“Vinessa, what has you smiling like a lunatic?” Escanar wondered.
Vinessa hadn’t even seemed to have heard him the first few times. He leaned forward, aiming to poke her when Vinessa laughed, then swiped her hand and an image was added right next to the inferno that Kamar’s.
“I think wild magic may actually be a thing.”
“Why…oh. And of course it exists. Everyone has some sort of unique magic ability plus...that,” He replied his gaze locked on to the image.
“I don’t know. But Zerine is currently going through her own self-revelation.”
His gaze flicked between Kamar’s blazing feed to a view of some kind of fighting arena. Of course, he recognized Zerine in the image. The purple hair and eyes weren't exactly common for her kind on this continent. But then again, it didn’t really matter, as he was currently witnessing something that wouldn’t be called normal by anyone. Maybe if Zerine was a peak D-rank fighting two mid D-ranks - which would still put quite a lot of pressure on the lone fighter - then it might somewhat be expected. However, Zerine was proving to be quite the exception, although he didn’t know how long the child could keep it up.
A self-revelation would improve nearly every aspect of a person, but would that work with a partly awakened soul? How would the spirit and metaphysical channels be affected since Zerine hadn’t even developed them yet? What about her body? If the mana to start the changes was still going, then the changes wouldn’t be complete until maybe tonight and before that, she would pass out while the changes took effect on her nervous system.
As he thought more about it, he only gathered more questions. Zerine couldn’t be the only one to have had this happen, could she? He simply couldn’t come up with anything that he read or heard mentioning anything like this.
“Before you ask no, there isn’t anything in the fairy archives or libraries about,” Vinessa gestured to Zerine. “Any of that happening to a partially awaken soul. I don’t know how any of this will play out. I didn’t expect to her to figure it out before having her crest.”
“Because of how meditating with your affinities surrounding you can help find deeper aspects of yourself,” Escanar mused.
“Right, my training with Kamar has covered that, and you see the results.”
Escanar glanced back at the feed of Kamar, which was still a blazing inferno. He nodded in approval. A transformation like what she was going through was creating quite the great light show.
Maybe that storm spirit would like to watch a recording. After all, she does like explosions, even if it’s odd, he thought. He blinked. That spirit certainly had a way about her, if even he was thinking of showing her this display.
“Hell, Varino has too, and I suspect is close as well,” Vinessa said, making Escanar smile.
“But back to Kamar for a moment. She’s a phoenix?” he wondered, raising an eyebrow.
“Her father is a Solar Phoenix and her mother is a Solar Fairy. I thought you would have known that. That is, after all, the reason the elders were so hard on her. They wanted her Solar Fairy awakening to occur, but hoped for this,” Vinessa replied, gesturing to shining feed.
“Her scent didn’t give anything away, though? Not even her soul.”
“Those born from fairies tend to take fairy traits over that of their partners. Hence why the elders hope for her inheriting from both parents, but pushed for her to awaken her Solar Fairy side.”
They have the traits, unless your life mate was an alchemic genius and historian who apparently knew far more than he told you, then died before telling you that our desperate plan for a child was successful, she thought. Oh, and somehow made it so when she was born that her features, soul, and inherited gifts would be suppressed.
That thought had some heat of anger as she hated the fact with their bond not complete she didn’t feel it when her daughter under went such a thing. Nor would she be certain how it affected Zerine. Really, the connection she had with Zerine basically told her if she was alive, nothing more, for now.
“So, will she have traits from her father, then?”
“Who knows, Solar Fairy and phoenix awakenings are rather explosive. Combining the two, you get this. Varino would love to watch this, now I think of it.”
“I…I had a similar thought. Is it strange?”
Vinessa laughed. “Everyone seems to go through this with her. She is a clever one. Weaponizing cuteness, like does.”
Escanar chuckled. “And stubborn like some dragons, I know. Falkor’s great grandchild will have his hands full with her as his bonded partner.”
“More like everyone is going to have their hands full with the two of them. When he is old enough, they’re going to be like mini Callahan’s and Ava’s combined,” Vinessa shuttered. “Truly a terrifying prospect.”
