Mesyo Mahas (1)

Linry and Riniock paused briefly, letting the overworld's bright light wash over them as their eyes adjusted to the open air. It was past the afternoon by that time.

 'Although it was productive, I can't say I'll miss that place,' Linry remarked, stretching out her limbs. 'What about you?'

 'I have no feelings about it,' Riniock replied flatly.

 'Of course,' Linry said with a knowing smirk, already expecting such a response. After a beat, she added, 'I meant to ask – why did you let the gorens go?'

 Riniock's tone was quiet but deliberate. 'I didn't.'

 Linry glanced at him, intrigued. 'Knowing you, there's no way you'd let someone who wronged you off the hook so easily.'

 Riniock offered a faint smile as he started walking. 'It seems you're unfamiliar with Berzinian law.'

 She fell into step beside him, her curiosity piqued. 'What's so special about it?'

 'In Berzin, crimes tied to mercantilism – like theft, extortion, or similar offenses – are treated with utmost severity,' he explained. 'If found guilty, the law demands imprisonment, starvation, and ultimately, execution.'

 Linry shuddered, her expression shifting. 'Gods…all that for something as minor? What happens to someone guilty of murder?'

 Riniock's eyes grew distant. 'You wouldn't want to know,' he said, leaving her question to linger unanswered.

 Their peaceful return was abruptly interrupted as their chaperones caught up to them, their faces flushed with frustration. Both guards appeared out of breath, evidence they had been searching tirelessly for the pair.

 'Where in Murat were you?' Riniock's guard demanded, his tone laced with hysteria as he hurriedly inspected him for injuries. He placed himself between Riniock and Linry, shooting her a suspicious glance. 'Did she harm you?'

 'What could she possibly do to him?' the other guard scoffed, only giving Linry a cursory once-over before adding, 'But seriously…where were you?'

 'We snuck away from you,' Linry replied smoothly, her tone void of any remorse.

 'To where?'

 'Hardly seems like your business,' Riniock interjected, his voice sharp and composed. 'If you wanted to know, you should've done a better job keeping track of us.'

 Their words struck a chord, leaving the guards momentarily deflated, as the truth behind them couldn't be denied.

 'Well, no matter,' Riniock's guard finally muttered. 'Let's get you both back to Gorlea.'

 'Of course,' Riniock replied, his thoughts already elsewhere. 'I imagine the arch-maegi will want to speak with me anyway,' he continued. He was promised a reward for completing this escort.

 The four maegis returned to Gorlea, their journey concluding at the grand gates of the college. Lazrus, the ever-vigilant gatekeeper, was there to greet them, his face lighting up with excitement at their arrival.

 'Oh, Riniock!' Lazrus exclaimed, his tone brimming with curiosity. 'How was your little excursion beyond the college grounds?'

 Riniock glanced at Linry briefly, a sly smile tugging at his lips. 'Fruitful,' he replied, the word carrying layers of ambiguity.

 The two guards exchanged wary glances, their suspicion evident. They couldn't fathom what might have occurred during the day that warranted such an enigmatic response from Riniock.

 'Good to hear,' Lazrus said with a nod. 'Shall I let you in?'

 'Please do. I need to report my return to the arch-maegi,' Riniock answered, stepping forward.

 'Ah, that's unfortunate,' Lazrus said, his expression turning apologetic. 'Arch-Maegi Karthen isn't available at the moment.'

 Riniock's brows knit together in a frown.

 'Has he left the grounds?' one of the guards inquired, his tone suggesting he had an idea of the arch-maegi's whereabouts.

 'Indeed,' Lazrus confirmed, raising a hand to dispel the protective barrier and allow them passage. 'I'll inform him of your return if he passes by during my shift.'

 With that, the group thanked Lazrus and moved inside, their paths diverging shortly after. The guards went their separate way, leaving Riniock and Linry to do the same.

 Riniock made a beeline for his dormitory, knowing from the day's schedule that his friend Niann would likely be there.

 'You're back!' Niann called out the moment Riniock stepped through the door, his voice full of excitement. 'Where were you?'

 'It's a long story,' Riniock replied, brushing off the question. 'I need your help with something.'

 Niann's expression turned curious. 'What is it?'

 'I need to learn some physical martial techniques,' Riniock said, his tone uncharacteristically serious.

 'Physical?' Niann repeated, blinking in surprise. 'You mean physical combat?'

 Riniock nodded, confirming his statement.

 'What for?' Niann asked, bewildered.

 Riniock sighed, rubbing where the lingering ache from the mace strike remained a painful reminder. 'Let's just say I've recently – painfully, I might add – been reminded of my shortcomings. Wielding magick alone might not always be enough to handle certain opponents.'

 Niann considered Riniock's words carefully, finding them unusually candid and revealing. 'So, you're looking for a way to learn physical combat techniques?'

 'Yes,' Riniock confirmed, his tone resolute. 'I'm fairly certain there's no official course for that here at the college.'

 Niann furrowed his brows in thought, mentally reviewing the schedules and timetables he'd come across. 'I don't know about official courses…but I do recall seeing something listed under Mesyo Mahas.'

 'Mesyo Mahas?' Riniock repeated, the unfamiliar name catching his attention. 'Who teaches it if it's not an official course?'

 'It's an extracurricular class,' Niann explained, nodding slightly as he pieced it together. 'So, I'd assume it's led by a student.'

 'A student?'

 'Yes. His name's Dirai Ocalli,' Niann said after a moment's pause, recalling the name. 'I'm certain that's it.'

 'Never heard of him,' Riniock remarked, his tone reflecting mild curiosity.

 'He's an older student,' Niann clarified. 'An aspirant, if I'm not mistaken.'

 'Thank you, Niann,' Riniock said sincerely.

 Niann smiled, giving a nod of encouragement. 'Anytime.'

 Tracking down Dirai Ocalli turned out to be less challenging than Riniock anticipated. He sought out the only aspirants he had prior connections with – Balidor and Aikan – and inquired about the student in question. According to them, Dirai resided in a secluded part of Gorlea where he often retreated to train.

 That's exactly where Riniock found him.

 'Dirai Ocalli?' Riniock called out as he approached, observing the student intently balancing on a wooden rod no thicker than a finger, his concentration unwavering.

 'I am he,' Dirai replied, his focus unbroken. 'What business does an acolyte have with me?'

 'I heard you teach physical combat arts.'

 'You've come to learn Mesyo Mahas? From me?' Dirai's tone shifted, and his eyes seemed to light up.

 'Er…yes,' Riniock answered, slightly thrown off by the unexpected enthusiasm.

 With a fluid motion, Dirai descended from the rod, halting his training. His face broke into a wide grin, his expression radiating gratitude and excitement.

 'Finally,' he exclaimed, his voice trembling slightly. 'I thought I'd never see the day when someone would want to learn this art from me.'