CHAPTER 1 --- The boy's past, Szigen
	"????????Szigen) was only 8 when he found out he was a magic.   But he has more magical power than any other magic on this planet, you must know that." 
  "Ofcourse I do, his parents were some of the best magics there were.  But they left him with nothing.   We can't bring him here, into magical society.  He's too used to the non-magic society and the little neighborhoods.  I don't think he'd be able to adapt."  
  "You haven't even tried!  You don't know that he wouldn't adapt!  Why don't you give him a chance and bring him here!"
  "It's not that simple ????????Tayona)!  There's a whole process to go through, registering him, there's too much, it's too big of a change.  He's not old enough to deal with it."
  "You don't know that, why don't we try.  He knows the language; we sent him those learner books.  Remember that he knows a few basic spells and the language.  The books sent us back reports, the results say he's got so much stored power, so much potential, why don't we try.  I haven't seen him since he was a baby!  He's your nephew ??????(Pauto)!"
  "I don't want to talk about this anymore.  I will think about it."     



	Szigen was a teenager of 15 years old.  He was about 5 feet 8 inches tall, with light brown hair and bright orange eyes.  He was well built, and healthy like a normal person.  He was a regular guy for the most post, except he had magical talents that no other 15-year-old in his school, even in the world had.  Szigen was a fairly normal looking and acting guy.  He lived by himself in his own apartment.  The government put him in this apartment because he had no family in Canada.  He had an uncle and an aunt in Italy, but they said, "they couldn't take him right now", so the government put him in this apartment.  The reason they put him in an apartment opposed to just throwing him in an orphanage or foster home, is that they knew he was a magic, and that no non-magic family would take him in.  And the magic families in Canada, the government didn't contact.  The special enclosed magic neighborhoods in the cities of Canada ran themselves and the government didn't care what they would do.  So since he's been 12 he's been in this apartment. For the 11 years before, his parents tended to him, left and never returned.  No one ever heard from them again.  Szigen doesn't make it well know that he's a magic, the only people that know are the school staff and his best friend Max.  Max is a sort of tall, well built, with dark brown hair, and brown eyes.  Max is very interested in Szigen's magic, and has always been a good friend.



CHAPTER 2 --- Szigen ... and his letter


		
  "Yo szi!" Szigen's friend yells to him running in the hallway after school, when the final dismissal bell rang, and catches up to him.
	It was Tuesday, December the 5th, 2001.  It was a snowy month too.
 "Hey Max! What's up man?" he asks.
  "Heh, not too much.  You?" he answers.
  "Not much here either." He replies.
  "You walkin' (home)?" he asks.
  "Vee-teepo  (??????????Yeah)" he says.
  "Eh?" he inquired.
  "It means yes in Majon." He laughs and explains to his friend.
  "Okay cool."  
	They went to their lockers (which are right beside each other) and got their stuff to go home. 
  "So, I was wondering..." Max said kind of shyly, "do you know any magic to make my homework easier or something like that?"
  "No not really."
  "Ahhhh, shucks!  I've got lots to do.  Can you make the teacher forget to ask for it to be handed in?"
  "Uhhhh, maybe.  I don't think so though."
  "Man!  Oh well, I guess I'll just have to do it." Max said disappointed.  "Hey Szi, I've never been to your place.  Can we check it out?"
  "Well, it's just me there.  And I have some stuff, but there's no magic things in it, but sure, we'll check it out."
	Max and Szigen walked to Szigen's apartment building.  3330 Garther Street.  Szigen took his keys from his pocket and picked out a little one.  He used it to open his mailbox.  It was #1212.  He pulled out a couple of thick magazines and a letter.  They went up the elevator to the top floor, and then down the hall to Szigen's apartment.  Szigen took out his keys again and picked out the key to his apartment door.  He unlocked the door and opened it.  Szigen and Max walked in.  Szigen's apartment was a bachelor apartment.  It was all painted white.  The door took you into the main room.  In the main room had a couch facing a TV.  Beside the couch was a stereo in a stereo cabinet.  Off of the main room was a kitchen, and a small hallway to a bathroom and bedroom.  
  "Nice place you got here Szi." Said Max.
  "Oh thanks." Sizgen said, flipping though one of his magazines.
  "What's that you got there?" Max asked, pointing to the magazine.
  "Oh it's a magazine I get from Italy, it's a magazine on magic stuff." Szigen casually responded.
  "Cool!  I suppose it's not in English though eh?" Max asked.
  "Nope it's in Majon." He said. "Hey cool!  There's a magic-net card in here.  It's one of those 16-day-free magic-net cards." Szigen said excitedly.  He pulled out a card from a paper slot in the back of the magazine.  It was about the size of a playing card, it had one side that was completely black, and another side that had a white background and a picture of a planet on it with the word "??????????(Magic Net)" imprinted on the bottom in blue lettering.  
  "Cool!" Max said, "... what's a magic-net card?" 
  "Oh it's a special magic item that turns into a sort of computer thing.  There's like an Internet in the magic community.  It's called the magic-net.  It's like the non-magic one, but it's got magic stuff in it."
  "WHOA!  COOL!" Max was jumping up and down in excitement.  "Do it! Do it!"
  "Okay, I'll activate it." Szigen said laughing at Max's reaction.  Szigen held the card in front of him at arms-length and let go.  The card mystically floated there, the white side with the graphic on it facing him.   The card started to glow a neon blue and span at a very fast speed.  Blue sparks were flying from the card.  All the sudden it just popped, and it turned into a flat rectangle that looked like a chalkboard.  Max had his jaw dropped with awe.  
  "Whooooaaaaaa....   That was sooooooo cooooool." Said max, still amazed and having a hard time believing what he had saw. 
Szigen was very clearly amused at Max's reaction.  All the sudden on the screen popped up the words "?????????????????????How can I help you?)"  Szigen spoke to it.
  "Nay-aska vee Greeto shi.  Garo tow saska donn washata. (??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Please give me information on Szigen Nesco.  Please display the information in English language.)"
The screen put up a picture of Szigen and beside that his name, address, age, date of birth, parents names, status, occupation, and a bunch of numbers.  Max was still amazed, he had never seen such a thing!  Here he was looking at something that looked like a floating, rectangular chalkboard!  And it was showing him a whole bunch of information about Szigen.  
  "So, what do ya think, eh Max?" Szigen asked.
  "Whoooooah, it's amaaaazing!" Max replied. 
Szigen had just remembered something, his letter!  He hardly ever got letters, and never had he got one that was addressed in Majon!  He turned around and got the letter from his table. 

 ????????????????????
????????????????????????????????
???????????????????????
???????

?To: Mr. Szigen Esben
3330 Garther Street Appt # 1212
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Q1P 2K0)

Szigen was now very curious, although wondering why there was no return address.  Who could it be from?  He went into the kitchen and got a knife, and opened the letter.  He took it out and unfolded it.  It was written in Majon.  In English it read:

'Dear Szigen,

This letter is from your Aunt Tayana and Uncle Pauto.  We are your only living relatives.  Inclosed in this letter is a special card.  It has the power to perform any spell you tell it to.  Use it to cast a spell called "GAJON LUSCOR" it's a spell that will give you a staff called a Grason.  A staff you can use to practice magic.  I imagine you don't know any magic, or only a little.  How are you?  We are trying to bring you here to Italy to stay with us, we just need to do a few things first.  There's a local school of Magic in Italy called Embided's School of Magic.  Were hoping even though you're a year over the first-year admittance line, and you probably don't know enough magic, we hope they can make an exception, and tutor you privately to bring you back up to speed.  They're reserving a spot for you.  It's May now, and school here in the magic community starts in early October.  Were hoping we can get you up here by July.  Your 15 now aren't you?  The last time we saw you, you were just a baby.  We've prepared a room for you already.  If you have the magic-net, net-check us.     Our magic-net access is ???????????????

Farewell, hopefully we can talk to you later
Your Aunt Tayana and Uncle Pauto




Chapter 3 --- The ANYSPELL Card and the Grazen staff

????????????????????
????????????????????????????????
???????????????????????
???????

?To: Mr. Szigen Esben
3330 Garther Street Appt # 1212
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Q1P 2K0)

Szigen was now very curious, although wondering why there was no return address.  Who could it be from?  He went into the kitchen and got a knife, and opened the letter.  He took it out and unfolded it.  It was written in Majon.  In English it read:

'Dear Szigen,

This letter is from your Aunt Tayana and Uncle Pauto.  We are your only living relatives.  Inclosed in this letter is a special card.  It has the power to perform any spell you tell it to.  Use it to cast a spell called "GAJON LUSCOR" it's a spell that will give you a staff called a Grason.  A staff you can use to practice magic.  I imagine you don't know any magic, or only a little.  How are you?  We are trying to bring you here to Italy to stay with us, we just need to do a few things first.  There's a local school of Magic in Italy called Embided's School of Magic.  Were hoping even though you're a year over the first-year admittance line, and you probably don't know enough magic, we hope they can make an exception, and tutor you privately to bring you back up to speed.  They're reserving a spot for you.  It's May now, and school here in the magic community starts in early October.  Were hoping we can get you up here by July.  Your 15 now aren't you?  The last time we saw you, you were just a baby.  We've prepared a room for you already.  If you have the magic-net, net-check us.     Our magic-net access is ???????????????

Farewell, hopefully we can talk to you later
Your Aunt Tayana and Uncle Pauto

?Szigen was frozen in suspense.  He didn't know what to do.  He looked in the envelope and there was a card about the size of a playing card.  It looked sort of like the magic-net card.  It had a navy blue back, and the other side had a orange background with a graphic of a white ball with rainbow-coloured rings around it at the middle of the card.  The rings looked like they were actually spinning around the ball.  On the bottom in Black lettering was "????????????? (ANYSPELL Card)".  Max was walking around the magic-net screen, trying to take it all in.  
  "I wonder what to do with this." Szigen thought. "I guess I'll use it with the GAJON LUSCOR spell." 
  "Hey Max, read this." Szigen said to Max as he handed him the letter.
  "Ha ha ha, it's in your language."  Max said.
  "Oh Yeah, oops." Szigen said and laughed.  Szigen walked up to the magic-net screen held the letter open in front of it.
  "Kaska mee veaco do English gotof. (?????????????????????????????????????Show me this in the English language)"
The screen flashed black, and displayed the letter in English for Max to read.  Max read it, amazed at what he was reading.  When Max had finished reading, he said "What does this mean Szi"?
  "I don't know Man, I really don't know.  I guess I should use the ANYSPELL Card to do GAJON LUSCOR."  Szigen said.
  "More magic!  Cool!  Do it!" Max said, excited that he was gonna see more magic.  Szigen held the card out at arms-length and let it go, it floated there for a second, then it glowed neon blue and lit up the room.  It started spinning very fast and then the card stopped.
  "GAJON LUSCOR!" Szigen shouted at it with both his hands stretched out at opposite sides, left and right, of the card.  It seemed like the card was just floating between his hands.  The card started to glow again, this time purple.  It turned into a purple light and formed the shape of a one metre long stick with a ball at the end.  When the stick stopped glowing you could see it's colours.  The staff part was black, and the ball was a pure cloudy, misty blue.  The staff looked like it was made out of metal, or plastic.  The ball floated about a centimetre above the top of staff, it looked like it was a glass ball that had a mist inside of it.  Max was yet again flabbergasted, jaw dropped, eyes open wide, eyebrows up to his hairline.  The staff slowly flipped itself horizontally and floated in front of Szigen's hands.  He turned his hands facing up with his open palms, and the staff floated into his hands.  Szigen gulped. 
  "WOW!" Max yelled in excitement.  
  "Wow" Szigen said, almost in shock.  There was something engraved in the.staff in bright sky blue lettering.  Szigen didn't recognize some of the script though

"????????????????????????????????????????????????????"
  
  "Hey Szi, I think there's something engraved on it!  What does it say?"  Max inquired curiously.
  "I don't recognize the letters in the first word, but the rest of it says ' Szigen Magic is your gift, YOU are the one '."
  "WOW!!!" Max shouted.
  "Yeah.  I gotta magic-net-mail them right now!" Szigen said in excitement.
  "Eh?" 
  "Oh, it's like e-mail ... but it's more like a phone call.  I think...  I've never used it before.  I know that if they don't answer then you can leave a message, but if they're there, you can talk with them one on one, with visual." Szigen explained.
  "Ooooooh, cool."
  "Gesco harash ino fay-tempost kay a va T-P-Esben-magic-net-D (????????????????????????????????????????????????Magic net mail for me, T-P-Esben-magic-net-D)
The Screen showed a picture of the Globe and a ring around it, the ring was spinning around and around.  Then "????????????????????????????????? (No Answer, leave a Message please)"
Szigen talked to it.  
"Qwee Aunt Tayana, Uncle Pauto.  Gi-show Szigen.  Ino vish tash lettredo.  Ino disk veso Grazen.  Ino fat kay-co predo gano, bosca, leda ton Szigen, to-es magic fas, ton isto yeso oka.  Tona vee coa sheen?  Gato Minoch cha.  Hobicha. ("??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????'???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
????"?????"Hello Aunt Tayana, Uncle Pauto.  It's Szigen.  I got your letter.  I made the Grazen.  I don't understand the first word, but the rest says 'Szigen, magic is your gift.  YOU are the one.  What does this mean?  Magic-net-mail me back.  Bye.")
When Szigen finished, the screen displayed "???????????? (MESSAGE SENT)" 
  "Well, I sent them a message.  I hope they call me back." Szigen said, a little disapointed that his aunt and uncle couldn't answer his call.
  "Well Szi, they'll probably catch ya back sometime, eh." Max said, trying to comfort his friend.

CHAPTER 4 --- Tara


	The next day Szigen and Max met up on their way to school.  They left at the same time every morning so they could walk together.  When they got there, they found there was a new student in their first period class, Math.  She was just sitting there at her desk.  A very pretty girl, 15 like Szigen and Max.  When Szigen saw her he sensed something about her, something different.  Max was amazed at how good-looking she was.  Szigen's seat was right beside hers.  Max's seat was in front of  Szigen's.  
  "Hi." Szigen said to the new girl. "My name's Szigen."
  "Hi, I'm Tara." She replied. "Nice to meet you." 
Szigen still sensed something odd about this girl, she had purple eyes.  This wasn't that strange, she could've had contacts on.  Szigen's eyes weren't a normal colour though.  They were orange.  So who was he to talk.  
  "Szigen, that's a sort of unusual name, don't ya think?" The girl asked.
  "Yeah, it's not very common.  I don't have a Canadian background.  My family is more European." Szigen answered.
  "Me too!  My mom's Albanian and my dad's Italian.  My grandpa on my dad's side is Greek, and my grandma on my dad's side is Italian.  My grandma on my mom's side is Albanian, and my grandpa Italian."
  "Wow!  What a combo!  My mom was Italian, and my dad was German.  And I don't know about my grandparents.  My parents left me when I was 11, and no one knows where they went." Szigen said.
  "Aaaaah that's too bad.  I'm sorry." Tara said in sympathy.  
  "It's okay, I've gotten use to it.  I live uh.... With my grandparents." Szigen didn't want to say that he lived by himself.  
  "Oh that's cool.  I just got here from Italy.  I know Italian, Albanian, German and English and uh ... oh that's all." Said Tara.
  "Yeah, I know Italian, German and English.  Where'd you get the purple eyes from?" Szigen asked
  "Oh, my eyes.  I'm wearing contacts.  Like them?" 
  "Yeah, they're cool.  I like it."
  "What about yours?  Orange?"
  "Heh, Yeah contacts..."
The bell rang, and the rest of the class entered the room.  
	After class, Szigen, Max and Tara went to their lockers.  Tara's new locker was right beside Szigen's.  
  "I gotta go to French class, I'll catch ya later, eh Szi." Max said as he got his books and went to his next class.  
  "What class do you have next?" Szigen asked Tara.
  "Spanish, you?" she repied.
  "Same!  Mrs. Hon?" Szigen said.
  "Yeah!"
  "Cool!"
Szigen and Tara went to Mrs. Hon's Spanish Class.  Then they met up with Max at their lockers at lunch.  Szigen introduced Tara and Max.  By the end of the day, Tara and Szigen had certainly become friends. 
  "I gotta go home and study, then I gotta go to work and come home to more studying.  So I'll catch you two later, kay?" Max said.
  "Yeah sure." Tara and Szigen said together.  They laughed.  Max rolled his eyes and thought to himself "They just met, already their flirting." As we split up and walked home.
  
