The newly minted mage Solace and I teleported back to my apartment.

Surprise, surprise! Steward of the Mages Guild Grandmaster Mage Claudine Welch was there in my sparse room, sitting on my slightly uncomfortable couch.

She stood and nodded at me.

"Well done."

"What? How do you know?"

"I was watching until you scorched the room. I am resourceful and have access to magics you could not dream of, but well done. You did me a great service, one I cannot publicly announce. I fear you must leave, and I would also ask you return the warding to me."

She was dressed casually and seemed to be happier and less driven. Her hair was done up.

I sighed and returned the bracelet.

Solace: I think this means you are leaving. I was hoping to learn how to be a mage.

"Can I offer you something to eat or drink?" I was stalling. I had next to nothing to offer, and what I had was pretty basic.

Claudia laughed, "Thank you, no. I am here to clean you up, get you on your way and reward you for your help."

I was pretty pissed, really. I had been shoved in the deep end and had no backup.

She read my mind again. "You were in little danger. Despite his levels and experience, Jasper was an arrogant and untrained fool. He relied on others, items, and then his levels to get where he was. His family got him his position."

"Shit. Do I need to worry about the coming after me?"

Claudia laughed again, "Not at all. I think they are happy. He was not a nice person and had held back some of his siblings for decades. Once his involvement in politics comes out, they should send you a gift. The Mages Guild is neutral and cannot be seen to favour other organisations."

"So what happens now? I miss my study, I fail and … shit my group mates. They, well, they won't pass."

"Don't worry, Lewis, Mayra and Damon will be given special consideration. Officially, you are returning home after suffering catastrophic mana failure. You will be taken to the infirmary and will be placed in a coma for several days. Due to costs and complications, your family will bring you home."

I grunted, "Not too bad, not original, but …"

Solace: It would not be the first time you have had that.

Zip it, or no mage training for you.

"We don't have a lot of time. The four people you disposed of will be missed soon, and I must take advantage of the chaos. Jasper was hording some unique and powerful items, his wards should be failing soon, so I'll get to the good stuff."

"Don't tell me this was a set-up so that you could grab some loot!"

Shit, I had the loot from some powerful beings. I needed time to sort that out. My inventory was calling me, but I didn’t have time to peek yet.

She at least had the decency to look offended but didn’t reply. I knew it was a cheap jab.

"Okay, Ms. Owns, I have several things for you. First, training. Here, do not lose this. It is the private teleportation runestone for your trainer."

She handed me a small round silver disk with a golden sigil carved into one side. I looked at it and put it in my inventory.

??? Teleportation Runestone:

This is a generic teleportation runestone. It is a small round disk made of polished silver with an intricate golden rune carved into one side. When activated with magical energy, the sigil teleports you to the set location. Only those who truly understand the sigil's meaning and have teleportation mastery can harness its power.

Claudia handed me a small data tablet.

"Since you cannot complete your training, here are the first four years of our pre-charter training academy. Once you master that, there is a testing feature for each course. This is one of the most valuable items the Guild has. Do not lose it, and do not share it. It is bound to you, and there are consequences for sharing or losing it."

Solace: SQUEEEEEEEEE

Shit, I forgot what she did when she got excited. It was just as annoying in my head as it sounded.

So, what is it? Anything good?

Solace: Only everything I need to become a mage! First Year: Fundamentals of Magic Theory and Introduction to Spell Casting, History and Traditions of Magic, and then Spelldancer Basics. It must be tailored to you. She must really like you.

"Thank you, Claudia. You have no idea how happy that makes me."

She smiled, "You are going to need all the help you can get. I'd like to send you on your way soon, and if you ever come back to the Academy, I will see if I can credit you for all the modules you passed. Be careful, though. The testing can be … well, I'll leave you to find out."

"Cast your spells; I have to get going. I am sorry I cannot aid you more, but things are starting to move now."

Claudine told me just before I left, "Your trainer’s name is Liora. Prove to her you are worthy, and she will train you. Be aware that she was enigmatic when I took over the position here. She is as ancient as the stars. Some say immortal, yet that is impossible or highly improbable. Be worthy, and you may find out.”

I still had about a month before I knew the Eldest’s request would become a liability.

Solace: Please don’t ask me too much about her; I do not want to prejudice you or influence this. It is important. I can almost feel the Karmic Resonance.

Damn. Now, I am curious. Can’t you just let me in on something? Do I have time to go back to Min Min or check in?

Solace: The Hodaa said to complete your quests before you return. I think there are some things that you might tip the balance too far if you interfere.

I miss Rach. Luke too. Damn.

