Chapter 31 Kara's magical bootcamp

After leaving my father's office we and several guards headed to the dining hall. It's amazing how the servant's were able to pull this event off on such sort of notice. Our servant's of course are well respected atleast by the royal family and its advisers and treated extremely well. If only the nobility of our country was as kind as us.

The country of Termain is quite wealthy, we have an abundance of natural resources. We have gold, iron, silver and several other precious metals located in mines to the north and west. To the south we produce livestock and farm crops. The coast to the east has a major Port city Harbortown. Harbortown produces boats that are among the highest quality in the world and uses them to help export our metal we mine to other countries. These same boats also bring some high quality fish from the fishermen whom live there. Right now those tasty fish are being prepared in all sorts of manners and the smell is amazing.

“Everything smells so good! I cant wait to get some smoked silvertail. The fish in other places simply dont compare!” I say salivating at the smell. Siena tells me that the elves do fish really good too but I have yet to confirm it.

“I would have to agree with you but perhaps we are simply biased.” Father replied as we closed in on the dining hall. Awaiting us at the door was Claire. It seems she hasn't calmed down from earlier.

“I thought I told you to leave imposter! You are very clever using enchantments to block your status from people, I can't believe you actually fooled everyone else. They didn't bother getting a mage to thoroughly look at you? Perhaps you are using some enchantments on them?” She sat in our way with her arms closed.

“Claire we are not doing this right now. Your sister has been immune to information magic since she was a baby, not even Headmistress Elise could use identify on her. Your mother and I are thoroughly convinced, she is your sister and your will sit down at our families table with her.” I had forgotten about this side of father. It had been a while since I seen this .

“Father but....” Claire tried to speak again and was quickly cut off.

“I will not hear anymore about this topic. Now go sit down at our table I will not have you embarrass our family in front of our guests.” He reaffirmed that he wasn't going to put up with this right now.

“I apologize father I am not feeling well, may I be excused from dinner?” She the whole time looking at me with a disgusted look.

“No you may not be excused. You will be there and you will smile with the rest of us. By the divines grace our Kara has returned to us. A lot of people want to see our family falter but today our family will stand strong together. I don't know why you can't be happy like the rest us, what ever your problem is you need to get over it quickly.” Father had a point, word of my return would surely reach the nobility soon. If they also hear that we are fighting amongst ourselves it would weaken our position.

“This is not over.” Claire said as she walked inside with a angered look upon her face.

“You must forgive her, she idolized you growing up. She was extremely bashful around you because of it. It must have been awkward idolizing ones own younger sister. It may even seemed to you she was distant. Around others though she would constantly brag about you, about how perfect you were. When you disappeared she took your passion for getting stronger to heart and has trained with Abbot and other mages obsessively. For her Kara is the picture of perfection, it is hard for her to accept that you didn't move heaven and earth to return to us.” Father explained his take on Claire's strange behavior.

Entering the dining hall I looked around at everyone in attendance. As this event was not planned ahead of time the nobility here was somewhat limited. But there is always some nobility visiting here as this is the capital plus there is the nobility that lives in the capital full time. As I walked in the whole room went silent, I wonder is there going to be a time where everyone in the room isn't fixated on me? I could hear people whispering amongst each other.

'Is that really her?'

'Where has she been all this time?'

'She is so pretty!'

'Who is that noble family I don't recolonize them the Lady among them is stunning though'

'I hope she sings! I remember her performance at princess Mandy's wedding it was the most amazing thing I have ever heard!'

“It is a proud day here in Termain. Our lost daughter princess Kara has been returned to us. My family has been made whole again let us feast of this joyous occasion.” Father proudly proclaimed after we sat down. Everyone started to clap and cheer for me. Well everyone but Claire.

We began to eat and then the questions started pouring in from my family.

“So where have you been all these years? What happened 4 years ago?” Max didn't waste any time asking it.

“Now, now I have already discussed this with Kara and it was a very traumatic time for her. What is important now is that she is back with us. Please if you have questions ask me in private. Not just for Kara, but we don't know who is listening and some things around the situation are private” Father said stopping me from answering the question.

