The end of the meal and escort back to the Guild were unpleasant. The two fell into a deep silence after the worst of their daily contempt for each other was hurled. They kept a few paces apart as they walked—close enough for others to recognize that they were together, but not close enough for either of them to risk being in arm's length of the other.
The Guild's thick, 'W' frame was well-lit and crowded with mages returning from their work or studies. To the left of the foyer was the commons, followed by a stretch of quarters for on-site magic-users and their guests—as well as a set of stairs that led to the second floor with additional quarters and storage. To the right was the dining hall and kitchens, where most of the evening uproar could still be heard as people relaxed after finishing their own supper. The center hall split off the laboratory and infirmary, cutting into a second passage that led to the study, archives, Guildmaster's office, and a spare room. Each of the three sections were separated by small, shaded gardens to grow common herbs and allow light into the inward-facing rooms.
Ferris and Castellar cut through the crowds on a direct path for the Guildmaster's office. There, the noise dwindled into a dim roar. Though neither knocked when they entered, they knew better than to leave the door open behind them. Tobius sat at his desk, grumbling over a stack of papers, while his familiar—which took the form of a fluffy, white dog—napped in one corner of the chamber. The leader brightened at their arrival, glad to set his work aside.
"Well, you both certainly took your time," he said, although he didn't really seem angry. The difference between how he treated them now compared to Ferris' terrifying first encounter with Tobius was jarring.
Both stepped further in and gave him a small, solemn bow.
"Guildmaster," Castellar greeted simply.
Being the blunter of the two, Ferris asked, "Why did you call us?"
Lacing his hands together, Tobius leaned forward and rested his chin on top of them. No, in no way was their guildmaster a vision of professionalism or strict control. His lax attitude often infuriated nobles and the leaders of other mage guilds whenever they visited. Moreover, if confronted on it, he was just the sort of person to double-down on his behavior.
"Other mages may submit to lords," he would say, "but not us. The Boroughs is the only neutral territory sanctified by both the Human and Monster Kingdoms. As such, we are largely independent of their authority. Never forget that—or let them forget it either."
"I'll cut straight to the point. By next summer, I will be making an announcement," Tobius began. He looked to the young woman first, "Ferris, you're aware that Madame Valda isn't getting any younger. Though we have other experienced mages, you are her sole apprentice—and you have excelled in your studies. When the time comes, I want you to take her position as Master Seer. Should you prove yourself from there, you will then take leadership over the crimson mages as a whole."
As the Arnaud Mages' Guild specialized in all types of magic, it was structured as followed:
The Guildmaster oversaw all mages, with seven Heads under him dealing in each unique magic. Leadership was then split further between specialties under each type. For example, those with green magic were divided between healers and shield warriors, masters of defensive spells. The Guild had multiple Heads that saw over those sharing their specialties as well. Tobius was the Guildmaster, but also the Head of the Blue Mages. Likewise, while Valda oversaw the Guild's seers, she also oversaw the crimson mages as a whole. Beneath that were individual mages, apprentices, and a handful of general students too young to fit anywhere.
Ferris didn't know what to make of the promotion. There were plenty of benefits, but she didn't like being tied down with even more responsibility. Moreover, she never felt she was the 'leader' type, preferring to tend to her personal duties. Still, she had half a year to change her mind, so it was better to accept the offer now.
"Understood," was all she said.
Tobius switched his gaze over to the skeleton next, "As for you, Castellar… You have done wonders filling in for me since your apprenticeship ended."
Ferris held back a snort. It was no secret that by 'filling-in,' Tobius meant that he'd been dumping at least half of his workload onto Castellar. Although the latter sometimes substituted as the Blue Mage Head, he was never taken seriously. Everyone knew burdening him with the job was just a means of keeping him stuck in the Boroughs and in-check.
"I'm interested in seeing how far you'll go from here. Castellar, I'm going to train you to one day take over the Guild in my stead."
One could've heard a pin drop. It was as though neither of the two young mages could fully process their senior's words. A clear tension soon after filled the room. Ferris' shock turned to indignation. Castellar faced Tobius with a confused, uncomfortable look.
The Guildmaster merely responded to it with a shrug, "It's not a bad proposition. You are the third in line to succeed your father."
Although the two youths were each biting their tongues, there was still no immediate answer.
He prodded them further, "You both look like you have objections."
