"What?"
Many thoughts were rushing through Henry's head. He was supposed to die, and they had known for the past three days? How could that be possible? If they had divined that he was supposed to die, then why hadn't he died?
Femble had expected this confusion. How else should one act to hearing that they should be dead? "As you may already know, the eighth school of magic is divination, or the power to see one's future. What many do not know, is how this power is actually realized. Tell me, Henry, did you pay much attention in the various subjects taught during your time in the orphanage?"
Henry thought back to his coursework. He never particularly liked mathematics or sciences, which were often also associated with the study of magic. Then, there was arcanics, which Henry assumed was the primary subject Femble was referencing. Henry never paid much attention in arcanics. The idea that some abstract symbols had the power to control elementary particles so small we can't even see it sounded like insanity to him, and if he couldn't understand numbers, how could he possibly understand something as complex as that?
There were many unanswered questions Henry had floating in his mind. "How would one even visualize 'moving a particle' if they couldn't see it? Pivot? Pivot AROUND WHAT?"
All of the concepts flew over Henry's head. As such, he did his best to not fail the class, but also settled for the bare minimum. Which was why when Femble asked this question, Henry appeared shy before sheepishly rubbing his neck and saying, "I never really did well in arcanics, and I can't really say I'm a savant at math and science."
Femble smiled at this, "Don't worry, I only ask since magic is the process of realizing the associations between all of these subjects, and applying that knowledge. You mentioned arcanics, which is certainly important, especially for us mages and rune crafters, but all your other coursework is also critical. In fact, this line of thinking, that only math, science, and arcanics are important for us mages, is something we spend a large amount of time at this academy un-teaching. Every last drop of knowledge you have learned is critical in formulating the solution required for your spell. That IS why it's called a *spell* after all, as it spells out the solution!"
Femble paused for effect, however whatever the intended effect was seemed to be lost on Henry's face. Femble cleared her throat, as Henry waited for her to get to the point. "Divination magic is actually closely linked to life. However, more specifically, it is the ability to see one's life. As such, the quickest and easiest spells have always had a definitive end-condition. Divination magic works by interacting with one's mind, through their brain. Based on the state of one's brain, the magic is able to interrogate... more information out of the environment. I apologize as the specifics of divination are a tad outside my wheelhouse, as Arch-Magus of Gratiswiesel Academy, which focuses on transmutation as you know!"
For once, Femble seemed a bit frazzled, likely due to the fact that she could not provide a better explanation. She seemed to pause for a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing, "One such piece of information could be how much time one's mind has left. As magic is in the environment all around us, and many even believe it to be the foundation of our very existence, it is not bound by a concept as mundane as time. One may say that magic is, indeed, timeless. Although that may also not be quite true, as what may be more accurate is that time is just a solution itself..."
Femble seemed to be lost in thought once again over the last few words before Henry interrupted, "Okay, but if the spell... 'said' I was supposed to die, then how am I alive?"
Femble chuckled, "You really aren't quick on the pick up, huh? You should be thanking me. Once a divination spell is cast, it is based on the existing conditions at the time the spell was cast. That is, whatever the real intentions of every individual are. I never originally intended to be in that hallway at that moment, in fact my original intention is to stay in my office and complete this immense paperwork that *transmutes* itself onto my desk every morning."
Femble gestured with a wave of her hand towards a few filing cabinets and boxes in the corner of her office. "Alas, after that fateful orientation, it seemed the world had other plans. So, I knew where to be and how to save you. Less so the how, and more the where, but you get the point. However, Alice was in front of you on the line that day. Based on Delilah's divination reading, she was supposed to die tomorrow. With the details we have now, we can surmise that it would have been likely due to either her own doing or Déidrop putting her to death."
With these new details, Henry was really starting to understand how appreciative he should be for Femble's actions. The only reason he was alive at this very moment, was due to her care for her students, and these extreme conditions that have been implemented at the academy. Femble added, "one more thing, as I mentioned earlier, we are continuing our investigation into these recent deaths. We will likely continue to monitor you closely for the time being."
This left Henry with a conflicted feeling inside. He has already felt like an imposter since the first day he had arrived in the academy- no, since he first took the entrance exam. Now they were going to be 'monitoring him closely?' At the end of the day, he supposed he should just be grateful to Femble for even being alive.
Femble added, "also, just to make sure you really understand the seriousness and gravity of this situation, you are currently the first, and only student we have managed to save from whoever is this mysterious entity who is hunting our most promising students. As such, the Arch-Magus Elijah will remain by your side at all times."
Suddenly, from thin air, appeared an old white-haired long-bearded man wearing a long gray robe holding a reddish brown staff whose ends branched and twisted to hold a smooth turquoise ball at the end. The old man immediately nodded to Henry and Femble, as if to acknowledge everything that has been said.
"H-how long has he been there?" Henry said with a shocked expression while pointing at where Elijah appeared out of thin air. He had glanced at the spot where Elijah was before, but somehow, inexplicably, he somehow missed the man standing there.
"He has been tailing you since you woke up this morning to ensure your safety. Although Delilah's divination is near perfect, we had no way to know if our subsequent actions may have sped up the timeline of your potential demise." Femble said with a smile.
