Mark of the Fool

Chapter 82: Challenge

Uuuuuh, Alex said unintelligently, as he continued to stareslack-jaweddown at the paper, noting the details. It looked like the rally was being organized by Careys group, but there were other groups listed as contributors to the event: representative societies and organizations serving other deities. He hadnt heard of many of them.

The date was set for three weeks from the current day. It was also set to take place at the schools front gates.

Isis this sanctioned by the school? Alex asked as Khalik and Thundar leaned over to see what he was reading.

Of course not, Carey whispered. Which is why its sooo delightfully rebellious.

I-I see, Alex murmured. Huh.

Oh come now, show a little more enthusiasm. Carey chided. If this works, we can end the separation between wizards and the divine. Think of it: how much could our people benefit if we had a union between our clergy and the brilliant minds and mighty powers here? And we need it. We need it.

There was an insistence in Careys voice that gave Alex pause. Whydid something happen?

She nodded. Ive been talking to the priests, andtheyre grim. The Heroes fight against The Ravener everyday, but its growing more and more aggressive. For every dungeon core they break, it seems it makes two more to take that ones place. Every lord has mustered their bannermen, the king has called the court wizards to take part, and the church is calling back every priest for support. Many who tend the temple of Uldar in the city are already packing to go home. She shook her head in distress. Which leaves only a few to tend to the needs of an entire city and fundraise here. Its terrible.

Alex gulped. Andwhat about casualties?

Not many yet, thank Uldar, she said. We have to thank Alrics Patron Saint for that: if it werent for her sanctum evacuating the people so quicklybut things will grow worse. The Raveners spawn are destroying the fields and villages: the harvest will be poor this year, and there will be many hungry mouths to feed during the fighting. And what if this gets drawn out? Our people are taking refuge in allied realms, but what if this goes on, and on, and on? Will they be still welcome in two years? Five? Ten?

She bit her lip. This could be awful, Alex. She paused. And theres still no trace of The Fool. Many think they might have already been killed.

A stab of irrational guilt went through Alex, which he suppressed with prejudice. Everything Carey said soundedawful, and it had the potential to get worse. But what was he going to do about it?

Hed only just figured out he could move things without The Mark suppressing him. Even if he wanted to go back, he would literally be less useful than a regular wizard right now. He thought about the dungeon cores remains. He was making great progress with Professor Jules and he was suresooner rather than laterhed get more freedom with his own projects.

Then he could contribute in his own way like he planned to. Besides, his sister came first and she needed him more than ever now. Even if he was slightly tempted to leave Generasi in some half-baked notion to join The Heroes right now, that would involve abandoning her at one of the most vulnerable times of her young life.

He couldnt even imagine doing that.

For now, the information that thered be less priests in the city was good news. Very good news. And if some did think that The Fool might have been killed was also very good news. But the idea of students pushing for priests to be allowed on campus waswell, it wasnt likely to go anywhere. But, it would bring their attention to campus. Maybe make them bolder.

Hed need to watch for that.

Well, hopefully The Fools alright, he said with a straight face, then looked up at Derek. Um-

Why am I doing this? Derek finished for him with a wide smile. Why supporting a friend, of course. We of the Rhinean Empire have been long allied with Thameland, and we know tribulation too. When the elemental mountain of water erupted three centuries ago, our elemental knights had to fight water elementals within a cloud of mist that enveloped half the country. Your kingdoms Chosen and Champion of that time came to our aid with a contingent of knights. We may not worship the same god, but I am a member of the aristocracy. Its my duty to do what I can.

It was incredible.

Despite keeping his voice at a whisper, Dereks words were so sincere and his tone so unwavering that Alex could almost believe he was telling the truth. Almost.

Derek and I have been talking after potions, and he said he wanted to help. She looked up at the young nobleman seriously, as though she were a priestess looking upon her flock.

Derek nodded. Ive made some mistakes in the past, but Im taking what lessons I can, whether it be through divine intervention or through wisdom of others. Like Carey, or maybe you, friend. Anyone that I-

He paused, his eyes rising and looking over Alexs head.

Alex turned.

Isolde had emerged from the doorway to the lower floors. Her eyes had dark circles under them and her hair was dishevelled, barely kept in line by a tight ponytail. She carried a book bag that was filled to bursting and she had a forceballone that glowed an electric bluesuspending a small basket beneath, big enough to carry one book.

Her eyes had focused on Derek, then fell to Alex, Thundar and Khalik and then moved back to the young Rhinean nobleman. Then her eyes went wide and her face washed red.

Alex glanced back to Derek just in time to see his facial expression growing neutral. If he had mouthed something or had given her a particular look, Alex had no idea.

Whatever the young man had done though, itd obviously pissed Isolde right off.

Her shoes thudded across the library floordrawing eyes from the surrounding studentsas she pushed through the library. Her forceball slowly lost ground beside her until she had to stop and wait for it to catch up. The entire time, she refused to look in Dereks direction, then abruptly left the library

Carey let out a sigh. Hoooo, awwwwkward. Well that soured the mood a tad, didnt it? Here. She drew out sheets of paper and handed them to both Khalik and Thundar. Do stop by, wed love to have all three of you. Well, Ill catch up with you later, Alex. Ta-ta.

