Xiacran Tower(On Hold)

Shaya

Before Inigo can finish his lunch Cassius points out another student, he looks a lot younger than Inigo, dressed in a dark green shirt, with brown pants, small in stature. He looks over and Cassius waves him over to the table. As the student gets closer Inigo can see that the student is Dahalin. Large blue eyes, a small pointed nose and small wavy ears.

"Inigo, this is Akshayakeerti." Cassius introduces the Dahalin.

"Nice to meet you," Inigo says remembering the manners his mother had instilled and extends his hand with a smile.

"You can call me Shaya." The Dahalin says shaking Inigo's hand. "It took a few days for Master Rhodes to be able to pronounce my name. Before you say it, yes I'm Dahalin, and yes, I can do magic. I know it's never happened except in stories but I'm not special, no, I don't know what it means..." He stops as he sees confusion cover Inigo's face.

"Shaya is about to go into the second year, I wanted to introduce the two of you because of your non-magic backgrounds," Cassius says.

"Your parents are normal?" Shaya asks.

"Father is a blacksmith, mother is a baker."

"Really?" The Dahalin says in disbelief.

"...yeah," Inigo says unsure if that is the answer Shaya wanted.

"My father is a blacksmith too! Where are you from?"

"Born and raised in Lanawae, what about you?"

"Banjupi, will you be starting this year?"

"Yes, he is," Cassius interrupts. "I'm just showing Inigo here the basics, how about after dinner the two of you get together, and you can show Inigo what you have learnt in the past year."

"Okay, I'll meet you here after dinner?" Shaya asks.

"Yeah, see you then." Inigo agrees and gives a slight wave as Shaya takes his leave.

When the Dahalin had left the dining area, Cassius confessed to Inigo.

"Shaya isn't fitting in with the other students here, usually students would find friends within the first year but whenever I see Shaya, he is always alone."

"Is that why he is still here whilst the other students have gone home?"

"No, he asked to stay because he feels there is no point in going home."

"Wouldn't he miss his parents?"

"It's in Dahalin culture to leave home and travel the world, to try and see where they fit into society. He probably does miss his parents but I don't think they are expecting him back anytime soon."

"That's interesting." Inigo wanting to say 'strange' but not wanting to sound ignorant of another's culture.

After lunch, Cassius takes Inigo back outside to continue his training. All afternoon Inigo practices controlling his mana, every now and then flames would spurt out of his hands, but the more he practices the better he gets at controlling the flow. As dinner time draws closer Cassius changes the exercise.

"Excellent." Cassius praises as Inigo successfully moves the mana around his body without letting it slip down his arms. "Now, instead of keeping the mana inside, I want you to let it out, as much as you can. Point yourself away from the college, take a deep breath and then let it all out."

Inigo does as told and faces himself away from the college to the open field, he closes his eyes and focuses on the energy within. Once he grabbed hold of the mana his mind starts racing 'Don't ever let it out!', 'you could cause serious damage! Even death!', 'Why did you do that? Idiot!', 'Run! If he catches you, he'll turn you into a toad!', 'Why do I have to be different?', 'Will I always be a freak?', 'What are you doing that for?', 'Keep calm!', 'How many times do you have to be told?', 'Calm yourself!'. All different voices and images of memories, embarrassing and anger provoking, clamour through his mind instantaneously as he pushes the mana out.