After the last of the numbness and paralysis had faded from each of my muscles, I found that my newly developed strength was relatively under control. Monroe invited us to stay for lunch for which Victoria graciously accepted. . .
By the time we had left his house, we had spent a good three to four hours there, during which neither of my teachers complained about the length. If this had been reality, I likely would have died of boredom by now. However, my attention was split three ways between watching the interactions between my two masters, continuing to master the fine motor movements of my body with the intent to not break anything, and most importantly, experiencing the gentle rush of new elements within me.
Focusing on my core, I could feel the essences of fire and ice playing against each other with rushes of warmth and chills. The water essence swirled around both, carrying the changes in temperature within its embrace in to slightly further reaches than they could do alone. Earth became the foundation on which all of this occurred, providing security, stability, and comfort as each element shone with the light from above. Multiple times, a deep yearning arose within me as I wished I could merge my reality with this fantasy in order to feel these sensations in their fullness across my entire body.
I had to suppress such desires, as I knew that overindulgence in fantasy rarely did one’s own reality little good. I certainly wouldn’t discredit the value which this virtual reality fantasy world had for me as I had already gained so much in processing plants and learning of their uses. Additionally, Monroe’s lessons in martial arts would certainly transfer over to reality. I felt such gratitude for these two masters, and yet I still selfishly yearned for more. For now, though, it was important to live in the moment and prepare for the foreseeable future.
On the return carriage ride home, Victoria was on cloud nine! I watched as a myriad of elative emotions swept across her face. Most of it was heavily suppressed, but I saw hints of them, particularly as her gaze grew distant with a fond reminiscing smile gracing her lips. It was a great relief to me after her recent moping and depressed mood.
Upon return to her shop and home, she immediately invited Gertrude over to continue the assimilations. I was honestly surprised as I figured after the adjusting which I went through at Monroe’s, that she would want to delay at least until tomorrow. However, I certainly wasn’t resistant to the idea of continuing. Despite the terrible expected pains, I was very excited about the final results and the doors of learning opportunities which would open in their wake.
With little delay, I soon saw the bulky visage of the shelled artificer as she darkened the entryway to Victoria’s apothecary shop. “Good afternoon, Andrew!” She greeted with an exuberant yet rough voice.
“Are you ready for another run of torment?” She asked with a bit of a sardonic tone and humored smile with her beak.
“Haha.” I gave a weary chuckle at her accurate assessment. “Yes, I am ready for the growing pains to begin again.”
“Hah!” Victoria’s familiar laugh sounded out. “Growing pains! That’s a good one.” She had just come through the passage way from her home to join us in the shop. Seeing by the fresh green and brown stains on her clothing, which I know she didn’t get at Monroe’s, I believe that she had recently been in her backyard garden of paradise.
Gertrude had already begun pulling out an array of stones or what I believed to be basic mage stones. Among them, was a dark brown stone with streaks of solid yellow and a light-yellow stone with darker streaks amidst it. Only after some minor hesitation did she pull out a stone speckled with dark blue and light yellow, with streaks of a more solid yellow spreading throughout it.
Seeing that Gertrude kept her silence after having set out those 3 stones, Victoria then took charge. “Before we begin, I wanted your thoughts on your next assimilation. It is incredibly rare to find naturally made pure elements for air and lightning at the basic level. In fact, it is near impossible except for excursions into realms made particularly of that element. Some would say that even that is not a true natural stone, as it is in a sterile environment, bereft of most other elements.”
Narrowing my eyes in thought at her words, I mentally ran through some possible implications. I had never truly asked them this, as I took for granted that they likely had my best interests at heart. But maybe now was a good time to get some clarification. Glancing at Gertrude who looked at me with earnest eyes and then Victoria who remained unruffled at the momentary silence, I then spoke up. “Is there a particular benefit to the stones you have been giving me as opposed to others that might be utilized more often?”
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*Ahem* Gertrude gave a light clearing of her throat which drew my primary focus to her as she began her explanation. “In most normal cases non-initiated mages and mages at the entry level of assimilation will stick with artificially created stones. Those stones are considered to stimulate trials that are lesser in intensity as compared to their naturally made counterparts.”
Letting out a little huff she gave a look of mild derision aimed at the entire idea before continuing. “I understand their reasoning, as their fear of failure leads to a weaker mind, which than can cascade into a troublesome and possibly lethal assimilation. However, such pampering leads them to being weaker than those that dare and succeed the trials of natural stones.”
Looking to Victoria she added, “It’s much like raising a young sprout in a greenhouse as opposed to nature, isn’t it?”
