AbyssalRoadTrip
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Abyssal Road Trip - 284 - Ashes
🕑 Added 2023-04-27 11:09:13 +0000 UTCAmdirlain’s PoV - Foundry Demi-Plane
The Ki caught in the pavilion’s crystal provided plenty of illumination, and Amdirlain and Cyrus cast long shadows across the platform’s brown granite.
“When you said you’d set up a place to practise, this wasn’t what I was picturing,” remarked Cyrus. Landing on the platform, he tapped his foot against the stone. “How strong are these?”
“Granite, but even if you shatter them, the rubble will stay in place,” advised Amdirlain. “I could coat it with something if you’d prefer something stronger.”
“Are we somewhere in Limbo or somewhere else?”
Amdirlain gave a curt shake of her head. “Foundry is a warded Demi-Plane of my creation.”
Cyrus paused in his consideration of the platform. “Start cycling while undertaking the easiest of the monastery’s training drills.”
The first cycle through the phoenix pattern again felt awkward, but she settled into the rhythm, repeating the same drill. Whenever she grew comfortable, Master Cyrus altered the exercise until the lines of the phoenix feathers and flames showed clearly through her clothing.
“How does this place contain it for you?”
“The crystal pavilion can hold my Ki,” explained Amdirlain, and she teleported across to it feeling like her skin might ignite.
Her hand against an upright, Amdirlain pushed the Ki into the crystal and listened to the structure’s theme as the energy flow continued. Cyrus joined her on the platform and watched Amdirlain until she had only a minimal amount of Ki to manage an initial cycle of her phoenix pattern.
“It seems unchanged,” Cyrus said, circling the pavilion to examine it.
“It started as a transparent crystal structure,” advised Amdirlain.
“May I?” asked Cyrus, waving at the upright Amdirlain touched. “I want to ensure you’re not leaving your life force where others may grasp it.”
“Go ahead. It shouldn’t allow anyone but me to access it,” said Amdirlain.
Cyrus tapped a nail against the crystal before he rested his palm against the upright she’d used. Amdirlain heard his Ki try to interact with the energy within, but the difference in their energies prevented interaction.
“It is as if the energy is on the other side of a canyon. There are few I know that might have a better chance of interacting with it—you’ve done well,” allowed Cyrus. “I cannot tell how much you have stored; what do you intend to use it for?”
Amdirlain shrugged helplessly. “Storing it was the fastest way to clear it out of my system so I could cycle more.”
Cyrus grunted. “I had wondered if you’d somehow become a Tao Alchemist or a Spirit Wu Jen; they use stockpiles to craft things such as spirit pearls, inks, potions, and infused materials. While others might utilise Ki from external storage, those two classes are the most common practitioners.”
“You wanted to be sure it was secure. Are there risks associated with another accessing your Ki?” asked Amdirlain, quickly clarifying. “As in ritual magics.”
“No, but given how brightly you blazed combined with your affinities, store enough, and you’d beggar many noble houses if you sold it to their crafters,” advised Cyrus.
“Why do my affinities matter with the Ki?”
“Since it's your life energy, it impacts the potential capabilities of the item’s enchantments,” explained Cyrus.
Amdirlain cut herself off before she asked about classes and focused on the problem at hand instead. “Will having a large stockpile allow me to speed up working with the prisoners?”
Naughty gamer girl, you don’t need a Class wiki. I’ve spread my skill set too broadly as it is; I don’t need to add in Eastern magical traditions.
“Their energies will still limit the technique. Though, given they aren’t mortals, they’ll recover faster if you don’t blow them up,” Cyrus offered.
“What?” breathed Amdirlain, images of the prisoners splattered across the cells flashing through her mind.
Cyrus fixed her with a dry smile. “Do you have them imprisoned on their Home Plane?”
“No,” admitted Amdirlain.
“Then what does it matter if you blow them up while you practice?” asked Cyrus. “Since you’re the one that kills them, you can summon them again. Correct?”
Amdirlain blinked. “And you called me ruthless.”
“I didn’t say that I couldn’t be the same way. Have you seen any redeemable traits in them so far?”
