Ends of Magic

Nathan thought about trying to slip away from the crowd, but it would have been impossible to be subtle. His suitemates were packed tightly together, shooting confused glances at each other as Brardan dho Shisk led the way out of the classroom. They were soon joined by other lecturers, each shepherding their own group of low-tier students.

Badud’s probably going to talk about my killings, but if he's gathering the whole student body that's thousands of people. There’s no way he’s going to test us individually, and if he does then I'll have warning and time to to make a new plan. But this also might be a chance to kill him. If I can get close enough without him noticing, then I should take my shot.

The crowd grew as they continued through the halls. It soon became clear that their destination was the grand hall where Nathan had killed the high-tier student Rilrar dho Magoa after the mage had found him examining a particularly complicated bit of wizardry. That wizardry was the lock on a huge pair of doors at one end of the hall, which currently stood wide open for the crowd of low-tier students. Nathan and his suitemates were funneled through the broad corridor. There weren’t any intersections, just a straight and elaborately decorated tunnel that led into the heart of the academy.

Nathan’s attention was caught by several paintings on the wall. They were more detailed and realistic than many of the ones elsewhere in the Academy. Several showed detailed recreations of the world above. He compared them to his memory of the nighttime sky and inhaled sharply.

The continents on these paintings were the same, but the features on those continents were different. The landscape in the current nighttime sky was marked with white and black patches that almost looked like fungal infections spreading across the land. One of the paintings above looked like it had similar markings, but they were smaller and more numerous.

The others didn’t have anything like that, but had other things instead. One was enchanted so that portions of the continents glowed like they were aflame, while another flashed with tiny sparks. Nathan’s attention was riveted by the huge depictions. But he didn’t stand out, the other students were also gaping at the paintings around them, especially the final one before the end of the corridor.

It was larger than the others, and seemed more vibrant and alive than the other images. It showed the world above again with its recognizable continents, but several more fundamental features were different. A verdant green expanse stretched across a section that was currently a mountain range. Bodies of water the size of the great lakes were missing. A broad river delta extended into the ocean where the nighttime sky showed a huge bay.

It looks like angry gods rampaged across nearly every continent, leaving destruction in their wake. Maybe that’s exactly what happened.

Nathan was still pondering what he’d seen when the flow of people carried him out into an enormous circular space. He’d thought the low-tier residence area had been large with its waterfall. This amphitheater dwarfed it, ascending in multiple levels to a dizzying height that had to be more than half of the height of the Academy. It was maybe a thousand feet across, and ringed by three different tiers of stadium-style seating, one above the other.

In the center of the space was an elaborately decorated pillar, ascending up from the floor like a filigreed spike decorated with dozens of giant statues. At the very top of the pillar was a podium surrounded by a low railing.

It looks like the inside of the Galactic Senate from Star Wars. Except I’m pretty sure that the Chancellor's podium wasn’t protected by a dozen golems.

The gray-robed students had emerged on the lowest of the levels, and they were quickly ushered into their seats by impatient lecturers. Nathan led his suitemates into the back row, the farthest they could get from the central podium. The tiers above their heads were likewise filled with higher-tier students, with thousands white-clad middle-tier students filling the levels directly above while several hundred students in purple robes were seated on the top level.

Once the low-tier students had been distributed around the seating area a few enforcement mages walked around examining them all. They made sure to get a good look at all of the students, though it wasn’t obvious what they were looking for.

Somebody obviously too old maybe?

Mid-tier Disguise 10 achieved!

They were done soon enough, and both the enforcement mages and the lecturers took to the air, casting [Fly] to leave them behind and head to the highest section. Those areas were a rainbow of colors, representing the various professions of mage. The lecturers and war mages seemed to have the most prestige, with the enforcement and enslavement mages in the middle and the artisan and entertainment mages on the bottom, right above the high-tier students.

Huh, there are as many artisan mages as every other kind put together. I find that surprising. Were these mages invited inside to hear what Badud had to say?

There were still some people milling around, but they quickly found their seats when a crashing boom rolled across the space. With a few final flashes, mages in unique robes appeared in private booths that jutted out from the uppermost layer of seating.

The Archmages.

Badud appeared atop the pillar, tiny with distance. Then he fiddled with something on the podium and he became a hundred feet tall, glancing around the circular space as a giant illusion.

“Welcome!” The Questor’s voice didn’t boom, instead sounding like he was speaking to Nathan in a normal conversation. “By Edes it is good to see the gathered strength of the Ascendent Academy.”

Nathan was calculating angles. The amphitheater held thousands of mages, but they were all focused on Badud. He might be able to stick to the wall and ascend, getting closer to the archmages while staying out of the line of sight using his stealth skills. He even wondered if it would be possible to climb to the very top of the space and drop onto Badud.

