Annoyance was becoming too familiar an emotion for her currently. And all of that annoyance was centered around herself. Specifically her weakness, how it annoyed her - that sense of helplessness when facing stronger opponents. Before attending Luminare Academy, she had never experienced this feeling. She could tear down any obstacle in her way, such was her nature as a spawn of the God of destruction and avarice. Yet she was all but humbled twice now.
Mirabella lay in her bed sprawled out, her dark blue locks mimicking her as they spread about on the covers of the bed. She glared at the ceiling of her cabin room as if it had wronged her in some way. Annoyance, what a very fickle thing.
Most would not understand her current feelings; she lost to a Chaosmaw and the crown Prince of Vel'ryr. Most would just be lucky to come out of those types of situations alive, yet one fact still remained. She was nothing against such ferocious adversaries, and that annoyed her to no end. Said annoyance was further amplified when she heard Agatha having driven away said Chaosmaw.
"Even blondie is ahead of me now," she mumbled with a frown tugging at her lips. "All I did was get my ass kicked by that damn monster." Once more annoyance engulfed her.
But it was an all too familiar feeling; she sluggishly rose from her bed. Of course, if she wanted to get rid of this annoying feeling, she would have to take action. If she left things the way they were, her sister would be disappointed. But what should she do, what could she do? Training seemed to be the clear answer here, but to her, training was useless. Controlling spells was a chore to her; all she could ever manage were spells that had to do with destruction.
("Unlike sis who can use spells freely, I ain't got that luxury.") A sigh sat at her lips, but then a solution hit her just as quickly. "Mikoto." He had a knack for giving instructions, even if most of the things he said were confusing. But could Mikoto be a solution? She thought back to Emberreach; he battled Selwyn and apparently caused those severe tremors. To be able to manage that, he must have used some powerful magic. But magic was useless against any Von Auerswald; did that mean Mikoto had a method of injuring them? That did not seem impossible, but it just made Mikoto all the more absurd.
Mirabella stepped out of her bed.
"There ain't much else to do besides lazing around, might as well." Without regard for changing into her uniform, she exited her room, ignoring the unnerving feeling of the cold wooden floor on her feet. The wooden floor creaked as she made her way down the cabin area, only coming to a stop in front of another door. She raised her hand to knock but momentarily stopped.
("Should I really be bothering him with this?") She shortly contemplated. ("Not like he's obligated to help, but still, I ain't got anyone else to turn to.") She heaved a sigh as she steeled herself; there was no point in just remaining weak. If there was a way she could get stronger, then she would have to take it. With those thoughts, she knocked on the door, and it was not long before she heard footsteps beyond the door approach. The door swung open, and her eyes met that familiar eerie mask.
"Jeez, don't you ever take that thing off?" She couldn't help but comment as Mikoto hummed.
"I could, but then all the girls aboard would fall in love; I'm just too handsome," he said as he flicked a hair bang.
"Like hell that would ever happen," Mirabella snorted out.
Strangely, Mirabella seemed to be in a rush. Her dark blue hair was like strands, like wild ribbons that defied gravity, curling and spiraling like she had just woken up. She was still in her night clothes, a loose black nightgown that clung to her curves like a second skin. It dipped low in the front, offering a glimpse of creamy skin that swelled generously above the delicate lace trim. There was also too generous a view due to how loose her nightgown was. But Mikoto cared for none of that.
"So what brought you here?" He asked; Mirabella certainly was not the type to visit on a whim. They were acquaintances at best, or maybe she considered him a friend. He would not exactly be opposed to that idea.
"I, uhm... I want your help again. With magic, I mean."
"Magic? I see, you wanna prepare for the festival while there's still time, huh?" Mikoto surmised as she nodded her head. "Well, it's no skin off my back, but what branches of magic do you want to learn?"
"I've given up on teleportation; I got some of what you explained back in Verdantis, but..." She scratched her head, whether in embarrassment or frustration he did not know. "...I still got no clue on how to use it." She seemed dejected at that prospect.
"Don't beat yourself up over it; teleportation is useful, but you'll live without it," Mikoto assured. "There are other branches of magic that would be more useful. Healing and defensive magic, for example." She suddenly looked more dejected.
"I'm crappy with those types of magic too, though," she said with a hopeless look in her eyes. "Last time I tried to use healing magic, everything exploded. And with defensive magic, any barrier I conjured just blew up in my face."
