Anyone apart of a mage family knows of the intricate processes it takes to create a circle. Alexander had learned it from a young age like most nobles. It was almost required to know the basic rune formations for the main elements, most certainly the runes of your family. Alexander had remembered the first rune formations of the four elements, however light and darkness were harder to aquire.
The royal family kept most of the knowledge of it, locking the ability to reach higher circles behind extensive contracts and servitude to the royal family.
Alexander through his extensive experimentation and knowledge was able to solve that first step.
The next two required time, for isolation and preperation.
Isolation was necessary, for some it could take months to form a circle and the higher the circle the longer it would take, but the highest nobles had work arounds. The greatest alchemists found ways to boost mana shortening the time it takes to form circles.
Alexander remembers vividly how quickly the royal heirs reached third and then fourth circle. They have not only access to the highest quality potions but mages to assist them. Alexander knows he is at a disadvantage from those facts alone.
He only has three weeks. Two really. That was why he had aquired all the materials he needs before hand.
Alexander searches through his room frantically grabbing the materials he will need before heading to the only secluded place he can think of. He grabs a brown satchel sitting underneath his dark brown wooden desk. The satchel was worn from years of use and the edges of the leather straps frey where they have rubbed against his shoulder. It had a single flap that was buttoned on either side to keep it secure.
It was a simple satchel and a hand-me-down from his mother. Something she had used herself as a girl when she worked in a flower shop. Alexander rummages through his lower desk drawers lifting up a hidden comparment with a thin metal rod to find the materials he had stached away.
One was a potion. It was omething he made months ago in preperation of this time, he first thought he might have to form his first circle at the academy but things moved faster than he thought. His alchemy teacher was not the best money could buy but it was enough for simple potions like this. A mana focus potion would allow him to use the minimal mana he had to form the first circle. It was also the reason why it was rare for commoners to develop magic without sponsors.
Without money there was no hope for anyone.
The second material was dried Telfa flowers, they are grown in only the most mana rich regions of the empire and the world. When ground and created into an ink they are used for the painting of the runes. Each needs to be exact as the flow of mana is directed from the circle and into the very fabric of their mana veins.
Then the mana needs to be guided to the center of mana and the center of their life. The mana heart. Where mana and blood converge and the center of life is.
One mistake can send you to your death and another can send you to control the elements of nature.
Alexander packs his bag with his final necesseties. His research journal (at least the most recent iteration), the brushes and tools needed to create the runic circle, and one more bottle. A brown liquid he would need for later.
'Alright, It looks like I'm done here.' Alexander looks over his room and realizes in his hurry he had cleaned it. In his rush, sitting in the back of his mind he realizes he was saying goodbye. Goodbye to eighteen years of struggle and pain, and bye to the only night he felt that he wasn't alone.
Sigh.
Alexander can feel a weight leave his shoulders. A burden of powerlessness in a world where he was alone. Alexander was stuck in his mind.
'It's not over yet.' He thinks to himself. 'It's time to make up an excuse.'
Alexander with his satchel over his shoulder heads out of his room and passed the few mades cleaning the western wing. Each room he passed he knew was either barren or long covered in fabric from lack of use. The manor of abandoment, barely enough wealth to maintain it's history.
Alexander finds his way and lingers by his father's study, wondering where it all went wrong, but he quickly heads to the lower floor. The lower floor was mainly for the servants, hosting guests and cooking of course.
He knew he would find her here. At least this early.
Alexander pushes open the kitchen door and finds his mother, Violet, was in a silky grey slip matching her silver hair and a tight white apron. She was cooking breakfast for Ana who was waiting patiently by the counter snacking on some shortbread cookies. They were both smiling and chit chatting as Violet checked her knowledge about the Emperial history.
"Okay baby. Now do you remember the name of the four duke families currently in power?" Violet asks as she whisks up some torana eggs they had gotten from a near by rancher. They were about the size of her palm and only ever needed one or two to feed two people.
Ana pops up from the chair, "Erva house of lava, Argon house of Storms, Drago house of black earth."
Violet turns around to face Ana with a smile and sees Alexander standing in the doorway. For a moment her eyes widen as she sees the look on his face. The determination. Her heart jumps for a moment and Alexander smiles.
