I’m currently walking (well, slithering - have I mentioned how weird that feels?) through the village with Kaitlyn. I haven’t bonded with her yet, and she doesn’t know about my decision or my thoughts about Daimier. Which is why we’re out and about- I want to make absolutely certain that she would be the best choice.
The best way to get a gauge of someone’s personality is in how they interact with other people. Sure, her mind has told me basically all I need to know, but I’m a tad paranoid. There is always the chance she’s found some way to hide things from me. I have my own method, after all.
And so, she and I take a stroll down the street - Titania following as her telepathy spell has a certain distance limit. It’s going well! She has no untoward thoughts about anyone she meets - and there are a lot of people considering I’ve garnered some fame here - and has demonstrated and an ability to be polite. She stays polite as there’s no reason to be rude rather than from kindness, which is fine in my books.
As I study her interactions, she showcases a perfect balance of no unnecessary violence nor kindness. She gives kindness where it doesn’t cost her of course, in casual compliments and polite attitudes, but doesn’t have any further thoughts on the people she meets. Even when some people - rather rudely, actually - start ranting about their woes to us out of nowhere. Some of the people in this town seriously need therapy or something.
While roaming, I notice a large black wolf in front of us. When it gets closer, I realize it’s not a normal wolf at all.
I look on in awe at the Great Beast’s soft black and red fur intermingled with feathers. Rather than bulky like most wolves, this one is lean in figure with bird features blending in with it’s wolf body. It sports a pair of large wings on it’s back, it’s forelegs are that of a bird’s rather than paws, and it has feathers spread across it’s back and tail. It’s also giant - it’s shoulders easily reach Titania’s height. I’m still slightly taller, though. Hah.
I don’t have to wonder long about the Great Beast’s presence when Titania greets it happily, “Nixie!” She’s quick to run towards and hug the apparent phoenix-wolf.
I feel Kaitlyn’s vague interest mirror my own as we look at the being. Quite honestly, Nixie looks cool as hell. Though, aren’t phoenixes supposed to be orange and yellow - sporting the colors of flame? Maybe its his wolf side making him black and red.
Titania excitedly leads her bonded over to introduce us. “This is Nixie, my Bonded. Nixie, this is the other Great Beast I told you about and one of her bonding candidates, Kaitlyn.”
Nixie nods at me in respect, and I can immediately tell by looking into his coal black eyes that he’s sentient. Then, he walks up to me and starts sniffing me.
Titania must notice my confusion because she speaks up, “Oh don’t worry, he does this to everyone he meets. It’s easier for him to remember others by scent than sight.” Oh, that makes sense.
Nixie huffs at me, which I think is an agreement? Creature body language differs between species so I can’t really tell. I could just smell bad. I watch as he moves to Kaitlyn, who has been patiently standing by while studying the wolf.
Nixie takes one whiff and…
Instantly starts growling.
Suddenly, his fur lightens - black turning to red, and orange, and yellow as color fills his body. He begins to glow as his wings spread threateningly and catch fire, his eyes changing from onyx to a smoldering orange-white… Well, that answers my question about his colors.
I back up, startled, as Titania comes out of nowhere and knocks Kaitlyn to the ground. I feel Kaitlyn’s pain and confusion as Titania holds her down roughly with her staff. “You bitch!” She yells, and I notice that her hair is turning yellow much like Nixie, even her voice drops into a growl as she speaks. “What spell is on you?! Why does Nixie sense mind magic on you?”
Uuuuh, what?
I look deeper into Kaitlyn’s mind, and yeah she’s just as confused as I am. She has no memory of any spell being placed on her, and has no idea what Titania is talking about. There’s no way to fake that, right? Did someone else put mind magic on her? Why would she even put mind magic on herself?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about! The only runic thing I own is a few medical runes!” She says, her mind filled with genuine honesty.
Titania narrows her eyes. She glances at Nixie, who nods - presumably in response to a mental command - and leans his head down to Kaitlyn. He opens his mouth and…
Breathes in?
Instantly, there’s a difference. I stare in shock as new memories and emotion floods into my mind from Kaitlyn. They move quickly, too quickly for me to reorient myself and catch most of them. But I catch the more recent ones.
