Zerine lashed out at the training dummy, which deflected her strike and countered, forcing her to dodge. Technically speaking, the training dummy was a form of golem. Its body was comprised mostly of wood, with leather covering the surface similar to a punching bag, but tougher to simulate a real opponent. The dummy was heavier, stronger and faster than her, so she really didn’t want to get hit. She had gotten plenty of bruises and broken bones over the past two years fighting this thing.
Pressing the attack, the training dummy moved forward, sending out several quick punches that Zerine deflected or blocked. Each blocked attacked sent ripples of energy through her body, making her grimace. Another punch flew towards her, but it was just a little too wide.
She directed the punch off to her right, leaving the dummies side and stomach open. Her fist lashed out with everything she had behind it. With a thunk, her fist landed in the dummy's gut, which folded over. She followed up with her right elbow smashing down into its back, forcing the dummy to its knees. A tingling warning made her leap back, barely managing to avoid the dummy grabbing her leg.
“Nice dodge,” Markilo called to her. He was standing off to the side with Ava and Varino, observing the match.
Right as Markilo spoke, the dummy charged her. Its blank leather face was down, its arm reaching towards her as it covered the distance in two steps.
A fucking tackle, she thought. Zerine hated them.
Not only was wrestling a death sentence for her if she ever fought some with a crest, but it was more reliant on weight and how the person tackled an individual down. Sure she had grown, but not even close enough to contend with the dummy wrestling wise.
Now when one faces an oncoming tackle, you have some options to respond with when limited to hand-to-hand fighting. If there is enough time, dodge it and punish the attack. But if there isn’t time, one just has to remember the opponent’s center of gravity isn’t ideal.
Zerine shot her hips back, shoving her hands out and down into the upper back of the dummy. She then hoped back as if she was performing a burpee, avoiding the dummy’s arms while shoving down with all her weight, guiding the dummy’s head straight into the ground. She ended up on top of the dummy but swiftly moved, yanking its arms behind its back as she sat on it.
Labored breaths eased as she relaxed when the golem went limp, meaning she won.
Varino’s clapping sounded like tinkling rain on a metal surface, while her cheers were bright chimes.
“Great now, round two, with a sword,” Markilo said, tossing a practice sword.
Zerine smiled, catching the wooden sword. She got up as the dummy came to life, catching a blade that Markilo threw to it. They got into position with a few feet of empty space between them.
“BEGIN,” Markilo shouted.
Zerine moved at the same time as the dummy. Their blades met with a loud crack as their duel started.
***
Ava watched with a growing sense of pride. Zerine, now fourteen, had gotten taller, but wasn’t quite in that awkward phase just yet. Her hair, which was in a braided ponytail, had shifted to more sapphire blue. The blue shifting depending on the angle you look at it just like the gamestone. Even the teals and greens near the tips of her hair were darker than before.
“I have worked with her on swordsmanship, but her hand-to-hand fighting has improved quite a lot since the last time I watched,” Ava remarked to Markilo.
“She really has made great progress. This leads perfectly to a question of mine,” Markilo said, glancing towards Ava. “Both you and Cal wanted to ensure your children were trained to defend themselves and be ready to walk their own paths, so what is Zerine’s path? Have you asked?”
Ava sighed, “we asked when she turned eight. She wanted to be like me and Raith, be an adventurer to help people, see the world, and grow in strength.”
“And what do you want for her?”
“I don’t want her to become a noble bureaucrat, that is for sure,” Ava remarked, getting a chuckle from Markilo. “I just want her to grow and have the chance to choose her own path.”
“I’m only bringing this up because the academies accept sixteen-year-olds, the youngest with special considerations, with the average being eighteen when they pass the entrence exams and get admitted. I just want to ensure we know what our timeline looks like. Are we going for two years to prepare her for the adventurer trials? Or are we targeting eighteen, giving us four years to prepare?”
“Those… are fair questions to ask. With how much she can do with her ambient magic, I would hope that when she gets her crest, she will be a gifted mage.”
“What if she doesn’t get her crest before either deadline?”
Ava frowned, but watched as Zerine countered a strike, nearly finishing the duel.
“Then we should set a test for her to pass. If she passes, then she is ready for the academies. If not, she has to keep preparing,” Ava said.
“Then you should have her start working in our training area. She’s tall enough and old enough to be careful while in that space. But magic wise, I don’t know what else she could learn.”
“Hmm, she could learn alchemy now that she is older. Bernard is quite adept at that. Ritual and array magic is always useful,” Ava suggested.
“She already read most of the academy books on ritual magic, from what Shiya told me. It’s not like she can apply what she learned without her own magic. Maybe alchemy would be good at changing things up while she keeps practicing ambient magic.”
