Part 1
I walk over to my desk and sigh as I sit down and prepare myself for what might be inside the letter.
(I wonder what master has been up to all this time. Last time we talked I think she said something about trying to grow as a mage, I hope she was able to grow some even if just by a little.)
My excitement grows as I open the letter and unfold its contents reading the words it held inside.
"Dear Samu, it's been some time hasn't it? I wonder how much you've grown over these years. Have you entered the level of Legend yet as a mage? I wouldn't be surprised if you've already reached heights ill never be able to obtain. Anyways enough of the flattery, Ive been traveling as an adventurer again. In the port city of Grelniss I've met some veteran adventurers who are currently on their way to the Beastfolk continent in search for their old party members from before they disbanded. We get along quite a bit so I've decided to join them. I'll send letters whenever I can though you shouldn't expect them too often. Oh and that reminds me! You should enroll into The Academy Of The Gifted. I know you don't need schooling but you should definitely think about going anyways. Go not for their teachings but for the status and connections you can make. Until the next time we meet.
-Hikari Mildar"
(She thinks I should start building up my reputation huh?) I place the letter down and see an extra sealed letter of recommendation.
(So she even wrote a letter of recommendation as well? She must be serious if that's the case.) I let out a sigh as I scratch the back of my head and place the letter down onto my desk. I climb into bed for the night and ponder to myself weighing my options. As I lay in bed I remove all thoughts of doubt and resolve myself to follow the path my master has set before me.
Part 2
The next day I gather the letter of recommendation and head down stairs to see father, mother, and Elxie sitting at the dinner table.
"Oh good it looks like everyone's already gathered." I say as I make my way over to the others.
"Yes my Lord, I heard you reading and thinking out loud last night so I made sure everyone was gathered for your announcement."
I give Elxie's hand a light squeeze as I walk past her as thanks.
"Its good to see you father. I hope you are doing well?" Torren lets out a forced and weak laugh.
"By your mothers grace I'll be just fine." I simply nod in reply not wanting to press the situation further.
"So what is it you wanted to talk about son?" mother asks as I take my seat.
"This." I toss my masters letter of recommendation onto the table.
"I'm planning on enrolling into The Academy Of The Gifted per my masters request. In that letter there is her recommendation to ensure they allow me to enroll."
"When will you be leaving?" Asked mother.
"As soon as possible. Today if at all possible."
"What?!" I turn to see Eyara standing at the front door with a shocked and fearful expression.
"You are just going to leave without saying anything to me?!" Before I could respond she runs away slamming the door behind her as she leaves.
"Elxie go fetch Eyara and bring her back. Now that I know she's around she will also need to be caught up on what I plan to do." Without saying a word she bows and leaves the home to escort Eyara back.
"So.." I let out a frustrated sigh.
"Whenever it comes to enrolling into school is there a specific day I need to-"
"Don't worry about that. I'll send the academy a letter explaining the situation." Mother takes Hikari's letter and smiles.
"Ill take care of everything. No actually-" She aggressively slams the letter into Torrens chest knocking the air out of him.
"You take care of it."
"Yes my love I'll send a courier-"
"No you deliver it in person." Father just nods, stands, and leaves as I hear his horse neighing as he rides off.
"Uhm mother?" I say with a hint of concern.
"Yes son?" She asks with feign innocents.
"Is everything alright with you and father? Should I be concerned?"
"Everything is fine~ Its fiiiiine~ He just needs to get out more~" Suddenly her face turns red.
"Sometimes he just needs to get the hell away from me.."
"It doesn't sound like everything is fine to me. Though I guess its alright for now, its definitely better than you two parting ways. I suppose.." Mother laughs in response.
"Don't worry everything will work out so long as he doesn't make a mistake again."
We sit there together silently as I waited for Elxie to return with Eyara so she could be caught up on everything that was going to happen.
"So what are you going to do about your friend?" The sudden question caught me off guard.
"Eyara? What do you mean?"
"Shes a good child, if you're going to leave you should make sure you don't destroy everything she is in the process."
(Ah so thats what she means)
"I already planned on bringing her with me. Her development as a mage is extraordinary, not only is she able to use chantless magic but shes also kept me in her sights as an obstacle to overcome. Its truly extraordinary. I'm not sure I'd be able to do the same when met with such an apposing figure."
