"We both know that you have a vast amount of talent when it comes to magic, however I know that you still haven't even tried to tap into it so carelessly casting magic for someone like you is a little dangerous," Aelessa commented while scanning the scepter.
"Here, nothing seems to be our of the ordinary, perfect quality and adequate magical tool," Aelessa handed back the scepter, "as for the help, follow me."
All of the sudden Aelessa murmured something between their lips causing a part of the counter to open up, Zeke did not know there were even spells as convenient as what Aelessa just did. He then followed them through the door behind the counter.
Zeke did not expect that what he would see inside is far more bizarre that what was inside the shop itself. Various trinkets lined down the wall while an array of stars and galaxy filled the huge room, it seems to be that the interior of the shop is far more spacious that it's exterior but both still feel weirdly magical.
"So, welcome to my antechamber, past that door is my room which is a little bit bigger that this one," Aelessa pointed at the star crested door hiding beneath a see-through curtains of galaxy.
Zeke did not realize how astrologically inspired the whole room was until he took a better glance of the surrounding. The floors are drawn with the twelve zodiac signs that Zeke could identify, he didn't know that astrology is known even in this world. The signs glow with vibrant light that emits warm energy that circles around the antechamber, it didn't help that the room's light is dimmed as well causing the whole vibe of the place to be peculiarly pleasing.
"Naturally, we won't be going there it's strictly off-limits," Aelessa giggled mischievously, "however this is the only pocket space right now accessible to myself so this'll do."
"I recognize that strange look so let me explain and let this be your introduction to the world of magic, since I also know that you haven't even opened that book I gave you," Aelessa said without even looking at Zeke's confused expression.
"Eheh.... I just never had the time, sorry," Zeke replied in shame.
"Yet you had time to go out on a date with your first-in-command, but that is alright nothing to do about it, moving on."
Zeke's was shocked by this information, his mouth agape and loss for words.
"Ahem, Pocket Space or Pocket Sanctuary is a type of spatial magic that is generally used by practitioners of magic who are capable and are veterans of their craft. These magic users are generally at the middle to top rank of the Mage hierarchy," Aelessa winked at Zeke, "which in turn means that I am dangerous."
Although the tone is playful Zeke knows that the statement is backed by personal experience and them being the lone resident wizard of Loneharv proves that.
"The magic itself is self-explainable, the caster conjures a spatial field that is composed of arcane energy which then materializes into a controlled area that no one other that the caster can access, the bigger the space the higher the raw magic that is consumed. This is why lower tier mages are less likely or not at all be able to cast such advanced spell. This magic actively drains out your mana the longer that the space is active, but in my case... it's a secret."
"Moving on, I also use this magic to maximize the space of my shop, as you can tell from the outside, it isn't the biggest establishment so I got to make do with the resources I have. Anyways, this space will allow us to 'practice' and test how capable you really are. It's risk free and as for me you wouldn't be able to harm me even if you tried to, so we can even go crazy with magic in these space but, I am warning you not to, otherwise we will cut this tutoring lesson short. Am I understood?"
Zeke nodded a few times, enough to prove that he will obey.
"Good, I'd like to say that I am a fairly decent instructor, but we shall see wont we?"
Aelessa went and stood at the middle of the spatial field, the ends of it are so transparent that Zeke could not differentiate the real antechamber from the pocket space.
"Now please stand here near the middle of the room, we wouldn't wanna test your capabilities near reality we must all do it the this space," Aelessa said, "give me your hand please."
Zeke walked towards Aelessa meekly extending his left hand.
"No, the other one."
Zeke immediately swapped his hands and extending his right arm this time.
"Yup, as I expected your magic flows through your mark, I can sense a deep reservoir of mana inside of you, I knew it when I first glanced upon it when you visited last time that this was the mark of the farmer of legend," Aelessa mused while inspecting Zeke's right hand, "I never felt this when you visited the first time, did you somehow awakened it during those three weeks? Possibly during your first expedition?"
Zeke nodded, "it was when we arrived at the entrance of the dungeon. An invisible barrier was blocking us, we ran out of options to use but then the mark on my right hand suddenly appeared, and it was the key to removing the barrier as well."
"I see, did it hurt once it materialized?" Aelessa asked and Zeke could not tell if it was out of pure curiosity or concern but maybe it was both.
"It didn't feel anything, just that it was surprising and new. I didn't know how to feel at the time, and somehow the barrier just disappeared just because I had or used the mark," Zeke pondered deeply, "same goes to my farmhands, they didn't know what this is, so they didn't know what to do or tell me."
"Hm, the appearance of the mark is a mystery itself, I wonder what caused it," Aelessa added, "might it be because of your proximity to the dungeon or rather your interaction with it? But, we are going off of the topic at hand these are questions to be answered later."