Page 41 of Veiled

King nodded. “What else?” He pointed to Luca. “Mr. Luca.”

“Once addicted, the energy made to use the elixirs, and then taking said elixirs, will cancel out then eat at your body. Your body will start to deteriorate, and sometimes your mind too, depending on the severity of the addiction,” Luca finished.

“Good, now is there a cure for this? Class?” I raised my hand.

“Not a known one... or rather… not a viable one, sir…” He raised his eyebrow and I continued.

“One of the problems with consistent use of elixirs is just like Luca and Jensi mentioned, addiction and deterioration. Magic is energy, so when energy cannot be contained in its form, it will be let loose back into the environment around them… when people started to die hundreds of years ago, they sought a way to cure themselves before essentially exploding… ancient texts studied by magical philosophers hinted at a race of beings that were pure magic and therefore, could save the body of the addicted.”

His eyebrows rose even higher and Remi stiffened beside me. I had once snuck into my fathers’ Council’s libraries and read some of the older texts in my fathers room. When I asked him, he said they were written by a philosopher who was a bit addled. However, the next time I went to look at the book, it was gone. I know these ‘origins’ clearly made Remi uncomfortable, but the best growth is not brought along with comfortability. Admittedly, I didn’t think it was truly possible for a being, in general, to save someone whose addiction had grown so great, their minds and bodies started to truly deteriorate.

“Now, I don’t necessarily believe that, so the solution hinted at isn’t possible. However, I do have some theories beyond that,” I finished.

King hesitated before speaking, “Yes, well those ancient philosophers did indeed touch on that. Truth is, there is no proof, nor has there been any proof of such beings existing. Magic comes from what is around us; our elements and energies…”

I interrupted, “Yes, absolutely my point. The problem with the addictions is that as the mind and body fails, the energy is more potent. The body, which is technically the host of our energies, tries to fill these cracks the only way nature knows how, by trying to heal itself. It starts to draw more energy, like a solar light used by humans. Those addicted, in effect, become almost nuclear…” I tapped my fingers against my desk and leaned forward. “So, while we cannot cure the body or the mind from deteriorating, much like, again, humans who suffer from Alzheimer’s or severe cancer, theoretically, another magic user can help those suffering pass in peace by absorbing that excess magic into themselves instead, to avoid anyone getting harmed by the explosive release of energy.” Trish sneered at that.

“No one could possibly do that, could they, professor? They would be subject to the same death. No one person can hold that much power in their bodies and survive, so you’ll have two releases of energies and a bigger problem.” She rolled her eyes.

I nodded, “You know, she would make a good point, however,” Trish turned bright red and curled her fists,so extra, “before I was interrupted, Professor King, there might not be one person who can but rather a large group of people who can absorb it instead. In Professor Grayson’s class, we discussed imbibing tools with magic. We also theorized pulling magic from distances beyond our normal range. If you wrap all that up then ideally, small boosts of power can be given from other magic users in times of need. Technically speaking, souls are beyond our range so this would be the same thing, rather, absorbing instead. Just reversing the process with enough focus. Because of the deteriorating mind of the user, it won’t be as if we are forcing magic from a user unnaturally, therefore causing one to fall into darker magic, rather the mind will give freely because it has no choice to. In theory, it isn’t difficult.”

King nodded, eyes bright, burning to ask me the question on everyone’s mind, how did I know that? Well, I practiced with Kalen. They didn’t need to know that though.

“Yes, well that is one possibility that would require research, trial and error, but everyone is right, in both facts and possibilities. As possibilities are simply the beginning for something new. I wanted to start you off with this information, class, because senior year tends to be very taxing; you’ll be pushed, tugged, and tested. You’ll be exhausted, and you’ll want to come to class, maybe learn how to gain energy, or make an elixir without my consent or assistance and possibly cause yourself more harm than good. Or, and I hate to think this of my students, make any type of elixir that will cause harm to a fellow classmate. I will warn you; I will always come up with an antidote. There is a reason I’m in this position. I have a certain affinity for it. However, you will not be welcome back to this University, nor any other University, as you’ll be brought up on charges for attempted harm to another magic user by the councils. So, do not test me; in this, I will show no leniency.” He ended with a fierceness that fit his character for the day. Yup, definitely loved him. He will be my squishy. I will make sure he knows that.

By the time we wrapped up our discussion, it was time to head out to our next class. Before I was able to leave, King called me and asked me to stay. I smiled at Remi and the boys, who went ahead, and I sauntered over to my squishy.

“Yes, Mr. Squishy?”

“Squishy?”

“Yes, I like you and I usually hate people. So, you shall be mine and you shall be my squishy.”

He groaned and smacked himself in the head. “A Finding Nemo reference? Really? Jesus, Hudson, you really know how to destroy a man’s ego,” he joked.

“Hey, hey, not every man gets to be my squishy. You should feel very honored.” I jokingly punched his arm.

“Yeah, whatever,” he muttered, and I laughed. “Anyways, I held you back for a few seconds to let you know to be very careful who you mention possible folklore and ancient whisperings to.” I frowned, realization dawning from the start of our discussion.

“You’re the second person today to get upset about this topic, so while Remi explained she hated people teaching myths as fact, what is your excuse?”

He sighed and leaned on his dark desk. “Hudson, a lot of people believe those stories; fanatics if you will. They have led witch hunts, so to speak, to find people of these myths. They can be dangerous and unstable. I’m not saying this to freak you out, but what I am saying is, word gets around quickly. Don’t fuel the fire.”

“You might want to tell Logan that. He has us writing a ten-page paper about the validity and importance of old knowledge and possible roots of magic.” He frowned, then sighed, then groaned.

“Yeah, I’m not very surprised. But yes, I’ll talk to him about it. Anyways, come on, I’ll walk you to your self-defense class. I hear there is going to be an epic showdown at high noon, and this cowboy doesn’t want to miss it.” I rolled my eyes as he threw his cloak over the podium and put his hair back up in the sexy man bun;cute little squishy cowboy.

We walked into the gym where we would be having our next two classes. I made eye contact with Zane and smiled slowly, his gaze becoming soft briefly; my heart skipped a beat. Ryder, Grayson, King, Logan, and Blair, along with Dean Alvor, sat to the side on the highest level of the bleachers. Did no one have a class to teach at this time? Goodness, I walked over and drank my protein shake while I waited for everyone to get settled in. Three hours of combat, I’m going to need it. I sighed as I finished, placing my bag down, and nodded to the guys who followed me and walked over to Remi, who, of course, was in the front.

“You know,” Jensi said, throwing an arm around me. “You’re gaining quite the reputation, little sister. I’ve had to nudge a few…”

“He means a lot…” added Luca, shoving Jensi and putting his arm around me, instead laughing as Jensi punched him in the shoulder.

“Yes, well, a lot of little fuckers in the hallway for talking about the new girl.” I laughed as he stood and puffed out his chest and pretended to be Superman. Remi chuckled.

“Don’t laugh, Remi. We saw you trip a few of the posse earlier with magic,” laughed Jensi.

I raised an eyebrow at Remi, and she smirked. “Why, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m a good girl.” I laughed.

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