“Ah,” Escanar laughed. “True, true. I can’t wait for that day.”
“Oh, hey looks like the Beastkin is out,” Vinessa said, drawing Escanar’s gaze to the live feeds once again. Sure enough, Derek was faced down once again before his feed vanished.
“His backer will be displeased.”
“Probably. But maybe he will grow from this. It’s the first time he truly failed at something, correct?”
“Failing so totally, yes, but failing in general? I doubt it. He was one of the top choices based on the rumors,” Escanar said the last part with a wry smile.
He never ranked any of the potential mages. They all had their own strengths and weaknesses, but he did have standards towards growth and potential, which was what lead to many falling off the list. The rumors were just that rumors made of some feeling slighted or those that couldn’t quite figure out what Escanar’s standards were. Even though the standards were created by all the Dragon Lords and even heavily influenced by the primordial gods themselves, they would still blame him.
He glanced back to Kamar’s feed, and it was still full of roiling flames and searing light, so he took in the rest of the feeds. Giry was now fighting monsters, but struggling. He might not last much longer. As he looked at Ali’s and Jez’s feeds, he saw the human was struggling the most out of the remaining candidates, while Ali was doing about as well as Giry was. But no one could even compare to the sheer insanity Kamar’s shining feed was.
If he had to pick just from this, it would be Kamar. But he would wait for the results. He suspected that whatever the primordial gods had added to this trial was waiting for this inferno to subside. Probably enjoying the light show like he was.
“Sashi isn’t certain how this will affect Zerine. Ava may need to get Raith to check on her after the changes are complete,” Vinessa said.
He glanced at his old friend. Vinessa looked worried and deep in thought. Her brow was furrowed and was nervously playing with a strand of her hair.
“We could always send Len. She taught Raith, after all. I bet she would be interested in Ratih’s niece,” he replied. He stop himself from shuttering at the thought of that fairy who was a rather ornery elder and kind of terrifying when it came to training.
Vinessa winced. “She isn’t within an affordable teleport, while Raith could be there in two days. One if we make it sound urgent. Which it kind of is. As none of the Iridesium-rankers have heard of someone going through this before getting a crest. And from what my avatar is sensing there is…to put it bluntly, a fucking ton of mana pouring into Zerine still. Annnd it doesn’t seem to be slowing.”
“Hmm, concerning and impressive. Not a normal threshold shift. Could it be the mana is compensating for the lack of her own mana?”
“It’s possible. But I would feel better having Raith examine her whenever she hits her limit.”
“I’m honestly impressed by her performance. Those instincts of hers are incredible, and I suspect Zerine is in a similar state of mind to the Heartstone’s queen when she fights like this.”
“Lilliana’s fate sight in combat is terrifying to go against, but incredible to witness. And Zerine’s certainly giving us a glimpse of what she could be some day,” Vinessa said, watching Zerine sending the fire affinity sister rolling in the sand, then ducking, easily avoiding a punch from behind.
“Won’t this get in the way of Zara’s plans for her to become a blade of the Reaper?”
Vinessa laughed. “Gods, no, she doesn’t want Zerine to become a blade, but the Scythe of the Reaper. As for the leaders of the Voices and Hands, I’m sure this is an eye opening experience which will only help Zara’s case.”
“The Scythe, well, that on top of what Falkor wants will be quite a lot of pressure and expectations placed upon her shoulders.”
“Yes,” Vinessa said, her smile fading. “She will rise to the challenge and I have no doubt there will be more pressures added. It happens to us all.”
“That is true. I wouldn’t be surprised if the delegates there are watching in shock.”
***
Kalee Shihad was a tall elf with a slim, but toned frame. He wore silver caster robes and was currently sitting in a comfortable chair watching D-rank children fight. His gaze wandered to the Voice of the Reaper. She was a human with raven hair and eyes. An elegant frame was hidden under her usual matte black armor that she never took off.
