Zeph Malston: The Aether Mage

Zeph was walking through the streets on his first patrol. Everyone else was calling it clean up duty. At the moment, Relina didn't detect any irregularities near him, so he was just roaming around aimlessly, waiting for something exciting to happen. He kept his magic sense active to help search for any wandering creatures. His grandpa called him a couple of minutes ago and they started talking to pass the time.

"So then they spent the rest of the evening having a pity party and watching romantic comedies. Lili bailed on them and chased Rin around for a while. I just don't understand women." Zeph finished complaining.

"My boy, I have the ability to alter matter and even I haven't figured out that particular puzzle. What were you doing while that was going on?" Bernard was talking to his grandson on a new Holo-pendant.

"I did what any sane man would do and got out of there. I decided to practice meditation in my room until they cheered up... They never did." He sighed. "I found Bianca and Semara on the couch this morning asleep with empty bags of junk food."

"It's almost a full moon, so their behavior is understandable. I just hope Bianca isn't so grumpy this time."

"I don't know. She was really sweet to me, like a doting big sister." Zeph turned the corner to see something made his smile fade. "Aw man, not the Manaburger." His favorite fast food joint was closed and the side wall was broken down.

"What happened?" Bernard zoomed in on the map to see the building surrounded by rubble.

"Damn tears ripped apart the Manaburger. Sign says it's closed until further notice."

"Zeph, you need to clear the area of any stragglers as fast as you can."

"Damn right I do, we need this placed opened up as soon as possible. What are we going to do when Bianca makes an experimental dish now?"

"Not sure, I'm sending a message to Eli. He knows all the good places to order out."

Zeph felt an odd sensation with his magic sense. "I think I picked up something nearby. Anything on the map?"

"Relina just sent me a message, so it's confirmed." Bernard scrolled the map for signs of anything near Zeph. "Found it. There is a group of 4 shadow wolves to your right. I'm sending you the map now."

Zeph's Holo-pendant displayed his location and a route to his targets. He pulled out his gun and decided to use the restriction spell clip. Most of the clips housed spells that needed concentration or focus to keep active. If he used the gun, it would keep the spells active on its own. All he needed to do was supply the mana.

There were a couple of clips that had attack spells, but those were mostly for fun or target practice. Like any other mage, Zeph could make his own attack spells and didn't need to rely on his focus to do it for him. That's why Zeph's gun was unique with his spell clips. Other guns had one attack spell inscribed into it and the clip was actually a magic battery that provided the energy to cast the spell. Luckily, they had enough power to kill the monsters from the convergence, and the rescue teams were able to handle the majority of the invaders. Bernard even gave Zeph one as a backup weapon to use in case he ran out of magic power. Zeph made sure it was easily accessible before he went into the alley just in case he needed it.

"I'll disconnect so you can focus on your fight. Good luck son." Bernard ended his call with Zeph and dialed Bianca's number.

The fox-kin maid, now bodyguard, tapped her new bright green Holo-pendant. It was in the shape of a lotus flower. "Hi, boss. What's up?"

"I just wanted to hear your opinions on how Zeph is doing."

"Can't you see him with your scrying map?"

"I can, but it's only from a top-down view. I'll have to upgrade it when we start adjusting the city's grand spell formation."

"Too bad we have to wait until they figure out how the wards were breached before we start."

"Indeed, it takes a lot of time and effort to make changes to a city's spell formation and I would like to have a way to counter their ritual before I start. Any optional adjustments will have to wait. I don't want to waste resources doing it more than once if we don't have to." Bernard saw a flash of light on the map. "What was that?"

"Zeph just roasted a wolf with a lightning ball. I have to say, my little disciple isn't half bad."

"Of course, he's my grandson." Bernard smiled with pride.

Bianca watched as Zeph jumped backward to dodge an incoming wolf and then use telekinesis to dodge again in mid-air to avoid another. "He's gotten pretty good dodging. It took a while before I drilled it in his head that dodging was more efficient than just creating shields all the time. It's almost like someone trained him to stand still and just use shields to survive an onslaught." She said that last part sarcastically.

"You guys aren't going to let me live that down are you?"

"You tied him to a pole like a human sacrifice," Bianca chastised him. "I know it was a family tradition, but you could have waited a year.

Bernard sighed. "I was just trying to train him as my father trained me. The excitement of training my grandson clouded my better judgment."

Bianca was about to say more, but something surprised her. "Whoa, what the heck was that?"

"What happened?"

"One of the wolves was trying to gather magic power and Zeph shot this thin line of light into his body. Then it suddenly popped like an overblown baloon."

"Oh, that. That was the spell I told you he invented, Mana Needle."

"It looks pretty handy. Why didn't he use it earlier?"

