"Master Smith, I am truly sorry for my thoughtless words. I spoke out of turn and disrespected not only the art of pyromancy but also your expertise. It was a grave mistake, and I, Daegal Forester, humbly seek your forgiveness."
The room held its breath as the tall elf regarded the repentant student. The flames in his eyes seemed to flicker with a mixture of sternness and contemplation. Daegal's apology hung in the air, a vulnerable admission of wrongdoing in the face of elemental power.
After a tense pause, Master Oren nodded, his stern expression softening ever so slightly. "Words, like the earth beneath our feet, carry weight and consequences. Learn to wield both with wisdom, young man. Your apology is noted, and I trust you will remember the importance of respect wherever your travels take you, not just within these hallowed grounds."
Daegal, with a deep sense of relief, bowed to the floor respectfully, acknowledging the gravity of the lesson learned. The encounter left an indelible mark on his journey as a geomancy student, reminding him those who practice what may be considered lesser arts may hide potential far above what one might expect, and a delicate balance is required when navigating the intricate relationships between arts magical and mundane.
With the situation seemingly diffused, the patrons returned to their conversations and their enjoyment of the magical delights of the refectory. Eavesdropping on the various conversations, Von determined the refectory was more than just the magical university's dining hall, it was a hub of intellectual exchange and haven for those seeking the convergence of scholarly pursuits as well as a place to enjoy culinary indulgence.
Daegal stood from his genuflection and bowed again before the master smith. "Sir, I can't offer much to you beyond my sincerest apology, but I do have my old geomancy focus, which I believe your protégé may be able to use. He has some affinity for geomancy, and I believe my old Terra Prism will be an aid to his studies. It isn't very strong, being only a common beast tier focus, but it may help him attune himself to the earthen energies."
Returning to his seat, the old elf responded. "While neither the boy, nor the girl is not my protégé, to me, the information they have provided about my daughter is worth more than the value of common tier focus. I will accept it on his behalf as contrition for your lack of respect."
Hearing these words, the older boy opened a small pouch on his belt and removed an intricately crafted and polished triangular prism made from a high-quality yellow quartz embedded malachite allowing a great deal of light to be transmitted through it. The ends were adorned with intricate engravings depicting scenes from nature, a mountain on one end and a rock formation on the other. "The prism is usually held in your hand during meditation, once you have attuned yourself to it."
Von accepted the small prism with a small bow. Holding it in his hand, he noticed the distinct coolness of the smooth surfaces of the crystal. As before with the hourglass, Von focused his aura to align with the prism and to resonate with the energies it was exuding. Doing so, he was able to perceive a distinct vibration emanating from the crystal, the resonance carrying with it the earth's energies, creating a soothing and grounding effect.
Looking within the prism, he saw his surroundings from an entirely different view, the buildings were gone, and a subtle brown energy seemed to be below him. Pouring his will and aura deeper into the prism, while drawing out the brown energies, the scene changed to mountains and rock formations similar to those on the flat ends of the prism as a flow of energy mirroring the landscapes within the prism began flowing into his aura circulating through it until it created a comforting and nurturing atmosphere like a protective shell allowing him to feel every vein of rock beneath him experiencing the very essence of the earth circulating through him.
The scent of the earth filled his nose and the textures of the environment below him filled his awareness. While the depth wasn't far, he was able to tell every different type of rock within a few feet of the surface and synchronize his aura to its individual energy. Doing so, he was able to make the stone floor lift slightly before smoothing against its neighbor creating a much smoother floor than the worn surface previously in the hall. Eventually, the act of breathing itself became a conduit for absorbing the energies of the earth fostering a connection with each inhalation and exhalation. With every breath, he became increasingly aware of the energetic resonance between himself and the earth, not just at the sensory level, but the metaphysical level creating a sense of oneness and alignment with the earth's elemental forces.
