Chapter 19 Navaro.
Every being is composed of many strange pieces.
Every being will share some of these pieces with others.
But no one can share all of their being.
And if they did, they’ll no longer "be".
Koshavi the Princess of Dreams
Over the next two months, I’ve spent my time, and resources on research. I tried going to a lesson given by a mage to those who are interested. The entrance fee is twenty gems, and the mage giving the lesson pretty much tells me things I already know from the books I’ve bought, or things I can find and buy in the temple of Tukado. Hence I stick to self-study.
My research focuses on two aspects.
The first is how magic works, or, in other words: how to directly get stronger right now.
The human body has ten mana-pools in it, and each one needs a different meditation method. Seven of these mana pools are elemental in nature. In other words, the mana is directly connected to a specific element, and provides mana for that element alone. Like the pool in my forehead that can only provide gravity mana.
The other three provide general mana that can be used for all types of elements, but these three pools mainly have other uses. Like the pool in my neck that allows me to draw mana from sources charged with mana and turn it into elemental mana.
Currently my only formed mana pools are the one in my forehead, which is connected to gravity, and the one in my neck. While I’ve opened the fire pool, my use of fire magic is extremely limited. After looking at the parchment I got from Master Rushmia, I know all too well why, my affinity for fire is as low as it gets.
Thus, I proceed to research my four main options on which mana-pool to open next - based on my affinity.
The crown-knot mana pool: allows me to passively draw mana from my surrounding area, as well as sense other mages' presence. Since I have a high affinity for it, it should be the obvious pick. The book I’ve bought back as a neophyte explains that this pool will allow me to passively draw on mana from all living things around me.
Yet, it also explains that this pool doesn’t have much use inside the Sapphire tower. I can’t draw mana from other casters who have this pool, and there are no animals or plant life within the tower. Which limits drawing mana passively from the non-caster neophytes and slaves alone. Considering every caster here with crown pools probably already does it, the amount I'd get is miniscule. Hence, despite my affinity, opening or forming this pool is pointless at the moment.
The storage-abdomen mana pool: allows me to store a small amount of general elemental-less mana that could be converted to any element I have a pool for. As well as convert mana from one elemental pool, to another while losing some of the mana in the process.
For example, convert six gems of wind mana into a single gem of gravity mana, and vice versa. This would do me no good since my only formed elemental pool is gravity at the moment.
This leaves me with wind, and water.
While I am weaker with wind according to the sheet I received from Rushmia, wind spells are faster than water. What I currently lack in terms of combat ability, is the ability to inflict damage at range. The wind blade Nolan used impressed me, I even bought the book for it already.
After a short deliberation, I decide that my next mana pool will be the one related to wind. The sheet indicates that my wind affinity is a little below average, which should be enough for me to cast spells freely. An affinity of 3 and lower limits the amount of spells I can cast from said element, not to mention the low amount of mana the pool gives.
These days I spend my time meditating and forming the wind pool. Apparently the more affinity a person has with an element, the easier it is to form the pool. My affinity with gravity is high, and it took a few days once I’ve learned how to get into my long trance.
However. Wind, an element I have an average affinity for, takes a lot longer. I’ve spent almost two months in this meditation and only opened the pool. I am halfway to the full formation and full control over wind mana, and I know it’d take me a couple of weeks to get there, but at least I can create a small breeze now.
My other research project is about the fae. But on this subject, I pretty much hit a dead end. There are thousands of fae types, each with their unique traits and features. Even those who are associated with gravity magic are in the fifteen hundreds or so, and those are only the ones I found a record of.
From the gigantic Amethyst dragons who live for thousands of years, to Dulpons, small miniaturized lifeforms that float around, harassing innocent passersby by tripping them and making their feet heavier than they are.
Life settles down for us. No more threats from others, no more wondering when I’m going to die. Life as an apprentice is a peaceful one. Even apprentices who hate each other know it’d be a bad idea to kill one another. And thus, people reach tactful agreements, even if they have disagreements.
