Necromancer's Apprentice

By James Milne

The world was born in fire. It was destroyed by ice. It was rebuilt by blood.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Milne
• Release date: Mar 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798201115258

Book preview

Necromancer’s Apprentice

James Milne

2023-03-22

Necromancer’s Apprentice

Necromancer’s Apprentice

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Cover

Table of contents

Necromancer’s Apprentice

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Copyright (c) 2015 James Milne.

All Rights Reserved.

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Necromancer’s Apprentice

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The world was born in fire.

It was destroyed by ice.

It was rebuilt by blood.

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Prologue

Pyromancy

"First there was nothing.

From the nothing came fire.

From the fire came the world.

We grew, we walked, we became higher and mightier.

But we abused the path.

And it was taken from us.

The ice poured down from the heavens, it swallowed the world whole, and tore us to pieces.

A few survived.

Hundreds of years passed in the harrowing frozen wastes.

We should have died.

So many of us did… Paid the last price…

But then came one.

He rebuilt the world, brought us up from the depths that we had sunk to, and rekindled the fire of life in this world.

He was the first Necromancer."

The old man paused, smiling at his young audience, his eyes shining, his dishevelled robes shaking with his enthusiasm, but he paused as his gaze fell across his class.

The man sighed and tapped the blackboard behind him with a soft stick, and everyone sat up straight, eyes opening as they stared at him.

His words had embedded themselves into the board and lit up in flames.

The professor glared at the class, Though you may know the story, this tale is everything to what is taught here.

He smiled softly, This is the College of History and Magic. Here we teach you everything that you can… Safely… Learn about magic…

The Eight Schools of Magic,

Pyromancy, the art of conjuring flames;

Aquamancy, the talent for controlling all things liquid;

Ventusamancy, the power over the winds;

Terramancy, a magic that allows you to manipulate the earth;

Sanamancy, the gift of healing, and it’s sister, Vitamancy, the incredibly difficult path that allows you to bring objects to life.

Finally, are two magics often considered evil, and damn near impossible to master: Aimimancy, the art of channelling your magic not through a wand or staff, but through your own blood, and Necromancy. The power over the dead.

These Eight Schools are taught here, and after your first year, you will graduate from beginning your training, and enter into study of just one. Or you will be Broken, and your magic removed from you. You will then be returned to the outside world.

The final threat hung in the air, but one boy within the audience, with black tousled hair, smiled.

Chapter One

In a world barely surviving, where an age of ice conquered the one you know, a few stand strong, and a bare few will stand stronger yet.

In a castle, on a cliff, on an island, in one of the more remote parts of the world, lies a school, dedicated to providing the training required to those who may one day be great.

One of those few, one of the students, was named Kyle Kilroy.

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Aimimancy

Kyle scratched his neck, nervous.

He knew he shouldn’t be nervous, not really.

But he was.

He sat in class, all the other students chattering away, but Kyle… He knew he sucked with people.

He’d given up a long time ago.

The raggedy professor walked in, the same guy who had given them their introduction, but somehow failed to introduce himself.

The class completely ignored him as the professor stood up at the front of the classroom, except for Kyle.

The professor noticed and looked at Kyle, raising an eyebrow. He shrugged.

The professor sighed and clapped his hands together. Once.

Once was enough, a shockwave passed over the entire room.

The students spun, staring.

The professor rung his hands, That hurt. Sorry… Now… I am Professor Jason Bateman. I am here to teach you… The basics. Magic 101, if you will. The College calls this subject Introduction to the Induction of Magical Energies.

The class laughed, and Professor Bateman grinned, Well… Let’s get started. First thing, first. Magic follows rules.

Bateman flicked his wrist and there was a puff of smoke, Magic is energy. Energy follows rules.

He turned his wrist, and the smoke in the air turned into fire, Energy can be transferred, but it can be neither created nor destroyed… So… What does that mean for a magic user?

Bateman looked around the room and rolled his eyes, Please? Anyone?

Kyle sighed and raised his hand, the professor grinned, Yes. Kyle.

