Work in Progress - Chapter 1

Hermit's Notes: Hiya, this is chapter one of my second work in progress. It follows the prologue from Monday. There'll be another chapter on Friday (and of course another chapter of Enlightened Empire tomorrow, on Thursday).

I held onto the cold, smooth plastic handles, fingers cramped. After all, I wanted nothing more than a successful assessment. As a mysterious force spread throughout my body, so did the buzz under my skin. This was magic, I knew.

Terrified of the results, I peeked at the magic testing device, to the small digital window which would speak judgement on my body's magic resistance. Even though my sister had become a mage two years ago, there was no guarantee I would be one as well. 

As the number on the screen ticked up, my eyes widened in anticipation. Higher and higher the figure rose. With it rose my pulse, to force sweat through the skin of my hands. Soon those numbers reached the magic threshold which would prove my talents. This was it! I would be a true mage! I would finally meet big sis again!

Right in the middle of my fantasies, the lights in the room flickered. My eyes shot up to the white, sterile halogen lamps of the community hall, but a short beep refocused my attention. Reminded of my important moment, my view swung back onto the display. For the fraction of a second the machine's screen went blank, before it flashed zeroes.

Impossible! 

I had been so sure of my grand moment! Something must have gone wrong.

My mouth dried up, I looked to the red-hooded Guardian of Peace sat across. Of course, I couldn't see any of my shock mirrored in the masked face, or any other emotions for that matter.

After a second beep from the machine had signaled the end of the test, the guardian looked to his own screen. His verdict let my heart sink into the floor.

“Brayden Rovis, number LR-018447. No magic levels detected. Take your assigned social registration number from the desk at the entrance. You will receive your recommended employment offer within the next three work days. Good luck and have a pleasant day.”

“But... I...”

Frozen stiff, I stared at the guardian in disbelief. This must have been a mistake. Had no one else seen the lamps flicker? The stalwart figure of the guardian stared back at me in silence. Their masks, smooth and glossy, had always intimidated me. A slight shuffle on his chair was enough to show his impatience. He wasn't interested in my opinion, not after a long day of work with no quick end in sight. I couldn't defy the Guardians of Peace, could I?

From behind, I could hear the grumbles of the other hopeful teens crescendo into loud complaints. I looked over my shoulder and along the massive line formed behind me, made up of my fellow graduates. There was no excuse for standing in the way of everyone's dreams, just because I had considered myself special.

Of course I wasn't special. Even though I wasn't like big sis, there was no reason to make a scene. And yet, as mechanical steps led me past the queue and towards the clerk's desk, I couldn't help but sink into my own thoughts. I had failed. 

Now I wouldn't be able to meet big sis, not for a long time. We would have to wait until she finished her training, and returned home a proper mage. I caught myself with a dark thought. Please don't let Amy be a mage as well. I was afraid of being alone. Of dying alone. We had always stuck together, the three of us. I didn't know if I could handle an empty house.

Out of nowhere, Eileen's voice popped into my head.

Good luck, little brat, she whispered.

I couldn't quite remember when she had said that to me. In my hypnotic state, it felt as if she stood right beside me. Even now big sis still encouraged me. A deep breath drove away the gloom in my chest. 

Maybe this isn't so bad, I thought. After all, I wasn't the youngest in the family. I would still be responsible for our little sister. One more year for her to become an adult and have her own assessment.

No need to worry, at least for another year. Like the coward I was, I pushed my grim thoughts into the back of my mind, where I hoped they would rot into nothing. Buried deep into my thoughts, I didn't even realize when I walked up to the clerk, took my new ID and carried it out of the community hall. As rays of light warmed my skin, I regained my presence of mind and looked up to greet the world around me.

Astralis was the marvel of the modern world. The pinnacle of human ingenuity. At least that was what my teachers always said. I strolled through the archway of the plaza and onto the wide street, surrounded by greenery. I had always liked the willow trees around the main plaza. They swung in the wind funneled by the long corridors between buildings.

To me, the lush nature was a perfect foil for the clean streets and discreetly opulent five-story houses. Built in a classical style with pillars and grand arches, they exuded both the elegance and sophistication of the city's inhabitants. Meanwhile, the toned windows and synthetic building blocks spoke of their propriety and advanced nature.

With the city's ever-present birds chirping overhead, I walked down the street, toward the bus stop. Already this place was crammed with teens, all of them quiet from the disappointment of the community hall. I picked a corner for myself and looked to the ground, towards the magic conveyor system.

In the past, the old conveyors had transported anyone anywhere. Back then, no one had to walk. Unfortunately, even the wise Grand Mages would make mistakes sometimes. The excessive convenience had caused a plague of obesity and severe health problems. Thus, the Council had decided to shut down the conveyors for the benefits of the common people. At least that was what our history books had to say on the matter.