I knew father didn't want me talking about the connection to the dragons he made that clear earlier. But what about the other parts he didn't know about? I guess I hadn't gone in great detail about where I had been and what I had done. I don't know what Alyssa said to him private perhaps he believes all this time I was training with the dragons. Perhaps he knows everything, I can never tell with father. His resourcefulness often surprises even me.

Objectively thinking about it what would happen if I told them the truth? About Jennifer, Grena, Zyrus, Tiamat. They would either not believe or would be scared to death of me. Also how would explain my assassinations, skipping an opportunity to return home at the summit tournament, leading a raid to kill the son of the most powerful noble family in this country. I came back with the intention of being mostly transparent with my family only holding the most juicy of secrets from them. I suppose discretion is the better part of Valor.

“Well if we cant talk about me lets talk about you guys.” I say as Father was receiving death glares from each of my siblings and mother.

“Max have you found a wife yet? I am sure you have all the ladies lining up.” I say asking him.

“A fine question Kara I was wondering the same. I want grandchildren before I croak” Mother added I had successfully turned the attention away form me.

“Well you know I am really busy with the military. While our relations with Jabel are great, our neighbor to the west is a lot less friendly. I feel as Darius's war with the beastmen draw to an end, his attention will soon turn toward us. I must make sure our western boarder is adequately defended. It is not hard to imagine a war on the horizon” Max said explaining the situation. The beastmen almost defeated? Darius has progressed a lot quicker then I could have ever imagined.

“Really the mighty beastmen losing this war that fast? Furnor has withstood centuries of attempted invasions. Darius must have an ace up his sleeve to be able to defeat them this quickly.” I say understanding the situation.

“As wise as ever, yes somehow Darius has acquired some type of new power. He himself has been able to personally wipe out entire company's of beastmen soldiers. Our scouts say it is almost like he is able predict things before they happen. If 10 arrows fly at him he steps in the perfect place for them all to miss. What we don't get is he never displayed this power until recently” Major, major red flag this is bad. Precognition is a psionic power, I have looked at Darius's status personally he didn't have any psionic abilities. That leaves the strong possibility that he is a demi-gods champion.

“That is indeed troublesome Darius was already formidable but with that type of power he would become a true monster.” I will need better intel but Darius is definitely on my radar big time now. I still owe him for four years ago.

“Well Kara since we aren't allowed to talk about the past right now I suppose we could talk about your future.” It was Mother Ria.

“Well as you know I am about to be 9 years old and the age for entrance to Mahouren is 9. I have the desire to attend there.” I say and it almost brings my mom to tears.

“Really?! All my daughter's are going to abandon me to attend the school I went to Kara you are too cruel.” Mother almost had the same line that father had a little bit ago.

“You can't be serious, she is going to Mahouren? Father I must object not only I doubt her identity, the entrance into Mahouren isn't easy I doubt she would pass. It would be an insult to the Rosewood name if she fails.” Claire said now almost panicking.

“Claire I thought I said I would hear no more of this. If Kara desires to attend Mahouren then Kara will attend Mahouren.” Father quickly backed me causing Claire to give me the evil glare.

“Claire as the fourth year representative, student council vice president, as well as the leader of the discipline committee. You are suppose to be an ambassador of the school. Belittling a potential student is not a thing an ambassador should do.” Mother added. It seems Claire is a big shot at school.

“Whatever have fun with this fraud I am full and retiring for the evening.” She got up and left the table I could tell the father was very angry. He however shook his head 'no' at the guard wondering if he needed to go and sit Claire back down.

“Aaron you have been quiet this whole time. What have you been up to.” I say looking at my brother who usually keeps to himself.

“Nothing too exciting. Just training and studying.” He tried to deflect attention from himself.

“When I was at the barracks earlier I noticed you had quite the impressive long bow? You prefer the bow over the sword?” I ask I already know his skill with a bow is level 6 and his main class is Archer.

“Yes I found that I had a natural affinity to the bow. It may not be as noble as a sword but it is just as deadly and with a bigger range.” He replied.