The boy winced at that, the professor knowing who he was, wasn’t something the others would have missed.

Magic is energy, and we transfer it, but we can’t create it. So we transfer it from ourselves, and we have a limit. Kyle said with confidence, and Bateman nodded, Good.

He looked around the room, So, how about someone else tells me how we transfer energy from ourselves into the real world?

A big wave of silence hit the room.

Bateman sighed, Fine. Crack out your textbooks.

A dozen hands shot into the air, and Bateman laughed and pointed to someone else, Fiona.

The girl swallowed nervously, Most magic users have to use a channel. They use something magically conductive, like a wand or staff, to transfer the magic from their bodies out to the world. Sometimes controlled, sometimes not.

Bateman nodded, Excellent. That is a key point. Using magic… Is dangerous. If you don’t focus, you could do far worse than blow a foot off. I know people, who used to be my friends, we went to this school together… Some of them have no memories. Some of them are missing organs and bones… Others have parts that they were never meant to have in the first place.

The professor’s unusually serious face faded and he rubbed his hands together, I think we have time for one more thing. We are going to make a charm that can help you out while you’re learning. It will block you from using magic while you are wearing it, and you will be expected to wear it at all times from now on, unless you are instructed to remove it.

Kyle rubbed his temples, a simple object, true enough… But it would hurt like hell for him to wear… But he should have expected it.

Bateman continued to talk, but Kyle wasn’t listening. He examined the wooden desk carefully, and found a small splinter.

He plucked it and stabbed his hand, wincing. He pulled it out, glancing at the tiny drop of blood on the end, and he touched it, muttering, "Magicae per se stetisse, cum in te gerit."

The splinter shivered and changed shape, expanding into a circle, and a small set of beads grew out from it.

Kyle! Bateman yelled angrily, and he glanced up at the professor, who shook his head, I wasn’t going to use Aimimancy. I was teaching you basic Terramancy. I would prefer you pay attention. Aptitude does not mean that you are destined for one school.

Kyle winced as everyone stared at him.

He could hear the whispers.

Blood Mancer.

He winced.

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Terramancy

Her name was Fiona Applesilver.

So far, her time at the school had been utter hell.

She wasn’t entirely used to it. She knew why everyone hated her - that was all fair enough. The Applesilver family had lead the war, Elves against Humans.

But humans… They didn’t blame the families behind the war.

They blamed all elves.

And so, her brilliant gold hair, pointed ears, and eyes with vertical coloured slits instead of irises, marked her out.

That being said, the school wasn’t all just students. If anyone developed an aptitude or interest in magic… They were sent to one of the Eight Schools of Magic around the world.

Her family had chosen this one for her, as the least harsh.

A ball of wind and rock slammed into the side of her head, knocking her onto the table, and she touched her head gingerly, feeling the blood.

Rage gripped her and she stood up.

Her fists tensed and she glared at the room.

The ground began to rumble, and the entire hall fell silent, except for one or two students determined to continue eating.

Her ears quivered at their tips, and her golden eyes turned red, Only an idiot throws a rock at an elf.

Another voice spoke, one she recognized, but was surprised to hear, No one will do that again, if they expect to live.

She glanced over at a professor, a young one, wandering over to her.

He was of average human height, with red curls, wearing a black cloak with red lining, with a bright red capital A stitched into one of the breasts.

He touched the side of her face gingerly, and then rubbed the blood between two of his fingers.

He turned around and glared at the students, and then spoke quietly, "Surge proditor, studioque cudentur. Surge proditor, studioque cudentur."

One of the students jumped onto the table, a man more than a boy, with three scars criss-crossing his face, I am the traitor you seek.

He then proceeded to be incredibly astonished at what he had done.

The professor laughed, Sit down then, boy… And know that I am the Head for the School of Aimimancy. I am likely the most powerful Aimimancer you will ever meet… And as protocol, every student here donated some blood. For if you ran away before you were trained… So I could bend you to my will… Another attack on Miss Applesilver… I might bend it a little earlier.

Then he turned and walked over to the canteen and proceeded to order his lunch.

