Dirai hadn't expected his pra'mati to arrive so early for their lesson, let alone outpace him. As he approached the training ground, he was pleasantly surprised to find Riniock already hard at work.
Rather than taking it easy, Riniock had been diligently repeating the exercises from the previous day, ensuring he wouldn't fall behind when the day's practice began.
'Well, well,' Dirai said with a chuckle, a bright smile spreading across his face. 'It seems someone's taking this seriously. I'm impressed.'
'Good morning, nazeetar,' Riniock greeted with a slight bow.
'It is indeed a fine morning,' Dirai replied, glancing at the soft sunlight filtering through the trees.
The day was bright yet comfortably cool, perfect for training.
'Are you ready?' Dirai asked, setting down his bag and personal effects.
'I am,' Riniock affirmed, his voice steady.
'Good,' Dirai said with a nod. 'First, we'll cover the theory. Once you understand the mechanics behind the techniques, applying them will come naturally.'
Riniock nodded, fully attentive.
'To be honest,' Dirai began, 'maegi often find it easier to grasp these techniques than non-maegi. Their training in blocking their own odh flow gives them an advantage – they can replicate that sensation and channel it into a strike to disrupt someone else's flow. Does that make sense?'
'It does,' Riniock replied earnestly, his gruelling training from the previous day and his morning practice suddenly feeling like a crucial foundation.
'Those without knowledge of odh circulation, like non-maegi, will struggle more to directly interrupt the flow in their targets.'
'I understand. What should I do next?'
Dirai raised a deliberate finger, stepping closer to demonstrate. 'Pay attention to the sensation again. Now that you're accustomed to it, your task is to translate that feeling into a strike. It could be a finger jab, a palm strike, or even a punch – whatever suits the situation.'
With precision, Dirai delivered a single finger poke to Riniock's solar plexus, striking the vessel – the most vital organ for a maegi's odh circulation.
Riniock absorbed the sensation, focusing on the pressure and the effect it had on his body. Taking a deep breath, he extended his palm and attempted to replicate the strike on Dirai, determined to match his nazeetar's skill.
Dirai absorbed the blow, wincing slightly as Riniock's palm struck his chest.
'Not quite,' he said, adjusting his clothes. 'You managed to disrupt the flow momentarily, but that's not enough. Try again.'
With a determined expression, Riniock struck repeatedly, adjusting his form with each attempt. By the time he finally got it right, Dirai's chest was sore, a dark red patch forming against his already dark skin.
'That's it!' Dirai exclaimed, his enthusiasm breaking through his usually composed demeanour. 'Now, keep practicing. We need to ensure it wasn't a fluke.'
After several more attempts, Riniock consistently executed the Mesyo Mahas technique to block odh flow.
'This feels…liberating,' Riniock said, gazing at his hands as if seeing them in a new light. 'Too bad this only works on maegis.'
Dirai gave him a mischievous look before striking Riniock's shoulder with lightning speed. The impact came so swiftly that Riniock barely had time to react. He recoiled, numbness spreading down the right side of his body.
Struggling to steady his breath, Riniock tried to move his arm, but it hung limp, unresponsive. Panic set in. 'I–I can't feel my hand…or my arm!'
Dirai calmly placed his palm on the affected area, releasing the blockage he had caused.
'That, my dear pra'mati, is what a full-force attack using Mesyo Mahas feels like.'
Riniock blinked, confused. 'But you said this was specifically designed to counter maegis…'
'I did,' Dirai said with a sly grin. 'Specifically – but not solely. Mesyo Mahas is a combat art designed to defend against nearly any threat,' Dirai declared.
'Any threat?'
'In the days to come, you'll experience hands-on training. I'll face you repeatedly – barehanded, armed, and with magick. My goal is to prepare you for every possible scenario within the time we have.'
From that day forward, and for the three that followed, Riniock and Dirai trained rigorously. No session ended without both of them drenched in sweat and covered in bruises. The intensity left its mark on Riniock – his exhaustion and injuries were obvious to anyone who saw him, from teachers to fellow acolytes.
Despite his condition, Riniock remained diligent in his regular classes, attending without fail and following the lessons even as fatigue dulled his mind.
At the end of their final session, Dirai stood before him, a satisfied expression on his face. 'Congratulations, Riniock. You've crossed the first threshold of Mesyo Mahas.'
Riniock, still catching his breath after their last mock fight, managed a faint smile. 'Thank you, nazeetar.'
'I must commend you,' Dirai continued, his tone both proud and appreciative. 'You've mastered the basic blockage strikes, honed your ability to counter barehanded, armed, and magick-wielding opponents, and learned to reverse blockages for both yourself and others. That's no small feat.'
'I couldn't have done it without your guidance,' Riniock replied earnestly. 'I hope you succeed in your qualification exams.'
Dirai's smile broadened at the words. 'Thank you. And I hope your journey to the rock barren region brings you success.'
'You've heard about that?'
'How could I not?' Dirai chuckled, his grin wide. 'After our first day, I did a bit of asking around. You're quite the character – an acolyte, yet already infamous within the college.'
Riniock rubbed the back of his neck, a faint blush creeping up. 'It's just…circumstances and luck.'
'No doubt. Your luck is…terrifying,' Dirai said casually, though his tone carried a hint of admiration. 'I expect great things from you, pra'mati.'
Riniock nodded, gratitude in his gaze. 'Thank you. I'll do my best not to disappoint.'
'Best be on our way. You've much to prepare if you're to join the delegation on the expedition,' Dirai said with a nod.
Riniock rose to his feet, gathering his belongings as Dirai adjusted parts of his attire.
'Goodbye, Riniock,' Dirai offered, a hint of warmth in his tone.
'Goodbye.'
He headed back to his dormitory, eager for a well-deserved bath before tackling the rest of his day.
As he crossed the college grounds, a peculiar light streaked towards him, catching his attention. The luminous form halted mid-flight, shifting and morphing until it revealed itself as a small, ethereal coffer glowing faintly with magickal energy.
The coffer clicked, its lid snapping open with a soft metallic sound. Riniock leaned closer to peer inside, only for a folded letter to leap out, unfolding itself before him.
Startled but composed, Riniock caught the letter, carefully unsealing the envelope to read its contents:
Dear Mr. Ev Tolgir,
I have returned to the college and have received troubling reports regarding your recent adventure in the town. Please join me in my office at your earliest convenience.
There is much we need to discuss.
Yours sincerely,
Karthen Ev Guiollund
Arch-Maegi
Magickal College of Gorlea