In Bloom

By Peter Tarkulich

College is a magical time.

Mike Cosley never imagined that he would be studying magic in college. He also never imagined that he'd have to put up with a pranking prestidigitator, being magically bonded with his best friend, or his final exams literally blowing up in his face. And amidst the sorcerous shenanigans, he still has to deal with schoolwork, friendships, and his baggage from high school.

Around him, conversations take place about his power and his future.

Part coming of age story, part light-hearted romp, Mike's journey leads him towards a surprise blossoming.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Peter Tarkulich
• Release date: Oct 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005828813

Peter Tarkulich

Peter Tarkulich is the author behind the fantasy noir series "Mystery, Murder, and Magic", as well as the lighthearted fantasy series "Bardsworth University", based on his webcomic "Bardsworth".Peter lives in upstate New York with his wife, two kids, a cat, and a rabbit. In addition to writing and drawing he also loves cooking, home brewing beer, watching movies and cartoons, and generally living life to its fullest. His goal is to be as successful a Renaissance man as he can be.

Book preview

Acknowledgments

I would first like to thank the people who have kept Bardsworth alive in their hearts, as corny as that sounds. I know there are people who were sad to see the webcomic stop updating, and I hope this book is, in some small way, a little something to make up for that absence. I would like to thank my beta readers - Brent Redman, Aubrey Richert, and of course my wonderful wife Katie who served as an editor as well. I would like to thank Jackie Zysk, my amazingly talented cover illustrator, with whom I was ecstatic to work again.

Last, but not least, thank you for purchasing and reading this book. You have supported an independent artist in my continuing efforts to do what I love.

Author's Note

In the six years between the first Bardsworth novel and this one, a lot of things happened in my life. We bought a house and moved for (hopefully) the last time for a good long while. We had our second child. Our day job situations changed drastically, with my situation in particular being caught in a state of flux that has since (again, hopefully) settled into stability. And let's not even mention the dumpster fire that was 2020. All of these things factored into that gap of time between novels.

However, the most significant change was ending updates for the Bardsworth webcomic. That was a choice I made in 2017, and was unfortunately a long time in coming. I was burned out by all of the things going on and trying to keep up with a webcomic, as well as struggling to keep up with my Patreon subscribers who loyally tried to keep me afloat financially. But I couldn't do it anymore, and so something had to give. Unfortunately, it was the webcomic. And this book, being so tied to it, was set aside for a time while I took a break completely from the world of Bardsworth.

But, like Mike with a plate of cookies, I knew I couldn't stay away forever.

As I mentioned in the Author's Note in the first book, the book series was conceived partially as a way to correct inconsistencies and plot-holes that arose over the many years that the webcomic ran, as well as to remove story points that I came to dislike or dialogue that I've since seen to be bad (sometimes very, very bad). But most importantly, the books provide me a more enjoyable avenue to tell the story. I love drawing, and I love visual media, but books and writing were my first loves and I've never given up on either of them. Sometimes we need some space, but we always get back together.

And, as I also mentioned in my first Author's Note, the books provide a few pros and cons for readers of the webcomic and for those who have never experienced it. For those well-versed in the webcomic world of Bardsworth, you'll have the familiarity and attachment to the characters you know and love, but you may be disappointed to find that certain scenes have been removed and dialogue changed. For first time readers, you won't have the same sense of excitement at revisiting the story and characters from a different angle, but you also won't be weighted down by preconceived notions.

However, I'm sure all of you will laugh and cringe and smile and share a tear (don't hide it) with the characters. If you don't, I'll send Fawn to convince you otherwise.

Peter Tarkulich

Cast of Characters

Mike – Our main protagonist. He found a door in the back of his closet that led him to another world. Now he's studying magic in that world. When he's not the victim of happenings and shenanigans, that is.

Kris – Mike's sarcastic and dry-witted bookworm of a roommate. He's loyal to Mike, even if he does constantly question why.

Fawn – A fairy who befriended Mike on his way to Bardsworth University. Cute and bubbly, until Kris gets under her skin.

Crystal – A pink-haired elven classmate with whom Mike is smitten. She's smart and has a slightly twisted sense of humor that she shares with her brother.

Danyel – Crystal's brother. Resident prankster and all-around pain in the butt.

Keira – An explosion of energy wrapped in the exterior of a person. Better known as a bard student. A friend of Mike's, whether he likes it or not.

Fitzpot – The first person Mike encountered upon entering the door in his closet (well, unless you count Francis). A wizardly studies professor who is looking out for Mike, although Mike doesn't know it.

Francis – Fitzpot's demon butler. Brighter than a spring day, Francis takes care of his master and everyone else around him with a smile on his face.

