ULTRAMagic Interval - Chapter 18
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Milan really wanted to sit down and talk to Will and Vlastimir after the meeting, but he was kept busy for the rest of the day. There was a lot of intel to go over and by the time he was done, his former students were getting ready for bed. Aelia ran into a similar problem with Sam. Fortunately for the next day there was not as much work to be done, with Milan zooming off to lounge AC-1 as soon as he was finished. Those he passed by could hear Milan humming a tune, presumably some kind of folk song.
Will and Vlastimir were at the lounge, playing a video game between their handheld consoles. Sam and Faustus were watching, and Buster and Olivia had been in and out all morning. Milan could hear the sounds of the games as he entered and was curious to see what the two were playing. As Will complained over a cheap tactic from Vlastimir, Milan took a moment to look around the room. It was fairly nice, having a decent amount of space with large windows and potted plants lining the walls. He could see why the group preferred it as a hang out.
Will had a feeling he was going to lose as his turn rolled around. He went for one last desperate attack… only for Vlastimir to counter it. “Damn it!” Will exclaimed.
“Shoot, you were so close too,” Sam pointed out.
“Get good, haha!” Vlastimir proclaimed, feeling triumphant.
“Boy, didn’t you spend 20 years in The Unlight?” Faustus questioned.
Vlastimir chuckled, then took a peppermint candy from the bowl at the center of the table. “Then allow me to give some advice! Will, you need the hidden ability to counter my counter…”
Will gave him an incredulous look, given what he was suggesting. “Do you not know how many hours of grinding that requires?”
“It can’t be that long, can it?” Milan asked as he took a seat.
“Hours… also hey, professor.”
“Guys, you’re welcome to use my name,” Milan replied with a chuckle.
“Oh, alright then. Hey, Milan? Vlastimir has been mentioning an odd name recently and I’m curious to know if you’ve heard of it.”
“And what name would that be?”
“Milosh Proch?”
Milan went silent for a second, appearing to think about it. Vlastimir and Faustus could tell it was something else though when he gave a quick shudder. “Can’t say I’ve heard of him, but he sounds like an utterly dreadful fellow. Now was there anyone else you wanted to discuss?”
Will felt a bit awkward, so Faustus spoke up in his stead. “Do you have any idea what Valentin’s up to? I can tell he’s starting to get desperate given his last attempt on Will’s life.”
“Ah, that. If I had to give it my two cents, I’d say Valentin is looking to finally put an end to Sebastian, come Hell or high water. The only one he truly hates in the Cosmos is that despotic nutcase… and probably Anne too.”
“Oh my…” Will took a moment to process all of that. “And we can’t help him?”
“Valentin has always been a lone wolf,” Milan answered. “He's playing a dangerous long game and this isn’t his first scheme. Sadly Sebastian is a powerful man, even after the fall of the nazi party.”
Faustus had to do a double take after finally realizing what Will had said. “Hold up a second, sport! Valentin tried to kill us and you potentially want to help him?”
“Well, it’s just that… I know, but… ARGH, I KNOW!” Will flailed his arms side to side while making frustrated noises. “He’s trying to kill a nazi scumbag, how can I say no to that?”
“Good point…”
Sam looked at the two with concern. “I can definitely get behind that, Boyo, but let’s not get too carried away now…”
Milan nodded in agreement. “It’s all a complicated and messy history. Why do you think I still haven’t gotten through to Valentin yet? To be fair, I’d like to think I’m getting close as of late.”
Will sighed. “I miss the days when I was going to the academy. It was such a simpler time…”
“Agreed,” Vlastimir replied. “You know, Will, I think you would’ve enjoyed The Unlight. There you can keep walking until you find a place without trouble.”
“You can’t run from your troubles forever, boys,” Sam lamented. “I should know; I’ve tried.” They all then went quiet for a moment.
A moment later, a voice broke the silence. “Hey, what’s the matter?”
“Oh hey, Eka,” Vlastimir replied. “Where have you’ve been?”
“I got caught up talking to Olivia and Buster, then ran into Aelia here” she said as she sat down next to him.
Milan turned in his chair. “Oh, hello, Aelia…”
“You’ve gone over this morning’s report, correct?”
“Yup.”
“And you’ve prepared your lectures for The Red River Academy of Magic?”
He gave a guilty smile. “Yeah, about that… well I’ve given the medical alchemy spiel so many times that it might as well be the back of my hand.”
“Milan!” she scolded. “Such disorder is unbecoming of a mage and man of your stature.” He laughed in response.
“The Red River Academy of Magic?” Sam questioned.
“Red River has its own magic school?” Will added.
