As promised after dinner I stopped training, at least I stopped training with Earnest. In my final moments I was somehow able to avoid the demon army and make it to Lara. The reason for that was the technique Taylor taught me however I wasn't sure just how I did it at the time. I was only conscious of it for the first few seconds. After that my mind had gone into a blur and before I knew it I was beside Lara. I needed to know my limits if I wanted to get anywhere.
Things I knew: When I tried use magic it triggered. When it triggered a pain ripples through my chest. What I didn't know however was whether the pain was due to me using magic or the technique. I sat on the floor of my room with a book in one hand. Elementary Magic, a Beginner's Guide. It wasn't something I had ever come across in Axel. You could say I was borrowing it from Ardent. He had a plethora of books in the carriage, one of them being this. Why he needed it I could only guess but I had a sneaking suspicion it was for cases like mine. While it may have been better for me to ask for his help directly, right now I wanted to do things myself without him talking my ears off.
The basic concept of magic was conversion of mana to different forms producing real life phenomena as a by-product. Being inversely talented in all types of mana meant I couldn't even begin the first steps properly but it wasn't going to stop me from trying. I already had a vague grasp of mana circulation and control through my raining as an apothecary and read through the book with relative ease, quickly flicking to the first exercise. How to light a simple flame. The text made it clear that even the worst magician could use this spell and gave various methods to do so. The problem was if I even came into the category of a magician.
"Here we go," I sighed and began to churn the mana within me. Not a moment later my chest tightened as if constricting my heart. It was the same familiar pain. I pushed on and reached out my hand. It felt like a stream had opened inside my body and was flowing to my arm. Now for the conversion. My sight was beginning to darken but just as I thought I'd failed a small puff of smoke wafted from my hands. I smiled… which was quickly followed by me falling unconscious or at least I would have if I wasn't caught.
"Woah there," Taylor roughly grabbed my shirt and hoisted me back into my seated position. "You alive?"
I coughed, leaking blood from my lips, "For now."
She looked at me and sighed, "Are you an idiot?"
"I consider myself quite smart actually," I reached for the open box beside me, another set of potions. I sipped at one of the vials quickly feeling the regenerative properties revitalise my body. The echoes of pain in my chest faded away. "How did you get in here anyway?"
"The window," Taylor stepped back and sat on the edge of the bed. "I felt your presence disappear so I decided to see what you were up to."
"My presence? You were tracking me?" I looked at her incredulously.
She laughed, "It's an innate talent." She did have a knack for finding me.
After a while of neither of us saying anything I stood up, "Did you need something or are you just here to watch?"
"To watch," she smiled acting all cutesy but the expression only annoyed me.
"I don't really mind. Just don't do anything to me if I knock myself out."
"Oh Rain you don't think I'd really do something do you?"
"Frankly I think you're super suspicious." I smiled wryly, "But I do trust you."
"Ah um sure…," she turned away.
"Well if you're not doing anything I could use some advice," I held the book towards her. "Any experience with this?"
She looked at the book and scoffed, "Like I bothered with that."
"Then how did you learn?" I was genuinely curious.
"Practical training."
"Go on," I pulled up a chair only for her to stand up.
"Take off your shirt and I'll show you," she slowly made her way closer.
"…." I did as I was told. After all this was the way she showed me the first time. I looked up to see Taylor with a very interesting and guilty expression.
"Sorry I was lying… I thought you wouldn't take me seriously. You can put your shirt back on."
I frowned, "Please stop messing with me. It is winter."
"Anyway," she cleared her throat. "I don't know much magic at all but what I did learn, I learnt from experience. In the slums you could find lots of different people and for a price they'd teach you but in the end time was most important so they always made it quick. We'd experience the magic forcefully with our bodies. It was the fastest way."
"You mean like what you did to me the first time?" If that was all I could handle it.
"It was similar but umm… more invasive," her face reddened. Please don't make that expression you're giving me the wrong idea.
"Invasive how?"
"Well I'm not sure on the details but when the body is 'active' it's easier to manipulate someone's mana. During those moments we'd be forced to use the magic ourselves. After that it was practice."
"It's called the Life Body principle," it wasn't my voice who said it. Both Taylor and I turned our heads to the window in a flash. Ardent's head poked from the frame. Why he chose the window and not the door I couldn't tell. "Good evening. May I come in?"
"Umm sure…," I answered politely but surprised nonetheless.
With an awkward shuffle Ardent pulled himself inside, "I felt some interesting mana reactions from your room and when I opened my window I heard you talking. I hope you don't mind me taking an interest."
"Not at all," I replied.
"Yeah not at all…" Taylor replied the same but while her eyes looked friendly there was a clear annoyance translating through the air. It flew straight over Ardent's head however.
"Yes, the Life Body principle. While we at Guild believe learning from theory leads to the best result we have used it to usher speedier results, the method however is interesting. At its base it's a method to force control of mana on another, of course this is complicated and even I can't just do such a thing willing subject or not. While simple exercise or rigorous battle do help it tires the body causing lowered results. What we found was that control of another's mana was actually easiest during activity of a sexual nature. A link forms between participants allowing a very unique-,"
I interrupted, "Sorry I think I heard you wrong. What did you say before?"
"It's easiest- or well only feasible really, during activity of a sexual nature."
"Oi," I faced Taylor who avoided my eyes. "What were you planning to do to me?"
"It wasn't like I was actually going to do it. I was just explaining." The way she refused to look at me directly caused my suspicion to rise.
"Unfortunately it wouldn't work on you anyway Rain," Ardent laughed a little too joyfully for my liking. "None of your mana would link properly." I released a heavy sigh. This entire conversation had been a waste of time.
