The serene ambiance of the Great Mystic Forest enveloped Clive and Tipha as they stood beneath the towering trees. A light mist curled around their feet, weaving through the lush undergrowth like something alive. Nearby, Arianna and Lima sat by a stream, their soft chatter blending into the calming sounds of the forest.
Tipha stood with her arms crossed, her sharp dark elf eyes watching Clive intently. She was patient, but there was a quiet intensity in her posture. Clive stood ready. They had left the Elven Lands that morning to make their way through The Desert of Abyad. He had planned to say goodbye to Nava before he left, but he wasn't anywhere it sight. Maybe he was just busy dealing with Marcus, and decided not to inquire further. Regardless, he had to focus now.
"Alright, 7th Prince" she said, her voice low but firm. "Illusion Magic can be powerful if you fully understand it. It is based on creativity, which I'm sure you have. You just have to focus."
Clive stood across from her, riddled with a mix of determination and nerves. He knew that this was a power that he absolutely had to master, he can't just waste this opportunity. His emblem glowed a faint purple on his wrist, runes all around it.
"Okay," Clive muttered, mostly to himself. He closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind and focus on the flow of magic. Back in the Oshoen Kingdom, he was barred from learning magic. He would sneak into the library to study himself, but it was quite difficult without a teacher.
"Invisibility," Tipha said softly, stepping closer. "It's about control. Don't just disappear, you need to merge with the surroundings. Let the forest absorb you."
Clive nodded, his breathing slowing as he concentrated. The mist in the forest seemed to shift and swirl around him, like it was beckoning him to join it. His body began to shimmer faintly, like a mirage, the edges of his form blurring into the trees behind him.
Tipha raised an eyebrow, impressed but not showing it openly. "Good. But you need more. Don't just hide—vanish."
Clive gritted his teeth, willing the magic to bend to his will. He felt a tug, deep inside, as if the magic was trying to resist him. His form became more and more transparent, until his entire body faded into the trees. For a moment, there was nothing. No sign of Clive at all. The only sound was the soft rustling of leaves and the gentle trickle of the stream.
Tipha's lips curled into a faint smirk. "There you go. That's it."
From Clive's perspective, it was like he had melted into the very air around him. He looked down at his hands—or where his hands should be—but saw nothing. His heartbeat quickened, excitement bubbling up inside him. He had done it! He was invisible!
But then, just as quickly as he had vanished, the energy inside him wavered. His focus slipped, and in an instant, Clive reappeared, stumbling forward slightly as he became visible again. "Ah…"
Tipha chuckled softly, stepping forward and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Not bad for a first try. You just need to keep your focus longer."
Clive looked up at her, still feeling the sting of disappointment, but Tipha's calm expression eased him a little "Alright," Tipha began, her voice low but commanding. "Now that you've managed invisibility, it's time for something a little more...advanced."
Clive blinked, tilting his head. "More advanced?"
"Shape-shifting," she said simply.
Clive's eyes widened. "You want me to—turn into something?"
"Essentially. The mana around you manipulates your body, depicting you as something else." Tipha said, nodding toward the towering trunks surrounding them. "A good starting point would be a tree. It makes sense for a forest. You need to understand the essence of what you're becoming. You're not just hiding; you're transforming. Let the forest take you in."
Clive looked around at the ancient trees, their bark rough and gnarled, their roots twisting deep into the ground. "Ok," Clive said, taking a deep breath. "I'll try."
Tipha stepped closer, her eyes narrowing in focus. "It's not just about changing shape. You have to connect with the energy of the forest. Feel the bark grow, the roots spread. Let it take over."
Clive closed his eyes, his breathing slow and steady. He tried to clear his mind, letting the sounds of the forest surround him. The wind rustled the leaves. Birds called out in the distance. His emblem glowed faintly on his wrist, and Clive felt the magic stir within him. He reached out to it, trying to direct it, trying to imagine himself as part of the forest. Slowly, his skin began to tingle, slowly turning into bark. It felt as if he was under a thick blanket.
"You're doing it," Tipha said softly, her eyes fixed on him.
