“This power, this energy creates useful items. But before you can reach this level you will need to master the Four Mage levels,” Mage Arctus said walking to the wooden chair.
“Four Mage levels? What are those?” asked Quinn.
Mage Arctus smiled and lifted the bottom side of his tunic, revealing his blue pants, on his blue pants, there were three unique badges glistening. One was shaped like a leaf, the second one was shaped like a heart the third one was shaped like a claw of a mystical beast.
Mage Arctus sat down and picked up the wooden stick. “There are five badges that you will have to earn to qualify as an elite Mage. They demonstrate the mastery of each of the Four Mage Levels.”
“If there are five badges, why do you only have three?” Quinn asked.
“A very good question, Quinn. If you have earned all five badges it demonstrates your skill. You will be considered an elite Mage,” said Mage Arctus, pausing to think of a good example. “Like Sir Drane Ethel and Seera Ethel. Grey’s parents have mastered all the Four Mage Levels and received the five badges.”
“Oh! This is really exciting!” A student bubbled from the mention of the two most powerful Mages of the century.
“To pass all levels is fairly difficult, it needs understanding, talent, endurance, control, concentration and hard work. I only have three because I am still training for my fourth and fifth badge. They are the most difficult.”
“Wait a moment!” Grey suddenly interrupted. “You mean, YOU, an experienced Mage is still training for the fourth and fifth badge? But how old are you? How long does it take to be done with Mage training?” he asked, worried about himself.
“Some die at the ripe age of 200 and only reach the first badge as a Mage,” responded Mage Arctus. “And I am as old as a cat who has died 8 times,” he added.
“But that’s not possible! I can’t stay in Mage School for 200 years of my life!” exclaimed Grey, he felt panic rise up in his chest, if he could not complete mage training, he would die in this school and if he was to try and complete it earlier, this would mean a lot of hard work and effort – maybe how Riona had described 100% best.
“No no no,” Grey swallowed dismally at the thought, he looked down, trying to find a solution. Mage powers were a dangerous activity, he could die when attempting this training but if he did not continue the training, his father would scold him until his ears bled.
He was cursed, he thought, he was cursed beyond comprehension. His mind tossed back and forth, trying to find a decent escape route with the least amount of hard work.
“200 years of life is nothing if you do not keep trying to master all the Four Mage Levels,” said Mage Arctus but Grey did not hear, he was lost in his worst curse scenario. Mage Arctus then proceeded to draw on the ground, he pressed the wooden stick in the sand and drew the first badge level – The Leaf Badge.
The Leaf Badge
“The first badge you will receive, is the Leaf Badge. It is known as the source. It is the day you master the control of your own power as well as the extraction of energy from plants. The level one of Mage hierarchy. You need to learn to control the energy extraction from plants, once this has been mastered you will receive this badge,” explained Mage Arctus, drawing the Second Level badge in the sand – The Dragon Heart Badge.
The Dragon Heart Badge
“As you know, Mages are born from the Dragon race, they contain a bloodline to extract living energy within and to control the natural elements. The second badge, is known as the Dragon Heart Badge. It depicts the accomplishment of energy extraction from living creatures beside plants, thus it is important to master the First Level. You pose a larger risk in extraction of energy from animals and humans,” said Mage Arctus.
“You mean we will be able to extract energy from each other too?” asked Quinn.
“Yes. But remember the purpose of a Mage is to understand and create balance,” said Mage Arctus. “Once you receive the Dragon Heart Badge, it confirms you have control over the life energy of living organisms. It represents the hearts of the living – remember, you are meant to use the Mage powers for righteous and respectable works,” said Mage Arctus. “The responsibility of a Mage is not to take a life with intent. Never forget this! You are never meant to use these powers for selfish desires,” he warned, proceeding to draw the Third Level badge in the sand – The Dragonclaw Badge.
The Dragonclaw Badge
“The third badge is known as the Dragonclaw Badge, it means you have gained ultimate control over living components and have mastered using the energy to create non-living objects,” said Mage Arctus, pointing at the wooden chair he had created from the white energy. “Remember, what I did with the energy in the palm of my hand? I converted the living energy into something non-living.”
“You mean, we will be able to create any object we want?” said Aaron, excitedly. The rest of the students except Grey bubbled at the revelation.
“It’s only when you accomplish the Third Mage level,” said Mage Arctus. “You can create any object you can imagine provided you have sufficient energy and you can control the energy.”
“What happens if you can’t control it?” asked Quinn.
“Well,” said Mage Arctus, pausing to cough. “You die or the object you imagined will not be created but more importantly, you could murder someone else – be it your fellow student or an innocent bystander. That’s why it is mandatory you master the First Level.”
The enthusiasm of the students immediately fled and the dome was left in somber silence.
Mage Arctus noticed the grim silence and attempted to brighten atmosphere. “But be assured, the school will make sure you are skilled enough to use these powers,” he said cheerfully. “Now, let’s continue the lesson.” He drew the Fourth Level badges in the sand – The Dragon Scales Badge and the Dragon Fire Badge.
The Dragon Fire Badge
The Dragon Scales Badge
“These badges are the Fourth Level badges. Once you acquire the Dragonclaw Badge, you will undertake training for both these level four badges, simultaneously. These two badges represent the main skills of a Mage – the healing and attacking skills. Some Mages are more skilled in healing, some are more skilled in attack but there are the rare ones that are skilled and perfect in both like Sir Drane Ethel and Seera Ethel. The Dragon Scales Badge is obtained when you master the healing and shield attributes. The Dragon Fire Badge is obtained when you have perfected the attack attribute,” said Mage Arctus. “I am at level four, training in both the healing and attack attributes. They are the most difficult because you need to ensure your control is accurate in energy extraction and incorporation, this is important because it will measure the amount of attack power and healing power,” said Mage Arctus.
“Woah! This is a lot to take in for one lesson, Mage Arctus,” said one of the students, overwhelmed.
“The principal and responsibility of a Mage is usually the longest and most important lesson you will ever learn,” said Mage Arctus.
“How long does it take to get all five badges?” asked Grey, disbelieving everything that Mage Arctus had taught.
“As I said before, Grey Ethel. It depends on your understanding, talent, endurance, control, skill, genes, concentration and hard work,” said Mage Arctus. “Perhaps you will have all five badges before you turn fourteen because of your genes.” He coughed.
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