“I’ll need to ensure they can’t alert potential threats while not in a cell,” murmured Amdirlain
“Indeed, and which do you plan to start with?”
Amdirlain’s shoulders slumped. “Not Torm.”
“And why not Torm?”
“I met the others only once, and they were happy for me not to be involved. If I blow them up learning, they can consider that part repayment for their debt to Torm and me,” stated Amdirlain. “Part of the reason Torm didn’t kick up a fuss about their leader's attitude was their support.”
“You can be very Yin indeed when you need to be, but I’ve seen your Yang side at the monastery,” assessed Cyrus, unbothered by her logic. “You were more emotional in encouraging the students than anyone purely Yin focused would allow themselves.”
“Some of the former students from the monastery are staying with me at Xaos. Would you care to come to visit them?” Amdirlain asked, looking to change the subject.
“You had quite the following there; which of them sought you out?” asked Cyrus.
“Gemiya, Sarith, Lezekus, and Nomein,” replied Amdirlain, and when Cyrus motioned for her to continue, Amdirlain explained the situation and answered questions about the town.
“Gathering potential disciples? Do you plan to become a teacher?”
“Teaching makes you rethink the basics and, in going over how to explain them, you find flaws hidden in your techniques,” replied Amdirlain.
“That isn’t a no,” noted Cyrus.
“I don’t know if it's something I’ll do long-term,” admitted Amdirlain. “I don’t think anyone would want me teaching them for the right reasons, especially considering how distracting my presence can be now.”
“Your movements flow like some courtesan dancers now. Perhaps you should seek advice to determine how to moderate your influence when it's undesired.”
“Know any that would come from the Middle Kingdom?”
“I think you’ll have to find someone robust enough from higher planes you’re aligned with to advise you,” rebutted Cyrus. “A Mortal trying to teach you will fight an uphill battle to assess your progress properly.”
“You’re right, but none of my allies have that focus,” countered Amdirlain.
Cyrus shrugged. “Then you need to expand your circle.”
Leaping back to the platform, Cyrus cleared the thirty-metre gap and landed silently. Smiling at Amdirlain, he beckoned her to join him.
When she appeared on the platform, Cyrus nodded and raised a single hand. “Show me what bad habits you’ve fallen into, youngling.”
“Sparring?” asked Amdirlain, and she moved to square off against him at his nod.
The shift in his song was one with the Ki-energised kick that sent her spinning off the platform. When she teleported back into position, Cyrus nodded again. “Show, not speak.”
Her ribs healed in a rush of energy, and Amdirlain started to circle him. Giving her some side-eyes, Cyrus sighed before tucking both hands behind his back but didn’t bother shifting to face her. Amdirlain enabled Ki State, and Angelic Aura pressed down on her surroundings. As she moved again, Cyrus spun on his heel and lashed out with a simple kick that easily smashed through both defences. The bone-breaking impact skipped her across the platform until Amdirlain arrested herself with Flight.
Yeah, this is going to be fun. I’ll keep to an elven form, not that I think changing into an eldritch’s horror would help against him.
“You know I heal faster than Farhad.”
Amdirlain caught the Metal affinity infusing itself within his Ki.
Cyrus smiled, and a metallic tone rippled within his flesh. “Good.”
“I don’t suppose you’d take weapon requests with resistances I need?” chirped Amdirlain.
“I’d prefer not to kill you accidentally until I’ve determined your capabilities,” said Cyrus, and he beckoned her to approach.
Amdirlain moved in again, settling Harmony around herself as she did so. Emptying herself of distractions, Amdirlain partly deflected the next kick, only for it to smash her hip downwards instead of sending her flying. Bent in two by the blow's impact, Cyrus only partly withdrew before, with the same foot, he catapulted her off the platform’s side.
But at least a notification bloomed to reward the impact.
[Resistance: Metal Unlocked!
Metal [L] (1 -> 10)]
Slowly, Cyrus reined in his attacks and ceased blurring past her defences, instead he hit hard enough to provide a difficult challenge keeping up. Battered flesh and fractured bones repeatedly healed. Initially, Amdirlain received further notifications of the resistances improving until she reached the Improved rank. Amdirlain kept herself in her elven form to increase the challenge through it all.
