ALEXiThymiA: Chapter 56: Mandatory Service

Chapter 56

Mandatory Service

Alexa made her way back in time to witness the last period of the day. Surprisingly the guest lecturer that seemed to think herself as far too important to teach a class of sophomores was still around. Everyone remained quiet as they watched Alexa make her way to her customary seat at the front of class.

During her walk Alexa made sure to stand up straight, with perfect posture, and most importantly she showed no weakness. Her entire body was sore, but she never let a moment of that show on her face and body.

Instead, she walked with a silent dignity that others would find hard to mimic or replicate. Even the self-important lecturer found herself taken in by the graceful strides of Alexa.

She sat down smoothly, and immediately began taking out paper and pen to begin taking notes. The moment she was ready, she looked up and had her piercing blue eyes lock gazes with the lecturer. At that connection the lecturer felt her own body reflexively taking a breath. This was not the gaze of an angsty teen, nor the gaze of someone who considered themselves to be wasting their time. No, this was the gaze a of a predator, plain and simple.

“He, hello. I am a guest lecturer on Magic, Magic Theory, and the Mandatory Draft.” The Guest lecturer began, speaking to Alexa, only to pause as she took in the four magic schools that Alexa was listed as having. Not only were there four, but she had somehow managed to fool the school into granting her the tenth and final tier ranking for each of the four. Seeing that, the guest lecturer felt vile rising in her guts. This girl was attempting to do something that was not only reckless, but would ultimately backfire on her once she was found out to be a fraud.

“My name is Commander Vera Sims, of the 223 Mage Battalion. I have been sent here to inform your class of the different tiers of magic, and the noted service to our country that comes with being a mage.” The woman began.

Alexa just nodded, never taking her eyes off of the speaker, even while her hands continued to write. It was a most disconcerting practice that Alexa had mastered, the ability to seemingly focus her mind on two different actions at the same time.

“Can anyone tell me why Mages are automatically drafted for service, while all other classes and specializations are allowed to avoid the mandatory services?” Cpt Sims asked, a challenging tone in her voice. While the question might have been directed to the entire class, it was clear that she was solely focused on Alexa. The only other person in the classroom who had unlocked a school of magic within the class. While it was clear to Ms. Sims that this was the girl who was the healer she noted from the news. The one she had been sent by command to go ahead and scout, which was why she had been on the red eye and flown out here, she still could not wrap her head around the idea of someone so young being able to not only unlock four magic schools, but then to claim she also mastered them. While healing was clearly a mastery, or at least a near mastery, given the way she managed to cure Necromancy. There was still no way she could believe this girl before her, despite how intimidating she might seem, could have unlocked three other schools of magic. Still, all she needed was the one.

That one school of magic was more than enough for her command to send her here, hundreds of miles from her deluxe high-rise apartment out here, where their idea of comfort was a family run Discount Inn.

“To fight the dungeon swarms in the north.” Julie offered.

Hearing the voice from the other side of the classroom, Ms. Sims turned her attention to the new girl.

“Very good. Now what causes dungeon swarms?”

“Not attending to a dungeon for over a year. Not properly clearing a dungeon within ten years.” Alecia Flowers answered from Alexa’s left.

With this, the captain once again shifted her eyesight to be centered mostly on Alexa.

“Good, now how do demon outbreaks happen?”

“When a dungeon is left to run wild for over a year.” Valeri answered from Alexa’s left.

“Very good. This can be quite deadly, as demons are often considered to be the next tier of evolution possible for dungeon monsters. Their presence is a blight upon the lands, and one that must be met with extreme prejudice.” Cpt Sims said. She paused, almost wondering if she should give her speech about how Judge and Warder were people who turned their back on their team. About how they left a good team of well-trained troops to die, but she held off on that. Knowing the area, it was clear that such a comment would not go over favorably. This was after all the part of the country where the two devoted their lives to protecting this small area of inhabitants.

