Looking around the courtyard they were in, she found a place where she could show off without too much collateral damage.

Pointing over there Ghost gave her a nod, and she took a quick stride to get to a sandpit, most likely used for sparring. The rest of the company spread out to watch but kept their distance.

“First the fastest spell I can cast.” Focusing her mind she unlocked the two leather straps that held her swords in place. With a few gestures from her hands and in the blink of an eye, the two blades left their sheats and pierced the hay bales that most likely acted as spectating seats.

Using a few more flourishes that helped her focus she made the blades dance around her before returning them to their sheats, locking them in place.

“That goes for anything magnetic, so most metals. But the range is limited.” Using the spell she hadn’t dropped she floated a round shield that was on the side of one of the bales, she floated it to the group and back. They were about a dozen meters away and at the edge where she could use her spell without it becoming too costly to use.

“I can go beyond that, but at that point, the energy drain is significantly higher, and there are better spells to use at a longer ranger.”

“My highest range spell is a bit too much to do in a city as I don’t want to ruin someone’s house. It is also my hardest hitting one, but it takes me several minutes to conjure it. And that is if I’m not interrupted.”

“So instead I use this one.” With a smirk she turned to the side, focusing on the spell that she already used effectively in combat. Her skill with it came a long way. Both the speed she could construct the spell and the precision of her aim had skyrocketed.

She whispered the line as the spell was formed, releasing it at the same hay bale she had stabbed previously. And with Lia’s help, she was able to cancel out the air pressure that would have deafened everyone.

The bale exploded when the lightning struck, sending burning hay throughout the courtyard. Looking at the group she could see everyone holding their ears with jaws hanging. Several men ran into the courtyard to see what the commotion was about but Ghost shooed them away. Giving a few moments to the group to recover, she continued after Ghost gave her the go-ahead.

“This one is slow but packs a punch.” She floated the shield from before in front of another bale, before releasing the wild magic that had corrupted her in the entropic dimension. It took a few moments for her to shape it in her hand and then release it at the shield. Nothing spectacular happened, except now there was a hole in the shield, the bale, and the ground behind the bale.

“I can also use elemental manipulation to a certain extent.” Taking a deep breath she focused once again, already feeling exhausted because of the hangover. It took her almost a minute to get started but after she did a pillar of earth rose from the ground taking her up and forming a staircase which she took to get down once again.

“Just depends on what the situation calls for.” Shaking off the exhaustion she continued.

“For the next one, I’m going to need a volunteer. And some water if that’s not an issue.” She thanked every god she knew that it wasn’t. Drinking her fill she saw that the Hammer had stepped forward.

The water had brought some life back into her, so she used the newfound vigor to focus on a spell that she was fond of trying but took her months to get a hand on. The upside was that it didn’t long to cast but was an exponential drain the longer she kept using it.

“After I hit you, try moving around.” Getting a nod from the giant, she released the spell causing him to fall onto one knee, struggling to rise. After half a dozen seconds, she let go. The giant heaved and spat, taking a few moments to take a few breaths.

“Gravity, increase or decrease. But the longer I keep it up the weaker I get. The same goes for the size of the increase or decrease.”

She slumped resting her hands on her knees as a wave of exhaustion hit her. After a few moments, a few breaths, and another mouthful of water she continued.

“For defense, in truth, I only have one reliable spell. If someone is willing to throw a few arrows at me I can show you.” After getting a nod from Ghost, the two crossbowmen, Bard and Dice, stepped forward loading bolts into their weapons. In the meantime she let the wild magic within free, using the bare wisp of thought to restrain it to a small field around her.

Both bolts turned into dust and splashed harmlessly against Ana. The best part of this spell was that she could draw the magic back in, only losing a small amount.

“Lastly a personal favorite of mine as it could be used to cool down beer.” A spell she designed after playing with fire. Fire being mostly about heat she toyed with the idea of taking the heat out of a system. She had designed several solutions to the problem of what to do with all the heat she would drain.

Taking a minute she got a bucket of water, as it was the best way to showcase the spell. As exhausted as she was this spell was gonna be it, for now, so it took her longer than usual to form it. Pointing the palm of her left hand she released it, but after which she experienced a bit of tunnel vision, an effort needed just to stand and not fall over.

But the spell worked, the water and the ground around freezing over as a ball of fire was forming in the palm of her right hand. Focusing her mind the ball shrunk and the glow intensified before she pointed the fiery globe at the bucket.