"You're wrong. I know for a fact that meeting someone so much more powerful than yourself would only push you and inspire you to achieve more and surpass them. Much like your drive to defeat Torren, which is no small feat. That man may be an idiot but hes a talented idiot. He never practiced, never trained, never put in the effort, but still surpassed all of the masters in his school. That man is a talented monster who relies on his own instincts and raw talent to overcome any obstacle."
"Is father really that skilled?"
"Without a doubt. If he were serious there is absolutely no way in hell I'd be able to defeat him. He's just that kind of man."
"Then before I leave I'll be sure to surpass him."
"I'm sure you'll be able to soon. Your potential frightens everyone, from the villagers to your friend, even your father and I."
"Come on now you jest! I've even protected the village! Heck im sure both you and father could easily best me even if I were to turn on everyone."
"You're wrong. I wouldn't stand a chance against you."
I tried to protest but she continued on.
"You've been pushing Torren past his limits during your sparing sessions. I didn't even think he was this strong if I'm being honest. Never before have I been unable to follow his movements but now.... I cant see either of you when you are both going all out."
(Huh? She cant see us? Are we really going that fast?) Just then Elxie and Eyara returned.
"I have brought Eyara to you as requested my Lord." Eyara walked past Elxie and approached me.
"I'm sorr-"
"Theres no need to apologize. Allow me to explain myself first." She nods her head in reply.
"Your training has been going very well. You might not know it but you are well beyond the skill of someone even twice your age. By the estimates that my master gave me you are well beyond the level that a graduate would have in the academy I planned on enrolling into. Now that isn't me saying you're too good for it, I'm telling you this because I want you to go with me. With your talents I'm sure they'd be overjoyed to have you. So here is what I wanted to ask you when I got the chance. Come with me to The Academy Of the Gifted."
Eyara's eyes filled with tears as she hugged me.
"Id love to come with you!"
"Good! Then lets be sure to continue our training so we are in the best condition we can be in by the time we leave for the academy!" We both let out a loud cheer as we hurried outside together.
I could hear mother and Elxie calling out to us saying something like 'stay safe' or 'be home soon' but we were so focused and excited to continue our growth we never bothered to stop or look back. We ran around the house laughing as we ran laps over and over eventually stopping in the field father and I trained in. Though I was still full of energy Eyara seemed to be out of breath.
"You know you need to build up your stamina some more."
"Why would a mage have stamina? We sit in the back and cast spells." Her response infuriates me for some reason.
"Normal mages might but we don't, and I'm not going to train you as if you do! What would happen if you met someone like me? Someone who can get inside your guard and end you?!" Eyara thinks for a moment but before she can respond I continue lecturing her.
"For now on we are changing your training. From here on out when you practice with me its going to be focusing on combat training. You will increase your speed. You will increase your reaction time and general spell timing. Do you understand?" I say in a commanding tone.
"Yes I understand. Can we eat before we start? Its already almost lunch time and-" Before she can finish her sentence I use my speed to dash into her blind spot behind her with my fist held high. Before she could turn around her hand was already positioning to blast me with her wind magic. Just as my attack lands hers also launches. My attack sent her flying several feet though hers was too weak to even move me.
"No, you will not be eating until you are able to hurt me." Again I flood my body with mana as I dash at Eyara again this time using fire magic to enhance my punch. Though she didn't have enough time to react Eyara reflexively used her wind magic to move herself out of the way of my attack the explosion of its impact blowing her back even further.
As she tumbled back from the impact she readies her water magic and fires Water Bullet at me in quick succession as I narrowly avoid each attack. Slowly I'm able to dodge each attack making my way closer and closer till suddenly I'm unable to move.
(Water and earth magic to make a sinkhole huh?)
Next thing I see is Eyara several feet above me as she readies Air Cannon.
"Thought you said you didn't know that attack yet?" I say as I build mana in my hand for Stone Bullet.
"I lied!" She says with a huge grin as she launches her attack.
With my arm thrusted into the air I launch Stone Bullet the attack piercing through her spell.
In response to seeing my spell easily piercing her own she uses Wind Bullet to move herself out of the way avoiding my attack. I move quickly once she looks away using fire magic to blow away her combination spell freeing my legs enough to dash out. In a quick step I'm able to launch myself behind her just before she looks to where I use to be.
"Too slow!" I yell out as I slam down my heel into her back the impact of her body hitting the ground creating a small dust cloud.
