After 5 days of training with the stone of gluttony, it finally showed a solid yellow color whenever I desired. So I returned to the earth training room.
I tried using my mana to create an earth wall again and I was able to build one approximately 6 feet tall. I then used the same amount of mana to create an earth wall about 10 yards away from me and it was approximately 5 inches shorter. I concluded that some of my mana disperse as It travels through the ground. Therefore, I determined that my next goal would be to be able to create a 6-foot wall within a 50-yard range of me so that I could shield myself or my allies whenever I needed to. Fortunately, practicing with the stone of gluttony really sped up my ability to learn mana control since I had visual evidence as opposed to working purely on feeling. Having practiced my rock walls for about 3 days, I was able to control a radius of 50 yards around me.
The academy would start in 22 days and I wasn't sure what I should do next, a rock wall will help me block attacks, but I still need a way to attack to beat my opponents, and I felt like I was wasting time being indecisive, so maybe it would be best to ask a mage focused on earth magic. Although many mages work in the castle or for the royal family, most of them are focused on their advanced elements, so I would have to look outside the royal family to find one who specializes in earth magic. My first thought when thinking of where I could find an earth mage was that earth mages often work in construction, so I thought visiting a construction company would be a good place to start. So I went back to my room showered, collected my purse of coins, and changed into clothes fit for leaving the castle.
I went to the stables near the castle entrance and saw a young boy with short brown hair, green eyes, and freckles who appeared to be about 10 years old and was feeding the horses. I gave him a small wave and walked up to him and asked.
I need to go into the city, could you ring the coachmen and prepare my carriage for me?" The boy nodded, "Sure, your highness", before running off.
A middle-aged man who resembled him stepped out and began helping him ready the carriage. "Your highness, where are we headed?" he asked as he pulled the carriage next to me. "To the best construction company in the capital," I replied as I climbed aboard and we set off.
The coachmen informed me we had arrived after about a ten-minute journey, and when I climbed out of the carriage I noticed a sign outside the building that read - Grams Construction. I climbed the stairs and entered the building where there was a girl my age behind the desk with long red hair and blue eyes, and her skin was clear and slightly tanned with defined curves. As soon as she saw me, she looked startled. I guess it isn't every day royalty walks into a construction office.
"Your highness, how can we assist you" she inquired nervously. I smiled and nodded that I would like to speak with a mage skilled in earth magic if you have any available and of course, I will pay a fee for taking up your time.
"One moment please wait here," she said before running off threw the doors that lead to the back. A man with red hair and brown eyes, 6 ft 3 inches tall, came out with her a few minutes later.
"My name is Dennis Gram, I own this construction company, and this is Lena Gram my daughter, how can we help you today?".
Then I smiled at both Dennis and Lena and replied, "Hello Lena and Dennis my name is Michael Regis, feel free to call me Michael if you don't mind.
I'm hoping to speak to a mage that specializes in earth magic, as I have never seen an earth mage fight before, so I'm not sure what I should be practicing".
Dennis nodded alright follow us to the back. I followed Dennis and Lena behind the double doors in the back of the office and we entered a large warehouse that seem to store all types of metals Dennis found us an open place then asked "alright Michael what have you been working on since your awakening" I answered "I've been working on raising a wall I've gotten decent at it so I thought it was time to work on something new" Dennis nodded and pointed to the ground next to him and asked, " can you show me?".
I nodded then lifted my foot up and slammed it down on the ground, and next to Dennis a 6-foot earth wall rose up.
When Dennis and Lena saw what I achieved after only a few days of training both of their mouths hung open in amazement after a few moments of silence I felt slightly impatient and confused by their actions, so I asked "did I do something wrong?".
This seemed to wake Denis from his trance. "Well, yes, you did, but honestly, I'm shocked at the progress you made in such a short time since your awakening.
Raising walls like this is among the harder things to do in elementary earth magic. Dennis turned to me and asked, "why did you lift your foot and slam it down like that?"
I thought for a moment before replying, "I'm not sure, just felt right, maybe I thought it would make sending energy into the ground easier".
"Yes it might, but a mage needs to remain mobile in combat, so if you have to perform an action of such magnitude to use mana, you will be hampered quite a bit," said Dennis.
Damn, I am a real fool for not realizing that I thought bitterly. Then I replied, "I understand, can you give me tips on how to do it better?".
In his mind, Dennis pondered a moment, then he responded: "Well, I find that the best way to store mana in combat is to store it in my feet and figure out how much of it I will need for every action I want to take, like this:". Dennis then took three steps and, every time his foot touched the ground, he raised a 10-foot by 6-foot earth wall and surrounded us from three sides. After that, he explained, "the trick is sending mana through your body should be as easy as breathing, knowing how much power each wall will require so I send it to my feet, and when my feet touch the ground, I send it into the earth. It takes practice, but you should not force the mana out, it should flow naturally and smoothly from your body. The walls Dennis built were flawlessly connected to each other, leaving no gaps, I was very impressed.
"Thank you very much for explaining this to me, and if possible could you show me anything else I can work on that will benefit me in the upcoming tournament.
As Dennis pondered his reply, he said sure, I could "show you a couple of things". Dennis turned to Lena and asked, "Why don't you show Michael what you've been working on?".
Suddenly, the ground changed 5 yards in front of Lena some parts had holes in them, some had rocks sticking out, and all of it was uneven.
I could see instantly how useful magic like this could be walking over terrain like that feels impossible let alone running. Even though I knew I would learn this trick much faster than my skill with walls, I couldn't help having a good opinion of this girl because her use of mana was very smooth and quick I could immediately tell her control over mana was smoother than mine.
Following Lena's demonstration of skill, she giggled cutely and asked, "So not bad huh Michael?".
I nodded my head and replied "very impressive".
Lena gave me a beaming smile and crossed her arms over her chest as if she just accomplished something great.
Seeing his daughter's action, Dennis laughed a little before grabbing my attention and showing me a few more ways to use earth magic, like earth spikes or covering the body with armor made of earth.
The more I learned about magic, the more I began to realize how great it can be if you're creative enough to use it well Sadly, creativity has never been my strongest trait, but I hope I can adapt.
After Dennis showed me a few things I could work on. While thanking him for his time, I pulled out a bag with 100 silvers in it and offered them to him. Dennis wave his hands as to reject the money and said: "no need for that it only took around 30 minutes but if you are thankful look after my little girl and make sure no one bullies her in the academy".
"DAD I DONT NEED A BABY SITTER", Lena cried out instantly, while Dennis merely smirked smugly.
I thought for a while and asked, "Is Lena also attending the royal academy?"
Dennis smiled and replied, "She sure is she also awakened a B grade talent Higher than me and her mother".
A moment later, I agreed, "very well, if I place in the top 10, I will choose her for my team and take care of her".
Having just spoken, Dennis' eyes shone, knowing that establishing a relationship with an extremely talented prince was worth its weight in gold.
Then I walked over to Lena, who was still pouting, and handed her a small badge with my family seal on it before saying, "Until the academy begins, I will be training at the castle if you need anything or want to train with me then, come to the castle and tell the guards I invited you and show them my badge.
Lena gazed at the badge with wide eyes before making a small sound of agreement.
I said one final goodbye before returning to the castle.