“It has the advantage of focusing more on controlling mana. Most elixirs and potions ingredients have their own magical energy, and the alchemist only has to control it.”
“Hmm, it will still be harder without a crest, but could positively impact her ambient magic control, too.”
“I'll bring it up to Bernard,” Ava said.
There was a cry of pain that made them refocus on the duel.
***
Zerine, at the start of the duel, was doing well. She had good footing and could handle the powerful strikes from the dummy, but as the duel went on, fatigue was growing. It also didn’t help that the duels with the dummy weren’t pure sword duels where only sword techniques were allowed. No, the duel she was in right now had a mix of sword and martial arts, something she was told was the norm. She had only been doing duels like this for a little over a month compared to traditional duels, and her opinion was mixed on the matter.
She deflected the blade, making her shoulder protest. To give her a moment to think about her approach, she stepped backed, changing how she held the hilt. Zerine noted the beads of sweat forming on her brow, which she really hoped wouldn’t get in her eyes.
The dummy moved forward, blade extended in front of it. Zerine took a breath, then shifted her stance once again as the two circled one another. She moved first slashing, which the dummy parried, but not before she had gotten in close. Shoving aside the blade, she lashed out with her blade at the same time the dummy lashed out with a kick.
She felt the impact go all the way to the bone in her chest from the kick. A spike of pain shot through her, causing her to cry out even as the dummy went limp, her blade having hit its neck. Zerine was on her back, the sand of the beach lessoning the impact of her fall. Even with the sands cushion, pain shot through her from the fall. Every breath she took sent a throbbing pain through her.
Varino and Ava were by her side in an instant.
A tingling session on her check came from Varino hands pressing into it. The tingling sensation rushed through her while Varino checked her condition.
Varino whistle comfort. Warmth accompanied the tingling, concentrating on her chest as Varino started to heal her.
“What did Varino say?” Ava asked worriedly, crouching next to her.
“Bruised, ribs,” Zerine panted. She blinked as sweat got into one of her eyes.
Varino trilled and burbled.
“Should be fine, soon,” Zerine said, with labored breaths.
“I’m glad Varino learned a hell of a good healing spell,” Ava said with a smile. Zerine returned the smile, but winced.
“Raith will be delighted to work on it. I have certainly helped her practice,” Zerine said.
Varino gave an encouraging chime.
“True, haven’t broken bones in a while,” Zerine said.
“Hey, after this, we can take a break. I have to go check on what Shiya and the others are doing,” Markilo said. “We still have to get you used to your opponents mixing things up. But you did great.”
If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
“I totally didn’t expect that kick, but I will be ready next time. And thanks Mark. The break sounds good,” Zerine said tiredly.
Mark smiled down at her, “you're a plucky one. Just feel better soon, alright.”
Mark headed out towards the forest.
Ava sat crossed legged next to Zerine, who was breathing better already.
“So, I think it’s time we start discussing what your plans for the future are,” Ava said after a stretch of silence.
“Like academy interests, or do I have to choose what I do for the rest of my life?” Zerine asked. Many noble and merchant families tended to plan out their children’s future. It wasn’t unheard of for the child to have no say in the matter.
“We won’t limit your choices, but I just wanted to hear your thoughts. In two more years, you will be old enough to try for the adventurer trials, which are how to get early admittance. Some of the other academies have similar things.”
“Ah, so to help me prepare, you want me to choose,” Zerine said, shifting, which made her wince. Varino peeped, annoyed. “Sorry, no more moving.”
“Exactly. No final decision, but we need a direction.”
“And what if I don’t get my…” Zerine scowled, “crest?”
“We will set up a test that you will have to pass. If you do, then you're ready. If not, then you're not going to sign up for the entry exams or trials.”
“Then I choose adventurer, easy. It gives me the most options and if I don’t get my crest before sixteen and I pass the test, I should be able to attend it with or without it,” Zerine said, determination entering her gaze.
“What if you get your crest?”
“I’m so behind in magic that the Maginus academy would be a stretch even if I got my crest tomorrow.”
“Alright, it’s a logical choice, but is it what you truly want?”
“Mom, I haven’t broken bones, bleed from my eyes and nose, and trained every day to not be an adventurer,” Zerine said, raising an eyebrow.
Ava chuckled, “Well then, we should talk about what it means to be an adventurer and what the next steps are. I will bring it to Cal tonight, then tomorrow we will go over it... Oh, by the way, thoughts on learning alchemy? At least the parts you can do with no crest.”
Zerine’s excitement was palpable as her face lit up.
“Yes, to the alchemy! Also, you said I could read the books in the study, which you have not brought up even after my birthday.”
Ava laughed, “I can bring that up with Cal tonight as well.”
“I guess I have a lot to look forward to tomorrow,” Zerine said, sounding forlorn, but was smiling.
