FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

Wasn't intending to do another school chapter so soon but here it is. Figured I should so some lore and world building.

I spent hours pouring over that stupid book. The first day of testing involved Math, English with a psychic abilities test just after dinner. Not sure about English but I know I was meh on the Math exam and I'm about as psychic as grape jelly. The next morning I cornered Magus Roberts in his office after staking it out for what felt like hours.

The History exam was over and lunch was drawing near. But I waited until my eyes fell upon my jaguar prey. Jumping from my hiding place in a supply closet when I spotted him.

“Your book is stupid and you should feel bad for giving it to me.”

“Maybe you're the stupid one and the book is just fine. What's the problem?”

“Aside from this feeling like cheating, which I'm sure it totally is, I just don't feel like I have enough time.”

“Time isn't the problem here. Step back and focus on the basics. Your magic abilities are tied to your essence. Your life force more or less, some call it chakra or spirit energy. You need to focus that energy, channel it. Give it intent, a purpose, and then release.”

I held out my hand, palm up. Makes it sound easy, just do it, focus and bam you'll do it. I took a breath trying to walk back the anger. Slowly bringing my other hand over it a foot or so apart. Focus, pool the energy and focus. Heat, fire the first of the elemental magics. My lower hand felt warmer. Stupid that's wishful thinking.

“Gah! You make it sound too easy!”

“You almost had it you know. But someone got angry and broke concentration. Not quite a fire but there was warmth building up. Relax, you will get there. Also, it isn't cheating. I'm saving you from wasting weeks working on something you'll master much quicker.”

“Based entirely on something old guy Josiah said?”

“The fact you had enough energy to almost pull it off suggests that he was right. You just need to focus more is all. Work hard enough and you'll be stronger than I am in no time. Or slack off and get nowhere. Choice is yours.”

“What all do I need to do to skip the entry class?”

“Display a level of mastery of all the elemental magics. Conjuration and control, that will put you in the second term class early.”

So I sat in my dorm with the book open in front of me. Panting slightly, my energy reserves really were tied to physical energy in a way. The more I used, the more tired I became. The science exam was starting soon. With a sigh I forced myself to my feet and headed back to the dining hall to begin.

That was the last thing I remember. Everything went black and fuzzy after that. Until I felt someone poking me on the cheek. I groaned and tried to move, it was impossible, couldn't move.

“Wake up sonny.”

I groaned again, no, too much work, go away, now.

“Open your eyes, come now.”

I growled softly, fat chance whoever you are. I want sleep.

“Let him rest Josiah,” a female voice said.

My eyes shot open, where was I?

“Ah see much better?”

I blinked, fighting to get my vision to clear. It was too hard to move anything else.

“Pushed yourself too hard I'd say.”

“Yes he did, wont be the first either I'm afraid.”

With a groan I took in my surroundings. Hospital, the beds and plain looking walls were a dead giveaway.

A female bunny came into view and held her hand over my forehead.

“How did you manage this during entrance term?”

“A real mystery, I'll just be going now.” Josiah said before starting to make his way out of the room.

“It was you! What did you do? What have you done? He could have died!”

Josiah held up his hands, “Now see here. He could not have died. That's an exaggeration.”

“Had he not been walking in the grass he could have.”

“I must be going, look at the time, lots to do.”

Josiah left the room with a speed I've never seen come from him before.

“That man. In all my years here this is a first. What did he do?”

I couldn't even sit up and she expected me to explain everything?

“Roberts,” was all I was able to say. It was barely audible. But the old rabbit heard it.

“I'll go fetch him then. He did this?” She asked angrily.

“I did.”

“Child please, no way you on your own did this. No someone helped and when I find them...”

She left it at that, quickly bounding from the room. I would have stopped her if I could. I couldn't even wiggle my fingers. I was tired, so tired. Back into darkness.

I didn't get to listen to the follow up conversation. I slept in the hospital bed the rest of the day and through the night. It was nearly breakfast by the time I woke up again. Sitting up was a battle, but I forced myself up. Causing several flat stones to slide down my body under the blanket.

I pulled them out and looked at them. Runes of some sort had been carved into them. I placed them on the cabinet next to my bed and was in the process of getting out of it when the rabbit lady came dashing in.

The conversation that followed was her yelling at me, me trying not to yell back. Good times all around. She wanted me to stay another day. That's about when it went downhill.

“Make me!” I shouted at her.

