It was odd. He had no idea what this mystery man even looked like. Even in the dream, he appeared as nothing more than a strange silhouette that chased him around. But the strangest part was how real and familiar it all felt. Like the man was someone he’d known all his life.
Not that anyone from his past would be looking for him. Both his parents had passed years ago when he was a small lad, and he had no other family that he was aware of. No one outside the guild even knew he was alive, let alone would go searching for him.
He let out a sigh and waited for the first rays of morning to peek through the window in his bedroom. At long last, they came, filling his room with light and life. Teryn grumbled a bit, then got up and stretched. He was tired, but it was a learning day, and he liked learning about new magic. So he hastily put on his clothes, smoothed them out with one hand, and headed out the door.
As he threw open the door to his dorm room, he was greeted by the sights and sounds of morning at the Guild. The city of Xerces hosted the largest magic guild left in the world, and it was a hub of action. There was always someone coming or going. At least, up until curfew.
Teryn passed by a couple of his acquaintances on the way to the learning center. They were arguing about the best way to transmogrify a cow into a pig, and whether or not the bacon from the poor animal would still taste the same. He grinned to himself and let himself ponder that very thing for a moment before moving on. It was a silly argument. No one could actually transmogrify a cow, anyway.
Within a few minutes, the gleaming white walls of the learning complex loomed before him. They practically glowed in the morning light, making it look like the entire building was lit up like a giant lightbulb. Whether or not that had been intentional on the part of the builders, he didn’t know, but it was still fun to look at.
Just then, a bell rang out twice from one of the massive towers in the learning complex. “Blast it all!” Teryn cursed. He was going to be late for his first class. Again. He upped his pace and practically ran the last few feet to his classroom.
As he ran through the door, he breathed a sigh of relief. The teacher was still taking attendance. He wouldn’t be counted late after all. He quickly spied an open seat in the middle of the room and took it before someone else had the chance to.
Then, he sat and started listening to the lecturer with a big smile on his face. However, that smile quickly faded into a frown as the teacher droned on. Magic History was normally a fun class, but they were going over the very basics of magic function – a tale he’d heard at least a dozen times.
Instead, he started daydreaming about what he’d do if he ever got out of this place. For sure, he’d go on some sort of grand adventure. Travel to the far reaches of the continent. Fight mystical beasts. Maybe even meet the fabled Great Dragon. Whatever it was, it’d be better than listening to his boring teacher.
That was when he noticed the girl. Of course, there were several girls in his classes. But this one was . . . new. He’d never seen her before. All he could see of her at the moment was her black hair that fell in well-maintained tresses all around her neck, but that was enough. Something about her enticed him in ways that other girls never did.
“Who can tell me how wizards get their magic?” the teacher blurted out, turning to face the class.
“Me!” a gorgeous voice called out from in front of him. It was that new girl. Somehow, she was excited by today’s topic. Suddenly, he started listening intently. “Magic comes from the lifeblood of the planet. Those who are wizards or priests are marked by magical wards on their bodies at birth. These wards give them a closer connection with the planet’s forces and let them call upon magic. Which type depends on if their markings are divine or Kallorian in nature.”
The teacher nodded, a big smile on her face. “Very good. And what about the types of magic that wizards can use? Can anyone name them all?”
“There are six.” The new girl again. “Elements, Enchantry, Illusion, Holy, and Knowledge are the main types. A wizard’s affinity for these types is also determined at birth and never changes. Then there’s Tytin magic, which only Sages can use.”
The teacher laughed and wagged an accusatory finger at the young girl. “I appreciate your enthusiasm, child. But Sages and Tytin magic are just myths. Old stories told around campfires to embolden youth. Only the five primary Mana Colleges are real.”
Teryn frowned. He knew the teacher was wrong. There was no way all those tales were fake. But he wasn’t about to risk challenging his teacher in the middle of class. He’d tried that once before and it didn’t go well.
He could still remember the dunce crown he’d been forced to wear and how foolish he’d felt sitting in the corner while everyone laughed at him. No, it wasn’t worth the hassle.
The teacher kept talking after that and Teryn tuned her back out. The class was halfway over by now and with luck he could get a little rest before the next period. He shut his eyes for a half second.
A second later, the bell rang. Magic History was over, so he scurried off to