I could feel a blush creep up my cheeks, thinking about our partings.

Solace: You will see them soon.

I cast the Grand Portal, focusing on the runestone, thanked Claudia, and stepped through the magnificent to some remote planet further away from Earth.

I stepped through the portal membrane and stumbled into a bright, open field. It was night, yet the moon provided enough light to see clearly.

Today marked a turning point in my career as a Mage.

I saw her—Liora. Her appearance betrayed none of the centuries that Claudine implied. Her eyes sparkled with a youthfulness that contradicted the depth of knowledge they held, and her movements carried the grace of countless years woven seamlessly with the vibrancy of life as she walked mirthfully towards me from the edge of the clearing.

I could feel it. Our meeting felt predestined. It took place in a clearing that seemed to have been waiting for us, surrounded by ancient trees that whispered secrets in the wind. Sunlight filtered through the canopy in a kaleidoscope of colours, setting the stage for this moment to define my path forward.

I took nothing in but the depth of her eyes as she danced towards me, gliding with impossible smoothness.

She was there, in the heart of the clearing, moving with a fluidity that blurred the lines between the magical and the mundane. The air around her shimmered with the energy of her dance, captivating me completely. Her eyes, a deep shade of violet, held the mysteries of the arcane, reflecting wisdom and power that reminded me of Dance or The Hodaa. Her long, silver hair cascaded down her back, shimmering like moonlight on water.

"Your quest, dear Sarah, to me is known," she spoke, her voice a melody that resonated with the very essence of magic. "To be a Spelldancer, its art your own. With every step, the arcane you'll weave, In dance, the magic you shall receive."

Her words struck a chord within me, echoing my deepest desires. "Yes," I found myself replying, moving forward, drawn into her orbit. "I wish to be more than a mere caster of spells. I want my dance to be a vessel for the elements, my movements a celebration of the arcane."

Her words were formal. The words were required. The words held power. Mine were pitiful and discordant. Ugly. Brutish.

She smiled like the dawn breaking and looked as if into a lover's face. "The path of the Spelldancer, a union true—Body, mind, and magic, merging through. More than mere spells cast from a stance, Its magic lived, in step, and dance.”

She smiled at me, and I felt her Charisma smash my defences and her raw Comeliness hone into my animal brain. The flush of my cheeks intensified, and my breathing became shallow and rough.

Her voice cut right into my primal desires, "Embrace the dance, let it through your course; with every breath, draw from its endless source."

Despite her ethereal beauty and sheer charisma, I managed to study what she was wearing and was just as captivated by her dress.

Liora's Spelldancer dress was a masterpiece of magical craftsmanship and aesthetic design, perfectly complementing her role as a mentor and a master of the arcane dance. It spoke of mastery and one simplistic function: movement. The fabric, a lightweight material that seemed to shimmer with its inner light, changed hues with her movements, flowing from deep blues to radiant purples and silvers, mirroring the night sky. The dress was functional and breathtaking, allowing for the freedom of movement essential to a Spelldancer while also symbolising her connection to the magic she wields.

The dress's bodice was fitted and adorned with intricate patterns resembling constellations, none of them known to me. Each stitch is imbued with a faint glow that pulsed gently, echoing the rhythm of her heart. The long and flowing sleeves were detachable, designed to accentuate her arm movements and enhance her spellcasting with each gesture. They fluttered and danced in the air, leaving trails of sparkling energy that lingered momentarily before fading.

I was glad for my fashion skills; they gave me an extra appreciation for her unique and powerful garments.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

I knew without a doubt that it would take me quite some time before I had something as exquisite.

The skirt of her dress was layered, each layer as light as air, moving with a grace that seemed almost alive. The hem seemed enchanted, never to hinder her steps, always perfectly aligning with her movements, whether she was executing a rapid spin or a graceful leap. Embedded within the fabric are runes that occasionally glowed softly, activated by her dance, enhancing her spells and adding an extra mystique to her performance.

She was showing it off as she moved around the clearing, approaching me.

Liora's footwear was a straight extension of her dress and equally remarkable. The delicate and ethereal shoes were reinforced with magic, supporting her steps on any terrain without showing signs of wear. I could see the mana weaving in and around the soles. They enabled her to precisely execute even the most complex maneuvers, ensuring her dance was as lethal as beautiful.

She stopped before me, landing with supernatural grace and fluidity, with her hand held out.

I stepped forward, almost ashamed at my clumsiness and grasped her hand.

"A canvas blank, so perfect in my sight, With first light's dawn, our training shall ignite. Till then, in rhythm, let our souls entwine; for how long it's been since guests have crossed this line.”

Liora pulled me into an embrace.