She used a runic object to erase her memory of certain things. Not only that, she used it to change her entire personality - all to gain my favor. She had done research, sent others in with similar memory erasing and personality altering done to them. Until she had found the perfect personality to entice me with, and used it on herself. The reason it wasn’t picked up by the runes at the door is because the object isn’t on her. It’s a spell similar to Titania’s telepathy that activates via touch and simply needs to stay within range. The tent doesn’t stop outside magic signals, else Titania would have to stay inside the tent.
Sure, the personality I knew was similar to her true one, but there’s a few key differences.
The first thing I notice is her extreme hatred for the royal family.
Even now, while neither of the present royalty are in sight, the hatred burns at the back of her mind. All she can think about is ‘I was so close to getting at those bastards’.
She purposely avoids thinking about why she’s so angry at them, and her mind stays strong even as I try to mentally prod her for more information.
However, when she glances at me she doesn’t bother to hide her true feelings for me.
No longer am I an equal. Now, I’m a means to an end - something so far off her radar that there’s not once a thought about my well being or opinions as there was before. I’m no more than a particularly powerful bug she can use for her own gain.
She easily brushes my presence off and looks at Titania. She’s no longer confused about the supposed presence of mind magic, anymore.
I… I’ve been deceived. And she doesn’t even care how that has affected me.
“I don’t know what you just did, or what you’re talking about. Please let me up!” She says, her face not changing from what it was before. Yet, now I know she’s acting.
Titania goes to speak, but I gain her attention when I slither closer. I tap her staff, specifically the glowing runes. She’s immediately understanding, “Oh, you want me to disconnect you? Right, you probably felt her pain when I pushed her around. Sorry.”
She quickly cancels the spell, not moving her staff from it’s spot on Kaitlyn’s chest. Nixie stands close by, tensed and ready to move as flames crackle around him. Titania doesn’t notice the sudden panic overtaking Kaitlyn until she starts to struggle.
Titania looks confused at Kaitlyn’s sudden panic, out of character considering her calm earlier. “Did the spell go wrong or something? Why are you suddenly afraid?”
I place a hand on Kaitlyn to hold her down, and gesture Titania to move back. She complies in further confusion, before suddenly looking at Nixie and relaxing. “Ah.” She vocalizes a tone of understanding.
As I turn to look at Kaitlyn, her eyes change to defiance in the face of the plan she had read from my mind. Her face morphed into a crazed grin as she begins to yell, “DOWN WITH THE RYUSHOS, DOWN WITH THE ROYAL FAMILY! BURN THE MONARCHY, LET ANARCHY REIN IN IT’S STEAD!” She devolves into cackles.
… This woman is a nutjob.
I hold her down to stop her from squirming, and inhale. Sparks crackle along my jaw and energy gathers in my chest, before I release it. A torrent of flames explode from my mouth, warping the woman’s cackles into screams as she’s burned alive. I watch through the flames as her skin turns black and melts off her bones, and I feel as her flesh flakes between my talons. Her betrayal deserves no more effort than these flames that come naturally to me, and no less effort that would result in a more peaceful death.
As a Keyuu, I don’t smell unless I actively use my tongue to do so. However, when the screams stop and I cut off the flow of fire I glance up at the gathered crowd and find they all have their noses covered. A few even vomit or run away. Burnt flesh must not smell very good.
Titania comes up and pats my shoulder even as she covers her own nose with her shirt. “Sorry, I’m not sure how she tricked you but I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
I look at her and shake my head.
“Huh?” She blinks, “No? What do you mean?”
I gestured at the pile of burnt flesh and bones before holding up two fingers.
She studies me for a moment, attempting to guess what I’m trying to convey. At this point I think she enjoys trying to puzzle out what I mean without telepathy. Finally, she smiles. “Right. There were only two likely candidates weren’t there? Alright. I can bring him by later? Give you some time?”
I nod, before making my way to the tent - cleaning my hands in some grass along the way.
