Chapter 801: Alex and Mangal

Chapter 801: Alex and Mangal

Alex and Professor Mangal stepped into the Cell, locking the door behind them. The room was empty, clean and spacious.

It wouldnt stay empty for long.

This is the very cell where you demonstrated your mastery of fifth and sixth- tier summoning spells to me, the professor smiled at the memory. To think that was only a little over three months ago.

A lots changed, Alex said. A wholelot has changed. I dont have to use summoning circles for my powerful summons anymore since Im so comfortable with them now. The young archwizard rubbed his hands together. He could hardly hide his excitement. Would you mind summoning Then-Arus for me?

Of course, Professor Mangal said.

Oh, but before you do, did Professor Jules tell you which summoning spells I learned? he asked.

No, she did not, said Professor Mangal. Why do you ask?

No reason. Alex fought the urge to start giggling like a child ready to pull a prank on his teacher.

Raising an eyebrow at him, she turned and began conjuring.

Power flowed from her words, connecting to the planes.

Soon, the magical energies of a war-spirit tinged the air. The screams. The smell of blood.

Silver-coloured liquid boiled from the ground before the professor, the shape of the familiar humanoid war-spirit known as, Then-Arus appeared. He bowed before his summoner.

Greetings, my summoner, Then-Arus voice grated on Alexs mind. What task do you have for me?

She gestured toward Alex. It is he who wished for me to call you, your question should be asked of him.

The war-spirit turned, eyes falling on the archwizard. Alex watched him steadily. There was a time when he found the war-spirit terrifying, the very embodiment of oppressive violence. But, after bargaining with Asmaldestre, he felt no fear.

YouI know you, the war-spirit cocked his head to one side. Something has changed within you. Your soul once reeked of something that was antithetical to violence. It is gone now.

Yes, it has, hasnt it? Alex said confidently. Things change, as I have, and I have no doubt that there are more changes to come.

Perhaps in many of your mortal millenia, you may be ready to conjure an entity of power beyond that of a lesser water elemental. Then-Arus metallic voice scraped Alexs eardrums like nails on granite.

Hold that thought for a few of my mortal seconds. The archwizard cracked his knuckles. You might want to stand back Professor Mangal.

He raised his hands, speaking the incantation for Conjure Ultimate Ally. His power surged through the room, reaching out across the planes and touching a distant battlefield.

He felt a presence like a great ship cutting through the sea.

Professor Mangals jaw had dropped. That isConjure Ultimate Ally!

This presenceit cannot be! Then-Arus cried.

Asmaldestre hit the material world like a catapult stone.

She loomed above them all, filling the room with the tingle of unspent violence. In her hands, she held Uldars weapons along with the strange projectile weapons she was so fond of.

Have you conjured me for more battle? she asked Alex.

He turned to Professor Mangal. Shall we have them spar?

The lesser war-spirit trembled in the Unmakers presence, though whether from fear or excitement, only he knew. This would be the fight of ten thousand lifetimes, Then-Arus whispered. My destruction would be legend.

His voice shook, its metallic ring sounding hollow.

Professor Mangal shook her head quickly. No, no. That will not be necessary! her eyes were fixed on Asmaldestre in astonishment.

You sound so confident, Alex said. So sure. I keep wondering what I should do afterward. After the war. The dreams I wanted to fulfil when I first became a wizardI've achieved them.

Both a blessing and a curse, she said gravely. Those who truly come into their own from a young age, are blessed because they are able to live their dreams early in their lives. But they are also cursed, because their older selves will have to stand in the shadow of the incredible achievements of their youth. Some give up, others go into crisis and make poor decisions in middle-age, while others go on mad journeys to try and top themselves in each passing decade.

And what do you think? Alex asked. What should someone do if theyve hit all their goals early in life?

Continue to live, she said. Life is not entirely about goals, and if it must be, then you are in control of that. You can conjure any goal at any time you wish as easily as you might summon a small water elemental. You may find your own way in life, and that is a privilege: few can say the same.

So I know I can create my own new goals Alex said. It just seems so hard to choose which ones. To figure out what I'll be content doing for the rest of my life.

Your life has meaning that only you can define, she said. And you are still young, do not assume that you have achieved so much so quickly that you must decide right at this moment. Take your time and think, and then think again, and then think again. Only in that way, will you come up with the right answer for yourself.

He smiled. Thanks. You really are one of my favourite professors: I wish Id met you in first year, instead of Professor Ram.

She smiled sadly. Professor Ram is a difficult man. He cares for his students in ways that many who study under him misinterpret. He is a hard taskmaster, much like Chancellor Baelin. But, I do believe it is a tragedy, what happened between the two of you. He meant to give you the best tools to master force magic, just as he does for all of his students. You meant to try and succeed with a hidden barrier holding you back. I believe you two deserve closure.

Well, we did have that fight at the Games, Alex said.

She shook her head. Some fights can give closure. Other times, closure can only be achieved through words that must be exchanged.

He thought about the First Apostle. Had the ancient Chosen found closure in his death or in his final fight? The opposite, probably. Had Alex found closure with Ram from their fight?

Maybe.

Maybe not.

It was too much to think about now.

In any case, let us return to my office, the professor said. I will provide you with your papers. Then we can look forward to your graduation, and to you studying with me. We will do great things together.

Thanks, Professor, Alex said. It's been an honour being in relation with you.

And I, you, Alex. She gave him a broad smile before walking to the door. Let us continue to work together in the future.

Yes, lets, he agreed.

###

The General of Thameland left Professor Mangals office, holding the signed documents giving him credit for his summoning courses. They would allow him to Challenge the Exam for Credit, bringing him closer to his goal of graduating early.

Yet, his mind wasnt settled.

Thoughts about closure kept playing through it.

He was training his friends. The Ravener was escalating.

Did he really want to leave anything undone in case the worst happened?

No, he thought. I dont. But there's a lot to do, I probably dont have time to see

He looked up spotting, a familiar figure in the hallway.

There, in his severe robeswith his neat beard and jet black arm constructwas Professor Harsha Ram, walking to his office.

The two men's eyes met.

Alex saw a wave of tension go through the older mans body. An awkwardness was suddenly in his stance.

He knew what he wanted to do.