Chapter 62 - Test of the Four Wizarding Attributes

“Seth was far from an orthodox wizard,” Vivienne said as she searched through a large wooden box, jumbled full of what Hump could only describe as expensive looking random junk. “The purpose of these tests is for me to understand what you are capable of. I’m not looking at your ability to recite rituals or cast complex spells, instead I want to see how strong your core wizarding attributes are and what your ability with the various schools is like. Did Seth ever take you through the academy tests?”

“No,” Hump said. “He considered putting a value to things pointless. I can use Tier 3 magic though, making me a Rank 2 wizard. Isn’t that enough to get started on training?”

She glanced at him as if he were an idiot. “We will not be working according to some archaic, arbitrary structure that was put in place by wizards that didn’t know their apparitions from their phantasms.”

Hump blinked. “Their what from their what?”

“Gods above,” Vivienne said. “Did Seth teach you nothing? Illusions, Hump! Illusions of the senses and illusions of the mind. You’ll need to work on your general knowledge it seems. I’ll assign some reading.”

“Reading?” Hump said, distraught.

“You can read, can’t you Hump?”

“Of course I can read,” Hump said, searching for an excuse. “It’s just, I’ve always been more of a practical learner. I learn from doing and seeing more than reading.”

Her glare cut that line of thinking short. “Fortunately for you, you will have plenty of time to do both. A thorough knowledge of theory is vital to building the foundation necessary for your future. I will expect you to complete whatever reading assignments I give you. That is unless you no longer feel the need for my help.”

Hump sighed. “Of course, Vivi. Whatever you think will help.”

“Good. You’ll thank me for this before long. This is a system based on science: clear, supportable, provable logic. Or at least, as close as we can get to it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Not everything can be measured, but it can be assessed. Ah, here we go.” She pulled an object from the box and popped it down on the table with a satisfied sigh. “There, that’s one of them.”

It was a glass tube that stood upright on a steel plate stand, with a metal disc inside the tube. Hump leant closer to get a better look at the intricate runes crafted into the plate, coalescing at the spot directly within the tube. Numbered lines marked the length of the glass.

“Do I just channel my essence into it?”

“Yes,” she said, now searching through another box. “The device is designed to measure the power at which one can release essence. Think of it as a scale.”

Hump took a breath, taking a moment to gather his focus, clearing his mind of distractions and cycling his essence through his body. He placed his left hand on the artefact—the one without the bracelet—and let his essence surge.

The disc shot to the top of the tube, and floated there, unable to go further. Hump grinned. “That’s pretty good, right?”

She glanced up, something else in her hand. “Oh yes, that’s very good. You’d be top of the class in fact.”

Hump blinked, taken aback. “I would?”

“Absolutely. Mind you, we use that to test our junior applicants when they first enter the academy. It’s a great start though. This would have been a rather short session otherwise.”

“How old are they?” Hump asked glumly.

“The oldest are eleven.

Behind him, Hump heard two snorts, and glanced back to see Bud and Celaine watching with curious amusement. Dylan sat beside them, a slight smile on his face. Hump frowned at them.

“Here,” Vivienne said, ignoring them and placing a larger version of the same apparatus on the table. “This is what we use for those looking to gain their complete academy certification, almost all of which would be Rank 4 wizards or above. I don’t expect you to score near the top of this one—your soul is likely not mature enough for that—but I don’t have a more appropriate design for your age so this will have to do.”

At a glance, the runes appeared similar to the other device, but where the first looked to be made of steel, this one had a brighter white hue to it. Like the first, there were ten numbered lines along the central tube, and a disc contained within. “Is this platinum?”

“It is, so be careful not to drop it. I only have one.”

“It must have cost a fortune.” Platinum was far superior in its ability to conduct essence than steel, in some cases comparable to the lowest quality essence metals.

“It did. However the price is more than worth it,” Vivienne said. “Devices like these are key to our ability to master essence. They enable us to understand our strengths and weaknesses. Once we have identified areas to improve, we can set meaningful, measurable targets.”

“It’s like physical training,” Bud said. “Always a goal to work toward, a heavier weight to lift, or more distance to run.”

“Exactly. Effectively tracking one’s progress is key to efficient training. We can discuss the intricacies of both mine and the academy’s methods later, for now let’s continue with the tests. Take a minute to prepare yourself, Hump. When you’re ready, place your hand onto the base and channel your essence.”

Hump nodded. He closed his eyes, visualising the channels of essence that flowed through his body. He felt them stir as he began to circulate his essence, the waves forming. Few wizards could let go of their emotion completely, but Hump did his best to release his anxiety and nervousness into those waves, losing himself in their motion. He breathed deeply, calming himself in the same way he had done for the last ten years. A calm mind was key to focus, and focus was key to spell casting. Ever since he had learned the true Rivers and Waves technique, he’d found the effect had magnified. When his mind was clear of distractions, he opened his eyes and focused his intent on the device.