I invest some time into money-making in order to sustain myself and manage to come out with a method for a steady income. I hire neophytes as assistants, make them copy my books, then sell these cheaply to the temple of Tukado. I gain about three to five gems for each book, and they take some time to copy, but not my time. I can meditate while the neophytes work their asses off. At least I am not bullying them like Oshi does.
Nalfit and I get close. Close mostly means I let her talk my ear off while absorbing information and snuggling now and then. I figure pretty quickly that I’m not attracted to women, but I enjoy having someone care about me in such a loving manner, and I don't want her to stop.
I dedicate some time to a weekly meeting with my friends. Kolag, Lezere, Purson and even Janara—whom I barely see despite sharing a dorm with—always show up for these weekly meetings we hold. We usually sit around in the local temple of Tonisha, drink something, and find something to talk about or some news to share.
I want to keep my friends around. I still need friends, the world would feel too lonely without them. But I also need my pawns close by, in case I ever need to make use of them.
*
{27} Koshavi (February) the 21st
Today is my birthday, and like any other week, it's a good excuse to meet over. Last week I’ve told Janara when my birthday is, and I let her take care of the rest.
We sit around enjoying the excuse to celebrate. I invited Nalfit, who won't stop talking and filling the space with her chatter. It starts to feel like a bad idea to bring her over when I see Lezere’s lips twist into a silent snarl.
“…so I told her to bring that little puppy with her you know? Just because dogs are cute and that party was going to be filled with cute things and…”
“By the bone chieftess’ axe! Do you ever shut up?” Lezere interrupts her.
“Of course I shut up! I mean I’m quiet all the time! When people want me to shut up I mean… oopps awkward, sorry, I’ll be quiet now… ahem…”
We all snicker as Nalfit’s face is covered with red.
Lezere turns to me. “Where did you find this squirrel chief?”
“I’m right here you know!” Nalfit protests. “Don’t you talk over my head! Marisha cuddles with me all the time! We’re pillow friends! Oopps! Awkward… sorry Marisha…”
I feel the heat on my face as the rest of them snicker. Kolag’s metallic visor keeps moving between me and Nalfit over and over.
“Kaka! Good for you chief! Is she good with her fingers?”
The room becomes too hot for me, and I feel like fanning my face. “I don’t know, it’s not exactly sexual and I’d rather not talk about it too much…”
“Oh yeah! Marisha doesn’t like sex really but she’s a great hugging pillow! And…”
“Enough!” Kolag echoes. “Can we not discuss such inappropriate subjects at the dinner table?”
“Oh sorry mister knight! I didn’t mean to upset you, or you Marisha! I’m so sorry I just talk without thinking sometimes… oops… awkward… stupid mouth!” She slaps her own mouth.
“One should consider their words carefully before speaking.” Kolag’s voice echoes in lecture.
“Yeah, I know I should think more about what I say. I mean it’s obvious that I need to think more before I talk, but I forget to think when I talk you know? Because I really really want to say it and then I say it and then…”
“Squirrel.” Lezere’s alto voice booms over Nalfit’s soprano chatter.
“So. When are everyone’s birthdays?” I ask and change the awkward subject, “It’s a good excuse to celebrate.”
Nalfit talks before everyone else. “Oh mine is a little too far from now you know. It’s on Rakisha (September) the 12th. It’s gona take a while till we can have my party, but...”
“Tonisha (June) the 10th…” Kolag’s booming voice cuts Nalfit.
“What about the rest of you.”
Janara laugh mirthlessly. “You don’t know?”
“No? How should I know when your birthdays are?”
“We don’t get to have a birthday, that’s a noble thing. We count our years by springs.” She explains.
“We count our years by springs too, what does it have to do with birthdays?” I don’t get it…
“Commoners don’t have a birthday. We have the spring festival on the first of Noxi when we all age by a year.” Purson explains.
“I never heard of the birthday thing. It’s a human thing.” Lezere says. “The day of birth doesn’t matter! It’s the day of adulthood that does, the day of your first kill. Kaka… mine was a bear!”