Milan nodded and snapped his fingers, conjuring a magic cloud that showed an image of the school. “Yes, but you have to know where it is. It’s hidden, like how you usually have to say the entry spell to a mirror or door to get to the Hermetic Academy.”
“I figured you would’ve known that, William,” Aelia remarked. “While not as ubiquitous as the Hermetic Academy, it is fairly prestigious in its own right. One of its alumni is my coven’s very own Galina Zharov.”
Sam tapped Will’s arm. “And she’s nothing to sneeze at, Boyo.” He nodded in response.
“Even if everything that's happened so far hadn’t happened, I would’ve been here tomorrow to give my lecture,” Milan elaborated. “You should all come along as this lecture is open to everyone.”
“I don’t think Trumna will let me go…” Will started to say.
“Don’t worry, Will. The way to the academy is well guarded. They won’t let Valentin or Bethany in, even if they try to sneak in in disguise.”
“You should be safe, assuming you don’t journey down any alleyways…” Aelia cheekily remarked.
“Hey…” Will shot back with Sam laughing. “I’ve learned my lesson: no more wandering, regardless if Valentin’s up to no good.”
“Let’s hope so, as the fate of the world potentially hangs in the balance, should you misstep,” Aelia concluded.
Milan and Aelia were curious to see how Will was doing with his pursuit of ULTRAMagic, so the group made their way to a training room meant for magic practice. Will was getting used to these sessions at this point, despite their frequency. While he was doing okay with his skills, it was clear that they had atrophied a bit due to his departure from the Hermetic Academy. Vlastimir had been lucky as the Unlight had kept him on his toes.
The conclusion Milan came to was that Will needed the rehabilitation lessons he had been working on as concepts. As for Sam, Aelia noted that while her alchemy was acceptable, there was a lot of room for improvement. It was also apparent that she was relying on her skills from her time as Morrigan and that would not do for what was to come. They were comparable to sheer dumb luck. Both great mages concluded that their former students needed work done.
Everyone was eager to go to the Red River Academy of Magic the next day. Milan and Aelia led the five to a special series of doors deep within M.A.I.G. headquarters. Milan stepped up to one of the ornate, wooden doors and etched a glowing rune into it. After a bright flash from the margins, Milan opened the creaking door. The group then beheld an area of Red River they had never seen before. It was a resplendent realm, with a gigantic castle in the distance that was a mix of medieval and Victorian architecture.
Aelia introduced the castle as the academy and all of it was a majestic sight to witness. The sky was crystal blue with fluffy clouds, truly gorgeous flowers lined the cobblestone walkways, and mighty trees towered overhead. Various students and neophytes went about their business, talking, practicing magic, and heading to classes as the cheerful birds in the branches above them sang their melodic songs. All of it was picturesque and felt as if it was truly untouched by the troubles of the outside world.
Evidently Milan and Aelia were well known at the academy, as some students said hi to them and a few even asked for autographs. It was a charming sight for Will and the others. After crossing paths with the academy’s headmaster and Milan heading off to get ready, Aelia guided everyone else to the lecture hall where everything would take place. They were met with the cool air of the hall and it was quite busy, abuzz with chatter and excitement. Aelia had access to an area reserved from special guests and sat the group down in the cozy seats.
Normally Will was not one for lectures, but Milan’s infectious enthusiasm throughout the day had him eager to listen. Sam was also awaiting what the archmage had to say, given her vested interest in alchemy. After ten minutes of waiting, Milan stepped up to the main podium as the audience settled down. Even though it did not seem like it, Milan was a little nervous as he had not done such an event in a while.
“Hello, Red River academy! It is great to be back,” Milan started. “You’ll have to pardon me if this is a little unscripted. I got called to M.A.I.G. on short notice as things are getting a little heated over in Red River city…” he then rested on the podium with his arm. “...but I’ve given this spiel so many times that it might as well be the back of my hand…” He then looked at his other hand and held it up, pretending there was writing on it. “Oh hey, look, haha!” Some of the audience chuckled while others smiled. “So how can alchemy help us in medicine? A simple question, but I feel a lot of people are overlooking the big picture here…”
Milan had a lot to say about how many ailments could easily be solved with transmutation. It was clear that he had been obsessing over this subject for ages. He also discussed how alchemy could repair medical tools and create better ones for more accurate procedures. And of course there was the spiritual side of such studies, which could lead to more dedicated and professional doctors. Milan was very passionate with his thoughts, moving from topic to topic, and holding everyone’s attention as he did. It was a little hypnotic, truth be told.