Fiona managed a smile and sat down, blinking as she saw another student at her table, a young boy.

She laughed, You really want to make best friends with an elf?

Never had friends before. He said and picked a meatball up with a plastic fork, Never seen the need.

She glared, Then why do you think that I want you here?

You don’t. The boy said with a shrug, But I’m not moving… Everyone is avoiding you right now, and well… I’d rather not be recognized. So this seems a good place to sit.

Fiona blinked, Hell… You’re Kyle Kilroy.

He winced, Yes.

Fiona laughed, And I thought I was hated by the school… You’re the youngest Aimimancer in a thousand years.

He winced, Most Aimimancers tend to die young, before they’re discovered. So I’m not entirely unique.

She laughed, You invented no less than eight new spells, before you were ten. You, kid, are a magical genius at a magic that most people think is… Disgusting.

Kyle glanced at her carefully, You aren’t sure what to think?

The Head of Aimimancy just saved me a lot of embarrassment and swore to protect me… So you can’t all be bad. She said with a shrug.

Kyle laughed, I think I should explain. I wasn’t trying to learn Aimimancy. I was trying to discover something worse. My mother died. Killed by bandits. They tore her limb from limb.

Fiona stared at him in horror, You were trying to become… A Necromancer?

He nodded with a visible twinge of pain, Yeah.

Fiona shook her head, Kid… You’re an absolute freak… But sort of interesting. She smiled, Stick around. Maybe you might actually make a friend.

Kyle laughed, a look of absolute disbelief etched into his face, I highly doubt it… Why did Professor Bateman know you?

The tips of her ears tend red, and she swallowed, I… I’m sort of… Famous. Amongst elves.

Kyle blinked, Like me, you mean? Someone famous for magic?

Fiona bit her cheek and sighed, Fine. May as well say, you’ll find out eventually. Most elves are awesome at magic. We do our first spell at birth. It’s in our blood, and we don’t have to use worded spells, like humans. Thinking them is enough… Most elves become adept at Aeromancy or Aquamancy, and it’s apparent before their sixteenth birthday. Me, I’m a late bloomer. I wasn’t particularly adept at any magic until I was sixty three… And the magic I suddenly became great at using… Was Terramancy.

Kyle frowned, Huh… I don’t see the big deal there… Also, exactly how old are you? You look about twelve, like me.

Fiona’s ears quivered with irritation, Elves rarely learn anything but air or water magics. When they do, they’re freaks. Either magicless or utterly insane. I am more skilled at Terramancy than the Head at this school.

Kyle cocked his head, You skipped over your age there. Also, why didn’t you stop the rock from hitting your head?

Fiona sighed, Didn’t want to give anybody more reason to attack me… But Professor Bracken has taken care of that.

Kyle smiled, If it’s any consolation, I would be happy to watch your back.

Fiona winced, So the only people who like me are Aimimancers? No… Nope. No consolation there.

Kyle smiled, Professor Bracken is a half elf.

Fiona blinked, Oh. That explains a lot.

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Aimimancy

Kyle sighed as he walked, heavy books in hand, towards his next class.

At least lunch had been interesting. Fiona was… Fascinating.

She hadn’t minded that he was a total sociopath. She was almost as cynical as he was.

Kyle smiled at the memory, and then someone brushed his shoulder, scattering his books onto the floor.

He glared over at another first year striding past, a girl surrounded by others, and she glared back at him, Watch where you’re going, freak!

Kyle sighed, word had got around.

He bent down to pick up his books, when an ear-piercing scream filled the corridor, suddenly cutting off as a sort of warble.

He glanced up and blinked.

The student that had pushed him was dancing around clutching at her mouth.

Kyle picked up his books and stood up, scratching his head.

Another girl shoved the hysterical girl, and then walked over, You doing okay, aimi?

He raised an eyebrow, Amy?

Short for Aimimancer. She shrugged, and he blinked, Wow… I’ve only heard that kind of slang on the beach.

She blushed and scratched the back of her neck, Heh. Yeah. Beaches are fun.

