This tale is from long ago, before Suzieen gained the title of “The Great Witch of Valentis”. She was a simple young adult mage not destined for greatness with a stubborn desire for power. Her wish to surpass the human limit is driven by that desire. However, she did not hail from a family of powerful magicians. Growing up, she used the study of magic to escape the toxic reality of her family. Countless tales of magical adventures and great mages. Tales of paradise, the legendary Magiem, which was one that she wished to escape to. Once she had become old enough, she enrolled herself in a school of magic. She had fine control and became quite knowledgeable about magic, but her lack of natural talent and slightly below average mana pool prevented her from graduating as a top student. Graduating meant she was free to use her knowledge in any non-illegal way. However, top students received many benefits, such as job opportunities, high-quality research materials, high-quality equipment, and even their own personal place to study magic.
In order to achieve greater heights with magic, she experimented with her own blood. Experimenting on other humans was illegal. People considered experimenting on oneself to be suicide, so there was no official ban on it. It was just frowned upon and considered too risky to be worth the effort. Failure could mean death or a fate worse than death. Suzieen didn’t care. She wished to be stronger; she had to surpass her limits.
Suzieen’s appearance was one of a normal human adult. She had long messy white, purple hair and gray-colored eyes. Although her body was more toned than the average person because of training her physical body alongside her magic. She had many scars throughout her body because of training or being in danger.
Suzieen was relaxing at her favorite bar and chatting with the current bartender working, Alicia. She wore the uniform of the bar and had short blue hair and brown eyes. While drinking, Suzieen felt someone’s gaze, however she couldn’t find the source. With each sip, she let herself dissolve into the alcohol. “So, Suzieen, any progress on your research?” Alicia asked. She wasn’t busy, and it wasn’t prime hours yet.
“Well, I recently got a hold of something rather interesting.” Suzieen smiled while sipping her drink.
“Something rather interesting, huh? I hope your efforts bear fruit. I’ll be waiting to see the results.” Alicia smiled. “After you’ve finished your current work, you might want to get yourself cleaned up. Beauty is a woman’s weapon, after all.” She commented on Suzieen’s unkempt appearance.
“You’re right, I’ve been so focused on my research that I haven’t been taking care of myself.” Suzieen lightly laughed.
“Well, if you need anything, let me know.” Alicia smiled and poured Suzieen another glass.
Suzieen had saved up enough money to own a modest home on the outside of a small village. She called the place home and had built a sizable underground laboratory using magic. However, it took her many months to fully finish it. The piles of notes scattered around filled the laboratory.
She spent her time researching and drinking cheap alcohol. To earn money, she would sell leftover monster parts, or by helping the villagers. Based on observations, she noticed monsters didn’t need to chant to cast magic spells. No matter what she tried, she couldn’t figure out chant-less casting. Another hurdle she was trying to overcome was her below average mana pool size. She had gotten a hold of a rare ice beast. Although the corpse wasn’t fresh, it still held more magical power than her within it.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t simply consume the blood like someone born as a blood mage. She had to approach it differently so that she could increase her power. With a knife, she tore into her own flesh and began chanting, harnessing water magic to infuse the beast’s blood into herself. Her veins were visibly protruding outwards because of the excess blood in her veins. The ice beast’s blood coursing through her made her skin paler. Her breath was now a visible icy fog. Her consciousness was rapidly fading, and she could hardly keep herself awake. She attempted to cast fire magic to heat herself up, but the words refused to come out. Only a puff of icy air escaped from her throat.
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Is this the end? Will I die so far away from my goal? I can no longer speak, let alone cast a spell. Fire... I need fire. Fire that will thaw my frozen blood. A strong visual of flames appeared in her mind. She imagined it coursing through her chilled blood. She had studied magic so intently that she understood even the smallest aspects of the fire spells. The color returned to her skin as her blood began to thaw. She was no longer in danger from freezing to death. However, she was now in danger of burning to death. The flames she conjured continued to grow, causing the temperature of her blood to steadily climb and endangering her well-being. The magical energy within her body had strengthened her and bought her some time. Focusing on the mana that made up the flames and attempted to force it apart. Her success led to a normalization of her blood’s temperature. Although she had survived, she promptly lost consciousness on her floor. With the danger finally being over, she could relax.
The following morning, she awoke and sensed a surge in her magical abilities. Despite almost dying, she grew stronger. Nevertheless, she remained unsatisfied. She wanted more power by any means necessary. Although, as much as she’d like to inject more blood into herself. She would most likely die if she were to attempt again so soon. For now, she took a day off and went to her favorite bar in town. It was a cozy bar with a great atmosphere alongside delicious drinks. It was the perfect place for her to rest and recover.
Today was a day to relax, so she wouldn’t be spending too much on drinks this time around. Her plan was to sit somewhere in a corner and melt into her seat. The building had a simplistic overall exterior, but it was furnished with dark walnut wood. As she opened the door, the scent of ale greeted her. She took a nice whiff of it as she went inside. “Hey Lue, I’ll have my usual.” She greeted the bartender. He was in the middle of making a cocktail. He acknowledged her request with a light nod, without breaking his focus. She sat on one of the stools, as she awaited her drink. She felt someone burning a hole in the back of her head with their gaze. Lue was still making drinks for other patrons. Suzieen looked back at the one who was gazing at her. The person whose intense gaze had gotten her attention was that of a beautiful woman. The woman appeared to have long brown hair and crimson red eyes.
I wonder what this pretty lady wants from me? Her body seems to be clouded with magic. Those crimson ruby-colored eyes of hers are quite unique. Suzieen greeted the woman with a small wave and a smile. The woman, upon realizing she had been seen, attempted to act casual by waving back with a small smile. She then grabbed her cocktail glass and sat next to Suzieen. She was even more eye-catching up close. Suzieen was curious about this woman who had shrouded herself with magic. None of the other customers seemed to notice her. How very odd, I wonder what she wants?
“I’ve been coming to this bar for a long time. I know all the regulars, you’ve always had good instincts, but this is the first time you’ve been able to see me. The bartenders, I allow them to see and speak with me temporarily.” She explained. Her voice was full of confidence, yet she didn’t sound arrogant. Suzieen was about to ask about that. It’s as if she sees through me, and knows what I want to say. Just who is she? The woman was smiling at Suzieen, she looked at Suzieen like a giant watching a tiny ant succeed. “I had believed that you had hit your limit, and that you had no more room to grow. However, it seems I was mistaken. Humans truly are full of surprises. I wonder just how far you’ll be able to grow. Call me Tia.” The woman placed two fingers on Suzieen’s cheek and gave some mana to her. Suzieen saw a vision of Tia’s true draconic form, which disappeared after Tia put her hand down. Suzieen’s jaw fell to the floor after seeing Tia’s true form. “Your body is quite remarkable. If you’d like, I wish to help you achieve your dream, Suzieen.” Tia sipped her cocktail.
Suzieen was still processing the revelation and the sudden expansion of her mana pool. She poured more mana into me than the ice beast’s entire mana pool. I suppose her being a mythical dragon would allow that to be possible. What a twist of fate to meet one, and one that wants to help me. “Of course. I’d appreciate your help.” Without hesitation, Suzieen agreed to Tia’s proposal. Tia, the mighty dragon shrouded in mystery, would play a pivotal role in Suzieen’s life.