Though physically faster, Amdirlain still found her blows and ripostes trapped by his blocks or counters. Those touches she managed slid effortlessly off his Ki State.
When they eventually stopped, Cyrus gave a satisfied nod. “Better than you used to be. I can tell you’ve progressed against multiple foes. You are also too accepting of being injured and healing through the results; you must focus on sliding blows, not blocking them.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” promised Amdirlain.
“Good, but I’ll come up with exercises to reinforce it. I expect to see you progress in the years ahead. We’ll spar at least two hours every day from here on,” asserted Cyrus.
That news brought forth a grin. “I’m honoured.”
“You seem far too happy; it seems I should have hit you harder,” grunted Cyrus.
“Your Ki strikes seemed to push against me, catapulting me with more force than I expected at the start,” advised Amdirlain.
“Have you gotten your Ki Blast or, even better, Ki Projection working?”
Amdirlain sighed. “Neither.”
“Then we need to work on that Power as well. Ki Blast progresses into Ki Projection and combines with Ki Strike,” advised Cyrus. “It will give us a variety of training to cover; improving one Power involved with Ki assists with others.”
Wiping the grin away, Amdirlain gave him a deep bow. “I appreciate your time, Master Cyrus.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer to seek enlightenment within the Jade Court, Amdirlain?”
“While I appreciate the offer, I’d prefer not to be bound,” declined Amdirlain.
His lopsided shrug had Amdirlain lifting an eyebrow until he explained. “I’m not sure such an attempt would work, given you’ve got an uncorrupted Soul.”
“Exposure to Celestial energies hurts my form,” argued Amdirlain.
“Yet the binding is against the being’s inner nature, so I don’t believe you need to concern yourself in that respect. It might still cause your form to explode,” warned Cyrus.
“You mention exploding a lot,” noted Amdirlain.
“It's common for an Eastern Demon to explode, and it's fairly dramatic; lots of black fluid everywhere,” explained Cyrus, but his beaming smile turned glum. “You must clean up properly to prevent the metal it contacts from corroding, and it also ruins clothing.”
“If we’re going to be training regularly, do you need a place to stay, or are you jumping back and forth?”
“Part of the reason for my delay was getting the stair guardians to assist. You mentioned staying in Xaos?”
Amdirlain frowned in consideration of the housing logistics. “The ladies have taken up all the bedrooms of my suite. We could ask one of them to share or get another room?”
“Got a tree I can sit under?” asked Cyrus with a wink.
The reference to his old advice to avoid becoming a shrub drew a smile from Amdirlain. “As long as you aren’t expecting me to feed you pine nuts and spring water.”
Cyrus snorted. “What is the local food like?”
“It seems to be tasty, but I’ve not been worrying about it,” replied Amdirlain.
“I don’t need to either, yet that doesn’t stop me from enjoying simple things. Social connections come from sharing food, even among the Celestial courts,” replied Cyrus, and his expression turned serious. “Cycle until you feel restored, and then show me your prisoners.”
Approaching her, Cyrus threw a slow punch, and Amdirlain made sure she slid it aside. The slow motion turned the sparring into a lazy dance, and Amdirlain started cycling. As she completed the first pattern, she focused more on the energy’s song. Her attention split three ways between movement, cycling, and music, adding to the challenge.
The energy swirling through her form caused her flesh’s theme to echo, and Amdirlain memorised the interconnection of body position, energy, and notes. Tension in a hand’s ligaments moved towards a familiar note, and Amdirlain added severing energy to the note caused by the pressure of a deflected blow. Cyrus’ Ki State deflected a blow that gouged a finger’s length into the stone.
[Devouring Cacophony [S] (170->171)
True Song Genesis [Ap] (15->16)]
Startled, Amdirlain abandoned the rest to focus on cycling while she continued the exercise.
“Explain later. Keep going,” instructed Cyrus, and he continued to press the attack.
When the feather pattern started to glow through her flesh, Cyrus stopped and crouched near the gouge to examine it before looking up at Amdirlain. “Would you explain what you did?”