I stared at the defunct conveyor and tried my hardest to blend into the background. To my great fortune, no one else felt chatty either. So we stood there by ourselves, lost in our own gloom as we each pondered over our future. Our dreams had been crushed under the weight of reality.

Of course, there would always be some who couldn't handle their own frustrations, and would thus break the peace. They would look for unlucky targets to make themselves feel better. As usual, I would play the unlucky target.

My first hints of danger were the changes in the crowd. As if I had just declared myself an enemy to the City Council, everyone shuffled away to safety. I knew the source of their distress couldn't be me. I had far too much experience becoming invisible. With trepidation, I looked over my shoulder. My worry manifested into the figure of a stout, tall boy my age. In truth, 'stout' wasn't the right description. I would have rather called him fat, though never to his face. Rude as ever, the fatty walked into me and bulldozed away my shoulder.

“Hey, sorry. Didn't see you with how thin you are, Coatie,” he said with a smirk.

“Hi Les,” I squeaked, my eyes focused on Lester's solid boots. As always, I couldn't be myself with his intimidating figure around, even when he used that ridiculous nickname.

“So coatie, you gonna tell us your results?” The big boy grinned from ear to ear.

“Just normal,” I said, “like everyone.”

I had picked my words without much thought, more focused on a brighter tomorrow away from my abusive classmates. It wouldn't be long, just wait for the bus and get back home to Amelia. Unfortunately, I hadn't expected fatty Lester to explode from my throw-away statement.

“What's that supposed to mean, huh, you scrawny brat?” As if a mountain towered over my tiny body, he built up his massive frame.

“I didn't mean anything. Sorry,” I mumbled.

“You trying to say that I'm normal too?” Again and again Lester poked at my chest. I tried to back up, but was soon stopped by the wall of the bus stop. “How would you know, you little bastard? Huh?”

This was ridiculous. To everyone at the stop, it would've been obvious that the fatty had failed his assessment. We were all from the same district and Lester was well known for his loud mouth. If he had been picked to join the ranks of the mages, he would've trumpeted his greatness out for all the world to hear. And yet, I knew what the right and wrong answers were. I chose wisely.

“Sorry Les. I'm sure you'll be a great mage. It's you after all.”

I raised my head a bit, just enough to see the fatty's face. If I wanted any chance to get out of this unbruised, I needed to gauge his reactions. From his nasty grin, it seemed my cheap compliment had been enough to satisfy Lester's vanity. They usually were.

“Well, yeah, of course you'd think that. Okay, you're off the hook. Still, we can't let you go unpunished. How else would you learn your lesson?”

A single twisted thought and the fatty's nasty grin turned sinister around his hanging cheeks. In the corner of my eye, the other members of Lester's gang move in on us. I knew what would be next. The same scene had played out countless times in the past few years.

“You best pay up, Coatie. Or we'll have to go with corporal punishment,” the fatty continued.

Being ordinary must have stung Lester's pride like nothing else could. From the very start, all he had wanted was a convenient punching bag to release some stress. Lester knew that I didn't have any money to pay him off with. Still, I played my part and reached into my empty pocket.

Once the fatty had reached out his hand, sweaty palm up, I ducked to crouch under his flabby arms. No way would I play along with his crap. If I couldn't talk my way out of it, I would trust my legs instead. Before Lester's gang could close their circle around me, I ran past the biggest gap in their formation. A tug on my right sleeve held me back. With a violent pull, I freed myself from the last inhibition and just ran.

“Get him!”

“Don't let the little bastard get away!”

I could hear Lester and his gang scream at me from behind, but I didn't care. Focused on the path ahead, I only ran as fast as my legs allowed. Across the street and onto the other sidewalk, I rushed past the wind. Further and further. After years under the fatty's thumb, I had grown used to running. Still, my scrawny legs had made me a crap sprinter, or marathon runner, for that matter.

Without parents and without work, us siblings had only ever been guaranteed the minimum supplies each month. On top of that, an orphan like me, out of place in that fancy, upper-class school, was the prime target for bullying. The protection money alone would further eat into our funds each month, especially since I had to guarantee Amy's expenses before I could think about myself

My breath was uneven and a constant breeze past my ears, I ran along one fancy alley after another. The shouts from behind had long lost their force. Never had I shaken them this well. Ever. Seemed like Lester had enjoyed his snacks a bit too much these days. As my panic turned into confidence, my breath evened and my steps became strides. I took in a deep breath of the clear air and thought about my future. As a conflict between hopes and responsibilities brewed inside me, I didn't look back once.

Still in full stride, I turned past the broken gate, through the fence and into our old property. I slowed down to make sure I wouldn't harm the garden. Calm steps carried me past gravel and azaleas. The gravel didn't matter, but the azaleas had been Eileen's favorite. Those were important.