Badud had continued to talk while Nathan thought, his voice thoughtful. “We founded the Ascendent Academy to establish a society, an ethos, that would spread civilization across this continent. It was our desire to create an empire that could stand against the Ending of History.”

No, it’s too dangerous. I can keep fighting through a lot, but attacking here would just be too short-sighted. I want to assassinate the archmages, not begin a running battle against every single mage of Giantsrest all together.

“We taught you powerful magic, for Davrar is a place of danger and blood.” The giant questor clenched his fist. “Dungeons and monsters stalk, ready to tear apart those without the power to defeat them.”

Nathan caught a whiff of a spell slowly spreading across the amphitheater. It was a wispy cloud of basic mana shot through with spider web strands of detection magic and wizardry. The spell seemed to be emanating from the Questor, and Nathan frowned as he tried to parse out the purpose of the magic.

“But the monsters are not the true threat to Giantsrest. As we stare down the dragon’s gullet, we must name the true enemies.”

It’s a detection spell of some kind, but I’m not sure what it’s detecting.

The Questor gestured with his arm, the illusion almost brushing the stands where the mid-tier students sat. “To the north are the elemental barbarian tribes, a young people imbued with inherent magic that makes them a formidable foe. To the east are the woodland cults, who live in trees and fight from hiding. Neither build anything, and must be taught the shape of civilization.” Badud snorted with derision.

The magic billowed over the first row of the stands, and Nathan was filled with apprehension at the approaching spell. It was an extremely subtle detection spell, but it didn’t seem tuned to detect anything. There was no trigger or authentication built into the spell.

“To the south are the undead remnants of the Sklias Dominion, a remnant of the Endings that should have stayed dead.” The Questor paused, frowning before he moved onto the last direction. “Then there is Gemore to the West, the wayward slaves who have been out of our control for too long.”

Nathan took a deep breath and focused, holding the structure of the spell in his head. He simulated its expansion, using the Insight that he’d learned just a few hours before from Brardan dho Shisk’s lecture, aided by Focus and [Mental Fortress].

When the spell sweeps over me, my antimagic will interfere with the cloud of magic, which will be picked up by the strands of detection magic. There are a lot of them, so it would be tricky to manipulate them. [Antimagic Stealth] is supposed to protect me from this sort of spell, but it’s not going to be enough against the wizardry. This is a spell designed from the ground up by an immortal wizard to detect antimagic.

Mental Fortress 10 achieved!

“These challenges are many, but the mages of Giantsrest have carved out the largest empire on this continent with power worthy of Quenfi and cooperation worthy of Olita. When you weave the same color, the magic you wield can overcome any obstacle.”

Nathan was barely listening to the Questor, frantically trying to figure out how to evade the spell slowly moving towards him. He simulated himself trying to nudge the detection tendrils out of the way, but saw how the wizardry was primed to detect similar interference. He had to deal with the wizardry first, without interfering with the mana portions of the spell.

And if I drain the cloud too much, then that will also get noticed. Damn, Badud must have spent at least the last few days specifically inventing this spell to catch me. Maybe I should just run?

Congratulations, you have developed the [Battle Meditation] utility skill into [Wizard’s Meditation].

Utility skill: [Wizard’s Meditation]

This skill will allow you to remain focused and undistracted both on the battlefield and as you understand new magic. It will make it easier to predict and understand both wizardry and mana-based spells.

Nathan looked backwards, seeing that the door he’d used to enter had been closed.

The Questor hadn’t stopped talking. He was saying something about the importance of engaging in healthy competition, yet joining together when confronted by an external threat. “In the Giant’s shadow we are all siblings, and to shape the face of Davrar you must share the burden, and the reward.” He paused, looking around expectantly as the detection magic finished engulfing the entire crowd.

Nathan had been ready, and a dozen thin tendrils of antimagic stabbed out to tweak strands of wizardry and then brush aside their corresponding detection network. Over the course of five seconds he made nearly fifty alterations to the spell around him, building a Nathan-sized hole in the detection grid. Then he compressed his aura back down and observed the spell, watching the drifting mist gently refill the places his antimagic had passed without fanfare.

Aura of Antimagic 10 achieved!

Badud frowned, glancing around the hall and chewing on his lip slightly. His gaze went distant and a pulse of power went through the detection spell, following every branch of the network to the farthest extents.

Hah! You spend days building a specialized spell to find me, I hack it in seconds. How’s it feel to suck at magic? It only took me a Talent, four class skills, five utility skills and an enormous amount of Focus. Goddamn I’m specialized for this.

The Questor sighed, then resumed his speech. “We conquered this dungeon, the Grave of the last Giant, to create a vault of solace for our civilization. The Ascendent Academy is supposed to be a place of peace, where the next generation of mages can be trained in safety.”