Her usual explanation of True Song failed to shift the look of confusion from him, and Amdirlain finally shrugged. “Explaining it is harder than explaining colour to a blind man. I’m still learning how to separate elements of the surrounding songs. When there are a lot of lifeforms near me, it limits the range to which I can extend the Power.”
“I shall take your word for it,” accepted Cyrus. “There are heavenly planes that exist which only the greatest of Shen can reach, and it is said the beings there are incomprehensible to lesser beings. Those that venture there and come back can only speak of their experience in koans because the experience is so transcendent.”
“The Jade Emperor isn’t your highest authority?” asked Amdirlain.
“No, he is the greatest among us that can still interact with and understand the dealings of the Mortal realm. Those in the higher planes have as much trouble understanding mortals' concerns as we do theirs,” explained Cyrus. “He extended a facet of his being to this realm and, given the continued reports about their presence, I can only assume the greater beings supported his choice and did likewise.”
Amdirlain restrained all the questions that the statement raised and opened a Gate to the prison. Once Cyrus followed her, Amdirlain closed the Gate and shifted the cell walls into a two-way state. Cyrus reached out to tap his fingers against the stone that now appeared like glass to them.
As Cyrus stared at Gondren’s dwarven form, a gleaming white light appeared beneath his forehead. For a moment, despite the dwarven Fallen’s inability to see Cyrus beyond the barrier, he froze like a deer in headlights, then threw back his head and screamed. Shifting focus, Cyrus quickly looked over Cuiniel and Torm before the Power vanished. Though the others didn’t have the same severe reaction as Gondren, they appeared battered when the Power stopped.
“What was that?” enquired Amdirlain, having kept clear of the light streaming from his forehead.
“Third Eye,” stated Cyrus, and he looked at Amdirlain with concern. “It is like a wildfire has swept through an area and left even the dirt baked into ash and lifeless dust within them.”
“I still want to try,” asserted Amdirlain. “You can mix things into ash and dust to create a garden.”
“You would be better off destroying them. One will be hard enough to redeem; all together will only bring you heartache.”
Amdirlain shook her head. “I won’t. I could, but I won’t.”
“Then you best prepare so they can’t inform others about you or their captivity when they explode. What we need to do will take a delicate touch, and you’ll likely destroy their flesh repeatedly,” warned Cyrus.
Amdirlain caused the cell walls to regain their former state and wiped all the engraving from them so the image couldn’t be used to target teleportation. A masking song added to the crystal pillar at the prison’s centre hid the summoning circles from their perception, both mundane and True Sight.
Once that was done, she started on a whispered melody targeted at the memories she’d identified. The piece shifted memories into a summer heat haze that transformed into fragments of imagination before disappearing completely. The three looked around in confusion, with even the length of their captivity obliterated from their minds.
“They don’t remember being captured or even me at all,” explained Amdirlain, and she kept her attention towards Cyrus and away from Torm.
“It is clear you unsettled your spirit. Perhaps we should start this another time,” offered Cyrus.
Amdirlain scrubbed at her face before she answered. “He doesn’t remember Livia or me now at all. I can restore his original memories to his essence, but he might never recover them unless he’s attuned his nature more towards who he was before the site.”
“Ahhh,” murmured Cyrus. “You put their chances and this endeavour above your happiness.”
“He would have been better off if I’d had nothing to do with him.”
“Perhaps that might be the case now, but will his road end here, or will he become something more?” asked Cyrus.
Another song added to the prison’s crystals caused the inner walls to provide a view of random locations, shifting through the Outlands. With each wall's image continually shifting, it would be impossible to get a static reference to teleport back—even without the Lómë’s barrier.
As soon as her song ended, Cyrus tapped her shoulder. “Come along, you are unsettled, and unless you wish to destroy them fruitlessly, we’d best practice another way.”
“You said the technique is normally used to teach Ki cycling?” asked Amdirlain thoughtfully.
Cyrus nodded. “Do you think you can find mortals interested in learning Eastern fighting techniques?”
“There are a number from the Xaos garrison that I started training with what I could offer.”
“I might underestimate the delicacy of your touch, given those you helped at the monastery, but these three will be vulnerable to your Ki,” advised Cyrus.