This was only a common level focus. Von suddenly desired to locate stronger elemental artifacts. System, what will happen if I allow it to be absorbed into you?
How many focuses will be needed to upgrade the system?
Will more be needed for the next upgrade?
What are my attributes now?
Strength: 10 Agility: 12 Endurance: 30 Intelligence: 16 Willpower: 19 Charm: 10 Movement: 8 Perception: 13 Hit Points: 147 Magical Power: 118 You have the following affinities: Aeromancy 5 - Novice, Arithmancy 5 - Novice, Bibliomancy 5 - Novice, Cartomancy 5 - Novice, Chiromancy 5 - Novice, Choromancy 5 - Novice, Chronomancy 20 - Expert, Geomancy 5 - Novice, Hydromancy 5 - Novice, Myalomancy 5 - Novice, Necromancy 5 - Novice, Pyromancy 5 - Novice> You have the following skills: Tanning - Novice You are a novice combatant. You have the following abilities: Spellcasting - Novice (Shaping 3 and Drawing 3) Temporal Sight Resistances: none> System, please absorb the Terra Prism. With this thought, the prism turned to a prism of light in his hand before disappearing before the eyes of the onlookers leaving Daegal and the others stunned. "What happened? How did it disappear?" asked the bewildered Daegel. Despite feeling an innate connection to the earth, Von wasn't certain what to say. Everyone in the refectory was staring at him and talking. "I think, it somehow melded into my aura. I can still feel the earth and its power flowing as though I am still holding it but without the need to have it in my hand." "Interesting," stated Oren. "Daegel, can you hold out your active focus again? It is an uncommon beast focus, correct?" Daegel nodded. "Correct, Master Pyromancer." He then reached back into his robes retrieving the shovel and held it before him. The elf looked at Von. "Try again to touch it, Von. I want to see what happens." Von reached out his hand expecting to again not be able to move through the space, but instead, this time, his hand was able to feel something, even if it wasn't exactly a shovel. He could make out the shape of the object and place his hand around it. Concentrating on the object, he was able to sense the mystical energy binding it to the teenager in front of him. Von became aware of the slight difference of power between the two of them and knew at his current level of power he could not take the shovel from the other person's grasp. The difference between the two was very close, however. "I can feel it, but I can't take it from his hand." Daegel gasped. "Wow. I didn't know that could happen. I hoped after the next exam to be a journeyman geomancer but you have improved to at least the apprentice level with the fusion of the focus to your aura. I have heard powerful wizards in the past could fuse focuses into their being but until this moment I had never seen it actually happen. I have some small affinity for fire and water, but none for air. I could have been tested, but my parents chose not to for the other magics due to both my parents were being elementalists, so it was doubtful I would have any affinity for the others. Do you know if you have other affinities? If not, you should get tested by the council. I know it's midterm, but with at least two strong affinities, you may have more." "Um, I don't plan on staying here. I have to be heading to Marsgate soon, I think. How long does it take, and is it free? We don't have much money." Von sighed. He was interested, but his lifelong goal was still to become a knight. Having heard of wizard-knights recently, he thought it could be a possibility which might suit him. Daegel responded, "If you have enough talent, it's free. Just the fact you were able to absorb a common tier focus without any training, you should be accepted without coin. If you were to make known your intentions to join the conclave, I am sure with the two affinities you've shown already, you would easily be accepted. Let's go to the Council Chamber building. Besides, testing can be done at almost any time during the year if asked, as they always have attendants on duty. If you show any real affinity, they are even happier to do it outside of the beginning of school terms." With these words, he turned toward an exit to the side of the long refectory. Von looked at Monica. With a shrug and a beseeching look, he said, "want to see, Mon? I think it will be fun." She stood beginning to follow, "okay. I very much want to see if I have any ability too." Oren being curious himself about what talents the two children might have tagged along as well. His shop would wait another day. After all, so far, he learned many things during his time around these two—something rare for someone of his age, let along someone of his new