Ayden and Tarmon performed the arcane task of keeping a rock afloat using only Red.

  While Ayden knew how to burn down a forest or explode a monster with Red, consistent and controlled power was his weakest link. His professor Inira who was also from Mahar claimed Ayden was like an artillery shot. Only good for things far away.

  Tarmon on the other hand, despite his burly stature, was only good at healing. He grew frustrated more than Ayden as he claimed he could lift the rock without any magic. Ayden could lift it with Green. However, these Silterran Mages wanted reliability and standardization in their mages. That meant Green Healing and Barriers.

  Ayden already heard Xavos’s voice in his head and what he had said about the structure of academics. Standardization is not intelligent, it’s lazy. A battalion of soldiers can be structured and standardized, sure. But a host of mages should specialize in what they see fit. You will struggle here the most.

  Sweat rolled down both their faces and several of the Silterran boys from their dormitory snickered at their strain.

  ***

  Ayden and Tarmon stood beside their peers as they watched professor Larta demonstrate proper Red combat techniques. When asked to blast the target dummies, Ayden managed to take them out faster than anyone in the room. The Silterran dorm mates along with most others stared in astonishment. Their dorm mates turned into quiet neighbors after that day.

  ***

  Tarmon beamed as the healers of the infirmary congratulated him on his treatment of burn victims that returned from a patrol in the wilds. Something about a rogue band of mages scampering in the forests. The healers had brought in several students to teach them Green Healing methods and Tarmon outshone everyone. Ayden ended up causing pain to the burn victim without actually mending anything. He stopped the blood flow for someone with a nasty cut, however.

  ***

  The lectures about history made Ayden fall asleep. Tarmon had to wake him up before class ended so he wouldn’t be left behind.

  ***

  On the days where Ayden had some free time, he’d run errands for local vendors and craftsmen. He knew enough about sowing to help out the seamstress named Lia with various chores and vendor runs. Ayden returned to his dorm late at night with little to no energy left. On days he didn’t train Green Healing he could work even longer by staving off sleep with Green Enhancements.

  Without those errands he’d have no money as he spent it all on the first few weeks with Tarmon in the city. He didn’t realize a beer could be so expensive. In Eleda, he’d built enough pity and rapport with the bartender to have a few beers for free in exchange for odd jobs here and there. The bartenders here called themselves professionals and knew more about history and philosophy than he did even after a lecture in both. They charged a whole silver for some hard liquor drinks that they claimed surpassed the realm of drinking and ventured into art.

  Ayden had three of the supposed artistic endeavors and stopped hearing what the bartender was saying and engrossed himself in her earrings. They looked magical. He wondered that night if he could steal them for a night and test them for anything. He slurred his words when he tried to ask so she just laughed at him and handed him a glass of clear liquor that tasted like water. It was free!

  Tarmon healed him of his drunkenness for the stumble back home, but he still felt it in the effects in the morning, and the lightness in his pockets.

  ***

  The months passed and Ayden grew in power. Tarmon finally learned the basics of Red combat so he could defend himself. Ayden even taught him a thing or two about using his efficient Soul Source to cast enhancements on himself.

  “Imagine a man your size charging faster than a war rhino,” said Ayden one day. “You’d be a stampede.”

  Tarmon stood prouder and taller when he managed to form splinters into a wall in the city during their breaks. He dislocated his shoulder on impact, but healed it within seconds. The two sprinted away before guards could find who damaged the wall.

  ***

  On a pleasant evening after lectures, the two went down to the taverns to relax. The weeks had grown strenuous as the professors started pushing the mages with their casting. With so much focus on healing, Ayden came home with an entirely depleted Soul Source. The lectures on history might as well have depleted Ayden’s Mind Source.

  When they walked in Ayden jingled his pockets to hear the coins. He’d saved up enough for this night and he needed it. Tarmon and Ayden leaned over the counter with excited grins.

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  “What can I get you two?” asked the bartender with the earrings.

  “Are those arcane?” asked Ayden.

  “You asked this the last time,” she said, brow raised.

  “Oh,” said Ayden. “I don’t remember.”

  “I can tell. So? What will it be?”

  “That one clear drink you gave me at the very end. I remember that. Super smooth!”

  “That was water,” said the bartender.

  Ayden blushed and cleared his throat. “Oh, I see.”

  A voice spoke from beside him. “I’ll have whiskey sour, Tarka.”

