When Lucian and Emma reached the small dining hall, a pot of stew was waiting for them on the serving table. The colorless, tasteless concoction had all the nutrition the human body needed, but the thought of eating it again made Lucian want to dry heave. Spices other than salt were a rarity. Food at the Volsung Academy was fuel for the body and nothing more. Even taste might serve as a distraction on a young mage’s path to Talent. Or so Lucian thought they would have him believe.
Whatever the food was, he hadn’t died eating it yet. Quite the opposite. He was the healthiest he had ever been, with more lean muscle mass than ever. He wasn’t sure how that had happened, but his arms and chest had thickened. His thighs and legs had also grown, probably from the physical training and constant hikes up and down from the beach. He watched the same transition happen to other Novices who arrived at the Academy. They went from pudgy to lean, their features sharpening with a strict diet and exercise. He was never truly hungry, except on fasting days, but he never really got to be full either. He had noticed the same transition happening to Emma. It sometimes made concentrating during training sessions with her difficult.
Lucian and Emma filled their bowls and sat at one of the two long trestle tables placed in the hall. The other table was used by the Talents. It was later than Lucian realized—they were alone, meaning the other Novices had already eaten.
They ate quickly and without speaking. Lucian wasn’t sure they would have time to clean up before their next lesson, one of the weekly Transcend lectures, which this time would be led by Transcend Green.
Lucian downed the tasteless slop as quickly as he could. Once done, he and Emma cleaned their bowls in the washbasin, swept the floor, and scrubbed the empty serving pot. After that, they half-ran to the entry hall, where the lesson was to take place.
So far, Lucian had seen six of the eight Transcends. The only two he hadn’t met were the reclusive Transcend Violet and Transcend Red. Transcend Violet spent almost every waking hour in meditation, while Transcend Red was said to be off-world on League business, which was usually code for hunting rogue mages.
As he and Emma hurried down the dark corridors, the Academy felt so empty. The place could have held a great many more mages than it now did. At its height before the Mage War, it was said a thousand mages had been based at the Volsung Academy. Such a thing was difficult to imagine today. Now, only a quarter of that number remained. Really, an eighth, since at any given time, half the Talents or Transcends were out, sanctioned by the League to run some errand that only a qualified mage could do. There were about a hundred Novices in total, who could never leave Transcend Mount except under the supervision of a superior.
Still, the massive Academy was a sight to behold. Lucian had learned the first mages in the middle of the 23rd century had carved it out, creating a grand space dedicated to the research and instruction of metaphysical abilities. Before discovering the danger of the fraying, they had used magic to carve out its halls, entire wings, and towers, intending a wonder that would last for centuries. These days, its outer surface was greatly eroded from Volsung’s nonstop tempests. It was believed during its days of construction that magic could be used to keep it in great repair at all times. However, the First Mages had not foreseen the danger of the fraying, meaning the Volsung Academy now had a weathered and decrepit air.
They reached the entry hall, where about a dozen other Novices had gathered for the lesson. They stood in a single line, all in their brown robes, ranging in age from late teens to mid-thirties. As Lucian and Emma hurried into line, a wave of relief overcame Lucian. Transcend Green hadn’t arrived and wouldn’t know they were late.
Lucian was grateful for the warmth of the central brazier. The first nip of autumn was in the air, even though it was only late summer. Here on Volsung, winter came early, especially at this latitude. The cold was even more apparent since the doors to the yard always seemed to be open. Already, the temperature was colder than anything Lucian had ever experienced. Not cold enough to snow, but certainly cold enough to make him shiver if he were outside any longer than an hour. South Florida had never felt farther away.
It was late morning by now, but on Volsung, that would correspond to early evening by the standard clock. It was hard to decide whether the climate or the fifty-four-and-a-half-hour days was the bigger adjustment. Even after three months, Lucian wasn’t completely used to it. Dayside, the mages woke a little before sunrise and went to bed in the early afternoon. They woke again just before sunset and slept just after midnight. Of course, this varied with the changing of seasons. Like Earth, Volsung had an axial tilt that made the winter days shorter and the summer days longer, though that tilt was not as pronounced. Days were filled with instruction at the feet of various Talents, individual training, and, of course, chores. Nights were for meditation, self-reflection, and study.
Lucian tapped his foot and tried to stifle a yawn. Apparently, only Transcends had the privilege of being late.
As soon as he had that thought, Transcend Green strode into the light of the brazier. His verdant green robes shimmered the color of emeralds, and greenish shadows danced along the worn stone floor from the light of the brazier. It was said the Transcends’ robes had been created with magic itself by the first Eight Transcends and had then been passed down accordingly. Lucian watched Transcend Green, an elderly man who looked the part of the wizard with his long gray beard, astute dark eyes, and wrinkled face.
The line of Novices held their breath as Transcend Green regarded them, one by one. When the Transcend’s eyes met Lucian’s, they seemed to hover a hair longer.
But the Transcend relented and turned to the opposite end of the line. “Novice Rhea.” Though his voice was soft, it carried well. “Would you care to lead the lesson today?”
