Hit by a sudden inspiration I wanted to stretch out my senses as far as possible. I was lying awake in bed and hoped I wouldn't drift off to sleep.

The range I could reach depended on the intensity of the energy. If it was small I might only be able to perceive it, if it was right in front of me. Huge amounts were detectable at a far greater range. I was curious, if there was anything nearby I hadn't been aware off until now.

At first I didn't become aware of anything. I didn't really know, if it was even possible to stretch out my senses. One thing I could do, was to sort through everything that I did sense and try to find out if there was something in the background that I had filtered out.

Inside myself I was aware of the constant conflict, that I was suppressing. The aura that I produced and the part of it that I consumed. When I looked even deeper I could find something in between the swirling of light and dark. I could make it out and it was familiar, because it felt like the singularity after the ritual. I decided that I wasn't that curious about it and tried to become aware of what was outside of me.

First there was Catherine's aura, which was the closest thing nearby. It was very strong with a taint of dark. I only observed carefully, because I had the impression as she would become aware of me if I intruded there too much. Then I began to scan the house. Many small auras emanated from the storage room. Those I also left behind and breached the boundary of the house.

I stood outside when I took a look around. That seemed wrong. Suddenly I realized that I was actually standing outside, right in front of the house. I had left my body by following my sense. When I looked down my form was a bit strange. It was still the body I had gotten a bit used to by now, but less definite. It had no substance. Maybe I could change it, but it seemed pointless to me and also far less interesting than everything around me.

I couldn't see normally, shapes were strange, but everything I did see was in wonderful colors. It was still night outside, and that seemed to dim the whole scene, but where normally only dark trees would be, now many lively green auras were visible. The ground was there, but I had to take special care to become aware of it. I began to take a stroll out into the woods.

At first the forest had seemed asleep, but even now there were still active animals around. I could see their auras chasing through the scene, or lying in wait. I drifted further along the way. In between the life around me dark spaces stretched out, that were scary to wade through. Nothing out here seemed to detect me, so I just kept going from the vicinity of one tree to the next, preferring the colorful spots of life over the dark around.

It didn't take long when I had come to the city. I had been intuitively following the same direction as usually, but I came out somewhere else than normally. The city was a strange sight, too. Everywhere the auras of the population were around, also many magical items. The streetlamps gave off a comforting light.

Having gotten a bit used to the way I could move, I flew up into the air and took a better look around. The auras I could see were very different in strength. Most were comparatively weak, but there were a few strong beacons as well, and just as with Catherine I avoided focusing too much on them.

From up in the air I took a wide look around. The city down below was nice to watch, but the forest around was actually more colorful, although it didn't have such intense auras as some in the city.

Somewhere far off, to what must have been the northeast, three large pillars stood out, and somewhere behind them was an aura that was stronger than any I had seen so far. I didn't want to get involved in whatever was there and instead looked for somewhere else to scout out.

I went back to the forest, following the way I had come from. Catherine was a good landmark to travel to. Taking another look around, I randomly headed somewhere to the southeast.

The forest continued on like before. To the south a lifeless dark area stretched out, which might be the area where I had first appeared in this world. I preferred the life of the trees and wanted to avoid the strange aura that had been to the northeast of the city, so I traveled into the heart of the forest approximately east.

It stretched on and on and after a while I had lost sight of the gray hill lands to the south and also the aura to the north. I decided to turn around before I became completely lost, but then I spotted something strange up ahead and couldn't resist checking it out.

Quite a bit further up ahead the forest was more alive than any other parts I had seen so far. The auras of the trees were much stronger, and everything seemed to be in harmony. Compared to the wild woods around, this was a garden.

I memorized the direction I had come from, and then went inside to look around. The place was almost blindingly intense and I watched in awe at the scenery around me. Even the ground felt alive. There was animal life here, too. They were majestic specimen, not like the kind outside. But it was not any more peaceful here. Just like outside, nature reigned here.

Lost in amazement I saw fruits that shone brighter than most of the humans of the city. If the animals here had food like that it was no wonder they were this special. I would like to try one of them some day.

It only dawned on me that there might be some power behind this place when a massive aura locked onto me. This was leagues beyond me and I wanted nothing to do with it. I should have payed more attention to my surroundings and perhaps I could have detected it earlier. I tried to hide my presence and dashed for the exit of this place. I had lost any interest in it. Before I could get very far I was suddenly grabbed and unable to move.

“I caught something, mommy.”, a little girls voice rang out.

“That's very nice.”, a woman's voice rang out from a bit further off.

