The Summoner's Vendetta (First Draft) (Book Two)

Recruits Initiated

Books littered the desk that he was using as his workspace. Reading and rereading the words that littered the pages, Sin saw that precise directions were being given as to what a Mage should when they were enchanting an item. When he felt that he had learned everything that he could from these passages, he moved onto another of the tomes; this one was specifically designed to help those that were trying to learn the process of enchanting the cuffs that the author hoped would be used for those entering the Academy.

Skimming the first few paragraphs, Sin came to a point within the tome that he thought was important enough to focus on.

When enchanting one of the cuffs that all Mages within our Academy use during their training period, you must keep your mind focused on your task. Any distraction could cause you to change the enchantment which could be dangerous to you but most certainly be dangerous to the student that dons the cuff.

Besides keeping yourself secluded from any potential distraction, you must also speak each word of the enchantment precisely otherwise you could turn the cuff from an object that is designed to help a being unlock their gifts into an object that could cause them to become a living torch or countless other horrors.

Upon reaching the end of these paragraphs, Sin noticed another section that was written in the language of Mages. While Sin hadn't practiced the language enough to become fluent in it considering all that has happened since entering the Academy, he still understood it enough to figure out that these words contained the spell that he would need to enchant the cuffs.

Reading and rereading the words, Sin mouthed them so he could memorize them which he hoped would keep him from mangling the words as he cast the spell. When he finished with another practice round, he felt that he has done all that he could to keep this spell from backfiring which meant that it was time for him to start the process of enchanting the three items that sat before him upon the desk.

Taking a deep breath to calm the nerves the were rising within him, when he deemed his emotions contained; he reached for one of the cuffs. At the same time, he began to allow his mana to form within his opposite hand. Once these two things were accomplished, Sin started speaking in the language of the Mages.

*

As Sin worked to enchant the cuffs that would allow him to unlock the gifts within his recruits if they had them, he lost all sense of time. Placing the last of the now enchanted items upon his desk, he realized that he didn't know how much time had past though from the grumbles within his stomach; Sin knew that enough time had past to cause his hunger to build within him once more.

While Sin would have liked to bask in the afterglow of his success, the pangs from his hunger had started to cause him discomfort. Considering that he had accomplished what he had set out to do since first sighting the newly crafted cuffs, Sin thought that it was time for him to take care of his own needs.

Pushing his chair away from the desk, he was soon removing himself from the piece of furniture which echoed out another pain the was present within his body. "Ugh..." Sin groaned out as he started moving towards the exit of his room within their safehouse. "...I really shouldn't sit in one place for that long without at least taking a break here and there."

By the time that Sin had finished with his words, he had reached his destination and just as he was reaching for the door; a knock echoed upon it. Jumping from the sudden noise, Sin was able to recompose himself rather quickly though he couldn't reach for the door again before a voice was fluttering out on the other side.

"Sin, we have prepared dinner and were wondering if you had finished with your work or at least would take a break and join us?" Sandrin questioned from the other side of the door.

Allowing a small smile to form upon his lips, Sin decided that he would keep his words to himself considering that he was on his way to eat anyway. Within a couple of heartbeats, Sin was opening the door which allowed him to come face to face with the first of the half-breeds that he had met since leaving Caso.

Throwing his arm around Sandrin's shoulder, Sin led the two of them towards the dining area of their safehouse and before long; the two of them were taking their seats around the table that was growing more cluttered with every recruit that he brings into their ranks.

*

Within the safehouse's common area, Sin had gathered everyone to witness three of their recruits hopefully be welcomed into their ranks as Mages. Sandrin, Corina as well as Exodus stood before him, while everyone else stood on the outskirts of the group and while Sin was focused too much on anyone other than those, he planned on initiating into their ranks; he could see Roi and Merci looking upon the three that were called with excitement mixed with a hint of jealousy.

Knowing that he had that same look upon his face at the beginning of the year, Sin thought nothing of it as he continued with the reason that he had brought everyone together. "Sandrin. Exodus. Corina. Today is the day that all of you have been working so hard for. Whatever the outcome of today's ritual reveals, remember that you will always have a place within our group..." Sin explained as he stared at each of the recruits that stood before him and after his eyes had finished flickering across each of their faces, his voice fluttered out once more. "...Sandrin, would you please step forward and claim the cuff that will help me unlock any magical gifts that reside within you."

The moment that Sandrin heard his name, he was frantically rushing towards Sin who was holding out a pillow that contained the three cuffs that Castien had crafted, and he had enchanted.

Nodding towards the cuffs, Sin informed Sandrin to claim one of the items that were placed upon the pillow. The young half-breed was quick in his actions and before anyone knew it, he had one of the cuffs sliding over his hand. Considering that he knew that he would need his hands free at some point, Sin had already set up a stool beside him which he quickly laid the pillow before turning his attention back towards Sandrin.

Placing his hands around the cuff that now sat upon Sandrin's wrist, Sin began to mutter the words that he once heard Sierra speak. While it might be true that Sin was new to this part of magic, he knew that it was working since he could feel his mana seep out of his body as the spell that he was using ran its course over Sandrin's cuff.

When he could no longer feel his mana seeping from him, Sin felt that this was the end of the spell and while he wished to immediately pull his hands from the cuff; he could feel some anxiety running through him at the possibility that Sandrin didn't contain the gift of magic within him. Since he couldn't keep the other male waiting long, Sin knew that he had to remove his hands from the cuff and after taking a deep breath; he did just that.

As the cuff was revealed, Sin felt a wave of bliss flood through him when he saw the now multicolored cuff. "Congratulation Sandrin. Your cuff reveals that you have the gift of elemental magic flowing through you and while I won't be the one who will teach you the basics of your magic, we have two very fine Elemental Mages within our ranks that can show you the way." Sin explained as he waved Sandrin back.

Now that he had one of his recruits initiated into their ranks, Sin moved on to the next so he could repeat the same process once again.