My hands on my hips, I stared up at our fancy mansion and tried to calm my heaving chest. Old vines had crawled their way up the white plaster, almost to the top floor. Another year and they might lick on the highest windows. Maybe it was time for a trimming, I thought.

Of course we could have lived in a simpler house. It would have been easier to maintain and we would have had more money left at the end of the month, but moving wasn't an option for us. Our family had lived here for three generations, right after my grandparents had received the place from the City Council.

My grandmother had been a writer, and a damn good one. With her talent, the Rovis family had been able to become part of the upper class. Successful artists were always respected in the city, so it had been easy to get the property approved. 

A house right in the central district, only four streets away from the community center, a perfect spot. Our neighbors had also been quick to warm to the talented author. Of course, the neighborhood had soured to our presence once we had been left without parents. No one in these parts would socialize with street rats.

Once my breath had returned to me, I stepped up to the porch and knocked on the door. The doorbell had run its course some two weeks ago. Another thing I had to fix, right after I was done with the front gate.

“Coming!” I heard an annoyed voice from inside.

With a violent tug, the old door swung open to reveal my little sister Amelia in all her moody glory. Shoulder-length black hair, glowing earrings and a bratty attitude. My cute sister was going through a phase, though I didn't know which one. Although I said 'little', Amy wasn't much younger than me.

“Yo, Brayden. How'd it go?” For a second his sister seemed almost concerned. She waited half a sentence before she checked her phone.

“Hi Amy. I'm back,” I said with a big smile on my face. In response, Amelia's narrow eyes grew and her mouth drove open like a garage door. I knew she had misunderstood, so I tried to alleviate her fears.

“Don't worry. I failed the test. Completely normal.” For a second Amy stared me down, before her expression returned to apathy.

“Then why grin like an idiot? Nate's here, by the way. Been waiting all day.”

“Thanks, I'll-”

Not even halfway through my answer, Amelia turned around and stomped up the stairs.

“-be right there,” I said to myself as I stared after her back. Definitely a phase.

I went into the living room to find Nate on one of the old couches, a can of soda in his hand. We didn't have any in the house, but I guessed he had brought his own. He usually did. With an unwilling grunt, Nate forced his body up with his hands, grabbed a second can from the couch table and lumbered towards me.

“Hey buddy. A drink to celebrate your adulthood. Thought I'd come by and join in the festivities.”

As always, Nate carried that wide grin around with him. This time, it seemed even more genuine than usual. I was touched. No matter the outcome of my assessment, his words would have been spot on. If I had passed the test, they would be perfect to open our celebrations. If I had failed, they would console me. Nate was always good at this sort of thing. Not surprising, since it was his job.

“Thanks, Nate.” I grabbed the soda with one hand and gave my warden a halfway hug with the other. “There's nothing to celebrate though. I failed.”

“Nothing to celebrate?” As Nate's grin turned sly his eyes threatened to disappear under his excess fat. How could it be that Lester looked so detestable, but the same expression on the middle-aged caretaker looked so endearing?

“There's plenty reason for a celebration. You're eighteen. You're an adult now, buddy.”

Nate slapped my shoulder and once again plopped his heavy body into the couch. For a moment he poor upholstery threatened to swallow him whole, before the old springs gave some token resistance. With much less drama, I sat on the chair across the coffee table.

“So, how do you wanna celebrate?” Nate clapped his hands.

“No idea, to be honest. It's not like we can splurge on anything big... and I'm not out of the rut quite yet.” The can in my hand opened with a refreshing fizz. “I'll think about a celebration once my work recommendation shows up. I just hope they find something good for me. We could really use more than the minimum supplies and I have no confidence in my artistic skills.”

“In that case, you're in luck!” Nate bent down to his briefcase. Even though he wasn't an office worker, I had never seen him without it. From within his prized possession, Nate pulled a piece of paper, frayed and crumpled at the edges, and held it over the table. Confused, I reached over. Just one line in and my eyes had turned the size of saucers.

“That's...”

“Yeah, it is.” I heard Nate's self-satisfied answer from beyond the table. “I talked to a couple people, cashed in a few favors. You can't be a mage in the future, but at least we'll be colleagues.”

As I looked back up, my mouth formed a smile all on its own. Whatever had been left of my crummy mood had disappeared.

“Nate, this is...” I tried to restrain the dumb grin on my face. A caretaker could never be selfish. “Didn't this make trouble for you?”

“Don't worry buddy. It was a lot easier than you'd think. These days, not many people want to take proper work anymore. Especially not as caretaker.”

Although Nate was right, I still felt guilt. Though of course, the expert caretaker responded before I could open my mouth to apologize.