“It can fly really fast!”

I had become part of something far beyond my scope. If the voices were anything to go by, these two were a girl and her mother. But why was this girl so powerful? I was too afraid to talk to them. If the one who had captured me really was a girl she might loose interest if I stopped moving.

“It doesn't move anymore!”

“Did you break something again?”

A disinterested glance swept over me.

“She's just playing dead. If you shake her a little she will wake up again.”

I completely lost any orientation as I was violently swung around a few times. I became really dizzy. After I seemed to come to a standstill I shook my head. Perhaps a different tactic was in order. The mother seemed to be uncaring, so I had to appeal to the girl. I couldn't actually speak, but somehow my intent carried over, just like the voices had reached through the space.

“Hi, can you please release me?”

“Mommy she talked!”

“Yes, Elves can talk. Why don't you play for a bit while I take care of the garden?”

The scenery spun around a bit and suddenly I was sitting next to a very bright aura, which was actually less in size than I was.

“Lets play catch! I already caught you, so now you have to get me.”

She chased off, and I disappeared into the opposite direction. It took a mere second before a now again much larger aura grabbed me and pulled me right back.

“You have to run after me, or this doesn't work.”

There was little choice I suppose. I tried to chase after the form, which had shrunken back to the little form. There wasn't even a chance to reach her. I could rush at her as fast as I wanted, but she was still two steps ahead of me. She ran around wildly and I was getting tired. Somehow it took energy out of me, even though I wasn't corporeal.

“I am getting tired, can you please let me go?”

“We are having so much fun right now, you can't stop now.”

Spoiled brat. There had to be some way to escape here. I was too scared to even consider talking to the mother. There had to be a way to make use of the fact that I wasn't here in physical form. The same rules might not apply. While putting up a token effort at the game, I concentrated on myself. My entire form was attached to my mind, which was what actually constituted 'me'. This body did carry a type of energy, that made up my shape, but it also slowed me down. If I concentrated only on my pure mind and traveled towards... I could sense some connection to my real body.

Once the moment felt ripe, I closed my senses off from my surroundings and let myself drift directly towards my physical body. It seemed like just a small step and I could arrive there, even though I had traveled far longer.

My mind burned as I was forcefully wrested away again. Slowly becoming aware of my surroundings, I was still in the enchanted forest. Whatever had just happened, it had inflicted a kind of wound on my mind, the shapes around me had become blurrier compared to before. The energy body I was inhabiting again had weakened and turned into a vague, jelly-like form, somewhat resembling my normal body.

“That was bad! I am not allowed to leave here and play with you outside.”

Time stretched on. Whatever sustained me grew less, and I struggled thinking clearly. If I wanted to make a break I was shaken around until I showed signs of moving again. This girl's stamina was endless, but mine was at its limit. Finally, after a long time a weak light began to cover the entire land. Dawn was coming. By now I was on the ground from exhaustion, but my keeper would still not leave me in peace.

Then finally the woman's voice rang out:

“It's getting day. Let her go, I am sure she has somewhere else to be.”

“Can't I keep her?”

“Remember what happened to the last one? Just release her.”

“Will I see her again?”

“I don't think so, dear.”

I had to struggle, but the moment I was let go I took the last bit of my strength and concentrated to feel the connection to my physical body. Without hurry, because I lacked the energy to push myself there, I felt myself drawing back until I found myself lying on my bed.

The light of dawn shone through the window. I felt like I hadn't slept a second, which I hadn't. I struggled out of bed. My mana was drained, I was dead tired and my mind in shambles. Still I saw no way around getting up.

I went outside to do some exercises in the hope they would wake me up a bit. I was really lazy today and just went through the motions without actually investing myself in it. What I needed now was lots of coffee, I hope they had something like this here.

Back inside I almost fell into a chair and dozed instead of helping with breakfast.

“Didn't sleep well?”

“I feel like I didn't sleep at all. It was a nightmare.”

“I wanted to ask you to buy some groceries today, but perhaps it can wait for tomorrow.”

“No, it's okay I will manage it somehow. Is there something people like to drink when they are tired?

“There is, but it will only keep you up for about two hours.”

My tired eyes sparkled.

“I advise you against using it all day, you will be wasted.”

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

“Do you have some of it around here?”

Catherine sighed and returned with a herb, which she then used to prepare a cup of tea. After three minutes I took a sip. Yes, this would do, I could already feel it sinking in and stirring me awake.

“Can I take some of those with me?”

“It's your doom.”