“How about you Kara I know we are not bringing up your past but how about your skills? I remember you always training even before we took training seriously. I can't imagine how strong you have gotten? What was your specialty daggers right?” Aaron asked trying to bring the attention back on me.

“Oh I may have picked up a thing or two but my focus now is purely on magic. What ever skills I have pale in comparison to your skills with a bow or the swordsmanship of the Lightning blade prince.” I say once again trying to deflect the attention.

“So you have heard of my nickname before?” Max quickly asked.

“Yes the elven girl with me made mention of you something about you in the finals of the summit tournament” Time to mess with him.

“Of course an elf would know about that. Maybe she knows where that Lara went. I wish for a rematch against her.” He said hand clenched not realizing that that Lara was sitting right in front of him. Aaron face cracked with a small smirk when he said this.

Dinner went on for a while. We were able to somewhat catch up but the mystery behind my disappearance was still bothering everyone. Finally a tiny little girl from one of noble families walked up. It appears she was sneaky enough to slip past her own family and our guards. She was only 4 years old.

“Princess Kara my mommy says you had the prettiest voice she ever heard! Won't you sing for us?” She asked as a woman came up and scooped her up.

“I am terribly sorry your majesty she loves music and when she asked about this feast I told her about the first time I saw you at your sister Mandy's wedding. Violet apologize please.” The woman said to the little child.

“I am sorry I just wanted to hear you sing.” Her apology made my heart melt she was way to adorable.

“Sure why not, but if I do you have to promise to listen to your mommy from now on ok?” I said making the little girl agree nodding her head furiously. Father obviously wasn't too excited about this the last time I preformed caused a series of events that led to my going missing for 4 years. However I am not going hide from anyone anymore.

“Where is my lute?” I asked apparently it was in my room. After sending a servant to go retrieve it I got up from my seat and stood in front of the table my family was sitting at. Finally the servant returned with my lute.

“It seems that many in the audience want to hear me sing, as part of the Rosewood family, your host I feel obliged to entertain you. This a song I heard on my travels” I began playing a song I picked up from a bard in a tavern. It was about coming home. I felt it was appropriate.

“I packed my wagon and left a sudden”

“Not a second thought to my actions”

“The only thought in my head was”

“Somewhere had to be better then here”

“I traveled far to the north”

“The snow took away all the warmth”

“I tried to make camp but bandits came at me”

“To the west I did flee.”

“I reached the ocean and had to change course.”

“Hunger set in and I ate my horse.”

“Cold to the north and bandits to the east”

“South was the direction for me”

“I reached a huge town on the ocean”

“This must be where I truly belong”

“I talked to people but they didn't talk back”

“Friendliness this city did lack.”

“I tried to make a living as a chef”

“But the taxes were so high I had nothing left”

“Fed up with the taxes I headed east.”

“Surely there is a place for me”

“The road was long but I was not done”

“I ended back at the town I started from.”

“Everyone was nice and remembered me”

“I met a special someone and now we're three”

“I don't what was going through my head.”

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“All those years ago”

“When I decided to leave home”

The song was so emotional. I planned to do more songs but I couldn't. Emotionally I was spent, I simply returned to my seat amongst deafening applause. The smile on little Violet's face was amazing. Dark times are coming, she will need memories like these to carry her through it. After the applause died down so did the party people began to leave bidding there farewells to us and thanking me for my performance. Finally Alyssa, Skyler, and her guard Siefer came up.

“Kara what a beautiful voice you have, thank you for that. As for us we are leaving Skyler with you as you two will head to Mahouren soon. Please take care of her and help her get strong like you. I am sure we will meet again not before too long.” With that Alyssa said goodbye to Skyler and left.

“Kara you that was so good! You were basically a younger replica of Jeni....... Nevermind.” She was going to mention someone who didn't exist in this world.

“Thank you. You should get some rest we start bright and early.” I said with a smirk on my face slacker-chan isn't going to like what I have in store for her.

“Bright and early for what? I am confused.” She looked at in disarray.