It flew over to it expanding into a ball of fire, causing steam and chunks of ice and wood to fly around. Taking a deep breath she continued while she still had the strength to do so

“I can also do other things but most of them are not combat-related. I’m decent with fire, water, and wind. Besides magic, I’m not half bad at hand to hand and staff fighting. And that about sums it up.” She hoped that it wasn’t necessary to show how well she fought as it took all she got just not to faint.

Whistles and chuckles echoed. Words of awe being the only thing spoken for a few long moments while Ghost looked deep in thought, taking note of her strengths and weaknesses.

“Excellent. Take a seat before you fall over.” And she did, taking comfort with one of the remaining hay bales. “We leave in the morning as we have to go at it early this time. We’ll work on some tactics on the road. In the meantime, everyone is free to go and take the day off.”

Saying his peace he asked if Ana was alright but after she confirmed that she was fine he left. The rest of the group dispersed, some using the day to relax in their own ways while a few wanted to speak to Ana and to get to know her better. But after seeing she was about to pass out they escorted her to her room.

After a quick nap, some food, and a lot of water, she felt alive once again and the sun was just hitting noon. Getting up she ditched her gear, leaving for the outside in her morning outfit.

In the courtyard, Gramps was showing the Pup some moves, the two practicing their swordplay. On the side, Sunny was sitting cross-legged watching. Not wanting to disturb the practice she went for a walk. This city reminded her more of a village with short unique houses and shops. but still, it had its own beauty. The problem was that Ana didn’t care much for architecture, art, and everything in between.

Soon she reached the market, with people selling all kinds of wares. She had rechecked her packet gear three times so far, bringing everything she thought she needed. Food, water, and a tent to sleep in are all provided, so she pretty much only needed fighting gear and clothes.

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Browsing for a few minutes she got bored and started on her way back.

Well, I’ve done it. You owe me big time!

Yeah, I figured, but not much I can do other than what I already am.

Maybe the next time I want something you don’t like, you don’t get to be as annoying as you can be.

No promises.

Ana chuckled which made a few passersby look at her strangely. In her world, she could blame an earpiece, but here she was just crazy.

Do you think I’ll ever get back home?

That’s a tough question only you can find out. I mean you did survive so far.

Thanks to a lot of help, I hadn't done anything by myself.

Don’t stress over such a stupid topic, focus on the future. If going back is your goal then work on that.

I have been. And that’s why I have a question for you.

Oh? Do tell?

I survived once on the E.D. with your help, why couldn’t I do that again?

You probably could, but how would you navigate?

Adrasteia. For now, I owe her one, but if I cash in a few chips for her… It? Do deities have genders?

No. But they are represented by our views, so she behaves on how she is perceived.

Ah. Anyway back to my idea, do you think she would help?

Maybe, but you are forgetting something crucial.

The barrier?

Yep.

Even Emcry had no idea what the barrier was, if he was indeed telling the truth. So I have no clue how to tackle that problem.

I doubt the old goat lied.

I guess we continue on our plan and hopefully, more knowledge will clear that obstacle away.

Going back to the barracks she saw that a few more people were now there. Ice was reading a book with her head resting on hay, while Angel joined Sunny as they watched Gramps and Pup practice.

Her curiosity winning over she went to see what Ice was reading. The nicknames were stuck in her head, the names already lost but not completely as Lia could always check. Looking at the book she couldn’t see any writing on the cover, it being completely blank. Lowering the book to reveal her face Ana knew why everyone coughed hardass at her. She looked scary which didn’t mix all that well with her elven features.

Not wanting to piss someone off on her first day she waved meekly at the woman, and continued past to join Sunny and Angel. She sat on the ground saying hi and getting a nod from the turtle and the warmest smile from the girl.

Sunny was commenting and explaining to the girl certain parts of what the two men were doing. Getting bored a few minutes she pulled out a steel ball-bearing she used to practice her spell by spinning the ball faster and faster in a circle, her focus on maintaining control through even greater speeds.

A tap on her shoulder snapped her back and she looked to see Angel with a curious expression looking at her pendant that was floating with the small chain still around her neck. Ana apologized slowly letting go of her spell causing the steel ball to slow down and the girl’s locket to fall.

“Magic truly is amazing.”

“It has its moments. So you are responsible for tending for the wounds?”

The girl nodded, making a normal gesture seem divine. Divinely adorable that is. From what Ana knew listening to Nathaniel there were several ways to heal injuries in this world. One was the good old fashioned way, a few pills, and bandages and you were good to go. The other was prayer. She still didn’t know how to feel about pray-healing being a thing. And it wasn’t just healing, if you were a devout follower and you prayed to your deity, wonderful things happened.

