Syla held Taka preciously between their hands, cupped like they were carrying a wounded bird as they ran through the fields of plains. Taka had assumed that Syla would be living in a remote village in the forest, but it seemed the elves of this world were settled elsewhere.

For a kid, Syla was able to run incredibly fast. Taka sensed something emanating off Syla, as if there were little particles of invisible matter radiating from all around their elven figure. There also was something similar encasing the two of them, but that was even more difficult to sense -- like feeling vibrations in the air. Taka still had his TELEPATHY skill active, as there hadn't been any draw backs thus far to keeping the link established between himself and the elf:

Syla, are you using magic right now?

"Yes, is that an issue?" Syla queried.

No, not at all. Are you casting wind magic on yourself?

Taka paused for a moment, considering his precarious position as Syla's new tutor -- he couldn't let them know that he knew next to nothing about magic.

In the village I come from, wind magic is not commonly used.

"I didn't know worms had villages! Or were you in a mixed-species settlement? Or was it--" Syla caught themself, but kept running. "Sorry for babbling, I get so excited sometimes... but yes! It's a low level wind magic spell called "Air Tunnel," you use magic to shape the wind around your body so it boosts you forward. I'm also using a basic physical enhancement to run faster."

Ah, interesting. So you're able to cast more than 1 spell simultaneously?

"Well..." Syla mumbled shyly, slowing down just a hair, "Only if one is an enhancement. I'm still working on multi-casting."

Taka smiled, finally, some more useful info about the magic system of this world, he thought to himself. The "Air Tunnel" spell negated the effects of wind resistance whilst pushing you forward and was combined with a physical enhancement that likely increased strength and endurance to create a speed enhancement spell. Even more exciting, Taka now knew that multi-casting was an established magical practice in this world, which opened up endless possibilities for variations of spell combinations... deep breaths, Taka, he thought to himself, no need to get ahead of yourself. Just get yourself to the elf village and find out as much as you can about the current state and rules of this world. You're not going to get anywhere if you're fumbling around in the dark.

"Master Filo?"

Apologies, I was lost in thought thinking about your training regimen. We'll start by working on improving your concentration and awareness to prepare you for multi-casting.

Taka didn't know for sure if concentration or awareness were the areas hindering Syla's ability to multi-cast, but he needed to give himself time to learn magic himself before attempting to teach someone else. Teach, he thought to himself, I have a student...

A notification chimed and appeared in front of his face.

Update: Conditions have been met for ability: EYES OF THE WORM MOTHER.

EYES OF THE WORM MOTHER: Unique racial ability of chosen High Worms. The Worm Mother smiles down upon you. You have been blessed with the gift of true sight.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

The notification disappeared and Taka's vision pulsed blue as a wave of energy hit him harder than a semi-truck. He recoiled in Syla's hands, curling up into a swirl. Syla tried planted their feet and slid to a stop, almost tripping in the process.

"Master Filo!" Syla yelped while crouching down, "are you okay!?"

As the blur from his vision dissipated, Taka saw a gradient of energy coursing throughout Syla's body. It ebbed and flowed like a river on their skin, pulsing here and there. Taka drew his focus back to himself and became keenly aware of the sharp, buzzing energy centered right between his eyes.

Yes, I'm alright. Just give me a moment.

Taka opened his status window.

NAME: Filo RACE: High Worm* CLASS: [UNASSIGNED] MAGIC: Earth, Psychic, ë̶͙͈́̋̽̃̽̆v̵̨̡̯̭̭̮̼́ͅi̸̟͓͈̲͋̒͆̐̎̅̇͆l̶̩͉͙͉͕̓̉̓̈́͌ SKILLS: Telepathy, Burrow, Charm, Fear

Everything was the same as before, except for a small star next to his race and the color indicating it was new. Taka's new ability was nowhere to be seen, so maybe it was part of being a High Worm? Or maybe the display menu didn't display abilities because they were always active?

"Master Filo, are you looking at something? Did you hurt your head?" Syla asked nervously.

That's right! Taka thought to himself, I hadn't checked if the display window was even visible to others. I guess not. Does that mean it's some weird magic that only I can see, or is it just in my head like a hallucination?

"...Master Filo?"

It's just residual pain from my... the incident that caused my amnesia, Filo sent to Syla, please, don't worry, I'm alright. Shall we continue onwards?

Taka was attempting to talk like he was in one of the many fantasy shows Dylan had made him watch, but he had no way of knowing if it sounded normal to Syla. If it didn't, the kid was being polite enough to not call him out on his manner of speech. But he was also a telepathic worm, so maybe he'd get an extra bit of leeway when it came to etiquette and the customs of conversation in this world.

"Yes, let's go! It should only be a few more minutes, you'll be able to see the castle really soon!"

Syla took off running before Taka could ask about the castle, and before he knew it, a medieval style fortress peaked over the horizon. It was breath-taking. The climate had changed from great plains to marshlands, but Syla didn't slow down at all. The water danced beneath their feet as the fortress came closer into view. There were no high walls, just the castle itself and a small town outside. The castle was stunning: high, bright towers peering over the murky swamp below, light stone accentuated with a deep crimson material. As the town came into view, Syla slowed down to a brisk walking pace and Taka felt the wind magic dissipate. Taka could make out the figures of people roaming about, a few shop stalls, a large building that resembled an inn, and cute swamp houses that more closely resembled the hipster tiny homes of his world than the type of huts one might read about in a fantasy book. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen. Before he was able to more closely inspect the town, 2 armored figures bolted towards them.

"Uh-oh," Syla whispered as she halted.

Is something wrong? Are they coming to attack us?

"No, it's just..."

"MISTRESS VONMISH!" The larger of the armored figures bellowed.

They reached Syla and Taka, and both kneeled in front of them. Taka could now see their whole bodies and faces and they were... lizard men?

"We've been so terribly worried, Mistress!" The other figure chided, a lizard woman. "How many times have we asked you to at least take an escort when you want to go exploring?"

"Sorry, Rhoz!" Syla exclaimed, "but I finally found someone new to teach me magic!"

"Teach you magic?" Rhoz echoed suspiciously.

"Yes, he's right here!"

Syla extended her arms to show the lizard people Taka, as if she was showing off a fancy piece of jewelry, or a new puppy.

"The worm?" The large lizard man asked incredulously.

"Mhm! Rhoz, Zirko, meet Master Filo," Syla beamed, then brought their hands up right to their face to be eye level with Taka.

"Master Filo, welcome to Kronkswell."