“You think they let everyone into Mahouren? You think that nobility gets in defacto? I hate to break it to you they don't. Mahouren has and will always be the best because the only students that get in are the most talented. A first year student is expected to be able to cast level 1 spell of two elements as a bare minimum. How ever even this is not enough. There are a limited amount of spots available so if you don't show enough talent or potential to fit in the top group of students taking the entrance exams it is home-ward bound for you.” I could see slacker-chan clearly sweating at this news.

“Thankfully you have me. Kara's first year entrance exam boot camp starts tomorrow I suggest you get sleep now since we are starting at first light. Oh that reminds me I need to talk to Abbot.” Skyler's face was absolutely petrified when I said boot-camp. I need her with me at Mahouren she is my responsibility to protect. I wont have her not get in. I looked around for the court mage Abbot and quickly found him.

“Abbot I need a favor.” I asked him

“Anything within my power is at your disposal princess.” He replied corgially.

“Do you still have the gravity runes? The ones I use to ummm 'borrow'.” I said borrow but I actually took them without permission.

“I think so I will have to look to be sure though, come see me in the tower tomorrow. Anything else princess?” He asked.

“Oh yea good thing you reminded me I need a few herbs. Hermit mushrooms, Morning's breath, and Lady of the valley.” I listed off some herbs I needed to help with Skyler's training.

“Those are all common herbs from this area, there should be no problem. How has your progress in the art of alchemy coming?” Abbot was my original sensei in alchemy it would be rude of me to just blow him totally off.

“Here take this I made it a while ago without any rare ingredient's so don't worry about taking it. Think of it as payment for the herb's you are going to give me. Oh don't go telling everyone about it, though I doubt I need to tell you that. ” I tossed him one of my high potion's I had left. He inspected it even took a very small sip.

“You made this with no rare ingredient's? Incredible, amazing, to think that you haven't even went through magic school. I must be the most blessed court mage ever to live, to witness and nurture the growth of 3 prodigies all sisters in the same royal family. You could easily be the most talented of the lot ” Abbot got all teary eyed. He did have a point the magical affinity within our family was a bit much. Even Max and Aaron who won't become mages have excellent control of basic spells.

“You taught me well Abbot and I am thankful for that. I know that your skill in alchemy is great. Perhaps you could make more gold as an alchemist” Alchemists in this world are well paid for their services.

“My duty is always to Termain and the Crown besides I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to help you and your sisters grow in the arcane arts. Oh I just realized something, the fates truly must smile upon you.“ Abbot said realizing something.

“Oh of all years to attend Mahouren and learn alchemy. An old acquaintance of mine is going to fill the role for the retired Orpheus in the alchemy department. Oh all people he should be able to help you advance even farther in alchemy.” Old acquaintance? While I doubt he will be able to teach me anything the possibility that he can is still out there if Abbot holds him in such high esteem I guess it is possible . I guess I have something to look forward to. I said goodbye to a few more people before departing to the my room.

When I approached my room I noticed a presence there I stopped for a second registering it the guard escorting me asked if anything was wrong in which I said everything was fine.

Things were about to get interesting. As I stepped through my door I felt a specialized barrier one to keep sound from leaking out. I closed my door and immediately shadowstepped behind where the presence was they were using an invisibility spell but with my gift I was not fooled. I pressed against their back with a dagger.

“Don't move or I will slip this dagger inside of you.” I say with my other hand I cast a dispel spell and afterwards my assailant was revealed. It was none other then Claire. I removed my dagger away from her back.

“Sister you need to work on your mana concealment I was able to easily detect you. What brings you to my quarters so late conceiled with invisibility magic” I walked around to her front sheathing my dagger.

“That's a nifty skill you just used Kara where did you pick it up?” She said looking at me with killing intent still.

“So you don't think I am an impostor anymore. What caused you to change your mind.” I asked her.

“Oh when I heard you sing, I heard you from my room and I came to investigate. Only Kara has such a perfect voice, it became obvious. You truly are Kara my sister” She said to me still seemingly upset.

“So your not happy its really me? Isn't this better for you?” I ask trying to understand her behavior.

“No this is worse, much worse then if you were an imposter. I could deal with you being an imposter. What I can't deal with is the fact that my own sister abandoned us. Father might be stopping you from talking but it is not because of it being traumatic. It's either something that would embarrass the family or something that would cause us to become a target. Anyways I already figured it out” She said her face was almost as red as her hair now. I went to talk but she quickly just talked over me.