Her response to that was to pull a stone from her pocket before throwing it into my chest. I fell back across the bed paralyzed. The stone stuck firmly against my chest fur. I was angry before sure, but now the rage was beyond measure.

She easily rolled me across the bed and onto my back again before drawing the blanket over me.

“Never in all my years,” she muttered as she walked from the room after replacing the other stones.

I would have sighed, if I could have. All that did was anger me more. I fought to calm down. I could escape. I was stiff and sore but I felt energized enough to go about my day. Surely I could break the stone holding me down, dash back to my room and recover on my own.

I took several calming breaths before committing fully to the plan. Yeah I was getting out of here. I had to remember which stone it was. Center of my chest, right under the top most stone. That had to be it. I was gambling on. Not like I wasn't gambling all around.

I had to focus enough heat to crack stone. Without looking at it, without holding it. I could do it, Josiah and Sam believed in me. So with another breath I concentrated inward. I'd put as much into this as I could without leaving myself too weak to run away.

Focus the energy, direct it, give it purpose. Destroy the rune, destroy it, destroy it! I felt the heat building on my chest. I pushed other thoughts away, I could do this, I would this. I would break that stupid thing into bits no matter what.

The blanket was smoking and the heat on my chest was beyond uncomfortable but I kept at it. Focus, I told myself, just focus. It was burning the blanket and my chest felt like it was on fire. Just when I was about to lose hope it cracked in half and I shot up.

Patting frantically at my chest while the blanket burned on the bed. I was free, a little sore but I didn't seem hurt in any way. I turned my attention to the growing fire. I didn't have the energy to put it out the same way I created it. I ran to the sink and filled the water pitcher near it. Splashing water over the growing fire several times before I was able to control it.

The blanket was destroyed, as was the sheet but the mattress looked mostly alright. The air was heavy with the smell of smoke. Not my problem, escape, I had to escape. I moved to the window, second floor. I'm a cat, it'll be fine. So I opened it and climbed out. Holding onto the window sill while my feet dangled below me.

I let go and landed hard, but I was uninjured. I looked around, I was outside the main building on campus. The back side of it, hadn't been over here before. I got my bearings and ran straight to my dorm. Charging into my room before barring it with my desk.

With a sigh I flopped across my bed. I was tired, but free. I looked down my body and spotted the pajama bottoms. Someone saw me naked, ish, close enough. I just rolled my eyes and tried not to think too much about it. My mind settled on what I had done. Started a fire, on school property no less.

Would that count as vandalism? If so I was screwed, super screwed. I didn't know, I was angry and scared a bit too. I would have hit myself but I was too tired to do it. What was done was done, so I just closed my eyes and tried to get some sleep.

I woke to knocking on my door. May as well get this over with.

“What do you want?” I half growled at the door.

“Can I come in?” Magus Roberts asked.

“You can if you're alone.”

My desk slid out of the way on it's own before the door slowly swung open and the taller feline slipped in. He shut it behind him and walked over to me.

“That was stupid of you.”

“I know, but I just wanted to leave.”

“So you set fire to school property? Almost killing yourself during your escape. No one was hurt, so you luck out on that one. Josiah had to fight pretty hard to keep you here. Act up again and the both of you are gone. I've also been appointed your emergency contact. Since it was agreed that you'd listen to me. You will listen to me?”

“Yes, I swear I will. I'll be good, work hard, whatever it takes. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“Stun stone and you burned it?”

“Yeah, I was angry and I just wanted to leave. She wouldn't let me so I made my own way out.”

“Magus Crusher can be like that at times. It's been noted, no more stun stones for you. But if I say you have to stay there, you are to do so, alright?”

“You know I'd do anything for you my sweet.”

“Did you burn yourself?”

I looked at my chest and didn't even see a single singed fur.

“Must have been really focused to keep it from burning you. You have six exams to get through tomorrow. Retakes of what you missed on top of tomorrow's exams. Plus one for Magus Josiah. It'll be after mine, so not sure how much energy you'll have left. If you want to pass both I suggest you dig deeper than ever.”

“If you hustle you can make it to your first exam of the day. No food till lunch, but better than nothing.”

I gave him a tight hug before rushing over to my closet to start getting dress. The older feline slipped out of the room quietly before I even noticed he had left. It was a mad dash to get to the dining hall. The eyes upon me felt like a thousand needles. I hated it, hastily making my way to the nearest empty table.

