the Spring Equinox,

e in comparison. Uncomfortably out of proportion. So tall, that even with his head tilted all the way back, it was difficult for Ashwin to see

down to those working below. Ashwin always felt it wasn't like a lightning rod pulling in powe

frown of disappointment. Ashwin righted himself and focused on the parchments in front of him. With a flick of the wrist, Ash brought them upright and at attention around him. Ashwin didn't bother

another glance to the now occupied Lead Scholar. A huge misc

as told it was "too much". Using powers "too much" resulted in three days of isolation to guard against "Sourcing". The irony here didn't escap

there were no rooms of catatonic Savants who learned 'too much' or 'purged too late'. They didn't exist. Ashwin played along, and in kind the Lead Scholars ignored him. Slow, steady, paced, and

ew any symbol that anyone brought up, as long as he bothered to pay attention. Ashwin had already Absorbed most of the information in the room before he started. Brushing his fingers against his palm he got

rd the Lead Scholar remind the room like clockwork.

understand! Knowing does

th

Knowing what

, already. Nothing new. Ashwin curled his fingers into a fist. The symbols in the air around him shuddered and vanished. The visual was pointless, but somehow they people at the Academy needed to see it. That or they

t also frustrated him a bit. If the law makers bothered to consult the laws that already existed, before cavalierly drafting additional laws, they wouldn't need to Seek through them. If they had any sense of consistency

idn't dare present as the best. But they knew he was good. Good enough to join nobles on ambassador trips, or sit in tense negotiations of trade. The Savants would provide

e processed. He drew his lips into a disappointed line as he handed over his work. The Lead Scholar

me for the

door he turned left instead of right. After a few corridors, he ascended the back stair to the very top. There he tucked into an unused office,

ols try

. To crash to the ground far below. Ashwin peered down the near vertical walls of the academy wanting to jump. Just to see if he could make it. He forced his eyes from directly below him to the small hamlet

nd even used currents to navigate to his favorite spot. The peak that framed The Dean's window. He picked it on purpose. Leaning back there he lifted his hand to shield his eyes from the midday sun. He could he

and crunchy slap. This didn't startle Ash nearly as much as what he saw next. Something massive. Something that defied every bit of Kn

tely confirmed to himself he could not fly, but he did try. He pulled his cassock taught. The fibers groaned and started unravelling as he tried to generate more air resistance be

y obscenity in ever

use he Knew Annonen

ded him and controlled his descent. Hanging in the air Ashwin watched the tornado cleave the academy in

prayed

re's a huge tornado at the academy.

d the voice

oks tha

ned safe by no account of his own. He re

Ashwin tried to peel his gaze from the horrors unfolding before him. There was n

h I could. You mu

lf. He said, "Sorry, sorry. Just please tell m

he god was pai

. But you must do it

th the water of the seas. Plants exhaled the air cycle. The edges of the air pressed away from the planet, desperately upward trying to escape. No. More than that, to

halo. Ashwin glowed a pale yellow light. Closing his eyes, he inhaled sharply and spread his arms as if to embrace the dis

screamed at the tornado. The sound travelled slower than the merciless blade of of air that pushed out ahead of it cleaving the wind in half. The writhing pill

He chased it with as much passion and power as he could. Ash was fast. He instantly started to Seek a Knowing about the god before him. The speed was so impressive that Ashwin cau

done, A

in that glimpse, that Annonen was shut out and away. Ashwin felt the power seal itself away from him and his