An obese mage in purple draped robes enters the temple. This section of the tower is made for apprentices. Mages in their colorful robes stand out like a redcap on a snowy field. His glowing amber eyes dart around the various tables before settling on me and our little merry group.
I get up in alarm but he approaches our table with a fast step, his amber eyes moving up and down on my body. “Come with me.” He pats my head, his hand glides down my hair.
I tense up. It’s impossible to say no to mages. I’ve heard of female apprentices being taken to mages’ quarters for sex before. The apprentices usually get ten gems payment per intercourse, but I don't need the extra twenty or forty gems, I have my steady income. I’d prefer to be left alone with my friends and studies. Sadly, I have no say in the matter.
Nalfit stands up and hugs the mage’s beefy arm seductively. “Take me! I’m much better than her! She has no experience, she’s not even twenty!”
Why Nalfit?! Wait… is she doing it because she cares? Or because she enjoys sex so much? Plus the money…
Her reasons don’t matter, she’s trying to help, I shouldn’t think ill of her! And she does care! If she was crazy enough to burn someone’s face over betraying her, of course she cares!
The act is deeply touching. A combination of guilt about using her affection all this time and relief that he’ll probably pick her over me, I feel like I owe her one. I’ll tell her the truth about my feelings today… it’s wrong to lie to her about this…
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
The obese mage shoves Nalfit aside. His perverted grin doesn’t leave his face, his chin triples with fat when he looks at me. “No experience?! Good!”
I sigh. This is just another Beydor… why are they always so fat?! Damn, I hate this… this is my damned birthday! “I have some experience, whatever, let’s go.” I join him, mentally preparing myself for what’s about to happen next.
After a ten minutes’ walk, he uses a weird-looking key to open the doors to what looks like his private quarters. The place is packed with books and strange devices that I can’t even begin to guess their purpose. The floors and walls are covered in purple carpets, the velvet on the furniture has the same royal purple theme that matches the lit sapphire blue ceiling.
He gestures for me to sit on the indigo couch in front of him. “My name is Navaro son of bluebird, you should introduce yourself.”
Why so formal all of a sudden? “Marisha… Marisha nuk Vodit” I say weakly.
He passes me a pouch containing ten gems. “No complaints? Good. Now, let’s get down to business…” his orange eyes glow with passion.
I sigh and take off my black robes. I know what comes next is unavoidable, he already paid for it, and what he needs to see right now is complete obedience from his new sex toy. Let’s do my best to be bad at it, I don’t want him to call me again...
“What in the five hells do you think you’re doing?!” the man glares at me before I even expose my skin.
I look at him apathetically. “Didn’t you say we’re going to get down to business?”
The obese man stands up and puts his hands on his plump waist. With the draping purple robes on his body, he looks like a fat violet sail. “Young lady, I am afraid you suffer from a terrible mental illness. You believe that because you have a pretty face and an attractive body, every man who looks at you is interested in sexual favors. It’s a common mental illness amongst females of the species, but worry not! It’s easily treated by a hefty dose of reality!”
I stare at him dumbfounded. “Then why were you acting so lusty a few minutes ago?”
“Who was acting lusty?! Lusty your ass! If I wanted tits I wouldn’t have to spare a single gem. I can get bigger and better for mere silvers in Axero. I’ll only say it once. I am four-times your age, do you think you even qualify to enter my eyes youngling? If you dare repeat this mistake I’ll throw you out of my quarters for good. Understood?!”
I nod rapidly as I put my robes back on in relief. “Then why did you even get me to come here?” There has to be a catch, he wouldn’t be so stubborn about bringing me here without one. And why pretend he’s interested in me sexually?
He crosses his hands on his chest with a sneer. “If you can’t even figure that one, maybe I’ve spent my money in vain…” the passion in his orange eyes dim.
“You’ve brought me here to make me your apprentice?!” This is the only conclusion. Why act all lecherous? What is he hiding?
He claps his hands theatrically. “Bravo! Maybe you’re not a waste of good gems after all!” his sarcastic voice is outright insulting.