Satisfied I took up a backpack for the shopping. I left before I had even finished drinking the cup and took it with me, taking a sip every now and then. It had a unique, bitter taste, which was fitting for a wake up brew I suppose.

Luckily I was finished with it by the time I ran into the first pack of wolves. My movements were sloppy, but still deadly. I got run down by the last of the wolves and had to push its dead body off of me. I tried to sidestep better in the following fights, but I still took some light hits. The situation was actually serious, but after this night the wolves didn't scare me anymore. I was sure to avoid any strange places in the near future.

Before I went to the shop, I visited the stalls on the market place and bought what Catherine wanted me to. I took a bit longer than I had expected, but it is sometimes difficult to shop, when you forget half of the things you were supposed to get. Still, equipped with a proper list I was able to fulfill the order.

When I arrived for work, I put the bag into some corner. I must have looked like a zombie.

“It's only the second day, and you already show up to work in such a bad state?”

“Bad dreams.”

I ignored him and made myself another cup. I had regenerated enough mana to create a bit of water and then heated it up on my own, too. Then I watched it for a few minutes, while the herbs dissolved. Being very tired, staring at a single object is a very enjoyable practice, especially if it is your next drink.

“You don't intend to keep drinking Gislagh tea the whole day?”

I just stared blankly at him.

“Don't expect me to show you anything new today. Try to prepare a few more power cells...”

The day went by ever so slowly. It was difficult enough not to waste any mana, but I must have repeated every step three times more often than I had to yesterday. I spend the whole day doing nothing but creating the power cells and I was hardly even rewarded when only a single

Scribe has increased to level 3.

appeared on the entire day. The longer the day went on, the worse it got. I stayed just about as tired as I was in the morning, but the Gislagh tea must have had certain side effects. I was just as jittery as was normal after spending an entire day drinking coffee. This stuff was stronger though. My senses leaked into each other and my already strong energy perception overlapped into my sight. This created a scene that was a mix of my nightly trip and the normal view.

Towards the end of the workday I had to struggle to work with the scroll, which looked like a parade of symbols. Just as I wanted to leave, another great presence targeted me. Fortunately it wasn't the same as the two yesterday night, but it still seemed familiar. After the horror I had lived through I knew one thing for certain. Entities of such might were bad news, and I wanted to avoid any interaction with them.

Concentrating on my aura, which over the day had automatically slipped back into suppression mode, I eliminated any and every leak that I might have left. I grabbed the pack with the groceries and dashed out of the shop. My mind was too tired to keep up the proper focus, and I slipped every once in a while, and every time I did I was targeted again. I even took a detour into another part of the city, but in the end made too many mistakes it seems.

“Shalyne!”

“Arienne...”

There is one great thing about patterns. You don't have to understand them to respond to them. Arienne's aura was far from the scale of the presence I had felt before, but the two were connected. If I could avoid the detection, I should be able to avoid Arienne. Perhaps on a better day

“Hmm, that is strange, I didn't actually want to go here? Well anyway it's a good thing I did, so I could meet you here.”

“Nice to meet you, too. Where are we anyway? I haven't been here before.”

“That's a strange coincidence, we are close to the adventurer's guild. You haven't been here before? Then I should really introduce you. Have you registered yourself as an adventurer yet? No? Then we should do that and we can even go out hunting monsters together! Maybe nothing too dangerous, I would hate to see you die, but it shouldn't be boring either. Maybe we can form a party. If we go out in a big party we can fight a lot more enemies.”

I really was to tired for this. Arienne dragged me inside and then straight to the counter. There were no people in the room, other than a woman in her fifties at the counter. There were posters on the walls, probably some job offers. There was a bit of noise coming from the adjacent room. It was blocked off by a wall, but I sensed some people there, crowding together in small groups.

The woman looked up from her paperwork. She looked like a exemplary bureaucrat, the look complete with glasses and very orderly attire. A nameplate showed her to be named Mrs. Windon.

“Good day, how can I help you?”

“My friend here wants to register as an adventurer!”

She looked over to me and then handed me a paper. She didn't even ask me.

“Please fill out these forms and return them to me. If you want you can get something to drink in the other room.”

With that she returned to her paper work. I was dragged along.

“I don't really have time for this. I already have a full time job at the enchanter.”

