Synopsis: The Essence of Magic

Kaarl is an essence mage student. Essence is a force of nature shaped by will and the singing of spells to produce effects. Small things like light globes and cook stoves can be activated by anyone, but for the important uses of essence - construction, health care, transportation and crime control - you need a mage. Kaarl is level 7, the highest level of ability.

The economy of the world depends on the essence and the essence producing countries willingness to ship not only essence, but essence mages. But, there is something the Mage Council has not told anyone. They are running out of essence. The world will have to develop a technology not dependent on magic. That means rediscovering the technology their ancestors had abandoned as evil. It is up to Kaarl, a pretty young seeker (scholar), Kaarl's father and a clever blacksmith to rediscover the ancient technology, before the powers that be destroy it.