That’s a pleasant surprise. I might even enjoy being this man’s apprentice. I hope I can get stronger quickly with his help...
Still… the perverted act… combined with how he looks… everything in the tower is recorded… who is he trying to fool? Is this room safe from the recording? “I let a bad experience of mine cloud my judgment, I apologize for judging you based on your looks,” I say in a formal tone.
“Careful there young lady, you might hurt my feelings!” He declares victoriously. “Now tell me, do you know how to play war?”
“If you’re asking if I ever participated in a war directly then I am sorry I…”
“Not a real war! The game! The game! Come, I’ll show you!” he leads me to one of his devices excitingly, he’s like a child who’s happy to show off his toys. The device itself is in fact a board game, simulating a war. The players are the strategists of the rival armies, but it is larger and more complex than the simple chess I know. It looks more like an actual battlefield.
“Sorry, I never played this game” I admit. Considering the board has magical effects of tiny troops fighting and dying, I doubt there is even access to this game where I came from. “I know how to play chess…”
“These are the rules!” the mage dumps a thick book on the board crushing to death thousands of tiny soldiers. “Read it thoroughly, in three hours we’re playing a game, if you manage to win, you’ll become my apprentice.”
I nod and pick up the book. “And if I lose?”
“I’ve been looking for someone to test my concoctions, I’m sure you’ll make for a fun body to experiment on. You might even grow a belly like mine…”
Shit!
He bursts into hearty laughter, “A jest! A jest! Relax! The look on your face. You should loosen up youngling. I’ll stick to playing with you a few times as you learn the game. I don’t expect you to win the first time, don’t worry about it.” he gets up and heads toward a pair of wooden doors that lead deeper into his apartment.
He stops when he’s about to go to his room again as if remembering something. “Stay here and study the rulebook for a little while. And if anyone outside later asks, I’m currently enjoying my greatest fetish with you. Use your imagination to fill in the details of what my sexual habits are. If you even hint at anyone about the truth, then consider our deal terminated. Keep in mind, everything that happens outside of this room is being recorded and watched. I will know if you say something. Do we have an understanding?” Unlike his hearty voice earlier, now his voice is stern and menacing, with the full aura of a powerful mage who’s capable of snuffing my life out with a mere thought.
I nod sharply. “Understood… sir…?” What is he hiding? Why am I such a secret? How much of a risk am I in thanks to coming here? Do I have a choice?
“Call me master Navaro kid, or simply master.” Now there is a tired look in his amber eyes, he seems drained.
“Never mind master… it can wait for tomorrow, you’re obviously tired…” I mumble, I don’t want to annoy him with an unwanted interaction.
His chin triples with his grin. “Tell me now kid, I am listening.”
“Why did you act all lusty? Why do you want to make it seem like we’re having sex?” In other words, what are you hiding?
He shakes his head and turns. “I’ll tell you once you’ll become my apprentice. Until then just stick to the story I gave you.” He disappears through the double doors behind him, leaving me alone in the purple-themed room.
I immerse myself in the rule book he gave me. It doesn’t interest me much, but if I want to become his apprentice I have to do my best. Should I fail this on purpose? What will happen if I fail? Was he joking when he said he’ll make me into an experiment?
This ‘game’ is much more complex than I thought, it can't be compared to chess. Chess is slightly complex, but the best part about chess is its simplicity. Chess allows just anyone who know the basic rules to play it and become more proficient over time and experience. Chess is also a puzzle in a sense.
This game feels like whoever made it wanted to train the players as army strategists. Each piece on the board represents a thousand men. Troops’ morale over winning or losing skirmishes is a factor in the troops’ performance.
Unlike in chess it's possible to move all of your pieces each turn, but the pieces on the board react one or two turns late to every order simply because the ‘order messenger’ has to reach them before they even know about the order. And they can't take orders if they are isolated by enemies, et cetera.
There are two versions of this game. One that includes mages as pieces on the board, and one that doesn't include them. It's odd to learn how much mages can affect a battlefield.