Clive felt the sensation intensify, his legs stiffening as they began to meld with the earth beneath him. His arms grew heavy, and the feeling of roots stretching out into the soil overwhelmed him. It was strange—he felt taller, stronger, more solid, like the very essence of a tree was becoming his own.
He opened his eyes and realized that his vision had shifted. The world now seems slower, more peaceful, as if time had still.
Tipha watched, her expression changing to approval as Clive's transformation took shape. He had become a tree. His face, though still vaguely visible, was now textured like the bark of the trees surrounding him.
"Good." Tipha said, circling him. "Now, stay in that form."
Clive could hardly move, but he didn't feel trapped. It was more like he was part of the forest itself, grounded and at peace.
Despite this, the magic was intense. After a few moments, Clive began to feel the strain. His thoughts wavered, and slowly, the bark covering his body began to fade, the roots withdrawing from the soil as he returned to his human form. He stumbled forward, back to his normal size, panting heavily. "W-Wow…"
Tipha caught him by the shoulder, steadying him. "Not bad for a first attempt."
Clive looked up at her, wiping sweat from his brow. "Is that…my power?"
"You'll get used to it," Tipha said, a rare smile crossing her lips. "In time, it'll feel like second nature."
As Clive stood there, still catching his breath from the intense magical exertion, his mind wandered. He couldn't help but glance at Tipha's new dark elf form—her mature, short black hair, the glow of her runes standing out against her smooth brown skin, her toned figure effortlessly graceful even when standing still. She radiated power, beauty, and control all at once.
It was distracting.
Without realizing it, Clive's thoughts swirled with a confused mixture of admiration and curiosity. The magic inside him, still unsettled from the transformation exercise, picked up on his wandering mind. Before he could stop it, something shifted.
His emblem glowed bright purple on his wrist, and his entire body tingled.
"Wha—" Clive started, but the words cut off as he felt himself changing. His legs slimmed, his frame shrunk, and his clothes shifted. His hair lengthened, and the weight of his body felt different, lighter.
Tipha's eyes widened in surprise as she watched the transformation happening in front of her. Clive, still too distracted to notice, had unknowingly activated his illusion magic.
When the tingling sensation finally stopped, Clive glanced down, only to see...a completely different body?! His tunic had changed to a white sundress, hung loosely over a smaller, more feminine frame. His hands were delicate, his skin softer. His hair, now longer and wavy, fell over his shoulders in soft black curls. Clive gasped, realizing he had transformed into a female version of himself.
"W-WHAT IS THIS?!" he exclaimed, his voice higher-pitched, more melodic. His eyes widened, his heart racing in shock and embarrassment.
"Ara, I haven't seen this before…" Tipha stared at him, her surprise quickly giving way to amusement. A smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth as she took a step forward, crossing her arms. "7th Prince, it seems you've discovered another side to illusion magic."
Clive blushed furiously, his…or her…cheeks burning red. "I-I didn't mean to!" he stammered, tugging at the dress that barely fit his new form. His hands trembled as he tried to make sense of what just happened.
Tipha let out a soft chuckle, clearly entertained by Clive's accidental transformation. "Distracted, were we? Did you have me in your mind?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.
"N-no!" Clive's blush deepened, and he looked away, embarrassed. "I wasn't distracted!" he protested, though the heat rising in his cheeks betrayed him. "I just—this magic is tricky!"
"You look good, 7th princess~" Tipha shook her head, still smiling. "This is just a sign that you need to work on your control." she waved her hand lightly, "You might want to turn back before someone else sees."
Clive nodded quickly, closing his eyes and concentrating, trying to reverse the illusion. After a few moments of effort, the tingling sensation returned, and Clive felt himself slowly shifting back. When he opened his eyes again, he was back to his normal self. He let out a sigh of relief. Clive then looked up at Tipha, still flustered, "D-Don't tell anyone else…okay?"
Tipha gave him a final pat on the shoulder, clearly still amused. "Your secret is safe with me, don't worry." She said…with a hint of sarcasm.