Chapter 3: Eve's Arcane Trials

Eve stood on the edge of the open training grounds, her eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and nervousness. The sky overhead was a tumultuous swirl of colors, mirroring the magical energies that permeated the space. Before her stood Archmage Torvann, a towering figure whose robes were adorned with ancient runes and whose presence commanded respect. The man stood tall. He was. She had seen Spartan and this man was at least a head taller than him. She looked at the man and saw him floating a little above a pillow in a lotus pose that looked like he was meditating. In this stat, she saw small orbs of energy rotated around him like he was the sun and they were the planets. Eve did not want to bother him but she needed him to train. She steeled her resolve

"Master Torvann," Eve began, her voice steady despite her exhaustion, "I’ve been working on my elemental spells—earth, fire, light, and water. What should I focus on next to enhance my abilities?"

"Ah you are the woman of the man who found this town are you not", he asked as he opened his eyes and lowered himself on the pillow. The small orbs also disappeared as well and she saw his eyes that were completely white train on her.

"Umm... Yes, I am Master Torvann", she said nervously.

"No need to be nervous young one. I shall help you. I sense that what you told me about your elemental magic is true", Torvann regarded her with a critical eye, his expression unreadable. "You’ve made commendable progress with the basic elements. To fully master the elemental arts, you must learn wind magic. It will complete the basic elemental spectrum and enable you to combine elemental energies more effectively."

Eve’s heart quickened at the mention of wind magic. Her mind raced with possibilities. "Wind magic? I tried to learn from studying this book but I could not figure out exactly how to do anything with the wind."

"Ah yes. Wind is a difficult element to gain control of. Its very. nature is to be free. Trying to control it with your will present a very difficult proposition for a mage as young as yourself. What will that allow me to do?"

"Master Torvann what will I be able to do if I gain control of the wind of element?"

"Wind magic is foundational for combining elements into more powerful spells," Torvann explained. "Once you master it, you can blend the basic elements—earth, fire, light, and water—to create advanced spells."

"More advanced spells? I'm sorry Master but I am a bit confused."

"No need for confusion I can show you what I mean." As he continued talking he created 8 balls of elemental mana and had them float in the air. "These are the 8 basic elements fire, water, wind, earth, darkness, light, life, and death. Each of these is necessary for you to truly master Elemental Magic. By learning a light spell you have moved into the intermediate stage but I digress we will stick with the basics first. Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind can be combined to create newer more powerful elements.

The blue ball that Eve assumed was water mixed with the white ball that she believed was air and it for a more pale blue color. The red orb mixed with the brown colored orb which she believed were Earth and Fire respectively and formed a brownish red color.

"Do you see air and water mix to form ice while fire and earth combine to form magma? These more powerful elements have more power and they add certain detrimental side effects when used on an opponent", Master Torvann said as he allowed the orbs to dissipate.

"That is amazing Master Torvann. You make it look so easy."

Master Torvann continued, "Furthermore, it is a prerequisite for learning more advanced elements such as darkness, life, and death."

Eve nodded resolutely. "Then I will focus on wind magic. Will you please teach me to control the wind so that I may increase my power and protect these lands, Master?"

Torvann’s eyes gleamed with approval. The old man moved with a grace that seemed to defy logic and even gravity. He motioned for Eve to watch to follow as he led her to a secluded area off to the side of the training area. Eve could feel the change immediately. The air here was charged with raw magical energy. The space was small but it still felt oppressive, with swirling currents of magical energy that seemed to beckon her.

"Watch closely," Torvann said, raising his hands. A vortex of wind appeared around him, its force bending the pillars around them and swirling debris. "This is a very powerful but basic wind spell. It can be used to deflect incoming projectiles like fireball spells, arrows, or daggers. It’s a demonstration of control and power. Your goal is to achieve a similar effect but with less power."

Eve’s eyes widened as she observed the sheer power and grace of Torvann’s spell. "That’s incredible," she murmured. "How do I even start to control such a force?"

Torvann turned to her with a measured gaze. "My dear even the longest journey begins with a single step. Simply try and that is how you begin. If you are looking for something more concrete begin by focusing on the smallest possible wind currents. Picture the wind as a fluid that you can mold and direct. Use your mana to guide it gently at first."

Eve took a deep breath, her focus narrowing. She extended her hands and tried to summon a breeze. Her initial attempts were feeble; the wind was inconsistent and barely perceptible. Frustration gnawed at her as she struggled to produce anything of significance. It was just like when she practiced when she only the book. Failure was all that she found as she worked. She craved to be able to do what Master Torvann did but how could she do it?

"This is much harder than I expected," Eve thought, her brow furrowed in concentration. Torvann’s gaze remained stern as he watched her struggle.

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Torvann stepped closer and demonstrated a different technique. "Hmmmm. Maybe we shall try something different. Close your eyes and listen to my voice."

Eve did as she was instructed.

"Feel the wind’s flow, like a stream of water. It should be smooth and continuous. Think of a stream running on a warm summer day. Even if there are obstacles in the way it flows around them. The wind is carefree and light. It does not listen to harsh commands. All you can do is try to coax it following your will. Relax your mind. Now, open your eyes, and let me show you."

Even opened her eyes and noticed that her vision seemed to open up. She could see the mana around her. She could see it swirling around Master Torvan. He created a controlled gust that moved through the air with fluidity and precision.

"Observe how the wind moves in a steady, deliberate manner. Can you see it? Can you see the mana swirling?"

"Yes, Master. I can see it", Eve said with excitement.

