Chapter 15 - Part 2

The air felt clean and pleasant. Haiden sat down on a stone bench relaxing with Maree and Camila while eating a meat pie that Maree had saved for him. Both Maree and Camila were invested in a deep conversation, or rather gossip, about Bras Ameral. The most powerful student in the Academy, not by power, but status. The sole son of one of the Councilman that help run the Empire and third in line to the throne. Being the child of a Councilman already gave him an extreme status above anyone else, but being related to the Emperor by blood made him untouchable. No wonder not even the Master Wielders interfered when Bras ganged up on Haiden that night. He will never forget it, how easily he broke through his shield. The only one that had enough courage to stand up to Bras was Master Rwoy who gave Haiden his only chance of surviving the rivalry with Bras. In front of everyone Master Rwoy had proposed to Bras to fight Haiden in the Trial of the Three Sisters at the end of Summer. If Haiden manages to win the Trials he will be given the title of Esquire. Although it is the lowest rank, and the sole rank that an authority other than the Emperor himself can bestow upon a commoner, it would be impossible for Bras to kill Hadien. Even the Emperor's relatives must respect the Creator's laws that state no highborn shall slay another. Even if he was not technically a highbron, that he knew of, Haiden would be protected by the technicalities of the title.

Lost in thought he drifted from subject to subject while admiring the gorgeous arrangements of flowers, shrubs and trees that were thriving in the garden. In the end his thoughts settled on the book on Advanced Spells that he stole from the Headmistress' office. It was a hefty book with complicated explanations and Fios heavy techniques and spells. He was able to understand the first couple of pages as they tied with what he had been learning from Master Rwoy and Master Omnelia about Compounded Spells. Compounded spells were indeed more complicated than Simple ones, which only dealt with a single process or function. Compounds combined the Simple spells into intricate and complex spells. The book dealt with Spells that were beyond everything he had even imagined. Water manipulation was a simple limited version of Matter manipulation. Haiden reasoned that if focused on this specific Spell he would be able to come up with a plant to beat Bras as that was the spell he used to break Haiden's shield. Water was easier to manipulate due to its specific mote configuration that resonated with Fios, while matter it referred to all matter. From water, earth, to air, to wood and even flesh. It was a powerful spell that if applied wrongfully could do a lot of damage, however, the magnitude and range depended on the Wielder's strength.

Haiden thought back at his confrontation with Bras. The stone spikes proved that Bras was not fluke. He had control, power and above all knowledge. Haiden only had power, but now with this book he will too have knowledge. At least a basic understanding to maybe block his spells. But who knows what Bras has been learning so far. No doubt he was under the tutelage of a powerful Wielder, getting ready for the Trials. Even so, Haiden was glad Bras had taken a break from the Academy, this meant that he and Maree can roam really without relying on Camila's status for protection. Haiden felt bad for Maree, he had been bullied since day one, or even before that, since their rich families socialize within the same circles. But even with the outcast status, Maree was protected from death due to the money his family had. And Haiden had none, no title and no money. Just some anonymous sponsors he knew nothing about just that they were probably from the Red Keep.

He sighed deeply as he finished his pie. He decided to push this line of thinking to the side and focus on what spell should he try nex. After much internal debate Haiden decided that he should try a body enhancement spell. Maybe that would give him the upper hand in battle.

Scratch, you there? He asked.

Yes. the creature whispered in his mind.

Let's review that one body enhancement spell we saw on page 32. I think I might be able to do it. He said, trying to remember what it implied.

Body enhancement. The voice echoed in his mind. Dangerous. Screech not want return.

It's not if we start small until we figure it out. I will do it even if you help me or not.

Fine. it said spiteful.

What's with the atti-

"Haiden? Hello?" Camila shouted at him. Maree then slapped his arm.

"Hey, dungbrain!" Maree shouted.

"Auch! What!?" Haiden snapped. It was as if he had his eyes closed and lost the notion of time, the sun was already setting.

"What's with you today?" Camila asked concern reaching over to grab Haiden's hand in comfort. "You can't expect to win against someone who has been training for so long. You barely just started."

"No, it's not that." In truth, he would have preferred it if Tasgal would have been here. The fight from earlier today will remain in Haiden's memory for a long time. "I'm just worried about Bras." he confessed.

"Fuck that sour looser. I'm glad he's gone. Good riddance." Maree said and spit on the ground.

"Manners!" Camila slapped his arm. "Well...what Maree said. You don't need to worry about him, you're a great Wielder. I'm sure you will pass the trials and beat him."

"I don't know that's true. Is it? He's probably out there getting trained and learning all kinds of advanced spells from some amazing Wielder while I just have the bo -" Haiden froze.

"You have what?"

"Nothing, Maree. I'm going to my room." Haiden grabbed his cape from the bench and left his friends behind.

"What's crawled up his pants?" Haiden heard Maree ask as he left.

Shouldn't do that. Screech said.

Why not. It's not like they're going to help me with anything, are they? They can't even consider slaves human.

Screech went silent. Haiden hurried to the Wielder dormitory, hurrying down the stone tiled ways. He wasn't the only one hurrying back, as the sun was setting so the curfew was approaching. Among the multiple groups of Wielders he saw a head of light brown hair and a pair of green eyes. It was Bras. Haiden was certain of it, but once he double checked the young Wielder was gone. Haiden's stomach lurched.

