For the first time since his captivity began, Kael felt a shift in the atmosphere as the Blink Mage arrived at his cell. Her usually cold demeanor seemed slightly warmer, and her eyes held a spark of something akin to excitement.
"Get up," she commanded, her voice still firm but lacking its usual harshness. "We're going outside today."
Kael, curious and cautious, followed her through the labyrinthine corridors. They emerged into a vast, open field, the sun shining brightly overhead. It was the first time Kael had seen the sky in what felt like an eternity. The fresh air filled his lungs, and for a moment, he felt a flicker of hope.
Without warning, the Blink Mage placed a hand on his shoulder. The world around them shimmered, and in an instant, they were in the middle of the field, the ground stretching out endlessly in all directions.
"Today, we will focus on space magic," she announced, her tone more animated than usual. "It's my specialty, and it's about time you learn."
Kael nodded, trying to hide his nervousness. He had heard stories about the dangers of space magic, how a single mistake could have catastrophic consequences. But the chance to learn this powerful skill was too valuable to pass up.
"Teleportation," she began, her eyes gleaming with excitement, "is not simply about moving from one place to another. It involves manipulating the fabric of space itself. You must understand the dimensions around you and fold them to your will."
She raised her hand, and the air around her seemed to shimmer. In an instant, she vanished, reappearing a few feet away. "Like this," she said, her voice echoing slightly from her new position.
Kael watched in awe, his mind racing with possibilities. He had always wondered how she did it, and now he had the chance to learn.
"Focus on a point in the space around you," she instructed. "Visualize it clearly in your mind. Feel the distance between you and that point. Then, draw the space together, as if folding a piece of cloth."
Kael took a deep breath, closing his eyes. He focused on a spot a few feet in front of him, trying to visualize it as clearly as possible. He felt the distance, the space between him and that point. He imagined drawing it together, folding the space until there was no distance left.
"Now, move," she commanded.
Kael concentrated, willing himself to move through the folded space. He felt a strange sensation, as if his body were being stretched and compressed at the same time. The world around him blurred, and for a brief moment, he felt weightless.
But something went wrong. A sharp, searing pain shot through his leg, and he cried out, collapsing to the ground. He looked down in horror to see that his foot had been sliced clean off, the small opening in space having severed it completely.
The Blink Mage was beside him in an instant, her expression a mix of irritation and concern. "Idiot," she muttered, though her tone lacked its usual venom. She knelt beside him, her hands glowing with water mana.
Kael watched in awe and relief as she used her water magic to heal the wound. The pain subsided, and his foot began to regenerate, the flesh knitting itself back together. Within moments, it was as if the injury had never happened.
"Teleportation is not a game," she snapped, her eyes boring into his. "Precision is crucial. A single mistake, and you could end up dead or worse."
Kael nodded weakly, the pain and fear still fresh in his mind. He knew he had to be more careful, more precise. There was no room for error in this training.
"Again," she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Kael forced himself to his feet, ignoring the lingering ache. He focused on another point, visualizing it clearly. He felt the space between them, drew it together, and moved. This time, he was more careful, more deliberate. The jump was smoother, the transition almost seamless.
"Better," she acknowledged. "But you must be faster, more precise. Try again."
Kael nodded, his confidence growing. He focused on another point, this time further away. He visualized it, felt the space between them, and drew it together. He willed himself to move, and in an instant, he was there.
The Blink Mage's expression remained impassive, but he thought he saw a flicker of approval in her eyes. "Not bad for a second attempt," she said. "But you must be able to do this under pressure."
Before Kael could react, she launched a barrage of magical attacks at him. Fireballs, water blades, and lightning bolts flew through the air, each one aimed with deadly precision. Kael had no choice but to rely on his new skill to survive.
He focused, teleporting from one spot to another, narrowly avoiding each attack. The world around him became a blur of movement and energy, the air crackling with power. He felt the strain of constant teleportation, his body protesting with each jump, but he couldn't afford to stop.
"Faster!" the Blink Mage shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. "You must be faster!"
Kael pushed himself harder, teleporting with increasing speed and precision. He felt the space around him fold and bend, each jump becoming more seamless. He could feel the mana within him depleting rapidly, but he couldn't stop now.
Suddenly, he made another mistake. He miscalculated a jump, the space around him warping erratically. He felt a sharp pain as his body twisted in an unnatural way, the world spinning around him. He barely managed to stabilize himself, reappearing on the ground, gasping for breath.
"Again," she commanded, her tone amused.
Kael forced himself to his feet, ignoring the pain. He focused on another point, visualizing it clearly. He felt the space between them, drew it together, and moved. This time, he was more careful, more deliberate. The jump was smoother, the transition almost seamless.
"Good," she complimented.
She continued to push him, her attacks relentless. Kael teleported from one spot to another, each jump becoming more fluid, more precise. He felt the space around him as an extension of himself, each fold and bend a part of his being.
Hours passed, each one a test of his endurance and precision. Kael felt the strain on his body and mind, but he pushed through it, determined to master the skill. The Blink Mage's attacks grew more intense, her demands more stringent.
Finally, she called a halt. Kael collapsed to the ground, his body trembling with exhaustion. He had teleported more times than he could count, each jump a test of his will and control.
She placed a hand on his shoulder, and in an instant, they were back in the cold, stone corridors of the council's stronghold. Kael felt a pang of disappointment as the open field and fresh air vanished, replaced by the oppressive walls of his cell.
The Blink Mage guided him back to his cell, her grip firm but not unkind. As they reached the door, she looked at him, her expression unreadable. "Rest well," she said. "You will need your strength for what comes next."
With that, she closed the door, leaving Kael alone in the dimly lit cell.