Firebrand

Chapter 358: Tentative Thoughts on Tutoring

Chapter 358: Tentative Thoughts on Tutoring

Tentative Thoughts on Tutoring

Changing role from teacher last night to student this morning, Martel entered the Circle of Fire. Just the reminder of Moira in this place made him swear never to treat Sparrow or anyone else under his tutelage, should it happen to others, the way that the Mistress of Fire treated him.

She entered and distributed the blindfolds they used to train their ability to sense heat, except she only carried three. None for Martel. "You children know what to do, and Stars know you need the practice. As for our little fire-touched prodigy, you need something new to train. Maybe in a month or two, the other sheep will have caught up to you."

She always had to twist the knife in someone; at least Martel was not her target, though she tore at the tentative bond between him and his fellow acolytes. They would pay for it next time they had to fight together against the mageknights, probably, with Moira's bile poisoning the acolytes' will to work together.

With a suppressed sigh, Martel tried not to think about it anymore and turned to face his teacher. Knowing her predilection for handing out detention, no doubt she would do the same here if he disappointed.

"That little spell you got, the ray of fire you shoot out."

"Yes?"

"It's crude. Typical of those who let their emotions control their magic. Unrefined, a waste of spellpower. Much inferior to a reliable fire bolt spell. But since you've developed it, we might as well hone it into something useful."

Martel ended up agreeing with her sentiment, even if he disliked every word she used to express it. "Very well."

She gave him a sharp look. "So glad you approve. I'd never dream of teaching you otherwise."

Taking the hint, Martel remained quiet.

"Use it. On me."

He frowned only briefly before he complied. Deep down, he knew that Moira's own skill in fire probably made her impervious to any damage he might do; still, he was happy to unleash his ray of fire from the palm of his hand, focusing the beam of flames on her torso.

Almost provocatively, and probably intended to be so, Moira stood without reacting. She took the spell straight on as if Martel had done nothing to her, which was probably more or less the case.

"Weak." She all but spat the word. "I'm sure it's impressive for scaring thugs in taverns or even to those meat-headed mageknights, but if you're going to use it when it matters, make sure the other person won't stay standing."

Martel bit his tongue before he yelled at her to give him instructions rather than insults. Presumably, she'd get to it eventually. Behind them, fire bolts flew through the air as the other acolytes practised.

"Use it on the wall. I can't spend all bell here watching your pathetic attempts," Moira sneered. She pointed at the nearest wall. "Go on!"

A little confused, Martel did so. Raising his hand, he shot out a ray of flames straight at the stone wall. It bore plenty of scorch marks already.

"Keep going." Moira turned away to look at her other students.

***

After supper, Martel went to the library. Searching a bit on the shelves, he found some of the same books as when he first arrived at the Lyceum. They dealt with learning magic; advice he no longer needed, and which had not really helped him much in the first place. But now he looked through them with different eyes; rather than receiving the counsel held in those tomes, he imagined himself dispensing it to a student, be it Sparrow or maybe others.

He imagined himself as Master of Fire at the Lyceum. He would not teach using spite and ridicule as Moira did, nor would the all-consuming focus be on warfare. Martel thought about Master Alastair's story of wandering through a blizzard, using heat to keep his companions warm and alive through the ordeal. He imagined enchanting stones to keep people's homes warm during winter, or all the other ways that fire could protect and create.

After Martel had indulged himself with such daydreaming, he turned his attention back to the books. He did not personally know any earth spells. He could do some basic manipulation of the element, same as most mages would be able to, but nothing complicated. He was familiar with the earth wall, of course, having seen Flora use it on a few occasions, but that was a far cry from actually being able to cast the spell himself. He could do something similar with his wall of fire, but while the effect might resemble what an earthmage could do, Martel doubted that held true for the spellwork involved.

He thought about whether he knew any earth acolytes he might ask; Flora was obviously not an option. Though it took him a moment to remember, he realised that Nora wore the green, embroidered robe of this group. Since he saw her nearly every day, he had ample opportunity to ask her for suggestions on what spells he might teach Sparrow – without alerting the apprentice to the reason for his questions.

"Nordmark, how dare you hide in here and make me come to this Stars-forsaken place?"

Martel easily recognised the voice. The librarian had also noticed the newcomer; hard to miss him, really. "Quiet!"

Appearing unaffected by the admonition, Maximilian approached Martel. "How about it, tonight? Plenty of mageknights who disbelieve your victory last Pelday. Care to prove them wrong?"

The fire acolyte did not require much time to consider it. As a future battlemage, sparring and training made sense, and the promise of easy money won in wagers did not hurt either. But drained of spellpower from overzealous training of his fire, Martel decided to forego the Chamber of Earth and pursue more peaceful interests where that element was concerned. "Sorry. All worn out. You know how Moira drives us hard."

"Fine. But be careful. Too much reading makes you cross-eyed." His warning delivered, Maximilian left the library; Martel returned to his books.