“I’ll shift us to outside Xaos,” warned Amdirlain.
When she set them by the road, Cyrus looked around and plucked a long grass steam. Rolling it between his fingers, he looked at her curiously. “It seems like grass I’d find in most provinces.”
“Some things are like my home world, and others are quite different,” admitted Amdirlain. “The Blazing Portal Inn is close to the keep.”
Cyrus hummed thoughtfully. “Have you met the keep’s ruler?”
“I know there is a commander, but no one has mentioned who employs the guards,” advised Amdirlain.
They strolled along in silence, Amdirlain letting Cyrus study Xaos without interruption. When he spotted the first Rat-kin, Cyrus glanced at Amdirlain. “Are there cats and mice about walking on two legs too?”
“You’ve never met a Catfolk?” laughed Amdirlain, wondering how he’d react to Rasha.
Giving her a suspicious look, Cyrus huffed. “Are you teasing me now?”
“You’ll meet Ras soon; he’s been guiding the quartet on Cemna,” advised Amdirlain.
“Are they like Húli Jīng?” enquired Cyrus, still regarding Amdirlain sceptically.
“No, they’re flesh and blood, not spirits like that,” clarified Amdirlain. “There are stranger species about than those, from a Human-centric viewpoint. Most challenging for you might be those that look close to Human but have a completely different mindset.”
“Such as?”
“Be very careful of Fey, some look close to elves, but others have a Human-like appearance,” cautioned Amdirlain.
Her warning brought to mind that she’d yet to deal with Lorrella, but it was an issue Amdirlain set to one side for now.
As they progressed through the town, Cyrus occasionally looked about curiously but reserved his commentary for other matters. “You have lots of admirers watching you walk.”
“I had noticed,” drawled Amdirlain, careful not to look back towards a group of three Rat-kin that had stopped after passing her.
“Well, if they’ve noticed you noticing, they’re not bothered,” countered Cyrus.
Amdirlain grumbled and motioned up the slope. “Thanks. I can hear the fellows I normally help train within the hall.”
Cyrus waved her onwards. “Let’s go see them; perhaps some might be potential martial disciples.”
“I prefer it to be wholly their choice, and I’m not sure—given how I am now—if that’s going to be true,” explained Amdirlain and, stepping out of the way of a wagon, she paused at the mouth of an alleyway.
“Do you plan to shortcut their training, or will you teach them as best you can?” asked Cyrus.
The question got an offended snort from Amdirlain. “I’d teach them to the best of my ability.”
“Then that is all you need worry about,” advised Cyrus. “Since I know you’re not a weakling and are proficient, it seems a fair arrangement. They gain help from you in unlocking a Class that offers a means to self-perfection, and you get to practice Ki Cycling with them. I’ll stay around to teach you, so I’ll oversee your teaching of them. That way, I can advise you if I have particular insights for any of them.”
“I appreciate your help, Master Cyrus,” stated Amdirlain.
Cyrus started walking again, his swift pace leaving Amdirlain to catch up. “I enjoyed teaching your daughter, especially after having to take a back seat to your teachers at the monastery.”
“It's sad to be deprived of your fun,” quipped Amdirlain, giving Cyrus a sly smile.
“It is enjoyable merely because polishing rough gems always provides insights into one’s flaws,” Cyrus countered.
When they got to the training hall, Cyrus looked it over curiously before he headed towards the barrier. “They should have an open space to allow proper airflow.”
“I didn’t ask why they set up the hall this way, but they’ve got spells for light and airflow,” replied Amdirlain.
Moving down the corridor, they found that all the hall’s occupants were busily exercising or sparring. A few minutes after they approached the railing, Captain Bedevere stepped away from his sparring partner and moved over to speak to them.
“Am, we were wondering if someone had annoyed you too much,” said Bedevere. Though his helm’s solid visor hid his eyes, Bedevere looked Cyrus up and down. “Who is your latest companion?”
“Captain Bedevere, this is Master Cyrus. Master Cyrus, this is Captain Bedevere, one of the town’s four captains,” responded Amdirlain, wanting to get the introductions in place.