It took Will a second to realize that they had reached the intermission when Milan stepped down from the podium. He was amazed once he learned it had been an hour. Naturally he got up and temporarily left the lecture hall to go stretch his legs. A couple of particularly savvy students accompanied by a tall, dark haired professor approached him, wondering about his time at the Hermetic Academy. Will recounted to the best of his memory, feeling a little starstruck.
After that little conversation, Will was approached by a man who was accompanied by what looked like his son. The man had messy brown hair, blue eyes, and was wearing what appeared to be a space-age bodysuit. The boy had short brown hair, red eyes, and wore a robe that made him look like a reaper. They were quite the odd pair to say the least.
“Mr. William Ford, may I have a moment of your time?” the man inquired.
“Sure. Who are you though?”
“Call me Infinity, and this is my son, Charles.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Ford.”
“Same here,” Will said as he shook their hands. For some reason Infinity felt incredibly familiar to him, but he could not place it.
Infinity cleared his throat. “Now the two of us were attending Mr. Proch’s fantastic lecture when we noticed you in the audience. You see, a little birdie told me that you’ve been working towards ULTRAMagic, aye?”
“Yeah, if I want to live anyways…” This made the three chuckle.
“Don’t worry too much about it,” Infinity assured him. “My guild has people on watch just in case things go south. Speaking of which, have you heard of the ULTRAMagic Guild?”
“Vlastimir and Eka have mentioned someone named Blood-Wraith starting one, yes…”
“Well it is my pleasure to tell you that the guild is in full swing and we are looking for people like you.”
“Really?”
Charles nodded. “Definitely. In case you’re wondering, dad has ULTRAMagic.”
“Yeah, I can sense it…” Will noticed.
“I’d say we have a good 20 minutes before the lecture resumes,” Infinity noted. “Would you like to hear about the guild?”
“Sure, tell away,” Will said as they sat on a bench outside the lecture hall.
“I’ll keep it brief, but do I have a lot to tell you…”
“I… I’m a little worried about what Sam, Vlastimir, and Eka have told me about the trait…”
Infinity patted him on the back. “Don’t worry, Will. The guild is aware of the hurdles and they’ll make sure you adjust to it. Trust me when I say that they have dealt with this kind of stuff before…”
Next: Chapter 19
ULTRAMagic Alternate © 2022 William Ford II (ChaoticTempleKnight)
Master Post - Patreon
Milan really wanted to sit down and talk to Will and Vlastimir after the meeting, but he was kept busy for the rest of the day. There was a lot of intel to go over and by the time he was done, his former students were getting ready for bed. Aelia ran into a similar problem with Sam. Fortunately for the next day there was not as much work to be done, with Milan zooming off to lounge AC-1 as soon as he was finished. Those he passed by could hear Milan humming a tune, presumably some kind of folk song.
Will and Vlastimir were at the lounge, playing a video game between their handheld consoles. Sam and Faustus were watching, and Buster and Olivia had been in and out all morning. Milan could hear the sounds of the games as he entered and was curious to see what the two were playing. As Will complained over a cheap tactic from Vlastimir, Milan took a moment to look around the room. It was fairly nice, having a decent amount of space with large windows and potted plants lining the walls. He could see why the group preferred it as a hang out.
Will had a feeling he was going to lose as his turn rolled around. He went for one last desperate attack… only for Vlastimir to counter it. “Damn it!” Will exclaimed.
“Shoot, you were so close too,” Sam pointed out.
“Get good, haha!” Vlastimir proclaimed, feeling triumphant.
“Boy, didn’t you spend 20 years in The Unlight?” Faustus questioned.
Vlastimir chuckled, then took a peppermint candy from the bowl at the center of the table. “Then allow me to give some advice! Will, you need the hidden ability to counter my counter…”
Will gave him an incredulous look, given what he was suggesting. “Do you not know how many hours of grinding that requires?”
“It can’t be that long, can it?” Milan asked as he took a seat.
“Hours… also hey, professor.”
“Guys, you’re welcome to use my name,” Milan replied with a chuckle.
“Oh, alright then. Hey, Milan? Vlastimir has been mentioning an odd name recently and I’m curious to know if you’ve heard of it.”
“And what name would that be?”
“Milosh Proch?”
Milan went silent for a second, appearing to think about it. Vlastimir and Faustus could tell it was something else though when he gave a quick shudder. “Can’t say I’ve heard of him, but he sounds like an utterly dreadful fellow. Now was there anyone else you wanted to discuss?”
Will felt a bit awkward, so Faustus spoke up in his stead. “Do you have any idea what Valentin’s up to? I can tell he’s starting to get desperate given his last attempt on Will’s life.”