That was putting it lightly. When he'd forced Castellar to stay at the Guild, few spoke against the decision because it also kept his father—Fraktur, a marquis and near-legendary warrior—from retaliating. In a situation where few would even know what the fight was really about, it maintained an illusion of peace. Meanwhile, those who desired for Castellar to face greater punishment could see it through in whatever small, petty ways they pleased. To hand him any kind of real control… It was unthinkable.
Ferris tried arguing practically, "Castellar is a noble. People will think you're giving authority of the Guld over to his family—along with the Monster Kingdom as a whole!"
"I imagine there will be protest, yes, but if he left his house, they'll have nothing to stand on. It's what I did."
Ferris scowled. It was a valid response… if Castellar would actually do it. He'd already betrayed the Guild once; he'd proven where his true loyalties lied. How many people would risk relying on him again?
It was something that the skeleton had to be very much aware of, but he argued from another point. "I don't see the news being well-received either," Castellar added in a much softer voice, his brows furrowed. "I'm a monster. One of the Guild's primary missions is to produce excellent human mages."
"Says who? Monsters have led this guild in the past. You're not special," Tobius cut him off, chuffing, "We are the best—I take no shame in that—but our mission has always been ensuring harmony between the Two Kingdoms. To learn with one another and thereby develop our magic to its finest."
And a whole lot of fluff that is, Ferris thought. After all, a mission and a realty—an attempt and a result—were far from the same things. A mission that will never see an end.
"I should force you both to revisit your history lessons, but I'll need you to prepare yourselves to act as representatives of the Guild going forward." Tobius stood up and crossed over to Castellar's side, patting him on the shoulder. "Take your time to think it over."
It was still difficult for Ferris to accept what had happened. It was as if she were watching one of the unwelcomed visions she'd had as a girl—a vision some nonsensical timeline far away from the one she lived in. She glared daggers at Castellar's back as they were dismissed only to be stopped by Tobius' voice before she could walk out.
"Do you have more on your mind, Ferris?"
When prompted in that knowing tone, she couldn't control herself. She spun back around, "You're rewarding him?"
"For years of progress under my instruction, yes. Not for what he did to you."
Ferris only felt her outrage grow, "Don't you dare act like I'm the only one he stabbed in the back. He's his father's dog, Tobius—nothing more. No one will agree to this!"
"Valda agrees."
It was hard to say whether that rebuttal made her more astonished or angry. Why? She didn't think he was lying, but as far as Ferris knew, her master had very little to do with Castellar. If it was for the good of the Guild, Ferris couldn't imagine a future with him as their guildmaster that ended well. Why would she support him? What did Madame Valda know, what did Valda see, that she couldn't?
It didn't matter.
"The only reason I've stuck around is because I thought it was best for me and my sister," Ferris glowered, "If you make Castellar your successor, that's another story. I'd never take orders from him!"
To her surprise, Tobius replied, "I'd be disappointed if you did."
He walked back over to his desk, sitting down once more. No matter how much she raised her voice, he didn't seem bothered—which was rare whenever a student pushed him too far. His collected demeaner in moments of friction never failed to jar those around him, but even he had his limits. Today, it was particularly disconcerting.
Had he finally gone mad?
"I've done all I could for this guild and the Boroughs. It's not up to me what you do when I'm gone. Leave, if you must, or you could challenge Castellar for the position, but I'm still going to do what I think is best."
Hearing that, Ferris sighed and rubbed her head. It was a while before she asked him, "Why did you really accept him back?"
"Why did you never seek revenge? You never even protested, until now, even though you were the main victim."
It was clear he wasn't going to answer her question until she answered his first. Unfortunately, none of the answers Ferris had could satisfy her enough to admit aloud.
As if in consolation, he continued, "I have a theory on the nature of unique types of magic. We've differentiated them by color for years, but no one entirely understands them. I have, however, noticed certain qualities about people who possess certain types. Those with orange magic are remarkably brave. Those with yellow magic have a strong sense of justice."
He picked up his quill to return to his grueling paperwork.
"And those with green magic are often the kindest souls you will ever meet. For Castellar to be well-practiced in both defensive and healing magic, don't you think there's more to him than just a number 'five' attached to his head?"
Ferris scoffed. 'Kind' was the furthest word she'd use to describe Castellar. If his level and actions didn't negate such a ridiculous idea, then the wounds she'd endured when she'd fought him did. Again though, she couldn't find her words.