In a ruined home, Tyrus sat on a chair, stiff as a corpse and screaming internally. He stared at the floor, feeling the adventurers' eyes piercing through his skin.
They figured they needed a break to get their energy back. More beasts were lurking within the Wasteful Wetlands, making it unwise to return at the moment. Tyrus assumed they were avoiding the possibility of encountering more creatures on the path.
Occupying a creaking chair, Fiona crossed her legs. “I still cannot believe this kid is an Elemental Sorcerer at the age of nine. Although not rare, most children blessed with Sthito awaken to mana at eleven years old!”
“Also, he has told us he’s an orphan,” Reo added. Leaning against a wooden post, he stood in the far room with a nonchalant demeanor. “I don’t know about you guys, but have you heard of an orphan who’s already at the stage where he can cast spells? That would mean he’s developed enough to be a Fledgling Sorcerer.”
Grant, who had been standing at the entrance, added his voice. “Orphan or not, he has shown considerable skill and mettle. Throughout the journey, he has evaded detection, is an Elemental Sorcerer, and has displayed a certain level of proficiency in wielding a dagger. In the presence of danger, he valiantly fought the goblins toe-to-toe rather than succumbing to fear. And... his eyes tell me he is accustomed to slaying beasts.”
Silence ensued after Grant made his commentary. When the volume dropped, Tyrus didn't dare to raise his head. He counted the dust settled on the mangled planks. Crates and vases were strewn everywhere in the building, which had crumbling stone walls. It was a grim place that matched his situation. He fidgeted with the ring as his lips remained closed.
Fiona's sudden gasp broke the silence in the house. “He’s the one I sensed back in Valier Forest!”
“So you did feel something back there,” Reo muttered.
“Cut me some slack, alright? I just wasn't focusing on my mana sense. Anyway, I felt a person’s mana only for a split second. When I found nothing, I shrugged it off. It was you, wasn’t it?”
Tyrus slowly nodded. There was another short period of silence before the sound of shuffling broke it. A pair of leather boots entered his view. Fiona was there when he looked up. “If you don’t mind, can you show me your primary element again?”
He regarded her skeptically. What's the reason behind her desire to witness his magic? What was she scheming? Tyus initially considered refusing, as he didn't want to reveal more than necessary, but he changed his mind. Even if she asked rudely, he couldn't refuse. Because of his actions, they found themselves in a dangerous situation that could have turned fatal in an instant.
From the snippets of information he gathered when he traveled, villagers would often speak of explorers. It was a profession that accepted contracts from all over the land. In addition, he learned they received benefits because of the job's hazardous nature. One of the advantages was the ability to connect with those in power, including members of the nobility. Tyrus had no exact understanding of what it meant, but he knew it could be harmful to him.
Without words, Tyrus channeled his mana and materialized his magic. A dance of blue light lit up the already dreary shack. With wonder in her eyes, Fiona gazed at it. “It really is the lightning element! I never thought I’d see such a rare element in these conditions.”
“You said this is lightning?" Tyrus asked.
When he locked eyes with Fiona, he detected glee in those brown eyes of hers. “People consider it to be a more potent element than fire. Actually, I think it’s better to say lightning is a higher version of fire. You probably already know this, having defeated the two-tusked boar and all, but infusing enough mana into the lightning element can scorch your enemies like fire!”
Tyrus’ body went rigid at the mention of a boar. “H-How do you know I killed the boar?”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh please. It had burn marks on a section of its skin and shallow stab wounds around the neck. You are an Elemental Sorcerer who carries a dagger.”
“…That doesn’t mean it was me. Someone else could be responsible.”
A sigh escaped Fiona's lips as she rested her hand on her hip. “Aren’t you cautious… Look, there’s no need to keep denying it. What’s your problem, anyway? It’s not like we’re going to hurt you or do anything nefarious.”
“You should always be careful of your surroundings,” Tyrus said with a frown. Her words had triggered painful memories that he wished to erase. Although she comes across as blunt, Tyrus was still thankful for the information that led to solving another mystery. On two occasions, she called his element lightning. It never occurred to him he held a power that came from storms. To his knowledge, lightning was white, but the power he wielded was blue.
Fiona noticed his facial expressions and sighed again. “I can see you’re having trouble believing me. Frankly, I have no reason to lie. Back to the topic of elements. Lightning is considered a superior form of fire because its spells possess more raw power. Lightning and fire result from the immense heat they create. Past sorcerers have concluded that it is one of the rare elements to acquire. So basically, your primary element is incredibly powerful!”
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Tyrus was completely engrossed, with his jaw almost touching the floor. He made an effort to process each set of information individually before reaching the end. Fiona's use of straightforward language helped Tyrus understand it quickly. When he repeated it slowly in his head, a question had arisen. “You said primary element twice. What do you mean by that?”
Weirdly enough, Fiona smirked at the question. “Man, your knowledge of sorcery is very limited. Well, it can’t be helped. You should be thankful I, Fiona Lockhart, will impart to you my immense wisdom–“
“Fiona…” Grant warned.
