The next half day went by like a blur. Alza recalled going back home to see a crying Faye, she had to calm the wildborn girl down before tucking her into bed. By morning, Myriam had handed her a freshly cleaned set of black robes, almost exactly the same as the one she wore when she first awoke from her tomb. "The Guildmaster had me prepare these for you days ago." Alza remembered Myriam saying. If she were unfamiliar with Elysia, perhaps Alza would have been shocked or surprised, but that was not the case here.

Now, Alza was with Elysia, standing on an open field. The modest tract of land belonged to the elf oracle, located on the fringes of the city. It was spacious, with little more than a carpet of grass and a few dozen trees standing over the landscape.

Elysia guided them both to the center of the field. "As we discussed before, this will be where I teach you elemental magic."

"Alright, so what will you be teaching me today?" Alza asked.

"I think earth magic might be the easiest one for you to learn, necromancy already utilizes the ground plenty, so it shouldn’t be too hard for you to adjust."

"Alright, what do I need to do?"

Elysia shook her head with a gentle, almost wistful, cadence. "Not so fast, before I begin, tell me about what you remember regarding how a mage casts spells."

Alza sighed. "It can vary, but generally speaking, casting a spell requires a mage to draw power from both their inner wellspring of magic and the environment. Afterwards, their mind and willpower is what shapes the form of magic they can use or manifest."

"It’s good that you still remember the basics." Elysia said. "Because magic is shaped by the user’s mind, generally speaking, elemental magic is easier to use for most people, as nature is something that almost everyone interacts with often."

"Right…and I still can’t use non-necromantic magic to save my life."

"You know, Alza, you say that but I’ve never seen you try. Why not give earth magic a shot?"

Elysia stomped the ground, sending a tremor through the earth beneath her. In response, a series of jagged rocks burst forth, rising into the air and encircled the elf oracle like a protective circle.

"As you can see, it is not too difficult," Elysia said.

Alza nodded. She took a deep breath and placed her right foot against the ground. However, when she attempted to replicate Elysia's feat, her efforts caused jagged bone spikes to erupt from the earth instead.

"This was a mistake," Alza muttered, frustration evident in her voice.

"What you did was a mistake. But teaching you new magic is definitely not," Elysia said.

"I told you before already, I don’t have proficiency for magic outside of necromancy."

"Have you tried chanting your spells?"

"Of course I have, it was one of the first things I learnt in order to use magic."

"Are you familiar with the spell: Conjure Boulder?"

"Can’t say that I am, but perhaps if you show me I will remember."

"In that case, watch closely."

Elysia began to chant. "Stone and soil, heed my call: Conjure Boulder!"

In response to her incantation, a large boulder materialized seemingly from thin air, falling to the ground with a loud boom. Elysia then turned her attention to Alza. "Now, you try to chant as well," she urged.

Alza nodded and attempted to replicate the chant. "Stone and soil, heed my call: Conjure Boulder!" However, nothing happened.

Alza sighed out loud. "I told you that I have no talent for anything outside of necromancy."

Elysia nodded. "That is fair, though I am now more curious about why."

"Isn’t it normal for people to have affinities only for one or at most, two types of magic?"

"Yes, but you are not a normal person. You aren’t even a mortal." Elysia said.

Alza raised an eyebrow. "And your point is?"

"You aren’t supposed to have problems with casting magic, especially not ones that you have an affinity for."

"How can you say that I have an affinity for earth magic to begin with? I know necromancy uses the ground a lot, but that doesn’t mean that-"

"No, Alza." Elysia interrupted. "I can sense it within you, the potential for earth magic is there."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Then why do I find it so difficult to use?" Alza asked.

"It’s because of your demonic powers interfering with the flow of magic in your body. The demonic energy you have within yourself is so powerful that it overpowers any other type of magical essence you try to channel." Elysia explained.

"But how is that possible? My body has been a mortal one for so long."

"Yes, and yet your demonic powers still have some influence over you. I think that speaks to how monstrous you were in your true form than anything else."

"Is there a way for me to open myself up to other types of magic again?"

Elysia paced around for a few moments. But suddenly, she seemed to get an idea. "I have a radical suggestion, but it might just work."

Alza raised an eyebrow. "What exactly do you have in mind?"

"I will seal away your demonic powers, and by extension, your necromancy temporarily. That way, your body might be more open to accepting other forms of magic." Elysia explained.

"You have the means to seal my power?" Alza asked.

Elysia smiled. "I have something in mind."

***

Elysia took Alza back to the chamber at the bottom of the adventurer’s guild. The same one where the elf oracle had shown her visions of what she could be upon the surface of a pond.