I take my time alone in the tent to reflect. I may have been… a bit hasty in my dismissal of Daimier. Honestly, his intense emotions scare me. They remind me… They remind me of a time in my first life, when I was full of hatred myself. The time I eyed knifes and snuck them away to hide in my room. When my talent in art was composed entirely of red sharpie depicting blood. The time when my mind was so filled with thoughts of hatred and revenge that seeing my parents vulnerable when they slept was thrilling. The past before I shut down.
Perhaps it was these unpleasant memories that made me so hesitant to get close to Daimier. I would be reminded of these memories every time I looked at him, forced to confront them in his mannerisms. This new life is an opportunity to escape from my first, so why should I subject myself to memories of my past?
Truly, I’ve been doing nothing but making excuses because I’m afraid. Not only of being reminded of the past, but also of forming attachments now. Everyone I’ve known and loved in the past has left in some way or another. Usually through death, so I can’t even get mad at them for leaving me. If I get attached to someone else, will that not happen again? And again? Because it will happen now. It’s practically guaranteed because of this cycle of reincarnation. I will never join an afterlife filled with my past loved ones. Though… Is that really so bad?
I may never be able to join my loved ones in death, but perhaps… Well, I can make new loved ones. I can find new people as I explore worlds. That’s a chance of a lifetime. Meeting new people can be fun, right? And… I always had an issue with befriending multiple people at once. It always felt like I was splitting my attention too much. Like this, I can make a lot of friends but not have that issue. I can make one friend, and when… When they pass on, or I pass on, or they get tired of me. I can just. Move on. I suppose.
I had been drawn to Kaitlyn because of her lack of empathy. I had thought that, maybe, if she couldn’t get attached to me then I wouldn’t have to worry about returning it. Sure, I wanted - and still want - an emotional connection, and had decided that’s what I wanted, but I guess my subconscious didn’t catch up.
Aren’t I supposed to be mental illness free? Why the fuck do I feel depressed? I want a refund.
Anyway… Point is, Daimier’s ability to form connections shouldn’t be a con. Sure, he’s got a better relationship with his brother now, but that’s a good thing. That means he’s not a psychopath… Like I was.
Maybe, forming an emotional bond is what I need to sort out all this trauma bullshit I’ve got going on so I can stop being so damn… Traumatized, I guess. Crazy. I just have to take the first step, ignore my hesitations.
And so, I sit with my head laying on the table within the tent as I wait for Daimier to arrive. I have a couple of questions to ask, that I probably should’ve asked in the first damn place instead of brushing the poor boy off as soon as he decided to be a healthy human being and get along with his brother.
I sit there for a couple of hours in tense silence before he arrives.
As soon as Titania walks him in, I notice he looks nervous. I briefly wonder why before deciding I’ll see once we’re connected.
“Nixie checked his scent, no magic.” Titania reassures me before gesturing for Daimier to sit. He does so, and Titania connects our minds.
Instantly, I know the cause of his worries. He had seen me kill Kaitlyn from his hotel window. It’s not the death itself that bothers him, or even that I killed someone, but rather that he doesn’t know what angered me. And also… I caught a glimpse of the jealousy and sadness he had felt - he was watching Kaitlyn and I walk down the street before the commotion. I don’t mention that I saw that memory, but come on I feel like I kicked a puppy now. That memory is just so puppy-like in behavior, what the fuck.
I immediately send him my memory of the event to reassure him. He takes a moment to process the memory before his eyes widen and he relaxes.
I watch his thought process follow a basic line of: ‘Oh it was a betrayal, which I have no plans to do so I’m good’. I also notice that he feels some glee over his competition dying, which is amusing to witness. The whole maniac speech Kaitlyn gave against royalty is apparently not as important to him as getting my favor. I give him a moment before I begin my questioning.
‘Knowing that you now have a good relationship with your brother, do you still want to travel?’ I start with.