“A pleasure, Captain, though I’m unsure who organises the garrison here,” added Cyrus.
“Most of us serve a nature Deity whose Domain is on this Plane. They provide us supplies and resources to recruit, though they don’t want their non-Mortal servants too close to the Portal to Limbo because of its unnatural Chaos,” explained Bedevere.
“Thank you for the explanation Captain. I’m just here to observe Am teach and give her some pointers,” replied Cyrus calmly. “Though I understand she has only been sharing the physical aspects of techniques, not their true strength.”
“Physical aspects? There is more to your unarmed combat, Am?” asked Bedevere. “Is it like some feats I’ve heard the Githzérai are capable of?”
“A similar outcome but different methods, and one doesn’t need mind powers to learn them,” offered Cyrus. Amdirlain didn’t catch a hint of curiosity from Bedevere until Cyrus continued. “Years ago, Am repeatedly fought one of their champions to a stalemate and has improved since.”
That caused Bedevere’s posture to tighten, and a smile showed beneath the bottom of his helm. “Now that sounds like something I’d pay to learn. What’s your price?”
“Land to build a proper training hall,” stated Cyrus before Amdirlain could get in first. “This hall is all closed in and would hinder some techniques’ training.”
“It’s set up this way to prevent noise from distracting the neighbours, especially when noisy techniques are being practised,” argued Bedevere
“Hard to teach the flight techniques without being able to get a bit of height,” countered Amdirlain. “The noise won’t be an issue.”
“Flight?” breathed Bedevere. “That would be a wonder, but I find it hard to believe.”
“I can do lots of things that are hard to believe. The techniques also teach ways to infuse your body with Mana. If you have any who are interested in learning and have two classes available, they’ll see the best results,” explained Amdirlain.
“Why two?”
“The Ki techniques I’ll teach will gain you a Class called Monk, but I’ll also unlock an Affinity for each student who has two classes available, which will add Wizard,” explained Amdirlain.
“How long will that take?” asked Bedevere. “The Ratkin don’t have years to sit around meditating on an energy form.”
“Minutes,” replied Amdirlain.
Bedevere gawked at her and started to object.
“And I’m willing to prove that with one person before you agree,” advised Amdirlain. “Though I’ll only continue to teach someone who I see putting in the effort, and I reserve the right to refuse anyone at any point in time.”
“Many would ask a fortune for such an opportunity if you aren’t lying,” cautioned Bedevere. “If you can turn even several from the garrison into wizards, that alone would be worth a gift of land.”
“The garrison can foot the bill for my suite at the Blazing Portal then,” suggested Amdirlain.
“Done. I’ll pay for it myself while I remain garrisoned here,” declared Bedevere. “Though I’ve heard you’ve got a tab, I’ll add to it for each day you’re in town teaching for at least a half watch.”
Cyrus interjected, “And how long will that be, so there is no confusion?”
“I expect to be a few more centuries at least,” replied Bedevere. “There are three watches in a cycle, so at least four hours a day.”
“There might be days I’ll have to miss because of other commitments, so that’s fair. Though once we get started, I’ll teach you some basic drills people can repeat on any day I’m not present,” said Amdirlain.
“I’ll cover days you’re not here,” advised Cyrus, and Amdirlain gave him a nod of thanks.
“Start with your claim regarding affinities, but let's make things challenging. Enrig, get over here,” ordered Bedevere.
“Why Enrig?” asked Amdirlain, glancing over to the familiar Ratkin training nearby. His ears had twitched at the mention of his name, and he broke off from his sparring partner.
“He’s not the sharpest knife in any sheath. If you can teach him to understand an affinity, you can teach anyone,” clarified Bedevere.
“Captain,” Enrig squeaked in protest, despite immediately coming forward, his whiskers twitching in excitement. “What do I have to do?”
“Pick a basic element, Enrig,” stated Amdirlain, and went on when his ears swivelled in confusion. “Air, earth, wind, or fire.”
“Earth?”
“Close your eyes and focus on the ground beneath your feet,” started Amdirlain.