From his first attempt, he knew there was no need for a target. The enchantment on the plate was what guided his essence, he simply had to force as much of it as he could inside. There was an indent on the front of the plate, where a circle of runes marked the placement of four fingers. He used his left hand, feeling the cool touch of the platinum plate. He sensed no magic from it.

He drew in one last deep breath, then released it along with his essence. His power surged. The runes shone, drinking in his essence and directing it along the channels that led to the centre of the plate. There, a circle of runes focused his power into the tube. The light grew brighter as his power focused, and the disc began to rise. It passed the first three notches with ease, a blue glow shining at its base, and faint streams of essence trickling out between the edge of the disc and the tube.

Hump felt resistance after that, and the disc began to slow. Blue essence escaped from the top of the tube in a stream of smoke, almost candle-like. The ball passed the fourth line and Hump pressed harder—it was like pushing through mud. His head ached. Cold spread from his hand up his arm in tendrils of ice, climbing toward his body as he released more essence. With no need to hold back, it surged freely, uncontrollable, a burst dam without a way to stop.

The disc tittered past the fifth notch, hardly moving. Hump gritted his teeth through sheer focus as much as from the cold, intent on reaching the next mark. Willing the disc onward, willing more of his essence into the device. The disc was shining bright blue now, almost blinding. It barely passed the sixth line, where it wobbled within the tube, fighting to descend as Hump fought for it to go on, suspended between both. No matter how hard he pressed though, it went no further.

Cold exploded from his core as his soul strained to push out every bit of essence it could. Still it went no further. When the pain became too much, Hump let out an exhausted breath. He slumped back in his chair, a faint warmth swept through him as his core relaxed and his essence pushed back against the cold. The disc descended slowly, supported by the residual essence that still shone beneath it. As it fell, the remaining essence slipped around the edges of the disc, surging up the tube and out of the top in a great plume of blue smoke that dissipated into the air around them.

“How was that?” Hump asked, out of breath. He hung his hand at his side and flexed flexed it, trying to get the blood flowing. The cold was worse there, so he directed some of his essence to it, easing the discomfort.

“How is this possible?” Hump nearly jumped at the voice. At some point, Dylan had waked over to stand over his shoulder. “Master, I don’t understand.”

“What’s not to understand?” Vivienne said. “An essence scale is designed to measure one’s ability to output essence. It doesn’t factor in whether that essence is from the domain of a god or a mortal soul, it merely measures the quantity of essence transferred in a given time.”

“Is something wrong?” Hump asked.

“Not at all,” Vivienne said. “You have a very strong soul for your age, Hump. Dylan is just perplexed that you scored as well as he did, despite him being a Chosen of the third circle.”

“You don’t have to put it like that,” Dylan said, smiling. “I was just a little surprised is all.”

“I must admit, I was a surprise to me too Who would have thought Seth had such an eye for talent? No wonder he kept you around. Most your age would fall between the second and third notch, with the fourth being a very noteworthy result. Many wizards never progress beyond the fifth even when they reach maturity, though that’s only your average wizard of course, those that will never progress far.”

“Huh,” Hump said. “That’s great.”

“You’re the first young wizard I know to look disappointed about such news,” Vivienne said. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Hump lied. As much as he wanted to trust Vivienne, it was too dangerous to reveal the scar on his soul. “I was just thinking that explains why I’ve had so many issues with my control.”

“Oh yes, absolutely. Only the true masters are able to find that fine balance between power and control, and it’s a battle that all practitioners face. We’ll come to that next, don’t you worry. Power is a much simpler test. Control is about finesse and creativity; it isn’t just something that can be measured.”

She went on, but Hump struggled to listen. He couldn’t help but wonder what he would have scored before his soul had been imprinted by the dragon. He thought it would likely be somewhere in the upper average, as his master had always praised his power, though even then it meant the imprint had increased his power by fifty percent.

Gods, it could have doubled it. There is always a price to power. Hump wondered just what that price had been. What else had the dragon changed about him? It was clear to him now why his control over essence had worsened, but he’d also lost his temper with Vivienne when she’d question him about his master’s death. Had that been his reaction, or was it the dragon’s influence?

Perhaps it was the first touch of insanity that came from soul damage. He was technically a warlock, whether by choice or not. He was no longer fully human, but a beast touched by darkness.

“Humphrey,” Vivienne snapped, drawing his attention. She glared at him. “You’re distracted. That’s not a good sign. We’re about to begin with assessing your control, I need you focused. I’ll be taking you through a number of cantrips and general shaping exercises.”

“Right, shaping exercises,” Hump said, nodding. “Don’t worry, I’m focused.”

“Good. We’ll begin with veils. I think drilling in the difference between apparitions and phantasms would be a great place to start either way.”