Chapter 14

Niko sat at his desk, deep in concentration reading a book. He and Moonstream were in the library, Niko's favourite place in the university, doing homework for their class the next day.

"Does everyone here have similar magic?" Niko said suddenly. Moonstream had not been paying much attention and looked up, "What?"

"I'm sure everyone in our class has a different type of magic, but we're all in the same class, why is that?"

"Well that's just a general class," she said while putting her slate down, "We have these classes to learn basic lessons. Later on we'll get to specialization; you'll be in seer magic classes and me in healing. We'll still have a few classes together though I don't know why."

Niko nodded and went back to his book.

As time went by Moonstream and Niko heard a commotion outside the window. They both rose from their seats and went to look. A group of people, probably students, were gathered in the courtyard. They looked to be gathered around two in particular. Moonstream and Niko looked at each other then ran out the door.

As they rounded the corner they heard angry shouts and threats and pushed themselves through the crowd to see what the matter was.

"Do you really think you could best me? You don't even have control over your magic and you want to battle me?"

"I'm tired of your taunting Yarren so…let's go" the voice challenged shakily.

As Niko and Moonstream approached the front the saw the two boys who were facing off. The first was obviously the boy called Yarren because of his arrogant and overconfident manner. He smirked at the other boy, who trembled slightly before him.

Niko looked around at the eager faces of the students around him and wondered if any of them would stop this before it got too serious. He looked back and noticed Yarren slip something from his sleeve, a gesture so slight and practiced that only Niko saw. He flung a bit of the substance, which turned out to be a powder, into the air and began speaking in a language that no one understood. It started with a whisper then ended in a shout and from Yarren shot a line of fire that encircled the now terrified youth before him. The boy screamed in terror as he tried desperately to defend himself. As hard as he tried he could not concentrate and gather enough power to.

Niko watched as the boy crouched on the ground in alarm, he knew as well as everyone there that Yarren would not hurt him, he had too much control over his power, but Niko still decided to stop it.

"Stop it. You've proved your point now leave him be" Niko said as he stepped forward from the crowd.

Yarren looked in his direction and grinned, "I'm teaching him a well deserved lesson. He should not pick battles he cannot win."

"Leave him alone. You've only proved to be pathetic enough to fight with someone younger and less experienced than you."

The fire around the boy suddenly drew away from him and diverted in Niko's direction. Yarren forgot about the boy and placed all his attention on Niko.

"Fine then, I'll prove something with you instead."

A slight smirk passed over Niko's lips, "You don't scare everyone, especially not me."

Pieces of pointed, razor sharp ice materialized in the air. As Yarren's streak of fire began to encircle Niko the ice shot at him, forcing Yarren to dodge and ruining his concentration. The blazes of fire faltered then died off as Yarren shifted his body from one point to another to avoid the shards.

As one flew by his face, grazing his cheek, he yelled in anger at Niko, "Stop it! This game of yours is getting stupid."

"It's funny that it only gets stupid when you are the one who is losing" Niko replied as the shards of ice disappeared. He walked towards the boy who Yarren had bullied and pulled him to his feet. The boy smiled weakly, he was somewhat embarrassed for not being able to help himself, but was grateful none the less.

Niko walked back towards the crowd and found Moonstream. They quickly made their way away from the crowd and went back into the building. As Yarren watched them go he touched his cheek where he was sure a cut would be, but his face felt completely unmarred. It seemed as if the injury had never existed.

Niko and Moonstream returned to the library and sat to continue their work as if nothing at all had happened.

"Well, that was interesting" Moonstream said.

"I feel bad" Niko replied.

"Why?"

"I killed Yarren's confidence" he replied as he giggled.

"You are mean," she said with a smile, "Let's hurry and get this stuff done so we can go out into the market place, I heard new stalls and merchandise has been popping up."

Niko nodded and went back to his books. Suddenly someone came through the door. As Niko looked up, expecting a professor or older student, he was somewhat surprised to find the boy from before walk towards them. Niko finally got a good look at him and realized he was black, slightly darker the Moonstream which was barely noticeable. His long, wild black hair was tied back to reveal a smiling face that was easily befriended.

"Hello" the boy said, "I didn't get the chance to thank you."

Niko smiled and held out his hand, "Your welcome, but no thanks is needed."