"Then it is time for you to try again. Now my disciple, try to replicate this fluidity."

Eve immediately threw herself into the training her master set out in front of her. Hours of intense focus later, Eve managed to stabilize a small, steady wind stream. The accomplishment was minor, but to Eve, it felt like a triumph. This was something she had tried for months and now she was able to do it.

"I’m getting closer," she thought, her exhaustion mixing with a glimmer of hope. "I will get this. I will make sure I can continue to protect Spartan, Bella, and Skye"

Torvann’s face remained stoic, but there was a glint of approval in his eyes. He let out a small grunt of approval.

"Not bad," he remarked. "Your control is improving, but wind magic is tricky. It requires precision and patience. Now that you have managed to pass this portion of the training we shall move on to the next part of your training."

As she awaited her master's next challenge she sat down in meditation. During her meditation, she rapidly took in the unattuned mana around her quickly replenishing her lost mana. The next phase of the training, her master explained, involved a massive stone slab engraved with runes.

"The first challenge was about control, young one. This challenge will be about power. Wind is very fickle and can be used for many things but sometimes it can be used for destruction. Using enough mana, you can turn even a gentle breeze into a raging tornado or make a blade of wind so thin that it will slice through a tree like a knife through butter. That is what I want you to do. I want you to break that stone slab using wind magic. You will need to channel enough wind mana to crack the stone."

Eve nodded and walked over to the stone slab. It was massive and extremely dense. She could feel the mass of the stone. It was insane to think that she would be able to break it with wind magic she didn't even think she could break it with her most powerful fireball spell. However, her master told her to do it so she assumed that he believed she would be able to. So tried her best and used her magic to stand her master's challenge. Eve’s initial attempts were weak; she could only muster a faint breeze that barely tickled the surface of the stone. Frustration mounted with each failed attempt.

"This is so frustrating," Eve thought, her hands trembling with fatigue. "Why can’t I get it right?" Torvann stood beside her, guiding her through the process.

"Calm yourself, child. To use truly powerful magic you must control your emotions. Go meditate and return to practice when you regain your composure."

"Yes, Master Torvann", Eve said as he bowed and walked to a corner of the room to meditate.

During her meditation, she thought about everything she experienced, good and bad. She went through being captured and raped. Being rescued by Alex. Making a group with Spartan and Eve. Her mind began to still. She saw Alex lying on the table burned badly along with the wolves after she used her strongest fireball spell. In her mind, all she could think of was not ever having to worry about whether he or Bella would die. With that she still her emotions and she felt the mana around her begin to tremble.

"Good, you have returned to your training. Now, imagine the wind as a force powerful enough to split this stone. Visualize the energy coursing through your body and projecting it outwards," he advised. He placed his hands on the stone, channeling a powerful wind that caused deep fissures to form.

Eva watched as she saw the mana move from his body to the stone slab. It was like a river flowing from his body. With grim determination, she walked up to the alone slab and placed her hand on its smooth surface. The young mage closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.

"For my new family", she said before expelling the air from her lungs.

Eve’s mana surged through her as she concentrated fiercely. The stone slab began to show signs of stress, with small cracks forming. Though the slab remained mostly intact, the progress was significant. Her body ached from the strain, but satisfaction filled her as she saw the results of her effort. "I can do this," she thought, her determination renewed.

Torvann’s expression was inscrutable. "Your control and power are developing, but you must keep pushing. The limits you encounter are barriers you can overcome. You have one more challenge to overcome. Rest and meditate while I prepare it."

Eve sat down with a smile on her face. She finally began to find her power and it felt good.

"I can't wait to share my progress with Alex and the rest of the girls", she thought to herself.

Torvann set up a series of moving targets around the training area. "Now, we will work on your casting speed. You must hit each target with precision before it moves out of range. Each target will also require different amounts of wind magic to destroy. You will need to quickly use your magic to destroy the target. This will require you to use all that you have learned to be successful."

Eve watched the targets with intense focus. The exercise was grueling; each missed shot and delayed casting resulted in harsh reprimands from Torvann. Her muscles burned, and sweat dripped from her brow. "I have to get this right," she thought, gritting her teeth. The pressure was immense, and her hands ached from the strain.

Torvann stood beside her, giving precise instructions. "Remember, speed is not just about quick casting; it’s about efficient control of your wind spells. Visualize the targets and project the wind with accuracy and swiftness."

Eve’s breath was ragged as she cast spells with increasing speed. The strain was intense, but each successful hit fueled her determination. "I’m almost there," she thought, pushing through the pain. The combination of speed, control, and control was difficult, but she was improving.

As time passed, Eve’s efforts continued to improve her wind magic. The training was rigorous, and her body often ached from the strain, but each attempt brought her closer to mastering the use of wind magic. She felt the progress in every controlled gust of wind and every precise spell cast. When the last target was knocked over Eve lost consciousness and fell to the ground.

Torvann watched Eve with a mixture of respect and contemplation. "She is a hell of an apprentice. It’s impressive how quickly she’s adapting. Mastery of the basic elements will pave the way for even greater power. It took me years to reach this level, but her potential is extraordinary. She already has a basic command of the basic mastery of wind in one day. What will she learn a spend more time training with me? She will achieve even greater heights with continued effort. I will let her rest and recover. Tomorrow we will continue."

With Torvann’s guidance and Eve’s unwavering determination, her journey to mastering wind magic was just beginning. The path ahead would be challenging, but each step brought her closer to becoming a formidable mage.