  "So you wanna get some pizza, or somethin'?"  Szigen asked "My treat."
  "Sure!" Tara said.
Szigen found out that Tara wasn't actually so shy after all.  She was actually very energetic and outgoing.  He found out what she lived, what she didn't, things she's been through and things she'd like to do.  Szigen felt so right with Tara.  He almost let it slip that he was a magic.  She wanted to know all about him, and he wanted to know all about her.  She said she was here on an exchange program.  And she described Italy to him.  It just made Szigen think more about how much he wanted family, how much he wanted to have a tree with presents under it at Christmas time, and people to share it with.  It made Szigen want a family, it made him want to wake up to a family in the morning, and know that they're there at night.  It made him want comfort, and love.  Tara reminded him that he had an aunt and an uncle in Italy.  It made Szigen realize just how alone he is.  Tara almost seemed to notice this.  So she slyly changed the subject.  They had gone to the Pizza place, the arcade and then to a restaurant around 7:00 for dinner.  At about 9:00, they decided to go home.  Szigen took Tara back to her house, and then wen home and did the little homework he had received.  He went on the magic-net and looked up how to do things with his new Grazen staff.  He could do much more now that before.  He was amazed at the possibilities and potentials and powers of the magic he had.  He only wished that he could go to Italy to see his relatives.  To have a family, a home.  He went to bed around 10:45 and didn't sleep a wink.  
He woke up in the morning at the sound of his alarm clock.  It was Thursday.  He was so tired he couldn't bear it.  He felt horrible.  When he got up and went to the kitchen to get his cereal, he had such a headache it was driving him crazy.  So he left a message on the school's answering machine saying he couldn't make it today, and he went back to bed.  After school Max called him.
  "Hello?" Szigen said.
  "Hey Szi!  Where were you today?" Max asked.
  "Oh, I was feeling real crappy man.  I didn't go."
  "That Tara girl was looking for you, eh." Max said intriguingly "I think she likes ya, huh." 
  Szigen laughed "Well, I like her.  I hope she likes me.  We have a lot in common.  I learned a lot about her, we were out all night."
  "Ooooooh, you sly dog you.  Pickin' up the chicks eh.  I see what your doing."  Max said, joking.
  "Ha ha, man.  No seriously, I really like her.  There's something different about her." Szigen said.
  "Yeah, I guess so.  And she's really hot!" 
  Szigen laughed "Yeah, she's pretty cute.  Anyway, see ya later eh" 
  "Yeah, see ya later." Max hung up.  Szigen put the phone down.
On Friday, Szigen went back to school and talked to Tara some more.  They exchanged phone numbers.  In Spanish class, second period.  They made plans for the weekend.  Max had to go with his family for a reunion, so it was just Szigen and Tara.  They went to the subway station and then to Yorkdale Mall.  A local Toronto Mall.  They spent their whole day there, looking around, saw a movie, got some stuff, played in the arcade, and ate dinner in a restaurant.
  "This is really good food." Tara said over dinner.
  "Yeah, I know.  They have a really good burger." Szigen said.
  "Listen, Szigen.  There's something I have to tell you ... about me."
  "There's something I wanna tell you too Tara." 
  "Well, I think I already know what you have to say.  But you have no clue about what I'm going to say, that I'm sure of."
  "How could you possibly know what I want to tell you?"
  "Well, I'm pretty sure."
  "Okay, we'll I'm gonna tell you anyway." Szigen said.
  "Well... Okay, but I already know what your going to say, and what I have to say is about that."
  "How?  You don't know what I'm thinking."
  "I know your -" 
  "I'm a magic"
  "I know.  I was sent here to see you.  I'm here to watch over you here and teach you magic so you can come to Italy."
Szigen was absolutely shocked.  How did she know!?!  "What did she mean, she's here to see me?  I don't understand.  Did my aunt and uncle send her?  How did she know where I lived?" Szigen thought to himself.
  "Ummm... I think I should go, I'll see you at school on Monday, bye."  Tara said, and she rushed off.
Szigen was still sitting there, shocked.  When the waiter came along he took the check and then he left home on the bus. 
When Szigen got home, he went straight to bed, but again, he didn't sleep a wink.  He was up all night thinking about Tara.  About what she had said, "she was here to teach him?".  What did she mean?  And she was here to watch over him?  He didn't need to be watched over, he was 15 years old.  He lived by himself, and he didn't need protection.  It frustrated Szigen.  He got up after about an hour of trying to get to sleep, and turned on his magic net screen.
  "Ino Gitcha English langua, dipio daisen English langua.  (?????????????????????????????????????????????????I will speak in English, display in English.)"
The screen flashed and showed "Display language has been set to English Language." 
  "Show me the magic-net files on the magic government's agents with the first name Tara." Szigen instructed it.
The screen flashed, it displayed a picture of Tara, the Tara Szigen knew.  It showed her full name. 'Tara Troy', her status 'single', her position 'Q-level', and her current mission 'current mission is a recovery mission', and a whole bunch of registration numbers.
  "Is this all the information you have?" Szigen asked the screen.
"Yes, any more information on this person is classified by The Magic Government.  A level 'Q' or higher authorization is needed to view more on Tara Troy." The Computer said to him.  Szigen went into his room and picked up his Grazen Staff.  He pointed it at the computer.
  "Power of Magic, Power of the Grazen Staff, Grant me this task.  Let me see ALL information on Tara Troy!" Szigen said.
The blue mystic ball glowed blue, a blue ray of light shone from the ball to the magic-net screen like a flashlight.  The magic-net screen flashed and displayed.  "Szigen Esben, you have been granted the highest authority of 'X' level.  You have special status at High Government level.  Your Grazen staff has special powers, and as do you.  Your power is high enough, that you have been granted the highest level authorization.  Use it wisely." The screen said this to him and then flashed with more information about Tara.  It said that a level 'W' person, but didn't say why or who had sent her here.  It also said that she is a level 3 mage.  From what Szigen knew, this was a very high level of for a magic.  Was Tara a hired spy, registered by the magic government or something?  Szigen didn't know quite to make of it.  What was going on?  Why did his life have to take such a turn?  And why hadn't his aunt and uncle called him back yet? It's been two days since he sent them a message.  Did they still want him to come to Italy?  This had Szigen really confused.  
The next day at school Szigen met up with Max and Tara.  Szigen had some questions for her.  Over first period class, Szigen and Max were passing notes to each other.  Szigen was telling Max about what happened on the weekend, and what he found out.  At lunch, Szigen and Max met up with Tara.  Tara was sitting at a table by herself in the cafeteria, Szigen went and sat opposite of her, Max beside Szigen.  
  "Tara, I know who you are and what you are.  I don't know who sent you, or what your 'mission' here exactly is.  Tell me, I deserve to know.  Who sent you, and what are you here to do?" Szigen said.
  "How did you find out?  You don't have access to my information." Tara asked, avoiding Szigen's questions.
  "I have my ways.  Now tell me." Said Szigen.
  "Not here, I'll come to your place after school.  We'll talk then, okay?" Tara responded.
  "Okay, but I want you to come with answers, okay?"
Tara didn't answer. Szigen and Max had a meeting for the Student Council, so they had to leave. 
 	After school, Szigen and Tara walked home together with Max.  On the way home, Tara was explaining.
  "Your aunt sent me here, she is highly respected by the magic community for her wisdom and magic.  Your uncle is also held very highly, he's the ambassador for the magic government to the world of Archiosa." Tara stated.
  "Archiosa?" Max asked.
  "It's a side dimension where magical creatures live.  It was created by many very powerful mages.  A mage is another word for a magic.  Anyway, your aunt sent me to bring you up to speed, and make sure you were okay.  I'm a magic government agent yes, but I also do favors for people.  The magic government has contacts all over the world, two of them are my supposed parents, so that there's no suspicion about me."
  "Why would a government hire a teenager to be a spy?" Szigen asked.
  "Well, they couldn't send an adult.  It would be pretty hard to put an adult in school to watch over you, now wouldn't it?  Anyways, the magic government decided it would be beneficial to have younger spies for trickier missions a little before my time.  Teenagers are less conspicuous and more agile.  So, your aunt wanted to send someone to watch over you and train you so you could go to Embided's School of The Magic Arts.  Since we knew eachother, I'm her friends daughter, she knew that I was an agent, and she hired me.  Did you get her letter?" Tara asked.
  "Yeah." Szigen said.
  "Uhhh, guys I gotta go, my break off is here.  I'll see you two tomorrow, kay?' Max interuped.
  "Oh, see ya later man." Szigen said
  "Bye Max." said Tara.
Max turned at the intersection to a side-street leading to his house. 
  "So have you used the ANYSPELL Card to create yourself a Grazen yet?" Tara asked with anticipation.
  "Yeah, that's actually how I found out about you being a spy for the magic government.  It's got something engraved in it in Majon, the first word I don't understand, I think it's in the old text.  The rest says 'Szigen, Magic is your gift, you are the one.'"
  "Oh! Wow!  When you used the Grazen to get more on my file, did it give you an authorization?" Tara asked.  They had stopped walking and were just standing there, Tara seemed very excited at what Szigen was saying.
  "Um, yeah, It said I have an 'X' authorization.  The highest.  Something about magic power being so high that I was given the highest level or something.  Like the magic government knows me, and thinks special of me or something."
  "Wow!  Not even your aunt and uncle have a level 'X' authorization!"  I HAVE to see your Grazen!  It's probably really powerful!"  Tara said, excited with a smile.
  "Okay." 
They ran the rest of the way, which wasn't very far.  When they got there, they took off their coats and hung them up.  Then Szigen went into his room and got out his Grazen.  He showed it to Tara, and she had this look of total amazement on her face.  She looked like she had found the Holy Grail or something.
  "Can I hold it?" Tara asked
  "Yeah, sure." Szigen answered, and he handed her his staff.
Tara still had a look of awe on her face.  She turned it over and looked at the engraved letters on it.  Then she looked at the mystic ball on the top.  
  "Wow... This is one amazing looking Grazen." Tara complimented.
  "Thanks, do you know what that first word is.  I don't recognize the symbols, and they're not on the magic-net I checked."  Szigen said
  "No, but Gambius will.  He knows the current, and ancient texts of Majon.  I think it might mean 'Great Power, Great Expectations, Greatness is within.'  I think it's some kind of slogan or something."     
  "Who's Gambius?"  Szigen asked.
  "Oh you'll see him."
She handed Szigen his Grazen back.  Tara then pulled a ball that looked just like the ball on Szigen's Grazen, but instead of being white, it was purple.  She threw it a couple feet into the air, and it floated there. 
  "GRAZEN RESTORIS!" Tara shouted at it. 
Instantly a white Grazen staff formed from mid-air and floated into Tara's right hand.  It was like Szigen's, about a metre long and only about as thick as a D-sized battery.  
  "Wow, that was cool.  Can you show me how to make the staff disappear, and reappear again?" Szigen asked.
  "Oh yah, sure.  Hold your Grazen straight up." Tara said.
Szigen did so.
  "Now, say 'Grazenus Chrotus' " Tara instructed.
  "Grazenus Chrotus!" Szigen ordered.
Instantly, the staff part of Szigen's Grazen shrunk into nothing, and the ball floated in to his hand.
  "So now I shout 'Grazen Restoris'?" Szigen asked.
  "Yup" Tara confirmed.
Szigen thew the ball a couple feet in the air and shouted 
  "GRAZEN RESTORIS!".
The ball floated there and directly below it formed the staff.  The Staff floated to his right hand. 
  "Now I have to call Gambius.  Activate your magic-net.  Only you can do it, because you activated it."  Tara said.
  "Oh right."  Szigen said.  "Magic-Net! Allow Tara Troy full access!" Szigen ordered the floating blank screen.
The screen displayed the words "Full access of this Magic-Net station has been granted to Tara Tory aswell now."
  "You have it set for English?" Tara inquired.
  "Yah, I was finding it a little slow to read it in Majon.  I'm more fluent in English." Szigen answered.
  "Okay whatever." Tara said to Szigen, then she turned back to the magic-net screen. "I want a magic-net call to Gambius Leetoy!" Tara told the magic-net screen.
"Making call." The magic-net screen displayed.  


CHAPTER 5 --- Gambius Leetoy and Tara's Magic lesson



	A fat, wrinkled man with a long white beard answered.  
   "Well, hello Tara!  And who's your friend here?" the man said, speaking in Majon and pointing to Szigen.  
   "This is Szigen Esben, Tayana sent me here." Tara answered him in Majon.
   "Oh, this is Tayana Esben's nephew, is he?"  The old man asked.
   "Yeah.  Listen, Gambius.  He created himself a Grazen with a very unusual engraving in it.  The first word I think is in Ancient text, but the rest says "Szigen, magic is your gift, you are the one".  Interesting, eh?" said Tara.
   "Very, let me see this ancient text you speak of." The man requested.
Szigen turned his grazen staff so that the engraving faced the screen and showed it to the man. 
   "Oh! How interesting, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.  Very interesting indeed.  Very, very, very, very, very interesting this is.  This certainly is ancient text, it's a very old scripting.  Are you sure this fellow isn't hundreds of years old?  This engraving shouldn't be on a teenager's Grazen, that wouldn't make sense."
   "Yes Gambius, he is a teenager.  Now what does it mean?" Tara asked.
   "Oh, yes, right, of course, what it means, yes, yes.  Well..."
   "Well what?" Tara asked.  She was starting to get tired of the Old man's rambling.
   "Well, I... I... I... I don't think that I know what this means." The old man said.
Tara sighed, and look frustrated.  "Well thank you Gambius, for trying." Tara said.
   "Not a problem Tara dear." Gambius said.
   "Gambius, take a look at the Grazen." Tara directed.
Szigen showed the man the whole staff.
   "Oooh, it certainly looks powerful.  It looks like this Szigen fellow here will become very powerful indeed.  This staff looks like it has potential.  I say, why don't you try at Embided's son?"  Gambius Leetoy asked Szigen.
   "I'm going to try to Sir."  Szigen answered in Majon.
   "Well, good luck to you then.  If your Grazen is correct, and you are the one, then I hope to see your magic develop and you become powerful.  I can't wait to meet you, when will you two be coming back?"
   "Well Gambius, we have some re-mediation to do, and then we'll come.  Hopefully it'll only take a couple days.  With the help of the magic-net and the Grazen staff, we should do fine.  Thank you Gambius, your help and wisdom is greatly appreciated."
   "Not a problem Tara, whenever help is needed, help is given, that's my motto.  Oh and, don't trust pink and purple striped cats.  Well I'll see you two youngins later." Gambius concluded, and the screen went blank.  
  "Well, Gambius says you'll become a great magic, and I believe him.  So, I'm going to start you off.  Ready to start?"  Tara asked Szigen,
  "Yeah!" Szigen answered.
They went out into the empty field in front of Szigen's building.  Tara held her Grazen with both hands and stuck it straight up in the air.
  "DESA VENO TI GAY! (????????????????????????????????????????invisible come to me)" Tara shouted.  From the purple ball on the end of her Grazen staff a stream of pink light shot out about 20 metres up and then started to create a dome around them.  The field was about half a kilometre squared; the dome covered about three-quarters of the field.  The dome of pink energy around them looked like it was of some kind of gel.  
  "What are we in?" Szigen asked Tara.
  "Oh, this is a level one - wide area invisibility shield.  I put it up so we couldn't be seen.  Okay, I'm going to teach you magic!" Tara answered.
  "Okay!  Let's do it.  What ya gonna teach me?" 
  "First thing is the "Proterus Neego" spell.  It's a spell for battle.  It makes it so you can jump about 10 metres in the air, you can also move faster."
  "Okay, got it."
  "Okay do what I do." Tara instructed.  She held her Grazen in her right hand and twirled it about 5 times and then pointed straight up and shouted.  "PROTERUS NEEGO!"  The ball on her Grazen glowed violently and from it green light came and engulfed Tara and then the light disappeared, as if her body soaked it up.  Tara jumped up about 8 metres high in the air and did a perfect landing.
  "Whoa." Szigen said, amazed at Tara's jump.
  "Now you try, and if you can't twirl with one hand, just use both." Tara instructed.
Szigen held the Grazen with both hands and twirled it five times and held it up in the air and shouted "PROTERUS NEEGO!"  
Instantly the same thing that Tara's Grazan did, Szigen's Grazen did.  The ball on Szigen's Grazen glowed very brightly and spurt out green light all around Szigen, and the light soaked up into him.  He immediately felt super-energized and strong.  He felt light as a feather and strong as an ox.  Szigen jumped straight up, and jumped higher than he had ever jumped before.  It was like he jumped using a giant trampoline.  And when he landed, his weight didn't make it feel like he was being slammed down by gravity.  It felt like he was just landing.
  "Wow, that was cool.  How long does this spell last?" Szigen asked.
  "About an hour.  Okay, next spell.  A very simple, dis-spellings spell.  I'm gonna dis-spell your Proterus Neego.  Watch carefully, it's very simple." Tara carefully and specifically instructed.
Tara held her Grazen with both hand and pointed it in the air and shouted "KAYIS MAGIS NEXIS!".  The ball on her Grazen glowed and she then pointed it at Szigen and a purple beam of light hit him.  Szigen felt the extra energy, strength and agility zap out of him, and he felt normal.
  "You see, that's how you dis-spell simple spells, any questions?" Tara asked.
  "Yah, when you dis-spelled my Proterus Neego, did it get rid of yours.  Can you do two spells at once, or combine two?" Szigen inquired.
  "Yep, now, dis-spell my Proterus Neego." Tara said.
Szigen held his staff in both hands and pointed it at the sky and shouted "KAYIS MAGIS NEXIS!".  The ball on his Grazen glowed and Szigen pointed straight at Tara.  A beam of blue light shot from Szigen's Grazen and hit Tara.  He had successfully dis-spelled her Proterus Neego.
  "Very good Szigen!" Tara complimented.
  "Thanks, I guessed it worked, eh?" Szigen confirmed.
  "Yeah!  Good, good, this is going good.  Okay, next spell a primary physics-defend-shield.  Observe."  Tara held her staff in both hands and held it out right in front of her.  Then she pointed straightforward and shouted "KATYUS MOSH KASHA YOS!".
  Her Grazen-ball lit up and she the pointed it straight up in the air.  A dome of purple light went around Tara.  She had a purple-energy shield around her.
  "Now whack the shield as hard as you can with your Grazen." Tara ordered him from behind the shield. 
Szigen came up to the shield and hit it as hard as he could with his Grazen, but it had no affect.  Then he pointed his shield straight into the air and shouted "KAYIS MAGIS NEXIS!" and pointed the glowing Grazen at Tara's shield.  A beam of blue light shot from it and Tara's purple shield disappeared.  Tara didn't look to happy at this, but Szigen was cracking up.  
  "Now, let's see your shield Szigen." Tara said, in a sort of challenging tone.
  "Okay, fine then." Szigen said, with a sort of cheeky undertone.  Szigen did the movements with his Grazen that Tara did and shouted "KATYUS MOSH KASHA YOS!".  The same shield formed around Szigen, except blue.  Then Szigen held his Grazen around the middle with both hands and said the words "WATAS YO GINA TO!".  Tara had just finished performing the dis-spelling spell and the beam of purple light did hit but it bounced upward and shot up to sky and dissipated.  Tara was shocked that Szigen knew the protection to that dis-speller and that it worked so well from a first time magic user to an expert magic user.
  "How did you know that fast counter Szigen?" Tara asked, very curiously.
  "It was in a magazine one time, I always take great consideration to my magic magazines and try to remember them.  It said, 'This is a counter-pre-spell incantation you can use when you set up a shield just before they finish a level 10-7 dis-spelling spell.'.  So, when you were charging your discharge, that instantly came to mind and I muttered the incantation.  It's 'Watas Yo Gina To'.  You should try it."  Szigen said, finishing with a wink.
  "Okay, thanks for that information, onto the next spell!  The level 10 fireball.  Oh, by the way, when it comes to spells and magic, level 1 is the highest and level 10 is the simplest, or easiest.  So in order to do the level 10 fireball you need to think fire.  Think about fire, and think about moving fire.  Then your Grazen ball, the ball at the end of your Grazen staff, will turn red and create a fireball, which will launch when you give it the command.  With me so far?" Tara explained and asked.
  "Uhhh, I'm not quite sure.  So I have to concentrate on fire?" Szigen asked.
  "Yep, just visualize it." Tara confirmed.  "Now watch."  Tara held her Grazen straightforward and shouted 
"INCANTI PRE-TUM JINOP!".  A fireball appeared a few centimetres away from the ball of her Grazen Staff, the ball had turned a fierce red and the fireball grew to about the size of a small basketball for children.
  "I suggest you move, Szigen." Tara advised Szigen.  Szigen did so.  "JINOP RAJUN!" She shouted.  The fireball fired straight ahead and after about 50 metres it faded into nothing.  "Your turn." 
  "Okay." Szigen said.  He pictured the largest ball of fire he could think of, the sun.  He held his Graven straightforward and yelled "INCANTI PRE-TUM JINOP"  A ball of fire formed about a few centimetres away from his Grazen Staff.  It grew to about the size of a small basketball, like Tara's before it stopped growing and floated there for a second.  
"JINOP RAJUN!", the ball of fire launched and disappeared after about 50 metres.
  "Your doing pretty good Szigen.  Next spell, the ice ball and lightning volt is the same except you substitute 'Jinop' with 'Xis' for ice, and 'Yopai' for lightning.  And do to fire, ice and lightning together is 'Tee zoska Nowsa Jinop, Xis, Yopai.'.  Pretty complex for that last one eh?" said Tara.
  "Yeah, but I have a good memory, so I should be able to remember.  So should we do those spells?" Szigen asked.
  "No, you know how, and I'm sure you'll be able to.  We'll just goto the next.  Now, I taught you the physical shield, now I'm gonna teach you Magic-protect Shield, it protects you against spells levels 6-10, well, ... most spells level 6-10 anyway, watch." 
Tara held her staff in front of her facing up, and then pointed it straight-ahead and yelled "KATAYUS MAGIS KASHA YOS!" and a white dome formed around her from her Grazen ball.
  "So, can I dis-spell an anti-magic shield?" Szigen asked.
  "Nope, there's a special spell designed to crack shields.  Now try the magic-protection shield spell Szigen." Tara said.
Szigen did the staff movements Tara did and shouted "KATAYUS MAGIS KASHA YOS!", and the same white shield formed around him like the one Tara did.  "So can I cast through the shield?" 
  "Ofcourse you can silly.  Watch, I'm going to fire a fireball at your shield, and it'll stop it."  Tara said.  She pointed her Grazen straight-ahead and yelled "INCANTI PRE-TUM JINOP!" and the fireball formed.  When it had grown to the right size she shouted "JINOP RAJUN!".  The ball of fire launched straight at Szigen, it hit his shield and the shield just absorbed it.
  "Cool.  So how do I turn this thing off?" Szigen inquired to Tara.
  "Just stick your Grazen through it and say 'DOSUS!', watch." Tara said.  She stuck her Grazen though the shield and said "DOSUS!", the shield evaporated into a white, glowing, gas and her Grazen ball soaked it all up.  Szigen did the same.  Tara taught Szigen many more spells and they had these lessons every day after school.  Max would watch them and love it.  After about 2 weeks of different types of spells for different places and purposes, Tara felt Szigen had learned enough magic to get in on a second-semester, second year program at Embided's School of The Magic Arts.  During this time, Szigen had been brushing up on his Majon, and reading more and more about the magic community by use of the magic-net.  About 2 weeks after the day Tara called Gambius and started Szigen on his lessons, they called Szigen's Aunt Tayana and Uncle Pauto using the magic-net.
 