A couple of hours later the mage opens the door above and decides we should play a game right now. To my surprise he prefers the version without the mages, he says they only complicate things. This man has a lot of love for this game, he is very enthusiastic and loudly analyzes every move I make. Needless to say, I suffer a crushing defeat in my first game.
He wants another one right away and sets up the board. It surprises me again. I thought it’d be one game a night, but we end up playing five times into the middle of the night. I get better with each match, and at the fifth game I actually manage to stall his army’s movements. It doesn't bring me anywhere close to victory, but it is a good feeling. I can see that I am getting better at that, and having him loudly analyzing my moves and praising them just improves my mood further.
I am surprised when he hands me ten gems for each game we have. It says he's serious about having me as an apprentice, and that he's willing to put in the resources for it. But also that he's willing to put in the resources for this pretense that I'm only here for sex.
*
“Marisha are you alright?” Janara's worried voice welcomes me the moment I enter the shared dorm.
“You took way too long, you must be exhausted. Anything we can do?” Nalfit joins her in the worry party.
“I’m ok, thank you…” Really… thank you, it’s nice to have someone care about me like this. I really wish I didn’t have to lie to you about this… I head to my room.
“Marisha…” Janara starts again but Nalfit drags her away.
There is something I don’t have to lie to Nalfit about… If I have to lie to them about this, the least I can do is tell her the truth about my feelings... and if she hates me afterward then I'll simply let her burn my face... “Nalfit? Can I talk to you for a moment?”
We enter my room. She tries to hug me but I stop her. “We should stop.” I say. “I’m not attracted to you, I just used your feelings for me to feel good about myself and it’s unfair to you. Burn my face if you have to.”
She stares at me. “Why would I burn your face?”
“Because I used you?”
“I knew that already, you also tried to have a thing for me. No harm in trying right? Also if you want to stop because it’s unfair for me, can we continue? I mean I don’t see it that way, I don’t mind if it’s unfair to me, I don’t care that you’re not attracted to me. You’re still enjoying it, and I’m still enjoying it. You need someone to love you and hug you, and I need someone to love and hug. It doesn’t have to be sexual, I’m ok with that. You didn’t manipulate me into anything, and I’m not expecting anything. When you find a boy you like just tell me, and even then, I’ll always be happy to give you a good hug!”
She doesn’t care… I expected a meltdown… I’m glad I simply told her instead of carrying it around. “Thank you.”
“So we can continue as usual?” She grins at me.
“Yeah…”
She picks me up and puts me on her lap. “Is it ok if we become like sisters? You look a lot like my little sister anyway… aw I’m stupid. I’m not thinking you’re replacing her or anything like that. Maybe a little bit ok, but I don’t know… I’m pretty lonely, you’re pretty lonely, I mean you got your friends maybe you’re not that lonely. But I’m pretty lonely and you’re way better than Oshi, because Oshi takes payment for it and it feels less real and…”
“Nalfit.”
“Yes?”
“We can be sisters. I never had a big sister, but I always wanted one.”
“Awwwwww!!!” She gives me a squishing hug.
“You don’t want to choke your sister to death now do you?”
“Of course not!” She picks my past time reading material from the bed. “Why do you like Effrat so much? The legendary fire sorceress I mean. I keep seeing you with the books of her.”
“She was my hero growing up. I’ve had at least ten books about her and I’ve found a couple of new ones here.” I’d read one every time I needed to clear my head.
“Effrat is my mother.” Nalfit sighs heavily.
It does make sense… her talent for fire magic, her looks… “I do believe you. But I won’t lose my wits over it. I’m not much for worship, whether it’s gods or mythical heroes.”
She chuckles mirthlessly. “Good. There’s nothing to worship about that cunt. Everything you read in those books is faeshit. The woman is pure evil. She's cruel, violent, and the thing I want most in the world is her death..."
"That bad?"