“Ah, that. If I had to give it my two cents, I’d say Valentin is looking to finally put an end to Sebastian, come Hell or high water. The only one he truly hates in the Cosmos is that despotic nutcase… and probably Anne too.”
“Oh my…” Will took a moment to process all of that. “And we can’t help him?”
“Valentin has always been a lone wolf,” Milan answered. “He's playing a dangerous long game and this isn’t his first scheme. Sadly Sebastian is a powerful man, even after the fall of the nazi party.”
Faustus had to do a double take after finally realizing what Will had said. “Hold up a second, sport! Valentin tried to kill us and you potentially want to help him?”
“Well, it’s just that… I know, but… ARGH, I KNOW!” Will flailed his arms side to side while making frustrated noises. “He’s trying to kill a nazi scumbag, how can I say no to that?”
“Good point…”
Sam looked at the two with concern. “I can definitely get behind that, Boyo, but let’s not get too carried away now…”
Milan nodded in agreement. “It’s all a complicated and messy history. Why do you think I still haven’t gotten through to Valentin yet? To be fair, I’d like to think I’m getting close as of late.”
Will sighed. “I miss the days when I was going to the academy. It was such a simpler time…”
“Agreed,” Vlastimir replied. “You know, Will, I think you would’ve enjoyed The Unlight. There you can keep walking until you find a place without trouble.”
“You can’t run from your troubles forever, boys,” Sam lamented. “I should know; I’ve tried.” They all then went quiet for a moment.
A moment later, a voice broke the silence. “Hey, what’s the matter?”
“Oh hey, Eka,” Vlastimir replied. “Where have you’ve been?”
“I got caught up talking to Olivia and Buster, then ran into Aelia here” she said as she sat down next to him.
Milan turned in his chair. “Oh, hello, Aelia…”
“You’ve gone over this morning’s report, correct?”
“Yup.”
“And you’ve prepared your lectures for The Red River Academy of Magic?”
He gave a guilty smile. “Yeah, about that… well I’ve given the medical alchemy spiel so many times that it might as well be the back of my hand.”
“Milan!” she scolded. “Such disorder is unbecoming of a mage and man of your stature.” He laughed in response.
“The Red River Academy of Magic?” Sam questioned.
“Red River has its own magic school?” Will added.
Milan nodded and snapped his fingers, conjuring a magic cloud that showed an image of the school. “Yes, but you have to know where it is. It’s hidden, like how you usually have to say the entry spell to a mirror or door to get to the Hermetic Academy.”
“I figured you would’ve known that, William,” Aelia remarked. “While not as ubiquitous as the Hermetic Academy, it is fairly prestigious in its own right. One of its alumni is my coven’s very own Galina Zharov.”
Sam tapped Will’s arm. “And she’s nothing to sneeze at, Boyo.” He nodded in response.
“Even if everything that's happened so far hadn’t happened, I would’ve been here tomorrow to give my lecture,” Milan elaborated. “You should all come along as this lecture is open to everyone.”
“I don’t think Trumna will let me go…” Will started to say.
“Don’t worry, Will. The way to the academy is well guarded. They won’t let Valentin or Bethany in, even if they try to sneak in in disguise.”
“You should be safe, assuming you don’t journey down any alleyways…” Aelia cheekily remarked.
“Hey…” Will shot back with Sam laughing. “I’ve learned my lesson: no more wandering, regardless if Valentin’s up to no good.”
“Let’s hope so, as the fate of the world potentially hangs in the balance, should you misstep,” Aelia concluded.
Milan and Aelia were curious to see how Will was doing with his pursuit of ULTRAMagic, so the group made their way to a training room meant for magic practice. Will was getting used to these sessions at this point, despite their frequency. While he was doing okay with his skills, it was clear that they had atrophied a bit due to his departure from the Hermetic Academy. Vlastimir had been lucky as the Unlight had kept him on his toes.
The conclusion Milan came to was that Will needed the rehabilitation lessons he had been working on as concepts. As for Sam, Aelia noted that while her alchemy was acceptable, there was a lot of room for improvement. It was also apparent that she was relying on her skills from her time as Morrigan and that would not do for what was to come. They were comparable to sheer dumb luck. Both great mages concluded that their former students needed work done.
Everyone was eager to go to the Red River Academy of Magic the next day. Milan and Aelia led the five to a special series of doors deep within M.A.I.G. headquarters. Milan stepped up to one of the ornate, wooden doors and etched a glowing rune into it. After a bright flash from the margins, Milan opened the creaking door. The group then beheld an area of Red River they had never seen before. It was a resplendent realm, with a gigantic castle in the distance that was a mix of medieval and Victorian architecture.