CHAPTER 6 --- Uncle Pauto and Aunt Tayana 

...In Italy, Szigen's Aunt Tayana and Uncle Pauto were discussing Szigen coming to Italy to live with them...

  (in Majon) "Pauto, he's coming to Italy.  He has a family, and he deserves to be with it, especially because it's Christmas.  Tara Troy has been teaching him enough magic so that he can get into Embided's, I'm expecting their call any minute now.  We have to do this.  Please Pauto." Said Tayana.  
  "Alright Tayana, but I hope he can deal with the drastic change.  It's so different here from there.  And Embided's is a very hard school.  It's the best, but it's very tough.  I'll send for a bubble card to bring them here." Pauto responded.
  "Thank you dear, This is what's best." 

...

	Tara and Szigen were standing in front of the magic-net.
  "I want to send a magic-net call to Tayana and Pauto Esben." Tara ordered the screen.  The words "CALLING" were displayed.  Then the screen flashed and there was a lady looking at them.  She was a pretty lady.  She looked small, she had brown hair and bright green eyes.  She had tired skin, but yet she had friendly glow to her.
  (in Majon) "Hello Tayana!" Tara said.
  "Hello Tara!  And... this is Szigen?" said the lady, she looked like she was going to cry, but with tears of joy.  She had a smile on her face. "Hello, Szigen.  This is your aunt Tayana.  Boy, I havn't seen you since you were 6 or 7 seven years old when your parents brought you.  Boy, you look so handsome." 
  "Thanks Aunt Tayana." Szigen said.  "I have lots of questions for you when I get there."
  "Ofcourse you do!  And your Uncle and I are more than happy to answer them.  We have a few questions for you aswell, if you wouldn't mind."  Said Aunt Tayana, with a smile.
  "Yeah, sure Aunt Tayana.  I can't wait to see you and Uncle Pauto." Szigen responded.
  "Tayana, is Pauto sending travel for us?" Tara asked.
  "Oh yes, ofcourse he is!  He's on the other line right now ordering a bubble card to be sent for you." Tayana answered, still smiling.  She looked so overcome with joy to see Szigen, still with a tear on her cheek.
  "Oh great!  Well, we'll see you then.  Ta ta for now Tayana." Tara said.
  "See you soon Aunt Tayana." Szigen said.
  "See you two soon.  It looks like Pauto is done getting the card for you. Bye." Tayana said.  The screen went blank.  Tara faced Szigen.
  "Well, the bubble card should appear at the door any second now, I'll let you use.  You'll like it."  Tara said.
  "Cool.  What's a bubble card?"  Szigen asked.
  "Oh, it's a magic card that puts you into a bubble and takes you to where you tell it.  It's really cool you get to see yourself moving.  You don't get motion sickness, do you?" Tara asked.
  "No, I'll be fine."
They heard a pop by the door.  A little envelope had appeared right at the doorstop.  Szigen opened it.  The card was about the size of a playing card.  The back was just plain black, and the other side was a light blue, it had a moving graphic of a big bubble and across the bottom it had a little with the words "????????????(BUBBLE CARD)".  Szigen held his Grazen in one hand and the card in another.  He threw the card forward; it stopped in mid-air, and flipped straight up, face of the card facing Szigen.  Szigen pointed his Grazen at it and yelled "DOUSO HASKA MAWBA!".  The card glowed bright neon-blue and turned into a card-shaped light.  Tara got behind Szigen and hugged him around the waist.  The card formed a transparent, light blue, spherical bubble around them.  They blinked and they were in the air, and out of the building, infact they were about 5 metres above the roof of the building.  The bubble shot at a super speed.  They could see through the bubble, they could see the whole city passing by.  It was amazing, they were going extremely fast and they could see everything.  The bubble must've protected them from the rules of physics, because they couldn't feel themselves being pulled to the back of the bubble.
  "This is amazing!" Szigen said, very excited.
  "I know!  It's the favorite way magics travel long distances!"
They saw themselves passing over the country, and then the Pacific Ocean.  It was very beautiful.  When they hit France the bubble really slowed down, when they were above Italy, it took them right in front of a house.  The house was on a residential street full of little, skinny, sort of tall houses.  It was a very old looking street, and all the houses also looked fairly old.  When they had landed, the bubble just popped.  The house was number 51, and on the wooden door was a wooden sign that said "?????".
 (in Majon)  "This must be the place." Szigen said.  There was a metal doorknocker on the door and Szigen knocked it.  The door opened, and there was Szigen's Aunt Tayana.  She smiled a smile like you had never seen.  Like you had returned her puppy.
  "Come in!" she said and moved out of the way to let them walk in.  They walked into the narrow entranceway of the narrow house.  You could see the living room from the entranceway.  In the little entranceway were floating hooks.  They hung their coats up, and took of their shoes.  They put their shoes on the shoe mat.  Looking into the living room you could see the couch and the end tables at each end.  Also, there was a chair facing the couch and a magic-net screen on the wall.  From the living room there was a short, narrow hallway to a kitchen and a dining room.  Uncle Pauto was sitting in the chair smoking a pipe and reading a newspaper.  He heard them come in and got up and put his paper on the chair.  He was a big, burly, tall man with Grey hair and a Grey mustache.
  "Hello Tara, hello Szigen.  It's been a long time, you certainly have frown quite a bit now haven't you?"  Uncle Pauto said with a little laugh.  "It's nice to see you son."
  "Thanks Uncle Pauto, this is really cool for me too.  I can't remember you guys at all." Szigen responded.
  "Well dear, your parents didn't take you to come see us very often.  Bubble cards can't be created by ordinary mages you know.  They are produced by special magics in shops.  And they can be expensive." Said Aunt Tayana.
  "I think Embided's will except Szigen for a second year program.  He could do anything they through at him no problem.  He was able to do all the spells I taught him easily and flawlessly.  He'll have to do some testing I suspect though." Tara said to Uncel Pauto and Aunt Tayana.
  "We thank you very much Tara, would you like to stay for dinner?" Tayana offered.
  "Oh no thank you Tayana, my parents are probably worried sick about me.  I didn't tell them I was going all the way to Canada." Tara replied.
  "Alright then dear, thank you so very much again." Tayana said with a smile.
Tara smiled, "Bye Pauto, Szigen." She said.  
  "Bye Tara!" Szigen said.
  "Goodbye Tara" said Uncle Pauto."   
  "I'll see you at school Szigen." Tara said with a smile and a wink, and the left.
  "Such a nice girl, she is." Commented Aunt Tayana.  "Well I prepared a very nice room for you dear."
  "Oh crap!  I didn't bring any of my stuff!  All of my clothes and things are still in Canada!" Szigen exclaimed and smacked himself in the forehead in frustration.
  "Oh don't worry about that dear, we sent a magic-moving team to gather your stuff.  Your apartment should be put in your room, except for your bed and dresser and desk, those we told them to leave because we have them for you." Said Tayana.  "We also sent a letter to the building saying you had moved out, the Canadian government had no problem with it." She finished with a warm smile.
  "Oh, thanks Aunt Tayana." Said Szigen.
  "No problem dear, now let me show you your room." She said, and they went farther into the main room to a stairway, which lead up to a little hallway with two bedroom doors, and a bathroom door off of it.  She showed him into the first door, which was on the left.  Szigen opened the door.  Inside, against the window on the wall of the house facing out, was his bed.  On the opposite side, beside the door was a desk.  And at the back of the room was a wooden dresser.  Szigen's TV and stereo were in a corner, and his computer on the desk.  Also, against the wall above the dresser, was a magic-net screen.
  "Wow, this is great Aunt Tayana.  Thanks!" Szigen said happily.
  "Your welcome dear.  Now I'm going to magic some dinner, what would you like?"
  "Ummm... I'm not sure Aunt Tayana, how about pizza?" asked Szigen.
  "Pizza?  What's Pizza?" she asked.
  "You don't know what pizza is!  Holy cow, Umm... it's a cheese and pepperoni pie kind of.  It's got a crust."
  "Oooooh, I know what you call Pizza, here it's call Tisho dear.  We have most of the foods non-magics have, but we'll probably have different names for them."


CHAPTER 7 --- The Tests


	The next day, Szigen woke up to the crowing of a rooster.  He looked at his wristwatch, it was eight o'clock in the morning.  He went down the stairs in his pajamas, into the living room.  Aunt Tayana was standing over the round, dining room table with her Grazen out and she looked like she was trying to figure out what to magic.
  (in Majon)  "Good morning Aunt Tayana." Said Szigen.
  "Oh good morning dear!  I'm just trying to figure out what you would like, but I guess that's about to be solved.  What would you like sweetie?" she asked.
  "Umm, I think bacon and eggs and toast.  That would be nice." Szigen said.
  "Okay!" She said.  Then she pointed her Grazen at the table and said, "plate!" and a plate appeared.  Then she said "crispy bacon strips!" and 6 strips of bacon appeared on the plate.  Then she said "eggs, sunny side up, two!", and two cooked eggs, sunny side up appeared beside the bacon.  Then she said, "toast with butter, two pieces!" and two pieces of buttered, whole-wheat toast appeared on the plate.
  "Wow, cool!" Szigen exclaimed.
  "A glass of orange juice!" Aunt Tayana said, still with her Grazen pointed at the large plate of food.  In front of the plate appeared a glass of orange juice.  "There you are dear, breakfast." She said with a smile.
Szigen sat down ate his plate of eggs, bacon and toast, and drunk his orange juice.
  "Your admittance tests for Embided's are today hun." Tayana reminded Szigen.
  "Okay, how are we going to get there Aunt Tayana?" Szigen asked.
  "Oh, it's not too far, we'll walk.  It's only about a fifteen minute walk dear."
After breakfast, Szigen went back upstairs and changed out of his pajamas, into some jeans and a plain white T-shirt.  He put on his socks and went downstairs.
  "Okay let's go dear." Said Aunt Tayana.
They walked through the town and after about 15 minutes of walking, they reached a very nicely decorated, white painted shack.  The shack had a sign on it.
???????'?????????????????
????????

(EMBIDED'S SCHOOL of MAGIC
ENTRANCE)


