Aliscia held out her hand. “You completed them, yes? And how many times do I have to tell you not to call me ‘Lady’?”
Vir smirked. Though she said that, she couldn’t hide the joy in her eyes, as usual. “Sure did. Got some of the next lesson done, too.”
“Of course you did,” she said. “I can’t recall a single time where you failed to finish your assignments. Keep it up and you might even have a life outside of this village of ours.”
“Don’t really want to leave, though,” Vir said with a frown. “Just want to help Rudvik out as much as I can.”
“I tell you, that man is blessed to have a son like you,” Apramor said, having recovered from his shin injury. “My daughter, on the other hand? Head in the clouds! All she ever talks about is ‘big city this, famous mejai that!’ She could learn a thing or two from you.”
Vir looked away and coughed.
Apramor went to finish unlocking the temple door. “Morning congregation begins in an hour. Vir, I apologize for asking you to do this on your big day, but would you mind sweeping the place for me?”
“Of course, sir!”
The priest nodded and stepped through the door, which closed shut with a click.
“Ah—” Vir said, reaching out in vain. He eyed the door lock, then glanced at Aliscia. “Would you mind…”
Aliscia looked at him, then at the door. “That man! How forgetful can he be? I’m so sorry, Vir.”
She touched the Magic Lock orb on the door, making it glow with prana. “Here you go.”
Vir thanked her before bursting inside. The thick scent of incense and age hit him the moment he stepped foot into the temple. Though he wasn’t much of a believer, even he could sense the aura that filled the holy place.
He found a lantern on a shelf and began the process of lighting it. Magic Candle was far simpler and easier to use, but Vir didn’t have that option.
Vir’s hands trembled with excitement as he went to light the tinderbox full of char cloth. He almost dropped his fire steel on the ancient hardwood flooring, catching it just before it hit the ground. Once it ignited, he gingerly transferred the small flame to the candle within the lantern.
This was it! He’d waited years for his magic to manifest. This was the last chance he would ever have. Without magic, he had no future. Even a minor elemental affinity would unlock endless possibilities.
With sweaty palms and bated breath, Vir approached a piece of covered furniture on a raised dais. After a quick glance to ensure no one was looking, he pulled the cloth off the apparatus. A translucent crystal as big as his head mirrored his reflection right back at him.
Vir touched the device.
He stared at his reflection, hoping against hope that the magic testing apparatus would come to life. He prayed to Adinat. To Janak. To Haymi, and even to Chala. But no matter how much he swore he’d honor the gods, their blessings never came. The orb remained cruelly silent.
He felt a hand on his shoulder. Aliscia, by her light touch. “So that’s it, then,” he said.
“There may still be time, Vir. Some don’t manifest an affinity until… well, I’ve heard that in rare cases, it can take until their later teens. Especially out here where prana is scarce.”
Vir shook with anger. She was just trying to cheer him up, but her words had the opposite effect.
“If that was true, I’d at least be able to use basic utility orbs to open doors and heat water, wouldn’t I? I’m prana scorned,” he said, touching the tattoo on his chest. He was doomed to be magic-less…
Yet even as he said those words, he refused to accept it. A voice stirred from deep within him. One that rejected this reality.
Was this really okay? Could he truly accept this outcome?
Vir clenched his fists.
No badrakking way.
He thought to the strange voices he’d heard earlier. Though he couldn’t yet understand them, he knew they were words of power. Whispering secrets into his ears. If there was even the barest morsel of magic in his body, he’d find it. And he’d exploit it.
2DEATH OF A DREAM
Aliscia grasped Vir’s shoulders and stared at him with her hazel eyes. “Even if you are prana scorned, what of it? I don’t have any affinities myself, and I manage just fine, don’t I? There are many paths through life, even for those who aren’t good at magic,” she said with the warm smile of a mother.
“Well sure, but magic makes things easier.” Magic gets you respect. “Don’t you wish you had an affinity, Lady Aliscia?”
“Wishes do not make dreams come true. But you know what does? Hard work.” She handed him his broom. “Chin up, now. And be sure to see Maiya later. She has a surprise planned for you,” Aliscia said with a wink.
A surprise? Vir thought. He was already growing excited thinking about Maiya’s gift, despite himself.
“And for the millionth time, I’m not a lady!” Aliscia huffed as she turned to leave.
“Yes, Lady Aliscia,” said Vir with a sly smile.
Vir resolved to overcome this setback. He knew not how, but he would. Perhaps these new voices in his head would help him. He itched to find out more about them, but it would have to wait until he’d finished with his duties for the day. What he did notice was that the voices grew louder around certain items. Especially powered utility magic orbs.
The Magic Clock on the wall pinged. Only forty-five more minutes until congregation. He was late, and he had a lot of work to do.
First came the lighting. He picked up his lantern and went around lighting the candles placed all around the temple, the ancient wooden floorboards creaking underfoot.
Magic Lamps were safer, of course, but Apramor always said there was a quality to real fire that magic could never replace. Vir liked the thought, even if the priest was just being considerate.
Ping! The clock indicated only a half hour left.
Vir finished lighting the incense sticks in front of the tarnished altars of the gods, replenishing the soothing smell of sandalwood through the temple. He put fresh flower garlands on the icons of the gods, then swept the floor clean with practiced efficiency. Ten minutes.
Last came the faded cushions, which he placed all around the room on the floor. The temple was devoid of any chairs, but Vir found these lounging cushions more comfortable, anyway. He finished the task with five minutes to spare.
Apramor appeared from his private room just as Vir was finishing up with the cushions and rested a hand on his shoulder.
“I heard…”
Vir had finally distracted himself from the results of his magic test, but now his mood came crashing down once again.
“I shall offer you no words of comfort, for I know they will not help you,” the priest said. “Instead, I hope you listen carefully to today’s sermon. It may very well contain the answer to your plight.”
“Yes, sir,” he replied. I doubt it.
The priest took a moment to gaze at his handiwork.
“Fine job, as always, Vir. I appreciate your help.”
“Of course, sir. It’s my pleasure.”
“Tis your pleasure, is it? I see that my daughter’s been rubbing off on you,” Apramor chuckled. “Now, settle in. I think you will enjoy this.”
Vir was sure he saw a glint in the priest’s eyes.
Villagers had already filtered in, and the silent temple filled with hushed chatter. Some greeted Apramor. Others took their seats and prayed. All looked away the moment they saw Vir, which reminded him to flip up the hood on his cloak.