"Tsk, tsk, ye of little faith," Mikoto shook his head as he stepped out of his room, closing the door behind him. "I'll tutor you; get dressed and meet me at the main deck."
"Okay..." She uttered out, but it still looked like something was bothering her. Mirabella was not all that hard to read; she did not exactly wear her heart on her sleeve, but it was easy to deduce what her feelings were. "Sorry 'bout this, wasting your time with me." He just flicked her on the forehead, much to her annoyance. "Oi!"
"Instead of a 'sorry,' give me a 'thanks.' The latter is much better; now get ready," he stated as he walked past her, her gaze following his back. Mikoto was as odd as ever.
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The salty tang of the sea swirled around Mikoto and Mirabella as they sat nestled amongst overflowing sacks of cargo on the vast wooden floor of the ship. The rhythmic creak of the hull against the waves provided a constant, soothing backdrop. "Alright, Mirabella," he began. "We'll start with the simpler branch of magic, defensive magic. It's the bedrock of any sorcerer's arsenal, the shield that stands between you and harm's way."
Mirabella's eyes were focused as she mirrored his posture.
"Defensive magic first, huh? I'm all ears."
"Defensive magic might seem dull compared to any flashy spells, but it's crucial. Defensive magic is like a sturdy shelter that protects you from any harm. There are many branches of thought with defensive magic," he explained. "Some sorcerers focus on brute force, conjuring impenetrable walls of mana, earth, or stone. Others prefer deflection, diverting spells with shields of pure magical energy." Mirabella's brow furrowed in concentration.
"So, it's not just about blocking things? You can actually send attacks back at the enemy?"
"Yep, that's right. With the right deflection spell, you can not only deflect offensive magic but potentially send it hurtling right back at your attacker. Though, a word of advice – deflection spells require a deep understanding of the incoming magic. Miscalculate, and you might end up setting yourself up for failure." Mirabella mulled over his words; she only knew the basics of defensive magic, she did not know all of that was even possible.
"Sounds... risky. But also cool," she admitted.
Mikoto nodded his head. "It is both. But before we get to the fancy stuff, let's talk about the foundation – the Simple Barrier." Mikoto raised his right hand. As he concentrated, a faint red glow emanated from his palm, slowly coalescing into a shimmering hexagon. The lines shimmered with an inner light, pulsing faintly.
"This is the magic barrier in its most basic form. It's a versatile shield, capable of blocking most physical and magical attacks," he explained. Mirabella's eyes focused on it, trying and failing to understand. The barrier hovered in Mikoto's hand, a delicate yet powerful shield of crimson energy.
"It's simple. But why is it that shape?" She questioned, noting the odd shape. Mikoto smiled.
"It's called a hexagon; usually I don't shape my barriers all that much, but I intend to let you learn this method of barrier creation. See, the hexagon represents stability and balance. Its six sides ensure complete protection from all directions. It's an efficient design, requiring minimal mana to maintain."
He focused his will again, and the hexagon morphed, its sides elongating to form a rectangular barrier, resembling a sturdy wall. "See how easily it adapts? This form is ideal for blocking a frontal assault, perhaps a charging enemy." With another flick of his wrist, the barrier shrunk, transforming into a small dome that encased his hand completely. "And this, the compact dome, offers focused protection for a vital area. Perfect for deflecting stray spells or a rogue spell."
Mirabella's mind buzzed with questions.
"But what if the attack is massive? Can it grow bigger?"
"Obviously. The barrier can expand to encompass a much larger area, shielding you and or allies. However, the bigger the barrier, the more mana it requires to sustain. Use it wisely, for depleted mana leads to a vulnerable sorcerer." He dispelled the barrier with a flick of his finger, the red glow fading back into his palm. "The simple barrier is just the tip of the iceberg. There are countless variations, each imbued with different properties. We can talk about elemental barriers, infused with the power of fire, ice, or earth, for enhanced protection against specific attacks."
"Or maybe illusionary barriers," Mirabella interjected with a thoughtful expression. "Ones that make you invisible or create decoys to confuse the enemy." Mikoto raised an eyebrow behind his mask, impressed.
"True, illusion magic derives from barrier magic, and barrier magic derives from defensive magic. You grasp the concepts surprisingly quickly." She could not help but smile at the praise. "We can even delve into counter spell barriers, designed to disrupt and nullify incoming magic altogether."
"So, how do I make a barrier?" she finally asked, her voice clipped but laced with a hint of genuine curiosity.