 (in Majon)   "Here we are dear." Said Aunt Tayana.
  "This is it?" Szigen asked.
  "This is the entrance." She responded.  She opened the door and inside was a stairway going down.  They walked down the stairway to a big round room with doors at the front, right and left sides.  Aunt Tayana walked up to the door at the front and Szigen followed.  Behind this door was another staircase, this time going up.  This staircase was very long.  They walked up it for about five minutes.  Finally, at the top of the stairs was a large lobby.  The lobby had hallways off of it.  It looked like a school to Szigen.  From one of the hallways came a woman.  She was a short and sort of chubby lady, with black skin.  She was wearing a blue dress and on top of that a cloak-like robe, and she was wearing a scarf.  The hood of the robe was off, so you could see her hair.  She had long, braided, black hair.  She walked up to Tayana and was smiling.
  "Hello Tayana!  'Tis nice to see you again!" The lady said, she had a sort of deep, yet obviously female voice.
  "Hello Marga!  How are you?" Aunt Tayana replied.  "I have my nephew here, he would like to attend your school.  Tara Troy has taught him a wide variety of spells, she thinks will be adequate for the tests.  I am confident he can do it." 
  "Yes, I sense extreme power in him.  Were about to start the tests in about ten minutes.  I am sure he will pass the tests aswell, I think he has the ability to learn any spell he teach here, too.  My name is Marga Statch, Szigen; I'm head of enchantments department.  But you will call me Professor Statch."  She said.
  "Okay, Professor Statch.  So, what do these tests include?" Szigen asked.
  "Well, were gonna test you on your magic knowledge and ability basically.  And ofcourse, magic potential, but you'll have no problem there." She answered.
  "Oh, okay." Szigen said.  Szigen was worried he didn't know enough about magic to pass.  Professor Statch thought so though, or atleast that's what she seemed to think to Szigen.    
  "Come with me dear.  'Twas nice to see you again Tayana, farewell."   
  "Bye Marga."  Said Aunt Tayana, and she left.
Szigen followed Professor Statch down one of the hallways.  There were doors down these hallways, and at the end of the hallway he saw a stairway.  After about passing 3 doors, halfway down the hall, they came to a door with a sign on it that said "?????????????(Classroom 12)".  Professor Statch opened the door.  Inside was a nearly empty room, with only a rectangular table with five chairs behind it at the back.  They went into the room, and Professor Statch sat down on one of the chairs.  On the other chairs were other teachers.  On the chair on the far right, was a tall skinny man, he looked about middle age and had green eyes.  On the chair beside him sat a big man with a big black beard and mustache, he had black eyes and sort of wrinkled skin.  Beside him sat Professor Statch.  Beside her sat another woman, with pale white skin and shoulder-long blonde hair, she had blue eyes and looked pretty young.  Then at the far left, the last chiar, sat Gambius Leetoy!  He had a crazy smile on his face and was wearing a Maroon robe.
  "Szigen, the man on your far left is Professor Tratza, the man beside him is Professor Frota.  Beside me is Professor Craiya, and beside her is Professor Leetoy.  Professor Tratza is head of Doctrine magic, Professor Frota is head of Battle magic, as I told you am I head of Enchantments magic, Professor Craiya is head of Power magic and Professor Leetoy is head of Magic-Control and development and Items.  There would be a sixth but Professor Noxon, the head of Magic History, is away today on business and the principle and vice principle would also be here, but they are having a meeting.  Each teacher will test you on his or her department.  Professor Tratza will go first." Professor Statch explained.
  "Okay, Mr.Esben.  I am head of Doctrine magic, do you know any doctrine magic at all?" The man asked.  He had a shy, sort of timid voice.
  "Yes, I know how to heal a small cut, and a bruise." Szigen responded.
  "I see, okay can you show me this?" Professor Tratza requested.
  "Yup, on what?" Szigen replied.
Professor Statch picked up his Grazen (it was green with a red ball), and created a burlap sac of potatoes on the floor.
  "Perform the spells on the bag of potatoes please." He instructed.
Szigen pulled out his Grazen-ball from his pocket and performed GRAZONIS RESORIS.  Then he pointed the Grazen at the sac of potatoes and shouted "CRATUS MOTIS!" The ball of Szigen's Grazen glowed and shot a beam of blue light at the sac of potatoes.  On the sac of potatoes formed a mold on top of it.
  "Oops!" Szigen said.
  "No, no, everything is fine Szigen.  Continue with a bruise healing spell." He asked.
Szigen pointed his Grazen at the sac of potatoes again and yelled "YOTI FOORAWIT!".  The ball of Szigen's Grazen glowed again and shot another strike of blue light at the sac of potatoes, the mold on the bag turned from green to purple.
  "Very good Szigen.  My testing is done.  You receive a six out of eight." Complimented Professor Tratza, and he sat down.  Szigen was very worried about that one, but he thought battle wouldn't be too hard.  The big man with the big beard stood up.  He looked very mean.
  "Now, let's see how you battle young man." Said Professor Frota.  "If you please professor." He said looking at Professor Statch.
  "Not at all professor." She replied.  Professor Statch stood up, she looked quite short compared to Professor Frota.  She picked her Grazen off of floor (hers was black with a turquoise ball) and pointed it straight up "FOHOO TEXTI!" she yelled.  Suddenly the room grew larger and larger and larger.  The table had gotten farther and farther away.  Professor Frota walked until he was about 6 metres away.  He pulled a navy blue Grazen ball out of his pocket and called the GRAZONIS RESTORIS spell, his staff grew, it was black.
  "PROTERUS NEEGO!" Professor Frota yelled, and the super spell performed.  Szigen performed it aswell.
  "Now we will see your battle skills boy!" He said with a chuckle in his deep threatening voice.  They pointed their Grazens at each other.  Szigen held his straight up and called "ARMUS CHIOS NAJI!".  Szigen now knew how to flip and roll.  "ARMOS TAOS!" he called again, with his staff still pointed in the air.  The Grazen ball glowed and let out tons and tons of blue sparks, the thousands of sparks stuck to Szigen and formed a metal suit around him.  
  "Aaaah, I see you have learned a few tricks from Miss Tara Troy, eh?  Well, we'll see how well she taught you." He said with a chuckle again.
  "How'd you know that Tara taught me?" Szigen asked.  The metal suit around Szigen looked like it was tight, and heavy and hard to move in, but it was quite the opposite to Szigen.  He felt light as a feather and ready to go.  The suit would bend to his movements like cloth, yet it would protect him lightning, fire and ice spells.
  "TOWCOOTUS RAYIS!" Professor Frota shouted, with his Grazen pointed at Szigen.  A ball of green energy was forming right in front of his staff.  It grew to the size of a basketball and he flicked his wrist and it went flying at Szigen.  Szigen jumped into the air and pointed his staff down at Professor Frota, he yelled "BATOIS!" a shot of lightning hit from his staff, but the Professor wasn't there.  Szigen landed and looked around, he couldn't see him anywhere.  WHAM!  Szigen was hit from behind, the suit protected him from damage, but Szigen felt himself go flying.  He was hit about ten metres away.  He jumped up and twirled his Grazen "DECOOTIS NEEGO!".  Szigen jumped up into the air and wings sprouted from his back!  He could manuever around in the air like he was running on land and he pointed his Grazen at the professor.  "INCANTI PRE-UM JINOP!", the fireball spell!  It grew to about the size of a basketball, and Szigen launched it! "JINOP RAJUN!"   "Dang!" Szigen said in frustration, he missed him!  Szigen landed. 
  "INCANTI JOPI GOOTUS!" The professor yelled and he pointed his Grazen at the ground.  Szigen could feel the earth rumbling below him.  Rocks were coming out of the ground!  Szigen jumped up and his wings unfolded again.  Rocks were coming at him, not big ones, but they were throwing him off a little bit.  Szigen pointed his Grazen at the professor and yelled "FEERO KAYUS MAJUS TO!".  A ball of blue light about the size of a tennis ball launched from in front of Szigen's Grazen and shot at the professor.  He couldn't dodge this one, but he tried.  He jumped to the side and started to run, but Szigen's spell was too fast, it caught up with him and hit him in the back, tripping him.  Szigen landed again.  The professor turned around and suddenly disappeared.  Szigen couldn't see him again!  Szigen called "KATAYUS MAGIS KASHA YOS!".  The white dome shield formed around him.
  "NEXIS SATI KASHA YOS!", Szigen turned around just intime to see a beam of red light coming from Professor Frota's Grazen.  The beam faded his shield away.  "Uh Oh" Szigen thought.
  "How do you expect to beat me, when you're using simple, easy-to-counter spells!  You have to do something I can't get rid of! Ha ha ha ha!" He laughed.  "Battle Over!"
The room shrunk back to normal.
  "Good fight son!  Most people don't last that long and don't think of things you thought of.  I'm giving you an eight out of ten son, good job!" Frota said with an evil grin, and he gave Szigen a friendly smack on the back.
  "Now it is time to test your Enchantation magic."  Said Professor Statch, and she stood up.  She picked up her Grazen from the floor and pointed it about half a metre in front of Szigen.  "HISA GOOTAG BASHTOW!" She said.  Szigen heard a pop and a cloud of red gas was floating in front of him.  "I want you to turn the gas blue and make it fill the room." She instructed.
  "Okay, I think I can do that..." said Szigen.  He pointed his Grazen at the cloud of gas, which was just floating there. 
  "BLO-KAISA!" He yelled.  The ball of his Grazen shot out light at the gas, and the gas turned from red to a bluey-purple.  Szigen looked embarrassed, "REEQUOS DEEMUS CHOTAY!" He shouted, and the gas expanded to fill the room.  Szigen was worried that his turning the gas only partly blue would throw off his mark.
  "Good Szigen.  You receive a two out of three." Said Professor Statch.
  "Now it is my turn." Said Professor Craiya (Craeyiya).  She had a soft and sort of high-pitched voice.  "Do you know any power magic?" she asked.
  "Umm... I know Proterus Neego, Decootis Neego, Armus Chio Naji, Desktof Faylay and Meesha NoYoto." Szigen said.
  "Well, that's a very interesting combination.  A power-up spell, a fight spell, an armor spell, a fly spell, a strength spell and a jump-glide spell.  I won't make you prove it, but I do want you to use the Gayno-Veetaska on this item." She said, and she pulled a crystal ball out of a purse that was beside her chair.
  "I don't know what it does, but I'll try it professor." Szigen said, timidly. "GAYNO-VEETASKA!" he shouted, with his Grazen pointed at the Crystal Ball she had set on the table.  A ball of blue light flew from Szigen's Grazen to the ball, and the ball turned blue.
  "Thank you Szigen.  That is my test." Professor Craiya said.
  "My turn! He he, how interesting.  Yes, yes, yes!  Control Magic!  Item Magic!  And what Professor Statch forgot was, I'm also the teacher of Magical Creatures and the Magic dimension of Archiosa!  How interesting this is!  On to the test!  Item magic is cards and pendants and other things to that extent.  You obviously know how to use cards, or most of them!  He he!  I will give you a card, and you must figure out how to create a certain spell with it.  Then I will test you on your control over your magic!"  Said Professor Leetoy, he seemed so excited.  He had a crazy and happy smile on.  He pulled a card out of his pocket and reached out and handed it to Szigen.  It was an ANYSPELL Card!  "I want you to create a copy of yourself Szigen!  He he!  This should be very interesting!  Very interesting indeed!  Go on then! He he he!" He said with a giggle.
Szigen threw the card forward, it stopped in mid-air and floated, face facing Szigen.  Szigen pointed his Grazen at it "POSHA DAKO NOUSA MIK!" he shouted.  The card glowed blue very brightly, and seemed to turn into pure energy.  It formed itself into Szigen's exact shape and height.  It then grew his features.  A flash of light filled the room, and when everyone looked back, it was an exact copy of Szigen!
  "Ooooooooh!  Wonderful!  Absolutely Wonderfully performed Szigen!"  Yelled Professor Leetoy.  He seemed very happy at Szigen's accomplishment.
  "Now, onto the next test! Yes, yes yes.  Control!  You must have control.  Without control, your magic could do the thinking instead of you!" He said pointing his index finger at Szigen poignantly.  "You are very impressive with cards and battle, but how are you with control!  We shall see I think!  Oh yes!  He he he!" he said with his childish giggle.  He stuck his right hand in his left pocket and didn't find anything.  Then he stuck his left hand in his right pocket and didn't find anything.  He pulled both hands from their pockets and checked his pants pockets the same way.  "Aha!  Eureka!  Here it is!  Yes yes!  This is it, this is it!" he shouted.  He pulled out a card with his right hand, in his left pocket.  On this card was a picture of a very fierce-looking dog, with the words "????????????????".  He stretched out his hand and handed the card to Szigen.  Szigen looked at the card and wondered what it was.
  "Go on then!  Activate it!  We'll see your magic control!  He he! Go on!  Go on!"  He said urging Szigen. 
  "Professor, this card says 'DOF OF FIRE Card', what is it?" Szigen asked.
  "I am quite aware of the card Mr. Esben!  Now go on!  Activate it!" said the crazy old professor.
Szigen threw the card on the ground and pointed his Grazen at it.  "JOPA REENOS!" Szigen shouted.  Both his Grazen ball and the card glowed blue.  Szigen stepped back a few steps.  From the card, a large disc, about the size of a dinner table, appeared.  It looked like a portal of some kind.  From it stepped a large, red firce, angry looking dog.  It growled at him.  He pointed his Grazen at it.  "Ummm, Professor, how do I deal with this?"  Szigen asked.
  "Well, it looks like it's angry, calm it son." He responded calmly.
  "TAYMUS!" He yelled at the dog.  The dog simply turned it's head, confused.  "DASKA FOS!", again the dog didn't seem to care a whole lot.  Szigen was trying to figure out a spell to control it or calm it.  "I have to do something!  But, I don't know how to calm a firedog!  I know!  I'll put it to sleep!" he thought.  "GASHA FREENUS DORMAY!" Szigen yelled with his Grazen still pointed at the dog.  His Grazen ball glowed and the firedog yawned.  It laid down and put it's head down to sleep.  Professor Leetoy looked shocked, Szigen's response to the dog was obviously not what he expected.
  "Bravo!  Bravo young Szigen!  Not what I was expecting, but your improvisation was excellent!  A solid ten out of ten!"  Professor Leetoy.
  "Well Mr. Esben, it appears that you are gifted in the magic arts, but at this time, we are not sure whether we can accept you.  However, we will have further discussion about the matter and decide.  Be ready for a magic-net on your acceptance." Said Professor Statch.  "Goodbye, and magic with you in trouble young Szigen." She said.  Szigen left the room and went down the hallway to the main lobby, Aunt Tayana was sitting on a bench by the door.   Szigen didn't remember a bench there, perhaps she magiced it.
  "Well hello dear!" She said.
  "Hi Aunt Tayana.  They don't know if they're gonna accept me yet." Szigen said, anticipating her question.
  "Well, how did you do with your tests?" She asked.
  "Good, so I don't know why there's controversy over my coming into the school." Szigen responded.
  "Well, don't worry dear.  I'm sure if you did well, they'll accept you.  Unless there's some extra reason why they shouldn't, but I don't think there is.  I'm sure they'll except you sweety." She said, trying to comfort him.
They went back home and saw Uncle Pauto talking to a man who was sitting on the couch.  Uncle Pauto was sitting in his regular chair.
  "Oh, you two are back.  Good.  Szigen, Tayana, this is Gayvor, he's from Sicily.  He's here on business.  He also works in working with the people of Archiosa.  Which reminds me, you need to go and pick up some things from there.  And take Szigen and Tara with you.  Tara's in your room Szigen.  Oh Tayana, remember to watch out for the you-know-whats dear."  Uncle pauto said, he got up and gave Aunt Tayana on the cheek.
Szigen went up to his room.  Tara was sitting on his bed.
  "Hey Tara!" Szigen shouted.
  "Hey Szigen!" Tara shouted back.  "How did the tests go?" 
  "They went good, but they don't know whether or not they're going to accept me yet.  They said they're going to have 'further discussion about it'.  And Professor Frota knew that you taught me those moves." Said Szigen.
  "Oh," Tara said with a laugh " he is a strange man, and he takes notice on what my favorite moves are.  He's a grouch, but he knows a lot about battle magic." 
  "You didn't tell me Gambius Leetoy is a teacher there!" Szigen said.
  "Oh, yeah, slipped my mind." She replied
Aunt Tayana appeared on the magic-net screen in Szigen's room. 
  "Come on you two.  We're going to Archiosa, I have a few things to do there.  And Szigen can see what it's like." Said Aunt Tayana.
  "Which province are we going to Tayana?" Tara asked.
  "The Western Province Tara, now get your stuff together you guys, make sure you bring your Grazens." She said, and she vanished.


CHAPTER 8 --- Szigen's first visit to Archiosa

	(in Majon)  "The Western Province is really cool Szigen, you'll like it there." Tara commented to Szigen.
  "Cool!" Szigen responded.  They got their Grazen ball from their pockets and performed the GRAZENIS RESTORIS spell.  They went downstairs, put on their shoes and coats.
  "Okay, we have to go to the portal station." Said Aunt Tayana.
They walked down the street for about five minutes until they came to a shop with a sign on it that said: 
"??????????????????????????????????????????????
????????"

("ARCHIOSA - Western  Province - ARCHIOSA
ENTRANCE")

	They walked in the door.  Inside this small shop, it looked like a train station.  They were at the back of the room, at the front were line-ups to round portals big enough for an elephant.  On the left were booths with line-ups for what Szigen guessed were tickets or something.  The floor was tile and the roof wood.  They followed Aunt Tayana to an empty booth.  
  "Hello there, I need three adult passes for the day to Archiosa."  Said Aunt Tayana.  The booth was just a regular booth with a change slot and a glass window, but the shutter was over it.  The shutter came up and there was a man.  He had a blue and green striped hat on and a matching striped shirt and pants.  
  "That'll be twenty-three clicks madam." The man said.  He had a smile on, but it was clearly phony.  Aunt Tayana pulled out a cloth drawstring bag that looked like it had many coins in it.  She opened it and pulled out five coins, two small silver ones and three larger copper ones.  She put them in the slot, and the man took them.  He then pulled out three tickets from his pocket and put them in the tray, Aunt Tayana took them and gave one to Szigen and one to Tara. 
  "Follow me you two." Said Aunt Tayana.  She guided them to one of the portals and they lined up.  After a few people Tayana went through the portal, then a second later Tara, then Szigen closed his eyes and walked through.  It felt like walking through a waterfall.  When Szigen opened his eyes, he saw in front of him a really big field.  The field had trees and ponds here and there, but it was mostly just grass.  Szigen could see plains of tall yellow grass.  He could swear there were animals moving in it too.  
  "So Aunt Tayana, what are you here to pick up?" asked Szigen.
  "Oh, your uncle needs a special card dear."
  "Is it alright if I take Szigen around Tayana?" asked Tara.
  "Sure Tara, I'll see you two at home okay?" 
  "Okay" said Tara and Szigen.  Aunt Tayana started walking towards what looked like a city about five minutes away.
  "Man, she'll take forever, why doesn't she just use a hover spell?" Tara commented.
  "I dunno, so what's there to show me?" asked Szigen.
  "Oh!  Right!  We're going to the land of Fire creatures.  So I'll have to teach you some spells for protection.  The water jet spell.  Point your Grazen at something, picture a river, then say 'DOUSO TA GORA!' and that's it.  Now, were going to visit the fire people so you'll have to use a heat-protection spell.  Just do the same thing as 'Proterus Neego', but say 'Protecto Jiko Kasha' instead.  Okay, let's go!" said Tara.
  "Kay." Szigen responded.  "DECOUSTIS-TIE NEEGO" Szigen yelled, and he twirled his glowing Grazen three times and tapped the outside of his ankles.  His ankles sprouted white wings about the size of hawk wings.  Tara did the same.  They jumped about ten metres into the air and were able to glide along like they were standing on a moving sidewalk.  They flew east towards what looked like a barren land of lava pits, volcanoes, and rock.  They reached it after about five minutes of flying along.  It was a large expanse of little volcanoes and lava pits, and bonfires.  They saw Firedogs sitting in pools of lava.  They saw birds that looked like they had feathers of fire.  They even saw some people who looked like their skin was fire. 
  "Wow!  This is so cool!  It's getting really really hot though.  I think we should put on the heat-protection spell." Szigen yelled over to Tara.
  "Good idea!" She yelled back.  
They braked in mid-air by twisting their feet.  They were just hovering about half a metre above the ground.  They both activated the "PROTECTO JIKO KASHA" spell.  Szigen no longer felt like he was in an oven.  They flew over to a large volcano.  The volcano looked like a giant building, it had an open doorway.  They landed and tapped their ankles with their Grazens, disabling the glide spell.  They walked in the doorway to discover a village of firepeople.  In the middle was a pool of lava, and the rim of the volcano was where all the booths were and all the people talking.  It wasn't very crowded, there were multiple floors you can walk up to by use of stairs at two ends of the volcano.  It looked like a mall, Tara and Szigen walked around and looked at some of the things there.  There were some magic cards, Szigen saw ANYSPELL Cards for sale at one booth.  "Firepeople must be able to use magic too," Szigen thought.  He didn't see them with Grazens though.  They saw lots of interesting things, drinks of lava, foods made out of strange looking rocks and black and red plants.  And they saw doors too, to what Szigen assumed were the firepeoples houses.  They saw little firepeople and big firepeople of youth and of old age.  It was a very interesting experience.   They left eventually and glided to a giant sea of silver water.  They saw weird looking blue seals with spikes on their tails and a third eye.  He saw swimming dragons, big and small.  He saw short little sea people.  They were turquoise with spiky ears at the top of their heads, and sideways eyelids.  They had bright, bulging yellow eyes and spikes all over their bodies.  They had flipper like feet and carried around spears with three-dimensional heads.  They had a large spike on the top of their heads of their heads too.  They had webbed hands also, and they were giving evil grins to Tara and Szigen.   
  "Don't trust those guys, they speak Majon, but they just want to trick you into buying something no good.  They're called Dakots (Day-coats).  The magic government has arrested a whole bunch of them for fraud.  They don't allow them in the normal world anymore, they use to.  They have gills and lungs like amphibians so they can breathe in and out of water.  They're very dangerous, for the most part, but there are some friendly ones, and they're an interesting people.  They build domes to have their cities in, the domes are enchanted so that they have normal gravity.  They're pretty clever ya know." Tara explained to Szigen.
  "Thanks for the update Tara.  Won't we need to use a water-breathing spell?" asked Szigen
  "Yup, it's a hard one though.  I don't know if we'll be able to do it.  I've never been able to before.  We should just buy a couple water cards.  We don't want to screw up the spell and end up fish.  I've heard of it happening before." Tara said.  She went over to a stand a little away from them and brought back two cards.  The cards had a dark, navy blue back and on the front was a picture of bubbles and a Dakot.  Szigen threw his forward and pointed his Grazen at it with his right hand, "JOPA REENOS!" He yelled.  The card glowed blue and floated towards Szigen, it touched his chest and dissolved into him.  Tara did the same, with the same effect.  Szigen now had the instinct that he could breathe underwater and above.  They magiced themselves into bathing suits using a couple of cards designed for just that.  There was a tourist stand to buy such cards, Szigen assumed that people liked to visit this place.  They swam into the water and down to a giant glass dome.  They swam down to the bottom and there was a door.  They walked though.  It was a beautiful village, there were no houses, but there were shops and statues all over the place.  It looked like the place was designed solely for fun and to be a market.  There were big ditches here and there, they saw Dakots sleeping in them.  Szigen assumed they were homeless, but Tara told him that this was how they slept.  Szigen thought to himself "I guess there not know for their resorts".  They walked a little farther and they heard music!  It was a band playing!  Szigen wondered how they could play musical notes on a flute if there was no air, but he didn't really feel like trying to figure it out.  The band was playing a fast tune, it sounded like reggae.
  "We should go now Szigen, the thieves will be out soon, and YES they do know some magic." Tara advised.
  "Okay." Said Szigen.
They left the dome and swam out, once they got out of the water, their gills faded away.  So did their bathing suits, replaced with their clothes, and when they walked out they were dry!  
  "What an experience!" Szigen said.
  "Yeah, we should get back, your aunt may be worried.  We've been gone about three hours, and I don't think she needed that long to get a card or two." Tara said.
  "Yeah."
They went back to the portal point and went through.  They left the station and went home.


