Chapter 7- Loxley
IF THE UNION of Mages competency exam were a written test, I’d probably pass.
But as it stands, I’m definitely failing.
A small glowing red rock lies on the glass table in the center of the practice room.
The squishy floor reminds me of a judo studio or something, and I fear someone’s going to sweep kick and knock me over.
But no, so far, the wizard proctors, Cleo and Girish, stand before me with an air of patience. I’m supposed to channel the modicum of magic from the small red rock, a practice piece of geo arcanum. As I wave my hand, nothing is happening, and I think the two proctors realize this too.
Cleo looks at Girish, then nods. “Okay, so for this portion, I’m going to slowly send a bubble of magic at you. Parry it or alchemize it at will. We swear it won’t hurt you.”
Nervousness seizes me. I’m supposed to be what? While I’m thankful I don’t have to talk, they’re asking me to do easy magical self-defense. I haven’t done any solo magic, ever! I told Auntie this was a bad idea.
Before I can find the words to concede, the dude, Girish, raises his hand. In moments, energy is pulled from the air above him into a massive ball, almost like a beach ball or boulder. It floats above us, and I’m sure my eyes are blown wide.
Then it’s coming at me. Okay, think Loxley. Summon an arcane sword to pop this bubble. With my palms out, I try to channel as much magic as possible. The bubble gradually gets closer, a looming green presence. Summon…anything…
When the bubble touches my face, I wince. It bursts into a hundred other bubbles floating around me, then dissipating. I feel no pain; I doubt it even touched me.
Except for the sheer humiliation of it all. I feel that.
Half an hour later, I’m sitting in the long corridor by the practice rooms. As I wait for Lisbeth to escort me back home, the rest of the folks taking the test are lining up in a room to get their results from Girish.
My cohort, as Cleo called it, finished at the same time as I did.
I didn’t come here to make friends, but now I’m in a little group.
Everyone was so chummy both times we’ve lined up at the portal mansion in Cosmo.
They all seem to be about my age. Kenta and that arrogant guy, Declan, couldn’t stop chatting with Sally.
Shugo gives off gay vibes, but he’s not the dude I’m interested in.
Gordy, even in his Chinese dude form, is fascinating. Sure, it’s a glamour done by Kai, but it’s based on his human guise. And what a guise it is. He’s broad-shouldered, strong but not chiseled under his hoodie, with long, thick legs for days.
Still, I don’t want to objectify him; I want to explore the idea of him being my familiar. If he agreed, he wouldn’t be my pet, more like my partner. Can I really have a human familiar?
Most importantly of all, Gordy wants nothing to do with me.
“Alright!” Kenta and Shugo high-five as they walk out. “Union membership, here we come!” Kenta says.
“Only the best and brightest can get in,” Declan says with his chin held high. “I suppose that’s us.”
“All of us!” Sally says, pushing up her glasses. “That’s amazing!”
When they spot me, their smiles fall. Shame burns my cheeks. I didn’t bother to ask the results because I did jack shit during the exam. I don’t even care about not passing―I care about how awkward this conversation is about to be.
“Loxley, right?” Sally asks. I nod and look away. “Did you not check your results?”
I shake my head, and everyone’s mood falls. “Oh,” Sally says, looking around.
“There’s always next cycle,” Shugo says.
“A test is only worth it if there’s a bar to pass,” Declan says.
“Declan,” Sally says in a chastising tone.
“It’s okay,” I say softly. “Congrats.”
“Maybe we can help you with witch stuff,” Kenta mentions.
“We should all hang out in Virginia!” Sally chirps. “Like a little witch cohort.”
“I love that idea,” Kenta replies in a flirty tone. He ogles Sally, and I try not to roll my eyes.
“I’m not really a…people person,” Declan says. “Even if you had passed, now that I’m part of this Union, I don’t need a coven. I’m a bit more advanced, after all.”
He spins to leave, but freezes when a figure stands before him. All of us turn our attention to the large dude in a gray hoodie.
