Zeph Malston: The Aether Mage

Rin and Zeph made quite the combo in the pool. He would dive underwater to initiate sneak attacks, and Rin would distract people with her wind magic. She would blast wind into the pool to create giant splashes of water. When everyone was either dodging or paying attention to the blast, Zeph would come up from behind and dunk someone.

Bernard was watching from the patio. Most of his attention was on the grill so that he wouldn't burn anything. A small smile crept across his face while he watched everyone play. He couldn't remember the last time he had a barbeque. It suddenly dawned on him that he spent most of the last decade cooped up inside his lab. Keva gave him reports on the duchy's situation, but he mostly ignored them. His research into Aetherite blinded him to the world around him. He thought how much his life changed this summer, and the smile grew into a large grin.

Eli took a break and went to the edge of the pool. He placed his hands on the ground and started to channel a large amount of magic. Beautiful flowers and plants grew around the pool. The Elf then started using earth magic. Zeph and the gang stopped their dunking match when the light suddenly dimmed. They were being surrounded by rock growing from the sides of the pool. A tall cave formed around the deep end of the pool, and glowing flowers, moss and vines started to grow on the inner walls. These multi-colored plants were reflected off the water's surface, creating a beautiful shimmering effect.

The elf made a grotto, and he wasn't done yet. The inside of the cave they were in started to crack in a few places. Tiny streams of water poured forth, creating a miniature waterfall. To everyone's surprise, steam started to rise from the cascading water. They felt the pool slowly start to warm up.

Eli looked at his creation and smiled. "There, I was getting a little chilly." Everyone was flabbergasted.

Zeph couldn't help himself. "You did all that, just cuz you were cold?"

"Well…yeah." Eli acted as if it wasn't a big deal. No one noticed Lili climbing up the wall, because they were all staring at the elf.

"That's a little much right?" Bianca added.

"Nah, I was planning on sprucing up the backyard. I just decided to do the pool first. There's still the garden, the fish pond, the shade trees, the-" Eli was interrupted by a loud shout.

"Cannonball!" Lili jumped off the wall and made a giant splash. They all looked at her, each one having to wipe the water off their face. She tilted her head in confusion, she wasn't sure what the expression on everyone's face was. "What?"

Zeph pointed at the confused kid. "Get her!" They all splashed a torrent of water at the little girl.

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Relina and Tara stepped out of a red luxury car, followed by a small blond girl. Ivy followed her grandmother to Asperitus. At first, she was hesitant. After all, it was crazy to change schools just to chase after a crush. Sure Lili was there, and she didn't have any friends at her other school. But, it was still sudden.

Relina looked up at their new mansion. After her son in law made a few calls to Lord Phillips, they were able to find a suitable residence in the city. Ivy was also enrolled in the same school as Lili and Zeph without any issues. She called Ronan to make sure everything was okay and was surprised that Lord Malston was the one that found the mansion for them.

That surprised her because she didn't think that the Lord of Asperitus would care about a couple of lower nobles from the Phillips Duchy. Ronan laughed and said that Bernard heard about Relina from Eli. The elf mentioned her once, and the old mage remembered the name. When she asked what Eli said about her, Ronan laughed. He said that she'll have to ask Bernard herself.

Ivy interrupted her grandma's thoughts. "Grandma, are you okay?"

Tara laughed, "I bet she's just thinking about someone." She knew her mother was really here to see Eli. Her father passed away more than sixty years ago, and the only other man to garner her attention was now working for Bernard Malston. Ivy may have only been born twelve and a half years ago, but Tara and her husband were over sixty. Their half-elven blood gave them an extended lifespan. Most humans don't live past the early hundreds, but a half-elf can live past two hundred years easily.

"Grandma, come on!" Ivy caught her grandmother's attention.

Relina looked at the girl. "Sorry, I was just lost in thought. Let's go inside, it should already have some basic furnishings. Our things should arrive tomorrow, and you'll start school the day after." She smiled at Ivy.

"Okay." Ivy smiled. She looked forward to meeting Lili again. Her cheeks reddened, also imagined how her first meeting with Zeph would go.

"Oh my, are you thinking about that boy again?" Tara teased her daughter. She giggled as the little girl's pink blush turned a vibrant red. Ivy didn't answer. The silence was broken by the sound of laughter and revelry. It seemed to come from across the street.

Relina looked at the mansion across the street with the large yard and tinted glass walls. "It seems our neighbors are having fun. They must be having some party if we can hear them from all the way over hear."