He's planning something. He told himself and broke into a run to his room.

--------------------

It was already midnight by the time Haiden understood the basics of body enhancements. The night belonged to the blue sister and the calming ghostly hues were more than welcomed. He has been fidgety since he saw Bras and his leg bounced incencentaly with anxiety. He was certain that he did not imagine it. It were those green beady hateful eyes that he in turn hated. There was no way he could've mistaken them for someone else's.

Haiden hovered the light over the book and re-read the paragraph on one specific body enhancement he had settled on. The one that was the least dangerous, but not as fun as the rest.

Start small. Haiden promised. Scratch reminded.

Yes, yes. Let's see... Haiden stuck his hand out and pulled on his Fios. Energy flooded his hand with static all over his palm. He focused on the tip of his finger.

"Body armor is a spell that works by hardening the skin itself." Haiden began reciting. "It works by Wielding the complex keratin motes from within the skin to a harder state." He glanced at the book looking at a diagram. "Alright, this should be easy enough? Right Screech."

Careful.

"I will, trust me." Haiden held in the urge to roll his eyes and focused back on his finger. He sent energy to the tip localizing it to a narrow region. The book warned that the spell must be applied only to the outer layer of skin, if applied deeper, damage to the tissue will be permanent. Screech was right, of course, this was very dangerous, but that's why Haiden decided to test it on a small patch first. He concentrated deeply and allowed himself to sense the motes and layers that composed his skin. It was a difficult task, the layers were not straight and neatly separated, there were ridges and in places they blended together. And this on just a tiny part of his skin. Nevertheless he thought, it's always good to invest in defense.

Screech got bored easily and dissipated into thin air after the first hour, leaving Haiden alone to concentrate. Only after the second hour, Haiden had managed to perfectly delimitate the first layer of skin. Beads of sweat collected on his forehead. Even the levitation spell that Screech had thought him took around thirty minutes of concentration for an initial, but failed, try. But, haiden didn't give up. He pushed forward. Now, with his energy limited only to the first skin on his finger, Haiden slowly willed the motes to harden while keeping an image of something extremely hard and durable in mind. Unlike Simple and Compound spells, Advanced ones utilized something that Master Rwoy told Haiden in his first week at the Academy. Visualization. Using his imagination to influence the outcome of the spell itself. Just like he did in the forest and in the Headmistress' office, where he relied on his visualization to disappear. A major part of Advanced Spells, and what makes them so hard to master, is that they use this visualization to expand on capabilities of Compounded spells. That and the fact that they needed extreme finesse for most of them. The lever of control you needed to have to correctly execute such spells was outstanding. Even this, concentrating energy only on a thin layer of outer skin and making sure it doesn't fluctuate, took Haiden a good two hours.

The skin on his finger began feeling tight and itchy. He observed carefully under the hovering light and saw a shiny scab like patch starting to protrude. The book mentioned that the armor's durability is proportionate to the Wielder's skill and strength. The more you pour into it the harder it becomes. So with this in mind Haiden poured, what he judged to be, a decent amount of Fios into that small patch. Once done, Haiden brought the light closer to his hand. He examined it, brushing his other hand over the hard patch. It felt like a fingernail grew from his skin. Smooth, shiny, and extremely hard.

Screech! I did it! He exclaimed. He immediately felt his presence and he appeared over his shoulder. The creature had a visible frown on his wonky face and shook his head.

That's what you call body armor? Screech scoffed.

Well, not yet, but it's a start. Haiden began waving his hand back and forth. He had little sensation on the hard patch. He tried to hit his finger on the frame of the bed and felt nothing. No pain. Instead, it left indents in the soft wood.

This is amazing. I don't feel anything! He exclaimed. Scratch hovered closer to take a better look.

Maybe this will work. Screech apologies.

Ye of little feight, Screech. Apology accepted. He smiled. This might help Haiden combat those stone spikes of Bras. He really did not feel anything and it felt extremely solid. Now, the problem is that It took me two hours to grow this much! He showed his finger again to Screech. I need to do this on my whole body, in seconds, otherwise I'm fucked.

Screech nodded silently and looked at Haiden with a blank face.

Well? Any plans? He hoped the creature had something under his sleeves that would hasten the process, but Screech just looked confused at Haiden.

I was hoping you'd know some shortcut to help me out.

Ah, yes! Screech nodded.

So you know a way to speed this up? Haiden asked with wide eyes.

Oh, No. Maybe practice?

Haha. Very funny. Haiden looked away from Screech annoyed, turning his attention to the patch of hardened skin. Then a daunting thought came to his mind. Wait, how do I get it off!? He grabbed the book and flipped back to page 32 running his finger over the text until he finally found it. The book stated that the body armor does not simply vanish away, but sheds away shortly after the energy supply has been cut off. One important mention it said to eat eggs and roots plants to boost your body's keratin production as it will need to be resupplied.

Relieved Haiden cut off the energy to his finger and the patch became brittle. He was able to peel it away without feeling anything. But it left a deep red mark on his pale skin.

Shit! He swore internally.