"There is a ritual I devised long ago for the sole purpose of sealing away one’s ability to use magic, with some slight alteration, I think it should be possible to seal only your necromancy but not cut you off from magic completely." Elysia explained as she took steps towards the pond.

Alza followed the elf oracle closely behind. Her shoulders felt tense, and her throat was dry. She would be lying if she said that she wasn’t nervous. Necromancy had been such an integral part of her for so long, it was surreal to think that she would have to willingly give it up for the greater good.

"Are there any risks I should know about before we proceed?" Alza asked.

Elysia turned towards Alza. "The seal could prove more difficult to undo than expected, but otherwise, you shouldn’t experience any adverse effects."

"You…are confident in conducting this ritual, right?"

"I am, mostly."

"Mostly?" Alza asked.

"Never mind that." Elysia dismissed with a wave of her hand. "Just submerge yourself in the pool and we can begin."

"I trust you, Elysia." Alza said, eyeing Elysia warily.

With cautious steps, Alza approached the pool, her heart pounding fast in her chest. She gingerly dipped her toes into the crystalline waters. Cool ripples danced around her ankles as she proceeded to submerge herself, her head tilted back to ensure she kept her airway clear.

"Alright, so what do I have to-"

Before she could finish speaking, Elysia had already pressed a hand against her stomach. The chamber trembled and shook as the air became charged with magical energy. A radiant light erupted from the pond, enveloping Alza in an excruciating pain. Every fiber of her being screamed in torment, but she could not say even a single word, her voice could not escape her paralyzed lips.

Alza felt a strange mix of terror and helplessness wash over her. Her thoughts raced wildly, trying to comprehend the inexplicable sensations coursing through her, as she grappled with an unfamiliar vulnerability she had never known before.

Time felt like a useless concept as Alza bore the brunt of the ritual’s effects. She began to feel numb to the pain as it shook her core. But eventually, the pain did end, and Alza could move her aching body once again.

"So…how do you feel?" Elysia asked.

Alza did not answer the elf oracle immediately. She began to cautiously flex her limbs, wincing at the lingering soreness. After some time, she managed to rise from the pool. Only after her wet feet touched the floor, did she answer Elysia.

"I feel awful."

"Unsurprising." Elysia said bluntly. "But you are able to move around normally, yes?"

"Arguably so. Though I can’t say that was pleasant in the slightest."

"It’s not meant to be, and that’s not what is important right now." Elysia said. "I want you to try and use your necromancy here, any spell would do."

Alza nodded. She clasped her hands together and concentrated hard. But after several minutes had passed, nothing happened. She then tried to stomp her feet against the ground, hoping to summon something, but nothing appeared.

"Seems like the ritual worked." Alza said.

Elysia chuckled lightly. "I must say, it is rather entertaining to see you like this."

Alza shot Elysia a withering look towards Elysia. "Don’t push your luck."

"It was just a joke." Elysia said light-heartedly. "But now that you can’t use necromancy, it’s time I train you properly."

"That’s only if things work out as you hope." Alza said bitterly.

"Calm down, why don’t you try casting a simple spell?" Elysia urged. She walked in front of Alza and pointed a finger towards the ground. "Try casting an earth-based spell around there."

Alza raised an eyebrow. "Which ones should I try first?"

"Perhaps something simple, maybe try the Mold Earth spell?" Elysia suggested.

Alza nodded in agreement. "Sounds about as good as any."

With a focused expression, Alza extended both her hands and began to chant. "May the ground below heed my call: Mold Earth!"

For a fleeting moment, doubt crept into Alza’s mind, she was ready to be disappointed again. Yet, her heart soared when she saw the stone tiles beneath her feet crack and liquify. They twisted and contorted, gradually taking the form of a small stone butterfly.

"That seems like a decent start." Elysia said with a smile.

Alza mirrored the smile. "Looks like it is." .

"So how do you feel? Does the flow of magic feel more natural to you now?"

For a brief moment, Alza shifted her focus inward, deep within her soul. There, she sensed a newfound connection to the arcane. Previously, she could only feel the blaring pulse of her own magic. Now, she could feel more of the magical energy outside of her body, beckoning her to draw from it.

With a nod, Alza responded, "I certainly…feel different. Even though part of me was sealed, I can now sense new things that were not there before."

"Then we are on track then. Why don’t you try casting mold earth again? See if you can do it without an incantation this time." Elysia suggested.

"Alright."

Alza closed her eyes, her breath slowing as she searched for the pull of the arcane. It was as though the very earth whispered its secrets to her, and she listened with rapt attention. When she finally opened her eyes, she knelt down, palms pressed gently against the ground. With a mental command, Alza enacted her will. The stone tiles yielded, liquefied, and transformed into a myriad of stone butterflies. Each one seemed as though they had been shaped by master artisans.