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Zeph and Bernard were in the new mansion's bas.e.m.e.nt. Bernard made it into a lab and brought his grandson down after the lunch. When Zeph walked in, he was surprised to see an almost exact copy of Bernard's main lab from the estate. They walked over to an open table and sat opposite each other.

"This place is crazy. It almost feels like we're back at home. Well, the other home I mean." Zeph looked around the room.

"Yes, I made it this way so I wouldn't need to adjust to a new environment when I work. Speaking of work, tomorrow I'll be heading to the new company I created for researching and developing the items from your world's stories, movies, and shows." Bernard used his tablet to send a picture of the building to Zeph, along with its address.

Zeph used his pendant to display the image as a hologram in front of him. "Cool, so what are you working on first over there?"

"The first project is going to be an improved version of your pendant. Our second project is the one I'm really excited about." Bernard's eyes started to shine.

"The new spell script?" Zeph could tell by the look in his grandpa's eyes.

"Indeed." The old man smiled. "Initial research into three-dimensional programming languages is showing some major promise. Then I remembered something from our time discussing alchemy and enchanting."

Zeph raised an eyebrow. "What would that be?"

"Remember you wished that inscriptions were more like electronics, and then you could put more magic inside smaller objects?"

"Yeah I remember that, but you said it couldn't be done. The stress of magic flowing through the spell script would cause it to deteriorate if the inscription was too small."

"That's right, but I've been thinking about it. Instead of inscribing a spell into a material, what if I just wrote it using the material."

"I don't quite get what you mean?"

"Remember what you said about 3D printing, how it would make it easier to mass produce some things."

"Yeah."

"I theorize that I could use a custom material, and print out a spell diagram. Then I could attach that spell diagram into another object. That way the stress from the magic would be focused on the material it was printed from. It would be making a magic circuit. If I made a 3D printer capable of drawing the spell script small enough, it would open a whole new avenue of magic item manufacturing." Bernard started projecting blueprints and diagrams in the air using his own Holo-pendant.

"Yeah, but if it's that easy then it would have already been done. I'm pretty sure that making a spell diagram out of one material and inlaying it in another isn't a new idea."

"True, but I'm an alchemist. I've been so focused on making Aetherite for the past few years, that I ignored other avenues of advancement. If I create a highly magic conductive material and mold it into a spell form, I can surround that material with a highly magic resistant material to prevent the spell diagram from degrading. The practice is already being done but on a larger scale."

Zeph rubbed his chin. "You know you're describing something similar to a wire. You know, like how you wrap copper in rubber to insulate it. Why hasn't anyone done that before?"

"It's simple really. We never had the technology to accomplish such a task before. The smaller someone draws a spell diagram, the more compact the spell script has to be. We lack the precision to shape a material thin enough. Using the idea of a 3D printer from your world, I intend to design a magic printer." Bernard laughed loudly. It was only slightly maniacal.

"Wait, so after you do that, you'll be able to cram much more powerful spells into way smaller items. You could even combine the Holo-pendant and tablet together. Heck, you could make the revolver I told you about, I can't even imagine what else you could make? Probably most of the stuff I thought would only be science fiction. Oh man! We might be able to make a storage ring." Zeph was getting excited too.

The two spent a couple of hours talking about possible inventions they could make in the future. Zeph was even more excited to learn about enchanting and decided to join the artificer club at the new school. He was already stronger than a middle schooler, so he decided to focus his attention on creating magic items instead of combat.

The Asperitus Valir Academy was an escalator school that focused on training mages, warriors, and valir. Its middle school section offered beginner warrior classes and basic magic training. Since valir and mage courses are only taught in the high school section, Zeph was stuck with electives and basic knowledge courses if he wanted to improve. Enchanting and magic engineering were the elective courses he chose. They would get him familiar with the basics of creating magic items, devices, and machines.

Bernard and Zeph continued to chat for the majority of the afternoon. They talked about the school, the city, and the boy's training. Zeph learned that he'll still be training with Bianca after school started, but it would be limited to a few afternoons a week.

"Wow, I don't even get a break when I go to school huh?" Zeph smirked.

"Of course not, you want to grow up to be a hero don't you. Traveling the world, experiencing the wonder of the unknown, witnessing the untold miracles of magic, all these things require strength. You may be able to cast tier one spells, but you don't have the magic reserves for a long fight. Tier two is at least a year away, and the only way to get there is hard work and effort." Bernard patted his grandson's shoulder.

"Yeah, I know. It's just weird. I'm training for all these combat scenarios and I'm not even in any immediate danger. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just pushing myself too hard. I have Bianca's lessons, I practice my meditation, Keva's teaching me some healing magic. Do you think I'm pushing myself too hard?"