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His expression grew hard. “But there is an assassin within the Academy, lurking amongst us like a soul eater.” His gaze swept over the different tiers of students, seeming to pan right over Nathan. “Be cautious of those you do not know. If you see a lone figure, ask them to demonstrate a spell. If you grow suspicious, do not challenge them, even if you have them in your palm.”

The Founder’s gaze softened into concern. “This enemy can break spells with a gesture, but cannot cast them. They can change their shape, but will not be able to fit in with mages of Giantsrest. If your gaze finds somebody suspicious, [Message] your instructors, or find a guardian golem. If you are sure of the verified truth, [Message] me.” He paused, once more scanning around. “If you find the murderer, you will be rewarded. But if you call on me and are wrong, it will be blood from your wounds.”

Nathan felt a chill run down his spine, and glanced over to his suitemates to see if they suspected him.

They looked shocked by what Badud had said, and turned to glance at each other and at Nathan, but not in a suspicious way. Roni’s mouth turned up into a grin, and he poked Yelun’s shoulder smugly.

She simply rolled her eyes at him and nodded. Her gaze drifted to Nathan questioningly, but it wasn’t an ‘I think you’re a murderer’ look. It was a ‘well, what do you think?’ look.

Badud wasn’t quite done. “This enemy is vicious and powerful, but we are Giantsrest. I have requested the archmages remain in the academy until this threat is dealt with. Be vigilant, and help us kill this threat. We are planning a prophecy of victory, and once this threat is gone Giantsrest will once more grasp new lands and peoples.”

He raised his hands in benediction. “Steal the fire of the gods, feed mana into your learning, and ascend the Academy. I wish to see more of you ascend to Archmage, and occupy the luxurious suites at the top of each tower.”

With that the Founder shrunk back to his normal size, and the students took that as their dismissal. Conversation swelled as everybody got back to their feet and started funneling out of the multi-leveled amphitheater.

They’d just gotten into the hallway when Roni rounded on Yelun and Nathan. “We’re going searching after dinner. Hibor?”

The other boy nodded enthusiastically. “The Founder said those who found the assassin would get rewarded!” His voice broke on the last word from excitement, and he flushed in embarrassment.

Nathan shook his head. “You heard him. The assassin can break spells, so we should stay away from them. I don’t want to be the next one to die.”

“But that means we’re perfect,” Hibor said. “We don’t know much magic, so it can’t betray us. We’ll watch every direction and find the assassin, then run away and report them!” Then he had a thought. “If they come after us, Natad can punch them, like he did with Eban!”

Yelun chuckled. “It would be better if any of us can cast [Message]. Natad, can you?”

Nathan shook his head. “This isn’t a good idea.”

Roni poked him. “Don’t be a prophecy of doom. The mighty founder said that the mages of Giantsrest need to weave the same color! Yelun?”

The girl in question nodded reluctantly, but with a small smile on her face. “I need to keep you alive, so that you can return all of those homework favors.” She looked at Nathan, raising one eyebrow inquiringly. “Friends climb the tower together?”

Nathan sighed, then nodded. He didn't want to do this, but it was something that Natad dho Asna would do. If he wanted to keep up the disguise, he had to play the part.

Congratulations, you have developed the [Mid-Tier Disguise] utility skill into [High-Tier Disguise].

Utility skill: [High-Tier Disguise]

This skill will make your disguises more convincing, especially in conversation. You will seem less suspicious even in doubtful circumstances.

Well, that’s helpful. I’m still glad none of them are good enough actors to hide that kind of realization. Still, this is annoying. If I’m with them tonight, I won’t be able to study more of the wizardry or return to explore the higher levels.

—

After dinner that night they prepared to sneak out. Yelun brought a dagger, Hibor put on two layers of robes, and Roni brought a sandwich.

Nathan had given up arguing with them, but despite agreeing earlier he wasn’t sure if he should back out. Going with them and getting caught by the patrols was exactly the sort of thing that would blow his cover.

On the other hand, if I don’t go with them then I kind of need to stay here until they return. Badud said to look for anybody alone, so sticking tight to these idiots is a pretty good disguise. But if a golem takes a close look at me, then it’ll know I don’t belong.

“Coming?” Yelun said, raising an eyebrow at him.

He sighed, then stood up. “Yeah. Maybe we should look in the stairs first, they’re probably the biggest chokepoint.”

I can probably guide them around any patrols. And if they do get caught, I can always slip away without too much trouble.

He followed his suitemates down the spiraling staircase and into the curated park. A few students were enjoying the greenery, but they were all in large groups and watched each other suspiciously.

Hibor led them along a hidden path and out of the low-tier residence halls. They were taking a small corridor that wasn’t used very often because it wasn’t very direct.