"You have to pierce the targets spell armor or wait for it to break for the spell to work properly. It also requires the target to be in the middle of casting magic for it to…pop as you say." Bernard zoomed in on the action. "Two down, two to go."

Zeph was staring at a shadow wolf. One was in front of him, and the other behind. His magic sense helped him keep track of their locations. Those blind fighting lessons were really paying off. It helped him improve his magic sense greatly. The restriction spell from his gun was also helping by slowing the wolves down. He was glad he picked that spell for this situation. Debuffs were always a good idea, so he decided to look more into spells that would give his enemies negative effects. 'Poison or paralyze type status effects would be good.' A wolf opened its maw and shot a burst of black flame at him, shaking Zeph from his thoughts.

Zeph didn't react in time to dodge. The attack was too widespread, so he created an angled shield to deflect the dark firebolt instead. 'Damnit Zeph, don't let yourself get distracted,' he chastised himself. Not wanting to waste the magic he spent creating the shield, he shaped its edges into sharp blades and flung it at the wolf that attacked. The wolf wasn't expecting it and a large gash was carved into its right flank.

As the improvised attack hit, Zeph rolled to the side. The wolf that was behind him decided to attack.

Zeph wasn't tired, but he was starting to feel the drain on his magic reserves. These wolves were tough and could take a bunch of hits. He was lucky earlier when they underestimated him, and he was able to blast one with a lightning bolt before it raised its defenses. This was his first prolonged fight against multiple enemies this powerful. And he had to admit, it was exciting.

A sudden thought occurred to him, and it made him want to smack himself in the forehead. These were shadow wolves, so he should be using light-based magic. Zeph formed an orb of energy in his hand while continuing to dodge attacks. He remembered the ice grenade that Lili liked to use and decided to imitate that with light magic. It would take a bit of time and concentration because he wasn't used to this spell and he wanted to pack as much power into as he could."

The two wolves managed to land a few hits, but Zeph's spell armor was able to absorb most of the damage. They knew he was getting ready for a powerful attack, so the wolves attacked with increased ferocity. When Zeph's orb of energy finally started to shine a brilliant white, the two wolves stopped. They could feel the energy and knew it was a counter to the magic type that composed their being. It only took a second for them to decide to flee.

"Too late," Zeph said as he threw the brilliant white orb at the two wolves.

Bernard was watching on the monitor as the screen flashed for a second time. However, the light was brighter and more intense than the time he used that lightning attack. "What happened?"

Semara smirked. "He finally decided to use light magic. Took him long enough."

Bernard rubbed his chin. "That's true. He does stick to the lightning, telekinesis, and barrier magic a bit too much. I know I told him to find something to specialize in, but that shouldn't be until later."

"Don't worry. I'll talk to him about it this evening. I assume you and Eli will be staying late again?"

"Yes. Alex and Keva are going to be out as well. Their children wanted to get together. They decided to make some time for family because of the attack. Keva finally made some headway in her paperwork and is looking forward to some quality time with her loved ones."

Bianca had an amused look on her face. "So your grandson is going to be stuck in his mansion alone with two single girls for the next few days. You must be so proud." She wiggled her eyebrows.

Bernard laughed. "I am, but not for that reason."

"I know, but it seems pretty suspicious if you take it at face value." She chuckled. "He's a pretty lucky boy."

Bernard wouldn't call being stuck in a house alone with two shifters this close to a full moon lucky, but he'd never say it out loud. "Indeed he is. You two take care of him. I'm going to get back to some paperwork." he sent a few commands into his console with the map floating above it. "I've given you access to the city map so you can provide support. Tell Zeph I'll see him tomorrow."

"Sure thing." Bianca brought up a holographic map and set it to follow Zeph's position.

Zeph made sure that the creatures were well and truly dead. He checked the area for any more beasts and decided to leave when he didn't find any. As he walked away from the area, his Holo-pendant started vibrating.

He answered the video call and the image Bianca floated in front of him. "Talk to me BiBi."

"Well, someone seems chipper. Feeling that adrenaline high from a good fight?" She gave Zeph knowing look.

"I sure am, but I'm pretty sure you're ready to burst my bubble by telling me how bad I did." Zeph knew his teacher had some feedback she would like to share.

"Well now that you mention it." Bianca started to critique Zeph's performance, putting emphasis on his late realization about light magic.

Zeph listened quietly and didn't talk back. 'Welp, there goes my smile,' he thought.

"With all that said, I do have some good news for you." Bianca tried to cheer him up.

"Really? What is it?"

"I'm going to make you a special dinner tonight to celebrate your first day of monster hunting. I've even created a new recipe for such an occasion." Bianca's smile beamed.

Zeph's eye twitched, while he forced a happy look on his face. "Awesome coach. I can't wait." He had to resist the urge to fall on his knees and cry, 'Manaburger…WHYYY!'