Aelia introduced the castle as the academy and all of it was a majestic sight to witness. The sky was crystal blue with fluffy clouds, truly gorgeous flowers lined the cobblestone walkways, and mighty trees towered overhead. Various students and neophytes went about their business, talking, practicing magic, and heading to classes as the cheerful birds in the branches above them sang their melodic songs. All of it was picturesque and felt as if it was truly untouched by the troubles of the outside world.
Evidently Milan and Aelia were well known at the academy, as some students said hi to them and a few even asked for autographs. It was a charming sight for Will and the others. After crossing paths with the academy’s headmaster and Milan heading off to get ready, Aelia guided everyone else to the lecture hall where everything would take place. They were met with the cool air of the hall and it was quite busy, abuzz with chatter and excitement. Aelia had access to an area reserved from special guests and sat the group down in the cozy seats.
Normally Will was not one for lectures, but Milan’s infectious enthusiasm throughout the day had him eager to listen. Sam was also awaiting what the archmage had to say, given her vested interest in alchemy. After ten minutes of waiting, Milan stepped up to the main podium as the audience settled down. Even though it did not seem like it, Milan was a little nervous as he had not done such an event in a while.
“Hello, Red River academy! It is great to be back,” Milan started. “You’ll have to pardon me if this is a little unscripted. I got called to M.A.I.G. on short notice as things are getting a little heated over in Red River city…” he then rested on the podium with his arm. “...but I’ve given this spiel so many times that it might as well be the back of my hand…” He then looked at his other hand and held it up, pretending there was writing on it. “Oh hey, look, haha!” Some of the audience chuckled while others smiled. “So how can alchemy help us in medicine? A simple question, but I feel a lot of people are overlooking the big picture here…”
Milan had a lot to say about how many ailments could easily be solved with transmutation. It was clear that he had been obsessing over this subject for ages. He also discussed how alchemy could repair medical tools and create better ones for more accurate procedures. And of course there was the spiritual side of such studies, which could lead to more dedicated and professional doctors. Milan was very passionate with his thoughts, moving from topic to topic, and holding everyone’s attention as he did. It was a little hypnotic, truth be told.
It took Will a second to realize that they had reached the intermission when Milan stepped down from the podium. He was amazed once he learned it had been an hour. Naturally he got up and temporarily left the lecture hall to go stretch his legs. A couple of particularly savvy students accompanied by a tall, dark haired professor approached him, wondering about his time at the Hermetic Academy. Will recounted to the best of his memory, feeling a little starstruck.
After that little conversation, Will was approached by a man who was accompanied by what looked like his son. The man had messy brown hair, blue eyes, and was wearing what appeared to be a space-age bodysuit. The boy had short brown hair, red eyes, and wore a robe that made him look like a reaper. They were quite the odd pair to say the least.
“Mr. William Ford, may I have a moment of your time?” the man inquired.
“Sure. Who are you though?”
“Call me Infinity, and this is my son, Charles.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Ford.”
“Same here,” Will said as he shook their hands. For some reason Infinity felt incredibly familiar to him, but he could not place it.
Infinity cleared his throat. “Now the two of us were attending Mr. Proch’s fantastic lecture when we noticed you in the audience. You see, a little birdie told me that you’ve been working towards ULTRAMagic, aye?”
“Yeah, if I want to live anyways…” This made the three chuckle.
“Don’t worry too much about it,” Infinity assured him. “My guild has people on watch just in case things go south. Speaking of which, have you heard of the ULTRAMagic Guild?”
“Vlastimir and Eka have mentioned someone named Blood-Wraith starting one, yes…”
“Well it is my pleasure to tell you that the guild is in full swing and we are looking for people like you.”
“Really?”
Charles nodded. “Definitely. In case you’re wondering, dad has ULTRAMagic.”
“Yeah, I can sense it…” Will noticed.
“I’d say we have a good 20 minutes before the lecture resumes,” Infinity noted. “Would you like to hear about the guild?”
“Sure, tell away,” Will said as they sat on a bench outside the lecture hall.
“I’ll keep it brief, but do I have a lot to tell you…”
“I… I’m a little worried about what Sam, Vlastimir, and Eka have told me about the trait…”
Infinity patted him on the back. “Don’t worry, Will. The guild is aware of the hurdles and they’ll make sure you adjust to it. Trust me when I say that they have dealt with this kind of stuff before…”
Next: Chapter 19
ULTRAMagic Alternate © 2022 William Ford II (ChaoticTempleKnight)
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