“There’s nothing wrong with not passing for now.
” Gordy’s voice is so deep and intimidating that it sends a chill down my spine.
Gazing at him in his human guise, I can’t even breathe.
Every word he says is like a keepsake I treasure in my heart.
“I didn’t pass either.” He shoots Declan a challenging glare, and it’s equal parts unnerving and attractive.
I recall the softness and sympathy in his voice when we met in the bathroom last week. It could be the hope talking, but it was almost like an understanding. He and I shared a moment.
And now he’s admitted to not passing. It’s as if he’s defending me.
“Like I said, there’s always next cycle,” Shugo says, breaking the tense silence.
We all murmur agreement, and Kenta adds, “I’d love to hang out back in Cosmo. My brother and I are pretty new to the area.”
The three of them proceed to discuss plans to hang out, while Declan saunters off. When I look at Gordy, he bristles and turns away. He may be antisocial at times, but I’m still fascinated by every word he says and every move he makes. Does he feel this pull to me, too?
Seb, Kai, and Lisbeth approach, and the moment is lost. The three of them, our wider coven, all console us for not passing.
They take a few moments to chat with others in our cohort, discussing plans to meet up, and I awkwardly stand there in silence.
Kai and Seb talk about ways to study and practice, but I have no interest in that.
If I’m not chatting with Gordy, I just want to go back home to my safe space.
***
Logging onto Hot Water, my online gaming system, I notice my favorite player is available.
I lean forward in my chair and smile. He messages me the moment I’m fully online, like he was waiting for me to appear.
Sometimes it feels like he’s the only one who values my presence―online presence, that is.
Coldblooded: I got you something. A little treat.
Me: Seriously? A gift?
CB: Yup. Something to brighten your rough day.
Me: How did you know I had a crummy day?
CB: With this political landscape? And climate change?
CB: And the rise of shitty artificial intelligence systems ruining all media?
Me: LOL facts.
Me: But yeah it wasn’t the best day. Got some disappointing news, but I’ll bounce back.
CB: I’m sorry to hear that. I did too. I didn’t make the cut in the group I auditioned for. But it’s cool, life goes on.
CB: Anyway, I want to forget it all, so check your inbox.
Me: 500 Premium credits? OMG thank you!
CB: Anything for my favorite fellow player.
CB: Really I’m being selfish because you’re so good at helping me tackle dungeons. You can use these credits to get powered-up weapons.
Me: I could also use them for aesthetic skins, thereby not leveling up my game at all.
CB: LOL! Well they’re yours.
Me: That’s so sweet of you. Thanks man.
Me: For a moment I thought you sent me a date with Manny Jacinto. But this is almost as good.
CB: Unfortunately I’m not in the business of sending sexy actors to your doorstep. He is hot though, so I get it.
Me: You’re gay, too?
CB: It’s been mostly theoretical, but yes. I’m a dude who’s into dudes. Is that a problem?
His words make me pause before I can type another word. My throat goes dry―my online buddy Coldblooded is gay, too? This is the closest we’ve had to a personal conversation. The idea of him being potentially into me is…titillating.
I wonder what he looks like? Is he tall and built like Gordy?
Frankly, I don’t even care. For the past almost year, CB has made me smile consistently through his words.
I’m able to have rapport with him without my annoying speech impediment getting in my way.
And he might actually want to potentially grow…
closer to me. But he doesn’t live anywhere near me.
CB: Are you still there?
Me: Yes, sorry. No, it’s no problem. Why would it? I’m not some kind of gay homophobe.
CB: LOL.
Me: Let’s hit the dungeon.
CB: Yes, let’s throw down, man.
And with that, we proceed to play, laugh, and generally have a good time.
The way I feel about CB is so different than any guy I’ve ever met in real life.
He doesn’t care that I’m an inept witch, and I haven’t scared him off like I have with Gordy.
If I can flirt and get to know CB, then maybe there’s hope for me getting a real boyfriend.