The Everburn Mage

10. Ebony Ashborn

Her night began just like any other.

After completing a mission, one that involved her apprehending a mage who didn't know how to control his magic, she reported back to her military base like clockwork. At first, everything seemed normal. 

She witnessed the same unsettling atmosphere as soon as she stepped through its doors, subtly acknowledging the identical worried or cautious expressions her fellow soldiers wore like masks. Yet none of this bothered her at all. She'd long since grown accustomed to these very same reactions.

She swiftly realized something was amiss, however, when she was greeted by her commanding officer. A tall man who boasted a slim physique and a balding head. Catching her in a quiet and lonely hallway, he began, "Miss Ashborn, you've been summoned by a major from the capital. I advise you to report to my office as soon as possible." And just like that, as if he were a phantom, he left her where she stood. Curiosity infiltrated her mind.

"Sir," Ebony called out to him. "I have to ask, why would such a high-ranking officer wish to speak with me?"

He shot her a frigid stare from over his shoulder and bluntly responded, "You're asking the wrong person." before disappearing around the corner.

Releasing a sigh, Ebony followed her superior's instructions. A brief, five-minute walk was all it took for her to reach her captain's office. She wasn't familiar with many members of the military, even after graduating from the academy. And she was more than confident not many were familiar with her as she'd never done much to stand out. Thus, her mind harbored on the sole person whom she suspected was waiting like a zombie behind the doors facing her.

Why has he come to see me now? she wondered. And after so long.

Composing herself, Ebony knocked on the door once, then twice. Finally, on the fourth sharp tapping of her knuckle against wood a man's voice answered, "You may come in." No, the youthfully warm but deep-sounding voice that carried a semblance of formality didn't match the gruff and dry tone she'd materialized in her ears. So it isn't him? Quietly, she entered the room and aimed an analytical glance at the two soldiers staring at her. One was dressed in navy and the other, like her, cloaked in black.

The man sitting in her captain's chair, tapping his gloved finger onto the desk, greeted her with a kind smile. "And so we finally meet, Ms. Ashborn."

"Y...You're Major James Griffin..."

"Ah! So you've heard of me! Hear that, Zen?! My reputation is growing!"

The red-haired woman standing beside the desk, the mage known as Grimdark, constructed an annoyed frown. "That isn't necessarily a good thing, sir."

Ebony hastily saluted them both. "Major Griffin, First Lieutenant Zenobio. It is truly an honor."

"There's no need to be so formal, Ashborn. I only came to talk."

"...To talk?"

"Yes. You see, I've heard you've mastered quite a powerful kind of magic and that it can be compared to some of our best mages."

"A mere exaggeration. I still have a lot to learn."

"Still, it doesn't change the fact that you are indeed special. From everything I've read about you, why, I was shocked to discover you haven't received a promotion yet."

"I'm not," she replied, lowering her voice. "Those in a position of higher power than my own constantly fret over losing it. They're more than willing to sacrifice the well-being of others just so long as it preserves their current position in life." Ebony glanced at the door behind her and continued, "Even if I were hypothetically the best mage in this bracket, I doubt anything would change."