Chapter 10

  Weeks passed as Teacher went over Threads and what each did. I had already discovered that Solid wasn't just Earth or Metal, but anything that was Solid. Even Ice. Liquid wasn't just water, it was anything that flowed in a liquid state, like mercury or magma. That said, I had a sneaking suspicion that there was more to it than even that. After all, if you add heat to most solids, eventually it becomes a liquid and then a gas. Or if you take enough heat away, the reverse happens. Is it possible that the three Threads were somehow one? I didn't know yet, but one day, I would find out.

  Eventually, Froja was able to Weave the Pattern required to go to Weaver Academy, and left just myself and Teacher. No other students joined us. He began to show me easy patterns. Liquid and Gas done just right to create a mist. Energy and Liquid and Air to create steam. Solid and Liquid to create quicksand. I was not allowed to try any, just feel them as he created them, and let them collapse. Of course, he knew I could see the Patterns, but we both pretended I couldn't and just went about the class like I was a normal student.

  I learned each one he showed me, and learned how it felt. Soon, he let me create the Pattern, though I was not to complete it. Once the Pattern was in place, I was to let go without tying it off, so it would dissipate. It took me two weeks before I was able to do mist properly. Once the first one happened, though, the next became easier. The hardest part was getting the Threads in the right place, without putting too much of one or another. I can see why this is something that should not be done without supervision, as a few times when I was trying to get steam to work, I ended up soaked in hot water. The Threads didn't collapse, instead they backlashed. That happened less and less frequently, and other Patterns came easier and easier.

  In about a year's time, I had learned all but the final Pattern. This pattern required all six Threads, and was insanely difficult to keep together long enough to tie off. Solid Threads here and here to provide structure, Liquid here and here to lubricate, a couple of Gas Threads from each side that met in the middle, an Energy Thread to create the spark. A Space Thread that was used to pull excess energy into itself, and a Time Thread to create a sort of Timing function so it only lasted as long as I needed it too. It was intense, and the Pattern was about as complicated as I'd ever seen. Honestly, looking back, it did not look like the Pattern Froja had, nor even like the Thread that Teacher had tricked me into showing off my ability with. No, this was much more complex than either of those.

  Like any modern human, I did the only thing I could. I broke it down into smaller pieces. I would practice each piece until I had it down, then move on to the next piece. After weeks of this, I had all the smallest pieces down, so I began combining them together, until I finally was able to complete the entire Pattern. I went to school, stood before Teacher, and began without any preamble. Slowly I built up the foundation, then added each piece I had practiced ad nauseam. The last Thread slipped into place. I could see where to tie it to complete the Pattern, but instead, I let it go.

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  "Why didn't you tie it?"

  "Was I supposed to? I've never been able to tie a Pattern before, so didn't think I should now."

  "You will have to tie it to Graduate, and I think you've used all your energy right now, so let's go ahead and cancel class today. Tomorrow, tie it off, and let the Pattern go. I'll contact the Weaver Academy tonight to get you enrolled, although you being able to successfully complete that Pattern, they won't have much to teach you. They do, however, have many books on Weaving in general that has knowledge far beyond my own. I suspect, however, you won't be there long."

  "What does that mean, Teacher?"

  "Just that you'll either graduate quickly, or move on long before you can read most of their library," he replied, "Now off with you."

  I met my mother outside and told her what had happened today.

  "That's amazing, Jorth! Soon you'll be able to go to the Weaver Academy like you wanted."

  "Yes, mom, I can't wait!" Though, Teacher's last words about me not being there long still weighed on my mind. What did he mean by that? I didn't know, I just hoped it wasn't a future problem I wasn't ready for. "Mom, what do you think Teacher meant by I won't be there long?"

  "I'm not sure, Jorth, but probably meant that you're so far advanced and smart that they won't have much to teach you."

  "Yeah, you're probably right," I replied, not entirely convinced. Guess I'll just have to wait and see.

  The next day, I went into class, again without preamble began Weaving the complex Pattern. Once complete, I tied it off. I heard the sound of what sounded like a helicopter. Looking around, I noticed that my feet no longer touched the ground. "What the? A helicopter?" I said.

  "Hmm. Only the Emperor calls it that. I suspect, he will want to meet you sooner rather than later."

  Oh shit, I thought, as I fell to the floor. Teacher was looking down at me smugly, but with a touch of awe. "Yes, I do think he will want to meet you."

  "Oh boy."