Training began with the first light of dawn the next day. In the darkness, as the first rays of the strange sun, I awoke to her lilting voice as she danced along the treetops and around the meadow. Once again, I was powerless before her; perhaps this time, I let her sheer magnetism flow over me, yet her voice and song had power.

She chanted from the darkness, heralding the dawn.

"Sarah, your dance of magic, movement's grace, Shows dedication's mark, a fervent trace. Ten skills and spells within you hold, Yet like seeds awaiting soil, their tales untold. These lanterns guide and light your way, Provisional guides 'til mastery's day. A journey long, which patience must befriend with Passion and persistence, 'til the end.”

I felt them take hold as she granted me access to my class’s skills and spells.

Provisional Skills Acquired:

Arcane Ballet:

A skill that enhances agility and movement speed, allowing you to glide across the battlefield with grace, dodging attacks with ease.

Rhythmic Resilience:

Increases Endurance through rhythmic breathing and movement, enabling you to withstand physical and magical attacks for longer durations.

Elemental Footwork:

A technique that imbues your steps with elemental properties, leaving trails of fire, ice, or electricity, depending on the dance.

Illusory Waltz:

You learn to create multiple afterimages of yourself as you move, confusing her opponents about your true location.

Harmonic Shielding:

You can generate protective barriers that deflect incoming spells by synchronising your movements with specific vibrations.

Momentum Manipulation:

A skill that allows you to control the flow of kinetic energy around yourself, using your motion to enhance spell power or disrupt enemy attacks.

Enchanting Spin:

This skill focuses on spinning movements that can temporarily mesmerise or charm opponents, making them hesitate or even turn against their allies.

Graceful Recovery:

Enhances your ability to recover from stumbles or falls, turning potential mishaps into fluid, intentional movements that can evade attacks.

Spectral Leap:

A short-range teleportation skill that utilises quick dance steps to move instantaneously, appearing to leap through the fabric of space.

Dance of Blades:

Though primarily a spellcaster, Spelldancer also learn to incorporate weapons into their dance, wielding them with precision and artistic flair.

Provisional Spells Acquired:

Whirlwind Lament:

A spell that summons a vortex of wind and energy, ensnaring and damaging enemies caught within its path.

Pyroclastic Tango:

Calls forth a wave of molten lava and flames that follow the pattern of your dance, scorching the battlefield.

Glacial Pirouette:

This localised effect freezes the ground in a wide radius, potentially encasing foes' feet in ice, while you remain unaffected due to the skill elemental footwork.

Thunderous Applause:

A clap of her hands generates a concussive blast of sound and lightning, stunning nearby enemies.

Mirror Ballad:

This ability creates reflective surfaces in the air that can redirect incoming spells back towards the enemy or serve as mirrors for an illusory waltz partner.

Veil of the Sylph:

A spell that renders her momentarily invisible, allowing for surprise attacks or a strategic retreat.

Ethereal Sonata:

A complex spell that soothes and heals allies through harmonious tones generated by her movements.

Bolero of the Inferno:

A Spelldancer conjures fiery orbs that orbit around her, which she can launch at targets with a flick of your wrist or a pointed toe.

Crescendo of the Storm:

Summons a localised storm cloud that lashes out with rain and lightning at her command, following the tempo of her dance.

Frostfire Waltz:

A dual-element spell that combines fire and ice, creating explosive steam clouds that can burn and freeze enemies simultaneously.

I lay on the grass in the clearing, where we had fallen asleep late that night, power and knowledge integrating into my Nanite core.

Solace: Well, while you are studying, I may as well. I trust you to be on your best behaviour—well, better behaviour. I don't know what Luke or The Empress would think.

For once, I ignored Solace. Liora’s voice was beautiful, relentless and welcome as she continued to funnel her power into me.

"Each skill and spell you've gently stirred to life, Whispers, promises learned through strife. The essence of your art is harmony Between the struggle and their mastery. So let these gifts beside you softly tread, Not chains, but wings, to where you are led. From sparks to flames, from whispers to song, In Spelldancer's dance, you'll find you belong.”

I cried out in both pure ecstasy and pain as she finished, her body moving in sync with the flow of energy, her long hair whipping around her head, and her dress blowing in an unseen gale.

"Dance on, dance brave, and let magic through you and sweep Your story in every leap. And there will come a day, no doubt, no guessing, You'll embody all, each skill a blessing.”

My first day of training was recovery. It was too much, and I was left in a whimpering heap of joyful jelly. Liora was patient, checking on me while disappearing into the forest.