She sniffs. "You have no idea... Effrat is quite old. She turns her children into slaves, and throws us into one of the magic towers. I had to watch my sister die here… you kind of remind me of my little sister sometimes. She was also all serious about life and kept getting shy and embarrassed when I talk too much about sex and…”
“I’m sorry…” I’m not her replacement… but it makes more sense why you enjoy holding me so much…
“Awww. It’s not your fault, it’s that monster I have as a mother.”
“One of the magic towers? There are more?” I catch up on an interesting detail in her words.
She plays with my hair as she talks. “Of course there are more. I don’t know how many exactly. I know there’s the Ruby tower and the Onyx tower. I know there are at least two more other than those two, maybe more than just two. They’re spread all over the world. They rival each other, sometimes form alliances or fight wars. The magic towers control most kingdoms on Lukam from the shadows.
“Why do they need to control kingdoms?”
“Resources. Precious metals, gems, and a steady income of slaves. Each time one of these kingdoms has a war, half of the slaves taken in that war are sold to the local tower.”
“You know a lot about this stuff.” Looks like she’s a well of information even about things outside the tower…
“My family has a lot of knowledge about magic and other subjects. I was taught this stuff from a young age. No one ever told me I’ll end up in a hall of death in one of the magic towers like a common slave though.”
“I’m sorry…” I say with my eyes closed, enjoying the dim light and the warmth.
“You’re falling asleep.”
“Had a long day.” Her voice does help me sleep, when she talks too much. Today I’m truly tired regardless.
She chuckles. “Yeah, I hope I was distracting enough.”
“You were, thank you.” She thinks I needed that distraction after being with Master Navaro… I hate lying to my friends like this… no, a sister… I wonder where Ariena is right now… and if Wulf is ok…
I have no choice but to lie to her about Master Navaro. I have no idea what will happen if whoever always watches finds out about me and Master Navaro, but I doubt it’s simply losing my apprenticeship to the guy… Whatever Master Navaro had dragged me into is most likely dangerous, and I have no choice but to be dragged into this whirlpool. I hope I’ll be able to keep my head above the water long enough to survive…
*~*~*
Slice of lore.
The language of Felul governs air magic in all of its forms.
The word Felul is a combination of two runes, fe=air and lul=you/all/everyone.
Felul means wind, or air to everyone.
This language is composed of multiple short runes that when joined together create various different meanings.
Shavi’s breath
Names: Shavi’s breeze, Shavi’s breath, breeze.
Element: air
Sub element: wind
Level: 0
Words: Felul
Translation: wind (air to all)
Quicken: X
Patterns: 1
Gestures: exhale.
Offering: X
Requirement: air within 10 meter of the caster.
Range: 10 meter around the caster.
Target: air.
Duration: 5 seconds
Effect: creates a breeze within range in the direction the caster want.
Cost: 1 gem of wind mana.
Bound cost: X
Altered cost: 1 gem per pattern.
*~*~*
Power level: 1st stage apprentice.
Mana pools status:
Crown-knot: Affinity 10:
Neck-Bridge: Affinity 6: formed: max amount of gems drained per day: 66
Abdomen-storage: Affinity 5:
Air: Affinity 4: open: 11 gems
Fire: Affinity 2: open: 4 gems
Light: Affinity 3:
Water: Affinity 6:
Earth: Affinity 1:
Wood: Affinity 2:
Gravity: Affinity 9: formed: 41 gems
Cantrip known:
Air: Shavi’s Breeze.
Fire: Nuriss’ Flame.
Gravity: Lumina’s Kinetic Burst. Tukado’s Repulse. Tukado’s Lesser Shield. Imari’s Minor Telekinesis. Leo’s Pull. Leo’s Grounding. Alino’s Light body. Alino’s Heavy body.
Focus capability: 8 patterns
Social status: An apprentice.
Wealth: 343 gems.
Items: 2 healing potions.
Companions:
Nalfit Flaming Hair.
Kolag of house Befar
Lezere of the black fang tribe
Janara of Winemaker village.
Purson of Winemaker village.
Injuries and scars: Missing two thirds of the right middle finger.