Eska wakes to a familiar darkness surrounding her room. She slides the soft blankets off and sits at the edge of her bed. From there, she gazes at the window, the view revealing only the dark enclosure outside.
"Have you ever even worn pajamas?" Marina's voice breaks the silence. She stands casually, leaning against the wall by the door.
Eska turns toward those glowing green eyes. "No, but they're so comfortable," she replies, her hand brushing against the mattress. "And the bed is so soft." A slight smile graces her face.
"You did well in the 'friendly' match today," Marina says, a hint of pride evident in her tone. "It's nice to see you don't waste your lessons."
"Thanks," Eska replies, her smile broadening. "But it wasn't much of a challenge… It was like…" She pauses, searching for the right words and her eyes widen as she finds them. "Like fighting a boar!"
Marina bursts into laughter, her voice echoing softly in the quiet room. "Regardless, you handled it well," she says, her chuckles lingering before they finally fade. Then, with a more serious tone, she continues.
Marina tells her as the silence had just settled. "I'd like to start your... new education," she says. "You already have combat instincts and they'll serve you well."
Eska whips her head toward Marina, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"But first!"
Marina raises a finger and steps closer, her form shifting into a more human shape. "You must understand this above all else: never and I mean never, mention my name to anyone. The gods know me and if they hear it from you, it will prove fatal."
Eska nods quickly, remembering the close call from before.
"Good, now let's start" Marina begins her lesson. "True mastery of magic requires knowledge of the world.You don't just imagine fire; you understand what fuels it. True mastery is knowing the process, not just the outcome."
Her voice softens, though her intensity remains. "Experimentation will teach you what no lecture can. You've skipped steps before, Eska. Reinforcement magic is just what you did before but you must also use your environment."
Marina extends her arm and clutches her fist. Blue glowing stripes form across her entire arm.
"Balance air, dust and moisture to form a barrier," she explains. "Too tight, it shatters; too loose, it might as well be water protecting you. Precision is everything."
Marina paces slowly.
"Chanting is a crutch," she says quickly, her glowing eyes fixed on Eska. "It's not that it doesn't work—it does, but it's inefficient. Words shape intent, but real magic doesn't need words. It needs clarity, control. Understanding."
She stops and holds up her hand, palm open. A small flame flickers to life near instantly.
After a second she waves her hand, extinguishing the flame and steps closer.
"The trick is to replace words with visualization. When you chant, you tether your magic to those words. Without them, your mind needs to take over. It's faster, stronger and far more versatile."
"It's like hardening your blood but this time, you're extending that control to the world around you. Think of it as shaping the environment the same way you do your blood. I'll walk you through it step by step."
Eska furrows her brows, her arm extended in front of her as she concentrates.
She exhales slowly, her focus steady on her arm. Reinforcement magic feels foreign—unlike her bloodcraft, which flows naturally and any attempt with other elements has always relied on chanting.
Eska paces back and forth, frustration bubbling under the surface as she tries to follow Marina's instructions. Despite her efforts, the air remains stubbornly unchanged.
Her fingers twitch in agitation and she finally glares at her arm, as if it's at fault for her failure.
"I don't get it," she mutters through clenched teeth. "I'm imagining it—strength, solid. Why isn't it working?"
Marina, leaning against the wall with an amused smirk, watches her struggle.
"Because you're skipping the steps and rushing to the end result," she says with a teasing tone. "Remember the wendigo lair? Reinforcing your blood is simpler. Start with what you know—strengthen your blood first, then expand outward."
Eska takes a steadying breath, closing her eyes. Concentrating, she draws a thin veil of blood around her arm, forming a rudimentary vambrace.
The thin veil glimmers faintly in the dim light, delicate yet undeniably present. After a few moments, a soft purple glow begins to emanate from the blood, flickering like the first spark of a flame.