“Don't worry about that now. You don't have to do requests right away. It's better if you get a registration early, then you can join in with me whenever you get the chance! Sometimes I take on easy requests, and if you have a free day you can just come along. Actually, I can take a look at the board later and see if there is something fitting. But first lets get some drinks. I had a long day and wanted to come here to relax anyway. Hmm, I wanted to go to the tavern at the other side of town, but then I changed my mind. But this place is good too and it's good to keep in contact with the other adventurers. You never know when you might team up with them, so it's better to know each other and sometimes go on easy missions, too. Then you know exactly what they can handle. Things can go wrong when you are not on the same page. There was this group not long ago that...”

We entered the bar and sat down on an empty table. The patrons turned around to eye us. I hoped that Arienne's presence would deter them, but almost immediately one of the men at the bar got up and walked over. His neighbor let off a quick comment: “Are you sure you want to get involved with them?”, but was ignored.

The man who walked over was in his late thirties and definitely an attractive man in a dangerous way. Luckily I didn't feel drawn to him, but I could understand his appeal.

“Hello ladies, can I get you a drink?”

I wonder what he saw in us. Adrienne must be well known here and should scare off anyone who was sane enough and had two working legs. And I was sure I had dark circles under my eyes that just screamed: 'leave me alone and let me sleep'. There was no energy left in me to send him away, and it didn't matter anyway, because I would have been far too late to even react anyway.

“Sure, something strong and sweet for me, and for Shalyne here some wake-up brew. A little kick to get her running again.”

I was only half listening, instead staring blankly at the application form in front of me, but not really caring to do something about it. While the man left for the bar Arienne was babbling on, but I didn't make out anything and only when a glass with some drink as dark as the night appeared before me, did I look up again.

“It is better than it looks, trust me. Name is Richard. I am one of the better adventurers here and do mostly monster hunting commissions. I see you are applying as an adventurer. Do you have experience as a scout? You hide your aura pretty well.”

It would take some time until my subconscious had adapted to the way I wanted to show my aura. It might be difficult to get rid of Richard right now, so I answered him.

“Actually I don't even know why I am here. I don't really have the time to work as an adventurer. It's just that my 'friend' here has dragged me here and now I am struggling to get out of it.”

Richard laughed out loud. As I looked over at Arienne I realized that the form had begun filling itself out.

Me: “How can you fill it out for me? You barely know me.”

Arienne: “Most of these things don't really matter. You can leave them out or change them later on. The most important thing is your reputation.”

She seemed to ponder some point.

Arienne: “That might be a bit important. What is your class anyway? You have sword, but work at the enchanter. Do you have a mage class?”

Me: “Yes, I am a sorceress.”

Arienne: “You should become a warrior instead. It's much more fun to fight up close. Yes, that's a better idea.”

I took forceful control over the form, and looked it over.

Name: Shalyne Race: Elf Sex: Female Age: - Class: Warrior Experience: -

This was pitiful. Would the guild really accept those blanks?

Richard, who was taking a look gave a comment: “It's not that they check up on people. Nobody cares about the F-Rank adventurers, and by the time you increase to a better rank, your reputation is more important. It's not that you are applying for becoming a guard.”

He had distracted me just long enough, and now Arienne had already run off to the door. Was I even required in this whole process?

Richard: “So, what brings an elven sorceress out here into these parts. I can't imagine you came here to learn enchanting.”

“No, I ended up here by chance. Things developed and now Mr. Heart has agreed to teach me inscription, so I might be staying for a while. It also means that I don't have actual time for this”, I said with some spite in direction of the other room.

“Why would you agree to work for somebody like that? I am sure there are better options for somebody like you. If you are interested, my group always has an extra spot for a sorceress.”

“I don't have any real experience in combat or adventuring. Perhaps I will try it out once I have finished learning inscription, but that will take a long time. I will see about it then.”

“There are also some adventurers who just do it as a hobby in their free time. You can do many missions in just a day, and it can be a nice change compared to your day job. There is a priestess who works at the hospital and is still part of our group.

And if you are lacking experience, it might even be better to learn a bit now and if you want to become a full time adventurer later on, you can start out at once. We can always use some more spell support, and I am sure our wizard can show you a trick or two.”

A voice came across the room from the bar: “Don't make promises for other people!”

“Don't spy on others!

That is one of his annoying tricks, he can enhance his senses and listen to things that don't concern him.”

An actual repertoire of useful spells would be nice to have. I could manipulate mana freely, but it was nice to have some inspiration what it could be used for. Adventuring might not call out to me for now, but to see a professional adventuring mage in action was interesting.

Me: “I wouldn't mind seeing that in action.”

Arienne: “You can't just join another group after I registered you! Look, even our cards look almost the same!”