“So, Lyra, their semi finals match is about to begin. Do you believe she will be able to keep?” Kalee wondered after creating a privacy shroud strong enough to keep even the three Iridesium-rank and one soon to be ascendent from eavesdropping.
“I am still impressed with how she has performed. Although I do not know how much was skill or luck in the bracket set up. If they fought any peak D-ranks, she would have been out nearly immediately,” Lyra replied.
Thud!
The mana in the arena thrummed. In an instant, only those peak Gold-rank and, of course, the Iridesium-ranks in their section were standing all their gaze fixated on a single person.
“It appears there is indeed more to her than just being a Fate Breaker,” Lyra remarked, but Kalee wasn’t paying attention he was focused solely on truly astounding amount of swirling mana.
Lyra rolled her eyes. “It is just a moment of clarity, it only matter if-”
Thud!
The mana crashed down on to the child, pouring into her mind, body, and spirit.
“Well, well, maybe Zara’s judgement isn’t uncompromised when it comes to her,” Kalee muttered, his eye wide.
***
Sashi frowned down at where Zerine was fighting.
“The mana hasn’t stopped,” she said worriedly.
“I’ve already contacted Raith. She’ll be able to teleport into the nearest city. Then will need to rest before coming here,” Vinessa’s avatar replied, looking a mix of excited and worried.
“Hmm, wise to get one of the best healers around to evaluate the girl,” The Huntress said.
She was a Fae female. Now the difference between Fae and fairy is small. In fact, Fae are considered an offshoot of fairy kind. They lost their wings and longevity, while having the second most powerful physical body, magic, and an average life span five times that of the elf. The easiest way to identify a Fae from elves would be in the direction of their pointed ears. Fae were far more pointed, but angled sharply upward. An elf’s pointed ears were more like human ears, but were longer and with a slight point or sharper, depending on the type of elf.
The Huntress was one of the top adventurers on the planet and part of that continental council that ran all the branches of the adventurer guilds on the Heartstone continent. She also worked with the other councils, coordinating across the planet.
The Huntress was so aligned with her affinities of dark and wind that her eyes were pools of emerald with pupils of deep purple with a black cloudy effect. Her hair was in a ponytail and wore her usual mix of plate and leather armor. With curiosity, she eyed Zerine and folded her arms across her chest.
“Raith has been her healer in the past and I know this is beyond Kelly’s capability,” Sashi said.
“We are assuming this revelation will have a negative impact on her,” Saanvi said. Saanvi of Coven Rose was the new Iridesium-rank replacing Sashi in the Triarch Coven’s hierarchy. If it weren’t for a looming war, they would have had a weeklong celebration for Saanvi, but instead Saanvi had a simple celebration in way to ensure the entire coven knew Sashi had a successor, but not enough to give away information to any spies from Esteron or their allies.
“Do you feel the amount of mana pouring into her? She doesn’t have a crest yet, so who knows what else could happen,” Niven said.
Niven Cutter was a human and the leader of the Heartstone Guardian program and an advisor to the queen and the military. He had tan skin and stood at an imposing seven feet tall with the build to match. He was wearing far more casual clothing. A simple short-sleeve shirt and pants covered his muscular frame. Certainly underdressed compared to the other dignitaries siting in the surrounding area. He didn’t really care and no one would dare object as he could ascend as well, but won’t for some time yet, so everyone treated him with deference as sign of respect.
He ran a hand through his messy brown hair, his piercing silver eyes locked on to Zerine as she fought. “But she is quite the fighter. I thought you two were crazy allowing a Crestless to be in the tournament, but I was wrong. Her skill is better than most her age, and the only thing holding her back is rank disparity.”
“For now, but after all the mana?” the Huntress shrugged.
“Yeah, that is what I’m worried about,” Vinessa said, getting an agreeing nodded from Sashi.
“Well, I, for one, am interested in seeing her endurance. If she keeps this up, who knows how long it will take for the transformation to begin,” The Huntress said, now grinning.
