Jackal Among Snakes

Castro’s tutelage was a welcome reprieve from the monotony of self-study. Argrave had never been truly taught by anyone, and so he eagerly looked to have his ability assessed by someone so highly regarded. The first thing that was asked of him was rather simple: Argrave was first instructed to describe his current capability. It had been a little awkward, what with Ingo also present, but he moved past that.

He, Anneliese, and Orion had moved to Castro’s private carriage for this conversation. Galamon was watching after Elenore.

“…and that’s about it,” Argrave finished his summary, petting one of the black Brumesingers in his lap. Anneliese had finished her report some time ago—ladies first, Argrave insisted. The breadth of her knowledge was impressive, and Argrave felt his own achievements were merely satisfactory by comparison. It had taken some time, but Castro sat there with few words, simply nodding as they explained.

Castro looked at Argrave. “So, to summarize, you have absolutely no training on conservation of magic. You’ve never experimented with your own spells, not even slightly. Everything you’ve achieved has been from learning premade spells. Your strategy is mainly to overwhelm opponents with massive amounts of magic, loaned by an ancient god.”

“Or my blood echoes,” Argrave added.

“Or those,” Castro nodded. “You understand enchanting somewhat, but you can only replicate a few spells. You’ve never seriously fought an opponent on an even level where you had to rely on skill to win. In instances where you were inferior in terms of raw power, you used tricks like alchemy to enhance your prowess or things like shamanic magic to turn the opponent’s magic against them.”

“There were a few fights,” Argrave added half-heartedly. “Like… like on the beach, against the Veidimen party. One man was C-rank, just as I was. I think.”

“Anything else?” Castro looked between the two of them.

“…those vampires in the Low Way,” Argrave managed.

“They were trapped at D-rank. Talentless, apparently, and they had nothing to study from given as the library we head to recover now was blocked off to them,” Anneliese reminded him.

A few other examples came to mind… but each and every one wasn’t a true fight. He had never squared off with someone on equal footing. And given the existence of someone like Dimocles… even Argrave’s bulk of magic power might not be able to keep up with that. The man had the same near-infinite well that Argrave did, but bona fide skill to back it up.

“So, you’re utterly inexperienced at combatting an equal. Equal in terms of power at least,” Castro continued, nodding. “I understand you know how to take a blow, and I understand you’ve got the mettle for battle, but that’s about the only positive thing I can think of. It is important, granted, but with greater skill you can avoid damage entirely. There’s never a reason to get hit as a spellcaster. You prefer lightning and blood magic… and you try your best to end fights quickly. You catch them by surprise, use overwhelming power, and take them out this way.” Castro rubbed the bridge of his nose. “There are many issues here.”

do just what you described—hit the enemy hard at vital points in the battle

Castro nodded. “And you are right in spellcaster’s role in the battlefield. But duels do happen. And this Castellan of the Empty you so continuously warn

did I say that?” Argrave raised

seen too much,” Castro smiled genially. “But I don’t think you’ll reach

scoffed. “Didn’t you say you were proud of me earlier? I

hands together to form a pyramid. “It is a culmination of all that came before it. It employs all the buildings blocks of the previous ranks to coalesce at a point which no spellcaster has ever ascended beyond.” The tower master lowered his hands and shrugged. “People have tried. Traugott was obsessed with the barrier. He always thought there was something beyond S-rank. Before he went rogue and summoned that Shadowlander upon Dirracha, it

same thing back when we first spoke,” Argrave reminded him. “You said B-rank would be hard, I think. But I’m A-rank

the youngest A-rank spellcaster I know of? She was one of Queens of Quadreign before it was conquered by Felipe. She became A-rank at fourteen due to their special flame, as I recall. Then, one hundred and seventy-two years later, she reached S-rank.”

had only barely glimpsed the bottom of the monumental task that was S-rank, and hearing Castro speak sent a jolt through him. He

think you would be well-served listening along with what I’ll teach Argrave. You have been very diligent, and

smiled, and Argrave patted her leg to celebrate the fact she had not received such a brutal dressing

Argrave. “Magic isn’t solely combat, but there’s nothing quite like active application to refine things until they become

#####

sat in Castro’s carriage, staring at the empty seat across. Castro definitely said some more things after, but he’d barely heard them. Now they had stopped only a few days away from their final stop: the Low Way of the

better…” Argrave muttered into his hand. “Rowe wouldn’t bother with something this detailed. He’d never get his hands

he gone?”

but the man shook his head and pointed out Ingo. When Argrave next looked at the sickly man, he was looking about the carriage. He nearly fell off the seat, and so Argrave lurched off his and steadied him with one

in surprise. “Take it easy. You talking

insisted. “No. Don’t get him.

proxy thing? Have you been being poisoned

bloodshot eyes focused on him. “The bottomless vat. And… and me.

lie more comfortably. “Just