The blonde-haired, blue-eyed Rhea blinked in surprise. She was pretty, but a bit of a teacher’s pet. Well, a Transcend’s pet. She did have the most seniority of this group, having been at the Academy for two years and Tested. That meant she had participated in the grueling Trials, held after the autumn equinox, though she had not passed them to become a Talent. That wasn’t alarming—normally, it took at least five years or more before a Novice was proficient enough at streaming to become a Talent. Beyond those facts, Lucian knew little about her, other than the fact that she was extreme in her dedication.
She stepped into the light of the brazier. The light reflected off her pale, freckled complexion. Transcend Green stepped aside to give her space. She looked nervous under the weight of the Novices’ attention.
“What shall I teach, Transcend Green?”
The Transcend gestured toward the Novices. Lucian wondered whether he wanted to give Rhea a chance to prove herself, or whether he simply didn’t want to teach today. It was like school when the teacher put on a holo that had little, if anything, to do with the subject.
“Today,” Transcend Green said sonorously, “I’d like you, as the most experienced Novice here, to teach the things that have helped you stream for the first time. Relate your struggles and how you overcame them. Most here have not emerged yet and could do with a lesson in that regard.”
A swarthy young man in his mid-twenties, well-muscled with coppery skin, spoke up. “I can help her if you wish, Your Eminence.”
“No, Novice Damian,” Transcend Green said. “I’d like Rhea to teach. There is no better way to learn a subject than by having to teach it yourself.”
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At this observation, Rhea shifted her feet. “I’m not sure I’m qualified . . .”
“Believe in your abilities, Novice,” Transcend Green instructed. “Two years you’ve been here. That is over a year longer than most in this room.”
Rhea nodded, but from her face, she didn’t look convinced. “All right, then. I’d like all of you to form your Focus . . .”
“What if we can’t do that yet?” one of the girls, about Emma’s age, asked. She was small of frame, with short brown hair. Her plump cheeks told Lucian she hadn’t acclimated to the diet of stew on which they subsisted.
Rhea’s face colored. “Err . . . sorry. I didn’t consider that there might be some who haven’t progressed that far yet . . .”
“Let them try, anyway,” Transcend Green said. “Carry on with the lesson.”
She gave a nod. “Okay. First, recall your Focus . . .”
Lucian did as Rhea instructed, imagining the stone. He imagined its scars, its pockmarks, its cracks, and the various flecks of black mixed within. He recalled it, bringing the details into sharp relief until the Focus dominated his mind.
“Now, starting with Novice Emma at the end of the line,” Rhea said. “Try to move the flames of the brazier. Use the Psionic Aspect to do so.”
He opened his eyes, keeping the imprint of his Focus fresh in his mind. Emma’s eyes remained closed for a moment. Then, she opened them to stare into the flames with intense focus. After half a minute of concentration, those flames did not so much as flicker. At least, not because of Psionic Magic. In the end, Emma shook her head and took a step back.
“Novice Lucian,” Rhea said. "It's your turn.”
Lucian pushed down his nervousness, closing his eyes and forming his Focus. Once sure the image of the stone wouldn’t flee his mind, he opened his eyes. For what seemed the thousandth time since he’d arrived at the Academy, he extended his hand to stream.
He reached through his Focus, seeking the ether to stream. But he felt nothing. He strained his concentration, watching those flames in the hopes that they would do something this time. He not only had to stream but also to isolate the Psionic Aspect to do so.
At last, he could not hold his concentration any longer. His Focus shattered as he let out a breath.
“That will suffice, Novice Lucian,” Rhea said primly. “Novice Damian. Your turn.”
“Give me another minute,” Lucian protested. “I almost have it.”
“You’ve had your chance, Novice Lucian. Now, it’s Novice Damian’s turn.”
“No, I have it.”
Emma’s voice was filled with trepidation. “Lucian?”
He ignored her. If he could move those flames, prove to everyone that he belonged here . . .
“What is this?” came a female voice from behind.
Whatever resolve Lucian had evaporated at that very moment. Lucian turned to see Khairu looking at him, seeming amused. What was she doing here?
He forced himself to look back at the fire, even as he felt her eyes on his back. Now, though, the flames were moving, as if an invisible gust of wind was blowing over them.
Damian stood beside him, arm extended, his face a mask of concentration. Both of his hands were extended, palms facing outward, each glowing with a dull violet light.
“Very good, Novice Damian,” Rhea said. “Now, for Novice Rolik . . .”
Lucian tried to hide his disappointment. That was difficult to do, especially when Damian had the gall to look over and smirk. The guy had been here for over a year now. What was there to gloat about? Lucian kept his expression carefully neutral, not wanting to give him the satisfaction.
In the end, Damian was the only one who could stream Psionic Magic. The rest of the Novices failed to do anything. It only made Lucian feel marginally better. A pale Novice named Lance, who was last, attempted the feat for about half a minute before giving up. Last of all, Rhea extended her own hands toward the brazier and assumed an expression of concentration. It only took a few seconds for the flames to extend sideways.