He nods, relaxing into the familiarity of getting to know each other. He does find it odd that he’s been asked to meet me twice today, but assumes it has to do with Kaitlyn. ‘Yes. Though I now know my interactions with Olivaire were tainted by the King, it’s difficult to come to terms with. I have decided that I simply won’t hate him anymore, however neither will I stay with him.’ He tells me, feeling determined and decisive. He had thought a lot about that question. It’s a fair answer, in my opinion.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
‘What do you plan to do after bonding with me?’ The question throws him off, as before now I avoided mentioning bonding. The wording also sparks some hope from him. ‘Well… I would like to go to the College of Summerside. It is mostly meant for soldiers, but I plan to learn to defend myself and learn about runes. After I’m confident in my knowledge so that I am not a burden to you, I would like to run away from this continent and see what lies beyond the seas. You came from across the seas, haven’t you?’
I nod, ‘Yes, however it was a very unpleasant experience so I would like to find a solution other than flying myself.’ I send him my memories of crossing the sea. It took months, considering I - I mean, the Keyuu - had to swim most of the way. She also had to learn to swim along the way.
Daimier nods, now understanding intimately how bad of an idea that would be. ‘I- we, would find a way.’ He says, suddenly timid. I pick up that he’s hesitant to say ‘we’ because the idea that I would actually bond with him is so far off in his mind that it doesn’t feel real. Especially after the whole Kaityln issue.
‘So, you would be willing to improve yourself so that you don’t rely on me, and you’re willing to leave all you’ve known to travel with me?’ I ask for clarification.
He pauses, and I catch a stray thought about the finality of my words. Finally, he nods with intense determination and honesty. ‘Yes.’
I nod at Titania, who stood nearby. In return, she smiles brightly and nods. In response to Daimier’s growing confusion, I reveal the plan I had hidden from him. His emotions light up in joy and disbelief as Titania begins to speak, “Daimier Ryusho, a Great Beast has chosen to bond with you. As a fellow Bonded, I will help with the process.” She pauses, eying Daimier’s overwhelmed expression with amusement and giving him a moment to respond.
Finally, Daimier smiles and speaks with a spark in his green eyes that chases the dullness away. “Okay. How is it done?”
Titania waves us over, away from the table separating us. We stand, facing each other, in the middle of the tent. “Nixie showed me a memory of how he bonded with me. You’re going to have to do all the work,” She looks at me, “Daimier, you just have to accept her magic.”
We both nod before she continues. “Now, I don’t know if my spell will mess with the process so I’m going to remove it.” Titania informs us. She cancels the spell, and I’m left with remnants of Daimier’s happiness.
“Alright, place your hand on his chest.” Titania directs. I inch forward to close the distance between us before doing so, noting Daimier staying stock still. Probably nervous, not wanting to mess it up.
“Direct your magic to your hand.” With my skill in [Magic Molding] I easily follow her directions and nod to signal I did so. “Guide your magic out of your hand and into his chest. Gently. You’ll be able to feel his organs, make sure to go around them. Choose a spot away from any organs and slowly gather your magic there.” She explains slowly and carefully.
When Titania notices Daimier’s alarmed face, she giggles. “Don’t worry, I just have to explain the first few steps. After she pools her magic, it’ll start getting pulled in on it’s own.” He looks at me with a hint of worry, and I try to reassure him with a nod. He takes a deep breath which I feel underneath my hand, before he narrows his eyes and nods in determination.
I slowly guide my magic into his chest, snaking around his heart and lungs. I choose the spot opposite to his heart and pool my magic there.
Instantly, there’s a pull.
Oddly enough, the pull feels pleasant - and familiar. As I no longer need to manually guide my magic, Daimier unknowingly draws it in himself, I think on where I’ve felt this before…
Alexie.
This is the same pull I felt from Alexie, but more intense! Did Daimier have a latent creature attracting ability like Alexie? Was Alexie nobility??
Wait… Kurotto, I get notifications for skills I unlock, right?
《Yes.》
And I unlock Bloodline skills when I kill or befriend someone with the skill, right?
《Yes.》
Then why didn’t I get a notification for Alexie’s creature attracting skill?
《It was not a skill that attracted creatures to Alexie.》
…?????
What?? I am so confused right now. If that wasn’t a skill then what the hell was it? And why is Daimier giving a similar feeling?
I should probably think deeper about this later, when I’m not molesting someone with my magic. I don’t want something to go wrong.