***
Varino danced and cheered her friend on. Zerine was like a whirlwind of glittering purple. Well, to be honest, the other Celarians were glittering too, but not nearly as much as Zerine’s hair was. Now that Varino thought about it, Zerine’s hair had always been more gemstone-like than the others. Oh, well, it was awesome to watch a glittering purple display as Zerine struck and dodged, fighting the teal and red sisters.
Wait, were they sisters? Or was this sister in the religions context? These and other thoughts went through Varino’s mind as she danced. She loved watching Zerine go all out like this. It had been too long since the island where she had watched Zerine take an entire horde of monsters on. Although she was getting a bit worried about the sheer amount of mana pouring into Zerine. It wasn’t exactly an insignificant amount of mana. But if no one called off the fight, then it must be alright. Either way, Zerine was going crazy!
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The air affinity sister had leapt in to the air and had been flying down to catch Zerine off guard, while she fought the fire affinity sister. Zerine apparently tired of that tactic quickly and used mana barriers to run on the air to bring the fight to the sister. At first the sister was startled by Zerine suddenly getting in her face, but recovered quickly. The next few seconds saw the two fighting in the air. Their exchange in the air was a blur of motion till Zerine managed to surprise the sisters by falling and grabbing the sister’s leg as she did, then stopped suddenly and threw the sister down using their momentum. The force from this improvised attack sent the sister crashing down, creating a cloud of sand from the impact.
Varino cheered her friend on. It was looking like she wouldn’t have to do anything in this match. She wondered what the family was thinking, or better yet, Zerine’s former classmates, who were most likely watching. They were probably confused about how Zerine was even in the tournament, not knowing that with her skill Zerine would have kicked all the E-ranks around except for maybe equally skilled peak E-ranks.
At this point in the fight, the fire affinity sister’s barrier was flickering rapidly while the wind affinity sister’s flickered slowly. Zerine’s barrier was flickering slowly too, but slower than the wind affinity sister. Varino knew the fight’s end was rapidly approaching.
***
Neil sat with Naro on one side and Maria on the other. She was a classmate of his and one of Milli’s friends. He probably could have ended classes early, but he chose not to enjoying spending time with those his age. He was in the minority in the Trevel household, others who had been tutored by Zerine had ended early or would in a year. Milli had finished early, before turning sixteen, which was the only change in Zerine’s former class since he had joined and Zerine had left.
Maria was…was something that Neil wasn’t sure had a label. He had quite the experience during Zerine’s birthday with Valnari, one he probably wouldn’t forget. But he wouldn’t tell anyone about it, especially Zerine. Then Maria started making advances, welcoming ones and since Zerine had been gone and he had more free time…Well, now they were…something.
When they heard Zerine’s name get announced at the first match, Cory, who was sitting behind him, gasped.
“Neil, really? You could have told us that Zerine got her crest!” he said, shocked.
Naro laughed while Milli on his far side sighed.
Neil grimaced. “She still doesn’t have her crest.”
“Then why is she even allowed to fight? It’ll be over in an instant,” Maria asked with little hostility, which was new to Neil.
Naro leaned forward to look at Maria. “You’ll be surprised, but with the rules of this tournament. I think my s-friend, Zerine, hasn’t lost a match against Neil. And that was before she went off to get ready to act as Milli’s guard.”
Maria only shrugged. “I understand Milli needing a guard, but Zerine? I don’t know about that.”
“Well, you’ll see,” Naro said, dropping the subject as Varino and Zerine got ready for their first match.
When Zerine took the Iron Brother out within a minute of the match starting, Naro, Neil and Milli cheered, just like the rest of the family. The others were shocked.
“That was brutal,” Cory said, putting a hand to his throat.
Neil winced. He had been at the end of that exact move in the past. He had learned quickly to never over extended or charge her.
“Yeah, that is without the scythes. If she had those, you would…better not think about it,” Naro commented, then cheered as Varino ended the first match.
Maria was too stunned to say anything. Neil noticed Milli glancing at her friend with an understanding look.
Now it was the semi-finals and everyone sat stunned as Zerine fought two mid D-rank warriors alone and was somehow winning.