"Just use the practical application. It's not just about memorizing gestures, although those are important for channeling your magic. The key lies in intent, Mirabella. You have to truly visualize the barrier forming, feel its solidity in your mind's eye. The stronger your will, the more powerful and resilient your barrier will be. Here, try it yourself. Close your eyes, and imagine a wall of pure mana surrounding you, protecting you from all harm." Mirabella frowned, but a hint of excitement was evident in her eyes. She closed her eyes, picturing the simple shape of the hexagon from Mikoto's earlier demonstration. Mustering all her concentration, she focused on the feeling of safety, of being encased in an impenetrable shell.
Her hand tingled with anticipation, a nascent warmth blooming in her palm.
"Don't think of destruction, do not think of attacking," Mikoto's surprisingly soothing voice filled her ears. "What you want to do currently is protect; let your mana out of your body and solidify it in a way that can protect you." His words helped, but maybe it was due to how serene he sounded; his voice was a tad androgynous. But his words did not disrupt the concentration she was building up; her mind could not help but be at ease now. "Yeah, just like that, you're doing great." She allowed a smile to grace her as her focus solidified. A faint shimmer surrounded her, wavering like a heat haze in the afternoon sun. It wasn't a perfect barrier yet, far from the confident glow Mikoto had produced.
The shimmer flickered and pulsed inconsistently, betraying the turmoil within Mirabella as she struggled to focus her will. Her brow furrowed in frustration, a deep crimson blush creeping up her neck that rivaled the color of Mikoto's barrier itself.
"Ugh, it's like trying to hold onto smoke!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with annoyance. "It just keeps dissipating!" Mikoto chuckled, the sound warm and reassuring.
"Come on, you almost had it, Mirabella. It takes practice to channel your magic with such precision. Remember, it's all about visualization. Imagine the barrier as a solid wall, a fortress around you. Feel its strength, its impenetrability." He extended a hand. "Here, let's try a different approach." And with a flick of his wrist, he conjured a miniature replica of the ship – complete with billowing sails and miniature cargo sacks with a circular barrier around it – made entirely of shimmering red energy. It hovered playfully in his palm. "Imagine this is the barrier you want to create," he explained. "See how the light flows, how it forms a complete structure? Now, try replicating that feeling within yourself, but on a larger scale." Mirabella stared at the miniature ship, her initial frustration giving way to a grudging fascination. The intricate details, the way the light danced and swirled within the construct, sparked a newfound determination within her.
She closed her eyes once more, this time picturing the miniature ship and barrier not in Mikoto's hand, but surrounding her entire form. She focused on the feeling of solidity, of being encased in a protective shell. The warmth in her chest intensified, spreading like wildfire up her body. With a deep breath, she willed the mana to solidify, to take form around her. A gasp escaped her lips as a hesitant shimmer materialized around her. It was faint at first, barely a wisp of light outlining her silhouette. But as she pushed herself further, the shimmer grew stronger, solidifying into a near-perfect hexagon, almost mirroring the one Mikoto had conjured earlier.
The light pulsed with a faint inner glow, no doubt due to the raw power coursing through Mirabella. A wide grin, as unexpected as a summer squall, split her face. The earlier frustration was forgotten, replaced by a childish sense of accomplishment.
"I did it!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and triumph. "I actually made a barrier!" Mikoto deactivated his miniature ship with a smile.
"Excellent work, Mirabella. You see? It wasn't so hard, was it? Although, for a future master of magic, that barrier is a little... on the small side. Perhaps you could try expanding it to encompass, say, the entire ship?" Mirabella's playful smile faltered for a moment, replaced by a familiar scowl.
"The whole ship? Are you trying to make me faint from mana exhaustion?" Mikoto chuckled again.
"Of course not! But a good sorcerer should always strive to improve, right? Besides, think of the bragging rights, 'I, Mirabella, can shield an entire ship with my awesome barrier!'" The playful jab hit the mark.
"Alright, alright," she conceded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Challenge accepted. But just so you know, if I pass out, it's entirely your fault for pushing me too hard."
("He really is good.") She could not help but think as she stared at that grinning face. ("Most of my magic instructors were so... ass. They spouted nonsense they expected me to know; they would not simplify anything or go into greater detail. But you're different, Mikoto; you could busy yourself with anything else, but here you are helping a failure like me.") Initially, she had thought Mikoto was nothing but a weak fool, but she could not help but see him in a new light. Mikoto was odd for sure, but he was different, helpful. "Thanks..." she mumbled lowly.