I land on the ground and rush over to where she slammed into the earth checking her vitals. I sigh with relief feeling that they are steady and stable as I cast the beginner healing spell Healing. Soon Eyara opens her eyes and rubs her back in pain from where the attack hit her.
"Watching you fight and actually fighting you are two completely different things. It seems like no matter what I do you have something to respond with.." She says as she stands and stretches her back.
"Thats the point of a mage isn't it? Using our vast array of spells to cover a variety of trials we may face."
"I wouldn't exactly call you a mage though.." She says as she sighs.
"More like some strange magic wielding wild man."
"Not a wild man; a martial artist." She looks at me in a way that tells me she's never heard of that term before.
"A martial artist is someone who focuses on honing and perfecting their hand to hand combat techniques to not only defend themselves but also to efficiently end a fight."
"I've never heard of that before? And Ive also never seen anyone fight like that before. The village bullies also fight with their hands but its nothing like what you do."
"Well id certainly hope so. Unless you practice martial arts its hard to say you even know how to fight. You'd have to have some crazy talent to be untrained yet also be skilled without a teacher."
"So then who taught you?" She asks as she tilts her head.
(Crap I said too much. How do I explain this without sounding crazy?...)
"There's a book master had on her that showed different ways of hand to hand combat. I figured it could be helpful if I ever ran out of mana." I said with as much confidence I could muster.
For a moment she looked confused yet not doubtful.
"Should I also try learning as well?"
"Would you like to? The training for it is fairly hard. I'd recommend you first learn how to use the new spell Ive been developing. Because relying on strength alone for someone so small is a death sentence. Especially as a mage." She seemed disappointed as if she gave up.
"Is that so?.." I gently rest a hand on her shoulder.
"Whats wrong? Is something troubling you?"
"I have no idea how to use the spell you developed, I cant even begin to fathom how its possible. In all honesty I wouldn't be able to believe it if I didn't see it first. Its almost like a spell at the level of Apostle."
"Is it really that impressive? Honestly personally id put it at Advanced or Master rank in terms of spell ranking." Suddenly she shakes her head and looks at me with an intense gaze.
"How perfected do you think the spell is at its current state?"
"Its hard to tell if I'm being honest. I have no idea what the limits of this spell will be. For now I know it has a long way to go I just don't know how far it is." She maintains her gaze for a moment longer then sighs.
"I just cant believe you when you say I'll catch up to you. It's almost like you're already at the level of the hero's in our books." I laugh and give her shoulder a friendly pat.
"There's no way thats true! That would mean father is at the rank of the hero's of old!" I laugh again at the thought.
"Theres simply no way."
We stood there for a few more moments in silence until Eyara broke the silence.
"What do I need to do in order to be able to use my mana like you do?"
"You cultivate your mana."
"Cultivate it? What does that mean? Is that another thing your master taught you?"
"Yes it is, its where you allow your mana to build up to its max as if you're powering up for a powerful spell. Next you compress this power and suppress it without losing its potency. It helps expand your mana pool while also growing your control over it."
(Thats a complete lie. I simply looked for ways to suppress my mana since it just constantly leaked out. Its the best method I could find to hid my power. No reason to announce to everyone what I'm capable of)
"I'm not sure I understand.." She seemed troubled and her ears started to lower.
"I can show you if you'd like?" She nodded happily.
Part 4
We walked together in a direction further away from the house from the backyard so its easier to focus since it requires a lot of concentration. As we made our way Eyara sped up to walk next to me taking my hand into her own. At the time I didn't even notice since its become such a natural thing at this point until she eventually let go once we reached an area near the tree-line.
Shrugging off the now empty feeling I felt I take a seat and pat on a spot next to me. Eyara responded with a soft 'oh!' and took a seat next to me staring at me intently.
"First you're going to want to let your mana freely flow out of you slowly so its easier to control" As I say this I build up my mana within me without suppressing it so she could easily see what I was explaining .
"Let it grow, and grow, and grow" Soon the amount of mana I accumulated began to release a strong gust of wind out from around me making all the grass around us go flat and the trees sway in the distance.
"Next you don't lower the amount but compact it down like you would a dirt pile until its difficult for others to sense." Soon I suppressed the mana enough for it to be undetectable.