“What the fuck?” Cory swore behind them.
Neil couldn’t take his eyes away from Zerine’s use of mana barriers to move around to counter the wind affinity warrior’s movement. It was insane and here he was, believing that he had seen her fight at her best. Boy, was he wrong.
Alrighty, never piss her off. And what will she be like when she gets her crest? he thought as Zerine broke the fire affinity sister’s barrier. Zerine counted the air affinity sister and just barely avoided a strike from behind. Unfortunately for the air affinity, she didn’t move in time and was sent flying back from force behind the strike.
Zerine then dodged another flame enhanced strike, pulling the woman forward, taking the momentum and making it so the sister slammed her gut into Zerine’s waiting knee while an elbow crashed down where her kidney would be. Zerine then use the now glowing sister as a projectile spinning then shoving her into the other sister who had just recovered and launched herself with a blast of air at Zerine.
“Its-its like she has eyes on the back of head,” Naro said.
“She’s always been like that,” Neil replied.
“Yeah, but how? It has made the difference when fighting her, like look at this! What the hell is going on? Really? Like how?”
Neil only shrugged as Zerine and the last sister fought each other to a near standstill.
Punches were redirected, kicks avoided as the two whirled around one another until it ended in an instant.
Both women came to the same conclusion at the exact same time. They would have to take a hit to win. For the sister, she had already noticed how Zerine’s strikes were weaker than she had anticipated, while her fighting skill was better than the sisters. She was confident that she could take one of Zerine’s strikes as long as it wasn’t above the shoulders. For Zerine, she needed to figure out how to take a glancing blow, while landing one or more critical strikes.
After analyzing the sisters for the entire match, Zerine guessed the sister would use magic enhanced movement to maneuver herself in a way to leave her core open. She had no doubt the sister realized that Zerine’s attacks were far weaker than hers, so leaving herself open to take a hit while allowing her own attack to land was a fair trade.
I need to reduce the potential attacks, so forcing her to respond will have to do. I move first then, Zerine thought, making her strategy and immediately executing it.
Zerine moved, running up two tiny mana barriers, making her knee at the chest height of the sister, whose eyes went wide in surprise. Until this point, Zerine had mostly been on the defensive, which was the trap she had been waiting to spring. Plus, she had avoided grappling in every match so far so she doubted the sister woudl expect what would happen next.
The next moment happened in slow motion for both fighters. The sister twisted, pivoting her feet and lashing out with a fist, aiming for Zerine’s stomach. To Zeirne, it was clear the sister intended to use her outer arm and shoulder to take an expected kick. Unfortunately for the sister, a kick was not Zerine’s plan. Zerine launched herself at the sister, propelling herself off the barriers, only receiving a glancing blow along her side. Zerine tackled the sister, her shoulder slamming into the women hard enough to take her to the ground. Not letting this moment go, Zerine struck at the same time the sister did. Two barriers blazed with light.
Zerine blinked, finding herself on the invisible platform, which was rather alarming to be suddenly standing on. She staggered, but suddenly darkness encased her and she was back in the entranceway where the participants had entered the arena earlier.
Varino’s delighted chiming announced the spirt right before she slammed into Zerine’s chest in a tiny hug.
“I guess I won, but it was more like a draw, though,” Zerine said.
Varino’s muffled chiming, burbles, and whistles made her opinion on the matter clear, making Zerine chuckle.
“She’s right. From everyone’s perspective, you won,” Zara said, stepping out of the swirling darkness. Soon she was followed by her parents, kelly, Sashi, and Vinessa, but the latter two were only avatars.
Kelly rushed to Zerine and began poking and prodding her, while also checking Zerine’s status with magic. Varino, seeing her parents, shot over to them with a happy greeting.
“Hi, sweetie,” Ava said, catching the spirit.
Bright tinkling chimes and fluted whistles.
“You two have done an incredible job so far,” Ava said.
“She’s right. Great fighting, but I have to admit your dancing was a hit in the crowd. Will we be seeing those moves at the ball?” Cal wondered, patting Varino on top of her head.