“Look the Kara I knew was not a weak girl. The thing she hated the most was being coddled and the one thing she enjoyed the most was getting stronger. After escaping your kidnappers you had a choice right? Return home and get coddled more or abandon us and get stronger on your own. Tell me I am wrong! Look me in the face and tell me that wasn't the case” Her voice rose to a scream.

I wanted to say it was not so, but I was unable to. I just looked at her with defeated expression.

“Do you have any idea what it is like to be sandwiched between two sisters like you and Mandy? Everyone talking about how I have a wonderful older sister. How she was Champion of the Mahouren student tournament one of the most talented students in the school. And how you were so beautiful, how your voice was so angelic! How you had the purest mana they had ever seen and a gift preventing people from seeing your status unheard of before. I am sick of it! I may not be as talented as you two but I will outwork you two and surpass you. When you disappeared and I thought you died, I wished it was me that had died! You who had all the talent in the world instead of me who was only slightly talented. I vowed I would do my best to get stronger to protect my family. I can't believe I envied a bitch who would abandon her own family for such a selfish notion of becoming stronger! Do you have any idea how crushed we all were. Mother almost committed suicide, all because of you Miss Perfect. Do us all a favor next time you die stay dead we are all better off without you.” She screamed out at me clearly extremely upset. After a brief pause. used space-time to teleport away. I honestly can't say I blame her for her behavior. What she said was all true. I just hope that one day she will be able to forgive me.

I sat at my desk finishing the prep work for the potions I would make tomorrow for Skyler. I couldn't help but think about Claire's rant. I hope eventually she can forgive me because we are going to be running into each other a lot from now on. As I laid down the comfort of my bed I hadn't slept in for years quickly helped me drift off.......

Black, completely dark above me a light begins to illuminate the area. The light was moonlight and the area I was in was a cave. There is but a single rosebud in an otherwise desolate cave but this rose was different then any other rose I had seen. This rosebud was completely black. Thump. Why was my heart beating so fast? Thump... Thump. Something is not right but what is it? Then I noticed it, two red eyes in the darkness just beyond where the moonlight stopped. These eyes were unlike anything I have ever seen, they were of pure evil focused solely on me. A low growing noise came from it, all of sudden clouds must have blocked the moon because the moonlight disappeared. After taking my attention off the red eyes for a split second to check on the hole in the roof, I turned it back to the red eyes. The eyes however were a lot larger now because now those eyes were mere feet away from me. A terrifying roar of pure killing intent rang out. This creature wasn't coming out of a predatory instinct this thing was coming to take my life for the sake of killing. Right before the eyes reached a felt a hand on my shoulder.

Immediately I had my knife at the throat of the person who had touched me. After opening my eyes I found that person was Aaron.

“I am so sorry I was having a bad dream.” I said to the now scared shitless Aaron. I quickly took my dagger away from his throat.

“I was up early this morning and thought I would stop by and say hello. Do you always sleep with a dagger by your side?” He asked.

“Yes...... “ I reluctantly confirmed it.

“Anyways I just wanted to apologize for my awkward behavior yesterday. I just couldn't believe you were actually alive.” He said to me kind of looking to the side.

“Your reaction was odd indeed it was almost as if you weren't surprised to see me.” I say now paying attention to his response.

“Well I did always have faith you were still out there. I met someone very similar to you, so similar that I could almost swear you two were the same person. We met at a masquerade so I didn't get to see her whole face” He said obviously referring to our run in a couple years ago.

“Oh I have a doppelganger somewhere? Describe them to me don't leave out any details!” I say trying to play off it wasn't me.

“They had the same exact hair as you and it almost seemed like they knew exactly who I was even toying with me at times. They danced with me and it was so majestic how we performed everyone watched us as we danced. I wanted to ask her, her name but..” Before he got the next part it was time for teasing.

“So you fancy girls who look like me? It's very perverted but I don't mind. I don't think father will approve of us together but if you promise to take care of me.....” It is so fun to tease him. His cheeks went bright red and I broke the awkwardness with my laughter.