“Yes, I-” Ava paused as a tinkling sound emitted from her pocket. “That is a communication crystal. I will have to go figure out what that is about and if they are contacting me-”
“You're going to be called away to go do something. No worries, Varino and I won’t slack on our training,” Zerine said, smiling.
“Alright, Varino, I’m leaving Zerine in your care. So, take it easy you two, got it?” Ava said, getting up and brushing sand off her pants.
“K!” Zerine said, echoed by a peep from Varino.
With a small creek, Ava vanished.
“When can we go visit Terri and Octra? If I remember correct, Fulgur will be out hunting,” Zerine asked Varino.
Varino chimed and whistled.
“I was right about Fulgur, good then it’ll be ladies hang out. But we can’t leave sooner why? Lying here in the sand for a few more minutes sounds dull. Can I practice ambient magic control?”
Varino sighed, patting Zerine’s cheek, then chimed a few times.
“Fine, lying here it shall be. We really can’t play a game, or anything till you checked me?”
Varino peeped in confirmation.
“Can you get the magic ritual book from my stuff?” Zerine asked. Varino skipped away and returned with a storybook instead, along with a container storing some powdered storm quintessence to help her replenish the energy she used while healing.
Zerine laughed, “alright, were we at the point where the first empress started the dragon trials?” Zerine wondered, flipping through pages.
Varino sat next to her head. She trilled a flute note.
“Right, just after the Lord of Water’s trial.”
Zerine read a chapter aloud as Varino happily tossed the quintessence into her mouth, as if she was eating popcorn. The energy turned into tiny bubbles of lights that flowed through her body before vanishing. A sight that Zerine had always found fascinating, and she had to remind herself to focus on the chapter.
***
After a wonderful chapter, the two headed to visit their friends.
“I want to go on a hunt with all of you at some point,” Zerine said after greeting Octra and Terri.
“That would be an interesting thing, but what would you use to attack?” Terri wondered telepathically.
Over the past two years, the dragons had grown slower than when they were younger. That didn’t mean they were still the size of a bear, not even close. Terri was easily the size of an enormous horse.
Zerine pulled out her bow. A surprise gift that Gary had made and left before they had gone out on their missions.
Terri and Octra peered down at the weapon curiously.
“Tooth, claw and magic is all one truly needs. That is a stick with a string,” Terri thought to them.
Zerine blinked, then looked down at her bow and broke out into a smile chuckling.
“I don’t know if you noticed, but my teeth are…well they suck as a tool to attack with. My nails are probably even worse and my magic, well, I don't have any. But this,” Zerine brandished her bow. “This can make up the difference, at least a tiny bit. Enough for me to at least contribute.”
“Hmm, I guess that is a fair point,” Octra said. Where Terri’s mental voice was an alto, Octra’s voice was a soprano. Honestly, it matched what Zerine always mentally assigned to Varino’s voice. Then again, why didn’t Varino speak mentally? Did she not know how to use mental magic, or was it different for spirits?
“It’s different for spirits. Mother says Varino will naturally be able to once she gets older and more powerful,” Terri said. Zerine had forgotten that her thoughts would be sent out to the others.
“Huh? Good to know, but what do you all want to do?”
“Flying!” the two dragons thought in unison.
“Will we get spotted?”
“Probably by ships, not the land side. There is magic to hide our flying. But mom will be nearby, and it will be a quick flight,” Octra said, her tail swishing excitedly.
“Varino? Thoughts on flying,” Zerine wondered aloud.
Varino pumped her fists in the air with a bright whistle.
“That is a yes, sooo lets go!” Zerine said.
Terri rested her head on the ground.
“Sit between the two largest spikes near my shoulders and hold on tight,” Terri thought to her and Varino.
Zerine nervously got onto Terri’s back and sat between the large, dark blue spikes. Varino hopped into her lap and created winds, making Zerine and her more secure on the dragon’s back.
“Are you going to sustain this for the flight?” Zerine wondered.
Varino confidently whistled.
“Oh, ambient magic, so it’s just willpower not your mana draining. Still though?” Varino chimed again, patting Zerine’s pants reassuringly.
“Alright, you two, we are ready,” Zerine said, wrapping her arms around the spike.
Two powerful wings lifted, shrouding them from the sun for a moment before, with a powerful flap, they took off.
Is this what it feels like to use wind magic movement? Zerine thought. Her stomach was left behind as they rapidly ascended, the air roaring past her ears. She could barely hear Varino's loud, burbling laughter. Varino cheering made Zerine’s racing heart slow and soon she had a smile plastered to her face.
“This is amazing!” she shouted, Varino cheering too.
Zerine and Varino enjoyed watching the ocean far below them as they flew. They cheered on Octra, who took the chance to show off some impressive flying maneuvers.
