January 15, 2022
Words: kit
Mages are individuals who are capable of controlling the arcane, constructing complex spells that are used to manifest magic. These mages are usually elves, only they are born with the blood of the arcane called mana. Humans are the inferior race which cannot utilize the arcane. Ultimately, we came to make use of magic by using talismans.
Talismans have the ability to manifest the arcane. Yellow rectangular paper is used to write spells with Vistas' inkー an ink responsible for creating the spell. To activate it, they must stick to something or make contact. With powerful spells, however, verbal incantations may be needed. For temporary magical enhancement to oneself, the charm needs to be burned to consume the ash.
One of the disadvantages of using talisman as a medium of magic is the time to prepare the charms. Another downside is the fact that there is a finite amount that can be legally carried by a citizen, whether if you are an apprentice or a master in crafting talisman.
Currently, I have but useless yellow paper with me. What am I gonna do in this situation!?
Allow me to picture the scene.
Peacefully leaving a shop that sold yellow paper that is used for crafting talismans, a suspicious figure gazed upon me from behind the building. As soon as I noticed the fellow, I hastened my step, striding the dimly lit pathway with finest.
The figure caught on, lurking in the shadows at incredible speed. It was fascinating how someone could become that fast without making a sound. However, I did not waver.
My strides gradually increased in cadence, eventually transforming my walk into a run. At this point, I was showing the figure that I knew they were following me. While that may be so, I cannot allow myself to slow down.
Each step that threaded the pavement echoed in the midnight road. Glares of pedestrians turning to my direction as I disturb their peaceful night.
"Watch out!" an old man yelled, pointing behind me with a distressed expression.
Looking over my shoulder, the suspect chased me with a talisman drawn. With an Impressive throw, the charm cut through the air flying into my direction. Frightened, I barely dodged the charm by jumping. My feet landed on the ground, stumbling around until I was able to break into a run again. An explosion shook the ground, debris flying past me as I continued to run. A chill ran down my spine as I witnessed the bystanders fleeing into their homes. Can't you at least save a distressed teenage boy? Fuck.
A talisman went past me, grazing my skin. In the corner of my eye, the charm stuck itself to the ground, illuminating in the darkness of the dim sidewalk. I quicken my feet, escaping a disastrous end. A bright light manifested behind me, which allowed my shadow to be casted in front of me. It was another fire spell. They sure love fire, huh?
Clumsily reaching into my hand bag, I pulled out an empty yellow paper and a small jar of Vistas' ink. How can I write the spell without a brush? Think. Think. Think. Think.
"My finger," I whispered.
As the cloaked individual continued to miss their charms one after another, I hurriedly dipped my index finger into the jar of ink. My hand shook while poorly writing the spell into the yellow paper. This was the only spell I memorized. I hope this will work.
I prayed to the gods, closing my eyes with the talisman in hand. At the end of my prayer, I swung my arm as hard as I could towards the cloaked individual. The charmed reached inside the cloak, illuminating the darkness of the interior of the clothes. I was speechless. I can't believe it… how can such a beauty pursue me?
The chase halted as I gazed into the gaze of my pursuer. Her appearance captured my heart. Her short red hair fluttered through the wind as the midnight gale blew her hood off and her green eyes dilated as the talisman grew brighter… the spell had activated.
Lightning, which emerged from the talisman, travelled through her body, stunning the crimson beauty. It was the only spell I knew. Paralysis spell. Useful for times like these. I let out a sigh of relief.
"Not bad," a woman's voice said.
My eyes widened. This can't be! The Paralysis spell is capable of stunning even resilient warriors. How can a delicate body of a lady withstood my spell?
The crimson beauty removed the talisman from her forehead, inspecting it with a chuckle.
"The penmanship was impressive for a prey fleeing from its predator," she chuckled.
That's right. The effectiveness of the spell is dependent on the neatness of the writing. I can't believe I forgot the most important detail of talisman crafting. I'm such a failure as an apprentice. In whilst of my despair, I turned my back towards her, immediately using the last drop of adrenaline to move my legs.
"Entrapment," a whisper reached my ears.
Before I could even move, a ring of flames formed around me, blocking my path to escape. Darting around the area to find a solution, the only answer was… my inevitable demise.
A chuckle echoed throughout the streets, mocking my powerlessness. Beyond the flames was the crimson beauty, walking towards me.
"You have a long way ahead of you," she chuckled. "Evaluating your skills, I understand why master took you as his apprentice."
This is it, I would my ancestors in heaven. It was a short lived life. I failed to become a master craftsman in talisman writing, failed to memorize spells let alone formulas, and failed to meet a girl who I would marry. I'm going to dieー Wait? Did I hear that right? " I understand why master took you as his apprentice."?
"Wait a minute, did you just say master?" I asked
"You heard that right," she replied.
"You're also the apprentice of my master?"
"Yeah."
"And you said that you were testing me if I was worthy to become master's student?"
"Yeah."
I took a deep breath and let out a sigh, while rubbing my eyes in disbelief. How can such a beautiful girl be so braindead.
"Let me get this straight. Are you telling me that you stalked me in the dead of night, caused so much trouble for me and the town, and destroyed the road all because you wanted to evaluate me!?" I yelled at the top of my lungs, enraged by everything that happened.
The heat of the ring of flames died. as she averted her eyes. "Yep," she said nonchalantly.
"Don't act like you didn't cause all this damage!" I howled, pointing at the trail of debris caused by the reckless use of talismans.
She looked behind her shoulder, gazing at the trail of fire that destroyed the road. Her gaze went back to me, green eyes welling up in tears as she said, "I'm sorry."
"Tell that to the authorities!"
Quickly wiping the tears on her eyes, she tried to change the topic, saying, "In any case, to be able to write a paralysis spell while being pursued… I praise your ability to analyze the situation. How many more spells are you able to write?"
"One," I said with a deadpan expression.
"You memorized a bookshelf of spells? That's really amazing! You must be the most talented apprentice our master hasー did you just say one?" the crimson beauty enthusiastically said, ending her sentence with a threatening glare.
"I don't want someone who is obsessed with fire to evaluate my skill! You could have restrained me with an entanglement spell! But instead you chose to use flashy fire spells. You even kept on missing an unskilled target!"
We argued until dawn. We were both scolded by our master and were forced to comply with community service for the compensation of the damages.
This was the beginning of a story about an inspiring master craftsman of talismans and the crimson princess with both human and elven blood.