  Ayden turned to see the beautiful girl from before. She gave him a quick glance before speaking with Tarka about… Well he didn’t know what, he was fixated on her.

  Tarmon nudged Ayden and cleared his throat. Ayden snapped out of it and looked at Tarmon. “Yeah?” Ayden asked.

  “You’re staring…”

  “Oh,” said Ayden. “Right.”

  “You don’t stand a chance,” said Tarmon.

  “Is that a challenge?”

  “It’s a provocation to see you try,” said Tarmon with a grin.

  So Ayden did right after ordering beer twice as pricey as he’d like. “Hey,” he said to the beautiful woman. “I’m Ayden.”

  She turned to him and her eyes flitted from his rugged boots to his mangy hair. He only learned it was mangy when he realized she was scanning him. It looked fine when he checked himself in the mirror. His heart was thundering in his chest. He took a sip of his beer. “What’s your name?”

  “Sorry,” she said.

  Ayden frowned. “Your name is Sorry?”

  She scoffed. “No, what I was going to say was, sorry, I am waiting on someone here. Nice try, though.” She turned away and looked at the door.

  “Ah,” said Ayden. “No worries. I… I hope you have a good date.” He slid back to Tarmon and shook his head. “Taken.”

  “Nah, she’s lying,” snickered Tarmon. “That’s okay, though. You’re too good for her anyways.”

  Ayden frowned at him, confused. “Tarmon. You must be blind.”

  “No, I’m not. She's silver. You’re dirt.”

  Ayden scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Thanks, Tarmon. I needed that.”

  Tarmon grabbed his shoulder and turned Ayden to face him. “No, Ayden. Dirt is better. Dirt is where things grow. Silver is where rust is. You’re better, trust me.”

  “Does silver rust?” asked Ayden.

  “It corrodes,” said Tarmon.

  “Right,” said Ayden. “Well, either way. I think it’s fair I’d rather have silver over dirt.”

  “You’ll understand better with time, young apprentice,” laughed Tarmon.

  Ayden shot Tarmon an annoyed look. He peered over his shoulder to see the woman sitting alone still. Her eyes remained locked on the door. She had said the truth, but it looked like her date had not shown up.

  Minutes turned to hours as Tarmon had already crossed the threshold of drunkenness and now slurred all his words. Ayden had barely touched his second beer, and so only felt a mild buzz. He peered again to see the beautiful woman hunched over her drink glaring at it.

  “What are you looking at?” asked Tarmon, mid laughter, tapping Ayden’s shoulder. He followed his gaze. “Oh… See, a liar.”

  “She looks upset,” said Ayden.

  “Oh don’t try again,” said Tarmon. “Come on, let’s go for a walk.” Tarmon nearly stumbled off his chair.

  “Give me two minutes,” said Ayden. He slid over to the woman again. “Hey, sorry to disturb you, but…”

  Her hand shot up to her face and she rubbed her eyes.

  “Are you… Are you okay?” asked Ayden.

  “It’s fine,” she said. “Don’t worry.” She turned away from him and sipped her drink.

  Ayden glanced at the door and back to her. “Your date didn’t show up,” he said.

  She turned on him with a scowl. She definitely had been tearing up at least. “Leave me alone.”

  Ayden held his hands up and stepped back. “I will. I’m sorry. I hope you find someone better than that.” Ayden turned to see Tarmon try and stand, teeter, and knock over his glass so it shattered.

  The patrons around the tavern winced at the sound of broken glass. Tarka the bartender groaned and Ayden patted Tarmon on the back. “Tarka, can I get some water, please.”

  Tarka had already brought it out.

  “Thanks,” said Ayden. “Here, Tarmon,” said Ayden.

  “No,” he mumbled. “I want none of that. I want more of that beer. It’s good shtuff…”

  “This is a good liquor. Barrel aged…” Or whatever they called it. “It’s smooth.”

  Tarmon took a swig and grinned at Ayden, his eyes glossed over. “It IS smooth.”

  Ayden gave the bartender and the beautiful woman an apologetic shrug and smile as he led Tarmon away.

  “Ayden,” said the beautiful woman.

  Ayden turned and Tarmon mumbled in his ear about how she was a liar.

  “My name is Vellis,” she said. “Thanks for checking on me.”

  The grin on Ayden’s face was a canyon of teeth. “Of course!” He continued to help his friend outside. “We’re going home, my friend.”

  “It’s nice outside…”

  “Yes it is!”