The darkness swirling around Zerine faded, making her blink from the sudden change in light. Raith and Zerine were standing on the outskirts of a forest. The sun had already started setting before they had left and was filling the sky with bright pinks and yellows.
Zerine looked up at Raith with a questioning look.
“We are a short walk from the city walls and on the same side that is closer to your home,” Raith said, correctly guessing Zerine’s question.
“I’m not supposed to go to that forest,” Zerine said, a little nervous.
Ratih smiled. “Not allowed alone, but you got me and my familiars,” Raith said, giving Zerine’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Now, follow me. I want to bring to you to a place that we will practice at in the coming months.”
“Magic training?” Zerine asked, following Raith as they entered the forest.
“That and physical training.”
Zerine nearly tripped in surprise. “I can’t keep up with Naro or anyone with a crest.”
Raith smiled to herself. Zerine had fallen right into the point she wanted to make.
“Well, that is the reason why you need to train. To an extent, you can keep up with those your age with crests,” Raith said.
Zerine stopped walking, staring at Raith, who took a few more steps before looking back with a broad grin. “Your serious!” Zerine said, moving to catch up as Raith resumed walking.
“I am,” Raith said cheerfully. “Have you all talked about mage ranks in your classes?” Raith wondered.
“No, Dad said they will bring that up when we are older and can progress,” Zerine replied.
“Alright so quick class then. Mage ranking goes from F-A. F being the lowest and A the highest. That is where normal progression stops, and the true pursuit of power begins. Many call the next rank S, but on our continent, we call it silver-rank. The next is gold-rank and lastly, Iridesium,” Raith explained. They were now following a worn path in the forest.
“So, to bring it back to your training, all your classmates are F-rank. The physical attributes aren’t out of your reach. The only absolute limit for you is magic abilities.”
“But they are so fast and strong. How can I possibly make up for the difference there?” Zerine interrupted. Just hearing this rocked Zerine to her core.
“The transformation from getting their crest is a shortcut to physical improvements. They will have to push themselves when they get older to keep improving. Many don’t and the only true spike in their physical attributes occurs during the usual major rank transformations. For ranks F through E, the physical improvements are negligible. Meaning that if you can get into peak physical condition and stay like that, you can keep up with those with crests,” Raith said.
“Can we start that, too?” Zerine asked, eager to get started.
Raith grinned. “Not tonight, but we will start first thing tomorrow. It won’t be easy though,” she said, moving aside a shrub. They could faintly hear waves crashing onto a distant shore.
“I can take it!” Zerine said, full of determination.
“We will see,” Raith said. “But what did you think of Naro’s absorbing ritual?”
“Oh, that reminds of a question I had,” Zerine said, hoisting her dress up to step over a branch. “I read you can simply absorb a catalyst, no need for a ritual array. So why did you use one?”
“The rituals help ensure it’s a smooth process. They also ensure you don’t accidentally release a spell during the process, which can happen if you are struggling to control the energy. When we are talking about pinnacle and legendary, it makes it far less complicated,” Raith said.
Zerine’s brow furrowed, taking in the words. “Your instincts take over, so why would it be complicated?”
“The sheer amount of energy you have to control grows exponentially for each rank of catalyst. It takes your willpower to truly control the process, and without the ritual, you're dealing with all the energy at once. As for mythical catalysts, there is such a vast difference between it and the others that the ritual barely helps.”
“Hmm, the books I read only mentioned mythical catalysts as being the best catalysts, but nothing else. Is there truly that big of a difference?” Zerine wondered.
“Curious today, huh?” Raith said, chuckling. “That superior catalyst was special because it had multiple concepts together. Think of a mythical catalyst like that, but with far more concepts and energy all mixed together to make something truly unique. To compare, think of that superior catalyst as a large pool of water and the mythical catalyst, as the ocean. Speaking of,” Raith said. They had come upon a beach, waves lapping at the shores.
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An image of a similar beach popped into Zerine’s mind. She examined the shore more intently. This place was very similar to the image from the crest ceremony. Originally, she had written it off as just her desperate imagination, but now she was rethinking that.
“Let me make a suitable spot for us,” Raith said. She waved her head and several large stones rose from the water and drifted over to them. Zerine watched, eyes shining with excitement and awe as Raith pointed a finger and beams of light cut the rocks into shape. When Raith was done, there were two flat rocks clearly meant to be sat on as they were situated across from one another. The third was rather long and was off to the side. Raith pulled two cushions from thin air.
“You have spatial storage!?” Zerine asked as a grinning Raith placed the cushions on of the two rocks.
“Of course. Mine is actually an ability, not an item though,” Raith replied, sitting cross-legged on one rock. “Come sit. Let’s start your first lesson,” she said, gesturing to the rock across from her.
Zerine eagerly sat, her heart racing with anticipation.
“So, you're all excited to get started,” Raith said, which got an excited nodded from Zerine. “Well, you need to relax and mediate. To start, we have to get you feeling the ambient magic. So, close your eyes and focus on your breath.”