“Good,” Transcend Green intoned. “Very good.”
Rhea released her stream, allowing the flames to burn straight again.
“Remember,” Transcend Green continued. “It is neither posture nor hands that allow for the streaming of magic. It is the muscle of the mind, your Focus, well-honed and practiced. Though progress may seem slow, every time you meditate, every time you recall your Focus, you are building a foundation. One day, with enough practice and patience, you will be able to do everything I can do.” He looked at each of the Novices in turn, while Novice Rhea went to join the line. “Thank you for the lesson, Novice Rhea. Now, I ask that you pair off and face one another.”
Emma and Lucian broke off from the rest of the group and stood a few steps away from each other.
“Continuing with the theme of Psionics,” Transcend Green continued, “I want you to reach out to the other’s mind and forge a Psionic link. Take turns. The person who isn’t reaching, assume your Focus and be the recipient of your partner’s link.”
Lucian understood little of what Transcend Green was talking about, though he knew that “reaching” was the way mages used their Focus to home in on where their stream would go.
“You can go first,” Emma said.
He hardly felt recovered from his failed effort to push the flames, but he didn’t want to argue. Lucian assumed his Focus. Instead of struggling like last time, he allowed himself to relax. He waited until the image of the stone was firm, and he felt a calm permeating his entire being. Only then did he reach, seeking a connection to Emma’s mind.
For a moment, it felt as if something were building up. But almost as soon as he was aware of the feeling, it dissipated. He fought to regain control, but already, frustration was forming a block. He reached again, but there was no connection, no magic. Only himself, fumbling in the dark of his mind.
“Lucian?”
He opened his eyes to see Emma watching him. “Nothing.”
“It’s okay. Let me try.”
Lucian nodded. It wasn’t going to happen today. He recalled his Focus and prepared himself to accept her link.
Lucian? Can you hear me?
He blinked. Had she done it? It was Emma’s voice, no doubt about that. Lucian opened his eyes, thinking she might be speaking to him, but both her eyes and mouth were closed.
That meant only one thing. All he had to do was speak to her in his mind.
I heard you.
Emma’s face became exultant. She squealed and smiled wider than she had in weeks. “I did it!”
It was amazing how quickly the atmosphere in the room changed. All the Novices looked at her in surprise and delight.
“Yes, I sensed a fluctuation in the Ethereal Background,” Transcend Green said. “Novice Emma, congratulations.”
Her eyes shone with tears. Lucian knew exactly why. She needed this. It would all but cure her of the wreakings that had plagued her for the past year. Wreakings that would have one day killed her.
He couldn’t help but smile, too, especially as her gaze lingered on him a moment longer before turning to the others.
“Congratulations,” Damian said, holding out his hand. “You nearly beat my time to emerge."
“Good job,” Rhea said with a nervous smile. “Well done.”
As happy as Lucian was, he couldn’t help but feel a stab of jealousy. How had she managed it? He knew the feeling was inappropriate, given the situation. He didn’t understand how he could be capable of such pettiness. Then again, being aware of it didn’t make the feeling go away.
She was watching him now, expecting him to say something.
“Well done, Emma. I’m proud of you.”
“It’s going to be okay,” she said, tears running down her face. “It’s all going to be okay.”
She didn’t even seem to notice him, surrounded as she was by the adulation of the other Novices. Lucian tried to let her be. She had emerged now, so he would be the one playing catch-up.
“This is cause for celebration,” Transcend Green said. “I can order Talent Roland to bake a cake for the Novices’ table tonight.”
This probably caused more excitement than the breaking of Emma’s block.
They continued training, but Emma couldn’t reproduce her results. Until she had trained further, her Focus would have difficulty latching onto her ether supply. That didn’t take away from her elation, however. Breaking the block was the most difficult part. It became easier after that, at least according to the Talents.
The Novices returned to their training. Lucian set his mind to work but didn’t feel any closer to the goal. Shouldn’t he have streamed something by now?
He knew he had to tread carefully. If he focused on others’ progress instead of his own, it would be to his detriment. The Talents taught that each mage’s journey was personal, not to measure one’s progress against another’s. But that was hard. And it rankled even more because he had streamed before. Could it be that since he had already streamed the wrong way, he might never learn to do it the right way? Even Transcend White had cited that as her reason for not accepting him at first—before she learned about her sister.
When Transcend Green called off the lesson, Khairu was waiting in the wings, having returned after watching Lucian’s earlier failure. She approached Emma and didn’t so much as look at Lucian.
“Novice Emma,” Khairu said. “And Novice Lucian.” She added his name as if he were an afterthought. “Follow me to the back courtyard. There are a few more things I’d like to show you.”
Lucian almost started to protest. It was close to dinner, and he was exhausted. It wouldn’t be a good idea to voice his protest, though, especially considering his performance.
He faced Khairu, forcing a smile. “Can’t wait.”