With a mental note to skip her lecture on desertion, and turning your back on your federally mandated service, she decided to go into her speech on why Magic Users were so important.

“Good. Now what is the one way to easily reset a Dungeon to its dormant state, without having anyone actually need to clear said dungeon?”

Silence.

With that Cpt. Sims just nodded to herself, before answering. “It is okay that you don’t know. There is a little known secret that those who have taken and completed the Trials of Ascension can just go in and calm a dungeon. Even one that has been overrun by demons.”

Silence.

At this point, Cpt Sims gave a slight smile. Finally, something they haven’t heard yet.

“Yes, now can someone tell me the number one way to see that someone has completed the Trials of Ascension?”

“Is it Magic?” Kylie asked.

“Very good. So far the only known place to get magic is from the Trials of Ascension. Also know that as I explained before, each Tier is leagues and bounds higher in both terms of power, but ability to focus than the lower tiers.” Cpt Sims paused, as she let that sink in. For a moment she debated whether she should go through with the humiliation of this girl who likely didn’t know that just having magic was enough. That being seen as having a magical school unlocked would be considered more than impressive enough.

Still this girl did it to herself, having not one but four cases of stolen valor proudly displayed on her sash. Cpt Sims couldn’t blame the school, very few people had the ability to see the true level and power of a Mage’s true Tier rating. While Captain Sims herself didn’t possess the ability to see the power rating of others, she could at the very least see the resonance of her magic within others. To that regard, it was clear that this student before her, stolen valor or not, did have her own school of Nature Magic unlocked. However, she could not let such a crime go unnoticed. While it might be considered bad form for one of her caliber, a Tier V to come at a student, this would save her problems in the future.

“You there.” Cpt Sims said, pointing to Alexa. “You have the Nature Magic school unlocked. What is the core difference between a tier one, and a tier two mage?”

Alexa shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know.”

Hmph.

With that Cpt. Sims let out a sigh. It had come to this, the girl didn’t even know the basics that are taught to every tier one initiate.

“All right. Now class, I am going to show you what happens when a Mage lies about their abilities. While I can feel the Nature magic within your classmate here, it is clear that she is lacking in the basic teachings of what a Tier one Initiate would know. Do not take offense to this, but this will be a simple test of wills. Normally when there is the case of stolen valor, a mage with a lower tier can challenge you to prove your status. As a Tier five, I am considered to be well below the power output of a tier ten. As such, the rules of mage dueling would allow this to happen. Normally in a duel, we would take turns growing plants. I will begin first, as the lower ranked I will attempt to grow a plant, while you disrupt the flow of my energy. If I am unable to grow anything, then it proves that you are the more powerful and skilled mage. However if I am able to grow something, then it shows you lack precision and control over your magic.”

Pausing, she continued with the rules, not that it would get that far. “However, if you are able to stop me, you as the challenged get one attempt to grow your own plant. One that will be used to attack me directly. Do you understand?”

The towering girl, Alexa, nodded.

“Very good. I will give you one last chance to back out now. Either admit that you are lying about your tier ranking, or prepare to duel.” Cpt Sims said.

Alexa just shrugged her shoulders.

Seeing that overconfident gesture, Cpt Sims felt anger rise in her. While this was a simple recruitment tour, right now this girl needed to be put in her place.

“Then rise, and face my challenge.” Cpt Sims said, as she was barely able to contain her rage at this point.

“No need.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“There is no need to stand. I can see your magic, I will let you have this contest.” The giant of a girl said, even sitting down she was intimidating. Fortunately, muscles meant almost nothing when it came to magic.

“Very well then, begin.”

With that, Cpt Sims let her anger guide her magic. She had been intending to hold back, but this was too much. This girl was too cocky, too arrogant. She might have been a big fish in a small town like this, but compared to the real schools, compared to a real mage, she was nothing.

Focusing her will, she channeled the magic the same way she always did. It stated with her mind, where her wellspring of power resided. Then if flowed down her spine around her heart, which helped pump the blood and mana along parallel circuits in her body. Then the magic looped around her lungs for guidance and support. Then finally out her right hand, where she directed it with a gesture right under the smug girl’s desk.

