Ren hated getting lost in the labyrinth known as the Dragon Riders Academy. He had been running for about 10 minutes, ending up right back outside his room no matter what he tried. It was frustrating, every stone wall taunting him in different directions.

Aer was no help either. The red dragon was content to stay curled around his neck, a warm presence as Ren searched for the way to his mentor's room. Ren sighed, taking another deep breath before trying a new direction.

"I should have taken him up on that map," Ren muttered, hurrying down the stone halls. The carpet below his feet morphed from red to a light orange, to a yellow, then back to orange. The same plants stood to either side of each doorway, each step feeling more and more hopeless.

Yeah, you should have, Aernorn's high voice echoed in Ren's mind, a reminder that he wasn't alone. Or you could have memorized the way to his room, like any other student here.

"Okay, you can be quiet," Ren snapped back, shoving open a random door. The sight of the aviary, where birds chirped and lush greenery surrounded a central stone statue, just annoyed the rider more. With no other options, Ren wandered to the center of the room, looking up at the grey-toned statue.

A rider, mixed human and elf features showing his youth, sat atop a large dragon. Blue gems were embedded as the dragon's scales, reflecting the sunlight from above. The pose of the rider was triumphant, sword raised high and eyes wide. Ren knew who this was.

"Eragon Bromsson," The familiar accent came from behind Ren, startling the rider. He whipped around, facing the elf who had taken him in. "He's been gone for a long time now."

"Right." Ren bowed before his mentor, apologetic. "I'm sorry, sir. I got lost in the halls, and was trying to find my way to you."

"Hey, you're alright," The older rider reached out, ruffling Ren's hair gently. "I figured this would happen, so our plan today is slightly modified."

Modified? Ren knew his mentor could hear Aernorn's voice as well, as the dragon projected to them both. What do you mean, sir?

The rider smiled, kneeling onto a flat stone. Ren followed suit, kneeling before his mentor so they were face to face.

"Aernorn, Thame is waiting for you above. You're going to work on flight today, while I work with Ren alone." The older rider flashed a smile.

Of course sir, Then, turning his words to Ren, good luck!

Ren watched as his small dragon climbed some trees, heading up and up into the foliage until he was fully hidden away. The student frowned, not liking the distance between himself and Aernorn.

"Now, for our lesson." The mentor looked at Ren, who did not like the twinkle in his eyes. "You will be attempting to get into my mind today. You will learn who my mentor was when I first arrived here by accessing my thoughts. Every day, until you find this information, we shall meet here and you will try again."

"O...kay?" Ren didn't get the point - he thought being a dragon rider was about magic and flying and whatever - but he gave it a go anyways.

Ren's eyes closed, felt the warmth from the dragon mark on the back of his hand. He searched his mind, still not used to the feeling of knowing what was in his head. It was like a corridor, with doors all around, and looking in the right door showed his potential magic.

The problem was, it took Ren several tries to find this doorway. And once he did, it was almost overwhelming to him. He tried to focus it, but found it difficult to both harness the magic and search for his mentor's mind.

His mentor just waited, watching the student struggle with his magic. He took some mental notes on how Thame and Aernorn were doing, listened in on a council meeting he was missing, felt the dozens of riders mill about the halls.

"I can't do it!" Ren shook his head, drawing his mentor back to earth. "It's all... so much!"

The older man nodded, frowning slightly. "Giving in already?"

"Already?" Ren glared at the teacher. "I've been trying for over an hour already! I missed out on breakfast searching for you, I'm starving, and I miss my dragon. I fail to see how this is me 'giving in already'."

"I see." His mentor's eyes were sharp at the snap from Ren, and the student instinctively flinched back. They stared at each other for a minute longer, Ren fearing the retaliation from his mentor.

But his teacher did not attack. He sat back on his heels, gesturing to the greenery around them. "Let us try a different method then."

Ren watched his teacher's eyes slip close, pale skin nearly reflective of everything around them both. "I want you to close your eyes, Ren."

Ren did as asked, trying to control his beating heart. His nervousness only grew with each rustle of a leaf, each bird chirp.

"Tap into your connection with Aernorn," His teacher commanded, "Just feel his presence, for now."

Tap into his connection? Ren could do that. It was like finding his other half, reaching for Aernorn. He felt the small dragon as he glided through the air, guided by the white and blue Thame. It was like a sparrow compared to an eagle when speaking of the size difference between the duo, and even then Thame was supposedly small for her age.

Now, Ren was startled at the presence of his teacher in his mind. Reach further. Past Aernorn. Use him to feel Thame.

Ren didn't quite understand what his mentor was asking. Feeling Aer was instinctual for him now, so learning how to reach past him was a foreign concept. Especially since he was human, with no inherent magic.

Nonetheless, he focused. He pressed onwards, pulling away from Aernorn and searching for anything else. It was like wading through mud at the bottom of a riverbank. He kept pushing, but for every shove against the barrier he had to take two steps back.

Finally, he conceded. He fell back into his own body, panting and shaking like he had run for an hour straight.

"I see." Ren looked up to his mentor, question the others thoughtful expression.

"You see what?" Ren ran a hand through his hair quickly, trying not to pass out.

His mentor laughed a bit, standing completely. "I see the potential in you. Why Aernorn chose you. I'm excited to work with you more."

A hand was held out to Ren, beckoning him up. A peace offering.

"Potential for... what?" Ren took his mentor's hand, letting the adult easily pull him to his feet. He felt his exhaustion fade just slightly at the contact, and the warm smile the older rider had on was welcoming.

"Potential for greatness." The rider turned, heading to the door out of the courtyard. "I will see you here tomorrow. Same time as today, though... preferably without you getting lost."

Ren grinned, putting up a mock salute. "Aye-aye, cap'n! I won't let you down."

He watched his mentor leave the courtyard before turning his eyes to the sky. The sun was climbing higher, and in the distance Ren watched a large shape guide a speck through the breeze.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

~~

This went a different direction than I was expecting, but I don't mind. I like the idea of gentle teacher Grian with kind-of-rude Ren as his student. I wonder how strong-willed False will factor into this?

Imma say a few things:

1. If you wanna use this AU and write shiz, feel free to! As long as you credit me somewhere do what you'd like with this!

2. I need some extra riders, so if you wanna comment names and dragon looks of your rider OC's, one of you might be taught by me :D

As always, if you have questions comment below! I'm always taking oneshot suggestions and whatnot!

~Parker