Raveena tried to incorporate nature energy in her magic for the next few days, this time with both Anna and Kate’s help. While she could feel the energy and was able to gather some of it, she couldn’t successfully infuse it into her magic.

Anna said she had to meet someone and left a day later while Kate stayed with her. Raveena was curious as to who Anna had gone to meet. But all she could get out of Kate was “We’ll tell you once Anna is back. That is of course, if we decide that you’re ready for it”.

“Ready for what?”

“Not telling” Kate had a mischievous smile on her lips and Raveena strongly suspected that this might’ve been part of her getting back at Raveen a for the spider stunt she’d pulled.

Raveena had Grumbled and acted pouty for the next couple of days, but Kate still wouldn’t tell her anything. They spend most of their days in the forest. Kate wanted her to spend some time closer to magical creatures to try and get a better feel for the energy. Raveena didn’t think that this helped her much. But she did like spending time with the animals, so she didn’t complain much.

Kate did show Raveena a few tricks she could do with earth magic. She made small mounds rise and fall on the forest floor as she manipulated the soil around her. Raveen made a comment about how Anna’s water magic looked a lot cooler and impressive; which, in hindsight was a bad idea considering how she’d fell face first into a puddle when the ground under her feet gave way with the next step she took.

Raveena was super piseed to hear Kate’s pealing laughter as she wiped mud off her face and dress.

“First you should respect the ground you walk on little Veena, then we’ll pay more attention to what magic looks more impressive or have spiders scampering up and down other people’s bodies” Kate said with a mischievous grin.

Raveena gave a flat smile back resolving that Kate would have a larger and much nastier spider waiting for her as soon as she could manage it.

They found a lavian stag soon after and stalked it. Raveena tried gathering nature energy with the stag nearby. Raveena could do it so much easier and the energy felt more potent. Raveena projected out her field of magic and tried to reach out to the stag’s mind, similar to what she did with Lavender. She received no response.

“Kate, have you ever had a magical creature as a familiar?”

“No, and as far as I know no one ever has. I’ve heard some stories growing up about some ancient mages managing it, but I’m sure they’re nothing more than fairy tales”.

“Why is it that they can’t be made familiars?”

“No one really knows why. They just don’t respond to the call of the mage’s mind. Some say it’s because magical energies repel each other, while others say it’s an innate choice of the creatures to resist being subjugated by anyone”.

Raveena sighed. She would’ve really liked to have a magical creature as her familiar.

“Don’t look so crestfallen Veena, you can make your familiars special even if they are ordinary animals. Especially if you can do shadow magic”.

“How?”.

“Well, since you can add matter with creation magic, even if you’re unable to create complex animals, you can augment the growth of your familiars. You can make them larger, stronger and more powerful if you wished”.

“You mean that I could have a spider the size of a cat?” Raveena asked mischievously.

“Oh yes you could, but also keep in mind that if that thing comes within fifty feet of me, the earth might open up to swallow the spider and quite possibly it’s creator” said Kate with a smile to match Raveena’s.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Raveena tried infusing nature magic a couple more times with little success and they went back to the house after Kate promised to rustle something up in the kitchen to cheer her up.

***************************************************************************

Anna was back by evening.

“How did it go?” Kate asked as soon as Anna walked into the kitchen.

“He said it was alright. We can take her, '' Anna said with a smile, looking at Raveena.

“Alright. I’ve had it. Both of you tell me what’s going on right now” Raveena was giving them the best glare that she could manage. But the effect was far from what she’d desired. Anna and Kate simply burst out laughing after taking a look at her face.

“You know, You’re really cute when you’re angry Veena. Maybe we should hold off telling her a bit longer Anna” Kate was clearly having fun watching Raveena fuming.

“That’s enough Kate” said Anna and turned to face Raveena.

“I went to see an old friend Veena”.

“Who?”

“Ralf”

“Your ex?”

“Yes”

Raveena didn’t want to pry too much if it was something between Anna and her ex, but her conversation with Kate had given her the idea that this had something to do with her as well.

Raveena waited for Anna to continue.

“Have you heard of the magicis collectio Veena?” Anna asked.

The name rang a bell for Raveena. She had read about it. It was a ceremony held once every three years where mages from all over gathered at a special place atop the Skillion mountains.

Raveena nodded.

“The magicis collectio will be held five months from now and we wanted to present you this time” Anna said

“Present me?” Raveena was confused.

It was Kate who answered “When an apprentice reaches a certain level of proficiency with his/her magic, they are presented at the magicis collectio by their Magister Primis”.

“It’s sort of like an initiation ceremony into the magical community” Anna added.

“Do you really think I’m ready?” Raveena asked. The idea of being presented in front of a bunch of mages was pretty daunting. Raveena really hoped she wouldn’t be asked to perform magic in front of them.

“I wouldn’t say that you’re ready just yet, but at the rate you’ve been going, you’ll be ready in no time”Anna said

Raveena still didn’t look too reassured at this. Noticing her expression Kate said “Don’t worry. Nature magic is not a requirement for you to be presented”.

This did help as Raveena let out a sigh. But there was still something she didn’t understand.

“Why did you have to go see your ex Ralf to present me?”

Kate and Anna looked at each other before Kate answered.

“As you know, Anna hasn’t really told anyone exactly how you became a mage. It would be better if we kept that information to ourselves until we know more. As soon as you’re presented with Anna as your Magister Primis, everyone’s going to make the logical assumption that Anna is your mother”.

Anna gave Veena a small smile.

“We can tell everyone that story except for Ralf. He knows that I can’t have children. So, I wanted to bring him on board with us. That’s why I went to see him” Anna said.

Raveena noticed that Anna winced ever so slightly when she said she couldn’t have kids. She took Anna’s hand in her own. Anna had gone to see her ex just so that she could keep Raveena safe. It must have been really difficult for her.

Raveena stood up and drew Anna into a hug. “Thank you” she said with her head nestled on Anna’s shoulders. Anna hugged her tightly and then gave a kiss on her forehead while stroking her hair, her eyes looked misty as she did so.

“Alright you two, don’t start with the waterworks. We’ve got a long way to go before she’s ready for magicis collectio, where she’s likely to become the center of attention.” Kate said

“I thought you said I’d be ready and that I didn’t need to learn nature magic.” Raveena was affronted that Kate would think she’d make a spectacle of herself at the gathering. She wasn’t that bad.

“I’m not talking about your magic Veena. Anna and I would have a tough job of keeping all the smitten young sorcerers away from you”. Kate said with a smile

“Ha ha. Very funny”.

“She’s not wrong there Veena, you’ll likely be one of the prettiest girls at the gathering. A lot of heads are going to turn if you walk into a room” Anna added.

Raveena hadn’t thought about this. She hadn’t had to deal with any man since her transformation. Suddenly, the Magicis collectio was looking a lot more daunting.