Professor Merrit – The strictest teacher at Bardsworth University. Seriously, just shut up and pay attention in class.

Charlie – Not the strictest teacher at Bardsworth University. Some may even question if he really is a teacher (he is, just a bardic studies teacher).

Mike's Parents – Mr. and Mrs. Cosley have done surprisingly well at accepting that their son is learning magic in another world, but are doubtful that even magic can help him keep his room clean.

Tammy – Mike's older sister. Her special talents include mega-noogies, vice-grip headlocks, and cutting snark.

Rayner – A figure in the shadows, watching Mike and making plans to… well, nobody knows just yet.

Act One

First Semester Wrap-up

In which Mike gets some courage, some time with his family, and a haircut.

Chapter One

In Mike Cosley's very adamant opinion, mornings were the absolute worst. To be roused from sleep by the bright light stinging his eyes through the comforting darkness, to be forced to emerge from a warm cocoon of blankets, to have to deal with reality rather than pleasant dreams… no thank you. Weekends were a saving grace - he could bypass the mornings and just sleep until midday, a much more bearable time of the day. But even he had to admit that when the morning starts with your best friend bursting into your room declaring, It snowed last night! – well, that was a pretty good way to begin the day. Also, he thought groggily, it helps when your best friend is an adorable fairy with a contagious cheerful attitude.

Mike blinked a few times before his blue eyes were able to follow the little figure flitting around his head. She was bundled up in a thick pink coat that went all the way down to her tiny purple boots, and she wore matching purple mittens, scarf, and winter cap. How much snow? he asked, already shedding his blankets.

A lot! Fawn squeeled, filled with so much excitement that she couldn't stop flying around in circles. Come on!

All right, all right, let me get some clothes on! He glanced over at his roommate, still wrapped up in his dark red blanket and with his back to Mike. You wanna come romp in the snow with us, Kris?

A sleepy voice mumbled, Hmmm… freezing cold snow or comfy warm bed?

Mike threw on his clothes as fast as he could, watching Kris and waiting. He might as well have been staring at a lump in the blankets. Finally, as he zipped up his jacket, he said, Well?

After a pause, Kris responded, There's a dictionary in my closet. Look up the word 'rhetorical'. He rolled over and shot a half-sleeping, half-incredulous look at Mike. And speaking of words, who uses the word 'romp'?

Oh, just leave him here, Fawn groused. We'll have more fun without him.

Be nice, Mike said, pulling his light blue winter hat on. His diminutive friend still didn't get along very well with his sarcastic roommate, and more often than not their encounters ended up with Kris being unwillingly on the receiving end of the fairy's magic. Last chance, Kris.

The reply was a half-hearted grunt as Kris rolled towards the wall, and Mike – being an anti-morning-person himself – got the message. He gave Fawn a thumbs-up, received a small cheer in response, and the two headed out the bedroom door into the hallway.

After descending the painfully long spiral staircase – two hundred and twelve stone steps long, to be precise – Mike and Fawn emerged from the freshman residence tower and into a winter wonderland. The school grounds was covered with a thick layer of white and the sun shined down from a clear blue sky. It seemed that quite a few other students had gotten the same idea, and the white courtyard was peppered with folks building snowmen, throwing snowballs, and – in one instance – singing songs. Bard students, Mike muttered under his breath and added a rolling of his eyes for good measure.

What? Fawn said from her spot on his left shoulder.

Nothing, he answered, and then smiled. So what should we do first?

Let's do what they're doing, she said, pointing in the direction of a couple of girls building a snowman.

Okay! It's been a long time since I made a snowman. The two found a clear spot not too far from the tower, and Mike began rolling a ball of snow along the ground.

As it grew bigger and bigger with more snow sticking to it, Fawn said, I can do that! She packed together a ball of snow about the size of a marble, and then began rolling it around very quickly, her wings propelling her in zig-zags over the cold wet ground. Soon, she had gathered enough snow to make the ball about the size of Mike's head.

He laughed. You're way more efficient at it than I am. Here, let's pop it on top of mine. He picked up Fawn's contribution and added it to his, packing it on gently. Then he looked up into a nearby tree and said, Hey, do you think you can grab a couple of small branches we can use for arms?

You bet! In the blink of an eye Fawn flew up to the leafless tree and managed to appropriate two branch ends, which she delivered with a beaming smile.

Thanks, Mike said, and added them to the snowman. Now it needs a face. He pulled off one of his gloves and poked two holes for eyes and made a curved mouth. The first snowman of the season!

Hey, it could be a snowwoman, Fawn countered, giving Mike a challenging look with her bright purple eyes.