CHAPTER 9 --- Max's first visit and the Gaadona


	(in Majon)  "Aunt Tayana, can I call a friend using the booth with the telephone in it on the street corner?"
  "Sure dear, here you go." She replied, and she pulled a couple copper coins and handed them to Szigen.
Szigen walked down the street to a blue phone booth.  He inserted the coin and dialed Max's number.  The phone rang.
  "Hello?" said a familiar voice, it was Max.
  "Hey Max!  It's Szigen." Said Szigen.
  "Hey Szi!" he relied.
  "What's up over there man?"
  "Not much, you?  You calling from Italy?" 
  "Oh, lots is going on here in Italy.  Can you come down for the weekend?"
  "Yeah sure, mom won't care.  How am I going to get there though?"
  "I can arrange that, I'll call you back in a few minutes kay?"
  "Kay, see ya eh."
  "Later." Szigen said, and he hung up.
Szigen went back home.  "Aunt Tayana, Uncle Pauto, can my friend come down from Canada?" he asked.
  "Sure sweety!" said Aunt Tayana.
  "Why not son?" said Uncle Pauto.
  "Cool!  Thanks a lot!  Are you going to order a bubble card?" 
  "Yes, I'll do that right now." Said Aunt Tayana.
  "Cool!  I'll go call him back."  Szigen said, and he left running back to the booth.  He put the second coin in and dialed Max's phone number again.
  "Szigen?" Max asked.
  "Yeah, you can come down, put your things in your backpack and meet me your backyard." 
  "Okay...  Where in Italy are you?"
  "Catania, in Cicily."   
  "Cool."
  "See ya then."
  "Later." And Szigen hung up.  He ran back home, and Uncle Pauto was waiting for him with a bubble card.  He handed it to Szigen.  Szigen stood outside and activated it.  He threw it on the ground and pointed his Grazen at it.  "DOUSO HASKA MAWBA!" He yelled, the Grazen ball and the card glowed bright blue.  The card turned into light and formed a bubble around Szigen.  With the thought of Max's backyard in his head, the bubble shot up and off.  He traveled over the island of Cicily and over the Pacific Ocean, over Quebec and into Toronto, he landed in Max's backyard.  
  "Whoa!  Cool!" Max said.
  "Give me your hand." Szigen said.  The bubble was only a centimetre off the ground.  Max stuck his hand out and Szigen pulled him through.  Then thinking back of his Aunt and Uncle's house, Szigen's bubble took off.  They flew back over Canada and the ocean, then they arrived back in Catania, and the trip only took about ten minutes.  When they landed, and the bubble was on the ground, it popped.  They went into the house.  "Oh crap!  I forgot, Aunt Tayana and Uncle Pauto can't speak English, and Max can't speak Majon!" Szigen thought to himself.
  (in Majon)  "Aunt Tayana, Uncle Pauto, this is Max.  He can't speak Majon, so I'll translate for you guys."
  "All right dear.  Tell him we're happy to have him, and welcome to our home." Said Aunt Tayana.
  (in English)  "Max, my aunt says that they're happy to have you and they welcome you."
  "Tell them I say thank you, and I'm very grateful." Max said to Szigen.
  (in Majon)  "Aunt Tayana, Uncle Pauto, Max says Thank you, and he's very grateful."
  "Tell him, it's not a problem, and we hope you two have fun." Said Uncle Pauto.
  (in English)  "They say it's not a problem and they want us to have fun."
 (in Majon)  "Aunt Tayana, can I show Max Archiosa?  I want him to see the city of Gaadona (Gay-doh-na) and the Firepits and the Magic Sea." 
  "Oh sure dear!  Here, this should be enough, and here's some spending money or emergency money, just in case."  She said, and she handed Szigen a handful of silver and copper coins.
  "Thanks Aunt Tayana, we'll be back soon." Szigen said.
  "Your welcome dear, have fun!" she replied.
  "If you guys meet a man named Tao Dajis (Tay-o Day-jis), tell him that you're my nephews." Said Uncle Pauto
  "Okay, Uncle Pauto." Said Szigen.
And they left, headed for the portal station.  They went in and went up to a booth.
  "Two adult tickets please." Szigen asked.
  "Twenty-two clicks plese."  Said a man in a red and white striped uniform.  Szigen pulled out two silver and copper coins and put them in the tray.   The man took them and put them in a little box.  Then he pulled out two tickets from a different little box.  He slid them in the tray and Szigen and Max each took one.  They walked up to a portal and there was a lady in a blue and white striped uniform and took ripped their tickets in half, she put one half of them in a tray, and gave the other halves to Szigen and Max.  They stepped through.
  (in English)  "Whoa!  This amazing Szigen 
  "Yeah I know."  Szigen took his Grazen ball out from his pocket and threw it a few feet into the air.  It floated there.  "GRAZENIS RESTORIS!" he yelled.  The staff instantly grew out of nothing and flew into Szigen's hand.  "DECOUSTIS-TIE NEEGO TA!" he shouted, and he tapped his and Max's ankles.  Wings sprouted from they're ankles.  They were lifted a couple feet up.  
  "Just lean your body in the direction you want to go in man." Szigen instructed.  "We're gonna fly up above the Magic Sea, and above the volcano, you're a non-magic, so I don't think it's a very good idea for us to visit the fire city, or water city.  Lean forward with all your weight, trust me you won't fall, watch me."  And Szigen went shooting forward and span back around to face Max.  "See?" 
  "Okay..." Max said, sort of unsure of himself.  Max went shooting forward towards Szigen, Szigen turned around and shot forward with him.  It was like they were standing on a moving sidewalk in the air.  After a few minutes of travelling over the vast field, they reached the city.  It was an old looking city, with tall, skinny, brick houses and old shops.  At the far south end of city was a tall building, about four stories tall, but it had only one floor.  
  "Jump Max." Szigen said, and he landed on the ground and the wings disappeared.  Max did the same.  
  "That was cool!" Max commented.
  "Now no one here is going to know English.  So don't talk, you don't want them to think anything.  Let's check out this building, it looks like everyone's in there, since they're not in the streets or the shops.  They walked over to the big building, and into the door.  The inside was filled with people of all colours, literally.  Purple people, blue people, black people, white people, green people, and oriental people.  People of all heights and sizes.  Szigen and Max couldn't see what everybody was looking at, so they pushed their way through the crowd towards the center.  When they got there they saw a round platform with a man standing beside a table with the most amazing creature on it.  It looked like a mix between a dragon and a cat and it had silver skin.  It was standing on it's four paws very proudly.  It had the body of a cat with dragon wings and ears, and a tiny pair of wings on it's tail.  It's eyes were blue and it had a pink nose.  On the table it was standing on was a sign saying "?????????GAIDONA)"  
  (in English, to Max)  "That sign says Gaidona, I suppose the city is named after that creature.  I heard that it was sleeping, I guess the town gathers around to see it when it wakes up.  It has the magic power of a hundred powerful magics!  It can fly and swim and run and dig very fast.  There's only about five of them in all of Archiosa."
  (in Majon)  "This is the Gaidona of this province!  See it's beauty, it's pride, it's power!  This little creature has the magical power of all of you!  It has been sleeping for eleven months, and now it is awake!  We have talked with it, and it is going to show us an example of it's amazing magic." Said the man on the platform.  "Okay Majasa, show them.  Fly, and show them your magic!" 
  The creature flapped it's wings and it flew into air, from it's body flew sparks, and waves of energy.  It opened it's mouth and breathed fire.  It did flips in mid-air and dives and many fancy little flying moves.  Then it landed back on the table.
  "This beautiful creature has only lived up to it's childhood, and because of circumstance, must be sold!  The town is going broke, and we need to sell it.  It's only two-hundred billion clicks." Said the Man.  At this statement of it's price, the whole audience laughed, and gasped and criticized at this huge price tag.  Sure it was an amazing creature, but it cost way too much for ninety-nine percent of the population of the town and of Italy.  "It's a great pet folks, it's tamed and trained.  It's friendly, cuddly and useful!  It doesn't sleep as much as you would think, if you have it in your home, and you love it and treat it well, it only needs as much sleep as you do!  It's a marvel of magic!"
The crowd was leaving, and they seemed to be in a hurry.  Max and Szigen wanted a closer look however.  They worked their way through the exiting crowd towards the platform.  They walked up the stairs to the platform.
  "Hey Mister, this is one beautiful creature!  What's his name?" Szigen asked.
  "Oh, thanks kid.  It's a girl, her name is Majasa.  She is beautiful though, isn't she?"
  "Oh yeah, how'd you get it?"
  "Well, I'm the town founder, or one of them.  And when I brought Majasa here to a meeting, they asked what kind of creature she is.  I told them she was Gaidona, they were so inspired by her beauty, they named this town after the species.  Wanna buy her?" he asked.
  "No, I'm afraid my Aunt didn't give me that much spending money.  Do you know a man named Teo?"
  "Well, that would be my name, that last time I checked.  Why?"
  "I'm Pauto Esben's nephew, Szigen.  He said to say hi if we saw you, this is my friend Max, he's a non-magic from Canada."
  "Oh, I see!  How is Pauto doing?"
  "He's okay.  I was wondering, is there any place where we could find any Gaidona?"
  "No sorry son, they're all in captivity, either by towns or people who were lucky enough to catch one in their day.  I'll sell you this one.  Seeing your Pauto's nephew, I owe him an amazing debt.  He made this city possible, he negotiated with the firepeople and the Dakots, so that magics could live here.  If it weren't for him, this town wouldn't exist, and now it's going under because we don't have the money to keep up with the two people's peace.  The firepeople are using the Dakots, and the Dakots don't know it, and the Dakots are using the firepeople and they don't know it, and they're both using the magics of the town.  They want to make this an entirely magic creature town and kick out the human magics.  There're fights happening in the streets.  I don't think there's anything your uncle could do though."
  "Wow, I can't believe it." 
  (in English)  "Umm, Szi... Sorry to interrupt but, I can't understand anything that's going on!" Max said.
  "Oh sorry Max, this man is explaining the story of the town.  My Uncle made it possible for this place to exist."
  "Oh Okay, just update me every couple minutes, kay?" 
  "Yeah, no problem."
  "Umm, I can talk in English if you'd prefer?" the man said.
  "You can speak English?" Szigen asked him.
  "Yeah, I lived in Texas for a little while.  Anyway, as I was saying.  Unfortunately I need to sell poor Majasa here.  She's been so good to me.  Sometimes she'll be awake for two years straight and then sleep for a year.  It's weird.  But if you wake her up, and put her to sleep on a regular schedule, she'll adapt and sleep to that.  She needs about ten hours a day, if you're going to do that.  She's very loyal and very fun."
  "I wish there was something I could do to buy her, and supply the town with enough resources, but I don't know how..." Szigen said.  "Is there anything I can do?"
  "I don't know.  Do you have enough magic to do a GATAYSHI QUINTIS?" asked the man.
  "A what?  I'm sorry, I don't know what a GATAYSHI QUINTIS spell is.  Doesn't Gatayshi Quintis mean wave of energy?" Szigen asked.
  "It's a spell that would repair some buildings and give the townspeople a nice uplifting in mood.  There's a depression happening here, not an economic one, but the people are depressed.  Their magic isn't doing what they want it to because they're so sad.  It requires a Power-Revive Card, or an ANYSPELL Card."
  "Well, I don't mean to brag... but I've been told by a few people that my magic potential power has never been seen before, and that I could perform any spell given to me.  Which so far I have, but I don't know if I could do a spell with that effect." Szigen replied.
  "You know, I do sense an amazing amount of magic in you, I thought it was being so close to Majasa in her waking hour, but now I realize that it's you aswell.  It looks like Majasa senses it." The man said.  The Gaidona was sniffing at Szigen and had a very interested look on her face.  It flew up onto Szigen's shoulder.  "It senses your energy and likes you.  I think it also senses your kindness young man.  I think perhaps you could perform the spell, I have an ANYSPELL Card with me if you would like to try.  It would mean the world to me."
  "I can try." Szigen responded.
  "Okay then!"  And he snapped his fingers and they were in Town Square.  He handed him the ANYSPELL Card from his pocket.  "Give it a whirl, it's GATASHI QUINTIS."
  "Okay, please don't feel bad if this doesn't work though." Szigen said.  He pulled his Grazen ball out of his pocket and restored it.  The Gaidona jumped down in front of him and stood with it's head looking straight up at him.  Szigen threw the ANYSPELL Card forward, it stopped in mid-air and floated, face towards him.  He pointed his Grazen at it "GATASHI QUINTIS!" he yelled.  His Grazen ball glowed blue, and so did the card.  The man watched on with a look of sheer happiness and amazement.  The card turned into a ball of green light.  "GATASHI QUINTIS!" Szigen yelled at it again.  The ball flew up into the air, above the city and glowed violently bright.  It grew, and grew, and grew, and grew until it was the size of a beachball.  Then it burst into a wave that covered the city in a soft green light for just about a second.  Szigen had his Grazen pointing up in the air at it.  The Gaidona looked straight up into the air and let out a mellow meow. 
  "You've done it!  That's the exact effect the spell is supposed to have!  It's supposed to turn into a green light and fill the city!  You've restored peace to the magic and people of the city!  I can't believe it!"  the man said. 
Things started to go black from Szigen's view, he was fainting.  Performing the spell left Szigen feeling weaker than water.

	When he woke up he found himself in his bed, with Aunt Tayana sitting on a chair beside him.  He sat up.  Szigen still felt extremely weak and out of energy.
  (in Majon)  "Good afternoon dear.  You gave everyone quite a fright, you know." She said.
  "What happened Aunt Tayana?  This man got me to do a spell, and when I completed it, I fainted." Szigen said.
  "I can explain that." It was Tao Dajis, he was wearing a purple suit.  "I didn't take into account the power of the spell, how much it would take from you.  I felt very bad when you fainted, but you did it.  The town is so much more magical, the enchantments placed upon it a hundred years ago have been re-enforced.  The town is in order again." He said with a smile.  Szigen now realized how old he was.  He had a faded and tired face, yet he had the glow of a child.  
  "MEOW" it was Majasa, the Gaidona.  It was sitting on the windowsill.  It jumped over on to Szigen's lap.  It purred and rubbed it's cheek against Szigen's hand.  Szigen pet it.
  "Majasa's taken quite a liking for you Szigen, how about you take her." Said Tao.
  "Oh, I couldn't, she's your pet.  I wouldn't want to separate you two." Szigen said.
  "Oh, I only tamed her, I never got very close to Majasa at all.  She likes you, she wants to be with you.  Take good care of her."
  "I will." And Szigen smiled.  "Thank You."
  "It's not a problem son, rest up." Tao responded.  Szigen closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

...

  (in Majon)  "Do you not sense it?"
  "Ofcourse I do, we can not let him though."
  "I know that!  We must defy the instructions given to us six hundred years ago.  Times have changed too much and so has magic, he can not be allowed to fulfill his destiny.  He is too dangerous, his magic is progressing too well."
  "The Gaidona knows, and it will jeopardize everything!  We can not allow it to tell him!  Send a Dakot to the School to kill it."
  "Why must I always do the dirty work.  Next time, it is I who will call the shots and you who will carry them out."

...