"The final step is the step you'll be repeating for as long as you can manage. Simply continue to compress this mana as you slowly increase the amount. Once you feel like its too much to contain simply maintain that amount for as long as possible since this is where you obtain the most growth in both control and growth in mana pool. I'm going to start my cultivation so you go ahead. You've seen how its done so from here on out you're on your own." I close my eyes and begin focusing on my own growth.
Eyara watched me for a moment before closing her eyes and focused on following my example. It didn't take her too long to begin building mana in a way were it began to pulse out of her and create its own gust around her. She seemed to struggle controlling it however since it took nearly an hour before it finally began to suppress and condense back into her, though that stage didn't last long and I could hear her gasping for air. I open an eye to peak on her seeing her sweating a bit and struggling to breath as if shes been running the entire time.
(Yea thats fairly normal. I'm honestly surprised she was able to pull it off, though she wasn't able to suppress it fully.)
Soon she went back to training so I went back to my own completely tuning out the rest of the world as I put serious effort not into cultivation but into perfecting my new spell.
(At this point of the spell I'm able to fill every muscle fiber in my body as well as the bones to increase durability and strength, however controlling every part in this way made the spell less potent and take longer to achieve than just controlling the body party I needed to enhance. Though if I continue surging my mana into all of my bones and fibers I should be able to quicken the rate and efficiency of this spell. Maybe some day ill even be able to achieve a full body boost at the same speed as I can boost a single part of me.)
I continue to flood my body with mana and retracting it over and over like doing reps for a work out until eventually I fell back into the grass opening my eyes to see the clear blue sky.
(I wonder what master Hikari is up to right now? I wonder what adventure shes on or what cave shes exploring. What kind of foes has she already faced and overcome? What kind of friends has she made along the way?) Without realizing I began to smile to myself.
(That would be nice...to adventure on my own someday. Explore everything this world has to offer and face its many foes or beasts of myth and legend. Unconquered labyrinths or dungeons! Maybe some sunken ships or cities! Oh that would be so cooool!~) Soon I open my eyes to see Eyara kneeling beside me with her head hanging over my face looking down on me.
"What were you smiling about?" She asked in her sweet and soft voice.
"I was just thinking about what my master is up to and what adventures she might be having." I say as level headed as possible despite the situation.
"But why are you smiling?" She asked this time tilting her head to the side.
"You ask that as if I never smile-"
"Thats because you don't really smile very often." She says in a monotoned voice cutting me off in the process.
"Don't be silly I smile all the ti-"
"No you don't. In fact you mostly only smile when you talk to Elxie or whenever you're fighting your father. I can count on one hand the amount of times Ive seen you smile outside of those situations." I ponder to myself for a moment almost not believing what I'm hearing.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I'm very sure. You most likely weren't smiling because you miss your master so is it the adventures you're daydreaming about?"
"Well yea isn't that something every child daydreams about? Going on grand adventures, exploring dark caves and dungeons, fighting legendary monsters of myth and legend, making a name for yourself, and being world renown!" Again without realizing I began grinning ear to ear with excitement.
"No...it isn't. Id much rather stay here forever with you in this perfect village, in this perfect land forever and ever." She states confidently and boldly.
"There's nothing wrong wi-"
"Yes there is!" Suddenly I felt tears falling on my face.
"What if you find somewhere else to stay? What if you meet other people and forget about me! Even if I go with you you'll just find someone else you can connect with more!"
"What are you talking about you're-"
"You don't understand! You and I aren't a lot alike at all. I don't like fighting at all, I have no interest traveling or exploring this world in any way. In fact the only things we have in common is where we were born and that we are both magic users." At this point she began sobbing uncontrollably her lip shaking and quivering as she sniffled in-between breaths.
"Y-You're bound to meet someone e-else out there! hic.. Someone who loves the things you love, wh-who can share in all of your passions...hic.. Someone better suited for you than I am.." At this point she hides her face in her hands as she began to break down.
(Why is she freaking out like this? Why wouldn't she just come with me?)
"Why don't you just come with me? We could travel together and create more memories!" She kept her head buried into her hand as she shook her head.
"I couldn't handle watching all of that unfold in front of me.. Slowly being left further and further behind as some other girl takes you away from me..."
"You're still my best friend! Why would I ev-" Suddenly she lifts her head and meets my eyes with her shattered heart.