I watch - or feel - as my magic coalesces into a sphere in Daimier’s chest. Looking at him, his nose is scrunched up - I wonder what it feels like to him.
“The process can take a while, depending on how much magic you can hold. Humans can usually only handle a small magic core, but who knows? You may be different, sir prince.” Titania teases, causing Daimier to roll his eyes.
After a few minutes, I get a notification.
《WARNING! SKILL [MAGIC CORE] IS BEING DRAINED. IF THIS CONTINUES, [MAGIC CORE] WILL LOSE MILESTONES.》
Ah yeah, forgot about that. Eh, he can have the whole core at this point - I barely use it. So, I continue to feed him my magic for a few more minutes until I get another notification.
《WARNING! SKILL [MAGIC CORE] HAS DOWNGRADED TO (INTERMEDIATE).》
I’ll give it till basic, I guess. Or until his body starts rejecting it.
As we stand here with no outward signs of anything happening, I glance to Titania. Her eyebrows are raised and she looks mildly impressed - showing that Daimier absorbing this much is unusual. At this point, Daimier should have a basic core… Is it really that impressive?
《WARNING! SKILL [MAGIC CORE] DOWNGRADED TO (BASIC).》
Alright, time to cut it off. I can tell that Daimier would be able to take more, which I assume is incredible, but I’d like to keep some magic for enhancing myself in a pinch.
As I withdraw my magic, I feel as if Daimier’s body is attempting to pull it back. At this point, his new core is stronger than mine so it’s difficult to fight against. However, I’ve got more experience molding magic and the core is formed from my magic. I find that I have control over both my own magic and the magic within Daimier’s new core, so I both pull my magic to me and push his magic away. As soon as my magic is back in my core, I feel something click.
Suddenly, it’s as if Titania’s spell is back and I’m flooded with Daimier’s thoughts. Oh, yeah, he really was worried something would go wrong, the worry wart.
He halfheartedly glares at me when he catches wind of that thought.
Titania claps when she sees me move my hand away. “Awesome! Did it work?” Despite the question sounding rhetorical, we both nod. “Alright! Now, we get to train! Isn’t that exciting?” Daimier, at least, nods enthusiastically. I get flashbacks from him training in swordplay and loving it. Damn, I didn’t know he was such a training nut.
I get a mental reprimand from him, and insistent claims that he’s not a nut. But nothing about the training bit, I lord over him smugly.
“Great!” Titania interrupts our mental banter, “I have a good clearing in mind that’s not far from here. Nixie is waiting outside.” We follow her as she leaves the tent.
Daimier has a question for me, though. Well, he doesn’t direct it toward me but I hear him thinking about the topic of a name for me. Wondering if he was supposed to give me one.
‘You can name me, I don’t really care. Names are just useful tools for discerning one person from another in conversation.’ I tell him, rather cooly. ‘...But if you’re going to give me one, make it cool.’
I feel his amusement as he glances at me. ‘You don’t care, but you want a cool one huh?’ He teases me.
‘Of course.’ I say confidently as if unaware of the conflict between my words. But I can’t trick him that easily, and he rolls his eyes.
We stand beside each other in the clearing, Nixie in front of me and Titania in front of Daimier. “Now,” Titania starts with a mischievous smirk, “firstly I should tell you something about bonds that isn’t common knowledge.”
Suddenly, she begins to morph. Her red hair becomes tipped with orange and yellow like it had when she was angry earlier, and she dramatically throws her cloak across the clearing. I startle as whole ass wings sprout from her back, followed shortly by a furry tail - both matching her hair in color. As she grins, I notice her teeth sharpening as she flares out her wings, which promptly catch fire. She looks like she stole body parts from Nixie.
Speaking of Nixie, the Canix looks unimpressed at his Bonded’s dramatics.
Both Daimier and I are in shock as she speaks, her voice now deeper, “A bonded human can take on parts of their Bonded! But only once the two begin to trust one another. It took a couple of years before Nixie and I were in sync enough to manage this.” She smiles, before frowning. “Though, the creature bonded can’t take human form. We think it;s because I have his magic, not the other way around. So my core is imprinted with his shape, the magic within perfectly willing to mold my body to what it’s used to. This can only be done when you trust each other, both because you need to trust your magic enough to let it control your body shape, and because if she doesn’t trust you then she unconsciously restricts your magic core.”