The spirit gave her parents a beaming smile.
“Umm, I don’t want to interrupt, but why is kelly and the others looking at me like…” Zerine paused, searching for the right words. Zara was looking curious, while Vinessa, Sashi, and Kelly looked a mix of concerned, excited, and anxious. “Like, I’m some sort of explement or about to explode. Please don’t me I’m about to explode.”
Varino whistled, sneezing in the middle of it, creating a small guest of wind before continuing. Wondering if it had something to do with all the mana.
“Ooh, look at you, sensing that,” Vinessa said. Her avatar moved, peering at the spirit who turned a little purple, which was adorable to watch as the spirit got shy and flustered.
“Ah, mana?” Zerine wondered, getting everyone’s attention once again.
“Sashi, shall I tell her or you?” Vinessa wondered.
“I’ll gladly do it,” Sashi said.
Zerine jumped as Kelly pulled her shirt up in the back and began examining her.
“Right now Kelly is checking your body to ensure there aren’t side effects,” Sashi said.
“And to make sure you didn’t get hurt during your fighting,” Kelly interjected.
“And that,” Sashi continued with a small smile. “Raith will be back by tomorrow or the day after its just a precaution.”
“A precaution for what?” Zerine wondered.
“Since you haven’t had your crest, we haven’t explained advancement, but I’ll explain the broad strokes,” Sashi said, waving her hand. Three orbs of light appeared. One was a multi colored ethereal flame, the other a shimmering blue and purple sphere, and lastly a ball of Iridesium glittered.
“These three aspects of our being are the foundation of advancement. The mind,” the ethereal flame moved upwards. “It’s firmly in the realm of the metaphysical and the soul. Then we have the spirit.”
The sphere of blue and purple moved to be under the flame.
“This bridges the metaphysical and physical there by allowing us to channel our magic. Lastly, is the body.“
The Iridesium ball shifted to below the spirit sphere.
“This is our physical form and what binds us to the material plain. These all work together to make you, you. Now if we change this stack to a perfect triangle,” Sashi said, as the spheres reorganized themselves in a triangle with a silver line connecting all the spheres. “Every rank up, these spheres get closer and closer together. Mana channels spread throughout the body, willpower grows, and the body undergoes transformation. When you reach the peak of A-rank, there is a barrier.”
Varion chimed.
“Right, I will add that catalysts unlock aspects of the soul, infusing it into the mind, body, and spirit. But there are two barriers to becoming S-rank. The first is you need to have absorbed seven catalysts. Lastly, you have to have undergone what’s called a self revelation. There are only three of these revelations and the first one is currently what you’re going through right now. The first is discovering your drive.”
“So, what exactly happened just before the fight?” Vinessa wondered.
“Umm, I felt tingly,” Zerine replied. Based on the exasperated looks that her response got, Zerine explained further. “So, I entered a trance-like state after thinking about something, then I whispered it right before I fought the two sisters.”
“And that thought was?” Cal wondered.
Zerine didn’t meet anyone's gaze. She would have fidgeted if it weren’t for Kelly checking her back still.
“It was just a passing thought that I had, which put me in a trance, or at least I think it was a trance. Then I started thinking back,” she whispered. “I…I originally thought the thing that put me on this path was not wanting to be left behind as others got their crest. But that wasn’t it…it’s…it’s that I want to find a place where I feel like I belong or fit in. It’s hard to remember the wording exactly,” her voice cracked.
Varino’s tiny frame flew into her chest. Then arms wrapped around her as her parents embraced them.
When had she started to cry? Her cheeks were wet as she buried her face into her father’s shoulder. Zerine didn’t know why she felt so vulnerable telling them this, but she couldn’t stop the tears. They just kept coming.
***
Sashi watched the small family embrace grow as Zara joined them. Kelly had stepped back, giving them space and walked towards her looking uncertain.
Not a great sign.
