7. Benjin #2
Benjin started with simple blasts of force, buffeting the air around him as he aimed them harmlessly up into the air.
Then, he moved on to creating other blasts, channeling first fire and then water.
These, he kept to smaller streams, not wanting to accidentally damage the Grand Magus’ study.
They were harder for him to control than pure blasts of force, and relief trickled along his spine when he managed it without any major mishaps.
Each time he cast a spell, he noticed that a particular rune set in the circle glowed a hair brighter. Unsure what to make of it, he focused on his spellwork. He’d spent the better part of the last month practicing for this moment, ever since the call for an apprentice had gone out.
He moved on from blasts to other basic spells he knew.
He summoned a small flame and then doused it with a handful of water.
When he tried to create a hovering orb of light, he only barely managed to hold the shaky magic together.
He chanced a glance at the runic circle and saw that a second rune had now begun to glow as well, though not as brightly as the first.
All right, time for the grand finale.
Gathering his runeflame about him, Benjin focused on a set of quills on the Grand Magus’ desk. He grinned when they obediently rose, levitating through the air. One by one, he added more objects to the spell until they spiraled about one another in an intricate dance.
Warmth spread through his chest when the Grand Magus burst into applause. “Bravo! You certainly have a gift for Evocation, my boy. And admirable control considering your lack of formal education.”
“Thank you, sir.” As Benjin settled the levitating items back on Dexil’s desk, he noticed that the first rune now blazed almost too blindingly to look at. That seemed like a good sign.
Apparently, Dexil agreed. His posture radiated excitement as he gestured at Benjin. “Well then, I’m impressed with your display of Evocation, and you managed Conjuration well enough. I’d like to see how you perform at the other disciplines now, if you’d please.”
Benjin blinked uncertainly. “Other…disciplines?”
Dexil frowned at him. “The other five disciplines of arcane magic. You’ve demonstrated proficiency in Evocation and Conjuration. Now, I’d like to measure your experience in the others.”
Benjin’s gut twisted itself in knots. “That’s…um…I’m afraid those are all the spells I know, sir.” His voice dropped to an embarrassed whisper.
“I see.”
The Grand Magus’ disappointment sent a ripple of shame curling through Benjin. Dexil waved his hand, canceling out the circle of glowing runes. Benjin braced himself, but even anticipating what the Grand Magus was about to say, his next words still stung.
“I’m sorry, my boy. You show enormous potential, but I require an apprentice better versed in the fundamentals. Perhaps in a few years after some additional training, I could find a spot for you. Until then, however…”
“I understand, sir.” Despite the knot constricting his chest, Benjin forced a respectful bow. “Thank you for your consideration.”
“Of course, my boy. Best of luck to you.”
Benjin tried to draw solace from the regret in the Grand Magus’ voice but found it offered little comfort. Pity wouldn’t help Benjin support his mother.
He’d reached the door and was about to grab its handle when the door suddenly slammed open. Benjin leaped back to avoid a faceful of wood.
A man a couple years older than him swept into the room as if he owned it.
His tall, rigid back projected an aura of quiet confidence.
He wore his long black hair tied back with a simple band of leather, a silver circlet perched on his brow.
His green eyes, full of cool indifference, swept right past Benjin and settled on the Grand Magus.
“Sorry to disturb you, Dexil, but my father wishes for you attend him as soon as you’re free.”
Dexil’s brow pinched into lines of worry. “Is he well?”
Though the stranger’s face didn’t shift, Benjin swore he detected his bearing stiffen still further. Benjin couldn’t help but admire the firm muscles beneath the man’s fine leather tunic.
“As well as can be expected,” the man replied. “I believe it’s your advice he seeks today, not your potions.”
“Of course.” Dexil gave a soft bow of his head. “I was just finishing up here. Please inform him I’ll be there at once.”
With a curt nod, the man turned to stride out, once again ignoring Benjin as though he didn’t exist. Perhaps it was that noblewoman’s earlier snub or the fresh sting of his failure that compelled Benjin to speak up against his better instincts.
“You know, it wouldn’t kill you to be more polite.”
Surprise flickered over the man’s face. He paused by the door, glancing at Benjin. “Excuse me?”
Benjin crossed his arms, refusing to be intimidated by the man’s imperious stare. “You heard me. Usually, it’s customary to apologize to someone when you almost clobber them in the face with a door.”
The man’s brow shot up. “You want me to apologize because you were in my way?”
Annoyance shot through Benjin. “I was in the way? You’re the one who came barreling in here without a care in the world. Pardon me for daring to use a door for its intended function.”
The man took a moment to rake his gaze over Benjin from head to toe. Benjin’s skin tingled at having those intense emerald eyes so focused on him.
After a moment, the man huffed and turned away. “My apologies if you’re upset, but I don’t have time to waste on nonsense. Good day.”
To Benjin’s astonishment, the infuriating man swept past him and out the door without waiting for a response.
“Apology not accepted!” Benjin called after him as the door clicked shut.
Only once he was gone did Benjin realize that the Grand Magus was staring at him, his mouth agape and his eyes wide.
Benjin flushed. “Sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to make a scene.
I’ll, um, get out of your hair now. Goddess’ blessing upon you. ”
Mentally kicking himself for ruining whatever fleeting hope he still had for future employment here, Benjin hunched his shoulders and reached for the door.
“Hold on a moment, lad.”
Benjin froze with his hand on the door, waiting with rising anxiety as the Grand Magus approached. The expression on Dexil’s face conveyed a mix of astonished amusement. “Do you have any idea who that was?”
Benjin shrugged. “Should I, sir? He looked like just another stuck-up…um, I mean, another noble to me, sir.”
Dexil’s keen violet gaze weighed Benjin in much the same way the stranger’s had, though Benjin sensed less judgment and more curiosity.
“You don’t much care for the nobility, do you?”
Benjin considered lying, but it seemed pointless now. He’d already dashed whatever chance he had of securing the apprenticeship. He might as well be honest.
“Not really, sir. In my experience, they’re selfish and self-centered, always looking for the next way they can screw someone else over for personal gain. Uh, no offense, sir.”
The Grand Magus smiled the first genuine smile Benjin had seen since entering the palace.
“None taken, lad. Despite my station, I assure you that I don’t entirely disagree.
” Dexil examined him. “Still, I sense there’s more you’re not telling me.
Does this have anything to do with that baroness whose spellbook you borrowed? ”
Shock buzzed through Benjin. Had the mage used some sort of spell on him to glean that information? Or had he simply made a lucky guess?
“She, um, wasn’t too happy when she found out,” he admitted. “My mother had worked in her household for over a decade, but she had us both tossed out on the street less than a day later. Things have been rough ever since. That’s why I applied for this position in the first place, sir.”
Dexil studied Benjin, his expression unreadable. Benjin braced himself for the mage’s reaction. Would he be angry at Benjin for wasting his time? Have him punished for insulting that noble?
To his utter shock, Dexil held out a hand, his face beaming. “I fear I may have been too hasty in dismissing you before. The position is yours if you want it.”
Benjin stared at the offered hand, barely daring to breathe. Numb with shock, he grasped Dexil’s firm grip and shook.
“T-thank you, sir. I swear, you won’t regret giving me this chance.”
“I’m sure I won’t,” Dexil said, still grinning. “Congratulations, Benjin. You are my new apprentice.”