Aldric returned to Marcus Blackwood's warehouse on the appointed night, his heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and fear. The same scarred guard let him in, leading him to the back room where Marcus sat behind his desk, reviewing papers.
Marcus looked up as Aldric entered, his dark eyes assessing.
"Aldric Thorne. I wasn't sure you'd come back. Most people who make promises to me fail to deliver. Let's see if you're different. What do you have for me?"
Aldric took a breath and recited the information he'd gathered. "The shipment arrives in three days at dawn, eastern gate. It will be transported through the city using Route Two, which goes through the warehouse district. Twenty guards, four mages, all Tier 2 or higher. They'll depart the eastern gate at dawn and arrive at the northern warehouse by mid-morning. The route was chosen specifically to be unpredictable, and the decision was made only two days ago."
Marcus leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Route Two. Through the warehouse district. That's... specific. How did you obtain this information?"
"I infiltrated a Consortium reception, broke into their logistics office, and overheard two officials discussing the shipment," Aldric said. There was no point in lying. Marcus would verify the information, and if Aldric had made it up, he'd be dead.
For a long moment, Marcus said nothing. Then he laughed, a genuine sound of surprise and amusement.
"You broke into the Consortium building? On your second week in the capital? Either you're insane or you're the most audacious bastard I've met in years." He stood and extended his hand. "I'm impressed, Aldric Thorne. You've delivered exactly what I asked for, and you did it in a way that shows genuine skill and nerve. I think we can do business."
Aldric shook his hand, relief flooding through him. "So we have a deal? Twenty gold for a Luminous Crystal?"
"We have a deal," Marcus confirmed. "But I'm going to offer you something better. I'll sell you a crystal for twenty gold, as promised. But I'll also offer you a choice of crystals, and I'll throw in some basic training on how to use it safely. Consider it an investment. I think you have potential, and I'd rather see you succeed than become another Discordant corpse in an alley."
Aldric felt a surge of gratitude, though he was careful not to show too much emotion. "Thank you. I accept."
Marcus gestured to a locked cabinet behind his desk. He produced a key and opened it, revealing a collection of Luminous Crystals, each one glowing with a different color. There were perhaps a dozen in total, ranging from the size of a thumbnail to the size of a fist.
"These are all counterfeit," Marcus said. "Refined by a rogue alchemist who used to work for the Consortium before he was expelled for unauthorized experimentation. They're not as pure as Consortium crystals, and they're more dangerous to use. But they're functional, and they're affordable. Choose carefully. Once you attune to a Pathway, you're locked into it. You can't change your mind later."
Aldric studied the crystals, his mind racing. He'd already decided on the Path of the Veiled Mind—illusion and mental manipulation. It suited his skills and his temperament. But he wanted to make sure he was choosing the right crystal.
"How do I know which crystal corresponds to which Pathway?" he asked.
"Color," Marcus said. "Each Pathway has a characteristic color. Veiled Mind is violet. Empyrean Flame is red. Stone Heart is gray. And so on. What Pathway are you interested in?"
"Veiled Mind," Aldric said.
Marcus nodded approvingly. "A good choice for someone with your skills. Subtle, versatile, and powerful in the right hands. Let's see..." He examined the crystals and selected one that glowed with a soft violet light. It was about the size of a walnut, its surface smooth and cool.
"This one is decent quality for a counterfeit. It has some impurities, but nothing that should cause immediate problems if you're careful. The main risk is during the Attunement ritual. If you're not mentally prepared, the impurities can cause hallucinations or temporary madness. But if you're strong-willed and focused, you should be fine."
Aldric took the crystal, feeling its weight in his palm. It was warm to the touch, and he could feel a faint vibration, as if it were alive. This small object represented everything he'd been working toward. With it, he could become a mage. Without it, he would remain powerless.
"How do I perform the Attunement ritual?" he asked.
"I'll teach you," Marcus said. "But first, the payment."
Aldric counted out twenty gold pieces and placed them on the desk. Marcus swept them into a drawer, then gestured for Aldric to sit.
"The Attunement ritual is simple in theory, dangerous in practice," Marcus began. "You need to find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. Sit in a comfortable position, hold the crystal in both hands, and focus your mind on it. Clear away all distractions, all thoughts, all emotions. Become empty. Then, when you're completely calm, open yourself to the crystal. Let its energy flow into you. It will hurt—it always hurts. The crystal is forcing its way into your soul, creating a connection that didn't exist before. You need to endure the pain without losing focus. If you panic, if you let your mind fracture, the Attunement will fail and you'll likely go mad or die."
Aldric swallowed hard. "How long does it take?"
"Anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on your mental strength and the quality of the crystal. With a counterfeit like this, probably closer to an hour. Maybe longer. You'll know it's complete when the pain stops and you can feel the crystal's power inside you. At that point, you'll be a Tier 1 Initiate."
"And then?" Aldric asked.
"And then you start learning how to use your powers. As a Tier 1 Veiled Mind Initiate, you'll be able to sense surface thoughts and emotions from people nearby. You'll also be able to create minor illusions—small visual or auditory tricks. Nothing powerful, but enough to be useful. As you advance through the Tiers, your abilities will grow stronger and more complex."
Marcus reached into another drawer and pulled out a small, leather-bound book. "This is a basic manual on the Path of the Veiled Mind. It covers the fundamentals—how to control your powers, how to avoid detection, how to advance to Tier 2. It's not comprehensive, but it's enough to get you started. Consider it part of our deal."
Aldric took the book, his hands trembling slightly. This was real. This was happening. He was about to become a mage.
"One more thing," Marcus said, his voice serious. "Once you're attuned, you'll need to register with the Consortium within a month. It's the law. If you're caught using magic without being registered, they'll execute you. I know you've already had some contact with the Consortium through your information gathering, so they may already be aware of you. Be smart about this. Register, pay your fees, and play by their rules—at least publicly. What you do in private is your own business."
"I understand," Aldric said.
Marcus stood and extended his hand again. "Good luck, Aldric Thorne. I have a feeling we'll be doing more business in the future. Try not to die during the Attunement."
Aldric shook his hand and left the warehouse, the crystal and the book tucked safely in his jacket. He walked through the dark streets back to the Copper Bell Inn, his mind racing with anticipation and fear.
This was it. The moment that would define the rest of his life. He would perform the Attunement ritual tonight, and by morning, he would either be a mage or he would be dead.
He climbed the stairs to his room, locked the door, and sat on the bed. He placed the crystal on the table and opened the manual, reading through the instructions for the Attunement ritual. They were similar to what Marcus had told him, but more detailed.
He spent an hour preparing himself mentally, meditating, clearing his mind of distractions. Then, when he felt as ready as he would ever be, he picked up the crystal and began.
The game was about to change forever.