“She’s in perfect health. There are signs of recent healing, probably due to the absurd amount of mana pouring into her healing bruises. If she gets hurt during this process, I-I won’t be able to do anything. There is too much mana in her body. It’s being absorbed like a sponge, a normal one, not the people eating mana absorbing ones. But that’s a good sign…right?” Kelly said. She had started confident, but it quickly left her as she went on.
“It’s still not showing any signs of slowing down,” Vinessa commented.
“No, but that is a good sign for setting a foundation,” Sashi said thoughtfully.
“Maybe, but it depends on a host of factors,” Vinessa said, while thinking, the biggest being if she survives whatever is looming in her future. Could this be because of the suppression of her soul and what her actual parents are?
“True,” Sashi said.
“I think it would be best for Raith and-” Kelly fidgeted. “If an Iridesium-rank healer observed her over the next few days. I also don’t have an idea when she will pass out during this process.”
***
“Pass out?” Zerine wondered. Her eyes were puffy. Varino was sitting on her shoulder while Ava had a reassuring hand resting on the other.
“Everyone has that happen to them when this transformation ends,” Sashi said.
“When will my end?” Zerine wondered, hoping to at least fight in the finals.
Oh, wait, why are we even here? Zerine thought.
“No clue,” Vinessa said nonchalantly.
“That’s-…wonderful,” Zerine said dryly.
“But since the amount of mana hasn’t slowdown, we’re still talking hours,” Sashi said.
“So, what about the finals?” Zerine wondered.
“You and Varino have time to rest. The ranking of the other participants will be determined, then you and Varino will go out for the finals,” Ava said.
Varino cheered, then burbled a question.
“No, you won’t be able to watch, rest here and discuss strategies,” Cal said.
Varino sighed.
“I’m still kinda stuck on the fact I will pass out randomly today and everyone is acting like this is normal, but it still feels like this isn’t normal?” Zerine said.
Varino patted her head, whistling that they could bet on when she would pass out for spirit fruits.
“I’m not betting on when I’ll pass out,” Zerine said, rolling her eyes before they narrowed. “Aren’t you getting a great deal as it is?”
Varino chittered.
“I totally agree you can’t ever have enough spirit fruits, but you're taking mine and the trees in my bead won’t bear fruit for a while still. Mom says everything in moderation for a reason, you know.”
Varino sighed.
“She’s right, sweetie,” Ava said, patting the spirit’s head, who grinned sheepishly.
“As for why, we are all on edge. You don’t have your crest and the amount of reading material on someone going through what you are is extremely low,” Vinessa said.
“Meaning she and I have people currently looking through records. Even The Huntress is putting people she trusts in the adventurer guild to see if they can gather information,” Sashi added.
“Wait, The Huntress is here!?” Zerine said excitedly. She was a legend and in charge of this part of the continent’s adventurer branches. On top of that, she rotated being in charge of one academy every few years. Zerine hoped that Wisteria Academy would be in the rotation while Zerine attended.
“Yes, and you two caught her eye, kiddos,” Cal said, grinning from ear to ear.
“How do you know?” Zerine wondered, while Varino gasped.
“I told them,” Sashi said, smiling as Zerine looked dazed by her words.
“Extra incentive to win, so you keep her attention,” Zara said.
“No pressure then,” Zerine grumbled.
“You just beat up two warriors from the temple of the warrior on your own and they were mid D-rank, so what is pressure to you?” Vinessa said.
“Fair, but what if I pass out during the match?”
Varino chimed, punching a hand in to the other, creating sparks from the impact.
“Couldn’t ask for a better partner to have my back. The Crown of Thorns won’t know what hit them,” Zerine said.
Varino smiled brightly.
“This is all well and good, but the ball might not be a wise choice,” Kelly said.
Both children groaned at that.
“If she passes out there, it won’t be that bad. One of us will keep an eye on her,” Vinessa said.
“I still find it crazy that I will pass out randomly. Why couldn’t things be straightforward and be over quickly?”
“We gave up on that when it came to you and Varino,” Zara said, getting chuckles from everyone and an eye roll from Zerine.
Varino whistle brightly.