Liora spoke softly, and despite the complexity of the material, her lilting rhymes didn’t abate as she introduced me to the foundational principles of Spelldancer, stressing the significance of agility, charisma, Endurance, and comeliness—the cornerstones of my epic class. She granted me all the skills and spells I would learn in a month on a provisional basis. Once I mastered them to her satisfaction, I would gain the whole skill or spell. They would remain provisional until I could call upon the skills without using the System. That was her challenge to me.

I had 30 days to prove to her I was worthy.

Through her guidance, I learned to weave my spells into intricate dance steps, each movement channelling mana with precision and grace. She showed me how to harness the elements, crafting illusions and wielding the forces of nature with the finesse of a seasoned artist. She would not let me use the skill, leaning on them for guidance yet not allowing them to activate. She was a harsh taskmaster, using pleasure and pain and her scolding poetry to scold me when I made mistakes. That was too often for my liking.

I’d like to think that she observed my initial struggles with Graceful Recovery with a patient smile. However, my ethereal class master was as harsh as she was beautiful. She would offer guidance, pity, and goad me on.

"Even in falter, find your dance, your light, Graceful Recovery, a phoenix's flight. From stumble's grasp, a lesson to be drawn, In every misstep, a new dawn. Fear not the fall, for it teaches you to rise. With each attempt, your spirit flies. See not a failure but a chance to learn, For through challenge and error, greatness you will learn.”

Repetition, exhaustion, and eventually,

Skill Acquired: Graceful Recovery.

The pleasure of this skill was beyond anything I had felt before. It rocked me, and my smile became painful as I struggled to stay upright.

It was the first real skill I had earned myself. I felt proud and a sense of accomplishment for this. I knew that the only reason I could manage this was due to my stats, with my Agility at 381. My Endurance and focus kept me going when I would have otherwise collapsed.

Within a week, I learned four spells and six skills, yet it was not enough for Liora or me. There was little downtime. I didn’t need sleep, and she had endless energy. Despite the time spent together, she remained aloof, fickle and distant, yet warm and close at the same time. She gave me space when I needed it, and she gave me grief and pushed me. We never spoke of anything between us. Everything about her was movement and nature. It was as if she were a nature spirit who had become a beautiful woman. Despite her flighty nature and her artistic bent, her sheer destructive power staggered me.

I felt my previously unsure, insecure girl persona being ripped and broken, and I was slowly being transformed into a Spelldancer, a battlemage of legends. It was the cliché caterpillar to butterfly.

My body became a brush painting stroke of magic into the air, my feet barely grazing the earth as I moved through the sequences she taught me. Day after day, I grew more adept, my performances transforming into a mesmerizing display of power and elegance.

She pushed me beyond my limits, encouraging me to explore the deeper connections between motion and magic. Together, we delved into the mysteries of momentum, learning to amplify the force of my spells to strike with lethal precision. She taught me the magic of Passion and Emotion, of illusion and empathy, and how to manipulate those.

Under her watchful eye, I mastered the art of constant movement, which allowed me to dodge attacks while preparing my own. Deception and illusion had to become second nature, and my dance created bewildering mirages that left my adversaries vulnerable.

We never left the clearing during our time together; we seldom ate, and when I was exhausted, we slept. She conjured foes of pure illusion with such skill that I was unsure if they were real or not, even using my Identification and Mana Sight skills. The weather was perfect: It never rained, and it was never too hot or too cold. We slept under the broad tapestry of stars and often had a small campfire to keep us company.

The time I spent training under her tutelage was transformative. It wasn't just about acquiring skills or perfecting my dance; it was about embracing the essence of the Spelldancer, finding beauty in the chaos of battle, and expressing my soul through the ancient art I had chosen.

Liora was more than a trainer; she was a mentor who reshaped my understanding of what it meant to be a Spelldancer. Our meeting, destined as it seemed, was not just the beginning of my education but the dawn of my rebirth. Under her guidance, I wasn't merely learning but evolving, ready to dazzle the magical community with the art we both cherished.

I knew our time would end, and it did, more abruptly than I would have liked, yet it was time.

She knew, and I woke one morning to find her as melancholy as I had ever seen her. Liora was not one for goodbyes, and I was glad.

"Sarah, as dawn with its first touch rises, we stand at a crossroads under open skies. Dance on, dear heart, with courage divine. In every step, let your spirit shine. Under new heavens, 'neath stars yet to be found, Remember, part of your dance with mine is bound. Though paths may part and distance may grow wide, In the dance's heart, together we reside. So not 'farewell,' but 'till our paths align,' Keep dancing, brave heart, where destinies twine."

She disappeared into the forest as if she had never been here.

Eldest: Sara, Come.