Henry thought back to this morning, starting from when he woke up. Not once had he seen anyone that even close to resembled the old man that was now standing before him. He would know, the individual was in fact quite distinct, especially with his large staff. This thought sent shivers down his spine, as he has always considered himself quiet perceptive from a young age.
As Femble continued, Henry glanced from Femble in front of him, to Elijah to his side. "He will continue to follow you in the coming weeks throughout all of your lessons. I too, will always be nearby... just in case. I want you to know that we have big things planned for you. The first student to... pass- due to the assailants. He showed some of the greatest promise of any student we had ever seen. I would even go so far as saying their skill and wisdom rivalled ours on the Lucky 8."
This information left Henry floored. He felt like all of the air, no his very soul, was just knocked out of his body from his gut, and that he was staring at his ghost sitting before him, where Femble sat now. The Lucky 8 were a council of mages consisting of each respective master of school of magic. Each mage on the council acts as the chairperson with the title of Arch-Magus, effectively a principal, for each academy. This corresponds to the schools of magic: 1 for Abjuration, 2 for Conjuration, 3 for Evocation, 4 for Enchantment, 5 for Transmutation, 6 for Illusion, 7 for Necromancy, and 8 for Divination. Femble change in demeanor brought Henry back to the current moment. "I am telling you this not to scare you, but rather to prepare you for what likely lies ahead of you: a tough journey. We promise to be by your side every step of the way. If your would-be assailants are correct, if we are correct... your magical journey will not be a normal one. You will notice spells coming to you more naturally, explanations will seem long-winded, and most importantly, the critical component that all mage's use, spice-root, is not only *optional* for you, but wholly unrequired. However, to start, you may find it easier to go along with everyone else in using it."
At this point, Femble had closed the file, and had set all of the folders to the side of her desk, before folding her hands in front of her. "Henry, you are special. Your life will not be the same from this moment on, and I am sad to inform you that there is no way to go back. I am sorry."
These words rang through Henry's head as he left Femble's office with Elijah by his side. At least he was by his side as he approached the doorway, before losing sight of him by the time he crossed to the other side. Henry immediately glanced around. "Of course, he's already nowhere to be seen," Henry thought to himself.
As Henry stepped out of Femble's office, the weight of her words pressed heavily on his shoulders. He felt as though the very ground beneath him had shifted, leaving him unsteady and unsure. The academy hummed with life around him—students chatting, laughter echoing through the halls, the faint sound of magic crackling in the air—but all he could hear was the thumping of his own heart, and the thoughts in his own head, "I'm alive. But what does that even mean? If I'm supposed to be dead... why am I still here?"
His thoughts spiraled as he wandered aimlessly through the corridors, past classrooms filled with students deep in their studies. As he walked, fragments of conversations floated by, but none could penetrate his fog of confusion.
"Did you hear about that girl who attacked that other student?"
"Yeah, but then Femble showed up out of nowhere! It's almost like she knew..."
Everyone grew silent as Henry passed, as the whispers grew louder, making Henry's skin crawl. He quickened his pace, eager to escape the scrutiny and speculation that seemed to hang in the air like a thick mist. He needed space—space to think and process everything that had just happened.
"Why me? What makes me special? I really don't want all this, no, any of this... attention." He rounded a corner and found himself outside in a small courtyard adorned with vibrant flowers and bubbling fountains—a stark contrast to his turbulent thoughts. The cool breeze brushed against his face, grounding him momentarily as he inhaled deeply.
"Okay, think logically. If they saved me... what comes next? Do I really have to worry about someone trying to kill me?" Just then, Elijah appeared at his side once more, seemingly materializing from thin air once again without Henry noticing.
"You seem troubled, young one."
Startled, Henry jumped slightly before turning to face the old mage.
Henry blinked a few times before asking, "how do you keep doing that? One moment you're not there at all..."
"It is part of my craft; subtlety is key in ensuring your safety. But more importantly—what weighs on your mind?"
"Everything! Femble said I'm special now because I'm... alive when I'm not supposed to be! What does that even mean for me?"
Elijah regarded Henry with a keen gaze; it was as if he were peering into the depths of Henry's very soul. "Being special is both a blessing and a burden. You possess potential beyond what most can fathom—a gift intertwined with danger. Your journey will require strength and courage unlike anything you've known before."
"But I never asked for this! Why can't everything just go back to normal?"
"Ah, but 'normal' is often an illusion we cling to when faced with uncertainty. Embrace this change; it may lead you toward paths you never imagined possible."
Elijah's words resonated within Henry—a flicker of hope amidst his fear began to ignite.
"Maybe... maybe this isn't all bad. If they believe in me enough to protect me..." Taking a deep breath, he straightened himself and met Elijah's gaze with newfound determination. "So what's next then? What do I need to do?"
A faint smile creased Elijah's weathered face as he gestured toward the archway leading deeper into the academy grounds. "First things first—you must begin your training, just like the rest of the students. We have much work ahead if you are indeed destined for greatness… or survival against those who would seek your end."
With that simple statement hanging between them like an unspoken promise, Henry took his first step into an uncertain future—a future where magic awaited him not just as an academic pursuit but as an integral part of who he was meant to become.