Her telepathy touched his public thoughts, and Amdirlain enfolded his focus on the ground with Harmony and her understanding. She let him feel the energy in the earth and, within a minute, Amdirlain felt the connection form. Enrig squeaked in surprise, and for the first time, Amdirlain caught someone’s Class vision. Its music rang with elements of the plinth’s connection to Gideon, and she felt him nudge them both.
Unlike Gail’s description of her Class vision, Enrig found himself within cozy tunnels, and a shift along one wall caught his attention. A tunnel that had been solid stone cracked open, and Enrig’s scrambling paws happily churned the loosened rock in the vision away. Within the soft earth beyond the stone, Enrig snatched up a raw gemstone that gleamed with a vague promise of potential. The moment he did so, the Class wrapped around his Soul and powers and skills—immediate and potential—joined him.
Some of those Amdirlain knew, but others were potential capabilities she hadn’t explored. Despite the breadth of her Spell lists, it made her conscious of how shallow her education had been in many areas of being a Wizard.
When the Class snapped into place, the Class vision released him.
“I’m a Wizard,” squeaked Enrig, smacking his paws together in delight.
"Relax for a moment longer and follow along; I'll teach you a cantrip to practise with," instructed Amdirlain.
Amdirlain took Enrig through the shaping of an Earth cantrip. He followed the Spell form’s shape almost instinctively, seeing the glowing glyph within his mind as a tunnel running through the earth.
It took a few repeats before sufficient Mana pooled within him. Once it had enough to fill the small pattern, a glowing pebble appeared in mid-air and shot forward to clink off Bedevere’s armour.
“I’d say that’s proof of a few things,” drawled Bedevere.
“And his name isn’t even Harry,” murmured Amdirlain, only to get blank looks for her lapse into English.
Bedevere looked where the stone pebble had dissolved before it even came to a complete rest and nodded. “Ten students to start with?”
“That sounds sensible,” allowed Amdirlain. “As long as I’m allowed to pick the next nine.”
“You have the right of refusal,” agreed Bedevere.
Amdirlain listened to the songs of those she was most familiar with and picked out those whose songs she liked the most. Some grumbled about not being picked in the first set, the good-natured ribbing didn’t concern her, but others were resentful. Amdirlain noted to avoid teaching the latter group unless their attitudes changed.
“I don’t know many of you yet. I’ll look to correct that before we expand the lessons. However, I will be selective and only teach those with a suitable mindset; those being nasty now are only harming their chances,” stated Amdirlain, and the noise cut off.
Bedevere nodded, reinforcing the sudden caution from those grumbling the most. “How did you want to start?”
“If you and Master Cyrus want to sort out the land, I’ll unlock the base affinities and teach them some cantrips to practice with before we start on the Monk Class,” replied Amdirlain.
“You didn’t ask if any of them only have one class available,” observed Bedevere.
“I know they all have two, except for Enrig,” countered Amdirlain with a smile.
“I’ll leave them in your hands then,” said Bedevere, and after issuing instructions to his aide about continuing the interrupted training, he motioned for Cyrus to lead the way. “If you’d show me what you had in mind?”
As they left, Amdirlain looked over her soon-to-be students. “As you might have heard me tell Enrig, relax, and I’ll take you through gaining an affinity.”
“Don’t we get to pick an element?” asked Callen, showing that he’d been listening in.
“I’ll be teaching you all four of the base elements to start,” clarified Amdirlain. “Now, focus on the ground between your feet. Some find it helpful to close their eyes, but whatever you find comfortable.”
In minutes, they all had gained their first Affinity and added the Wizard Class. After she wrapped Enrig in the mental link, she continued to help them all unlock Air, Wind, and Fire. They were still working through the cantrips when she caught Cyrus’ song returning to the training hall.
Comments
Glenn Wright
4 hours a day, and the captain believes he'll be stationed there for a few centuries. (and will pay her for any days she undertakes training)
Peter Gerganov
Thanks for the chapter! Here's me hoping Am will channel her inner Gail and create a massive training hall / pavilion of ostentatiousness.
Gopard
Thanks for the chapter! Did I misunderstand something or did Amdirlain just agree to be teaching these guys for "half a watch, which is at least a few centuries more"? That doesn't sound like something she would just agree on, even if there are some "free days".
