Gregory was able to forget about his talk with Bishop until it was time to head for the middle of the square. Each step made his stomach churn and his heart clench. This was going to be the moment his dream was either realized or broken.
By the time they joined the others, they were last in line. Gunnar moved Gregory to the front of their small group. Bishop stood on a small stage, and the first new adult, Stan, knelt before her with his head bowed.
“Child, you come before me on the verge of adulthood,” Bishop said. “Today is your age day, and you should rejoice. Today also marks the chance for you to join the ranks of the magi. Let us see if you have the spark of Aether inside of you.”
Stan trembled as her hand touched his head, his breathing fast, hands clenched into fists. “I’m ready to become an adult, Proctor.”
“Aether, have you blessed this child with your grace?” Bishop asked the sky, and blue flame covered the hand that gripped his skull.
Stan’s screams of pain filled the still air as everyone watched with stony faces, having experienced the same on their age day, or wide-eyed as they saw what they would endure in the years to come.
After what seemed like forever, the blue flame retreated into Bishop’s hand and she released Stan, who fell forward, crying. “You are now an adult, but no magi. May you find your place in the empire and grow strong.”
Stan’s father rushed up to help his son down off the stage and away. The moment he was gone, Chester stepped slowly onto the stage and hesitantly knelt before Bishop.
“Child, you come before me on the verge of adulthood,” Bishop began the ritual phrasing again, her face blank of emotion as she did her duty.
One by one, the line before Gregory diminished until he was the next one. All of them had failed to receive Aether’s blessing, and that ratcheted his anxiety to a level he had never known.
When Rebecca was escorted away by her mother, Gregory put his foot on the stage, his heart thundering in his chest. It’s now, now, that I become a magi. Are you watching, Mother? The question echoed in his head as he advanced the few feet to kneel in front of Bishop.
Bishop watched Gregory with the same blank expression she had been wearing during the whole ritual. Her voice held an odd inflection to Gregory’s ear as she spoke the words, “Child, you come before me on the verge of adulthood. Today is your age day, and you should rejoice. Today also marks the chance for you to join the ranks of the magi. Let us see if you have the spark of Aether inside of you.”
Gregory felt the fear fall away as the moment gained a crystalline clarity. “I will be a magi, Proctor,” his voice was firm, steady, and carried in the stillness of the moment.
“Aether, have you blessed this child with your grace?” Bishop asked the sky before the blue flame covered the hand that was gripping his head.
Gregory’s jaw clenched as Bishop’s grip seemed poised to crack his skull like an egg. That pain fled as blue flame crashed into his very being. Somewhere inside his pain-filled mind, Gregory knew it would last only moments, but it felt like time was stretching out before him, promising years of torment. Somewhere during the pain, blue flame ignited in his own body and a rush of energy filled him, infusing his very being with aether. The pain dimmed and receded, but the flames continued, now feeling as though they were embracing him like a lover.
Sound came back to Gregory as the moment passed, but instead of falling forward, he pushed himself to his feet. His eyes were burning blue, and his entire body was outlined in aether.
“Magi, the Velum Empire welcomes you. From today forward, your life belongs to the empire until you complete your duty. Say goodbye to your friends and family, for today, you are no longer who you were, but a novice.”
Gregory turned to look at the crowd, who stared back at him with fear and wonder. Eyes going to the side, he found Gunnar’s firm gaze and broad smile, Eloria’s disbelief, and Amoria’s broken smile and tear-filled gaze.
“Thank you, Alturis, for all you’ve done for me and my family,” Gregory said. “If I can, I will come back and repay the kindness that is owed.”
“Step behind me, Novice,” Bishop said. “I still have children to welcome to adulthood.”
Gregory did as she said, starting to come to terms with the fact he was Aether blessed and was going to the academy to train. Mother, thank you. Father, I hope you will accept this in time.
Gunnar was the next one to step onto the stage. He looked at Gregory, who had stopped glowing blue, before he knelt before Bishop. Bishop repeated the ritual words, carrying on as if nothing had happened.
Gunnar crashed forward in pain a few moments later, before pushing himself to his feet. Panting, he stared at Gregory, “Better make us proud, or I’ll come find you.”
Bishop stared at Gunnar hard, even when Gunther came and helped him off the stage. The two of them did not go far; Eloria was next, trembling as she stepped onto the stage.
Eloria’s screams made Gunther grab his son when Gunnar tried to reach for her. A few seconds later, she fell to the stage unconscious. Breaking his father’s grip, Gunnar jumped onto the stage and scooped Eloria into his arms. Leaving the stage, he kissed her forehead gently, which caused a small stir in the crowd.
“There is one child left. Please pay her the respect she deserves on this day,” Bishop said, which silenced the crowd.
Amoria’s hands shook, but her steps were steady as she advanced and knelt before Bishop. Bishop repeated the words she had said for every other person who had knelt before her. Amoria’s screams were in a different octave from her twin’s. She slumped to the stage a moment later, and Gregory started to move forward, but Bishop’s arm barred his path.
Tony, Amoria’s father, rushed forward and helped her from the stage. Amoria was crying as she looked back at Gregory. The pain and loss in her eyes made his heart tremble, but he stayed where he was.
“Alturis, today, you have been blessed. Aether has given one of your former children his grace. Say your prayers that he completes his tutelage and can serve the Velum Empire as a proud magi.”
The assembled villagers bowed their heads and spoke the words that many had never uttered, “Aether, blessed be you, for this gift to our village. May the empire smile upon us for strengthening their might. Thank you, Proctor, for helping our children become adults. May Aether and the empire reward you for your duty and diligence.”
“The ceremony of age has come to an end. Celebrate, people of Alturis, for today marks a day your village should be proud of,” Bishop’s voice was warm and full of cheer as she spoke. “Elder, let the drinks flow with the Emperor’s blessing, for new magi should be celebrated with reverence and abandon.”
The crowd cheered loudly, and many headed for the tavern. Bishop stepped back, turning to face the new magi, who was still coming to terms with the fact that he had achieved his dream.
“Gregory, you are to meet me here at sunrise. We have more villages to stop in before we make our way to Kendlin, and from there, the Magi Academy. Tonight is your night to celebrate, because after today, you are a magi of the empire.”
“Yes, Proctor,” Gregory said stiffly.
“Go enjoy yourself, but pay attention to your dreams tonight. Tonight, you take the first step of being a magi.” Without waiting for an answer, Bishop stepped off the small stage and walked toward the tavern, people parting for her as she went.
“You did it,” Gunnar smiled as he came over to congratulate his friend. “I always wanted to believe, but…”
“I know,” Gregory said, stepping off the stage and taking his friend’s hand.
Eloria and Amoria were crying together off to the side. Tony Delarosa held Amoria and stared at Gregory. Gregory felt ashamed that he could not pay back the kindness that the Delarosas had shown him over the years.
“Your path is going to be tough,” Gunther said, slapping Gregory on the back. “Don’t worry about your father. I’ll keep an eye on him for you. When you come back, he might have had time to accept this, so give him a chance.”
“Thank you,” Gregory said, unable to say more.
“You’re an adult now, and a magi,” Gunther said. “Come on, it’s time for your first drink. Tony, we’re taking him to the tavern,” Gunther called over to Amoria’s father.
“I’ll be there in a moment,” Tony replied.
Gregory let himself be hauled after Gunther, with Gunnar beside him. The flame he had felt inside himself earlier was now a banked coal, waiting to be called on again. The warmth of it in his chest made his steps seem lighter, but the coldness in his gut made him realize today was his last day with his friends.
