“How can you use magic to subdue another magic user?” Angelique asked. She froze when she realized the possible implications of her words. “That is to say, I don’t plan to fight another magic user, just, itseems…”
“It’s fine, Angel,” Evariste chuckled. “I know they don’t exactly teach you magic dueling in class. Most mages are never taught such a thing, but as the strongest magic users on the continent, it’s important enchanters and enchantress are trained—so they may take down rogue mages ifnecessary.”
Angelique relaxed slightly and nodded. “Yes, but how can we subduethem?”
“The limit is your imagination,” Evariste said. “The Snow Queen was famous for imprisoning other magic users in cages of ice. Enchanter Bizarre’s core magic was illusions, and he once captured a dozen black mages at once by raising a maze of illusions around them. They wandered around for hours until more mages from the Conclave came and helped him officially arrest them. Enchantress Willow once captured a black mage by bringing a tree down on top of him. Mage Flare—a mage with fire magic as his core—held a sorceress for half an hour by surrounding her withfire.”
Angelique thoughtfully studied her notes. “Are any of these magic users stillalive?”
“No.” Evariste shifted on his desk as he ripped open another envelope. “Black magic users are extremely rare. There seem to be times and periods in history where they show up more often, but for the most part, you will only see a few every century. Sorcerers and sorceresses are more common, but they are also more discreet and don’t advertise their evil deeds like a black magedoes.”
“I see,” Angeliquesaid.
“Good, because when you make Enchantress, you’ll probably be the one the Council will dispatch on behalf of the Veneno Conclave should a black mage appear.” Evariste skimmed hisletter.
Angelique sat ramrod straight and slapped her notes down on the floor. “I beg your pardon?” Practice kept her voice calm, even though she wanted to scream. (She was much better now at holding in wordsandher expression, though occasionally a sarcastic comment still made itthrough.)
“Hm? Oh. Well, with your core magic, you’d easily be able to kill the black mage,” Evaristesaid.
“But you said earlier that to counter a black mage, one had to subdue them or knock them out,” Angeliquesaid.
“Yes,” Evariste said gently. “Because for most people, killing isn’t a possibility with their magic, and subduing is the only method available. Most mages aren’t skilled at physical fights either—another area where you excel due to your war magictraining.”
“But tokillsomeone with my magic?” Angelique asked. “I’m aware it’s only good for slaughter, but I never thought—I didn’t…” She snapped her mouth shut before she could say something she would regret later when Evariste gave her that slight look of disappointment he occasionally gave her when she was reluctant to grab enough of her core magic to twist into something powerful and potent. (He thankfully had not yet asked her to wield her war magic since the troll. She wasn’t certain if that was a good sign, for it meant she did not have to refuse him, or a poor one that did not imply good things about hermagic.)
“There’s a reason why the Veneno Conclave is far more proactive against a black mage than they are a sorcerer or a sorceress, Angel,” Evariste said. “Black mages are deadly and can decimate an area with their ill-begat magic. It’s not just that they have magic that can kill; it’s that theyactivelykill and often do so to make themselves more powerful. When one is found, they need to be dealt with immediately to keep common folk fromharm.”
In other words, kill or subdue—do whichever one puts people in the least danger. Yes, I can see how they would think such a role would fit me perfectly.The idea made Angelique shiver and also delivered a dose of anger.It seems even if I make it to Enchantress, I’ll still be considered a mage of death and destruction—merely one that isuseful.
Angelique considered her notes with a great deal lesseagerness.
“Regardless, that won’t be an issue for some years. Though the traditional time for an enchanter apprenticeship is quite a bit longer, I think you might finish in a decade or so if you continue at this pace.” At his desk, Evariste opened another letter. This time, he made a noise of interest when he skimmed its contents. “What perfecttiming!”
Angelique started to gather up her sheaves of notes, stacking them in a tidy pile. “What is it, MasterEvariste?”
“Princess Alessia of Sole has given birth to a baby girl, Princess Rosalinda Taliad’Avalas.”
“Princess Alessia is the only child of King Giuseppe?” Angelique asked as her mind struggled to recall Sole’s politicalstructure.
(In addition to being knowledgeable of magic, all mages had to have a rudimentary grasp of the countries in the continent and the nearby island nations. As part of their vows, they could not favor any country above the other, so a general foundation of all countries’ culture and government wasnecessary.)
“Yes. And we’ve been invited to attend the new princess’s christening,” Evaristesaid.
Angelique held her hands out to the fire. “Really?”
“Perhaps it is more accurate to say the Veneno Conclave selected us to attend, but it doesn’t matter. It will be a good experience for you,” Evariste said. He thoughtfully folded the letter, then scooted off his desk and strode past Angelique, grabbing a bottle clouded with fog that had bits of swirling snow in it. “You can put away your notes, by the way. I think that’s enough of magic theory for today. You can begin practicing your blizzard technique. Today you’ll add insleet.”
Angelique stood on legs that were prickling from the inactivity. She grimaced at a stone dog statue placed by the stairs—the thing seemed to be facing her no matterwhereshe stood in the workshop, which always made her feel watched—then hurried over to herdesk.
“As you might recall from your school days, when a royal family celebrates a new birth, they often send an invitation to the Veneno Conclave, inviting a representative to attend,” Evariste said as he shook up the blizzard in a bottle he had made last week. “Usually only one or two representatives attend, but they always give the newborn some kind of blessing or gift. As a result, we’re in high demand as guests, and it spreads good will about us mages. But it’s more calculating thanthat.”
Thus far, his explanation had been by the books, and that was as far as Angelique’s Luxi-Domus classes had taught.What does he mean by calculating? In whatway?
As Angelique rejoined him in front of the fireplace—the ever-watchful statue-dog staring at her back—she bit the inside of her lip as she considered how she could ask him such a delicatequestion.
“Can you see how it is calculating?” Evaristeasked.
Thankful she didn’t have to ask, Angelique shook her head. “No, MasterEvariste.”
