Cristofer's second and most talented student, Cassius was apprenticed at the founding ceremony of the Cholaeic Order in 198. By the time of his graduation to magehood in 210, he was already recognized as one of the Order's most promising members, as well as its most eloquent orator. In 215, when Cristofer expressed doubt over his decision to take a female apprentice, Cassius' speech in defense of the inclusion of women in the House was so passionate and inspired that the founder not only relented, but took a female apprentice himself later that same year.
A native Evasendian, Cassius was deeply committed to the welfare of his city, and he was among the first on the Council to express support for Savacion's political activities. After Savacion's assassination in 223, Cassius became even more deeply determined to see the current Andarean leadership of Evasendia overthrown; in 225 he took on an official position as an advisor to the revolutionary demagogue Tyrus. His defense of this decision in debate with Aegidius is widely recognized as the finest example of oratory from the pre-diaspora Council: Cassius won the debate hands-down, a fact which so distressed Aegidius that he retired from the Council immediately thereafter.
From 235 until 231, Cassius engaged in a spirited rivalry with Palenti's first student Luke, who took on a similar advisory position with Tyrus' opponent, the Andarean aristocrat Gaultere. Although they supported separate factions, both Cassius and Luke agreed that the current rulership of Evasendia would have to be overthrown, and while working for different sides, they managed to maintain a strong friendship throughout this period. Even when Cassius' filia Valeria was wooed to Gaultere's camp by Luke in 230, the rivalry between the two remained friendly and respectful.
When Tyrus gained control of Evasendia in 231, Luke and his followers aided Gaultere's faction in waging war against the new regime. By that autumn, the magi themselves had taken the field, meeting in a battle which destroyed entire blocks of the city and sent its population fleeing to the countryside. With the aid of their considerable mage support, Gaultere's forces proved victorious, and Tyrus was overthrown.
Although Luke had only agreed to aid Gaultere under the condition that Cassius' safety be assured, both Cassius and his apprentice were put to death by Gaultere's orders in Despair of 231. His death was avenged by Luke early the next year. He had trained only one student to magehood:
- Valeria (C7), from 215 to 230