“Yeah, life would be more boring that way. Just promise to catch me,” Zerine said.
Varino patted Zerine’s head again, saying she would make a cushion of air if she was around.
“I’ll take it,” Zerine said, smiling.
***
Everything was on fire, but it felt like a comforting embrace. Energy flooded her body and reacted to the incredibly dense affinities erupting out of her only adding to the inferno.
Kamar smiled, feeling the concept of solar energy flowing through her, while feeling her body transforming from a self-revelation. She had heard about it, of course, but didn’t know what lead to one. She would have to thank Zerine for this because if it weren’t for their conversation, she wasn’t sure if it would have occurred to her.
If that really was my self-revelation means now I’m on a timer. Plus, I don’t really know what else is happening to me, she thought. There was a lot more going on than just her concept realization and self-revelation, although she wasn’t sure if this was just how it would feel if both happened at the same time.
“I must say, it appears that I will have to push you further,” the disembodied voice said, sounding a little surprised to Kamar’s ears, making her grin.
“I’m glad I can surprise even scum like you. It makes me feel all warm,” Kamar taunted, walking towards the silver eyes, incinerating everything around her.
The voice tsked. “So young and naïve, get a taste of power and you believe you can take on the entire world. Let’s see how you feel when facing a reflection of your power. Enjoy the glimpse of this.”
The silver eyes approached her, taking on the very familiar form. Four wings with pointed tips fluttered behind a copy of her, but twisted. Kamar’s double had a green draconic eye with a silver pupil, while her other was all red. Two swept back horns protruding from her hair. A glave made from dark red and black metal glinted in the light of her inferno. Her double smiled at revealing a mouth of pointed teeth.
Kamar concentrated, and a glaive made from light and fire appeared in her hands.
Both versions of Kamar got ready, their blades poised to strike. They started circling one another, their auras constantly clashing for supremacy. Black and poisonous green flames flared, fighting her blazing golden light and crimson flames.
Their first clash created explosions of green and red. A fiery display rippling out in a wave of destruction lighting the void. Soon they were flying, their weapons blurs as spells were cast simultaneously. The power of her double became clear as Kamar’s mana began to dwindle, even as it was rapidly replenished from the mana pouring into her. Every exchange pushed Kamar back, matching what was happening to her aura.
Kamar slashed, putting her new concept, all her mana, and willpower. A star was born at the tip of her glaive, shining so brightly Kamar couldn’t even see and normally light had little to no effect. Her double created some sort of mass of green with tendrils that made bile rise in her throat. The mana just felt wrong
When the two conjured weapons and spells collided, the entire void shook as threads of mana rippled and twisted outwards from the two. One of the last things Kamar remembered was her double standing tall, not a scratch or sign of damage on her deformed body. The other and this would stay with her for the rest of her life. Cracks were spreading throughout the void, each giving her a glimpse of a mesmerizing sight. Threads of indescribable colors swirled and twisted, weaving a tapestry of incredible patterns. Mots of dancing lights and spheres of flame flowed, following along the scene current.
Beautiful, she thought, just before darkness took her.
***
“Here we go! It’s time for the D-rank finals! Who will win? Will it be The Crown of Thorns? Or Team Zappy Zappy?” The announcer’s voice boomed out.
Zerine glanced down at Varino, who was waving to the crowd. Without even looking, Vaiano patted the Zerine leg reassuringly.
They had spent their time discussing the upcoming match, which only lead to Zerine becoming more worried. Evidently, The Crown of Thorns only had one match where they struggled and it was fighting two peak D-rank Verash. Meanwhile, their team had a Crestless and a mid D-rank elemental. To make things even worse, one of their opponents was a Treant.
Wellp, I guess I really have gone nuts. It took all this time, but here I am looking at a ten foot tall sapient tree and…is she a dryad? Any way, and I’m about to fight them, yeah, I’m crazy. This is crazy. But what is the difference between a Dryad and a nature elemental? When does one end and the other begin, these and other thoughts flew through Zerine’s mind as she kept trying to distract herself from what was going to be a shit show of a final match.