The Ascendant Wizard

Morena left her room with the idea of buying spells already set in her mind.

Now that her Matrix had formed, the natural next step would be to use it, which would help its growth the most right now. It was right in front of her. Spells were the thing that separated a Wizard from others; it's what made them powerful.

Without one, she could only disturb elemental energy around her in small and unstable ways. It was useful for understanding the difference between herself and before, but not much else.

The Library was the first place she thought of, but after recalling the book she had read before and the rules around the place, she realized that it most likely wouldn't have actual spells available for direct use.

The Library was for knowledge, theory, history, and records.

Spells were not something the Tower would leave scattered on shelves for any curious apprentice to skim through and copy with their eyes. Spells were valuable, very, even weak ones would be valuable to someone who had just formed their Matrix.

Which meant there had to be another place for them.

'AI, show the map section related to spell acquisition.'

[Displaying.]

The map appeared in her mind, and after a quick scan, Morena found the place she was looking for.

Spell Hall.

It was located on the fifth floor, in a section she hadn't visited yet. The map marked it as accessible to official apprentices only, which made her pause for a moment.

Official apprentices.

She was one now, at least according to her own status. But the Tower did not know that yet.

To actually become a low-level apprentice, she had to prove it to the Tower.

To the Tower, she was still the same new arrival who had been allowed into beginner classes and dorms. If the Spell Hall required badge verification, then she would be stopped before even reaching the shelves.

That meant she needed someone to confirm her breakthrough.

Someone with authority.

Morena exhaled softly.

'Varra.'

The woman had already warned her about being close to forming her Matrix. She was most likely the best choice. Artheon was another option, but he was dry and unpleasant to deal with, and there was no telling where he was at the moment.

Varra, at least, was one of her main class instructors and seemed to be paying attention to her progress already. It would be easiest to explain it to someone who already understood her position.

Morena left her room and made her way through the halls.

The Tower felt slightly different as she walked. Or rather, the tower hadn't changed at all, but because her senses had, she could sense a lot more than before. The movement of mana inside the stone was faint, but constant, running like thin veins beneath the walls and around the doors.

It was distracting. Not enough to make her stumble or lose focus, but enough that she had to actively ignore it.

'I'll need to get used to this.'

Being able to sense mana naturally was useful, but if she paid attention to everything, she would be overwhelmed before long.

She reached the floor where Varra usually held her classes and asked one of the older apprentices nearby where the woman could be found. The apprentice gave her an annoyed look, but still helped in the end, pointing toward a side corridor and telling her that Varra sometimes stayed in one of the preparation rooms after lessons.

Morena thanked him and moved on.

The corridor was much quieter than the others, with fewer apprentices around; that was probably why the professor chose the area as a resting place.

After checking three doors, she finally found the right one.

Varra was inside, seated behind a desk covered in papers, books, and several small crystals that gave off a soft blue light.

For a second, she looked annoyed that someone had barged in, however when she looked up and noticed that it was Morena, she simply nodded.

"Come in."

Morena paused for a second, then pushed the door open fully and stepped inside. Varra placed the paper she had in her hand down and shifted her gaze to her fully.

It did not linger long, but Morena could tell the woman had already noticed the difference within her.

"You already formed it."

Morena nodded.

"Yes."

"When?"

"Yesterday."

Varra leaned back slightly in her chair, her expression remaining composed. Still, Morena saw the faintest shift in her eyes.

There was a hint of surprise in her eyes, though it was very hidden.

"That was fast."

"It was thanks to your teachings that it went smoothly."

"So it would seem."

Varra paid no attention to her attempt to pander to her ego and instead studied her for another moment, smiling slightly.

"Most apprentices take much longer before reaching your stage. Some feel the threshold and spend weeks circling it because they are afraid to cross. Others rush and break themselves."

It seemed almost as if she was speaking from experience; something she had seen countless times before.

"I'm glad that you didn't fall into that category."

Morena did not respond right away, but she was happy to be praised. Praise from Varra did not feel like ordinary praise; the lady was not trying to please her or speak empty words; it was a statement of evaluation.

"Thank you."

Varra gave a faint hum.

"Do not let it make you arrogant. Forming the Matrix is the first step, not an achievement worth celebrating for too long."

"I know."

"Good."

Varra held out her hand.

"Badge."

Morena unclipped the badge from her side and handed it over.

Varra placed it flat against the desk and tapped it once with her finger. Though there was no chant, no visible effort, Morena could actually feel mana rippling from her fingertip into the badge.

The surface gleamed faintly, and a small mark appeared along the edge, almost like a strike cut into the surface. The badge looked mostly the same, but the difference was clear enough once she noticed it.

Varra handed it back.

"That mark confirms you as a Low-Level Apprentice. It will open areas that were previously restricted to candidates. And will also grant you some better permissions."

Morena clipped it back onto her belt.

"Does that include the Spell Hall?"

Varra's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Correct, so that is why you came."

"Yes."

"At least you are moving in the correct order."

Morena took that as approval that she was on the right path.

Varra leaned forward slightly, folding her hands on the desk.

"What were your affinities again?"