"Well baby that's good, it seems like soon we can move on. Now Alex are you going to say hello." Violet looks passed Ana and calls him over.
Ana jumps up in excitement and Alex ruoughs up her curly hair. "Hey Ana, see you are studying hard." He looks to Violet, "I can't stay long. There is a lot to prepare before I leave. I just wanted to say goodbye."
Alexander roughs up her hair again. "I will be staying with Drakk for the next two weeks. One final project before I go, nothing serious.."
Violet and Ana look at him sadly and Ana begins to protest.
"Your brother needs to do what he needs to do.." Violet says trying to ease Ana.
"I will visit every holiday, promise lil Sister." Alexander puts out his pinky finger and she grabs it.
"You better!" Ana says loudly.
"Mother, if you could. Tell Father. I doubt he will bother me but just in case." Alexander gets up and tells them he will see them soon.
Alexander avoids everyone and takes the exact same route to the smithery. Alexander doesn't plan to take Drak's room from him. He remembers that he had told him one day of a storage shed Drak has stopped working in. That would be enough.
Alexander passes through the same trees he did last time except now Drak is up and working in his forge. Drak is still covered in soot to the point his dark skin is barely noticeable under the charcoal grey lining his face and arms. Although he is a foot shorter than Alexander his barrel arms and chest seemed twice the size.
CHING!
Drak takes a large hammer and slams it into the glowing blue steel. With each slam off his hammer it sends blue-white sparks off the irridescent metal. Repeatedly he begins to shape the strange metal. At first it sits in the form of a brick but as Alexander watches Drak work the metal with his large dark brown arms, it begins to take the shape of a small cylinder. Hammer after hammer the blue steel bends to his will and although the light yellow flames seems unbareable… Drak does not waver.
Alexander becomes as lost in Drak's work as much as he is.
The small cylinder of blue steel is forged longer and longer until it sits at thirteen inches long with a gradual taper from it's base. Drak grabs a set of tongs hanging on his hip and gently picks up the cooling metal no longer shining the white irridescent glow.
Drak holds it up and turns towards the sun behind him. He slowly brings down the rod proud of his work, a smile Alexander has never seen, but then Drak notices him. His face falters.
"Great.. What do you want now?" Drak groans and sets the rod down.
Alexander chuckles. He has bothered this old man since he was a kid and probably added a few greys to his beard. However Alexander has never met anyone more willing to help.
"Nothing serious. I know you are plenty busy.. That shack you never use, can I borrow it for the next two weeks."
Drak mulls it over.
"Nothing else. No sudden orders or extensive tedious tasks. That are so boring I oculd die from old age."
Alexander puts his hands together jokingly, "I promise with all my heart. I really just need the space from the family and if you could make sure they don't bother me that would be great."
Alexander pulls out a bottle from his satchel. It was filled with brown liquid.
"Of course, not for free." Alexander passes him the bottle.
Drak takes it from him, inspects it over and smiles as if he was a wealthy merchant doing business with the emperor himself.
"The shack is yours kid, and not a soul will know you are even there." Drak pops the cork from the bottle and takes a swig. A crisp sound leaves his mouth and he goes back to his work.
Alexander doesn't bother him anymore he has too much to prepare.
The shack isn't far. It is behind the small house Drak had made into his smithery and home. It sits about thirty feet surrounded by overgrowth and trees. Alexander doesn't think he has used it in years and from the looks of it Drak hasn't ever used it. Alexander pushes past the bushes and overgrown foliage blocking the old dirt path to the shack, until he stands right in front of it.
The wood seems held up by nails made of rust and wood that is one second away from being blown into dust. Alexander has seen it before in the distance but up close he can't help but sigh. It is five feet by five feet. Just enough for what he needs. Alexander tries to gently open the door but after two seconds the gentle becomes a forceful push as the rust from the doors hinges break open. Alexander stumbles into the small shack and lands among the dust filled materials.
Most are decayed or so broken down from time they were unrecognizable. Luckily the floor was relatively clear. Alexander quickly catches himself and gets to work. He cleans the area and pushes everything to the back wall where a single window pulled the forest light into the shack.
Alexander looks at the space and with one final sigh he lets out his thoughts.
"This will have to do."