Victoria gave a delicate snort and an eye roll at the reference before clarifying. “While it is true that such adversity in nature allows for a stronger foundation in general, as compared to that of a normal greenhouse environment; My personal plants do not suffer such weakness as they are cultivated differently. However, the metaphor does do it justice. The survival of plants in the wild is heavily dependent upon mass dispersal and germination of seeds or spreading vines, as well as favorable circumstances.”
A resigned sigh sounded out before she continued. “It is true that we would have far fewer mages if we were to rely on assimilating natural made elemental stones.” Her eyes then firmed up as she stated. “Yet we’d also have stronger mages from those that survived the experience.”
Looking me more directly in the eyes she paused a moment as if giving me time to ask a question. I kept my silence as I pondered on the significance of her words.
Seeing my reluctance to talk, Gertrude then spoke up. “While there are other actions that can be taken to boost the initial and future benefits of elemental assimilation, one’s initial talents are greatly flavored by both the very first successfully assimilated element of all the elements they attempt, and the type of stone they first assimilate among each of the different elements. For example, we gave you two water stones of fresh creek water and that of salt water.
Even if you had only utilized a singular fresh water stone as your first exposure to the element, were you to later consume a salt water stone, due to the initial elemental baptism having already occurred, you would have a reduced affinity with and ability to control salt water. The loss of talent in such is generally minimal. However, sometimes that little bit of a difference can be the dividing line between survival and death.”
Shaking her head in bemusement she continued. “Admittedly, we cannot be sure of your own proclivities as you have proven multiple times to be vastly different from those that have walked the path of assimilation before you. Were it not for your successful assimilation of the three earthen stones to begin with, we would not have attempted the methods that we’ve been putting you through. Based on prior examples and conjectures, you should in theory have a heftier boost in your affinity to stone as compared to the others.”
Glancing at Victoria, to see if she had anything to add, she waited in silence for a moment before clarifying. “Those other elements that we exposed you to concurrently were purposely chosen to increase your exposure and affinity to them. If we were to give you the artificial sunlight stone first and then the natural made sun and sand stone, your initial affinity for sunlight would have been reduced.”
Then muttering under her breath, she added. “At least for the normal person, that is what would have happened.” Raising her voice again she said. “While your trials and results are excessive to say the least, I believe that it wouldn’t hurt to assume that there is some crossover in how you as compared to others benefit from initial assimilations. As such, if you feel up to it, I advise that you consume the storm stone instead of one of the tamer stones for the lightning and air affinity.”
Placing a clawed hand on my arm, her tone turned grave. “I will forewarn you that this will be the first time you will experience the effect of three different elements at the same time. The benefit is that you have already suffered through water. However, air and lightning simultaneously with it, will likely not be a fun experience.”
With the warning clear in my mind, I still felt a thrill within. My very core and heart sang with desire as the idea of assimilating a storm stone excited me like no other. Admittedly, after I’d had time to think on it more, my decision to change my last name to storm upon arrival felt a bit tacky. However, the idea that my ability in real-life which at times could feel like a paranormal storm within my own body, led credence to the name change. I would love to make it real in more than name. And now I had the opportunity before me to do so.
“I will take the storm stone.” I said with relish, excitement, and firm conviction.
Gertrude appeared to share some of my sentiments as she swiftly returned the undesired stones to what I suspected was her own special storage. “You know.” She spoke up. “It is incredibly rare that I lower myself to utilize basic and even inferior mage stones in the creation of artifacts. The satisfaction of creating a tool of magic of such a low level is frequently very lacking. I usually only collect these stones simply as oddities that are unique in existence, but of no real practical value.” Then, making a wide beaked grin that let me see her pink tongue inside her reptilian mouth, she added. “It is incredibly cathartic to find a practical use for these long-stored items. You, with your unique physique appear to make the absolute most of them, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Haha!”
A bit of maniacal light shone in her eyes which was swiftly covered up with professional fervor. Yeah, I think that her age and passion might be making a bit of a mad scientist or artificer out of her. But who was I to complain when I was benefiting from such?
Victoria once again brewed the potion and spoke as she led us all out to her garden. “It is unfortunate that there is no storm by which to capitalize on during the assimilation.” Genuine disappointment was carried in her tone.
I had to chuckle at that. Previously, I believed she would have severely balked at the idea of my consuming a three-element stone. However, after her time with Monroe, she seemed far more ready to accept future risks taken on my part. This was likely due to my proven resilience to an elemental beating and the likelihood that she would need his aid and services again to help me acclimatize myself to normal activities and motor skills. Any excuse to justify time with her crush appeared acceptable in her eyes.
Shaking my head in a last moment of bemusement, I held the lightly crackling blue and orange vial in my hand at eye level, allowing the severity of the situation to come over me. Drawing myself into a more sober mindset, I braced for the fallout and drank the potion.
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