“Kara that was mean. You know I love you but in a total brotherly way.” He tried to save face.

“I am sure.......anyways did you end up getting her name? The mystery girl who is my twin?” My gaze went back to Aaron.

“Well I did get one of her names. The Angel of Death, she successful took out a duke right there at the masquerade ball.” He said apprehensively.

“A masquerade that father let you in had lax enough security to let an assassin through? That's unbelievable.” I say knowing full well that father would not have let that happen.

“Father doesn't know........anyways the point I wanted to make is that if you and that girl I meet really were the same person I wouldn't mind in the least bit. In fact it would make me happy.” I didn't expect that at all.

“You wouldn't mind if your sister was the Angel of Death? Not only did she pass up an opportunity to return home she also killed a person of nobility in cold blood in front of you. Not to mention that politically that would be a major nightmare wouldn't it?” I say to him all valid points.

“I don't care that duke was an evil person who beat his own wife to death, and stole from his people and kingdom. He deserved to die. In fact every single murder the Angel of Death committed was against despicable people. I think her nickname is appropriate since the only ones who she kills are ones who truly deserve it, as if she is the right hand of god punishing them for there evil deeds. If I found out my sister was this person I would only feel pride for them.” His face turned serious when he said that. I guess this his way of saying look I know what you did and I support it.

“Well I hate to break it to you I am not that cool to be this person you called 'The Angel of Death'.” I say to him, with a smile betraying my lie not that it would have fooled him anyways.

“Oh course your not... Anyways I just wanted to wish you a good day sis. It's good to have you back. Don't worry about Claire I am sure she will come around eventually.” With that he departed.

After using my private bath to clean up, and getting dressed in very light gear I headed to see Abbot. Guards still were a little tentative with me giving me appraising looks. It must have been weird for them to all a sudden have a new person roaming around armed in the royal palace. Don't worry I wont be here that long.

It took me only a couple of minutes to reach the tower. At the top Claire was already busy training inside the hollow barrier. She gave me the stinkeye when I entered the tower but otherwise ignored me as I conducted my business. Swiftly I prepared the mana potions and stamina potions. These would allow me to push Skyler beyond her limits for training a luxury I did not have when I trained what a lucky girl.

“Incredible work, mana and stamina potions are very rare because the skill level to prepare them is so high. I didn't even recognize a few of your techniques who has taught you?” He asked now curious.

“Oh many technique's I use are ones I came up with myself. The only teacher I have had for alchemy is you. The rest I have taught myself from either reading books or experimenting.” The truth is I use a lot of scientific knowledge from my previous life to my advantage. Magical compounds still have chemical properties you can take advantage of in alchemy. Like for example lets say you have a magical oil but mixed in it is a compound you don't want that inhibits the oil. You can add a non-polar liquid substance to dissolve the oil up then separate it from the other compound. Then you just evaporate. Techniques in this world focus heavily on using elemental magic and other magical compounds to separate stuff a lot of the time this method is superior but not always as it is always situational with each compound.

“I must go now thank you again for the herbs.” I waved goodbye and went to go get Skyler from her room. It seemed the whole castle was up and about hustling. I reached Skyler's room and there was a familiar face to greet me.

“You didn't take you long to fit back in here.” It was Siena I guess she wanted to say goodbye and figured I would come here.

“Yes so you came to say goodbye? I will miss you I will send you letters through the guild.” I will miss her but her staying with me was going to be impossible at Mahouren and she should move on as well.

“You aren't going to beg me to stay? Please big sis Siena stay! I don't know what I would do without you. You are so strong and so awesome, I need you to save me the damsel when danger arises. Please stay.” She tried to imitate me but failed horribly.

“Weird I don't recall you actually saving me once. In fact the only saving I remember was me saving you. I did mention I would miss you though you are sort of a little sister to me” I reply poking fun of her juvenile personality.

“Little sister? I will have you know I am over 100 years older then you.” She proudly claimed

“Could had me fooled with your behavior. Anyways I guess this is goodbye.” I say sort with a somber tone.