Makes sense to me, and apparently Daimier understands too. Even though we’ve been getting to know each other with telepathy for the past week or so, I can tell we don’t fully trust each other. Daimier seems to share similar trust issues as me, at least.
We have a moment of mutual bonding as we share our separate - yet similar- issues with trust.
“I could even turn into a full Canix if I wanted to, but then I wouldn’t be able to speak. I’m only telling you this since I know you two are antsy to go out into the world, and this won’t be an option until you’re long gone and I can’t tell you about it anymore. So I figured I’d let you know.” She tells us before shifting back to normal and collecting her coat. As I see her back, I realize the reason she wears the coat is to hide the slits in her clothing that allow the extra limbs to slip through without tearing her clothing. I guess there’s no werewolf magic clothes logic here, then.
“Some parts can permanently stick too, but those tend to be more color than any extra limbs. My hair and eyes, for example.” She waves at her face after her coat is back on, and I notice her eyes are a fiery yellow that almost glows. Her hair is as shiny and red as it’s always been. “I used to have green eyes, but now they’re yellow similar to Nixie’s when he channels magic. My hair has always been red, but it used to be darker. These changes depend on how much, unconsciously, you’re willing to change. Some bonded humans prefer to stay the same, while I was happy to allow some small things through to match Nixie better. It’s all up to you.” She nods towards Daimier, who is now lost in thought.
He’s wondering how much he’d be willing to change. He finds surprisingly few things he’d care to keep about himself.
“Now,” She starts after a short pause, “Most of this training is for Daimier. The only thing I can suggest for you is to get used to your smaller core size. But you can do that yourself, right?” I nod in return.
I notice how awkward it sounds with her avoiding using a name for me. She always uses female pronouns or ‘you’ to address me. It makes the conversation sound a little stilted.
This thought apparently triggers Daimier into thinking up names (of which he’s doing terribly at), which distracts him from what Titania says next. “So, we’ll need to get Daimier used to using magic. It’s very different from using a runic object, and involves more imagination than memorization. You can use words to help you focus on what you want your magic to do, but this can be detrimental in a battle. Got it?” She explains, before realizing Daimier wasn’t paying attention and staring him down expectantly.
Amused, I nudge him mentally and he snaps back into awareness to see Titania staring a hole through him. His eyes widen, “Uh…” He glances at me, and I decide to pity him and send him my memory of what she said. He straightens up, “Get used to using magic, words can be useful for focus but shouting them out can be deadly in battle! Got it!”
Titania snorts, “I see you’re already taking advantage of the mind link, good. Don’t waste any resources you have, use everything available to you to make up for what isn’t.” She tells him sternly, and he nods quickly.
At this point, I sense a growing respect in Daimier for Titania. Understandable, she’s awesome. Daimier agrees with that sentiment.
“Let’s start with magic molding.” She begins, walking closer and sitting in front of Daimier, gesturing for him to do the same. He sits down, and I decide to settle down next to him.
She guides him through the process of drawing magic from his core, which she claims should be pretty easy considering it’s a foreign object he didn’t have before. She turns out to be right as I feel his magic moving through his body from our link.
“This method is both a training exercise, and can be a boon in itself. Channeling magic to specific parts of your body can enhance their effectiveness. You can make your eyes see farther and clearer, your lungs work more efficiently, your punches stronger, and even enhance your taste if you really wanted to. Not all magic will be good in a fight, but may just make life easier or more fun.” She smiles at him, and I send him memories of using magic to enhance myself to help him see what it can do. “Magic cores have elemental affinities. These affinities can be as broad a term as Earth, or as narrow as Sand. Usually, bonded humans gain an affinity for whatever our creature friends have, but unlike them we can use all other elements. Before bonding, a creature can only use the elements of their magic core, but now you two can use other elements with some effort and practice. Your element will come to you as easily as breathing, with no training needed.” She then turns to me, “What’s your affinity?”
I pause. And think. And think some more.