Zerine followed Raith’s instructions and closed her eyes. She let the waves lapping at the shore help her relax, but intrusive thoughts kept getting in the way.
Was this the place from the ceremony? Will I be able to lift rocks like Raith? Could this help me get my crest? she thought. Images of her levitating with rocks flying around flashed through her mind.
“Clear your mind,” came Raith's soothing voice. Zerine fought the urge to squirm and focused on her breath. Any thought that came to mind was immediately shoved aside, and she focused more on her breath.
It took minutes before she had finally entered a trance-like state. Her breaths were measured and she could feel the energy from it flow through her body. It was a rather strange experience, but it wasn’t the only energy she felt. Just like a light breeze bushing her skin, a tingling sensation brushed her skin.
Raith inspected Zerine, noting she was ready by seeing Zerine’s flicking candle of an aura shining brighter than before. She knew at this point Zerine could probably only feel a tiny fraction of the actual ambient magic.
“Hold out your hand,” Raith spoke softly, hoping to not break Zerine’s concentration.
Zerine held out her hand and Raith place a pebble in it. The stone was roughly the size of her thumbnail and smooth from weathering.
“Now make the pebble levitate,” Raith said. She wouldn’t tell Zerine how to visualize the rock, nor how to manipulate the energy to do it. It would be better for her to experiment and figure out the process. After a few minutes, she shifted on the cushion, sensing something in the forest. Raith frowned. There shouldn’t be anything powerful enough to get her attention here. The Ley lines hadn’t even intersected yet, so the magic energy in the area was medium instead of the high it would be in a few weeks. That change would bring more powerful creatures or even spawn monsters.
Umbra, check it out please, she thought to her familiar. Her shadow rippled before a small circle detached itself and flowed along the ground, heading to the forest. Raith’s attention shot back to Zerine as she felt the magic weave around the rock. Raith broke out into a smile. First step complete, she thought.
Zerine was struggling. She knew she had to visualize the action she wanted the rock to do, while forcing the ambient magic to respond to her will. She had to juggle so much at once that she failed to affect the magic multiple times. Every attempt had beads of sweat appear, while taking intense concentration that left her panting after every failed attempt. This would intern mess up her trance-like state, which she would have to regain before trying again.
When she failed again to gather enough ambient magic yet again, Zerine decided to change her approach. This time, instead of visualizing each part separately, she combined them. She saw threads of magic swirl around the pebble, weaving the threads together, while seeing the stone lift upwards. It felt different this time and was so much harder. Clenching her jaw, she mustered more willpower. No simple pebble would beat her. Then she felt it. The pebble wobbled before rising just above her hand. The pebble only floated for a moment before falling into her palm.
“I-I did it!” Zerine said, panting. She had cold sweat going down her back. Exhaustion and the empowering feeling of success flowing through her.
“Great job!” Raith said happily before she looked worried. “Are you alright?” she wondered. Seemingly unnoticed by Zerine, tears had started to flow.
Zerine gave Raith a huge grin. “I-I used magic. I can do this,” Zerine gurgled. Raith moved and embraced Zerine.
It was a relief to Zerine. She hadn’t thought she would be able to do any magic. When she had discovered that those without crests could at least attempt ambient magic manipulation, it felt like a hope that was too good to be true. But now it had happened, and she had used magic, something she had dreamt about for so long. The relief and pure happiness rushed through her.
When the tears had subsided, Raith sat back across from her with a gentle smile. “I think it’s time you tell me how you have been actually doing. No holding back from your Aunt you hear?” she said.
Zerine nodded and told her about how the other children changed after getting their crests, which led to her telling Raith about losing friends, bullying, and being left out.
“Why didn’t you tell your parents?” Raith wondered after silence had stretched for a few seconds when Zerine had finished.
Zerine fidgeted. “I didn’t want them to worry, I guess. It’s only bad during free time. The rest of the time, I get along just fine.”
“Hmm,” Raith said, mildly displeased. “This isn’t unheard of, Zerine. It happens, and it sucks. When you all get older, these silly things will get less important. I just don’t want you to simply take it silently, but you just avoiding free time is a strategy, too. I just don’t know if it’s a good one or not.” Raith sighed. “I’m sorry Zerine. But you should bring this up with your parents alright. But I know it will all work out and you’ll find good friends.”
Zerine nodded with a small smile.
“Good, now let’s have you try levitating again, this time with your eyes open,” Raith said.
***
Umbra flowed through the shadows. He knew like his partner Raith that an elemental power had flared in this direction. They had been in this forest earlier that day but hadn't sensed anything of its kind. Following the last flare of power Umbra edged along the shadows of a clearing. There were traces of wind and water aligned magic, but hints of nature as well. No traces of a fight remained other than the traces of magic. But whatever had happened earlier clearly caught the attention from other creatures who were on a hunt as well. Umbra notified Raith as shapes appeared in the darkening forest.