Seth was sitting in his favourite spot; in the shadows of a great ash tree in a meadow by a creek just outside of Authority. The place gave him peace. With the summer breeze occasionally playing with his hair (especially with his blond locks) and the murmurs from the small stream just beside of him and the songs of birds from the tree above him. The sun peeking through the foliage.
It was his favourite place to read. And he really enjoyed reading. He read about history and Runes. Especially Runes.
Since he only knew the extent of being a Healer and Wind Rune Bearer, he was curious about the other elements. What they could do and what it could be like being a Fire user or a Water mage or an Earth Rune Bearer. Maybe he could find some ideas for his own Wind Magic reading about the other elements. Of course there were some major differences in the basics and usage each element. That's why they were just that, elements.
But he wanted to search for some inspiration and turn it into something that could be used for his own element.
Like his Wind shield. He read about the Earth's protective nature and started to think of a way to protect himself using his Wind. Obviously, it wasn't going to be as solid as an Earth shield but he still created this protection out of a wall of air. It sounded weak but it was quite effective to deflect long-ranged attacks. It could even stand against some Water and Fire attacks. It still worked best against Wind though.
He had even created his own versions of a streaming Water attack as well as a blasting Fire one.
Something he also found interest in was reading about Healers. Throughout history, most Healers had been Water Rune Bearers, some Earth, and some Wind. Fire Healers were very rare, mostly because of their, often, fiery temperament that seemed closely linked with the Fire affinity. Most Fire users were great offence oriented mages. Though there were these gentle Fire Healers that were more like the safe warm fire in a fireplace during winter.
Earth people were most often naturally protective, some having some vicious offence.
Water mages were the most often combined with Healing and defensive spells, sometimes even attacks. But some were cold and very offence oriented, using the Water to become ice.
Wind Runes were often seen as the weakest because they only used the invisible air to attack and protect. But Wind was actually the most balanced element when it came to offence and defence. The Bearers were often seen as fickle-minded, not sure of that they want to do because of that. And also a little because of the wind's nature, blowing in one direction at one time, and then change directions. Just because wind was like that didn't mean its user was like so.
Seth wanted to see it as just being open-minded, taking in both sides before deciding. He didn't see anything wrong with that.
Maybe it was the strong-willed Fire or Earth people that were the most convinced that was the truth about Wind.
It was probably the same people claiming that even a Wind's healing power was weaker than Water's.
These were the common views about Wind Rune Bearers but were seen as facts as they had been written down and been re-told for ages.
Seth wanted to prove them wrong. He wanted to show those people that Wind wasn't the weakest element. That's why he studied, so that he could develop. He wanted to learn about the other elements, if he was to be standing against them at some time; know your enemy. He would be at an advantage to know more about the technicalities behind each element.
Preparation and planning were very important to him. Especially being a Healer, a guardian of sorts.
One weird thing about Wind people was that some parents became very disappointed to learn that their teenager was one of them. Seth didn't think it was the case with his family though.
His mother was Water, as was his brother, and his father was Earth. But they had seemed genuinely happy for him. He had had a late Rune Appearance and maybe they were just relieved that he really had Magic affinity at all. And that he was a Healer. But he didn't want to believe being a Healer just weighed up the fact he had the 'weak' Wind.
He knew one of his father's sisters had made this face when his parents had given her the news. She was Fire herself, and one of the most aggressive types, so of course she was going to be one of them labelling him as one of the weakest.
But his closest family had really seemed happy enough and he just had to believe in them.
He knew he was good at what he did and he just had to treasure that feeling for himself.
He looked up from his book, watching a cloud peacefully drift by. It looked like a fluffy flame. He smiled. It was a pretty sight. Though, funny to see those cotton like clusters to form something like a flame. Sure, it was made up by his own imagination; it wasn't like the clouds transformed at will.
Speaking of will… Tomorrow he had to go back to the academy to have some new boring lectures from Orton.
He had told him to practice his aim. But Seth's aim was prefect. If Orton hadn't made the target explode he would have hit. Seriously. Who does that? Of course he's going to miss if there isn't even a target to hit. And he had the nerve to tell Seth his aim sucks.
Seth could hit the target even if Orton decided to move the objects at the last second. He hit them if Orton changed the sizes even when Seth's spell was already cast. Seth was able to tune his Magic at will. That was the power of his wrist Rune, his catalyst of sorts. It wasn't even anything that Orton had taught him. Seth had figured that out by himself, and perfected its use.