I feel Daimier’s incredulousness as I realize I don’t know. “You don’t know your affinity?” He asks, “How?!”
I shrug, ‘I don’t use magic beyond enhancing my body.’
He sighs and pats his forehead in an oddly gentle facepalm. He’s currently thinking I’m insane because magic is awesome and should be used more. Which, fair, but I’m awesome without needing magic. He rolls his eyes and relays my message to Titania. “She never uses magic outside her body.”
Titania raises an eyebrow. “Ah. I see. Well, there’s a way to find out.” She claims, before pointing across the field, “Just force your magic out of your body with no intent for it to do anything, and It’ll turn into what comes natural. Just point it away from us.”
I nod and hold my hand out and away from them. I focus, bringing magic to my hand, before pushing it out.
Instantly, there’s a loud whoosh and the grass is laid flat as a volley of fire explodes from my hand. The fire seems to have a barrier of wind around it that whistles through the trees and howls with the crackling of flames. When the assault stops, the grass in front of me - all the way up to the tree line - is torched ash.
I feel Daimier’s shock as my brain takes a moment to catch up. Aren’t I supposed to have less magic? That seems hella powerful for just a basic core.
Daimier thinks that’s a good question and turns to Titania, “She says she only has a small core now. How is she that strong?”
Titania smiles, “Oh, did I not mention? She may have less magic in her, but it’s still the same quality. She can use less magic, but the magic is still just as potent as before. Not only that, but if you really need to you two can exchange magic through touch - if one runs out, the other can provide.”
Wait, so I didn’t actually lose most of my magic? That’s so overpowered! Daimier agrees, and I notice he’s looking at the burnt grass with glee.
Shit, I’ve just made a pyromaniac.
“Anyway, it looks like you’ve got two affinities! That’s pretty common for Great Beasts. Nixie here is fire and darkness.” She gestures toward the Canix, who is diligently scanning the surroundings for threats. “All it takes to cast magic is to know what you want your magic to form. With your two main affinities, it’s easy.” She holds out her hand and above it forms a simple fox made of fire. “You’re limited only by your imagination. Of course, making detailed forms takes familiarity, but detail isn’t necessary in a fight.” The fire morphs into an extremely detailed miniature Nixie, with darkness detailing the fire and adding fur lines and eyes.
“Other elements take more effort and concentration, as your magic doesn’t have their imprint on it. Anything you forget to add automatically takes the form of your affinity.” The figure in her hand changes to a fox again, then shifts to be water instead of flame. Looking closely, I can see that the water is - very subtly - flickering as if it’s still fire. “Sometimes, you end up with a mesh of the two if you’re not detailed enough.” She tosses the water fox at the grass, and instantly it loses form and takes over the grass. Rather than sinking into the ground like water, it acts like fire and spreads across the grass - while still looking like water.
“These ‘mistakes’ can end up useful by adding an element of surprise to your attacks.” She waves a hand and the water-fire is gone. “Anything made by your magic is always in your control. If you stop focusing on it, it simply fizzles out and becomes ambient magic - magical flame, for example, won’t continue to spread without you directing it. It can spread on it’s own, but only if you let it. So, as long as you focus on your magic, you can use it indefinitely. The only thing holding you back is your mental fortitude.” She explains to Daimier, but I listen in because this is all new to me.
Hey, wait a second, doesn’t that mean you can just bring magic back into your core when you’re done with it?
Daimier feels curiosity at my question, and sees no reason why that wouldn’t be possible. He relays my question to Titania, “Can you not recycle magic back into you, in that case?”
“Yup!” Titania grins, “If you keep your concentration, then when you’re done with your magic you can bring it right back! That’s why mental fortitude is so important when you possess a magic core. It’s also why humans with magical cores are so dangerous, because creatures tend to not have the mentality to use and recycle their magic, despite having the capability to do so.”
Daimier places his hand on his chin, deep in thought. He’s thinking about how he can train such a skill. I roll my eyes and mentally nudge him, ‘Ask Titania, doofus. She's willing to help and knows this stuff.’
Daimier feels embarrassment from the reprimand, before speaking up while wondering what a doofus is, “How can I train my concentration?”