Nathan had gone down this route once before to see where it led, but hadn’t come back because there wasn’t much of interest here except some geometric engravings he thought had something to do with divination magic.

They looped in tense silence through the corridors, approaching the staircases. Nathan was listening carefully, ready to guide the group away from any patrols. He also used the quiet moment to peer into the wizardry that was tracking each of his friends.

His new skills let him understand what was going on better there. The Academy was tracking some kind of magical signature from people. It was like tracking a bunch of radio transponders.

I’m pretty sure that if I do my whole ‘cutting people off from mana’ thing then the academy won’t be able to track them. So any of my antimages could sneak around in here without problems. Interesting.

Wizard’s Meditation 2 achieved!

Nathan heard the grinding footsteps of more than one golem around a corner and held up his hand. He pointed. “I think there are some golems that way. Let’s backtrack and hide in that cross-corridor.

Yelun shot him a surprised look, but Hibor and Roni turned around without question. They hid around the corner, though Hibor insisted on watching from around the corner.

“Giant’s balls, just like with Eban. Four golems, a war mage and two enforcement mages.” He reported, surprised by the firepower on display. “But we should look wherever they aren’t, because that’s where the assassin will be.”

Yeaaaah. Like right here.

A pulse of detection magic flickered out down the corridor like lightning and washed over all of them. Nathan was caught off-guard by the magic and failed to react quickly. He probably could have extended his antimagic as a shield to prevent them from being hit, but he would have needed to be expecting the sonar-like spell.

What? The patrols have never used detection pulses before. I thought they couldn’t do it in the Academy!

As it was the magic clearly pinged off the three students standing next to Nathan. Yelun frowned, tilting her head and speaking at the same time as Roni. “What was that?”

“I think that was detection magic. Time to run away!” Nathan turned away from his suitemates. He threw one last comment over his shoulder. “Don’t speak of each other if you get caught”

Then he took off, running fast but not superhumanly so. He mapped out his escape route, grimacing as he mentally reviewed the local corridors. This hallway turned a few times, but it didn’t intersect any other corridors for some distance. There was one branch up ahead, but it led to a dead end with a staircase.

The rapid sound of stone feet clomping on the smooth floors indicated that the patrol was indeed giving chase. There was no way that the other students would be able to outrun the giant statues.. But Nathan turned a corner and sped up dramatically, accelerating up to highway speeds in the wide passage.

His best hope was to outrun the pursuing patrol until this passage met up with others and he could lose himself in the corridors. Then he could make his way back to the suite and wait for the other students to get sent back with detention or whatever.

Well that went to shit quickly. That’s probably a night of exploration wasted. Though I doubt they’ll try this again, and I’ll have free reign for the rest of the night once everybody goes to bed.

Then he heard the sound of more golems ahead, echoing around the corner as they ran in his direction. There were two exits to the local area, and guardian golems were approaching from both of them.

They communicate with the academy. I bet they’re networked together so that they can coordinate to do stuff like this.

“Goddammit.”

Utility skill: [Battle Meditation]

This skill will allow you to remain focused and undistracted even in the harshest of conditions.

Utility skill: [Wizard’s Meditation]

This skill will allow you to remain focused and undistracted both on the battlefield and as you understand new magic. It will make it easier to predict and understand both wizardry and mana-based spells.

Utility skill: Mid-tier Disguise

This skill will make your disguises more convincing in the future, especially in conversation.

Utility skill: High-tier Disguise

This skill will make your disguises more convincing, especially in conversation. You will seem less suspicious even in doubtful circumstances.

Class skill Antimagic Stealth: Your antimagic hides you from magical sensors and detection, and even spells tuned to detect an absence will not detect you.

Status of Nathan Lark:

Permanent Talent 1: Aura of Antimagic 10

Permanent Talent 2: Immortal Body 1

Permanent Talent 3: Airwalking 5

Class: Void of Magic level338

Deepened Stamina: 10050/10440

Void of Feeling

Antimagic Momentum

Raging Thrill

Implacable Inertia

Unarmored Resilience

Magic Anathema

Airborne Agility

Hand-to-hand Expertise

Voluminous Aura

Denial of Wizardry

Mana Severance

Class: Magekiller level 198

Regenerative Focus: 1800/2080

Catastrophic Blows

Battle Stealth

Mage Infiltration

Forgettable

Unsuspecting Strike

Antimagic Stealth

Spell Redirection

Lethal Index

Utility skills:

Wizard’s Meditation 2

Inspiration 2

Acceleration 4

Wizard Senses 9

Alertness 7

Wizard’s Intuition 10

Effortless Dodge 3

Mental Fortress 10

Tutoring 3

Parkour 2

High-tier Noticeability 7

High-tier Disguise 1

Mid-tier Battle Cry 7

Mid-tier Aura Manipulation 9