I was glad that I waited until everyone else had left the records room. Staring down at the parchment, the paper crackling from age, I realized I couldnât quite read the script clearly, and raised it up to the light.
Now with the humming office light filtered through the paper, I could see the previously invisible text between the script. It read,
âFor the aspiriant who holds this, we shall meet not at my leisure, but at your request. Go to the rooftop of your dwelling and light a candle, whisper my name into the wind three times. Then, I will find you.â
I was puzzled, as I had never even heard of this hero before. The most infamous and popular heroes had been chosen already; Flame Man, Hyperspeed, Warpâd, Intrigue, The Three Troubles. But this one⊠not even the computer database had an entry for him.
Still, I needed a mentor. And one who appeared to specialize in the kind of power I was interested in.
Most of the graduates focused on physical abilities and talents. Using elements as weapons, super strength or speed, using seductive wiles to charm or persuade unaware parties, or raw fisticuffs and martial arts. Occasionally the âwacky inventorâ type showed up, with only a few making it through testing. Me? I kept the truth of it under wraps as best as I could, and managed my way past tests with average scores.
I went up to the rooftop at ten past midnight, a full moon illuminating the barely clouded sky and silhouetted grounds as I lit the candle; one of the white emergency ones, but it would do. I faced away from the lightly blowing wind, feeling it ruffle my hair and clothes as it rushed past, closing my eyes and saying the name of the hero.
âLeonardo Mirror, Leonardo Mirror, Leonardo MirrorâŠâ
A crack, and a hiss, and sparks in the air, like a lit firecracker before it zips into the skies. I turned, the smell of sulfur and ozone heavy in the air-
A wizened old man stood there, casually dressed in khakis, a long-sleeved dark red pullover, loafers, and wearing a grey, long beard, as if Gandalf the Grey were playing at being an English teacher. Blue eyes sparkled with hidden mischief, and the voice that piped up was warm, clever, and amused.
âIt has been so long since Iâve been summoned, I had thought that I was merely forgotten. Another hero to be tested, then? May we have introductions, or have you chosen an illustrious title that you wish to go by?â
I shook my head, unable to keep from chuckling at the manâs wry humor. âI only used my alias for the Academy. Secret identities and all that. I prefer being called Jude. May I call you Mr. Mirror, then?â
An approving nod. âThereâs a power in names that people donât realize. Even those we choose for ourselves as well. Jude, then. And please, call me Len, if we may be as casual as all that.â He waved his hand casually, as if to further the proceedings. âNow, then. Perhaps a demonstration of your powers? Swiftness, though judging from your looks, I would guess invisibility. OrâŠâ He tilted his head, eyes narrowed in scrutiny. âTime manipulation?â
âSomething like that,â I admitted, before crouching down. I spoke the words, flowing Latin script I had studied and filled in with my own essence and cadence, weaving the illusion over my form and melting into the background.
Moving past the man was easy enough, as had been for many of my exams and tests against stronger, swifter classmates. But it was when I stood straigt that a hand shot out, grabbing my wrist. Time flowed again, and the illusion was broken.
âAn invisibility spell,â the man breathed, visibly surprised. âA most powerful illusion. How did you happen upon this?â
â⊠Loneliness and a desire for knowledge,â I admitted freely. I had been only six years old and had discovered by wearing grey clothing, staying quiet and concealing myself, I could effectively be invisible and unnoticable - a necessity in times of danger and pain. I dug into more research and the spells were quickly found in a grimoire in the back storeroom -of all places- a thrift store.
My wrist was released, and I stepped back, meeting that stern gaze evenly, feeling the weight of yearsâŠno, centuries behind it.
âI think,â the man said slowly, lips curling into a smile, âthat I will accept you as a student of mine. Jude will suffice, until you find your proper title. And we have plenty to cover before you declare your focus of magic. There are eight schools to study-â
âIâd thought there were only seven?â I blurted out in surprise. The manâs eyebrow raised before he chortled a laugh.