Eska's lips curl into a triumphant smile as she holds up her arm to Marina, pride gleaming in her eyes. "Look!" she says, her voice filled with renewed confidence.
Her training goes on for hours before Marina tells her "It's almost time to wake up. Practice when you have time."
Eska continues practicing, her concentration unwavering as she refines the faint veil of reinforced blood along her arm.
Each attempt feels a little stronger, a little more stable. Marina observes in silence, her glowing green eyes betraying no emotion as Eska works tirelessly.
The hours drift by in a haze of focus and effort.
"That's enough for now," Marina finally says, her voice cutting through the stillness. "You've made progress, but your body needs to wake up soon." She steps away from the wall she's been leaning on, her figure casting a shadow in the faint light.
Eska pauses, her breath shallow from the strain. "Already?" she asks, glancing down at her arm where the reinforced blood glimmers faintly before dissipating.
Marina gives her a small nod, her expression unreadable. "Sleep well."
Eska's eyelids grow heavier as she sinks back into the softness of the bed. Within moments, sleep overtakes her, pulling her into its quiet embrace.
Eska's eyes flutter open to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the window of her new room.
The warmth of the sun spills across the bed, mingling with the cozy comfort of her soft blankets. She stretches lazily, her mind still half-dreaming, before the memories of her time with Marina flood back.
She sits up, glancing around the room. The finely crafted furniture and smooth walls seem almost foreign compared to the rugged simplicity of her childhood home. But there's a strange comfort in the unfamiliarity, a small sense of belonging as she adjusts to her new surroundings.
With a deep breath, she pushes herself out of bed, ready to face whatever the day has in store.
The aroma of something sweet and herbal tea fills her new home.
Eska curiously walks to the kitchen where Ciel is already cooking something.
"What is-"
"Ah!" Ciel screams as she is startled by Eska's abrupt arrival, making Eska jump and scream as well.
"Oh! Eska," She lets out a laugh. "I'm sorry, I thought I was going to have to wake you up. Go ahead and sit down, I'm almost done!" She says as she gives her trademark smile, making everything around her more welcoming.
Eska slowly walks to the table and sits, unable to place the smell as she watches Ciel move about. Plates clink softly as Ciel finishes and brings two plates with a stack of golden pancakes and fresh fruit.
She places them at the table. "Eat up," Ciel says with a smile, pouring Eska and herself a cup of tea.
Eska picks at her food at first, still adjusting to the unusual calmness of city life.
"This is… really nice," she admits, taking a small bite.
Ciel chuckles softly. "You better get used to it. Once we head out today, things will be anything but calm. The Hunter Corps aren't exactly known for their subtlety."
Eska gives a slightly nervous laugh, remembering the market district.
With breakfast finished, Ciel cleans up the plates and grabs her staff from the corner of the room.
"Ready?" she asks, adjusting her dark cloak.
Eska stands by the door, tying her boots. "As ready as I'll ever be," she says with increasing anticipation.
The streets outside buzz with morning activity. Merchants shout their wares, children dart through the alleys and hunters gather in small groups, discussing the day's work.
Eska follows closely as Ciel navigates the bustling crowd, her steps confident. "The Hunter Corps headquarters is just a bit further. It's always lively around this time," Ciel explains, glancing back at Eska, who takes in the scene with wide eyes.
As they approach the large stone building bearing the sigil of the Hunter Corps, Eska feels a mix of excitement and unease.
The building looms tall, its exterior scarred from years of use. Hunters mill about the entrance, some sparring in the courtyard while others tend to equipment.
"This is it," Ciel says. "Ready to meet some of the most skilled—and stubborn—people in the city?"
Eska takes a deep breath and nods. "Let's do this."
They walk inside, discovering a crowd of hunters of all types ranging from robes to heavily armored, tall to short.
Eska freezes in place as her gaze sweeps over the crowd, her eyes widening when something unusual catches her attention.
She gently takes Eska's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze and leads her further into the bustling crowd.