LITMIR.BIZ

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not that I know of…”

      “So, you may be the first wielder your village has had for some time.”

      “I…I don’t know.” Britea wondered why Shran was so hung up on her lineage.

      Shran studied her. “Don’t you think that’s strange? Do you know if any Weltonians settled on Weldaros generations ago?”

      Britea stared at him inquiringly as she spoke the first thought in her head.

      “Um…there are Weltonians on my mother’s side.”

      Now all four wielders were staring at her.

      “That would explain it,” said Danai.

      Shran read the question on Britea’s face. “Researchers have been trying to determine the first human wielder for the past century. It’s believed the first humans to settle these lands a millennia ago were almost devoid of magic, but gradually, over time, they began to exhibit the abilities of the Dyhaeri. One factor that may have caused this development was the existence of the Weltonians, sea-faring nomads who were no stranger to magic—”

      “To cut his long thesis short,” interrupted Lexia, “it’s surmised that some Weltonians settled on land and interacted with the landlocked humans, giving rise to the few human wielders.” Shran glared at Lexia for cutting him off.

      “So, it’s possible every wielder is part Weltonian,” said Britea.

      “Exactly,” said Shran as he stopped frowning at Lexia to grace Britea with a smile.

      “Just don’t say that too loudly,” said Davos. “There are some wielders of nobility at this school who’d feel insulted at the possibility of such a connection. Me, I can take the punches. Others, not so much,” he looked pointedly at Britea.

      “Excellent advice,” said Danai, with an odd expression on her face as she studied Britea. “On that note, maybe you should join us for combat training.”

      Britea was struck speechless as Lexia muttered, “knuckleheads” under her breath.

       #

      “Enter.”

      Britea took a deep breath before entering the warden’s office, and her anxiety increased when she saw the warden wasn’t alone. Standing by his desk was a middle-aged, slightly overweight woman in black robes and a long dark skirt. Her cowl had air-white edgings. That made her look back at the warden’s outfit. He was in black robes without colored edgings. She wondered what it meant.

      “Good morning,” said Britea.

      The warden nodded. “Britea D’Tranell, meet Instructor Eowise Shelley. Together, we’ll determine which classes you’re to start with.”

      The older female wielder smiled brightly as she waved at Britea, making the young girl smile a bit. The instructor’s demeanor was nonthreatening, almost motherly, and Britea felt herself warming up to her.

      “Please be seated.” The warden waited until both had found chairs. “How are you settling in?”

      “Danai has been very helpful, and I’m just trying to get used to my surroundings.”

      “Good,” he nodded at Eowise.

      “Britea, you may address me as Instructor Shelley. What do you know of the Wielder’s Creed?” asked the female instructor.

      “It…it states that any wielder must submit themselves to one of the three colleges for training. Only Weltonians are exempt from this rule.”

      Eowise nodded. “Are you aware there’s a second, more detailed Creed for wielders?”

      Britea looked from one instructor to the other. “N…no. What is it?” Her alarm grew when both older wielders stood and began reciting.

       A wielder must be trained by a registered college. Only Weltonians are exempt from this rule.

       A wielder must never use their talent to harm or kill except in self-defense.

       A novice wielder must never fight fellow students. This will be punished severely.

       A novice wielder must never wield without supervision. This will be punished severely.

       A wielder must always endeavor to serve the people of Malaquey by fulfilling a Year of Discovery.

       A wielder must never divulge the secrets of the college or wielder training to outsiders. Outsiders include non-wielder members of the family or the public.

       After graduation and the Year of Discovery, a wielder may take up paid work that does not break any of the aforementioned rules.

       A fully qualified wielder must check in with a college once a year. Only Weltonians are exempt from this requirement.

       Any wielder who breaks the laws in such a way that endanger the public will be tried by their senior peers and sentenced accordingly.

      Britea remembered to close her mouth as the two wielders sat down. Eowise resumed talking as she gave her a printed sheet of the Creed. “You must memorize this to the point that if I wake you in the middle of the night, you will be able to recite it perfectly. The Creed is what we live and die by. Do you understand?”

      Britea gulped. Though the female instructor smiled, her eyes were deadly serious.

      “Yes, I do Instructor Shelley.”

      Eowise’s smile widened. “Good, your general knowledge test starts now.”

       #

      “That’s enough for today,” said Eowise. “We will resume your assessment tomorrow.” The novice nodded wearily before leaving. Both older wielders waited until the door had closed.

      “So, what do you think?” asked Warden Asteros.

      “Her general knowledge is impressive, especially in history. It’s still too early to decide which class to put her in though, and we’re yet to assess her wielding. Do you want me to handle that part as well?”

      “It may be best that you do, especially considering she was trained by a Dyhaeri.”

      Eowise shrugged. “I doubt that will be a problem. After all, she didn’t train for long, and it’s highly unlikely she learned much in that time.” As she looked down at Britea’s file, she missed the odd look the warden sent in her direction.

      “I would like to be present for her wielding assessment, though, if you don’t mind.”

      “Of course. I’ll see you later at lunch then,” said Eowise, rising and leaving the office.

      CHAPTER 2

      Britea was mentally exhausted as she closed the warden’s door. Though Danai had warned her of the tests to come, she had hoped they would give her some time to prepare.

      That instant quiz had caught her completely unaware. Well, at least she had a day to prepare for the rest.

      Yeah, like that would be enough .

      “I need to find the library,” muttered Britea to herself as she checked her list and the small map attached to it. She peered down the empty hallway suddenly feeling afraid of wandering. She wished Danai was with her, but the senior student had already done so much for her, and besides, she had her own schedule to keep.

      Well, standing here wasn’t going to get her to anywhere anytime soon . Britea looked at the map once again.

      She was just outside the warden’s office, which was in the southern part of the college grounds. To get to the library, she had to walk to the northeast. As she began to walk, she tried to make note of her surroundings. The

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