“Seriously, leave it. I thought we were past apologies. If you feel bad about it, help me out and make my work a bit easier from now,” he said with a wink, “Don't expect a joyride though. Not all my wards are as easy as you siblings. This job is hard work. As far as machines go, people are pretty complex.”

As always, Nate read me like a book. Nothing less of a caretaker who had spent five years with his wards.

“Yeah, I'll do my best. It's what I wanted after all,” my meek self answered.

Though it wasn't as glamorous as a mage, caretaker was a good second choice. Be responsible for the less fortunate and improve their lives. Of course, the extra cash wouldn't hurt. I could give Amy the time and leisure to fulfill her own dreams. While I sipped on the sticky sweetness of the soda, I was lost in future plans. Only when Nate got up and brushed off his spotless pants did I return to the present.

“Welp, I'll be off then.” Nate made his way to the door, and I stood to follow.

“You're going already? But we have to celebrate!” I said, louder than necessary. Nate stopped and turned in response.

“You can do that with Amy. I don't wanna intrude on your family moment.” With a grin, his eyes motioned upstairs, towards Amy's room.

“Nate, you're as much part of this family as anyone.”

“Not today, buddy. First lesson: No matter what, you're always an outsider. Don't be too intrusive. Sometimes, it's best to leave people to themselves.”

Disappointed, I accompanied my former warden and future colleague to the front door.

“Okay, tomorrow is gonna be your first day. I'll come by early so we can share a cab. You best shape up and be ready by eight, got it?” Nate said, his voice chipper as ever.

“Got it.” I threw a casual salute back in response. I had seen those in the movies and thought they looked fun.

My hand was already on the door, ready to close it, but Nate turned again and looked up the front stairs.

“Oh, and maybe you shouldn't look so happy. Someone might be disappointed otherwise.”

Though I was still confused at Nate's cryptic advice, we said our goodbyes and I watched the caretaker leave. Back inside, I looked up the stairs. From today on, I wasn't a kid anymore. If I wanted to take care of others, I should be able to understand my own sister. 

I walked up the steps and went up to Amy's room. Emboldened by the soda, I ignored the 'Keep Out' sign and dared to knock.

“Amy?”

“What,” came back the moody voice I had grown accustomed to.

“Nate went home. I'll... just get to bed early. Tomorrow is gonna be big.”

Through the door, I offered my best 'gloomy Brayden' impression. With a final “Sorry I didn't make it,” I left and went towards my room. It wasn't far, just one door down.

Inside, I sat on my old, worn-out mattress. I ignored the VR headset and the old, frayed books, the biggest treasures in my possession. There weren't many physical copies of books anymore, so my grandmother's antiques were special, but I anticipated another rarity. Only moments later, I heard a door open and tiptoes rush down the stairs. I knew that Amy wouldn't leave me by myself. After all, Nate had given me the hint, and no one understood people better than Nate.

A smile formed on my lips as I heard the creaking steps. I tried my hardest to pull down the corners of my mouth. I had succeeded by the time Amy's shadow blocked the crack of light under my door. A few seconds of hesitation and a knock announced my guest.

“Come in.”

Amy traipsed into my room, a guilty look on her face. She hemmed and hawed for a while, as she shifted her weight back and forth.

“What's up sis?” I asked with a smile tinged in fake sadness.

“Hey, Brayden... I made something... and wondered if you'd like a taste.” From behind her back Amy appeared a cake. 

Already cut. She had been prepared.

“For me?” I asked in real surprise. Amy didn't spend much time in the kitchen.

“Just don't be weird about it,” she said in a brusque tone and plopped herself onto the old office chair next to my bed. “Take a piece. Tell me how it is.”

Eyes narrowed, I scrutinized the moist chocolate cake. It didn't look bad. With impeccable deduction, I assumed a prank and peered at Amy for confirmation. My probing stare was met with a nod and a simper, nothing more.

I steeled my heart. Worst case scenario, I'd just have to fake it. Determined, I brought the cake to my mouth and took a courageous bite. The taste was-

“It's... delicious?”

“Isn't it though?” Amy beamed as she took a bite as well. Only now did I realize that the cake had come incomplete. That sister of mine must have tried her creation already.

“Got the recipe off the Aether and everything.”

My stern look bored itself into Amy's conscience. My sister could do a lot of things, but baking wasn't one of them.

“Nate helped a bit,” she caved with a look out the window. Even in the middle of her phase, Amy was still Amy. Always friendly and helpful, even though she was timid as a rabbit in front of strangers. She must have prepared all day to cheer me up, but my chipper mood had betrayed her efforts.

By this point, my disappointment was long gone. I was glad about my failed magic test. Otherwise, Amy would have been alone. Things were better like this.

“Thanks Amy. Today was a good day after all.”

I took another big bite.