Cpt Sims focused on creating a tree right under the desk. Not worried about decorum, she began chanting the words of focus and power. The ones the elves taught her, when she was undertaking her own Trials of Ascension.

“Hane-wa-na, hone-ka.” Sims chanted silently over and over, her lips mostly going through the repeated motions. She continued putting the full force of her power into her craft. She stared, at the spot where she wanted her magic to sprout, to take root.

A pause.

Nothing happened. Shocked, Cpt Sims looked at the spot with confusion. She had done everything right, shaking her head, she focused more of her will into the next chant. This time she chanted loudly, so loudly that some of her energy escaped her conduits and began causing static discharges to be released. She was releasing so much energy that she felt her hair beginning to rise from the static electricity being released within the room.

She focused her will and still nothing.

Panting.

The whole process only took a minute, but she was exhausted from the efforts. She felt like she had just run a marathon with weights.

Worse, she looked up to see that the annoyingly calm girl was still just there staring at her impassively, as if she was nothing.

Once their eyes met, she asked a question that caused Cpt. Sims’ blood to boil.

“Are you done?”

“Am I done!” Cpt Sims spat back, anger and hatred in her tone. But no, she was done. She had spent most of her magical load on just trying to focus on creating her plant. She had gone too big, especially for someone with her reserves of mana. That was it, she had tried to do too much.

Taking in a calming breath, she realized that was the deal.

“Yes, I suppose I was unable to manage to create my spell. Now it is your right to directly attack me with your own magic.”

“Unnecessary.” The cold girl said.

Something about the way she said it, the way there was no emotion in her words. The fact that she seemed to think that she was worthless. Well, she might have lucked out on the fact that I tried to do too much, but I know she will not be able to do anything to me directly.

“No, you still have to prove you are superior. Assert your dominance on my body. Show me you have what it takes.”

At that Alexa just let out a sigh.

“Very well. I will start by creating mold on your right hand. From there it will grow up your arm, around your torso, down your other arm and legs. Then it will go up you neck and cover your face. Tell me when we can stop this.” Alexa said.

“Overly confi…” was all Cpt Sims managed to say as she felt a burning sensation on her right hand.

Looking up, she saw the girl just staring at her impassively. Turning back to her hand, she felt girl’s magic burning on her skin. Then quickly cycling down and around her hand. The magic was already growing up her arm, before Cpt Sims even managed to start focusing on a proper defense.

She cheated.  That was the thought that went through Cpt Sims’ mind. Unfortunately, she was unable to do too much more, as she had to focus on defense right now. There was no way this girl could beat her; she was the best Nature mage in the Americas. There were other users in Asia who were more proficient, but even still she would be able to hold her own with them. At least she wouldn’t lose this badly to one of them. Not even if they cheated.

“Hane-wa-na, hone-ka. Hane-wa-na, hone-ka. Hane-wa-na, hone-ka.” Sims chanted her magical incantation over and over again. Focusing on stopping the quick spread of the magical mold on her body. If she moved, the spores would dig deeper into her skin. Then when she tried to move her arm back, it would cause a tearing motion. The entire thing was painful, but she realized it could be a whole lot worse. This mold, wasn’t doing nearly as much damage as it could.

With a start, Sims looked back to see the girl calmly looking down at her notes. She wasn’t even giving this her full attention.

Sims focused her mind, but by the time she looked back her torso was covered, and as the creepy girl said, the magic was now working its way down her legs. Unfortunately there was no resistance for the legs, once her torso was cut off, there was no way for the magic to get past to block the spread to her legs. Instead all she could do was fight back impotently at the foreign magic that surrounded her core. Then a few seconds later, she received the last notice from her toes letting her know that her toes were now encased within the cocoon.

Fear gripped Cpt Sims’ mid as she felt the mold slowly growing up her neck.

