"Are you worried?" Nova asks as I go through my wardrobe, trying to find an outfit for the day.
"Yes…" I mumble, looking in the mirror. "Want to… be useful…"
"You are, I can tell," she says with a smirk. "Your skills and class will be useful wherever you work."
"What… class…?" I ask, though I knew her answer long before she spoke.
"Not telling, it will ruin the surprise." She said, making me pout.
"Sophie!" Nana called up, causing me to jump. "Get down here! You're going to be late!"
I quickly put on an outfit and rush downstairs, nearly falling over while trying to put on my socks. Nova started laughing and even Nana chuckled at my misfortune.
"Someone is excited," the older woman said handing me a sandwich. "Eat so you have stamina. The exam will be a private matter but it can be draining."
I nod before signing. "You coming too?"
"I'll come later, after the exam. You know how the town gets when I'm around." Nana gives a mischievous smile before patting my head. "Now eat, and quickly." After filling our stomachs, Nova and I rushed into town.
It has been a few years since Nova decided to stay with us. We have gotten closer, though she still has secrets. There were a few things that changed with her around. One was how the townspeople feared her. Most tend to keep a distance, a few have even gone missing. I tried asking Nova and others about it but they say to leave it be.
The air in the house also changed with the Pixie. Nova and Nana would constantly argue with each other, Nana being the victor mostly. Theabie said that the Pixies are stubborn, making it difficult for most people to get along. Nana was also stubborn so their personalities tended to clash.
I have learned a lot from Nova. How to read, write, and speak, Fae without much trouble. I tend to talk better than the common language of humans. Often all three of us would have full-out conversations in Fae. Theabie and Felix join at times. Nova also taught me sign language, and a few gestures to help convey what I am trying to say. Most people could understand me now, though some still look at me like an idiot.
Nana and the others told me not to mind them as they couldn't comprehend my condition. According to Nova, my magic energy is too much for my body. My body has made a natural guard to prevent the energy from leaking and hurting people. My voice is one means of escape, so my body slows my speech to drain the energy from it. I attempted to remove the guard once and nearly set a field on fire. After that, I made no more attempts.
Nova's also been giving me magic training. Because I wasn't fourteen and Nova had to do quests for the guild, she could only teach me the basics. Now that I am fourteen my mana should become stable enough to use actual spells.
Nana continued to teach me about herbs and making potions; from identifying the right plants to preparing them properly. I asked her once why she didn't supply potions for the church since they were constantly low due to how rural Karla was. She answered that the church didn't like people like her. The way she said it wasn't referring to her age or personality but a more in-depth reason. I have yet to figure out what that is and doubt I will ask her again. The way her brown eyes clouded over felt sad and lost.
When I had lessons with Theabie, she often told me that Nana had given up a lot to come here. I asked her why, but the guild master only said Nana would tell me in her own time.
I recently turned fourteen, old enough to register at the guild. My close friends and family are holding a party to celebrate. With Nova's and Theabia's guidance, I am ready for guild missions. I still don't have a lot of strength, but I have gained some endurance over the year so I won't be slow.
After getting to the adventurers guild I could already hear murmuring. I'm not the only one who turned fourteen, but being trained by Nana and the guild master gets people's attention. Regardless of their interaction with the two, it is clear that Theabie and Nana are forces to be reckoned with. Most must wonder what I will become and whose skills I will inherit.
"Hey, Sophie!" Felix greets me as I walk in, waving me toward his booth. "Today is your examination. You nervous."
I nod before looking around at the eyes that followed me. It made me more nervous with them around than anything else.
"Do you people have something to say!" Nova yells causing a few people to jump and shake their heads. "Then stop staring and scram!" with that everyone scattered away, not saying anything else.
"Still a little terror, aren't you Nova," Felix states with a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.
"It's their fault," she grumbled as she turned to me. "I can't join you due to the information leak, so I'll be waiting for you out here."
I nodded and looked at Felix. He nodded back. "I'll take you to the chamber, Thebie is waiting for you."
We left to the back of the building, going down to the basement. Behind a stone door, we enter an ornate room with magic carvings across the walls. In the center of the room, a glowing orb lay on a stand.
"You're finally here," Theabie said as we entered. She then turned to Felix. "You can leave, I'll handle the rest."
Felix nods, and squeezes my shoulder, before closing the door behind him.
I walk towards the guild master, my hands shaking with anticipation. She smiled down at me before directing me to the orb. "All you have to do is place your hands on the crystal and your information will be revealed. The guild tag will only reveal your name and rank within the guild. You and I will be the only people to know your real information." She turns to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "This is just to show us where your strengths lie and what you need to improve upon. It may also unveil talents that we have not noticed yet."
I nod my head in confirmation before walking toward the orb. I was nervous and excited, wanting a good role in this world and to be able to help people. With one last deep breath, I placed my hand on the crystal. In an instant the world shifted around me, becoming bright and blinding. When the light dispelled, I found I was sitting on a flower in a field of lilies.
"Sophie?" I hear a familiar voice ask, turning to see a figure shrouded by light.
