Devotion collapsed to the floor of the cave, exhausted. He had spent the entire day drilling the same firebolt spell that Ghostwhisper taught him. Ghostwhisper would not let him rest. Finally, in the dead of night, he was released. He stowed Ghostwhisper into his Astral Space, laying down. Devotion at first didn't realize it, but he was starving.
He tiredly stood up, looking around the cave for something to eat. To bad he hadn't brought anything. He staggered outside, noticing a small deer resting at the edge of the clearing. In one fluid motion, Devotion grabbed Ghostwhisper, performed the hand seal, and let loose a firebolt. It struck the deer, killing it. He stumbled over to it, still exhausted, and slowly dragged it to the cave.
While Devotion didn't really know how to treat meat for consumption, he was too hungry to care. He just roasted it with his fire magic, tearing into the meat with his teeth. It was horrible, to be completely honest, but he didn't care. It was food.
After Devotion had had his fill, he offered the rest to Ysmir, then passed out on the ground. He trusted Ysmir to protect him.
Devotion had no dreams that night. For the first time since going to the alleyway, he had a peaceful sleep.
Devotion was startled awake by the raspy voice of Ghostwhisper yelling in his ear. "Get up! It's time for day two of Ghostwhisper's Hardcore Training Regiment!"
"Day Two?!" Devotion exclaimed. Oh god. No more.
"Of course! You think just one day of training is enough to take down an entire noble family's anger?! GET UP!"
Devotion groaned, then forced himself to get up. Ghostwhisper was right. He really did need to get stronger.
"Come on, up, I'll teach you a new technique today. I have seven total starter techniques to teach you. Every day we will drill one until you master it, then, on day eight, we will hunt down a magical beast for you to practice against!"
"Magical Beast?"
"Yes! I don't need to keep repeating myself, idiot! There are bound to be some in this forest. Come on, get up! Today I'll teach you how to summon an earth spire from the ground to stab your foes when they least expect it!"
Ghostwhisper's Hardcore Training Regiment really did move as it explained. Every day, Devotion would be taught a new technique in the morning, then would be forced to cast it over and over again until he had absolutely mastered it. At the end of the day, Devotion would kill some animal for food, then pass out. This continued until Devotion had learned seven techniques:
In the Section of Destruction, he had learned how to create a Bolt of Fire, an Ice of Knife, and a Jolt of Electricity.
In the Section of Conjuration, he had learned how to create a Spire of Earth, a Blade of Wind, and a simple metal. While the metal was not meant for combat, he could summon materials, and once he learned how to craft things with them, create his own weapons.
In the Section of Regeneration, he had learned a simple healing spell. Since both his and Ghostwhisper's aptitude for Regeneration was low, it wasn't the most useful, but good to know. The day of training in particular had been rough, as the only way to practice healing magic was to be hurt. Devotion had had to repeatedly strike himself with Ghostwhisper until he drew blood, then heal it.
After what seemed like an eternity, it was time for Day Eight of Ghostwhisper's Hardcore Training Regiment!
Ghostwhisper was particularly excited. This was where Devotion would have to test his own abilities, seeing if he could really apply everything he had learned this past week.
"Tracking Magical Beasts is simple! Simply expand you spiritual strength, probe for any other presences! Ignore your own and the summon's, look for foreign ones."
"It has a name." Devotion replied, as he complied and expanded his strength.
"It might, but it's a stupid name, so I've elected to refuse to use it. Just like how I call you Devo. Easier on the soul."
Devotion chuckled, ignoring the comment and expanding his spiritual strength.
"I think I got something. This way." Devotion summoned the staff and walked in a certain direction, away from the clearing. It was his first time leaving this makeshift home in over a week.
"Come on, Ysmir." Devotion beckoned. Ysmir stood up from its resting place, trotting after Devotion. Suddenly, it jumped up onto his shoulders, curling around his neck like a scarf. It kept its head up, alert.
They trudged on for some time in the forest, travelling about a mile before they found the source of the spiritual strength: a strange, tall, ape-like creature, covered in crimson fur.
"Ah! A crimson ape. This is the weakest ape-type magical beast, it should be no problem for you to take on." Ghostwhisper explained. "Go! Challenge it! Magical Beasts will attack if provoked!"
Ysmir suddenly stood up, about to lunge at the ape, when Devotion rose his hand and stopped it. "Ysmir, let me take this for now. I'll call for you if I need assistance." Ysmir nodded in understand, returning to its position on Devotion's neck.
Devotion held the staff in his left hand, performed a hand seal with his right, touched the staff to it, then let loose one of his new magical arts: the Knife of Ice. It sailed in a perfect arc towards the Crimson Ape, striking it in the shoulder. The ape turned and roared, beating its fists on its chest. Then, it barreled towards Devotion, quickly closing the gap between them. Devotion was almost paralyzed with fear.
"Don't just stand there! Cast something! Don't waste all of our training! I'd hate for you to need another week of it!" Hearing that, Devotion was shaken out of his trance. He quickly casted a firebolt, striking the ape and diving behind a tree for cover. Ysmir started to rise.
"Ysmir, don't attack it yet, but distract it. I'll use the opportunity to strike it." Ysmir nodded, then lunged into action. The size difference was immense, but Ysmir didn't care. It ran circles around the ape, trading size for speed, making the ape continue to swat at nothing.
Devotion used this open window to cast one of the Conjuration attacking spells that Ghostwhisper had taught him: the Spire of Earth. He didn't need the staff for Conjuration, since his aptitude was so high.
Devotion performed the hand seals, and spoke the word of power.
"Rise!"
Just as the ape was distracted with Ysmir, a collumn of Earth suddenly burst out of the ground, striking the Crimson Ape in the chest and sending it flying.
"Ysmir, now!" Devotion yelled. Ysmir bolted after the ape, chomping its jaws on the ape's throat before it could get its bearings. The ape let out one last burst of energy, attempted to swat Ysmir off, but the fox was too quick, jumping out of the way as the ape let out its death cry and collapsed.
Devotion wiped sweat off his brow. They had done it!
"Quick! Get its crystal core! Those sell for a good amount of money!" Ghostwhisper interrupted the celebration, instructing Devotion on how to dissect the magical beast and retrieve its core. Just as Devotion was about to pocket the core, a small red crystal, something strange happened.
The core began to shine in Devotion's palm, then began to float in midair! Even stranger, it floated straight towards Ysmir, who instinctually consumed it.
"Just as I thought." Ghostwhisper said, then stopped itself.
"What do you mean?"
"Karma. I cannot explain. Just know my suspicions are correct. I'll explain when you're qualified. For now, let's head back to camp. You still have six more days of Ghostwhisper's Hardcore Training Regiment!"
Devotion groaned, stowing his questions for now. Calling to Ysmir, he made his way back to the cave, exhausted, but excited that he was a more formidable fighter than before.
For the first time in years, things were looking up for Devotion!