“Goodbye? I think I am going to hang out around here in Lorrington for a while, this place has great food, shops, and people. It reminds me of Rivenvale the elven capital. Plus your mother has agreed to let me help escort you and your sister's transportation to Mahouren and stay in the palace till then as a guest. I love your mom by the way I can tell we are going to be good friends, we both have similar tastes in wine, food, and uh um other things. She had a lot of questions about you” Oh no this is bad Siena will corrupt my mother! She is a married woman this is not good!

“....” I tried to say something but nothing came out. I suppose some extra time with Siena before we separate is fine.

“Goodbye Siena go enjoy some wine with my mother.” I say and walk past her and say in an annoyed tone but secretly I was happy about it.

I walked into the guest room and see Slacker-chan still asleep. I can't believe her everyone in the castle is awake but her. I walk right up to the bed and look down Skyler is hugging a pillow and talking in her sleep.

“Kara-chan you can't do that here what if someone sees us...” She rolled around a little bit in her bed and continued.

“Kara-chan why are you tying me up? I didn't know you were into bondage. I am not sure about this. Wait I forgot the safeword already!” She then gasped.

“Kara! What perverse magic did you use? That thing is huge! You say it was one the abilities you gained when becoming demon king?! What exactly do you plan to do with it...” I had to stop this.

“Skyler wake up!” I yelled and shook her shoulder.

“So that was only a dream.” Skyler said now awake taking in her surroundings.

“You seem disappointed. Is plain old Kara not as exciting as Demon-King Kara? What exactly was huge in your dream.” I say now teasing.

“You pervert! I can't believe you, Kara all the things you were doing to me.” She said an slapped me across the face.

“So I get the blame for what my dream version did to you? How is that fair?” I say kind of in shock she actually slapped me.

“Anyways it is way to early I think I am going to back to sleep.” She said and rolled over.

“Guess I will have to let them know you are not interested in going to Mahouren after all.” I began to walk out of the room.

“Kara wait you are not serious are you?” She rolled back over and looked at me heading for the door.

“Skyler when I have not been serious? If you don't take this seriously you will fail the entrance exams that I promise you. In fact I wanted to start earlier today but I had to run errands tomorrow will start at the crack of dawn. Unless you don't want to go to Mahouren with me, then you can sleep in all you want.” I will help you but I literally can't do it for you.

“Ugh ok lets do it.” She got up finally.

“Hurry and get dressed meet me in the gardens in 10 minutes. I will be by the fountain of the man spearing the lion. Wear something light as you will be moving a lot” I left her scrambling to get dressed.

About 15 minutes later she showed up to the gardens.

“5 minutes late, I will let it slide today just try to do better. I am doing this for you after all.” She apologized but I wasn't too mad about it.

“Now for the first part of your training wear these.” I gave her two arm bands that had made using the gravity runes I borrowed from Abbot. She put them on.

“Wow these make it so the my gravity is increased slightly. Now what?” She asked now curious.

“We run around this trail on the outside of the Gardens.” Before she could say something I took off. After running about 5 miles, and having Skyler go about 1 I stopped noticing that she was approaching her limit stamina-wise.

“Ok a quick break, drink this its a potion I made.” Out of breath to say anything she grabbed the potion and chugged it down.

“Wow that tasted delicious and I can already feel my my energy return.” She said marveling at the effects of the stamina potion.

“Good because we are only half done with cardio.” I took off again and reluctantly so did Skyler

“You really are the demon-king Kara” Again my pace far exceeded Skyler's and that is fine I was getting in my training as well.

After completing the second half of the cardio Skyler was once again spent on laying on the ground.

“Don't tell me you are going to give me an other energy potion and make me run more. Also I don't see how this is helping me with magic. Also why are you making me run with these gravity runs while you run without them.” Skyler said agitated by actual work.

“To your first comment, no another potion this soon from drinking the first one will have no effect. The terminology in this world for that is potion saturation, potion saturation lasts about 4 hours that is the time the body takes to digest the potion. In our old world in the mmos, this was known as a cool-down. There is of course exceptions to this rule. A potion that replenishes health can be taken directly after a potion for mana both for full effect. Only the effect that potion garners goes on cool-down. Also as you remember there is certain ways to cheese the rule, as with pouring a potion in a wound or bathing in a potion.” I continued

“I will answer your third question now, I am wearing gravity runes also. Mine are a lot stronger of course.” I pulled off the two armbands I was using and handed it to Skyler. She put them on and instantly was sprawled out on the ground.