She heard stories she refused to call facts until she saw them for herself, about all kinds of miracles being granted. Not wanting to piss off some self-proclaimed god, she kept her mouth shut. But being an agnostic herself it was hard to do so when so much evidence was presented to her. Using magic helped to keep most of the cynicism out of her interactions.

“How do you do that?”

“Do you want the long or the short explanation?” Ana joked but the girl seemed genuinely curious.

“The long one.” She smiled, which in turn made Ana smile.

So she went on to explain electromagnetism, what caused a magnetic field to manifest, why some metals were magnetic and others didn’t. She took her time and answered every question the girl had, and before she knew it others were listening as well.

Pops, Nimble, Artillery, Cookie sticking around to listen, even asking a few questions themselves. Ice was around and Ana noticed that her ears were perked up as she listened. Gramps and Pup had joined the lecture, taking a break out of their practice.

And she quickly got past the original question, answering things like why the sky was blue, what the moon and sun were, and so forth. She went slowly and didn’t call out anyone disagreeing, she already experienced that and didn’t take it to heart when people didn’t believe her.

But after a few hours, a silence fell on the group as no one could think of any more questions.

“How do you know all that?” Angel asked, awe in her sparkling eyes.

“I’ve spent the better part of my life studying, and all we talked about is just the basics of my field. I’m afraid If I go any deeper into it I will just confuse you.” But that only made the group more curious and after a round of persuasion, she buckled.

“Quantum electrodynamics then. ” Then she proceeded to explain how quantum field theory describes all elementary particles as vibrational nodes in fundamental fields that exist at all points in space and time through the universe. And that quantum electrodynamics provides this description for one such field, that being the electromagnetic field.

But she dumbed it down as much as she could, but still, it was impossible to grasp something that deep without knowing the roots needed. After a few minutes of just getting psyched up, she noticed that the audience was completely lost.

After that Ice finally joined in, asking why such complicated knowledge was important and what could be done with it. While Ice was frowning, Ana could tell that this question came from a curious mind. She thought about the question for a moment, trying to summarize her answer in an understandable format. “I could go on to explain, but instead let me show you.”

Hey Lia. Help me clarify some memories so I can use the Gaborean method for a little presentation.

The spirit was in the middle of something as she usually was so she just grunted. Ana couldn’t understand what the spirit did as she couldn’t just browse Lia’s memories as Lia did hers. Their situation was mystifying, but Ana had to swallow so many other facts to live in this world so she just shrugged and continued.

Ana focused on the spell that was developed as a means to show Borka a movie. Holograms were just images presented in a three-dimensional format. The technology was behind from the way it was presented in other media, but with magic, it became possible to bend the light in such a way as to create an actual model she could influence with just her mind.

She proceeded to show her new teammates glimpses of her world. Tall skyscrapers, cars, planes, rockets, and a few monuments like the Eiffel tower she had visited in the past. So many inventions came from physics and the scientific method that it made Ana quite giddy to go into details.

Sadly her teammates were more impressed by the flashing lights than the content it represented. Her presentation didn’t last long and the night was slowly encroaching so everyone took off, either to bed or any other last-minute plans for their last evening in the city. Ana had her fill with her morning nap so she stayed, joined only by Angel who had been enamored by the earlier presentation.

Seeing the girl already enjoy a few drinks, Ana had to inquire about her age. Learning that Angel was almost 50 years old didn’t come as big of a shock as she expected. Two of them shared stories and drinks, getting to know each other better.

Ana learned more about elven culture in the kingdom and Angel learned more about Ana’s world, after learning that Ana was from a far, far away place in the sky, practically being an alien in this world, she got curious about the people in Ana’s world.

It took a few explanations for Angel to accept that there were only humans there, at least from the perspective of sentient species. It was less of a shock on how the people there were divided as it was similar to the situation with the Kingdom and its neighbors.

At this point, it didn’t matter if anyone knew she was from another world but that also brought so many questions she herself didn’t know and wished she had, so she avoided the subject as much as possible. But she didn’t mind sharing with Angel, and the two spent most of the night sharing in each other’s stories.

When the morning came and the first rays of sunlight with them, Ana woke to find herself in the embrace of Angel as the girl slept. Looking around the two of them had fallen asleep outside but someone had covered them with a blanket.

At that moment she wished she could have frozen time, wanting to preserve that little moment of bliss that was slowly fading away.