, but I know that at least two of them have.

I can say no more, but please heed my words.

Take care. Trust no one.