“Kara please take them off I can't move!” I chuckled and removed them from her.

“Kara how in the world did you run so fast with them on? It was even hard for me to breath with them on.” Skyler was shocked that I ran in them so effortlessly.

“So the runes you were using are about a 1.1. So the gravity is 1.1 times stronger around you. I was using 4.0 so the effect of gravity is quadrupled. The use of the gravity runes lets compress our training in shorter periods of time, making it possible to spend all our resource in a fraction of the time. “ I explain why we were using these.

“The answer to your second question is two-part. The most important reason we are training your body is because it is essential for a mage to keep their bodies strong and fit. Your body holds your mana so it makes only sense that it is in shape. Think of your body as a river and your mana as the water flowing through it. What happens to a river with loose soil that is not very sturdy when the flow of the water increases such as with a large rain?” Skyler took a second to answer.

“It erodes?” She answered.

“Yes exactly. A weak vessel can not stand an increase in force and will crumble. When this happens with mana it can get very ugly. Ruptured magic pathways not only hinder your potential as a mage, they also can physically cripple you. It is extremely hard to repair them, most likely you will be stuck a cripple if it happens to you.” Skyler was just silent. She realized I wasn't just being mean with all the running. That I was doing it for her own good.

“The second reason is for experience. When starting out training your body is the quickest way to level up. You are a bit under-leveled for Mahouren but that will soon change. Let's wash up so we can begin the second part of your training.” We both took a quick bath, afterward I lead her into a small classroom like room in the mage tower, complete with a chalkboard and desks.

“What are we doing here? How am I going to learn magic without trying to cast it?” She didn't understand.

“Have you attempted to use magic before?” I asked her knowing the answer already.

“Yes” Skyler said.

“Did you succeed?” I asked next.

“No I couldn't even do a level one spell I even said the incantation right and everything” She said looking disappointed.

“To be honest it took me awhile to get the hang of it so don't feel bad. Before ever casting a spell the caster should have a basic understanding of elemental and non elemental forces they meddle with. Here let me draw you a diagram.” I draw what is known as the Banth Diagram named after the person who came up with the founder of Mahouren Sage Jayce Banth.

[http://imgur.com/a/vfiYR]

“This is a Banth Diagram explaining the basic relationship each element has with one another. There are 8 prime elemental forces. Fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, void, dark, and holy. As you can see in the diagram first 5 each have a unique counter and unique element they counter. Fire, water, earth, wind, and lightning these 5 are often called the base five. Water counters fire, fire counters wind, wind counters earth, earth counters lightning, and lightning counters water. The next two holy and dark counter each other in other words they are both effective against each other neither having an advantage and have no other element that is especially effective against them. The last element is not really an element it is similar to a vacuum. Void magic is easily the most difficult magic to master and one of the most powerful because it has the possibility of countering every single element when used right. All magic barriers use void magic.” I explain the diagram in detail.

“But there is more types of magics then you mentioned like space-time magic, illusion magic and information magic.” Skyler had a good question.

“Yes those would be among the non-elemental forces and some magic are what we call hybrid elemental. I doubt we will have enough time these couple weeks for you to master any of those. For now lets focus only on the base five, I think if you can master level one spells for the these five elements you will get into Mahouren without a doubt. This however will not be easy.” As always start with the basics.

“Ok I think I understand can you explain the casting process. Gamon tried to teach me once but I was too busy napping to pay attention.” She seemed to be geniunely interested.

"A cast consists of three parts. First to perform a cast you first must channel you mana. Second once your mana is channeled you use an incantation to draw forth the forces you are using. Finally you expel the forces you have channeled up as a cast, making sure to properly aim at your target.” Skyler looked dumbfounded.

“How exactly do I channel mana?” Ugh this was going to be a long couple of weeks for both her and me.