"The only one who can decide that is you. We're not forcing you to do all these things." Bernard comforted him.

"What about that time you tied me to a pole and let magic beasts attack me for an hour?"

"I admit I may have gone a little overboard with that." Bernard looked off to the side.

Zeph scoffed. "Ya think?"

"Well, as I said, it was a rite of passage to test your mentality. Eli said you might be feeling helpless, so I decided to show you how tough you are. I could have stopped it at any time."

"Great, so you let a horde of animals attack me to show me how strong I am?" Zeph gave the old man the stink eye.

"Tough love. Besides, I could tell you felt like a badass after a few minutes. You were cussing at the beasts and telling them to give it all they got." Bernard gave the boy a wry smile.

Zeph rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, fine. But it was still a sucky thing to do. Especially since you knew I was depressed."

"In my defense, I've never had a kid before. I'm not good with the mushy stuff."

"Alright, I forgive you. Still, you should try to give me some warning. I was really freaked out for the first ten or so minutes." Zeph saw Bernard's eyes widen in sudden realization. "What?"

Bernard scratched his beard. "Well, speaking of warning….I forgot to tell you something."

"Okay?"

"Ronan got a call from his son. Marquis Alcott, in their territory, asked for permission for his wife, daughter, and mother in law to reside in Asperitus for a time."

Zeph tapped his foot and crossed his arms. "Alcott, why does which sound familiar. Wait, Ivy Alcott. Lili's friend is moving here?"

Bernard chuckled. "Yes, I gave them permission. It seems the girl is rather smitten with you, so you should think of how you're going to deal with that."

"Seriously, I thought I told you to stop playing matchmaker."

"Don't be so conceited. I did this for Eli, not you."

"What's Ivy have to do with Eli?"

"Not Ivy but her grandmother, Relina Ashgrove. Around fifty some odd years ago, the two of them almost got together. Unfortunately, circ.u.mstances prevented them from developing a relationship. She was widowed during the war a few years prior, so she felt hesitant to start a new relationship. Eli was still an agent for the government and was frequently sent on missions out of the country. Everyone could tell they liked each other, but it just never happened.

Even though Eli started working for me around a decade ago, I've known him since I was in my twenties. Eli once referred to her as 'the one that got away.' So, I'm using Ivy as an excuse to set him up with Relina."

"It's still matchmaking," Zeph smirked. "You know, I never really asked about the war. It started seventy years ago right?"

"Yeah, I spent my formative years in a dangerous time. Hopefully, that won't be the same for you."

"Well, that sounds ominous. Something you're not telling me?" Zeph leaned forward.

"Well, you are aware there is some civil unrest in the capital right?"

"Yeah, of course."

"It seems like there are people in the shadows at work, and those shadows have started to move in our territory." Bernard leaned back and sighed.

"Does it have something to do with the reporters?"

"Yes, right now we don't have much to go on," Bernard told Zeph about Eli's investigation. "I'll tell you more about it when we have more information."

"Why are you telling me this now?"

"At first, I wanted to protect you from it. Now I realize you deserve to know. You'll be accompanied by two nobles, aside from yourself, when you attend school. The chance that something will happen increased when Ivy arrived. I'm sending Eli to guard you, and Relina will be joining him on guard duty. It'll give them time together, and make sure nothing horrible happens. They're both very powerful people, so the chances of something bad happening are slim. If by some chance, you find yourself without them to protect you, I want you to let loose. Don't hold yourself back worried that the people around you might find out what you are or what you can do. I'll find a way to deal with any aftermath." Bernard reached over and grabbed the boy's shoulder. "Your life is far more important than some secret."

Zeph stared at his grandfather with a blank expression. "Uhm, a little melodramatic there. Is it really that bad?"

Bernard chuckled. "We don't know, and that's the problem. I have people in my domain who targeted my grandson, even if it was only to try and slander him. I'm confident in my power, but I try to prepare for the worst. The day after tomorrow, you'll be going out into the world. I'm just a little worried. Remember, I'm not used to this whole grandparent thing.

Zeph was still for a second, and then did something that surprised Bernard. The boy's arms wrapped around his grandfather, and he gave the old man a tight hug. "I'll be okay." It only lasted for a few moments, and then Zeph let go. He coughed quietly. "Well, I'm going to go find Rin," he said while leaving the room.

Bernard watched the boy leave. "Looks like I'm not the only one bad with the mushy stuff." He rubbed his eyes, and took a deep breath. "Well back to designing the 3D magic printer."

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