"Your father did! Thats what your mother did when they left their party to settle down! What if that happens to me! What if-" Suddenly she grows silent for a moment before standing and walking away.
"Wait!" I call out to her as she leaves though she doesn't bother to even look back as she makes her way home.
I watch as she eventually rounds my home and leaves my view leaving me still speechless as I lay back down into the grass.
(Damn what the hell was that about. It's not as if we are dating or anything. Is she afraid ill just stop being friends with her just because we are away from one another?) I let out a loud sigh as I sit up.
(Well whatever. I might as well just get back to training.) I push away the unfamiliar heavy feeling of emptiness weighing on my stomach and focus back on my training to perfect my spell.
Next thing I know I fall back absolutely exhausted not even able to lift my arms or muster up any strength.
(Strange I'm usually careful not to push myself this far... I better be more careful next time.)
"My Lord dinner is ready." I suddenly hear the sweet comforting voice of Elxie as I muster up what little strength was left in me to turn and see her kneeling next to me.
"H-hey Elxie" My voice comes out hoarse and weak. Without warning Elxie turns around and squats down in a way that signaled me to climb onto her back. It was difficult but I was able to muster up enough willpower to force myself to climb onto her back and wrap my arms around her burying my face into her long smooth blond hair.
"Thanks for the ride" I say jokingly
"Its no problem at all my Lord. Did you push yourself this hard because of your fight with young mistress Eyara?" She asked in her usual professionally emotionless tone.
"It wasn't a fight. She just suddenly started panicking after learning I wanted to adventure around the world some day."
"That would make sense considering recently mistress Rubyanna told her the story of how she met and married your father. She probably fears the same thing will happen to her."
(Wait I thought father was the womanizer? Did mother just steal him from someone else or something?) Suddenly I remember the fight in the kitchen.
(That wouldn't surprise me actually..)
"So how was your day Elxie?" I say trying to change the subject.
"It was another pleasant day with splendid weather."
"You know you can speak freely when we are together. You don't have to be so formal, after all, I still consider you family." She hesitates for a moment before opening up her tone even changing to a more solemn one.
"Honestly I'm surprised at how good things have been going around the house with your mother. If things continue how they are going now I'm sure we will be friends soon."
"Thats great! Id love for the mothers of my sisters to get along! It'll be easier and more pleasant this way!" Her ears twitch and although I cant see her face I can feel her smile on my cheek.
"Thats all thanks to you my Lord."
We continued silently like that all the way home until we eventually all sat down for dinner confusing me for a moment.
"You sit with us now Elxie?" I say in genuine surprise.
"Thats only natural since shes family!" Mother says with a big grin.
(Family huh?..)
We happily sit together eating, drinking, and making merry as we shared our stories for the day. Smiling and laughing together even well after we were done eating.
"You go ahead and wind down for the night. Ill take care of the dishes." Mother says as she collected the plates.
"Thank you Mistress." Elxie backed away from the table and helped lift me up in her arms like she use to when I was smaller.
"Its time for bed my Lord, Mistress's orders." I smile in reply.
"Its been a while since you held me like this huh?" I was expecting the usual small talk of agreeance but she shook her head instead.
"No not long ago at all."
She carries me up the stairs and gently places me down in my bed lightly brushing the hair out of my face and caressing my head.
(This is out of character for her? Shes never been maternal with me before?)
"Is something wrong Elxie?" She shook her head.
"No nothings wrong. I'll just miss you while you're away from home is all." Instead of her usual emotionless tone I could feel some pain behind her words.
"I'll be sure to write home as much as I can if it'll help?" She smiles and kisses my cheek. Her soft and pillowy lips shock me and makes my face blush all the way to my ears.
"Ive never seen you flustered like this before." She says as she chuckles to herself. I'm still completely stunned and am unable to find the words to respond with.
"You're sweet my Lord. You sleep well now." As she walked away I could see her tail was raised with a slight curve to it as well as her ears.
(So her tail gives away how she feels even though its obvious.) I sat there alone in the dark for a little while thinking about the day and everything that happened; though subconsciously my brain pushed out the memory of what happened with Eyara.
(So I guess Elxie's veil of stoic professionalism is peeling away. Thats good...) Were my last thoughts as I drifted asleep.
Spell Galvanize: Power efficiency - 2%
Power up speed - 10%
??? - 0%
Spell mastery - 1%