When did she return? I looked the cards over and they really did look a bit alike.

Name: Shalyne Name: Arienne Lightleaf Race: Elf Race: Elf Sex: Female Sex: Female Age: - Age: - Class: Warrior Class: Warrior Rank: E Rank: A

 Apparently it was really possible to avoid certain questions. Now I was really curious about her age though.

Arienne: “What is your family name? Perhaps we are related, or I might at least have heard of it.”

That was another thing I had not even considered. The runaway princess theory would probably get its first advocate now. I could of course use my old name, or invent something, but it felt wrong, so I decided against it.

Me: “I would rather not tell.”

Arienne: “Let me have a guess. You aren't...”

Richard: “If she doesn't want to tell, let her be. We were also talking about a possible mission before...”

Although he did come to my aid it seemed too calculated and I was far too worn out to get into any more stress. I lost track of the conversation and took the first sip of the strange drink. It really did taste good, but I feared it was masking its effect.

A sudden silence hang in the air and as I looked up they were looking at me.

Richard: “Do you have the Analysis spell?”

Me: “Yes, why?”

Richard: “Arienne and I were talking about a possible scouting mission. There has been an increasingly large amount of strong monsters around and there is a request to get some data. Our mage can also use analysis, but then he won't be able to assist in the fights. If we want to get some real information we have to get further out into the wild and I would prefer to be at full strength.”

Arienne: “You worry too much. Shalyne and I can do this job with just the two of us!”

I was almost choking on my next sip. When had we ever decided to actually go out, let alone on such a dangerous mission?

Me: “The whole thing starts to sound too dangerous to me. I don't think my first time out should be such a dangerous mission, and then especially not with just one companion.”

Richard: “Exactly, that is why we agreed to join up. That way you don't even have to fight. The fact that you can do the analysis will actually increase your safety, because now our mage is free to act.”

This had escalated quickly, but I had to admit, that it sounded like a good chance to get out and watch some real professionals in action. With Arienne around I felt somewhat safe in an unfamiliar group. The only one I didn't feel safe with was she herself. She and a whole day of talking.

Me: “The only day I am free right now is Sunday. If it is any other time I am afraid I will have to pass on this.”

Richard: “Then I will ask around and get word to you tomorrow.”

After that the conversation began to continue on and I began to empty my drink. By now I had settled down into a comfortable tiredness, and was content to just sit around. A bit of sleep might be nice, though. How late was it? I looked out but the light was already getting dimmer.

“I have to get back!”

I only just remembered to put away the card that still laid on the table, grab my sword and backpack and then I rushed off. I ran the whole way to the forest, and even inside I kept jogging. The light had begun to grow weak, and I really didn't want to travel in the dark.

Some annoying animals stood in my way. The pressure of time and the stress that had built up since last night were screaming for a release.

“Fireball!”

“Bolt of Darkness!”

“Searing Light!”

I didn't cast the spells in the most perfect form, but destructive intent and increased power make quite the difference. I looked over the scorched wolf and remembered to put out the fire. Perhaps I should stick to the sword, but they had gotten in my way. I started running again.

Endurance has increased by 1.

That was nice to hear, because by now I was panting heavily and it was difficult running in a straight line in any case. It took me a while to get my breath under control, but I was still unsteady. The next group of wolves arrived just at the right time when inspiration hit me. I channeled the entire remains of my mana through my sword, and let it rush out with a wide swing. A wide blade cut through the air and cleaved into most of the wolves and into the trees, too.

Sorceress has increased to level 4.

Warrior has increased to level 6.

The last remaining one still stupidly rushed at me, but ate my blade. I was a bit worn out, and my legs felt weak, so I wasn't able to move when it crushed right into me. The impact hit me straight in the center and I was thrown back unto the ground. I had enough awareness to hold out the sword to the side, so it wouldn't cut into myself. Then I fell right on the ground and my head plopped on the ground. I guess I was lucky that the ground consisted of soil and I had a soft landing.

As I laid there for a bit, trying to get my wits, I looked up at the wolf that had found a nice place on top of me. Some of his upper teeth were softly piercing me and I took care to finally lift him to the side without hurting myself further. It was difficult, because I had expended my strength. I limped the rest of the way and was glad the last and only remaining pack consisted of only two more wolves, which I fought by taking cover behind a tree and landing cowardly stabs at them.

Finally the hut came into sight. I got my hands on a healing potion and was even able to clean myself before falling into bed. Late night strolls through the forest were something to be avoided, especially when in bad condition.