This looks familiar. My idiot student, lying on the ground, unable to move a finger, because he did exactly what he wasnt supposed to, Loh shook her head.
What happened to not trying to interrupt a mage when he is casting a spell? Stryg groaned.
The worst that could happen in that case would be your death. But, you were clearly already on that path, casting a spell that was obviously too much for you. My choice was crystal clear.
Why are you even here? Dont you have etings or sothing better to do?
Loh kicked Stryg's leg, I just saved your life. Be grateful.
His incapacitated body could do nothing, but flinch.
She sat on the bench nearby. Tauri told that you acted out in her class. She forced to co check on you, make sure your head was in the right place. Clearly, it's not.
Professor Tauri did? Why? Stryg was surprised. The orc was normally cheerful, but she didnt seem to care very much for any of her students, including him. So, why would she take a sudden interest in Stryg?
Because she knows you're my apprentice. And she wants to make sure I do a good job, or sothing. I dont know. I didnt stick around to hear her nagging speech, Loh sighed.
...I see.
...Yep.
The silence lingered in the air between them. Stryg lay on the ground while Loh sat, her back reclined on the bench.
What happened in Tauris class anyway? Loh finally asked. I dont want Tauri to be nagging every ti you ss up.
Nothing really... I just lost a sparring match. I tried hitting another student in the face, but he blocked and I lost anyway.
Really? From our training, I gathered youre quite skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Who was your opponent?
Clypeus Gale, the vampire.
Oh, that child of house Gale. That makes more sense. He performs quite well in my class. Hes a manifold mage like you, as well.
I didnt know that, Stryg swayed his head to the side. I thought manifold magi were supposed to be rare.
They are. But, the Gale family prides themselves in their martial prowess. They have successfully served the great house Veres for centuries, defeating any foe that might be a threat to the Veres. They have managed the feat through selective breeding. The Gales only choose powerful vampire magi to add to their line. Clypeus is the product of that pedigree.
That doesnt matter, Ill beat him soday. I just need to practice more.
I dont know about that. House Gale trains their children in martial combat like no other, well except for house Katag I guess.
Then Ill just train even more, he grumbled.
Stryg Why were you even trying to cast that spell? I know Ive taught you better than to attempt such a foolish risk. Necromancy just clearly isnt in your scope of talent.
Stryg stayed quiet.
The boys stubborn, Loh lanted.
Loh sighed, Im too busy for this. Ugh, dammit all. I order you as your master to tell what happened, every detail. Otherwise, your apprenticeship is over. Make it quick.
Stryg grit his teeth and closed his eyes in defeat. I didnt want to give up, okay? ...When I was younger I failed at everything. I could never keep up with my tribemates.
You're from a tribe? Loh asked, surprised. She had never really cared to look into his background. Honestly, she had never taken ti to learn much about Stryg at all.
A sylvan tribe from Vulture Woods. They trained us all to be warriors, but I was the weakest of them. The runt, you could say. And no matter how much I tried, I always failed. Eventually, on my 18th birthday there was a challenge. I lost because I gave up. After that I didnt stop giving up. I ended up losing my tribemates, my honor, my ho. Until I ca here, and found out I was a mageborn.
Stryg looked at her, resolve in his eyes, Ever since then I promised myself I wouldnt give up, I would beco the most powerful mage, no matter the cost.
Loh felt her throat tighten as she heard those condemning words. How could she have been so blind? She was doing it all over again. He was just like Aizel and she was failing him just the sa. How pathetic. She had sworn shed be different this ti, that everything would change. And yet here she was again, at the precipice. As if fate was taunting her with her failures.
No, she took a deep breath. She would not fail him this ti.
Loh cleared her throat, There are ten chromatic colors, which produce 30 different spell forms, including the true forms.
What does that have to do with any of this? Stryg asked.
Just shut up and listen, Loh snapped.
Stryg closed his mouth, but his eyes were cold.
Loh didnt care, she continued, No one can use all 30 spell forms, since itd require being a true chromatic mage and manifold mage, which is impossible. But, there are so manifold magi capable of using all ten colors. They are known as pri magi.
Once in the Jade Realm, there was a pri mage who had taken over a castle and was terrorizing the townsfolk nearby. It was a ti of great turmoil in the Realm, help seed impossible. The townsfolk had lost all hope. That was when lantha the Blue appeared.
At the ti she was simply known as lantha, the child of a scullery maid and a baker. She had co to the town only to rest for the night, before resuming her travels in the morning. No one paid her any mind. All they saw was just another woman fleeing from war.
But, when lantha heard of the pri mage who had been tornting the people, she took a stand. She promised to help them. The townsfolk laughed at the small woman. What could she possibly do? lantha ignored their words of ridicule. It didnt matter what others said she couldnt do. All that mattered was her belief in what she could.
That very night lantha marched into the castle, killing every enemy guard who tried to stop her. Eventually, she made her way to the main hall, where the pri mage waited. The mage was furious with her. She had killed his n and he would have his vengeance.