As the boy grabbed his hand, he locked eyes with Niko and found it impossible to look away. It felt like an eternity before he was able to look down. Moonstream watched on and grinned when she saw the confused look in the boy's face.

"You're a smith mage, why didn't you use his fire against him?" Niko asked.

"How do you know that?" he replied.

"I have my talents as you have yours."

"I don't know how to control my magic or bring it to use at will, so I couldn't use anything against Yarren."

"You two talk as if you know each other. Did it ever occur to you to get each others names at all?" Moonstream said, tired of being quiet.

"Oh…sorry. My name is Frostpine."

"Interesting, I like that, albeit it has nothing to do with your magic type. By the way I am Moonstream and my mysterious friend here is Niklaren."

Niko nodded then said, "What were you doing confronting Yarren like that?"

"Yarren is…not always the nicest of people. He seems to look down on you when you haven't reached his level of 'expertise'. Thank you for showing him that he is not the best here as he likes to believe."

Niko silently laughed then replied, "You're funny. Why don't you come and sit with us."

"I shall accept your offer, but sit by the lady Moonstream" he said with a dramatic bow that was worthy of any theatre.

Niko and Moonstream burst into fits of laughter. "I know I'm going to like you" she said between gasps of breath.

The next day in class Niko, Moonstream, and Frostpine sat together. Across from the room Yarren gave them an icy glare then turned away. Soon their teacher came through the door.

"Good morning class, I hope everyone is doing well" he said as the class settled down.

"Well before we begin class I would like to tell you that I have finished marking your tests that were done earlier this week. Everyone did exceptionally well, but I would like to give two students an honourable mention."

Some giggles and chuckles came from the students; sometimes their teacher treated their class to much like an awards ceremony, seeming as if he came prepared with a speech and everything.

"I am very pleased with this class and the progress that many of you have made, but two students have surpassed my expectations." He scanned the room then called out "Niklaren and Yarren come forward."

Both students looked a little surprised, but went up to the front. As they stood side by side they glanced at each other once, then quickly looked at their teacher.

"These two were the only ones in the class to have perfect scores. You should be proud. You may return to your seats."

Some people of the class began to applaud as their teacher smiled. Niko and Yarren returned to their seats, a slight blush in each of their faces.

"Good job" Frostpine said as Niko sat.

"Yeah, that was not an easy test" Moonstream agreed.

"Thank you" Niko said as he ducked his head.

As the class ended Niko and his friends packed up to go. They reached the end of the hall when Niko remembered he had forgotten something in the class.

"You two go without me, I'll catch up."

"Ok" Moonstream and Frostpine replied and walked on.

As Niko returned from the classroom, the book he had forgotten in his hand, his wrist was suddenly grabbed and he was hauled back towards the class. He turned and was met with Yarren's annoyed face.

"You think you're better then me now don't you?"

Niko smirked, "I don't think so…I just know."

Yarren rolled his eyes, "I know you cheated so don't play innocent. You're a seer mage, what's stopping you from looking at my answers from where you were sitting or the answer key itself?"

"I wouldn't stoop as low as you to get what I could earn. You're just angry because I bested you twice in the span of two days."

"You never bested me" Yarren growled, "Your little tricks will never get the better of me. I will show you not to mess with me."

"What are you going to do to me, hmm? Have me hurt? Taken care of? Or you that much of a coward that you can't deal with a little competition yourself?"

Yarren laughed, "I won't do anything to you, except beat you in every way possible. You think you're better than me? I will prove to you how wrong you are."

Yarren then turned and left.

Niko shook his head as Yarren turned the corner, "What a loser."

End of chapter…14 I think. Well did you like it? Hope you did. I am soooo sorry for keeping you guys waiting for so long, but you must review. I am also in the process of exams at the moment and have a biology exam to worry over ( I feel like crying when I think of it, then like crying a river when I think of all the geniuses in our class who are crying over it). Well I hope you could derive some enjoyment out of this chapter. By the way I would love to put Crane in it, but he is at least 20 years younger than Niko and does not exist yet (sorry Werewolf Master, I really, REALLY wanted to do that -.- ) but Crane will make an appearance in future with Rosethorn in toe. I wonder how far I plan to take this story…any way sorry for talking so much again. Remember REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! (I see so many hits, but no reviews…and it makes me wonder.)