âShows what you and this âmodern worldâ know about magic, doesnât it?â
A few of the counselors raised their eyebrows at my choice of mentor, one of them going to the Superintendent to âmake a formal complaintâ - Mr. Miller, known to the caped and cowl set as âHonor Manâ, had always been a self-righteous jackass, and he was quickly rebuffed. I could feel his indignation and anger at being denied when I walked past him in the hall, and it was all I could do to keep from grinning in wicked pleasure.
His favored students, however, had enough freedom to confront me about it. My room was tidy, all my belongings packed in a suitcase and backpack as I stepped into the hall. That was when the three jocks of my class stepped out- Kevin, Jason, and Rebecca. Otherwise known as âHonor Youthâ, âSidewinderâ, and âCharmâ. All three of them the highest ranked in power, and the most power-drunk spoilt rich kids.
They grinned once they saw me, Kevin flexing his knuckles in anticipation of a beating, Jason hissing tauntingly, and Rebecca giving me a catty little wave. I tensed, knowing I couldnât stop them from approaching.
Suddenly a familiar pop, and crackle and sparks. And there Len was, appearing from the aether itself.
âAh, Jude! Packed are we? Ready to say your farewells to your friends?â
His tone was that of a man who thought heâd stumbled into a meetup of close friends, but his eyes were sharp and intent. Kevin actually stepped back, Jason closed his mouth, and Rebecca appeared speechless.
I gave a little wave at them. âBye,â I lightly said, as Lenâs hand settled on my shoulder. In a blink we were in a vast hallway, the walls made of stone and mortar as carpets covered the cold floor.
âThank you for that,â I breathed, relief pouring from my body in waves. Len waved his hand again.
âWell, thereâs only so much you can learn from fighting. Iâve had one pupil begin their lessons with a black eye and since then Iâve had no patience for it.â We stepped down the hallway to a wider, open space, open air windows bringing in the scent of cold rain, far from the sunny campus I was once in.
âThis will be our testing room, when you demonstrate what youâve learned. Your quarters are to the right, mine are on the left.â
I moved away, only to be stilled by his words.
âI am very glad that you chose me to instruct you in the ways of magic.â
I smiled, heading down the hallway.
I closed the book, facing my attentive audience. âSo that was an excerpt from my book. Any questions?â
Youthful hands shot up. I picked one at random.
âDo you still do magic?â
I grinned. âOf course!â
âWhen are you going to mention the other magic users?â
âWell, I didnât meet them until later, but I promise to tell their stories as well.â
Then a hand from an insistent girl who stood up, grinning with presumed cleverness. âWhen are you going to talk about when you discovered Mr. Mirror was really Merlin?â
This was met with groans of âI havenât read that far!â and âThanks for spoiling it for us!â as she looked around with glee. I merely smiled.
âMaybe you should ask him that question, Nimue.â
At the use of her name, the girl scowled and shifted into the form of a slender, fiery-haired maiden, eyes flashing promised malevolence as her powers sizzled. âYou dare use my Name-â
âYou who foolishly declared it to all and sundry for your own infamy?â I retorted, eyes fixed on the figure. âAnd I wasnât being rhetorical.â
The words of binding were quickly spoken, and Nimue shrieked as she vanished in a cloud of white powder, as a man of twenty-something years picked up a remaining crystal shard, blue eyes holding the wisdom of centuries.
I tilted my head respectfully. âOnly from your teachings, Master Merlin.â
Our audience was awestruck at having not one, but two magic casters in their midst, who had foiled the plans of one hidden among them. Foregoing hands, a young lad stood up.
âSo⊠Merlinâs not your true name?â
âI would not make the same mistake Nimue made. But everyone knows of me and my powers, so I cannot complain over much.â His hands circled the air, showing lights and flickers of fire. âNow then, who wants to see some magic?â