The mage focused all his intent on murdering this seemingly simple woman. Spells of all the colors wrapped around his being, his full arsenal ready to be unleashed. Then lantha raised her hands, blue mana coursing through her veins, and called upon the greatest bolt of lightning in all the Realm. They say the devastation was so great that the castles main hall fell apart. Not a speck of dust was left of the pri mage. lantha had obliterated him in the blink of an eye. In a single night she had changed the course of a kingdoms entire fate. She would later be hailed as lantha the Blue, paramount knight of the Jade Realm.
lantha was praised as the greatest blue mage of her era. You see, lantha understood an important truth. One didnt need all the chromatic colors or spell forms to be strong. All one needed was one single potent spell form. Nothing else. You dont need necromancy to beco a powerful mage. Its alright if you cant use anything but the shadow spell form. Its even alright if you fail practicing at that.
Loh stared into Strygs eyes, Failure does not make you a failure. It is simply an opportunity to rise above our faults. To beco greater than who we are. The key isnt in never backing down from a fight. Its in knowing our limits, taking a break, and then pushing forward.
I dont understand, Stryg frowned.
Stryg, there will never be enough power in the world for you to be satisfied. You cant beco an all-powerful mage, its a fallacy. Chasing such a path will only lead you to ruin. Trust , take it from soone who tried and lost more than you could ever imagine. Loh took a shaky breath, There is more to this world than strength. I was once blind to that and Ill never stop regretting it.
But, you need power to get the things you want, Stryg argued.
Sure, there are tis where power is needed. People dont ss with because Ill kill them if they try. But, at the end of the day power is not what any of us really want.
And what do we really want then? Stryg frowned.
Loh ran her hands through her hair, Damned if I know. Love, I guess? No amount of power can get you that.
Im not so sure about love, Stryg said.
He didnt need love, not really. Lust he could understand. Having soones body, to have them in your hands, the thought was intoxicating. But, love? Love was being vulnerable to another in a way you could never undo. It was said to be the greatest weakness of all.
What Stryg needed was the power to never be hurt again. Not to lose anything he cared for. To keep it close and make it his. He was tired of always being in pain. Love only promised more of the sa. But, magic, that showed him a glimpse of what was actually possible and he wanted so much more.
Maybe youre too young to understand, or maybe Im just a fool, heh, Loh chuckled.
Stryg was stunned to silence. He had never thought his proud master would ever admit to being a fool.
...Do you have soone you love? Stryg asked.
Could soone like her, who had it all, the looks, the power, the wealth, need sothing like love?
...Yes. But, I dont think they feel the sa. A part of thinks they never will, Loh sighed.
Then why love them? It seems as if it will only hurt you.
Oh, Stryg, Loh smiled sadly. You cant control love, even when it hurts horribly. It just happens. Soday you may understand.
No, I dont think I will, Stryg shook his head.
Loh seed to be suffering from what Kithina had once referred to as being lovesick.
Is there anyone important in your life? Loh asked.
...Myself?
I an soone you care about, idiot. Romantically.
Romantically?
Loh groaned, How are you this ignorant? Anyone that makes your heart race when you look into their eyes?
Uh..
Gods. Seriously? Ok, is there anyone you want to sleep with. Anyone you might be banging?
Well, there is this one barmaid.
Great, and how do you feel about her?
Her boobs feel quite nice.
Not physically, you moron, Loh pinched the bridge of her nose and squeezed her eyes shut, Were going to have to work on your communication skills. What I an Stryg, is how do you feel emotionally when you are around her?
Nothing particularly. Except, Stryg paused. Well, there was this one ti, I felt, he paused again, unable to put it into words.
Ah, so my cold little apprentice has a heart after all, Loh said in triumph.
I dont know what youre talking about, Stryg frowned.
Loh stomach growled, I need to get sothing to eat.
Let guess, so sweets? Stryg groaned as he forced himself to stand.
His body ached, he really didnt want to go on another errand.
No, lets get so real food. Loh stood up as well. Well, what are you waiting for? Co on, let's go. We can talk about your horrid social skills on the way over. You wont charm any girl as you are now.
Huh?
Dont worry youre not my type. Im not into n, Loh smirked.
Wait, I thought you said you were too busy for any of this. Spending ti here with , I an. And now you want to go eat together? Stryg was confused. His master was acting very weird today.
Stryg, I want you to listen very carefully. Loh placed her hands on his shoulders, I wasnt taking my role as your master serious enough. I understand that now. So, lets make this official. I, Loh of the great house of Noir, promise to not abandon you, Stryg. I will stay by your side to train you in the ways of magic and life, until you are ready or I can no longer.
What? Why? Stryg whispered. Why would she say such an unwavering promise? It was an enormous burden to bear.
You dont need to know that. I have my reasons. Just believe when I say your dumbass is my 2nd top priority right now. The 1st is food, now co on, Im starving, Loh grinned.
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