'When in its natural state, change is often slow. Like a river slowly eroding a rock. It may face setbacks or boosts, but it is continuous.
The path of magic as we know it is actively being blocked by the Tower Association. Like a dam placed in a river leading to the sea, it is currently harmful in all respects.
I recognize that not all magicians under that organization may have been aware of this, but I firmly believe that they are in part responsible for what will occur. Magic will not remain stagnate.
It is a constantly evolving force. By keeping it stuck in the past, the Tower Association allows pressure to build and build. Magic waits to ignite and set the world ablaze with change.
My friends, my believers, and I will be the spark which ignites magic and the world, bringing it to a new age. I will become the tool of magic and eliminate the dam which has blocked it for ages.
I am aware that, like a blocked up rapid, once the dam is removed there will be a flood. This is simply the retribution the world will face because of the Tower Association.'
-Renny Syn, an excerpt from 'Magic Must Change'. Written days before his departure.
...
Monday
"Hey Rubes!" Lin said happily, walking up to the finely dressed magician.
Today Rubes was wearing a long amethyst dress which had stars embroidered and a black fur scarf around her neck. Both were gifts from the heiress she had cozied up to. She also had fine diamond earrings and rings.
"Hello Lin. Is Ode not joining us?"
She turned towards Lin who was comfortably dressed. She had a loose-fitting black pants, a long sleeve knitted brown shirt, and a black wool trench coat. Her hands were full of silver jewelry and her face was covered in piercings.
"Nah, he's goin' shoppin'."
As she passed her, Rubes quickly began to walk, following next to her as they traveled through the Sun District.
Ariao was divided into four major areas; The Dock which held warehouses and covered most the streets near it.
The Sun District was made up of the high society. Fine craftsman, dining, hotels, and large estates were common in this area.
The Oril District, despite being named after the city's patron god, was made up mostly of the slums and factories. It was a hotbed for crimes which flourished in poverty.
Lastly, there was the Gard District. It housed most of the working class of the city, consisting mostly of apartments, townhouses, markets, and cheap diners.
Under the smog, the pair made it through the mostly empty street. At this time most people were still working so it made Lin and Rubes' outing incredibly pleasant.
The scent of sugar was quickly noticed by Lin who had begun to look around for the source.
"Ya smell that?"
"Mhm. Sugar."
As Rubes said it plainly, she pointed towards a stand selling waffle cones. A delicacy from Indira, it was common in Ariao.
"Do you want some, Lin?"
"Duh!"
Rolling her eyes and laughing, Lin took Rubes' hand and brought her to the stand.
"Two please!" She quickly said to the stand owner, a human woman dressed heavy.
"Coming right up!"
The two watched as she carefully prepared two waffle cones, dousing them in powdered sugar and chocolate syrup. Traditionally, the waffle cones would have ice cream or something else cold but stands like these couldn't afford a something like that.
Waffle cones were cheap and easy to prepare with sugar being the most expensive ingredient.
"Five copper bills." The motherly woman politely said while handing each of them a cone.
Fishing into her purse, Rubes handed a collection of crumbled up copper bills to her.
"Have a good evening you two!"
They nod, thanking her, and continued down the street.
In the cold winter of Ariao, the waffle cones provided the perfect warmth to the two. Quickly and without words, they both finished their deserts, occasionally looking through the windows of the shops, but not entering.
Their favorite activity! Hanging out with each other and looking through the windows of shops. Since they can't afford such things, this quickly became bonding time for the two.
"So. Watcha been up to, Rubes?" Lin asked as they passed a store selling dresses.
"I have been spending time with that heiress. I might be able to get her to fund us once she's inherited the company."
"Well, that's good! That means we'll be travelin' more."
"Yes. We'll probably visit the Indira Republic too. Have you been reading the news?"
"Huh? Nah why?"
"Their first class of magicians have graduated."
"Really?? Those're the ones that'll join their government, right?"
"Yes, but I do not think that will last for long."
"Why??" Lin asked instantly, brimming with excitement at the thought of new magicians.
"All the countries have been doing the same thing Indira has, but without forcing them into the government. Ode thinks we will be fighting for power soon."
"We... Like the Werone Kingdom?"
"No. Us. Ode, Thames, you, and I. He thinks most governments will either fall or be swept up."
"Don't they know that's the least of our concerns! We gotta deal with Emergents already."
"Mhm. I hope they do not do what Ode thinks they will, but he is usually right. Who knows why he published those books by Ren, though. Made everything worse for us."
Lin remained silent, also confused about his actions following Ren's departure.
They continued walking through the Sun District until night fell, eventually making their way back to the inn where Ode and Thames were at.
As they entered, they immediately noticed Ode and Thames in the middle of the empty inn, eating stew and laughing.
"Ya beat us here!" Lin yelled, rushing towards the two as Rubes followed slowly behind.
Thames looked up towards them, a smile appearing on his face as he lifted a newspaper.
"Did you guys see this??? They're calling them 'First Godless Generation'!"
Ode was cry laughing, clearly finding the name humorous and Lin did as well! She sat down, taking the newspaper and reading it, slowly falling into a laughing fit along with him.
"First Godless Generation? That is a bit on the nose." Rubes said slowly, taking a seat across from Lin.
"Right! That's what I said!!" Ode said in between laughs before continuing, "They'll be our first opponents! 'Course none of 'em are Constellations I bet!"
Thames rolled his eyes towards his remarks.
"If you underestimate them like Gin you'll end up worse." He refuted Ode's words as he thought back to the Blind Reader's story.
"Yeah, yeah! No one from the 'First Godless Generation' will do me in!"
Lin nodded as Rubes shook her head in disappointment, the inn keeper dropping off a bowl of stew for each.
As they all began to eat, they chatted about their slow Monday and laughed all into the night.
What a lovely group!