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was lost in thought the sun crested the horizon, the light helping manage some of my darker thoughts. Bracing myself I accessed the doors, they authorised me, granting me access. Into the warren I went.
     
    The reception was dim, faint glow globes embedded into the walls, I guessed it was to discourage visitors, it worked. No one who didn't have to be here, came. Unless they wanted to be mages. Walking to the reception desk, there was no one there. Although on the desk was a glyph-screen, which was signalling me. A touch of magic, the reason became clear.
    “Junior Mage Sodden, Attend me in research lab seven, this screen will guide you,” A voice I knew very well told me. It was my old mentor Elder Mage Jase.
     
    Following the map on the screen led me right past my old student cell, checking the info shard mounted in the door, I found that this cell was off limits. That’s all I was cleared to access. No info on me, or any other occupant past or present.  I hated this place.  
     
    Shortly I reached the research area. It was well lit, a stark contrast to the places for students or visitors. Here was where new magic, was discovered and developed. Each door was clearly marked with angular glyphs. Seven was just on my left. Sending forward my magic to activate the identification charm, the door gave me access. A deep breath before meeting my tormentor.
     
    Elder Mage Jase looked exactly as I remembered. Taller than me, slim almost ill looking, ghostly skin that emphasises his bright blue glowing eyes and his straight black, shoulder length hair. He was standing, there smiling at me.
    “Come in my boy, come in,” gesturing with a gloved hand. I came closer, I wasn't very comfortable. Standing near the man that would beat or starve me if he felt I wasn't trying hard enough does that too me. As if he sensed my discomfort he said.
    “I hope you don't bare me any ill will Tristan, it’s how we are all trained, you know so many don't make any effort to develop their magic, we have to be sure the ones who do are the right sort. Yes it’s harsh and grossly unfair but if it was easy, undesirables would gain our power.”
    “Yes Sir I do understand, but I don't have to like it,” I retorted, barely keeping respectful.
    “You were a special case, we had to be harder on you, because you were so much quicker than the others, we had to be sure! Let's drop the subject, on to business.”  I gritted my teeth through his little speech.
    “Your first custom enchantment is unique, all the others are standard, this one is personal. What do you would serve you well? A weapon? Defence maybe?”
    I had been thinking about it, while healing would be useful, not getting hurt in the first place would suit me better. Pain is not my friend.
    “A defence would be best for my abilities, I think Sir.”
     
    “Right. Let’s do that, as a Mage, you are not limited to the base elements.” Jase did air quotes around elements, to complement his sarcastic tone.
    “You should understand, by now that, they are not elements. They are associated concepts that allow you to relate to your magic,” I nodded, of course I knew, he had been the one to beat it into me.
    “We need to build the architecture, you have never done this. All the enchantment you have dealt with are either infusing a prepared device or voiding a faulty one.” Jase paused for a moment, looking around his workroom.
    “This can be done in one of two ways. Wild or controlled, both have advantages and drawbacks. Controlled is a studied effect carefully built as most of the recent developments have been. Wild is considerably more powerful though, but less nuanced. First enchantment is always wild, so wild is the way we start.” as he was telling me this, he was looking through a pile of crystal discs. Seeming to decide on one. He passed it over.
    “As this is your first, you get a pure disc. All you need to do is summon your power and think of what you want, push it into the