It was a practical exam, physical manipulation. Needless to say by the time it ended all the objects I was meant to change looked the same. Pencil wasn't a cube, paper clip wasn't melded into a sold ball. It was a wash for everyone. It was one of those odd abilities only a few possessed. Without other work arounds none of us would have been able to do it.

No one seemed in a rush to leave. It was super awkward. I just stood up, giving up on trying to stealth my way out. The dragon from the other day moved to block my escape. His blue scales shimmered slightly under the lights.

“Could you move, please.”

“Word on the street is you fainted.”

“Passed out actually, fainting is brought on by lack of blood flow to the brain. I passed out due to physical exertion.”

“Right WebMD, what about the fire?”

“Faulty wiring probably, I'm not a Fire Marshal so you'd have to ask someone else. Could you move?”

“Fine, go do whatever it is freaks like you do.”

I just shrugged it off, cant do anything about it. Though he'd figure it out for sure when I end up in another class. Should have just told him I was the Chosen One, birthed of the fires of Mount Fuji under the light of a full moon. That'd shut him up, or make him ask more questions.

Once again we were all seated in the dining hall. Various empty jars had been placed out in front of us.

“Not sure any of you will manage it but this exam is energy manipulation. It's okay if nothing happens. Just like all of the others, some are suited to this sort of magic and others aren't.” Magus Roberts said walking between the tables looking around at everyone.

“First up is fire, if you can produce a flame in the smallest jar you pass that section of the exam. Begin.”

With a sigh I set to it, this is what he had given me the book to do. What we, both of us, had worked hard for. What I almost got kicked out for doing. I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the task. I focused, I gave intent, flame in the jar. Just a little fire in a little jar. I can do this, I've done this.

Within a minute a tiny spark appeared inside the jar. I poured more energy into it. Building it into a candle sized flame. Dancing back and forth inside of the jar. The transparent glass turned green. I relaxed into the back of the wooden chair. The small flame still burning away.

“Nicely done Isaac, now for something a little trickier. I need water in this one right here.” Magus Roberts said pointing to a fish bowl shaped jar that was no bigger than the one the flame was dancing in.

Water wasn't easy and calling it a little tricky was a joke. I had to condense the water particles in the air. I'd only managed it once, mostly through cheating. Transferring water from one glass into another. I looked around, no one had made it as far as I had. Even the jackass dragon was struggling.

I returned my attention to the jar. Reaching out with a hand, pooling my energy into it. Then working it into the air. Forcing the water around my hand to come together. Expanding the energy bubble, focusing on the water. It took several minutes this time and I was starting to get tired. But I had enough water droplets to give the little jar a light dusting of rain.

All three droplets fell into the jar. Each one barely visible. The jar turned green and that was the second task done.

“Your choice for the next one, earth, air or lightning. No way you'd manage all three. No pressure Isaac. You've done great so far.”

I took the easy way out and selected air. Creating wind would seal the deal without me passing out again. So I selected the wind jar. Holding it in my hand. Working the last bit of energy I could manage into it. Swirling it around, faster and faster until a very small vortex formed. The jar turned green and sealed the swirl of air in place.

I slumped across the table. Panting softly, I was happy it was over. Still, what was the point in all of this? Go out into the world and help people file taxes with magic I couldn't show anyone, ever? I yawned, sleep would come soon.

Magus Roberts placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. His way of saying “Nice job kid, you've got spunk.” Or whatever it is he'd have said. All that was left now was whatever Josiah had planned.

Advanced magics, that's what Magus Roberts said days ago. Josiah taught the advanced stuff. If he was to test me then I was screwed. I could barely move. No way I could learn any magic at this point. Displaying it would be impossible. Unless he wanted a repeat of our hospital visit. No way he'd want that, he ran for the hills and left me for dead.

Magus Roberts dismissed everyone. From my place on the table I gathered I was the only one to advance to second term Energy Manipulation. Unless I missed something, could have, I was barely aware of being alive at that point.

He took a seat at my table once everyone else had left.

“You did good. If I had the help you got I would have made it through as well. One week into the intro class and I had completed the entire book. They don't allow middle of term transfers so I was stuck for two months.”

“Not jealous are you? That I was able to skip and you weren't?”

“No, just wouldn't have been fair to leave you behind like that. I would have wanted someone to help me. Which is why I helped you. So you wouldn't feel the way I did. Stuck in a class too easy for you.”

“Easy would look good on my Magic Transcript though, be great for Magic University.”

