The Hedge Wizard

Hump’s eyes roamed the many spellbooks in the room, marvelling at the fine covers, marked with symbols, runes, or depictions of the magic within. A few of the oldest spells were in scroll format, a practice that was uncommon now due to how difficult it was to protect the information within. In total, the collection had to number almost a hundred. Each one of them only valid for a single wizard to learn before the intent within would fade, and only the runes would be left behind.

In the end, Hump managed to narrow it down to the three that he thought would serve him best. Despite Wizard Aldric’s advice, battle magic was still his priority, especially with the next monster wave and the expedition to the Infernal Halls fast approaching.

The first had been the most obvious choice—a nature affinity Spell Tree that focused on weather control and lightning, titled Sovereign of Storms. Like his Rivers of Lava spell tree, it was a series of progressively more powerful spells, though this one concluded at Tier 5 only. With nature magic proving so difficult to find, the spell tree gave him an opportunity to learn six entirely new spells too: Dew Gatherer, Cloud Shaper, Zephyr Call, Congregation of Clouds, and Storm Herald. Each one stronger than the last, from cantrip to Tier 4. All building to the grand finale, Sovereign of Storms. After seeing how powerful lightning was in the hands of someone like Keeper Yunillia, Hump couldn’t have been happier.

His second Tier 5 spell was Whirlwind of Flame. There were many he’d considered, with those the tier above being particularly tempting, but this one gave him a spell with particularly destructive capabilities even in a location where he needed to control his power, allowing him to create a blazing tornado no larger than he was, to the very limits of his essence.

As for his Tier 6 choice, he went for the earth affinity spell, Sands of Oblivion, allowing him to transform stone to sand and manipulate it, calling upon the devastating power of a desert. They were about to enter a dungeon with fire affinity demons, and while it was unlikely that he would be able to learn it so quickly, it would grant him great strength and versatility in the future.

It was a tough decision, but Hump left the Wizard’s Society feeling satisfied. Wizard Aldric didn’t comment much on his choices, merely noting them.

Stepping out of the library, Hump turned to him. “So, what now? I take it that the fact I am walking out of here with these spells, I have earned some semblance of trust.”

A small smile cracked Aldric’s face. “For now, Wizard Humphrey, but there is always time for disappointment. However, I shall have an invitation sent your way in the next few days.”

“For what?”

“You said that you wish to be involved in our efforts against the warlocks, correct?”

“Right. Yes, of course.”

“As you said, it’s likely that the expedition will be targeted. You asked what exactly my role here is here in Fort Nordric—I am the wizard assigned to ensure that the expedition does not fall prey to such targeting. Fifteen hundred soldiers, Chosen, adventurers, priests, wizards, and martials will be a part of this siege, not to mention the countless people involved in supplying the force. This briefing is building a plan to ensure that the warlocks cannot bring it all crumbling down.”

He's extending his hand, Hump realised. This is what I wanted. I would be a fool to turn the opportunity down now.

“I’ll be there,” Hump said.”

“Very good. Enjoy the rest of your day, Wizard. Best of luck with Silver Rain. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised by the results.”

Aldric headed back to the House of the Inquisition, while Hump left the estate and went to rejoin the rest of his party. Despite the man’s intensity and distrust, Hump had to admit, he kind of liked him. He was straightforward in a world where people in powerful positions often felt like snakes. At least Hump knew where Aldric stood. He was a man that wouldn’t think twice about killing him if he turned out to be a traitor, but he was also one firm in his values and beliefs. Uncompromising but predictable.

He'd also gifted Hump Silver Rain, a spell that was unlike any Hump had practiced before. After seeing the use of Aurora, he had to admit, he was rather keen to learn some magic that had a purpose beyond killing. In the time since his master had died, he’d focused on hardly anything but battle magic. A little of the joy that came with simple spells had been lost. Perhaps with this, he might find it again.

***

The days that followed were busy ones. He, Celaine, and Nisha continued to act as ‘consultants’ for Bud’s company, joining them on quests outside the city. None as intense as the dungeon node they’d encountered before, but they saw a fair bit of combat. As the days wore on, they found their groove as a party again. It was a good feeling. Not just the way they read and understood each other, but the easy chatter that came with close friends, no matter how much time they’d spent apart.

In his spare time, Hump practiced his new spells. The spell tree he’d gained was brilliant and filled in many of the gaps in his understanding of nature magic. While a simple cantrip, Dew Gatherer gave him a convenient way to create water, condensing the water vapour in the air.

As for Silver Rain, his progress was far slower. For this one, he decided that he wouldn’t cheat and use the intent storage of the Book of Infinite Pages to help him understand the intent of the spell formation. Instead, he worked through it the old-fashioned way, drawing the runes over and over again until he got it right.

Added to that, he started to branch out in his training. Water and ice affinity spells had never been something he excelled at, but he’d achieved Soul Manifestation now and had little excuse not to know some lower tier spells. Icefang Barrage was a spell his book had recorded during the demonstrations at the Wizard’s Society back at Sheercliff, and it would be a handy one to have against the fire creatures of the dungeon. As a Tier 2 spell, he could manage it easily enough, though it lacked the power of similar spells such as Rockshot. If he needed it, he had it in his back pocket. That was what mattered.