	Szigen woke up and it was mid-afternoon.  He was in a bed in what looked like a hospital.  There were curtains on both sides of him and he was in a white bed with white coverings.  Someone was walking towards him, he could hear them but he couldn't see them.  When the person finally came around the bend, he realized it was Tara.
 (in Majon)   "Hey Tara, it's been a little while." Szigen said.  From behind Tara came Majasa the Gaidon trotting down the hall.  It jumped up onto his lap and lied down, purring.
  "Hello Szigen!  How are you feeling?" Tara asked.
  "Good, I'm not so tired any more.  I have a little bit of a headache, but I'm fine.  Where am I?" he asked.
  "Oh you're in the healing wing of Embided's.  We brought you here for examination, we weren't sure how your magic balances were." She answered.
  "Oh, I see.  What do you mean, Magic balances?"
  "Oh, how much magic you have, where it's centered, it's pretty complicated, I don't even know all about it.  You'll be fine though." She said, and she smiled.  She was wearing a white T-shirt with a flowing white robe, hood down.
  "What's with the cool robe?" Szigen asked.
  "Oh, this is what you wear at Embided's.  You can wear a white, black, blue or red robe, it has to have the school symbol on it though.  You just buy the robe and take it to school, they put it on themselves." She pointed to the right chest of her robe.  Embroidered on it was a black shield with a Gaidona on it, and the words "???????'?????????????????????????? (EMBIDED's School of The Magic Arts)" around the edge of the shield.  
  "Well, I've got to go.  I just wanted to make sure you were okay.  Bye Szigen."
  "Bye Tara." Szigen said, and Tara turned around the bend, pulled her hood over her head, and left.
  "There's something you need to know Szigen." Said a soft, soothing voice.
  "Who said that?" Szigen asked.
  "I did." Said the voice.  Majasa, the Gaidona stood up on Szigen.  "I said that."
  "You can talk?" he asked it.
  "Yes, ofcourse I can talk.  What, do you think I'm some kind of house cat?" it commented.
  "Well no, but you haven't talked before."
  "I couldn't, nobody knows that I can talk.  But I can talk for a reason, there is something I need to tell you about your future."
Suddenly the window opened and in jumped a Dakot.  It pointed it's spear at Majasa, Majasa hissed at it.
  "Don't say a word cat!" it said, it had a creaky, creepy and disturbing voice.
  "You can't stop me silly water creature!" said Majasa.
  "Wanna bet pussy cat!" it yelled at Majasa.  Majasa jumped into air and flapped it's wings.  The Dakot jumped onto the bed to try and catch it and missed.  Majasa opened it's mouth and shot fire at the Dakot, the Dakot dodged the ball of fire.  It threw it's spear at Majasa and hit.  It then grabbed Majasa and it's spear and leapt out the window.
  "NO!" Szigen screamed.  He threw the sheets off and reached to his pocket for his Grazen ball, but someone had changed him, and his Grazen ball wasn't around.  He looked over on the night table beside his bed, it was nowhere to be seen.
  "Damn it!" he yelled.  He got up and ran down the hallway until he saw a tall, blonde, skinny lady wearing a white nurses uniform in an office writing something using a feather-quill pen with ink on a piece of paper.        
  "What is it dear?" she asked.
  "A Dakot came in and killed my Gaidona!" Szigen exclaimed.
  "Oh no!  That's horrible!  But how did a Dakot get into this hall?  Into this school!?!" she said, starting to look sort of scared.  She pulled a white Grazen ball from her pocket and threw it forward.  "MAGIC-NET!" She yelled, and the ball turned into a magic-net screen.  
  "Give me principal Yammugora right away!  It's extremely urgent!" she yelled at it.
The word "???????" displayed.  The screen flashed and a man appeared.  He had bushy red hair and bright red eyes.  He looked middle aged and calm.
  "Yes Dace (Dot-say), how you can I help you?" he asked.  He had a deep, penetrating voice that made you feel respect for him.
  "Professor, a Dakot go in and killed this young man's pet!" she yelled, and she pulled Szigen in front of the screen.
  "Tell me what happened son, this is very important." He said.
  "A Dakot jumped through the window and killed my Gaidona with it's spear, then it grabbed her and leapt out the window.  I would've stopped it, but I don't know here my Grazen is!" Szige said, rather fast because of the urgency of the matter, and his anger.
  "I see, this is very bad, what's your name son?" asked principal Yammugora.
  "Szigen Esben sir.  I'm Pauto and Tayana Esben's nephew.  I would like to go home, and I want to talk to my aunt and uncle, if that's okay." Szigen said.
  "Ofcourse!  You're the student who took the trials to get in.  By the way, congratulations, we've admitted you for next semester, in February.  You will be allowed to go home and call your aunt and uncle ofcourse, but first you need to come down to the office to set up your courses, you start school in three weeks, when the semester changes."
  "Okay, thank you mister...  I mean, professor.  Sorry I used to live in Canada."
  "That's alright son." Said the principal, and he flashed off.
  "Can I change back into some clothes and get my Grazen back please nurse?" Szigen asked the lady.
  "Ofcourse dear." She replied.  She opened a drawer in the desk beside her and handed him his clothes, they were folded, and his Grazen ball.  "Here you are."
  "Thank you Nurse..."
  "Nurse Caprom."
  "Oh, thanks."  Szigen said, and he went back to his bed to change, and when he changed he put the hospital gound on the bed and put his Grazen ball in his pocket.  When he left the healing wing, he walked down the hallway to the stairway and down to the main lobby.  He saw a sign saying "<--?????????'?????????  (<--Principal's Office.)" pointing down one of the hallways, so he walked down to the hall until he saw a door on the left with a sign saying 
"?????????'???????? (PRINCIPAL's OFFICE)".  He walked in and inside was a wooden desk, and Principal Yammugora was sitting there.  There was another wooden chair in front of the desk.  On the walls were shelves with papers on them.  
  "Oh hello there Szigen.  Please sit down." He said.  Szigen sat down in the chair in front of the desk.
  "So, how many courses do I take in one semester?" Szigen asked.
  "Five.  You have to take a control course and an enchantments course, the other three are your choice." He said.
  "Um...  I'll go with Battle Magic, advanced if you have it." As Szigen was telling this to him, a feather-quill pen was writing it down on a piece of paper on the principal's desk. "Can I take professor Leetoy's Archiosa course, and Power Magic?" Szigen asked.  "and actually, can they all be advanced courses if available?"  
   "Yes, ofcourse." He responded.  He put his hand over the piece of paper the pen was writing on, the quill had placed itself in the ink bottle.  "Roll up, stack shelf number six, under 'E' for Szigen Esben."  The paper rolled itself up, he moved his hand away and it flew over onto one of the large shelves with the label 'E' on it.  It placed itself carefully on top of a bunch of other roll up papers.
  "In a couple of weeks, you should get a letter with your timetable on it and some things you may need to buy.  Would you like to go home now?" Professor Yammugora said.
  "Um, yes if you don't mind." Szigen answered.
  "Ofcourse you can go home!" he said, and he laughed.  "In fact, I called your uncle, and he's coming to pick you up." 
  "Thank you."

	When Szigen got home, he realized what day it was.  It was December the twenty-first.  He had to buy Christmas presents, and he didn't have any money.
  (in Majon)  "Uncle Pauto, do you know if my parents left me any money perhaps?" Szigen asked.
  "I'm not sure son, I think they had an account that they can't access, which leaves it to you.  I don't know if they were rich or anything though, if that's what you would like to know." Uncle Pauto responded.
  "No, I need money to buy Christmas presents for a few people." Szigen said.
  "Oh!  I see!  Well, let's check the magic bank.  Go up to your room and use the magic-net to find out.  Then I'll take you to the bank." 
  "Thanks uncle Pauto."  Szigen responded.  He ran up the stairs, and into his room.

CHAPTER 10 --- Christmas


	On Christmas morning, Szigen woke up and went downstairs in his pajamas.  When he came down, the Christmas tree was up.  It was decorated amazingly!  It had real snow on it, it had glass figurines and little different coloured fireflies.  It had a whole bunch of presents under it too.   Aunt Tayana and Uncle Pauto were sitting in the couch beside it.
  (in Majon)  "Good Morning dear, and Merry Christmas!" said Aunt Tayana.  "Breakfast is on the table, eat up and then we'll open our presents." As always, Aunt Tayana had a smile on her face.  Szigen still felt horrible about Majasa the Gaidona dying, but getting accepted into Embided's Magic School brought happiness, and so did Christmas.  Szigen sat down at the table and ate his breakfast.  His Aunt had made him chocolate chip pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausages and she put a glass of orange juice out for him aswell.  He ate his breakfast and enjoyed it, then he went back to the living room and sat down beside the tree.
  "Thank you very much Aunt Tayana.  Breakfast was delicious!  Can we start on our presents now please?"
  "Ofcourse you can son." Said Uncle Pauto.
Szigen pulled a couple presents, one that was for Uncle Pauto, another that was for Aunt Tayana, and handed them to them.  Then he pulled out one that was for him.  It was from Aunt Tayana and Uncle Pauto, and was flat and long.  He ripped open the paper to find a long light blue board that looked like a snowboard without boot braces.   On it were the words  "???????????".
  "Cool!  Thanks!  What's a Yazi Board though Aunt Tayana?" Szigen asked.
  "Oh," she said, and she giggled. "a Yazi Board is a magically enchanted board, it's so you can fly without using a spell.  They're supposed to be a lot of fun."
  "WOW!  Cool!" he shouted.  Aunt Tayana and Uncle Pauto smiled warmly.  They opened their presents.  Uncle Pauto got a red sweater, and Aunt Tayana, a nice silk scarf.
  "Well, there's more presents you know.  Keep 'em coming!" said Uncle Pauto.  Szigen smiled and passed some other presents.  By the time he was done unwrapping all his presents he had a Yazi Board, a box of chocolates that make you burp bubbles, an ANYSPELL Card, a gift certificate for the pet of his choice at the City of Gaidona Magical Creatures Store, a lifelong pass to all of Archiosa, and a Clone Card which would allow him to make a copy of himself for eight hours.  Szigen was so happy, this was the best Christmas he could ever think of!
  "Thank you guys so so much!" Szigen said.
  "It's okay dear, Merry Christmas!" said Aunt Tayana.
  "Merry Christmas Szigen." Said Uncle Pauto.
There was a knock on the door.  "I'll get it!" said Szigen.  He went and answered the door, it was Tara!
  "Hey Tara!  Merry Christmas!" Szigen said.
  "Merry Christmas Szigen!  I brought you a present!" she said, and she handed him a square little box.  
  "I've got one for you too, come in, come in!" Szigen said.
  "Okay, thanks." Tara responded.  They walked in and Tara took off her coat, boots and hat.
  "Well, Merry Christmas Tara!  How are you?" Aunt Tayana asked.
  "I'm good thanks, Merry Christmas to you guys too!" Tara replied.
Szigen pulled a present from under the tree, that he had got for Tara and handed it to her.
  "Open it." He said.
  "Okay, you open yours too!" she said.  They opened their presents, inside Szigen's little box was a little white ball.  Inside Tara's box was a little glass frog.
  "That's a firedog ball, when you go to Archiosa and we see them it'll make them friendly." Tara explained.
  "That glass frog will glow green and clear your mind when you say 'TAGAYUS GOSHA'." Szigen said.
  "Cool!  I've heard of these.  That ball can come in real handy for summoning." Said Tara.
  "Cool!"
  "Well, I've got to go.  I'll see you later Szigen, Tayana, Pauto.  Merry Christmas you guys!  Oh Szigen, I got a Yazi board too, let's go flying sometime." Tara said, and she winked and left.  
  The next day Szigen came down and ate his breakfast.  Uncle Pauto was sitting in his usual chair reading his paper.
(in Majon)   "Well son, how would you like to go to the Pet Store in Gaidona?" Uncle Pauto asked.
  "Cool!" Szigen exclaimed.  He hurried down his breakfast and ran up the stairs to get changed.  When he had got down, Uncle Pauto was standing there.
  "I have to go to a different province son, I just found out.  But I'll give you enough to get there, and some spending money." Uncle Pauto said.
  "Okay Uncle Pauto, thanks a lot." Szigen responded.  Uncle Pauto digged his hand into his pocket and pulled out a bunch of coins, he dropped them in Szigen's opened palms.
  "That should do.  Now get your Yazi board and your gift certificate, and head out son."
Szigen did so.  He grabbed the envelope and his Yazi board and walked out the door.  Uncle Pauto followed.
  "So, how do I work this thing Uncle Pauto?" Szigen asked.
  "Oh just put it on the floor and stand on it and tell it 'GASA!'" He said.
Szigen placed the board down and stood on it like a snowboard.  "GASA!" he commanded.  It lifted into air, and Szigen's feet were binded to it.  "Uncle Pauto, just a question.  How do I tell it I wanna get off?"
  "Oh" Uncle Pauto laughed "just say 'NI-GASA!'" he said. 
  "Kay, thanks uncle Pauto!" Szigen said, and he took off around the streets to the portal station.  When he got there he commanded the Yazi board to let him down and he carried it in.  He paid for a ticket and went through.  When he was through he got on his Yazi board and flew into town.  He stopped in front of a store with a sign "????????????????????????? (Pet Store of Gaidona City)".  He walked in, and the inside was filled with different interesting animals.  He saw firedog puppies, red baby turtles, birds with wings of fire, little creatures that looked like kangaroos without pouches and that had paddles on the end of their tails.  He saw little lamas that had really short legs.  He saw little seals in a big aquarium that looked like they were covered in sparkles.  He saw little purple salamanders and frogs.  He saw pure white kittens that had skinny, pointy ears, with wisps at the top and with different coloured gems in the center of the their foreheads.  He didn't know which one he wanted, he saw papers describing the different animals in the selection on a bulletin board against one wall he went over to take a look.  It said things like "Firedogs can be very loving with the right amount of love back." And "Rasaos make great pets for kids!" and "Gasadokes are very loyal creatures!" he saw a different perk for every different creature they had.  He looked through the papers, and saw one that said 
"???????????????????????
????????????????
?????????????
????????????????????????
??????????????????????????????????????"

("Gaidona to good home
Real low price!
Still a baby!
Very friendly and loyal!
Inquire about it, contact Yaso Magahn")

	Szigen walked up to the front desk to ask about the offer of the Gaidona.  He asked the lady, but she said that it was an old offer, and the Gaidona had already been sold.  So Szigen started looking for another pet.  He couldn't decide.  He walked around the store looking at the different animals, he knew he didn't want a water pet.  He was stuck between a firedog puppy, a Hasias; the white cat, a bird that looked like a hawk with skinny pointy cat ears, a magical flying, swimming and running tiger kitten, that would grow up to be a little bit smaller than a bear in about a year and a half.  He decided on a special breed of firedog that would grow to about the size of small bear, and that could carry him.  He went back to the counter and told the lady he wanted one of the Large-growth firedogs.  
  (in Majon)   "Which one?" she asked.  Szigen looked at the big cage where there were about five of them.  A little shrimp one, a couple normal ones, a short chubby one, and there was another one trying to hide in the corner.  It looked like it had a strong build, and that it didn't look to awake.  Szigen pointed to one of the feisty normal ones.  I want that one, with the sort of flat snout.  The lady opened the top of the cage and grabbed it around the scruff.  It barked a couple times, she handed it to Szigen and he held it in his arms.  The firedog seemed to be soothed by him.  
  "He's four hundred and ninety one clicks dear." Said the store clerk.  Szigen pulled out the envelope with the gift certificate in it and handed it to her.
  "Thank you dear, your going to need to buy some things for him though, a starter-kit is included in this certificate. " said the lady.  She went behind the counter and through a door, she came back with a box.  She placed it down on the counter and inside was a big bag of little red rocks, a bed that would turn into a lava pool that had a label on it that said "grows with the animal" (in Majon), and a book on firedogs.
  "Okay dear, thank you for coming." said the clerk.
  "Thank you too miss." Szigen replied, and he placed the firedog on top of the now closed box.  He put his Yazi board on the ground and stood on it.  He picked up his new firedog pup and held it in his left arm and pointed at the box.  "SA MAYO DESA!" he ordered it.  The box floated a few feet in the air beside him, "GASA!" he shouted, and he took off for home.
  When Szigen got home, he set up the lava bed and placed his new pup into it.
  (in Majon)"I think I'll call you Jinopé (firery)." Szigen told it as he pet it.  He pulled the little white firedog ball out of his pocket to test it out.  He held it in front of the firedog, the dog sat up and whined.  It like it was his favorite tennis ball, it was about the size of a tennis ball too.  He gave it to the dog, who cuddled with it.  He got a dish and poured some of the little red rocks into it.  The firedog jumped to it's food and started eating, you could hear it crunching.  Szigen went back inside and sat down on the couch, he was feeling tired for some reason, like he was out of magic.  His magic balance was level, he didn't understand why he still felt tired.  It was as if magic was being sucked from him with a straw. After a few minutes, Szigen dosed off.  His Aunt Tayana, and Jinopé, his firedog awaked him.  Jinopé was licking his face, and Aunt Tayana was laughing. 
  (in Majon)  "I like the firedog you chose dear, it's very cute and friendly.  He seems to like you a lot too." She said.
  "He's a nice one, he likes the ball Tara got me.  I think he's pretty smart, and I've heard lots of people have them as pets. He's the kind that grows big, you know, so you can ride on him." Szigen said.
  "Oh, well he'll get pretty big then, and he'll grow to be attached to you.  Your Uncle use to have a firedog like that when he was your age you know.  Firedogs are quite amazing creatures.  What did you name it?" 
  "Jinopé, like it?"
  "That's a very nice name Szigen!  I like it!" she said.  "Well I must be going, your Uncle will be home in about an hour, and I have work to do in Croatia, the magic community there lives underground, and in the air.  It's much different there than here.  Bye Sweetie!" and she left.
Szigen walked up the stairs to his room, and little Jinopé followed.  