I clapped my hands loudly, "Okay good to know. Now while I thank you for your effort if you two could leave, I'd like to sleep."
"Oh of course," Ardent nodded and left just as quickly as he came. He paused by the window before deciding the door would be easier, "Pardon the intrusion."
Taylor however lingered at the door, "You should actually go to sleep. You know better than I that you're pushing yourself too far." Her eyes narrowed, "If you cast magic again I'll know."
I wasn't sure how to reply and in the end I simply nodded, "I was tired anyway."
"Good," she closed the door. I made sure it and the window were locked.
*
The arrow shot forward, spinning in the air towards its target as if guided by the shining sun above. A satisfying thunk resounded shaking the wooden board. I breathed in and readied another arrow pulling the bow string to my chin. The target became my focus and everything else a blur. I let go and once more the sounding thud broke the silence of the early morning.
I had a lot of hobbies to make me relax but practising archery had always been my fondest. There was something calming about the rhythmic movements and when the target shook a clear satisfaction bloomed in my chest. It wasn't about hunting for food or shooting to kill but a simple sport, a game even, just to pass the time.
"Impressive," Ronalt's said from behind me.
I almost jumped in surprise but managed to hide it as I turned to greet him, "Good morning Ronalt."
"Same to you Rain," he nodded. "Truthfully with shooting skills as good as yours you could rise the ranks to knighthood."
I shook my head in disagreement, "I can't shoot a knight's bow. This is about as good as I'll get."
"Ah, of course," Ronalt turned his eyes awkwardly. A knight's bow was made of thick wood melded with metal. To pull it back you needed strength beyond what I could produce. For someone who could use magic and reinforce their muscles it wasn't a problem. While my aim was good, if I didn't hit the right place against a thicker skinned monster or person for that matter it would have the same effect as throwing stones. There was the possibility of me using magic but then as I found from last night's experiment I'd probably miss due to the pain.
"Don't worry I don't have any intention to become a knight," I said calmly.
Ronalt came closer, "Still, your aim is above more than just ordinary. If it's you, I wouldn't be surprised if you could."
"Like I said. I have no intention of joining your knights." I died enough as it was. Sure I would get paid an amazing amount and could even obtain peerage but it came along with a risk and a chain.
"I know," he laughed. "The question I have then is why have you been training so much lately?"
I answered bluntly, "We're travelling into demon territory were we intend to take the head of its lord. You're not going to be able to protect me the entire time."
"I'm beginning to understand more and more as to why you were tasked with caring for us," Ronalt smiled. I was beginning to see that smile more often but I wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing. "I assume you are waiting for Earnest to wake?"
"On the off chance he's up early. It's a possibility."
"Then while you wait perhaps you would like to spar?" he stood a few metres from me and entered a stance with his fists raised. With no armour or padding the glisten of the morning sun highlighted the defined muscles beneath his shirt. Just how much did this guy workout? I considered myself pretty healthy but he really was on another level.
"Hand to hand combat?" I put down my bow.
"While deemed as a basic. For a true Master it is sharper than even the fastest sword."
I smirked, "You're starting to sound like Earnest."
"I heard he took you on as an apprentice."
"In a heavy handed matter, yes."
"Shall we get started?" Ronalt eyed me steadily.
"I'll just throw this out there but I don't even know the basics," I raised my arms.
"Don't worry you'll learn through experience." Before I could reply he stepped forward and punched. I barely got out of the way in time only for him to kick at my head. I ducked in panic and tried to retreat further but he hounded me easily. Hadn't anyone here heard of teaching the basics first! I was getting tired of all this first hand learning.
Ronalt's fist collided with my arms as I guarded my chest. My bones cracked and throbbed in pain. His other hand reached towards me. My instincts flared in danger as I recalled the times he had crushed me with just his palm. A pain rippled through my chest as my mana reacted. Like with Earnest Ronalt's eyes widened in surprise scanning the area in frightful flicks as if I had disappeared. I used the opportunity to flee.
I breathed out painfully and stopped my mana from rampaging. As soon as I did so Ronalt faced me shocked as if I had just reappeared from nowhere.
"Stop!" I yelled out quickly as he jumped towards me. A gust of wind blew past as his fist stopped in front of my chest. "Time out. Remember I'm new to this." My lips jittered. Another inch and I would have probably been sent through the inn's fence.
Ronalt scoffed and straightened himself, "You say that but your reactions are anything but a newcomer's."
"At least give me a second to fix my arm. I think you fractured it…." I touched it gingerly only to wince in pain. "Yep that's not right."
"If you want to begin the path of a fighter you should work through the pain. It'll make you stronger," he spoke seriously. No wonder he looked like he did. I was beginning to think that his methods were more Spartan than Earnest's.
"I'm on the path of trying not to die so please take it easy on me," I bowed.
"Go ahead," he stepped aside and let me move to where I had placed my potions. I took a salve and rubbed it into my skin while holding my arm straight. There was an audible pop and snap as my arm righted itself and began healing. Convenient.
While I waited for the effects to finish I looked to Ronalt, "Have you heard anything from the Fortress Commander?"
"About yesterday?" Ronalt shook his head, "Nothing out of the ordinary. I've advised him to increase the patrols and ask for reinforcements however he is quite confident that the town is safe."
I had to stop myself from frowning. It certainly was not safe and until I found just where the demon army was I wouldn't be able to sleep soundly.
"Don't worry yourself Rain," Ronalt tapped my shoulder. "While we're in town your work is much less than ordinarily. Once we depart you'll be busy once again so please take the time to relax."
"Right…," I huffed and stepped back raising my arms. "Okay I'm ready let's go again."
He sighed, "Looks like I'll have to beat my advice into you."
"Try it."