She spiraled down, her wings tuck in, light glinting off her sky-blue scales. Then, catching an updraft, her wings shot open and Octra rapidly rose far above them. Her shadow went over them as she glided before flying down to be in line with Terri.
“Nice view, isn’t it?” Octra thought to her.
“Its incredible! Your flying is amazing too! I only wish I could fly with you all instead of being carried,” Zerine replied.
Puffs of smoke escaped from Octra as she laughed. “Maybe you will get the wind affinity. Or Varino can always fly you with us once she gets older and stronger.”
Zerine smiled and looked down at where Varino was but froze. Varino was running along Terri’s neck. On occasion, she used a little burst of wind to helper fight against the air passing over them. Soon she was sitting among Terri’s head spikes. Zerine let out a nervous breath, but smiled as Varino spoke to Terri, who sped up, getting a delighted chime.
“Race time! Hold tight,” Octra thought to Zerine.
The two dragons took off. The wind howled past Zerine, who closed her eyes, holding on for dear life.
***
Sithera watched off in the distance as her hatchlings took Zerine for a flight. It was a partly cloudy day, but the wind was good for flying so she trusted her hatchlings could handle it.
When they started to race one another, she felt it, a presence approaching from the horizon.
She flew and mentally hugged her hatchlings to avoid the area she was heading towards. Soon she spotted the entity that had manifested.
Four wings kept aloft, a round body covered in eyes. Long metal spider-like legs protruded from the abomination. All its eyes focused on her.
Not going to give you a chance, Sithera thought, taking a breath.
***
“Mom is going to use her breath attack!“ Terri thought to her and Octra. Her excitement coming across the connection.
“Will be safe to watch it?” Zerine wondered. Getting to see a powerful dragon go all out was a rare sight. She had read that many of those who witnessed a dragon's true breath got insights on how to improve their own abilities. She might improve her ambient magic or maybe...Zerine gasped.
In the distance, they saw a massive dragon with dark blue scales. Tendrils of swirling energy was gathering around the dragon’s jaws.
Zerine focused on her magical senses. Her eyes went wide. There was so much going on in the magic, it was hard for her to tell exactly how the energy was being gathered. Her mouth fell open as the dragon's breath was released. Clouds parted as a beam of power shot towards its target. THe beam left behind sparks of electricity. She blinked as a blinding flash lit the sky for a second. Moments later, a distant explosion reached her ears.
“Oooh,” came from an impressed Varino, sounding like a slide whistle.
That is an understatement, Zerine thought. She was in utter shock. Just the glimpse of the power left her shaken to her very core. But something insider came to life as a crazy goal entered her mind. I’m going to try and make a spell like that, and that power and strength is going to be mine someday.
Varino’s curious whistle made Zerine focus one a point on the horizon.
What ships? she thought, squinting.
***
“Captain, a familiar says a dragon is ahead,” Clive said, stepping upon the upper deck.
“I felt magical power. That would certainly explain it,” Captian Leon said, glancing up form a map.
“Will the attackers be able to use the small boats to get to the city?” Clive wondered.
“They will be fine. The dragons won’t attack us or them. They should be busy with monsters and whatever dragons do during intersections.”
“This still feels like a suicide mission.”
Leon nodded, still looking over the map.
“The other group won’t return from their mission, they know it. As for our task, as long as we don’t attract attention, we should be fine. But the others will join us in the coming days, so let’s prepare for the biggest ritual ever made,” Leon replied, marking points on the map.
***
After flying back and saying farewell, a giddy pair made it back to the training area.
Mark and Shiya only glanced at one another. Clearly, Varino and Zerine had been up to something during their little execution. Something that made them extremely excited and motivated. When they had asked Callahan and Ava about the two's little trips, they were told just to go with it. And go with it they did. The rest of the day’s training, the two pushed themselves harder than before, with a dedication that surprised Mark and Shiya.
Neither was a slacker, but something had lit a fire within them. Even Naro and Shara had picked up on the two’s mood and pushed themselves to keep up. The last few duels Zerine had with the dummy ended with its arms and a leg being broken, with a grinning Zerine standing over the dummy.
Mark made a mental note to up its difficulty setting on golem in a week. If Zerine kept this up, she would be a terrifying close combat specialist. That wasn’t even taking in to account the odd verity of weapons she had settled on mastering. Adding those Zerine had a diverse and highly adaptable fighting style.
But Mark smiled to himself, watching Zerine creating the best mana bolt she had done thus far. A fist sized spike of mana floated in the air. It moved rather slowly when she released it and didn’t last very long, but it was still damn impressive.
I hope she keep this motivation up. Especially with the new training routine coming up, he thought.
When it came time for bed, an exhausted but delighted Zerine fell into a deep sleep.