patreon.com/HiddeGoose
100+ Stories available
"Ella how do you feel physically? Any noticeable changes?" After a while the Duchess spoke finally breaking the silence.
"I do feel... different" She said with a complicated tone clenching her hands.
"Stronger, somehow. It's hard to describe, but there's definitely a change." Ella glanced at her hands and then at me.
"That's promising" The Duchess nodded considering her words.
"But we won't know the full extent of the changes unless we test them out." She looked at Ella with a hint of worry before asking.
"Are you well enough to go to the guild?" The duchess asked gently
"Yes let's go," Ella didn't hesitate as her face became resolute with determination clear in her eyes.
"Alright" I nodded as she glanced over at me meeting my gaze.
We finished eating in the same silence although I was just picking at the fruit and pastries on my plate. I couldn't help but be surprised though as I saw Ella eating quickly causing her cheeks to puffy up slightly. It made me uncomfortable knowing she had worked up such an appetite after exhausting her self last night.
***********
The guild hall was bustling with activity as usual but we quickly made our way to an empty training area at the back devoid of anyone and quiet. The room was dimly lit, the only sounds being the faint echoes of training and conversation from outside and It was just the three of us, a small but determined group.
Ella stood in the center of the training area as instructed and I watched cross my arm's as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. The Duchess and I watched her closely waiting to see what changes had been caused.
"Alright Ella," the Duchess said softly clapping her hands.
"Let's start with something simple show us your strength." I said continuing her word's.
She looked back at us for a second and nodded as she moved towards a training dummy set up against the far wall. It was sleek sliver made out of one of the most durable materials in the world. It wasn't exactly rare but it was hard to process which meant only those who had money like the adventurer guild could use such a metal just for training.
Ella opened her eyes and took another deep breath and then raised her arm clenching her hand into a fist and struck the dummy with a force that sent it crashing to the ground causing a large dent to be made in the head of the human shaped training dummy.
'Before she could barely make a small dent in those' The duchess and I shared a look before we both looked back toward Ella who had a smile come onto her face
The power was real and it was obviously significant. But the cost…the personal cost was still heavy on my heart.
"That's quite impressive Ella" The duchess nodded approvingly.
"Now let's try something more complex can you demonstrate your magical abilities?" She smiled clapping her hands once more.
"Okay" Ella nodded and took another deep breath before she raised her hand.
A ball of light soon appeared over her palm hovering and the glow was enough to make me winch as I raised my hand shielding my eyes. The small ball soon started to morph changing into a small dagger with an engraved handle only for the blade to grow becoming a pure short sword that gave off a powerful aura leaving my mind a mess.
'Even her magic is stronger' I mumbled in my head watching the sword slowly fade away leaving only Ella who was looking at her hands with a small smile.
"Well done Ella" I spoke walking toward her as she looked up and met my gaze.
"It's clear that Leon's skill has enhanced your abilities significantly." The Duchess walked beside me with an expression that was a mix of pride and concern.
"I feel… different But there's a lot we still need to understand about these changes." Ella looked at both of us her expression filled with determination
"We'll figure it out together. You've already shown incredible strength and courage. We'll continue to support you every step of the way." I stepped forward placing a hand on her shoulder that she quickly grasped with her own hand.
"You're not alone in this Ella We're all in this together." I said gently as we stared at each other deeply only to be interrupted by the duchess coughing with a raised eyebrow.
******
patreon.com/HiddeGoose
100+ Stories available