He remained in control until the target was hit.
If there was a target to hit.
Seth would show him the next time; he would hit those smithereens and show Orton.
He usually liked people, but he was willing to admit that he disliked Orton. He tried to be nice even though he didn't get anything in return. Orton seemed to love to put Seth through agony, having a sinister smile doing it. Seth's seniors called Orton 'The Apex Predator' behind his back, and Seth had started to know why. He was at the top and just preying on the ones below him.
It was like… Orton had been a prodigy himself, and he seemed to treat the same kind of kids the same as he was treated, or something. Seth wasn't sure, but that was his theory; that Orton hadn't been taken seriously, having to be forced to go all the year even if he was ready way before that, and now he put his prodigy students through the same stuff he'd been through.
Seth didn't want to be disrespectful to anyone and Orton was his teacher and superior. So he just had to deal with it.
He really wanted to pass the Trial, to be able to use his Magic outside. He really didn't want his Runes sealed.
He wanted to be a Hunter. That was something he had wanted for quite some time, but his build wouldn't let him. He was tall and lanky and wasn't suited for physical fighting, as a warrior. Well, he was quick and agile, but he didn't quite pack the punch needed to fight monsters. He had tried to put on some muscles and strength, but his teenage body just denied him that.
So he was very happy when his Runes finally appeared. That meant a whole different approach. If he could just pass the Trial then he could apply to the Hunter's Guild, and become a fighting Rune Bearer.
Doing something that mattered, protecting Authority and Winchento.
To show everyone what Wind mages were really made of.
He figured it was soon time to get back home. They were having a family dinner and he better be there. Hit fiery aunt was going to be there too. Even if he wasn't too fond of her, he still needed to attend or he would never hear the last of it.
He got up, putting his book back into his soft, knitted shoulder bag before starting to walk back home.
Not that he was in a hurry. He just strolled by the small stream as long as he could before he turned and walked over the fields, seeing the first tree houses at the end of town.
The streets were broad here, just to become more and more narrow the closer to the center he got.
That was where the academy was. A large building made of stone at the heart of Authority. The front stairs was accompanied by huge stone trees as pillars. Seth had always felt sorry for the trees. It was like they took the trunks and covered them with some stone coating, sealing their life away.
Maybe it was some kind of symbolism for what happened if you didn't study under a Rune Master. He could feel the irony of having that at the very school, which was supposed to encourage them, not intimidate them. But then again, it wasn't like they had a choice if they wanted to use their Magic…
He dropped the thought before it got too deep and depressing and went past the building, turning a corner.
Just to bump into someone. Seth actually got knocked to the ground by the impact. Looking up, he could see why. The guy was way bigger than him, carrying medium armour and a big sword. He didn't seem much older than him; maybe he had hit his twenties. His hair was all a curly mess but he didn't seem to care. It was something… not quite crazy but definitely very intense, about his blue eyes as he was staring at him.
"Um… I'm sorry…" Seth said, trying to get back to his feet.
"Watch where you're going", the guy said. His voice was a little rough, just as his appearance.
"I said I was sorry…" Seth mumbled, fumbling with his hair, tucking his blonde strands behind his ear. The guy just kept his gaze on him.
"Just because you're a Rune Bearer doesn't mean you own the place", the guy's tone was anything but friendly. It was some mocking in there too.
Seth just stared at him. What had he done to this guy? He had never seen him before either, so what's with the attitude?
"Have I done anything to offend you?" he asked.
The guy just kept his glare on him. Not answering, he just bumped his shoulder on Seth's as he passed him.
Seth looked at him as he walked over the plaza before disappearing between the houses.
Really? What was his problem? He obviously didn't like Rune Bearers considering his tone, especially how he had practically spat out said words.
At first he had been surprised the guy had known he was able to use Magic since his Runes weren't visible, but then he felt stupid realizing his hair gave him away.
But what was up with that guy? With his unprovoked hostility.
He probably was a Hunter, considering his equipment. He hoped he wasn't some role model for how the people of the Guild were. That they actually appreciated the Rune Bearers abilities in battle. Most Hunters were warriors after all. But Magic users started to turn to that profession as well. Not that he knew any Hunters; warriors or Rune Bearers.
He decided that maybe the guy was having a bad day and that's why he was being grumpy.
And he was probably going to have some grumpy aunt later on as well so this encounter maybe just was some appetizer on what to come…
Not that that sounded appetizing at all.