"Lativia!" I rush towards her, crying out with joy. She puts a hand down and I hug her fingers, tears streaming down my face as I smile up at her. "I missed you!"
She chuckles, bending down and picking me up lightly. "I've missed you as well child. Though I didn't think we would meet again so soon."
I smile up at her, before becoming confused. "Did I die?" I asked, a bit worried.
"No child, your soul just decided to connect directly to me rather than display your information." She said with a smile, sitting down with me. "It happens sometimes, but I am glad to see you."
I nod and then freeze. "I can talk normal here…" I placed a hand on my neck in realization.
"Your soul has recovered from its endeavors, making it so you can speak," Lativia says with a sad smile. "Unfortunatelybecause of the energy inside you, it will be difficult to speak normally with people. There is a potential of the magic inside of you manifesting without reason."
"Nova said something similar," I say with a sad smile. "She said that it may get worse. She has been teaching me sign language. Is that alright?"
"Your pixie friend is quite right in her assumption. Though some mages use hand gestures for magic, the words can sometimes be stronger." Her eyes then widened in realization. "Oh, right. Let's see what you have learned now that you'refourteen."
With that, she waved her hand and a screen appeared before us.
Name: Sophie
Age: 14
Level: 3
Status:
Strength: 5
Charisma: 5
Stamina: 7
Intelligence: 10
Agility: 6
Will: 10
Health: 9
Skill:
Adaptation
Understanding
Memoir
Life-giving
Basic Magic
Basic Essentials
Basic Fighting
Class: Necromancer
Title:
Child of Mar
Child of the Fae
Apprentice of Novalia
Apprentice of Theadoria
Blessings:
Blessing of Life and Death
Blessing of Time
Blessing of the Crafter
Blessing of the Forest
I looked over the information, and one thing stood out to me. "I am a necromancer," I looked up at the goddess. "Is that a bad thing?"
"Let us see," Lativia said as she selected the icon, displaying another screen.
Class: Necromancer | Subclass: Light Necromancer
Requirements:
The soul feels displaced within the world of the living, disconnected but not truly lost.
The nature of the being is gentle and understanding, one who brings hope to lost souls.
Attributes:
The person's magic is connected to their soul.
Can assess echoes of the past, through life and memories.
Spirits and creatures sensitive to the world of the dead flock to the person's aura.
"It seems that the nature of your soul helped you to find your class. It isn't uncommon for this to happen, if anything, I am glad you have more of a path to your life and it will not impede your progress." She said to me before looking back at the screen. "My only concern is with the title of Necromancer."
"Theabie mentioned the class once," I say, searching my brain for the information. "They are scarce and mostly feared for what they are capable of."
"Yes, a necromancer's connection with the dead tends to cause havoc with the living. But it matters more what the person does with the power they hold rather than what they can do." Lativia said kindly, patting my head. "From what I can seeyou are on a better path than most. My only suggestion would be to hide this from others who do not understand your plight."
"Why?"
"Some may seek your power for their gain or will attempt to manipulate you for foul deeds. It may lead to misunderstandings in the future if you are not careful." The goddess warns before looking back at the screen. "Other than this it looks like you have a few blessings from the other gods."
"Other gods?" I ask, looking at the screen. "Who are they? Why would they bless me?"
Lativia chuckles. "When gods find a person they believe has the same aspirations as they do, it is customary for them to give a blessing. I have told a few of my friends about you and they seemed to like your soul. As for who they are, it would be best to find out on your own. Some of them can be shy."
I nod in understanding before looking back at the screen. "For skills, I have the ones I chose before, things I have learned, but what is Life-giving?"
"Life-giving is a skill acquired from using your life energy on someone. The skill is not easy to receive because of how dangerous it can be, but it seems you can control it. Your connection to the dead and the living may be what helps you."
"Is it bad?"
"No. Think of it like another form of magic. It is a great asset to you, though I would not advise using it often. Life-giving can easily heal someone from the break of death, but the cost is the caster's life force."
"I see. Is there anything else that I should know?"
"Nothing yet. You will gain more experience and skills as time goes on. You can check your growth at any guild or church."
"That's great! I have a bunch of things I want to try! Like swords and magic and-" I stop, realizing I was rambling.
Litivia chuckles, patting my head in reassurance. "You will be able to do whatever you strive for whether it be magic, swords, or other things. As long as you strive for it, you will achieve it." she then closes the screens and forms a small little orb. "Now then, let us send you back."
I walked towards the light but stopped, looking back up at Litivia. "What about you? Can I see you again?"
She pauses before smiling. "I think I can grant you something." She takes the orb and whispers into it. Golden dust danced around it, before collecting and being absorbed into the light. She then hands the orb back to me. "I've given you a skill that will allow you to contact gods that are affiliated with you. If you wish to talk to one of us, go to a church and pray to a god of your choosing. We will answer if we are able."
I take the orb and gently hold it in both hands, looking back at the goddess. "Thank you," I say, bringing the orb close."See you soon, Lativia," I say as I feel myself leaving.
"See you soon, Sophie."