All the while, preparations for the expedition were underway, with General Korteg overseeing everything. The work could be seen from all across the fort city. Hundreds of horses, wagons, and other necessities—all for the siege of the Infernal Halls. The scale of it was amazing. As soon as the next monster wave was dealt with, it would be time for him to set off.

He’d met with Wizard Aldric and a handful of other wizards in an office on one of the many large open spaces where supplies were being gathered. The wizards there were all older and more experienced than Hump, but his status as a Rank 4 wizard at eighteen years old left little room for any to question his right to be there.

***

Bud knelt upon the ground, a hand against his chest as Hump and the rest of his party watched. They’d rented a large training hall for a few hours in the centre of the fortress. A handy location for some private training, but it had come at a steep price. A price that few but nobles could afford. Fortunately, on this occasion, Marcela Daston had arranged it for them.

Now that he was there, Hump understood why it was so expensive. The floor was entirely made of enchanted sand, designed to absorb the impact of magical and physical attacks, and reform after any damage. He’d used Transform Earth to shift an area of sand away so that he could see the runes on the stone foundations beneath, finding a complex network of runes that would require a view of the entire grounds if he were to record them in his book. A task for another day. For now, Bud was holding his end of the deal.

With one smooth motion, Bud pulled his fist away from his chest, a ghostly blue light gripped inside—his Brilliance. It shone brightly in his hand, radiating an aura of divinity that stole Hump’s breath. A streak of light connected it to his chest.

Around him, circles took form in crystalised ice. In them, his blessings were carved out in God Glyphs one by one, each filled with the piercing intent of Kelisia. Hump studied them with absolute focus, reading over the perfectly etched lines, trying to glimpse some meaning behind them.

The first four were blessings he was familiar with: Frostfire Knight, Bud’s first and most important blessing; then Heart of Frostfire, Ice Armour, and Frostfire Surge, the minor blessings he’d gained while with Hump. Two more minor blessings filled the rest of his third circle, and then his fourth circle took form, the largest of all so far and entirely made up of a single major blessing—the one that had manifested as wings of frostfire.

When Hump’s spellbook shook, he grinned, opening it eagerly. “I’ve got it, Bud. You can put that away.”

The rest of his party gathered around for a look.

Bud hammered his fist back against his chest, gasping as his Brilliance returned to him, chest heaving as if inflated. “Why do you have to say it like that?” He sounded out of breath.

Hump glanced up from his book. “Like what?”

The knight rolled his eyes. “What does it say?”

BLESSINGS

Blade of Judgement

Description

Your weapon surges with divine frostfire, engulfing the target upon impact and freezing them. Those marked by the blade as evil doers suffer a weakness to cold.

Aegis of Sanctuary

Description

Call forth a crystalline shield of ice to protect against physical and magical attacks. The shield projects an aura of cold to all those that seek to do the user or their allies harm, slowing them and making it difficult to move.

Wings of the Frostfire Paladin

Description

The ancient and sovereign power of frostfire erupts from the user as wings of flame, manifesting an aura that becomes a source of strength and courage for allies, while sapping the strength and slowing the movement of enemies. The area around the user becomes icy, enhancing physical capabilities and augmenting minor blessings to amplify their intensity.

Amplified Blessings:

Eternal Winter – Call upon the deepest colds of frostfire to create an area of extreme cold around you. This zone damages and progressively slows all enemies within it over time. If enemies remain too long within the zone, they are frozen solid, making them easy targets.

Glacial Bulwark – Manifest an impenetrable aura of frostfire around the knight, dramatically reducing incoming damage from all sources for a short period. Attacks that strike the aura have a chance to freeze the attacker, momentarily stopping them in their tracks.

Harbinger of Ice – Flap your wings to launch yourself into the air before descending like a frostfire bomb. Frostfire erupts from where you land.

Divine Reckoning – The power of the gods surges in your blade, giving it the strength to cut those marked by the Blade of Judgement, enhancing the damage dealt.

Aegis of Vengeance – Call forth a crystalline shield of ice to protect against physical and magical attacks. Any that strike it shall feel the cold lash of frostfire.

“These are interesting,” Hump said as he finished reading. “Celaine’s major blessing was much like this too, granting each of her minor blessings an alternative version. With this, you’re a one-man army, Bud.”

“He certainly is,” Emilia said. “You should have seen him in the breach.”

“It’s fascinating to see such a clear explanation,” Dylan said. “Bud was never quite able to explain the mark of Blade of Judgement. I’ve had similar issues figuring out how my own major blessing works.”

“There’s a simple solution to that,” Bud said. “Your turn.”

Dylan laughed. “It would be beneficial. You don’t mind, do you Hump?”

“Of course not.” A bell rang outside but Hump continued. “Anything to fill the…”

He trailed off as he noticed Bud, Dylan, and Emilia go on alert. The bell continued, its deep, resonant tolls echoing through the building. More bells joined it, until they sounded from all over the city.

Hump’s heart drummed at the sound as he looked between his friends. “I take it that’s not good.”

“Demons have come,” Bud said. “We must get to the walls.”