“Okay, maybe I got carried away–“
“Not that,” he interrupted. Gathering his weapons, he marched out of the home. “We have guests.”
“What?!”
The three left the house, leaving Tyrus all by himself. He wondered what had gotten their attention and scratched his head.
The idea of escaping crossed his mind for a moment. Already he was treading on thin ice, and it was only a matter of time until they discovered his secret. Tyrus heard two different voices inside him, one urging him to leave and the other whispering sweet nothings. The words were mostly about listening to the sorcerer. He was eager to learn more about sorcery and what she meant by primary element. Tyrus had just gotten a taste of casting his very first spell, and he needed another. One sip of water from the barrel wasn't enough to sate his thirst.
He was craving to devour the whole thing.
With his mind made up, he summoned his dagger and sprinted right outside. Immediately after, he stopped in his tracks and almost dropped his weapon. The explorers were standing near the damaged wagon, facing the front of the gate. Stomping inside of Salithia was a goblin much bigger than the rest.
The creature possessed identical external features, but stood a full head taller than Grant, who was already quite tall. Instead of being slim, their body frame was large and muscular. They carried a sword that was too heavy for an ordinary man to lift, while a loincloth was strapped to their hips. Their piercing yellow eyes brimmed with rage as they surveyed the bloodied field. Suddenly, a deep guttural roar erupted from them, causing Tyrus's ears to throb.
“These monsters had a hobgoblin leading them?” Reo said.
The hobgoblin snarled as it took a menacing step toward the three. When Grant and Reo were about to initiate an attack, Fiona stopped them. She then whispered into their ears, and both men nodded along as they kept his eyes on the approaching creature. When Fiona finished, Grant and Reo separated and charged at opposite ends of the hobgoblin, catching its attention.
Each time the hobgoblin swung their greatsword down at Grant, he would meet it head-on and force them back. Reo, with his rapid agility and nimble footwork, evaded the hobgoblin’s onslaught with ease. He moved in and out of its range, delivering precise strikes that landed with deadly accuracy. When he retreated, the wounds on the hobgoblin had healed incredibly quickly. It growled as it swung at Reo, who dodged gracefully.
The confrontation had Tyrus so absorbed that he only now sensed an outpouring of mana. He whipped his head to see Fiona in deep concentration. A swirling vortex of orange flames formed around the tip of her staff, growing brighter and larger with each surge. Tyrus felt drawn towards the astonishing raw power emanating from her. Time seemed to stand still as the buildup of mana reached its peak, and Fiona’s focused expression gradually softened. She opened her eyes, revealing a determined glint within them.
“Move it!”
Grant deflected another slash from the hobgoblin and ran in the other direction. Reo stepped back and nodded in Fiona’s direction. Once they were away, she released the magic that brimming with energy.
“Flame Breath!”
A torrent of flames erupted from Fiona’s staff, hurtling toward the unsuspecting hobgoblin. The searing heat and blazing intensity of the spell swallowed the lifeless bodies of the fallen goblins, reducing them to ash in an instant. The puddles of muck that had tainted the ground hissed and evaporated, transforming into tendrils of steam that mingled with the already dense fog.
The hobgoblin, caught off guard and unable to escape the inferno, was engulfed entirely by Fiona’s spell. A gut-wrenching wail pierced the air, a desperate cry of pain and anguish as the creature flailed its arms in a futile attempt to extinguish the consuming flames. With each passing moment, its cries grew weaker, and its strength faltered. The hobgoblin sank to one knee, its body wracked with the torment of the scorching fire.
As the flames licked at its flesh, the hobgoblin relinquished its grip on the greatsword it had wielded; the weapon clattered to the ground. Weakened and overwhelmed, it ultimately succumbed to the relentless blaze, tumbling onto the dirt with a final, feeble gasp. The fire continued to burn, consuming everything in its path until nothing remained.
Everything reeked of burnt flesh, hitting Tyrus's nose as he watched everything happen. Fiona's spell unleashed such sheer power his eyes widened with a mix of awe and admiration.
As Fiona wiped the sweat from her brow, she turned toward Tyrus and, with a playful wink, waved. “Pretty cool, right?”
Overwhelmed by shock, Tyrus once again experienced deep gratitude for the opportunity to observe. The magic performed by Fiona was as beautiful as the ice shower.
To create a reenactment or mimic the spells, Tyrus would need to learn the incantations to summon their power. He couldn't accomplish much by himself. To truly learn about his element and its capabilities, he must search for sources that are linked to it. Fiona gave the impression of being knowledgeable about the matter during her lecture. Since she seemed like a powerful and educated Elemental Sorcerer, maybe she could help him with his troubles.
As he approached Fiona, Tyrus clung to his cap. He knew he was walking on a rope over a cliff. He had no choice but to push his luck, or he'd have regrets forever. Tyrus had resolved himself to learn as much as he could so that he could rise from the bottom. With a sorcerer in front of him, he planned to use her as a stepping stone to success. Tyrus believed he could do it as long as he concealed his true identity. Fiona expressed interest in his abilities, so he decided to test the waters and see if he could push it even further.
What’s the worst that could happen?