Almost as if sensing her fear, Alexa turned her ice blue eyes up to stare directly at Cpt Sims. Even sitting down, it was clear this whole exercise was beneath her. That she did not need to stand, or resort to the chants. That somehow she was on a level of mastery that far exceeded her own.

In that moment, her mouth acted, before her mind could even process what she was doing or saying. “I yield.”

With that Alexa nodded her head. Then as if the entire thing had been an illusion, the mold that had been covering her body, stopping her own flows of magic were gone.

Cpt Sims stared, there was no incantation, no movement, no gestures. Just there one second, then gone the next.

“How did you?” Sims asked, looking at her arms. She could not see any signs of the mold. Well other than the tear marks where the mold had clearly cut their way through her clothing. Even now the smell of musk filled the air, letting her know that plants had been there, but how?

Ding-dong-ding.

The class bell for the end of the day rang. But everyone remained in their seats. Normally at the sound, regardless of what was happening, some kids would begin packing up their belongings. Not this class, instead everyone was laser focused on the tall monster of a girl.

“Your form is sloppy. You focus your magic through your mind, then let it circulate out your body before you direct it. This is wasteful and gives anyone who knows what they are doing time to prepare to stop you. Focus on moving your energy straight from your mind where you want it to go. That will cut down on your casting time and prevent obvious disruptions.” Alexa said, her tone cold.

Hearing the words, this made no sense. This was not how she had been taught. In her tutorials, she had been taught by the best. The wisest of magic users who had been practicing for millennium, there was no way this girl knew better than her.

“Also,” but the warrior wasn’t finished. “Your statement that you use to chant your power. I don’t know what you think it does, but it literally translates to: ‘Bind me to your service, oh great elves, now and forever.’”

Hearing that, Cpt. Sims felt like she had been slapped in the face.

Who was this girl to tell her anything? Yet, she couldn’t refute her claims. Just looking into her eyes, caused a tremor of fear to run down her body as she realized she was looking at a real monster.

Seeing that no reply was coming, Alexa just closed her notebook and her stuff into her backpack. Only once she had begun moving did the spell that held all the other students captive break, as the other students all began putting away their own gear.

With that, Alexa left the classroom, never even looking at the shellshocked Captain Sims again.

Only once it was over, and the rest of the class left the room silently did Ms. Tutlidge come over to try to offer some words of condolence to the woman.

“Sorry about that. I should have told you that she was verified by our own Mr. Mackie, he has the Power Appraisal ability to the max. He was the one who certified Alexa’s qualifications.”

Cpt Sims heard the name, and then a bell went off in her mind. “Wait, you don’t mean General Jordan Mackie, do you?”

“Oh, I don’t know his name, nor his former rank. But he is a scary man. But you can trust him on his evaluations of people.”

At that, the image of the slender man who came in and asked for the brother came to mind. While Captain Sims had never herself seen the general, she had heard enough rumors of the man to cause her blood to freeze at the name. Wanting to hedge her bets, on whether the man she saw was the real General Mackie, she pressed on.

“What was his evaluation of this Alexa?”

Nervous laugh.

“Oh, he said, steer clear of her wherever possible. Certain people you can only guide towards the enemy, lest you spend too much time getting in their way that you become the inadvertent enemy.” Ms. Tutlidge said, as a distinctly nervous scent wafted from her.

“You were told this recently, I take it?”

“Yeah, I might have been a little too gung-ho my first few days here.”

Looking at the woman, Cpt Sims wasn’t clear exactly what made her nervous. Whether it was the General, or the girl herself, but Sims was nothing if not thorough.

“Could you please introduce me to this Mr. Mackie.”

“Oh, you saw him earlier. But yes, I will take you to him, if you like.”

Cpt Sims nodded, and proceeded to follow the awkward Ms. Tutlidge out of her own classroom, trying to find the man who could quite possibly be the most reclusive mage generals to ever retire from active service.

To think, he could have been out here all along. Cpt Sims thought to herself.