Richard was right about us leaving soon, for it had only been a few minutes after we settled when the wagon started to move. Percival and Richard had a lot to speak about from the jump, talking for hours about Percival's journey. The man was exiled from the kingdom of elves many years ago. Framed for a crime, he didn't commit, spending his banishment trying to find a way to clear his name. There had been many a hardship on his journey. But he had finally returned to his home, to his friends and family. Richard joked that the trip hadn't humbled him and Percival scoffed disapprovingly. The sun was quickly dawning, and as their conversation drew to a close, Richard mentioned me.
"I haven't fully introduced you to Aurora; she is my new disciple in magic."
"Another one? What is she your fourth or fifth one so far?" Percival joked. "Still, I imagine she must have quite some talent to have caught your eye. What is her magic type?"
"We've yet to begin training,"
"Oh. Yet, you've already decided to take her in?"
"Her blood is special,"
Percival gawked at me, intrigued.
"Girl, you wish to learn magic?"
I was surprised at the sudden line of questioning. He had ignored me in totality before this. I wanted to reply with yes when he suddenly cut me off.
"Think carefully before you answer." He lifted his shirt to reveal a large burn scar on his lower abdomen. It was shaped like a sun, pointed on the edges. The scaring worst at the centre, only diminishing as it progressed outwards.
"Magic did this to me. The very same you wish to learn. Know this, once you enter the world of magic, you leave behind the mortal realm."
I hesitated. But it wasn't out of fear, nor regret but a realisation. The moment I left Madam Mopta's cabin, I was no longer sheltered. I had entered the real world, a world of pain, suffering and death. Just from the start of this trip, I had already encountered tales of those three. I was no longer the simple little girl who knew nothing, or at least I thought I wasn't. I was resolute in my answer.
"I have already used magic. I can't go back anymore. Not until I'm strong enough to protect my friends." I said strongly.
Percival smirked, "she is adequate."
I looked confused, then Richard explained.
"He will also be taking you on as a disciple. Magic is my speciality, combat is not. As such Percival will be teaching you."
"And I will not go easy on you," Percival warned.
That was when the wagon slowly ground to halt. I looked outside to see dawn had arrived. Everyone had decided to rest, and the trail stopped utterly. Richard stepped out, Percival and I followed. But not before I placed Sabre down in the wagon.
"Ah perfect, well Aurora lets begin your magic training."
"Right now?" I asked, surprised.
"Indeed."
Richard's ring glowed, and out popped the outhouse and an unmade tent. The tent began to unfold, growing larger until it became a large dome. Runes formed around it as Richard started to chanted, erecting a wide invisible barrier around it.
"Keep hold of that ring Aurora. I've cast a protection spell, so nothing and no one can cross that barrier unless they are wearing your ring."
I nodded understanding. Richard's ring glowed again, and this time a black marble orb appeared in his hand. Without saying anything, he walked inside the tent and beckoned for me to come. Percival waited outside unbothered. Richard and I sat in the middle of the tent with our legs crossed.
"To begin. Magic has 3 common and base types; Transference, Emittance and Configuration. Every magic-user is born with a natural alignment to only one of those types. That being said, there are magic-users whose powers don't singularly fit in any of those types. They are group into a fourth, merely referred to as 'Special type'. However, such people are extremely rare and negligible."
I clued into taking mental notes.
"Now, Transference types can only use magic through something. Whether that be their hand, an object such as a weapon or the very environment around them. They cannot directly use their magic without a medium. Emittance types don't need a medium, they can directly emit their magic from their bodies and control the environment around them without touching it. Configuration types are when their magic affects their bodies. Whether that be in basic enhancement or advance manipulation of it. This type is the most mysterious and hardest to classify of the three as the scale of the abilities can vary greatly. I, myself, am a Configuration type."
Richard paused and raised his hand, sparks began flying from it as the hand itself was turning into lightning. No longer skin and bones but flowing, pumping lightning. It slowly turned back before he continued.
"This is merely one way it can take form. The simple use of magic can significantly increase your physical abilities regardless of what type you are. And there are techniques to improve that further. The use of simple spells is another thing that is universal to all classes of magic. This because there is usually a third-party invoking the actual magic while you are fuelling it. Now any questions?"
I thought for a second soaking everything in.
"How do you know what type of magic you are?" I asked.
"That is where this orb comes in, I've set it to read your magic. By focusing your magic into it, you will find out what type you are. For Emittance types, the orb will cause their magic to emit from their bodies. For Transference types, it will cause their magic to radiate around the orb. Finally, for Configuration types, it causes their magic to affect their bodies."
Richard handed me the sphere, and I held it, stretched out, between my palms.
"Now focus your magic into it,"
Air swelled into my stomach and then out again as I took a deep breath. I concentrated, and streams of magic flowed into the orb. Nothing happened for a moment....then yellow light started to seep from my skin. I was glowing, slowly getting brighter and brighter. Till beams of light started penetrating through my body, even my eyes. Not only that even the orb started radiating light, with its colour also changing. Richard was astounded, gaped. I kept my light form for several seconds before I ran out of magic and returned to normal. I was slightly out of breath when I turned back. Feeling dizzy and disoriented.