CHAPTER 11 - Szigen's First Day at Embided's School of The Magic Arts

        
	"That firedog will not make our job any easier you know."
  "Yes, I know.  It will bond to him and develop differently from a regular firedog, just because it is around his magic."
  "We must not let him accomplish his destiny!  It would throw the magical word as we know into harmony.  With Harmony comes problems."
  "Yes, corruption is necessary for strength, that is why the last one had to be killed, it was sad he had so much power, he could have done well."
  "We must keep watch on him, if he goes to the magic school he will become more powerful.  That professor Yammugora is no stupid man, he will realize it before we can stop him."
  "Well, we will just have to cause more and more corruption in Archiosa and in his life.  This will be the first wave, and there will be a second and a third if necessary.  He must be stopped and his magic destroyed!  The last one's magic survived and is now in him and in his Grazen.  I believe the force he has been transmitted into his Aunt and Uncle and friends, and now his firedog!  We must destroy him!  We must not let the magical world shift!"
  "I agree, but how do you expect we do this?  With little magic of our own, we have to sap magic from the life of others and the magic lava in the firelands.  We can not allow him to carry on, we must kill him and obtain his magic, so that no other will start what he has started."  
  "We will find ways, we did before..."

...


	When January came around, it was time for Szigen to start at Embided's School of The Magic Arts.  A letter came saying that we was to pick up his robe and some textbooks, and that he should be at the school for eight o'clock am on Monday the tenth.  Szigen was very excited.  Szigen had done some research on the magic-net about firedogs and summoning them, he performed a special spell that would allow him to summon Jinopé to him at any time.  He checked with Tara, and apparently this would aid him in battle class sometimes.  Szigen went and bought a reusable summon card for Jinopé, it cost him a lot, but he was able to do get a good price because of him being Pauto and Tayana Esben's nephew.  Szigen went walking down the street to a robe shop, it was the closest, but it was really expensive.  Aunt Tayana said that it was worth it and they had really good robes of all types, and that they measure it with growth room and everything, even the hood is catered to how you want it.  Szigen went down to the street on his Yazi board.  He had found out a way to shrink it into a ball so it would easier to carry, all he had to do was through it on the ground for it to restore it.  He walked into the store.  Inside were people standing on stools being measured my floating rulers, and stools beside them with pens writing down the measurements.  A lady just seemed to appear out of thin air.  She was tall and skinny with a pointed purple hat and a long purple robe without a hood.  She had a lot makeup on her eyelids and a lot of blush on her cheeks, but the rest of her skin looked pale.
  (in Majon)  "How can help you dear?" she asked.  She had a high pitched voice, but it was calm.
  "Oh I need a few robes for school." Szigen said.
  "I see!  Which colours would you like Hun?" 
  "White, blue, and I green." He requested.
  "Not a problem!  Not a problem at all!  What kind of quality would you like?  Casual, fancy, superb or regular?"
  "Ummm, I'll go with fancy for the white and casual for the blue and regular for the green."
  "Not a problem!  Not a problem at all!  I'll get the most comfortable fabrics for you too!"
   "Thank you." Szigen said.  The lady walked towards a door at the back of the room.  She came back with a blanket of white fabric, green fabric, and a blanket of blue fabric.  
  "Please help yourself to a stool dear." She said.  Szigen went over to an empty stool and stood on it.  "HIGAS mo TAKUSO!" she said, and a ruler and a piece of paper and a quill pen and a bottle of ink came flying over.  On the stool in front of Szigen lied the paper, ink and the quill pen was ready to write.  The ruler flew up to his head and took itself over and around his head in every direction.  Then it seemed to talk, "head, about 45 70!".  What it said, the pen was writing this.  Then it went over his torso and arms and every thing, shouting out measurements, the pen writing it, then his legs.  After it had finished, it flew over to the front desk.  The lady came back with the sheets.  She threw the white on over Szigen, then she went and grabbed her Grazen staff, it was purple with a purple ball aswell.  She pointed it at Szigen and yelled "PIXIS TENEXUS!" then she picked up the piece of paper and read his measurements.  The cloth just seemed to transform itself into a robe, it just flowed around him and formed the shape of a robe by itself.  After the white one was done she asked him to take it off and he did, she held it over her arm.  She did the same with the green and the blue.  The white one felt like a heavy silk, the blue felt like cotton and the green felt like a mix between the two of them.  Szigen also got a heavy brown cotton-wool robe for a coat, he decided if he was going to live in the magic society, he should wear magic clothes.  Nike and Reebok wouldn't exactly be recognized or normal.  When he got back, Aunt Tayana and Uncle Pauto were sitting up dinner.  It was December the 30th and tomorrow was New Year's Eve.  According to Tara, New Year's Eve was very big for magics.  There was a party happening at Tara's house for all of her friends and Szigen was invited.  Szigen asked Tara which robe he should wear, she thought the blue one.  Szigen showed up the next night at seven thirty for Tara's party.  He had a blast; he met lots of interesting magic girls and tried lots of interesting drinks.  He learned a few new things about magics and magic society and even a new spell, and a few things about Embided's and the teachers there.  

When February came around, Szigen was itching to get to Embided's.  The first day of school after the break, Szigen walked to school with Tara, he was wearing his white robe.  They went to the underground lobby, up the stairs and into the grand auditorium.  About six hundred students were there too.  Szigen and Tara sat down with a girl from Szigen's party, named Gilliana.  The auditorium was a very large auditorium, with a stage at the front, and a stadium of seats facing it.  Tara had told Szigen that it could be turned into a sports stadium.  All the students were talking to each other.  The principal walked from the entrance on the right of the stage, onto the center of the stage.  "Hadius Matreus" he muttered, and his voice could be heard throughout the whole place.  All was quiet.
  "Thank you students." Said principal Yammugora.  He was wearing a black robe that looked more like a coat, it only went down to his knees and had no hood.  "Welcome to Embided's School of the Magic Arts in semester two of the year two thousand and two!  I hope you enjoy your learning of magic here at Embided's.  It is a fine school if I've ever seen one indeed.  We have a fine array of teachers, and a fine array of courses here for you.  We hope that you will enjoy yourself here and feel safe.  I also hope you have chosen the right classes, but you will soon find that out.  There are some rules here, and I will lay them out.  I strongly suggest you follow these rules.  Rule number one, magic is not to be used to harm another person here at the School, opposed to, and only opposed to, Battle Class.  Rule number two, do what you teachers tell you to.  Rule number three, do not bring in any illegal magic, or perform illegal magic spells.  The magic police will be notified if you do so, and you can be expelled from this school forever.  Rule number four, try to be here, and be here on time.  This is important for your learning students.  Rule number five, no magical or non-magical pets or plants in the school without specific permission from a staff member.  Rule number six, do not enter staff meetings.  Very Confidential and important things go on.  Rule number seven, well this is more of a statement than a rule.  We have spell-nets set up, so we know who uses what spell, where and how.  Rule number seven, respect classmates and teachers, all of them.  Rule number eight, any act of harm, or causing danger to another person, or creature, will result in serious punishment!  That is all, please proceed to your classes indicated on your timetable sheet." 
  Szigen forgot about that, he got it when he first came.  He had five courses.  First class was higher level enchantments with Professor Tagayus, a teacher under Professor Statch.  Second class was higher level control of magic with Professor Leetoy.  Then he had a lunch break.  Third class was higher level battle with Professor Frota.  The fourth, higher level Power magic with Professor Craiya, and the fifth was Professor Leetoy's Archiosa course, which didn't have a higher level.  So off he went to room number eight to take enchantments.  When he got in the room, Professor Tagayus was sitting at her desk.  She was a small, little old lady, who had short gray hair and a tired, wrinkled face.  She had flat round glasses and she looked like she had lived a long interesting life.
 (in Majon)   "Students!  Students!  Sit down and be quiet!  We have a lesson to start!" she shrieked.  She had an old and high pitched voice.  Szigen sat down in an empty seat.  There were about thirty chairs and desks, all wooden.  About twenty-five of the desks had students in them.
  "I am Professor Tagayus, your Enchantments teacher for this semester.  You will learn how to alter objects, people and places.  You will also learn alteration magic, how to change one thing to a different thing." She said.  "The first thing we will learn today is the theory and basics of enchantments and alteration magic.  Enchanting is making something do something.  An enchantment can be anything from making your hair change colour to making someone go to sleep.  Enchantments have unlimited uses.  From household matters to life and death.  I hope you are writing this down students, you will be quizzed on it." Szigen had started writing when she started talking. "Alteration magic is transformation.  Turning myself into a lizard is Alteration magic.  Turning a turtle into a pillow and back again is Alteration magic.  Even turning your hand into a shovel is Alteration magic, and yes you will learn how to do these things.  Alteration magic and Enchantments require skill, concentration and power.  This is the higher level course, so it isn't going to be easy, and I don't plan on making it easy.  You chose this course, you will take it or drop to the lower course.  Enchantment magic can be difficult and can easily go wrong.  Don't confuse the different magics, there are elements are the different classes that share with each other.  For example, Armos Taos is considered a battle spell, but it is also an enchantment and a power spell.  Power magic and Enchantment have similar qualities, but power magic is limited to advances of self and others.  Enchantments can change pretty much anything.  When we draw magic to enchant something or someone, we draw power and energy.  Using magic requires self-strength.  Especially Enchantment magic and alteration magic.  When you transfigure something, it takes up your magic to do it.  That is unless you use some kind of card or item to cast it, but that is not my area.  I will teach you about drawing the most amount of magic efficiently and to get the most from it.  I will teach you how to transfigure the whole of something or just a part of it.  Alteration magic is generally the hardest to use.  Enchantments require thinking, concentration and knowing what you're doing and how you're doing it.  The same goes for alteration and all other magic.  What you will learn in this class will help you in other classes.  While in class you are to use only Enchantment magic or alteration magic, unless you have permission otherwise.  If you follow along with the course, and try your best and do well, you will get a good mark.  However, if you do poorly, and do not come to class, or don't try, you will fail.  You will have quizzes and tests approximately every two and a half weeks.  I will tell you four days in advance to give you practice and study time.  You will have to do written, oral and presentation tests.  My tests are hard, and almost never will you be able to do a retest, so I suggest you come to class to learn, and to test.  Every once in a while, there will be no class.  Probably about every five weeks.  Nevertheless, on your free period you are expected to review what we have done for the last two or three days.  This course is not just spells, it's also theory and knowledge so don't think you'll be learning how to turn this into that every class." 
"RRRRRRRRIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!"
The bell had rung.  It was time for Szigen to go to his next class, Control - higher level in room sixteen.  Tara had this course with him.  They met up at their lockers.  Along the hallways were wooden lockers without locks.  Instead of locks students had to open and lock it with magic, using a "KISIUS" spell.  Szigen went to his locker, put away the paper and the duatang he had for Enchantments.  He took out a different duatang that also had paper in it.  He had bought five of them the previous day, with paper.  Tara and Szigen had their lockers side by side, today she was wearing a purple robe.
  (in Majon)  "Hey Szigen!" she said.
  "Hey Tara!  What's up?" said Szigen.
  "Oh, nothing.  How was Enchantments?"
  "Boring, but informative.  Tagayus just went on and on about the rules and what Enchantment magic and alteration magic is.  She seems to be pretty self-ritious."
  "Yeah, she's kind of a bitch."
  Szigen laughed, "She seems pretty strict.  We should get to control."
  "Yeah."  Tara concurred.  They walked down towards the main hall and down a different hallway to room number sixteen.  When they got there Professor Leetoy was writing something down on the board, it look like the same sort of theory that Szigen saw in Enchantments.  Szigen and Tara sat down beside a friend of Tara's, his name was Dexis.  Szigen opened his duatang and started to write down what was on the board:
  (in Majon)
"Magic is how we live.  We depend on it to help us in nearly everything we do.  There aren't very many things we don't use magic for.  With society relying on it so much, we MUST know how to control it.  Without knowing the control of magic, it will control us.  Magic comes from within and from the magic world of Archiosa.  There is magic in every living thing considered to be "magical" by the magic government.  In reality, magic is in all living things.  It is the ability to control it that is limited to "magical" creatures.  A "non-magic" does not have the ability to control the magic of the world, but a magic does.  We don't know why only some of us can control magic, and "non-magics" can't.  We don't know if it's because of genealogy or genetics or just random talent.  We can not say that a person in the "non-magical" world is actually not magical, because magic lives in the essence of everything alive.  Even some plants have magic.  

We must know how to use our magic, or we will fail with it.  This course is a course that will help you with all of your other courses because the more control you have the easier spells can come to you.  Having control is essential to using your magic.  If you can't control the spell, you can't start it or end it, which can cause serious problems.  This course will teach you, and help you develop your magic control.  You will mostly learn on how to perform spells better and how to do more magic with less energy.  Control is the most important thing you need to have for magic, without control over magic, magic will have control over you."