“Well,” She starts, “You can do this many ways. You can practice focusing on one thing despite outside distractions, or even multiple things. You can practice multitasking with magic while also fighting or even just talking. Do you know any form of fighting?” She asks curiously.
Daimier nods with pride, “I’m very good with the sword arts, I’ve been training against soldiers since I was young. I don’t… have a sword on me, though.” He finishes with disappointment.
“Ah, well maybe-” Titania starts, before she’s interrupted by a distant voice.
“Here you go little brother!” Olivaire appears out of fucking nowhere with his smiley ass face, emeerging from the treeline with a sheathed sword in his hand. He walks toward us, stopping nearby to toss the sword at Daimier. Daimier scrambles to catch it from his spot on the ground.
“You should really stop leaving without it, you know. Who knows when you might need it?” He says, smile never leaving his face. That’s creepy as fuck.
“Were you there… the whole time?” He asks in mild shock. Titania nods and watches the older prince expectantly, likely wondering herself.
“Of course! Can’t let my brother go into the woods with strangers without me, can I?” He announces confidently. Daimier’s emotions switch to unimpressed, and I can hear him wondering how he ever thought his brother was evil. He uses my terminology and calls Olivaire a nutjob, to which I silently agree.
“Well then,” Titania says, “I guess your presence doesn’t hurt.” She then stands up and gives her staff to Nixie, who gently takes it in his mouth. “How about a spar, Daimier? But with a few restrictions.”
Daimier blinks before standing up with her, excited. “What kind of restrictions?”
Titania grins, “First of all, during the whole duration of the fight you must keep a ball of flame floating somewhere nearby without it dispersing! You can use other magic if you want, but that ball of flame will not be used to fight with. Understood?” Daimier lights up, training maniac that he is, immediately understanding the importance of this exercise. He nods frantically.
“Good! Now, everyone clear out and give us room.” She makes a shooing motion, so I slither away with Nixie and Olivaire to watch from a distance.
They get into position, Daimier instantly summoning a ball of fire to sit on the sidelines. Even though it’s his first time using outside magic, the fire comes to him naturally - as easy as breathing, like Titania said.
Then, Titania gets a maniacal grin on her face. I feel Daimier’s growing worry before the entire clearing goes black.
Like, as in, I can’t see shit despite having night vision.
I feel Daimier get bopped on the head as light returns to the clearing. When my eyes refocus, I see Titania in front of a shocked Daimier with her hand on his head. “Come on, you didn’t even keep the fire up for a second! As soon as it went dark, it dissipated. You need to keep it up even when you can’t see it, even through outside surprises and distractions. Do better.” She reprimands him before walking back to her previous spot.
I feel Daimier’s shocked nervousness change into determination as he makes another ball of fire. He readies himself once again.
This time, Titania doesn’t try another trick. Instead, her hands morph into talons and she runs toward Daimier to take a swipe at him. In response, he redirects the talon into the ground with his sword, brows furrowed as his attention is split. He goes to counterattack, but Titania is already crouched down to dodge. She whirls around him with grace, aiming to slash his back.
Before she can hit him, wind howls from his back and pushes her away. This gives him time to turn around in an attempt to attack again, but Titania stops him. “Ah-ah-ah, you lost! Your fire dissipated when you used more magic.” She informs him gleefully.
He glances over, and sure enough, the flame is gone.
The matches continue like that, the two fighting over and over while Daimier struggles with dividing his attention.
I consider testing my core like Titania suggested, but realized it wouldn’t matter. What was affected is my reserves, how much magic I have. And I never used magic outside my body anyway, for it to dissipate, so I have no previous experience that would require me to get used to the new reserves.
I feel a tap on my shoulder, and turn my head to see a smiley Olivaire looking at me. I tilt my head in question. “You’ll look after Daimier, right?” He asks me with an intense look behind his eyes.
I blink, thinking about how I literally have no reason not to. But I can’t speak, so all I can do is nod in agreement.
He stares for a moment, and I get the feeling that he’s judging my soul. His smile widens, “Good!” He exclaims before turning back to watch Daimier fight with intense concentration.
Alright then, fuckin weirdo.