"Mental and Dark."

Varra hummed softly, her eyes moving away for a moment as if sorting through something in her mind.

"Unpleasant combination for a beginner."

Morena had already known that, but she wouldn't let a bother her since she couldn't control her affinities.

"I was told that already."

"It is not bad. Just inconvenient."

Varra explained plainly.

"The Tower does not keep many low-level Dark Arts spells available to new apprentices. Most are either too unstable, too easy to misuse, or restricted because fools have killed themselves trying to practice them."

That was more or less what Morena expected.

"And Mental?"

"More available, but basic. The Tower hasn't had a proper Mental Wizard ever; the ones we have are mainly from collecting."

"At your level, most Mental spells are simple focus aids, sensory sharpening, minor emotional dulling, or weak interference. Nothing impressive."

Morena's brows lowered slightly; that was very disappointing; she wanted to get a good mental spell to hopeful use for combat. There was a limit to how many points she had, and if she wanted more, she would need to complete missions.

"Then I should still start with one of those."

"Normally, yes."

Varra leaned back again, tapping her fingers against the desk.

"But there are better options."

Varra could tell that Morena was very interested in what she had to say, but continued at her own pace.

"I have a few Mental spells that are more useful than what the Spell Hall offers new apprentices. Still 0-Circle, nothing beyond your ability, but they are more useful than some weak sensory pulse."

She paused for a moment and seemed a bit hesitant to speak, as if she wasn't sure if telling her something was worth it, but in the end, she decided to.

"I also have one Dark Arts spell that would be very useful to you. It's a 0-Circle spell, but it's a foundation spell, meaning it has a corresponding spell in higher ranks."

While Morena was excited by the news, she knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch in the world. This was even more true for Wizards who lived by the principle of equal trade.

"You are offering them?"

"I am mentioning they exist. Parting with them, even if useless to me, would not be worth doing for free."

Morena understood right away; she wanted something from her.

"What do you want?"

Varra's lips curved faintly, not quite a smile.

"You understand well, that's why you have your uses."'

Varra tapped her finger lightly against the desk.

"I believe you have potential. Not enough to call you exceptional yet, but enough to be worth observing. Apprentices like you tend to come and go over the years. Most burn bright, make foolish choices, and collapse before reaching anything meaningful. Some have the chance to see a light beyond their own."

Her gaze settled on Morena.

"I am willing to see which kind you are."

Morena listened to her but didn't speak.

"Complete a task for me, and I will give you one Mental spell for free. After that, I will allow you to purchase the others from me at a reduced cost. If you do well, I may allow you access to the Dark Arts spell later."

It was a tempting offer, too tempting to accept immediately. Morena did not trust generous offers, especially from Wizards.

"What kind of task?"

Varra's expression did not change.

"A simple one."

That answer already made Morena more cautious.

"Simple for you or simple for me?"

This time, Varra did smile faintly.

"Good question."

She reached into one of the drawers of her desk and pulled out a folded paper, but did not hand it over.

"There is a storage room on the lower third floor, it's restricted from normal people, but I'll grant you permission. Some old teaching materials were placed there years ago and forgotten. I want you to retrieve a sealed box from it."

Morena waited for her to explain more, but so far, it didn't seem all that difficult.

"And?"

"And you are not to open it, don't tell anyone about it, or bring anyone with you. You collect the box and bring it back to me."

Morena's hesitation came naturally.

The Tower had already proven that it wasn't something that should be taken lightly. A storage room on the lower third floor sounded harmless, but if it were truly harmless, Varra could have sent anyone.

Or gone herself.

"You want me to go alone."

"Yes."

"To a lower floor."

"Yes."

"After warning me about the ruins beneath the Tower."

Varra's eyes sharpened with a trace of approval.

"So you remembered that."

"Of course I do."

Morena didn't bother hiding the caution in her voice.

"Why me?"

"You're right, it could be anyone, choosing you was just a spur of the moment thing. If you don't want it, then I can just give it to someone else."

"And if something goes wrong?"

"You'll figure it out."

Varra said simply, causing Morena to fall silent.

The offer was good.

One proper Mental spell for free, access to more spells afterward, and potentially a foundational Dark Arts spell in the future. For someone in her position, it was exactly the kind of opportunity she needed.

But it was also clearly a test. Varra was seeing whether Morena would leap at power without thinking, or whether she had enough restraint to hesitate.

So Morena made her choice.

Varra seemed to understand her answer before she even spoke.

"Go back and think it over."

She placed the folded paper on the desk, but kept one finger resting on it.

"You have until my next class to decide. If you accept, come to me after class and take the instructions. If you refuse, go to the Spell Hall and buy whatever beginner spell they offer you."

Morena nodded slowly.

"Understood."

The conversation was over, so Morena turned and left the room. As the door shut behind her, she stood in the quiet corridor for a moment. Varra's offer was very tempting, but Morena was not one to rush in without thinking ahead.

She had some time before the next class with her, so she would use that time to check out the spells in the Spell Hall, then ask around a bit for more information.

If she couldn't find anything useful, then she would have to accept the offer.