  (in Majon)"Copy this down students and remember it, this broadly and basically explains it.  As we go further into the course, you will learn more." Professor Leetoy said pointing to the chalkboard
"RRRRRRRRIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!"
	The bell rung again.  It was time for Szigen to have lunch.  Szigen and Tara went back to their lockers and put away their books.  They walked down the hall to the main lobby, and they walked out of the school to go to a local restaurant to get some lunch.  It was very cold and snowy outside that day.  They went to a little café and sat at a table.
  (in Majon)  "So what did you think of Leetoy's introduction Szigen?" Tara asked.
  "Interesting I suppose, what he wrote makes sense.  I want to see power magic." Szigen answered.  A waitress in an apron came over to ask them what they wanted to order.  Szigen ordered a chocolate milk and a chicken sandwich and Tara ordered a cup of coffee and a bowl of vegetable soup.  
  "So did you hear?" Tara asked him.
  "Hear what?" Szigen responded.
  "Apparently someone broke into a magic card store and stole a very powerful card."
  "Really?  Wow, that's weird.  Do they know who did it?"
  "No, they found no physical or magical trace of anything.  And the guard didn't see anything they hired a Dakot, and Dakots are extremely watchful."
  "Weird."
  "Yeah."
When they finished their sandwiches and drinks, they walked back to school.  Szigen had higher-level battle magic, and Tara had Magic History.  Szigen went and got a duatang for his course.  When he got there, the class was almost full, only a few more people were entering.  Professor Trotza was standing in the front of the class.  The room was enchanted to make it the size of a football field, but it was only physically the size of a bedroom.  All of the students walked over to him, they were walking on a strong stone, marble floor.  
  (in Majon)  "Welcome to higher-level battle magic.  In this class you will learn how to perform defensive and offensive spells for self-defense, and self-defense only.  This course is not an introductory class, you should all know how to put up atleast two different shields, and attack three different ways.  This arena is meant for battles as you can see.  Everybody pull out your Grazens." Said Professor Trotza.  The whole class pulled out their Grazen balls.  Some people had purple ones, brown ones, blue ones, green ones, red ones, black ones, Grazens of all colours.  Every student performed the GRAZENIS RESTORIS spell.  
  "Good, now everybody get a partner.  This person is your battle person for the week.  Every week you will have a different battle partner.  If you can maneuver to different styles, you will be come a more diverse and harder battler.  You may get hurt in this class.  I have been trained in some medicinal and restore magic.  All injuries must be reported to me immediately and then I will decide whether to take care of it myself or send you to the nurse.  This course will not be easy!  If you try and you succeed you will do well, if you don't, you will fail.  Now hurry up and pick your partner." 
Szigen turned to Tara 
  (in Majon)  "Tara,wanna be partner?" he asked.
  "Sure!" she answered.
  "Now spread out people!  You and your partner will find a place, a fair distance from another pair." Professor Trotza instructed.  The class spread out with their partners.
  "Now I want to see you all battle!  Engage battle with you partners students!" said Professor Trotza. 
  "You're goin' down babe." Szigen told Tara.
  "That's what you think." She responded.
  "COMMENCE!" Professor Trotza yelled.
Szigen pointed his Grazen at Tara and yelled "MAYGOSIS NEXIS!" a beam of blue light shot from his Grazen to Tara.  Tara was stunned for fifty seconds.
  "You bum you!" she yelled.  In this time he performed the PROTERS NEEGO spell, and the ARMOS TAOS enchantment.  Tara recovered just in time.  She pointed her Grazen at him and shouted "HA MO TOWSENS!" from her Grazen shot a green vine.  The vine tied itself around Szigen's legs instantly and rooted into the ground.
  "Grrrr, 'SWORD!'" Szigen yelled.  His staff shortened and the ball turned into a black blade.  He carefully cut the vine.  Tara had already but a physics defense shield, and had performed PROTERUS NEEGO.  She pointed her Grazen at him, "VEETIUS GECKUS!" she yelled.  She was covered in blue light and she disappeared.  Szigen looked around, but he couldn't see her.  "AFAS DO!" Szigen yelled and he stuck the sword into the ground.  The ground started to rumble.  Tara seemed to fly out of ground.
  "Found ya!" he yelled.  "SWORD NEXIS!", his Sword formed back into the Grazen staff.  He jumped up into the air and pointed his Grazen at Tara down at the ground, but she jumped just before he twitched the staff and sent a little ball of green energy at her.  Tara had already had a little charge ready, and she shot it at him.  Szigen fell to the ground.  Professor Trotza walked over.  He was watching over the classes' battles.  
  "Very good you two, seven point eight out of ten.  You both have unique and interesting battle styles." He commented.  "Everyone come over here!" he called the class over.  He pulled out a card from his pocket and activated it.  It turned into a large mirror.  "Show me the battle Tara Troy and Szigen Esben have just fought." He commanded it.  It showed Tara and Szigen's battle, starting at Szigen's first move.  Professor Trotza was commenting on it while they were watching.  When Szigen performed PROTERUS NEEGO he commented "See, you want to power yourself and arm yourself, although the ARMOS TAOS didn't hold up too well from Tara's magic shot.  It's not very good in the air, remember that class.  See, Tara's HA MO TOWSENS was a good move, but Szigen was able to cut it easily, by turning his Grazen into a staff.  See when he jumps and hovers, Tara has already predicted that he is going to shoot her from above, so she jumps and gets him." And the mirror stopped playing. 
"RRRRRRRRIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!"
	The bell rang, the student body (and the teacher) were just put at the back of the class by the door magically.
Szigen and Tara went back to their lockers, Szigen had Power magic, higher-level.  He put away his battle duatang, and pulled out a fresh one with fresh paper.  He looked at his timetable he put into his pocket.  He had to go to room sixteen, which was in the same hallway.  He walked down and into the open classroom.  It looked like a regular classroom with a teacher's desk at the front and about thirty student desks and chairs in front of it.  Professor Craiya was standing behind her desk with her hands in front of her.  When the class had arrived she welcomed them.  (in Majon)  "Welcome to higher-level Power magic class.  I will teach you how to use Power magic, and some Power magic spells and theory.  Some of it will be notes, some of it will be spellings, where we do demonstrations and such.  Power magic is using magic to enhance or better something.  In a way it is a form of Enchantment magic, but it is different.  Power magic is pretty simple, even at higher-level, but it's strenuous to your magic balance.  If you use too much you will deplete yourself, and there is not a spell to replenish magic, because that doesn't make sense.  You can't use a smaller amount of magic to get back a larger amount of magic.  It's like money, you can't give someone five clicks and get back ten clicks.  However, power magic can be used to give you armor, knowledge in some cases, a shield, an enhancements to yourself, like wings.  It can also be used to give you or someone else energy, or restore fatigue.  No, that isn't medicinal magic.  Medicinal magic is healing wounds and bruises and colds, things like that.  Power magic has much less medical power and purpose.  Now the theory of power magic is that you take magic and convert it into another type of energy or additive or enhancement.  Please write all this down class, it is very important to remember." She said.
Szigen had been writing from the start.
  "That's all I have for this class today, you are dismissed." She said.
Szigen packed up and went back to his locker.  He checked his watch and he still had about twenty minutes until his next class.  So he walked down the street for about ten minutes and then went back.  He heard the bell rang, this was one of the courses he had been itching for, the Archiosa course with Gambius Leetoy.  He got a new duatang and his quill and ink.  He was getting use to writing with it.  He checked his timetable and the course was in room twenty-one, which was on the second floor.  He walked down the hallway to the stairs and went up to classroom twenty-one.  He waited outside for a few minutes, and the bell rang.
"RRRRRRRRIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!"
	The students in the class came out, and when the class was empty Szigen went in.  He sat down in the middle, and waited for other students to come.  Dexis, Szigen's new acquaintance.  Dexis came and sat down beside Szigen, he was wearing a navy robe.
  (in Majon)  "Hello there Szigen!  How are you?" he said.
  "I'm good, you?" Szigen said.
  "I'm good too.  Doesn't Tara have this class too?" 
  "I don't know."
A few more students were walking in.  Dexis called over a pretty blonde girl wearing a shiny, baby blue robe.  
   "Hey Yosa!  Come here!  There's someone I want you to meet!"  Dexis yelled to her.
The girl walked over and sat on the opposite side of Szigen.
  "Szigen Esben, this is Yosa Makis." Dexis told Szigen.  "Yosa this is Szigen Esben, he's a new student here at Emby's." he told the girl.
  (in Majon)  "Hello Szigen, nice to meet you." She said to Szigen.  Then she turned to Dexis and said "He's pretty cute, how did you meet him?" 
  "He's a friend of Tara Troy." Dexis said.
  "Oh, her.  I see..." she said, no longer with such a friendly tone.  She turned to Szigen, "Szigen, you know...  Tara Troy is not the person you think she is.  If I were you, I would stay away from her.  You don't want to get into things you won't be able to get into." She commented.
  "What is that suppose to mean?" Szigen asked.
  "It means, Tara may act all nice and all, but she doesn't have a reputation for keeping friendships.  She's done some pretty strange things and she's got some power behind her.  Some people think she works for the council, and that she knows some dark magic.  If I were you I'd watch my back.  I probably wont be the only one to say that either.  But, anyways...  Where's Leetoy?"
  Szigen just remembered.  When he got in, there was no teacher.  But when he stood outside the class for a few minutes, he could hear him speaking.
  "That's weird, I was waiting outside the class, and I could hear him." Szigen said.
  "Perhaps he slipped into Archiosa between classes." Dexis said.
  "How?  He would have to go to a station, wouldn't he?" Szigen asked.
  "Leetoy was given his own personal portal by the magic government." Yosa explained.
  "It's that door in the wall over there, but only he can use it.  Professor Statch enchanted it so that only him, or Embided's staff or someone Leetoy said can, can go in it." Dexis said, pointing to a door in the wall.  Strangely, the door was on a wall facing the outside.  The door opened, and it looked like in the frame of the door was water.  Gambius Leetoy stepped right on through.  By this time, all the students had entered and sat down with their books out.
 (in Majon)   "Good afternoon class!" he said.  The students muttered good afternoon back.
  "Welcome to my course on magical cards, items, creatures, and the land of Archiosa.  Please write down what I am saying.  In this course, we will discuss, study, see, and use magical cards and items.  We will also visit Archiosa to see the towns, people, creatures and terrain there.  This course is not a hard course, there is only one general level.  It's not very hard to succeed, just show up and complete the work you are assigned.  Now, does anyone here have any magical items?  Cards or pendants or anything?" asked the professor.
Szigen put up his hand so did Yosa.
  "Okay young man, what magical items do you have?" Professor Leeoty asked.
  "I have an ANYSPELL Card, a clone card and a summoning card linked to my firedog." Szigen responded. 
  "And you, young lady?" Professor Leetoy asked Yosa.
  "I have a summoning pendant for my Hasias." She replied.
  "Would you two mind summoning your creatures please." Gambius Leetoy said.
Szigen threw the summoning card for Jinopé onto the ground infront of him and called "Jinopé DIUM FASA!".  From the card a giant plate of energy, that looked like a portal appeared.  Jinopé was seemed to be lifted up through it.  When the class saw that Jinopé was just a puppy, all the girls went "aaaaaw, it's so cute!".  Then Yosa pulled a pendant she was wearing underneath her shirt out of her shirt and held it with her hand.  She commanded "Yamai DIUM FASA!".  A portal appeared infront of her and a white cat with wispy ears and a wispy tail and a jewel on it's forehead.  Jinopé growled at it, and it hissed back at him, then Jinopé hid behind Szigen and Yosa's Hasias lifted it's head in pride.  
  "Awwww, what interesting animals we have here!  A firedog puppy and a Hasias!  What breed of firedog is that?" Professor Leetoy asked Szigen.
  "It's a gumbita firedog." Szigen answered.
  "And your Hasias young lady?" 
  "She's a myatin professor.." Yosa replied.
  "Those are both very rare and very nice breeds!  And your animals look healthy and magical!  Does anyone else have an item, or a pet to summon?" asked the professor.
A few more students put up their hands.  "You there, in the burgundy robe, what item or pet do you have?" 
  "I have a Fosha." The boy replied.  "But I need a summoning spell to bring him, and I can't do the spell the brings him.  His name is Kas."
  "I will summon him for you." Professor Leetoy assured.  "Kas Fosha DIUM FASA!" He yelled with his hands out.  A large cloud of thick blue mist appeared infront of him, which turned into a little creature that looked like a blue dragon.  The dragon jumped up onto the boy's desk and lied down.
Professor Leeoty laughed.  "I can see you and him are very close, very good!  Next person!"
The professor summoned a few more creatures from different people, and sent home the creatures that the students asked him to.  Szigen decided to walk home with Jinopé.  He knew that because of Jinopé's ability to become very very warm, would make it so that Jinopé could walk through the snow without being uncomfortable.  When Szigen and Jinopé got home, Aunt Tayana and Uncle Pauto weren't there.  There was however, a note on the table.  It read;

(in Majon)  "Dear Szigen, we're sorry we couldn't be there when you got home, but there's an emergency in Archiosa that your Uncle and I had to attend to immediately.  We'll be gone until late into the night probably, so I magiced some food, it's in a box I enchanted to keep things cold.   You can warm it up with your firedog dear.  We'll see you later.
Sincerely, Aunt Tayana and Uncle Pauto."


CHAPTER 12 --- The Robbery of the Damia-Tos Card


	Szigen was wondering what his aunt and uncle meant in their letter.  He was very worried, very worried indeed.
...
(in the building of Magic Affairs in the city of Yasma, in the northern province of Fosha, Archiosa)
	"Okay, we are all in agreement then?  We know that this was not committed by a magic or magic creature.  No magical or physical trace was left anywhere.  The guards saw nothing, the magic-net set up didn't catch any spells and the Firedog guarding that particular card didn't bark, and there's no trace of a spell on him." Said Uncle Pauto.  Uncle Pauto, Aunt Tayana, Gambius Leetoy, two members of the Magic Council, a representative from Dakos; a Dakot city, a representative from the firepeople, the card shop owner and the head of the magic government; Tora Tise.  Tora Tise was sitting at the head of the table with Gambius Leetoy at the foot.  
  "There is no doubt to that Pauto, this was certainly done by a very, very powerful mage either by action or by using a very illusive magic.  Gambius, what is your view on the event that has just unfolded?" asked Tora Tise.  She was a pretty lady, with brown hair and eyes and a very fancy looking purple cloak. 
  "Well, I sensed an ancient, yet unknown magic there.  The person who performed it is certainly an experienced mage and has a lot of magical power behind him or her." Said Mr.Leetoy, who was wearing a patched up, raggedy-looking, emerald cloak.
  "I do not believe it is prudent to continue to examine the card shop over and over, it would be only a waste of resources.  Instead, we should try to put some sort of signature on the place and cast a GOY TA GOUIS spell card on it to see if we can put up an identity to the place.  I doubt it will give us a lot of information, but perhaps magic will be on our side." Aunt Tayana said, she seemed very wise in her statements, you could tell by the approving looks on everybody's faces.  Meanwhile, the shop owner was absolutely devastated.  He was crying and baling on and on about the card.  A member of the Magic Council was trying to calm him by patting him on the back, with no result.
  "That card is too powerful to be used for evil purposes, especially in times like these.  Magic is going more and more downhill, more and more evil is being introduced.  The balance is off, the ancient magic was so much purer.  The magic element of light was more present in the magic of the people.  Now the dark is creeping up and infesting people, turning them into evil mages.  That card is influential to the balance of magic, if indeed an evil force is carrying it, they must be tracked down and the card must be returned.  There is only one other card with that power, the Yudia-Tos Card." This time it was a big framed, tall man in a dark-sea blue, knee-length cloak.  He was a member of the Magic Council.  
  "You are very knowledgeable Hasa, and I agree with you.  I would just like to know how you know so much about the ancient magic when you weren't born until about six hundred and fifty years after the magic interruption.  Anyway, this is no time for speculating on ancient magic, we must focus on the now." Said Tora Tise, with an impression of great importance in her voice.  
...
	Szigen didn't have his morning classes, so he didn't have to be at Embided's until about one o'clock.  He got up around ten o'clock in the morning, and when he awoke, there was an envelope at the foot of his bed.  It was from the Magic Council.  He opened it and it said.

(in Majon)
"Dear Master Szigen Esben.
You have been summoned by the Magic Council to approach for the hearing of the Gaidona named Majasa.  This Gaidona was part of an endangered species.  It's cause of death will be discussed.  The creature was left to you and it was killed.  We also require you for reasons of another matter, which cannot be addressed in this letter at this time.  Please come to the building of Magic affairs in the city of Yasma, in the northern province of Fosha, Archiosa on Thursday February the 9th at 1:00 PM in the afternoon.  

Thank you, sincerely the eleven members of the Magic Council.

The Members of the Magic Council
Leader: Tora Tise, Advisor to the Magic Council: Tayana Esben, Majon people to Archiosan people Ambassador for the magic Council: Pauto Esben, Advisor of Archiosan affairs for the Magic Council: Gambius Leetoy, Magical defense Advisor for the Magic Council: Hasa Yoo, The Representative to the Magic Council of the Dakot people: Nosk of Fesen-Dakos, The Representative to the Magic Council of the Eldon people: Oseeis of Geten-Fotoi, The Representative to the Magic Council of the Firepeople: Isan Feeyotogenias of the city of Firen-Gi, Minister of peace over Archiosa for the Magic Council: Yuoden Raas
Minister of civil disputes of the Archiosan people for the Magic Council: Lonos Tideena, Minister of Trades and Business of Archiosa for the Magic Council: Tajaya Neemo
 
	Szigen wondered why the Magic Council went into the affairs of people's pets that are endangered.  He didn't see a representative to the pets of the people on the list.  He also wondered why there weren't representatives to the other races that lived in Archiosa, like Mosfs and Elfs.  He decided that he had to go, he'd show the letter to his teachers and just go to the hearing
using his portal pass.  He was sure he had heard of a portal station the Northern Province before.  He had never been to Yasma, only Gaidona and Sontontaya.  Both of which were in the Western Province.  He also wondered about this card that was stolen Tara told him about and about this "other affair" that the Magic Council needed him for.  He called Jinopé to follow, Jinopé was sleeping in his little lava bed, he awoke eagerly, yawned and stretched and followed Szigen down the stairs to the living room.  Szigen went into the kitchen (he has only been in there a few times so he didn't know where what was) and looked around.  He saw a large, door-sized cabinet.  He opened it, it was very cold inside, and it seemed to be a very big closet full of wooden shelves with food on it.  Szigen guessed that this must be the Magic equivalent to a fridge, and laughed at how similar magics and non-magics really are.  He wondered what other inventions magics and non-magics both have.  He got into a bath (because magics don't have showers) and got all ready for school.  He had Battle Magic and Power Magic classes.  He sensed something very strange and different today, he didn't know what though.  He got out the door and walked to school. Today was Febuary the 8th and tomorrow Szigen had to go to the Magic Council.  When he got to school he went into his locker and got his duatang.  He was wearing a white robe Aunt Tayana had given him.  He met up with Tara, and they walked to Battle Class.  Again, when all the students had entered, Professor Trotza enlarged the room.  He was just welcoming the class when the door opened, and in walked a new student.  He had dark, fiery, spiky red hair and peculiar eyes.  His eyes had black backings, white pupils and his eye colour was red, his irises looked as though they were flames. His eyes were very piercing.  His skin looked very red and sunburned.  When he walked in the class both Szigen and Tara felt something very strange about him, a strange, powerful force.  From the look on the professor's face, he sensed the immense power aswell.  
  "Class, this is our new student.  What is your name son?" Professor Trotza said.
  "My name is TeeRay." Said the new student; he didn't have a very polite tone.
Everyone was whispering about him, comments like "What's with his hair and eyes?", "Did he enchant himself?" and other suspicious speculations about him were made.
  "You will pair with Szigen, and Tara you will pair with Dexis." Said Professor Trotza, he pointed to Szigen.  TeeRay walked over to Szigen and gave him a very dirty look.
  "Hi, I'm Szigen Esben." Szigen said, and he put his hand forward for a handshake.  TeeRay did not answer and did not shake hands.
  "Alright Students!" Professor Trotza yelled. "I want you to start an open battle...  COMMENCE!"
Instantly TeeRay and Szigen had their Grazens out.  Szigen performed Proterus Neego and TeeRay did the same motion, but with different enchantation.  Instead he yelled "HI GO TIFA!", yet the same effect of Proterus Neego seemed to happen to him.  TeeRay's Grazen was red and black, the staff was jet black and the ball a bright fiery red like his eyes.  Szigen then pointed his Grazen at TeeRay and yelled out "GAS KOY!", "OI QIU DES!" was being yelled out by TeeRay at Szigen however, from Szigen's Grazen shot a beam of blue light, and from TeeRay's an energy net shot.  Szigen's beam pierced right through the center, but the net still shot over Szigen and pinned him to the floor.  Professor Trotza was overlooking their battle specifically, he put them together because of their high power.  "SWORD!" Szigen yelled, his Grazen turned into a sword and he cut the net.  By this time TeeRay had his Grazen pointed at Szigen, but Szigen was quicker.  "HOKO DOS!" Szigen yelled, and he disappeared, only reappear behind TeeRay.  This spell seemed to be one TeeRay wasn't familiar with, and he was left a little confused.  "EXUS TEEKUS!" Szigen yelled with his Grazen facing TeeRay's back.  TeeRay was flown six feet forward into the ground.  TeeRay got up and stretched out his hand, a wave of fire shot from his hand towards Szigen.  Szigen shouted "YUQO PRO-NES!" with both hands holding his Grazen straight up.  Szigen was just in time, the wave of fire was an inch away when it was put out in mid-air.  TeeRay had the advantage yet again and shot a fireball at Szigen, right at his chest.  Professor Trotza blew a whistle and shouted "Battle Over!".  He went over to Szigen and asked him if he was okay, Szigen responded that he was fine.  TeeRay had officially defeated him.  
  "Very good you two!  You both showed great power and grace in the battle field!" he commented.  "This is the best battle out of all the class.  Tara and Dexis, you also did very well.  Very well indeed!"  
  "Now class, you will learn the attack TAHA BAYOS.  It is an extremely useful attack.  Used to paralyze someone for atleast ten seconds for you to prepare your next idea.  Point your Grazen at the person and yell out 'TAHA BAYOS!' to use it.  It can be very effective.  Now, Mr. TeeRay I noticed that you do not cast in Majon.  What language are you casting in?"
  "Firen, I was casting in Firen.  That's how I learned to spell." TeeRay responded.
Professor Trotza seemed sort of upset that he wasn't addressed to as 'sit', but he dismissed the issue.  It seemed the professor was still overcomed by TeeRay's magical power.  Szigen was disturbed by the magic presence that TeeRay had.  He sensed something evil and dark about it.  Yet, what he sensed was so familiar, as if he was sensing an evil part of himself.  There was something about TeeRay's eyes especially that Szigen thought suspicious.  He had never heard of any mage having eyes like that.  But where did he remember them from?  He spent the rest of the day trying to figure it out.  Then it hit him when he got home from school and he saw Jinopé, his pet firedog, that it hit him.  When he and Tara went to Archiosa and they went into the lava lands where the Firepeople lived.  The firepeople had eyes like that!  Szigen guessed that either TeeRay had his eyes enchanted to look like that, or that he was part Firen.  It all made sense, he learned to spell and cast in the Firen language, the bright red hair and eyes, the ability to just create fire without the Grazen.  TeeRay had to be part Firen, there was no other explanation.  Szigen did his homework and did some research on TeeRay.  It turns out he was an agent for the Firen government, with the equivalent in level to Tara in the magic government of the majon community and of Archiosa.  Szigen guessed that TeeRay was Tara's counterpart.  Tomorrow was the day he had to go to the Magic Council for the meeting.