The morning light filtered softly through the infirmary window, casting a warm glow over the walls. I awoke to the faint sounds of the guildhall coming to life—the low murmur of adventurers gathering, the clinking of mugs, and distant laughter drifting through the halls.
My body ached from yesterday's excursion through the city. Stiff muscles protested, but the soreness was a welcome sensation—a reminder of the freedom I'd regained after weeks of confinement. I'd missed it all: the thrill of wandering freely, breathing in fresh air, feeling the pulse of the city around me.
As I took a slow, deep breath, I felt it again—that strange warmth flickering deep within, more vibrant than it had ever been. A spark, a faint hum in my veins that pulsed in time with my heartbeat. Ever since my last battle, something had shifted inside me, as though a dormant power had finally begun to stir.
Could this be the strength I'd always yearned for? Was this a taste of the power that real adventurers wielded?
The door creaked open, interrupting my thoughts, and Kiria entered, her expression softened by the early morning light. She carried a tray piled with fresh bandages, bundles of herbs, and a small vial of tonic—a familiar, bitter remedy that seemed as vibrant as it was vile.
[How are you feeling today?] (Kiria) 's gaze was sharp, assessing, watching for any sign of discomfort.
[Better, actually. I think all that 'rest' you forced on me helped...OW! Ow! Stop poking my bruises]
She rolled her eyes but couldn't quite hide her smile.
[Well, keep pushing yourself like you did yesterday, and you'll be back here tomorrow] (Kiria) she threatened, raising her staff in mock warning. Her voice held that practiced warmth, the tone of a healer who had long since mastered the art of scolding patients back to health.
I gulped, remembering the last time she had followed through with that staff.
[I'll be good, maam]
With meticulous care, she checked each bandage, her hands gentle but firm. Satisfied, she handed me the tonic, her expression softening but her gaze unyielding.
[Remember: take it slowly. You're still healing] (Kiria)
I nodded, doing my best to look obedient as I downed the bitter liquid, barely suppressing a grimace. Kiria raised an eyebrow as if daring me to complain, and with one final glance, she left.
The moment the door clicked shut, I flexed my arm, testing my muscles. The soreness lingered, but my range of motion was solid—good enough for a light workout, maybe even enough to explore that new spark within.
I wandered to the window, my steps steady, surprisingly steady, without my usual walking stick. Outside, the town was coming alive in the gentle morning light. Vendors were setting up their stalls, colorful banners fluttering in the breeze. Kids darted through the streets, playfully wielding wooden swords, their laughter bright and free. Watching them, I felt a pang of nostalgia. That had been me once, armed with dreams far larger than my size.
My gaze fell on my gear, neatly arranged by Kiria. My armor looked a bit worse for wear, with a layer of dust dulling the once-bright steel. I reached for my staff, letting my fingers trace the worn grooves and chips that marked years of battles. I gripped it tightly, feeling the familiar weight settle in my hand—a reminder of the journeys I'd survived and the warrior I'd become.
[You're as good as the day I first took you up] I murmured, letting the memories wash over me. This staff, chipped and scarred, had saved my life more times than I could count.
With a final glance around the room, I strapped on my armor, slung my satchel over my shoulder, and made my way out of the infirmary. The fresh morning air hit me like a tonic of its own, reviving me further.
The guild infirmary was situated conveniently between the main guild hall and the training grounds. I headed toward the training grounds, eager to feel that rush of power again, to test whatever it was that had awakened within me. If I could find out just what this spark was, it could change everything.
The training grounds were mostly empty, which was rare. A few adventurers lingered near the edge, but the usual crowd was noticeably absent. Perhaps preparations for the city's anniversary celebrations had taken them elsewhere. Convenient, I thought. Fewer eyes meant fewer questions if something went wrong.
Testing my powers in a dungeon had crossed my mind, but that was too dangerous. For now, I'd stick to the training grounds.
I had almost reached the entrance when I hesitated, thinking I'd heard a whisper. I muttered to myself,
[Or maybe the forest...]
[That would be a bit reckless, wouldn't it?] (??) A voice spoke up behind me, and I felt a hand, surprisingly cold, land on my shoulder.
[Uwah!] I flinched, nearly dropping my staff.
I turned, finding myself face-to-face with an unfamiliar cloaked figure. They were tall, their long, gray hair falling around their shoulders, giving them an almost ethereal appearance.
Despite the gray, they didn't look particularly old; rather, the hair seemed a strange but natural part of them. Their eyes were sharp, assessing me with a quiet intensity that immediately set me on edge.
[Well, sorry to startle you. I just couldn't help overhearing] (??)
I steadied myself, gripping my staff defensively, and offered a cautious nod.
[No problem… Are you an adventurer here?] I wryly smiled as I asked her.
The figure tilted their head, a ghost of a smile tugging at the corner of their mouth.
[You could say that. Let's just say I'm here to… observe] (??)
A strange silence settled between us, as if they were waiting for me to respond. Something about their gaze made me feel like they could see right through me, as if they knew exactly why I'd come to the training grounds so early.
[Well-] I said slowly, still unsure of what to make of this mysterious stranger,
[I suppose you'll get to see me use my meager spells then]
The figure's smile widened, a faint glimmer of amusement in their eyes.
[I look forward to it, mister mage] (??)
With that, they stepped back, their presence fading into the shadows along the training grounds' edge. I took a deep breath, my heart racing just a little faster than before, but I brushed it off. Whatever that encounter had been, it could wait.
First, I thought, refocusing, let's see what I can do. Taking my position, I centered myself and began channeling that hum within, letting it gather in my core before guiding it outward. The spark grew, pulsing warmly, spreading like fire through my veins, and for the first time in a long while, I felt powerful.
But i stopped....i remembered something....
Didn't I tried using a spell only using the spell name, the so called shortening the chant?
[Maybe?] I focused myself and looked at the target dummies standing at the edge of the training field. I aimed my staff at it and began the process of using shortened chanting.
Behind it is an enchanted wall fixated with anti-magic properties, in short this part of the training field is where magicians like me train and practice our spells.
[okay...here comes nothing. <
*BANG!*
The magic circle briefly appeared for a moment before fizzing into a magical projectile.
I was way more surprised because it wasn't the same magic bolt that I have used before. It is larger and faster, I could only see a glimpse of it for a sec after the magic circle dissipated.
*BOOM!*
The magic bolt missed however, because i haven't practiced way too much. The effect however, was not the usual measly magic bolt that I have been used to.
The wall had a small indent on it, suggesting that the force the magic bolt carried has more power than usual.
[Wow...] I could only gasp in awe as I saw that there is now visible progress with my "talentless" magic. This...made me feel hope that I could still improve.
I know that this display of magical power is measly in compare to others, as I could feel the prying gaze of this gray-haired cloaked person observing me. They are just sitting at the audience seats with their arms crossed, quietly eyeing the people in the training field. Their interest, however, is seemingly directed to me.
Who are they though? I asked myself as I try to remember anyone I know that has grey hair, however, only Sherry comes to mind...strange.
The figure is not tall, rather they are the same height as me so it's definitely not Sherry.