You're right, Mike said, putting his hands up in defense. "First snowperson of the season." Fawn's serious countenance cracked and revealed a grin, to which the two of them laughed.

All seemed right with the world, Mike felt as they strolled through the winter landscape. With the threat of final exams looming close on the horizon, and with the recent memories of being humiliated with a truth enchantment haunting him still, it was nice to have a distraction. He had always liked winter. His pale skin made him an enemy of summer, and autumn and spring were never as good as they were supposed to be. But there was something peaceful and calming about snow, while the cold was invigorating.

Pssst, Mike, look who it is, Fawn whispered in his ear. As if drawn by thoughts of the truth enchantment, the perpetrator of said spell trudged through the snow not far from them, heading in their direction.

Mike ducked behind a nearby tree and motioned for Fawn to join him. I'm gonna paste that smug face with a snowball, Mike whispered, bending down and packing snow into a round projectile. He had held back on turning in Danyel for his truth enchantment prank, but that didn't mean that Mike didn't want some kind of revenge. As the elf drew closer, he couldn't help but imagine the surprise on Danyel's face as melting snow dripped off of his pointed ears. He readied himself as his target drew near, and when he was sure he could hit the mark, he leaped out from behind the tree and launched the snowball with a loud, Ha!

The snowball passed right through Danyel as if he weren't there, and he continued walking uninterrupted. It was only then that Mike realized that Danyel wasn't leaving any footprints in the snow, nor was he casting a shadow in the bright sunlight. But those realizations came too late - a mound of snow crashed down on top of him and Fawn and buried them in a cold pile. The sound of laughter came from up above, and Mike popped his head clear of the snow, glancing up into the branches of the tree. There was Danyel, smirking down on him like a vindictive rain cloud that had just let loose. I love illusion spells, don't you? With that, he leaped down lithely and took off across the courtyard, laughing the whole way.

Mike heard muffled yells close by and he pulled his arms free to help dig out his friend. Fawn emerged with a gasp and then growled like a wild animal. Where is he? I'm gonna whallop him so hard he won't be able to move for a week without crying!

He's gone, Mike said, half glad that he was. Fawn was adorable, but she had a mean and dangerous temper on her. She would have delivered on her threat, no doubt about it. At least it's just snow and not another enchantment.

Hmph, she replied noncommittally, pulling her little body completely free and shaking the snow off.

I don't know about you, but I think I've had enough winter for one morning. Fawn agreed, albeit a little reluctantly, and the two made their way back to the residence tower. By the time they had ascended the stairs and made it back to Mike's room, the remaining snow on them had melted, leaving them soaked. But despite Danyel's prank, they were still in good spirits.

You don't know what you're missing out there, Mike said to Kris, who was up and already reading a book. He shed his coat and shook his long damp blond hair from his face.

Pretty sure I do. It's cold and it's wet, right?

Ignoring the sarcasm, Mike turned to Fawn with a grin. You know what would make this morning even better?

What? she asked, shaking her dripping brown hair out of her face.

Hot chocolate.

Ooo! Do they make that in the dining hall?

Maybe, but I had something else in mind. He lifted his head in the air and said loudly, Hey, Francis!

In the blink of an eye, a towering red figure appeared behind Mike saying, Good morning, Mike! Good morning, Fawn! Good morning, Kris! In each of his hands was a steaming cup of hot chocolate, one regular sized and one a smaller size for Fawn. Each one had a marshmallow floating in it.

How do you always know just what I was hoping for, Francis? Mike said, taking the cup and enjoying the warmth radiating through his hands.

It's a gift, the demon said with a toothy smile. He glanced over and caught sight of Kris eyeballing the mugs. Would you like one as well, Kris?

No, that's okay, he responded in a voice that betrayed the sincerity of his words.

Because I have one right here. Francis reached his hand out, offering another steaming mug that had appeared from nowhere.

Kris paused for a moment and seemed about to question the demon, but instead put the book down and said, Well, I mean, if you already made it. Thanks.

To winter! Mike said, raising his mug.

To winter! Fawn responded, clinking her little mug against Mike's.

Kris shrugged and raised his as well.

To winter! Francis said, joining in with yet another mug.

Chapter Two

And, Professor Helkner added, pushing his oversized circular glasses up the bridge of his nose, there will be an extra credit question for those of you who finish the exam early. It will deal with the recovery period following the War of the Continents, so make sure to study up on that. You are all dismissed, and have a pleasant day. The bald little professor turned and gathered his things, in almost as much of a hurry to leave as the students lining the lecture hall.

Mike, however, was in no hurry to leave. Not due to any love for learning the history of magic – although it had been interesting for him to learn all about it – but due to the pink-haired