FMH ~ 15!

- Taylor -

“You’re pretty messed up, Master Don.” Taylor was looking at the landscape, the stacks of books that went on forever, and the flames that were reflected in Master Don’s eyes. His smile as he had sent the exploding ball of plasma into the sheaf of peaceful spellforms would appear in her dreams tonight for certain.

“Ahh… apprentice.” Don took a deep breath, relishing in the scent of burning paper and boiling ink. “Ask yourself, how did a man with the historically lowest starting mana pool become arguably the most powerful Archmage on our planet?”

“Before I got to know you, I’d say that it was likely a combination of working harder than everyone else combined, plus a lot of luck.” Taylor took in the crisping landscape as oily smoke rose into the air. “Now… I’m going to have to guess… area of effect spells?”

“All of that and just a smidge more.” Master Don started walking toward the decimated spellforms, motioning for her to hurry up. “One, I had an excellent teacher that really cared about what happened to me, and he helped me learn the very important lesson that I have been teaching you for the last half year. What is that lesson, Taylor?”

“There are no compromises on the path to power, unless the compromise is worth more than you give up.” Taylor recited clearly, knowing from experience that if she mumbled he would make her repeat herself. “Everything here is a step on that path, and if it doesn't join you, take its Potentia.”

“No, that’s the lesson that I have been teaching you.” Master Don tapped his chin as a spike erupted from his book and skewered a charging Knockback. The bull-shaped spellform unraveled, falling apart into ink, paper, and a cloud of light that drifted over and sank into Master Don. “My lesson to you is that there is no such thing as honor. Dignity is a fool’s word, and I needed to grab power no matter what the cost.”

“Frankly, you’re better than I was.” He nodded at her respectfully. “That’s why I changed the lesson that you were going to be taught. I think that you have what it takes to be the next Archmage. The kingdom needs someone that can take my place, and be respected… not just feared.”

“There you go again!” Taylor threw her hands into the air. “There’s no chance that I become the next Archmage! Plus, people respect you. They have no choice!”

“Wrong. I have the power and authority to make them regret acting out.” Don sternly stopped her. “I know that they despise my methods, and most think that I am nothing more than the kingdom’s trump card. They are correct, but for the wrong reasons. I was simply taught that my success was the most important thing, and the lesson stuck. You though-”

Taylor interrupted and quoted the words she had heard dozens of times, “‘I can train you properly, and you’ll be a shining light for the kingdom’. I know it, Don, but I just can’t believe it.”

“Which is why we are going to my personal hunting grounds. We are going to fill your spellbook with the most powerful spells we can find, and then make you practice using them until you can ruthlessly destroy anything they put in your path.” Master Don explained patiently.

“Who is this ephemeral ‘they’?” Taylor tiredly inquired. While they were speaking, she stole a glance at her status, pleased with her progress, though she didn't want to tell Don that. He was being irritable today. She had gained a level every other month, and that was even while she was devoting Potentia to her spells to upgrade them.

Cal Scan

Level: 3

Current Etheric Xenograft Potentia: 445/500 to level 4!

Body: 1.4

Fitness: 1.7

Resistance: 1.1

Mind: 8.9

Talent: 10.5

Capacity: 7.3

Presence: 1.9

Willpower: 1.7

Charisma: 2.1

Senses: 5.1

Physical reaction: 8.1

Mental energy: 2.1

Health: 61

Mana: 165

Mana regen: 3.5 per second 

Spells

T1: 2

See full listing?

She was pleased that she had managed to increase everything a little without using her leveling points. Those had gone into Mind sub-characteristics twice, and she had been forced to increase her Senses to stay alive without any defensive spells. She froze and dismissed her status when she realized that Don had gone silent. Taylor glanced at him and saw an arched brow. “All done preening over your stats? That is considered rude, you know.”

Taylor flushed. “I know, sorry.”

“Hmm. Courtly mannerisms.” Master Don shook his head in disgust. “Lord of Flame’s fiery beard, I need to teach you etiquette as well, don’t I? Good thing we have a few more years… which is also the answer to your question. The ‘they’ I speak of is Nobles, Merchants, the Royal family, and the various guilds that represent the commoners. When I say that ‘they’ dislike how utterly needed I am, just feel free to believe me.”

“Ignore that for now, it is finally time to get you a defense spell. With your Talent already above ten, there are so many spells you could learn. If you manage to do so…” he shook his hands at the sky and shouted, “I can finally go take a nap! Hah! In all seriousness, I will be letting you go off and discover things on your own most of the time after you are more well-protected.”

Taylor perked up at that, looking forward to this trip just a little bit more. They walked through the herd of decimated spellforms and paused near the stacks of books. Master Don gave her a level stare. “I need an oath from you. You will never show anyone how to do this, except the person you plan to have replace you as Archmage. Your personal apprentice, not just another Namer that you train. Understood?”

She nodded, and Don pulled her close. He reached out and grasped a book. Instead of flapping and attempting to escape like any normal book would… this one let out a *click*. All Taylor could manage to get out was, “What?”

Then they fell through the ground.