Kyle frowned, glancing back at the girl still emitting muffled screams, What did you do to her?

Removed her mouth. Kind of feeling sorry, so I might give it back… But replace her tongue with a snake’s. The brunette grinned at him, What do you think?

Kyle laughed, You’re a rebel. Trying to make friends.

She shrugged, Everyone knows you’re freak, Kyle… But, in my experience, freaks are awesome fun to be around. I reckon you’ll be totes fun.

Kyle didn’t know what to say.

You’ll let a fly in.

Kyle glared and closed his mouth, So who are you?

She shook her head, turning, "Just a minute… Dimittite, creagras, et os eius et lingua eius."

The muffled screams morphed into a high pitch hiss.

The brunette turned back to Kyle, Now where were we… Oh right. Me. My name is Abigail, I’m pretty good at Vitamancy. Anything living is clay in my hands… She frowned and then grinned, Oh, I’m a water nymph.

Kyle frowned, I… Don’t see any scales…

Abigail rolled her eyes, I only go full mermaid in water, dinkus.

He laughed, Right. Well, I’m headed to Introduction to the Induction of Magical Energies, again. You?

Probably detention. She shrugged, and as if on cue a professor shouted from nearby, Abigail Ingis! What in the Shades did you do this time?

She smiled, Nice to meet you, Kyle. The water nymph turned and walked towards the nearby crowd, and yelled with a sweet voice, Coming!

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Aimimancy

Bateman was enigmatic, and a little bit pissed with Kyle.

He reinforced that students would not get a staff or wand until they finished first year and entered one of the Schools. As to anyone practising Aimimancy, which did not require anything but their own blood to be able to generate spells of decent power… If they were ever caught misusing their power, they would be Broken on the spot.

Kyle winced at the thought.

Being Broken… It was any magic wielder’s worst nightmare. It literally stripped away half your soul. It cut you off from the gift that changed the way you viewed the world.

It basically turned you into a wandering madman.

Over half of the students that were sent to the Eight Schools of Magic left that way.

He had just under three hundred days to make sure it didn’t happen to him.

Bateman’s voice interrupted his thoughts, … Now, to finish the bond between you and your transference device, you actually need another mage. Only a mage of the opposite school to you may finish the bond. So only a Terramancer may finish a Pyromancer’s staff or wand. Only a Necromancer may finish the bond for a Vitamancer, and so on and so forth.

Kyle’s hand shot up, and Bateman nodded towards him, Isn’t there only one Necromancer in the world?

Bateman smiled, Yes. Professor Duke is the only currently known Necromancer in the world. Due to this, most Vitamancers are unable to create wands, staffs, or any sort of object that can aid them to channel their abilities, and so, consequently, their magic is usually quite weak. There are a few people in the world who can transfigure themselves or others…. The professor paused, dusting his ragged cloak, There are… Exceptions to this, however. Most nymphs and pixies can bypass these laws, due to their ability to imprint onto those that they wish to perform magic on. They make the victim the vessel for their powers.

Kyle was rapt, and paid sharp attention as Bateman continued, As I was saying, when it comes time to create your transference device at the end of this year, so long as you pass your exam into one of our Schools, becoming a mancer of a particular art, then you will require someone from one of the opposite Schools to aid you… We do not supply one for you. You must find a friend, or convince an enemy, to finish the bonding for you… But be warned, if it is an enemy who finishes your bonding… They could well block all magic from you, forever… Or worse.

He shrugged, We tell you this at the start of the school year for a reason.

The clock chimed overhead and Bateman smiled, Back to the Great Hall, for dinner, and then to the dorms. Be careful not to get lost. Not all students here, are here by choice.

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Aimimancy

Kyle sat down at the same table, surprised when the elf from lunch appeared shortly after. She smiled as she sat, I hope dinner is something a little… Nicer… Than lunch.

He rolled his eyes, It’s a school. What do you expect?

Fiona smiled, It’s a school of mages. Can we really not do better than microwaved pasta?

He shrugged, "A Vitamancer could probably make it taste nicer… But you might