He flicked my ear and I jerked slightly, holding it back.

“Magic University, smart ass. Just because you may never use any of this later in life doesn't mean you shouldn't learn. Shouldn't push yourself, see your potential.”

He placed a plate in front of me with a ham sandwich on it.

“Eat, you'll need to recover.”

“Could you at least act like you aren't just giving me food to not die?”

“Not a date, besides you're too wasted to do much. Words are all you've got right now stud.”

“You're so mean. Taking advantage while I'm down and out. Strutting around because you're safe from my lover's embrace. I'll get you, and when I do, it'll be good.”

“I'm sure it will, eat. Magus Josiah will be here shortly. He didn't tell me what the test was. It could literally be anything.”

I growled and slowly pulled the plate closer. Leaving my head firmly in place on the table. I ate with as little movement as I could manage while Magus Roberts kept me company. By the end of it I was starting to feel better. Which he no doubt sensed because he moved away before my grabby paws could find him.

“Your test begins now and you are to read from this book.” Josiah said placing a small paperback in front of me. It reminded me of those Goosebumps books. Cover was leather though, and clearly not written for a school book fair.

I traced a finger over the indented title.

Love Sonnets of Caliphant

“You've got to be kidding me.” I said looking up at the old canine. He just cocked his head slightly.

“No I am not. You will read Love's Rejuvenation and do so aloud.”

“I want to stay for this but lover boy will make it weird. Have fun you two.” Magus Roberts said before leaving the dining hall. He was so going to pay for this transgression.

I sat open and flipped through the book until I found the page needed.

Love invigorates our souls

Hope mends broken holes

What was tired be rekindled

Love's edge can never be dulled

I looked up at the old canine like he was an idiot. He just grinned at me, which was sort of creepy. Getting to my feet I held the book out to him. Noticing that I felt warm, not uncomfortably so just warmer than I was.

“Noticed it have you?”

“What?”

“Not all magic is simply use your energy to meet this goal or that. Some of it stems from the Aether. A swirling force from beyond. It has limits, like our energy reserves do. We can only tap into as much as we are able to. But with time that limit can grow. Doubling or tripling your magical output. That's how you did it.”

“Did what?”

“All those years ago an angry little cat before us. Your natural magical reserves weren't near testable. But you had access to the Aether. Just enough to wiggle your way into this school. You would have failed, had that not been so. Even with magic in you, you would have failed.”

“Cool it Oracle, all that Chosen One stuff was me joking around.”

“The Oracle of Delphi couldn't predict the tide receding. And you are far from the Chosen One. Magically gifted sure, but there are others who will always outclass you.”

“You really know how to build a guy up and then knock him right back down. Also that poem or whatever, kind of sucks.”

“I'll have you know that poem was penned by the greatest wordsmith in the lands of Gallimont. Like a mere child such as yourself even knows of such things. No, you have your Nintendos and your foot scooters. No time at all for the Old World, where we came from. Our ancient cultures, our ways.”

He was mad, visibly so for the first time. I took a step back, holding the little book as a small shield.

“Sorry, you never answered my question though. You said I noticed it, noticed what exactly?”

He sighed and looked at me like everything he had done was a waste.

“You were beyond tired weren't you? Exhausted, barely able to move. Now you're up and about. You didn't even notice. Chosen One indeed. Fully invigorated and you don't even see it.”

“So that was a spell to make me better?”

“To channel the Aether. Words hold power as long as you give it to them. In Monfrey, the Old World, spells were as much spoken as they were forced from within. The mixing of energies to create spectacular effects. Caliphant twisted the Aether into his words. Making them immortal. Very laws that the Universe must obey. It simplified spell casting.”

“It also made it more devious. Typical spells to do harm were widely known. But a small poem or short story? No one would ever catch on. It served many uses and Caliphant enjoyed them all. He had many loves, and escaped many would be deaths.”

“So anyone can just use this book then?” I asked looking at it.

“No, only those with access to the Aether can utilize it. Very few here can use it. Three of us actually. But you know who they are. As for the book, it's more the words. The words have the power. Memorize them and you'll always be able to use the spell.”

We parted ways after that. All this talk about other worlds and long lost alternate histories was giving me a headache. Hard enough to keep track of this world's history. I texted my friends to let them know all the exams were finished before I fell asleep.

Will try and get the first adult chapter posted within a week. Then I'll pop back to the school years as needed to build upon the story and explain past events.