With Derek in tow, she puttered off to harass the other students.

Alex watched them go, looking between the exit, Derek and Carey.

The star pupil, the devout student and the avid cheater: a strange trio to be caught up inwhatever that might have been. Alex didnt want to be involved, but had the feeling he already was in some way: all three of those parties had some interest in him. He frowned.

Hed need to have a good long talk with Isolde after all the craziness with midtermsshed basically turned into a ghost outside of class timeand his application to Shales workshop was over.

Well, Khalik said, picking up his textbook. That was a waste of a study break. Back to it, I suppose.

Thundar groaned and followed suit.

Alex did as well, opening up his notebook to the notes on mana manipulation. While he was also studying for midterms, he had something much more important to prepare for.

ValRok had finally given him permission.

Tomorrow, he would Challenge the Exam for Credit for Mana Manipulation.

Welcome, welcome! ValRok greeted Alex from the doorway of a small classroom. Just leave your bag by the door and come in.

They were in one of the highest towers in all of Generasi, and daylight poured through the glass of the massive windows, though it wasnt a cheery light.

The day was a rainy one, just like it had been when theyd first come to Generasi, and he could see students moving quickly through the courtyard and across campus with umbrellas of waxed fabric, or beneath spells that shielded them from the elements, or at a run with books clutched against themselves.

Alex had grown his forceshield as large as he could and then simply set it to hover above his head. It had kept the rain away very nicely.

Thank you professor, he said, shifting his bag off his shoulder nervously.

Though the classroom was smalllikely a seminar room for upper year or graduate studentsit seemed enormous to Alex at that moment. Part of his mind told him not to worry: he knew the textbook for mana manipulation almost as well as he did Dexters General Alchemy of Potions and he knew Dexters almost as well as his own notebook by now.

Yet, another part knew that ValRoks letter of recommendation was riding on this, and that was making him jittery. Without that letter, he figured itd be a lot harder to convince anyone to hire someone with his limited experience. There was also a sort of momentous nature to the exam.

Hed been writing tests for years in the church school in Alric, but this was his very first exam in university, his first exam that involved a magical subject, and one designed for students so advanced, they could skip an entire first year course.

He would feel pretty stupid ifafter all this build uphe just ouright failed.

Alex? ValRok suddenly leaned in very close to him, widening one very large reptilian eye to stare at him from inches away.

Alex gasped, stepping backward.

You alright? the lizardman asked andfor a momentAlex was sure he was about to start advancing menacingly on him. You look as pale as a sheet. Dont be nervous. He smiled, revealing his sharp teeth. I wouldnt have recommended you for this if I thought you couldnt do it. To quote some of my students: you got this.

Uh, thanks, professor. Alex gave a weak smile. It was a little silly, he realized. He was able to keep his head enough to think and adapt strategies when dealing with monsters and imminent death, but the thought of an exam made part of him want to throw himself through the window?

Youre ridiculous, Alex, he mentally mocked himself.

So allow me to introduce you to your invigilator, Sinbrok, ValRok gestured to an incredibly short man with a golden, braided beard and shaved head, sitting at the front of the room. The little man waved back, and Alex gasped.

There he was this morning admiring his own physical gains, but this fellowdespite maybe only coming up to his chesthad muscular arms that were thicker around than Alexs thighs.

Alex felt his pride deflating by the heartbeat.

Sinbrok is my teaching assistant for MANA-1900, and hell be watching over you todayboth for the written and practical portionif you have any questions, you ask him unless the question is: whats the answer to this question?. ValRok threw his head back in his high-pitched, giddy laugh. Alright, lets get you set up.

First, the professor cast the same spell of dispelling magic on Alex that professor Jules had, in case hed brought in any magical effects that would allow him to cheat. Then he pointed Alex to a desk in the middle of the empty classroom, directly across from Sinbrok. With a final few words of encouragement, he left Alex to it.

The dwarf student padded over to Alexs desk and examined his supplies: one simple pen. Right, youll have an hour and a half for the written test, and then an hour and a half for the practical. The invigilator placed the exam booklet and a work-booklet beside it. The first part is the multiple choice portion and the second part is essay questions. When youre finished, just raise your hand and well move onto the practical. If you need to use the privy or get a glass of water or anything, let me know and Ill escort you. Theres no need for any spellcasting during the written portion of the exam, so if I sense any mana or hear any incantations, thatll be an immediate fail. Understand?

Yep. Alex nodded.

Right, then. Sinbrok tromped up to the desk at the front of the class. He drew a large hourglass filled with blue powder from a bag that looked much too small to hold it, then pressed his hand over top. Alex felt a shift of mana, and the powder within shuddered then decreased in quantity as though some of it had been sucked away by a mana vacuum. Hour and a half, the dwarf said, flipping the hourglass. Begin.

Alex took a few deep, meditative breaths, acknowledging his own nerves and the raving in his mind, then detached from them.

He then flipped the exam sheet open.