Book Three Chapter Seven: WoE

Book Three Chapter Seven: WoE

The owner of the voice, a wise and powerful Mage, looked almost exactly like a young boy. Rather than the standard robes, he was wearing a dark suit, and he was sitting in a far too large chair.

The entire room was made out of wood, from the floor to the furniture. It didnt appear any safer than the last Wizards Tower, but at least it wasnt crammed full of knickknacks, loose scrolls, and potentially explosive potions. Instead, everything was neatly placed on bookshelves, and what looked like wooden versions of Temples treasure chests.

I see the fallen Apprentice has returned, the little boy sneered. What brings you crawling back to my tower?

Now, Qube had no problem with kids. Shed been friends with several children while growing up. But it just didnt seem very reasonable for a child to be in charge of an entire Wizards Tower.

Hi, I need the thing to do the thing for his spell, the Chosen One said eloquently, gesturing at Definitely Bad Guy. He seemed even more put off than Qube about the whole child situation.

This is the so-called Chosen One Ive heard about, is it? the child sneered even harder than before.

Definitely Bad Guy gave the child a look so haughty and cold that it could freeze someone.

Wizard of Elements, your assistance has been requested by the Head Mage in completing the Grand Working to overcome the Evil Emperor.

Is this a disguise? Qube asked, looking at what had to be, at the eldest, a twelve year old boy. Is he using some kind of illusion magic?

Definitely Bad Guy broke off from his staring contest with the boy to look at Qube.

No, this is him. Augustine is a child prodigy.

Im glad you acknowledge my superiority, Augustine said, smirking and shaking his head. Its good to see youve been humbled by my genius abilities.

Qube didnt think that Augustine was that intelligent. For one, he thought it was a good idea to sneer at the Chosen One, who was destined to save everyone, Wizards included, and secondly he didnt seem at all curious as to why Definitely Bad Guy was addressing thin air.New novel chapters are published on

Unless could he see her? She stepped forward and waved a hand in front of his face. Nothing.

The alleged prodigy pivoted to face the Chosen One. So, what brings you before the great and powerful Wizard of Elements? he asked.

The Chosen One sighed. Old guy asked for a spell of some kind? he glanced at Definitely Bad Guy and Qube, as if asking for backup. Im gonna be honest; I dont actually remember. Hold on, I can check.

As the Chosen One stared off into the distance and started drooling, Qube helpfully reached over and gently held his mouth shut.

Augustine frowned at the Hero. He shot an almost accusatory look at Definitely Bad Guy, as if the Mage Advisor was responsible for any of the Chosen Ones eccentricities.

So, how long ago were you at the Wizards Academy? Qube asked Definitely Bad Guy conversationally as they waited for the Hero to finish. Was Augustine the Wizard of Elements back then?

I was taken six years ago, Definitely Bad Guy replied shortly. He was too young for them to be interested, despite his prestigious talent even then.

Urk! the Hero suddenly refocused and tried to speak, only to accidentally smack Qubes hand with his jaw.

Im sorry! Qube exclaimed, yanking her hand away. I thought that would help.

Augustine looked, if anything, even more snooty than before at the sight of the Chosen One coughing.

Yeah it just says to go and ask all the various Mages for their parts of the puzzle. So, you, kid, whats your solution to whatever this puzzle is? the Chosen One asked. The Wizard of Elements drew himself upright, which didnt do much since he was a) still a child, and b) sitting on a chair.

I am the Wizard of Elements, he intoned in a regal manner.

Yeah I know, he said, the Chosen One interrupted. The Wizard ignored him.

I have mastered all the elements present in our world

What about the element of surprise? the Chosen One asked.

The Wizards eye twitched.

The Wizard gathered himself, trying to regain whatever shreds of dignity he had left.

The spell is a Grand Working, he said pompously. It requires the cooperation of all the main Mages. However, those simple-minded fools were too blind to see the wisdom of my method, and so have relegated me to

The Chosen Ones eyes started to glaze over.

Skip, he said, interrupting what had now devolved into a rant about respect, and genius versus talent.

Augustine paused.

Just gimme the thing, the Chosen One said impatiently. Sewer Bards not here to listen and I dont like you, so just gimme.

The Wizard looked puzzled.

spent many nights deep in research he started up again.

Skip, the Chosen One said.

And they think they can ignore me, just because Im a kid?

Skip! the Chosen One ordered.

Augustine subsided, ending his speech. Somewhat sulkily, he handed over a small amulet, showing an eagle flying through the sky. The Hero looked at it.

What am I supposed to do with this? he asked. The Wizard of Elements looked like he might burst a blood vessel.

I was just explaining that you to, you ignorant

Skip, just tell me, the Chosen One said.

Augustine glared at the Hero. His eyes flickered, and then he drew himself up again, once more trying to regain his now severely damaged dignity.

The spell is a Grand Working, he repeated with the exact same amount of pompousness. It requires the cooperation of all the main Mages.

The Chosen One groaned and threw back his head.

You mean Ive got to listen to the whole speech? he asked the ceiling, horrified.

The ceiling didnt reply. Augustine, however, gave a very nasty smirk as he continued to give the exact same speech, complaints and all, to the unwilling but trapped Hero and friends.

Each one of us has crystallised our years of work into an amulet, Augustine continued. Qube, who had been trying to pay attention, nudged the Chosen One, who hadnt even been pretending to listen.

Yup! the Chosen One said, suddenly focused. Amulet, each one. Got it.

Which must be placed in a very specific way in order to work, the Wizard continued, as if the Hero hadnt spoken. Now, the Mage of Life will try and tell you that his should go next to mine, but my amulet must be to the right of the Sorcerer of Summonings.

Youve got sorcerers now? the Chosen One exclaimed incredulously. Why? What makes them different from Mages and Wizards?

Sorcerers deal with that which did not exist before, and will not exist after, Augustine said haughtily. An ill-formed notion of what constitutes proper magic is the other main difference.

Kinda seems all the same to me, but whatever, the Chosen One muttered. Also wait. Wait! You can summon things?

I have no need to summon others; I am strong enough to accomplish my own tasks, the child said angrily. But yes. Those who lack my skill can choose to study the art of summoning and dismissing things from other realms.

Qube looked at the Chosen One, her eyes round. Was this how they were going to get to the Devs realm? Why had he sounded so surprised at summoning being a school of magic? After all, he had been summoned here not so long ago! And he summoned Scaley-waley all the time!

Oh man, you definitely gotta learn how to summon things, the Chosen One informed Definitely Bad Guy. We could do so much cool stuff with summons!

The pleased look on the Mages face vanished.